Japanese rock icons [ALEXANDROS] are currently wrapping up an incredibly busy 2018 following a run of U.S. shows, a feature in the live adaptation of BLEACH! and most recently, the release of of their latest album, Sleepless In Brooklyn. With an insanely busy year behind them, one would think that the band would be excited to head back home and take a short break before hitting the road or getting back to work again, but [ALEXANDROS] are already looking toward the future. With winter festival plans and a headlining tour kicking off in December, the band is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Formed in 2007, [ALEXANDROS] have taken the Japanese rock scene by storm with the release of six albums and continuously sold out tours. The band has supported major rock bands such as Muse, Kasabian, and Primal Scream in Japan, as well as made appearances at international festivals like SXSW(US) and The Great Escape(UK). Get to know a little bit more about the band and listen to Sleepless In Brooklyn now below.
Interview by Dom Vigil
Can you tell us a little bit about [ALEXANDROS] for anyone who might not be familiar?
Hiro: A rock band based in Tokyo. We’ve done our first stadium show in Japan this summer and now we want to make it happen around the globe.
You guys recently wrapped up a couple of shows here in the U.S.. What was the highlight of these performances?
Yoohei: Don’t know. I’m always trying to make the best moment in every show so….
Masa: Doing a gig in NY was a dream come true. We’d love to tour west coast next time.
Hiro: It was cool that we could finally take our first step as a band in the U.S., the shows were awesome, and we had such a great time. I would say my personal highlight is the jet lag I was suffering during the shows which was pretty heavy, and I was literally feeling like the stage was shaking the whole time. I can’t wait to be back in the States though!
Sato: All my friends that I met in NY while making the album came to see the show and that felt really great.
The run of tour dates followed the release of your new single, “Mosquito Bite,” which is featured in the live action adaptation of BLEACH! Can you tell us about the song?
Hiro: An awesome tune with the coolest riff and the greatest melody.
Yoohei: I think it’s my masterpiece.
Did you have any goals in mind when you first started working on “Mosquito Bite”?
Yoohei: I tried make it huge, even though I made it out of acoustic guitar. I could easily imagine the big stadium singing the oh oh part.
Masa: Just wanted to make a cool track!
With the new single out now, you also announced your new record, Sleepless In Brooklyn! What goals did you have in mind when you first started working on the album?
Yoohei: All we had in our mind was to make good songs. Not great songs.
Hiro: We created most of the album in Brooklyn, where we totally fell in love with right away. Simply just living there was very inspiring, so we wanted to stay as free as possible and let our instinct lead our way to creation.
Sato: We usually never set goals, but I knew it was going to be an album with good vibes.
Masa: Personally, I was hoping to have NY feelings, stylish and stimulating, in this album.
How do you feel you’ve grown with the writing and recording of the album?
Yoohei: Don’t even wanna know
Sato: I think I can hit more comfortable, more rhythmic and more danceable beats now.
Masa: Staying in NY/NJ for half a year made a great impact on my life. For someone who was born and raised in Japan, every day was a new discovery and inspiring. I’m sure this new element will enrich my life musically and personally.
What are you excited for fans to hear on Sleepless In Brooklyn?
Yoohei: mmm…Last Minute?
Hiro: Your Song
Sato: ARPEGGIO
Masa: It’s hard to pick as the album includes different kinds of genres but I think “Last Minute” is one of the songs that represents the album.
Do you have any other big plans for the rest of 2018?
Hiro: We are going to attend some of the winter rock festivals in Japan, and our headlining tour starts in December.
Masa: We haven’t announced it yet but we’re talking about performing abroad so stay tuned. And Dec 12th is my birthday!
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