Gang, elated

Bangin’ with Brooklyn duo Japanther

CONEHEADS: Japanther

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Whether it’s because of Japanther’s penchant for tape collages, drummer/vocalist Ian Vanek’s label Tapes Records having released the debut Black Dice single, or just because Japanther cool their heels in Brooklyn, the unfair label of “noise band” has followed the duo around like toilet paper stuck to their shoes. Shame, really, because anybody with a set of fully functional ears will agree this duo plays stripped-down punk rock, albeit with big fucking beats going toe to toe with infectious melodies, some clever tape accompaniment and telephone receivers used as microphones.

As good as the band is on record, though, it’s in the live setting that Japanther really shines. Their frenetic energy only gets fiercer with each passing tour, while their audiences manages to rise to the occasion, resulting in unhinged dance parties. The duo are fully committed to storming the dancefloor no matter how big or small the venue, be it a traditional showbar or an art gallery, abandoned building or indoor swimming pool. The Mirror had an e-mail exchange with Vanek while Japanther was in Los Angeles, en route to New York.

Mirror: The band started as graffiti artists. What is the correlation between bombing and playing music?

Ian Vanek: The improv attitude of getting shit done with the limited tools around you, and taking nothing and making something really cool out of it.

M: How did your label Tapes Records start?

IV: I started a bedroom label to release Black Dice and XBXRX, and then we started our band in ’01 and already had a label built in. I like to do design projects and making my friends’ albums so they can go on tour and have fun. We are also doing a Matt and Kim 12-inch and a Punkin Pie 10-inch that should be coming out soon.

M: You have described Japanther as more of a gang than a musical project.

IV: We are a deep international gang with people in Australia, Europe, Canada and the South. If you dance at our shows, you know you are a part of something. We work with welders, painters, swimmers and designers who are all part of the gang. A non-exclusive group feeling is key to what we are trying to do.

M: Due to the rambunctious nature of your shows, you have sustained a lot of injuries. Care to go down a laundry list?

IV: Lately we’ve just been getting all kinds of swimming injuries. I broke my toe in the Indian Ocean in Australia on tour—outside of that, we just get your regular burns and cuts.

M: You do an insane amount of touring. Any drawbacks?

IV: No drawbacks at all, travelling is the best. I don’t have a girlfriend or an apartment though.

M: You seem to have an affinity for Montreal, having played here so much. Why do you keep coming back to Montreal?

IV: Great city for music, with some brothers and sisters from other mothers. We love les Angles Mort and Black Feelings as well as Blue Skies Turn Black. Seripop are the best and we just can’t stay away from our friends. The bagels are good too.

M: Does Japanther have a credo?

IV: Hell yeah—drop the ego and dance your pain away.