by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Japan’s Electric Eel Shock deliver high-energy rock ’n’ roll that likes to play slap and tickle with ’70s arena rock. They walk it like they talk it, too, subsisting on bad food, cheap beer and the "fast loud hard rules" credo. The Mirror zapped the EES boys with an e-mail interview, and got zapped right back.

Mirror: You seem to have an early-’70s American influence. What is it that you love about that era and what do you think is missing in the current era of music?

Electric Eel Shock: We love Black Sabbath, sorry it’s not a U.S. band. We don’t know what is missing in current music because we don’t care.

M: Your band is one of the biggest independents in Japan. Is independent music big there?

EES: Yes, there’s a very big independent music scene here, but I think it can’t really be called independent music because there is no truly independent music in Japan. Almost all independent record companies in Japan get money from major labels.

M: Two of your records are called Maybe... I Think We Can Beat Nirvana and Slayer’s Bay Blues. Are you fans of Nirvana and Slayer or just taking the piss?

EES: Yeah! We love both bands, but Slayer’s Bay Blues is just the name. It’s not about the band Slayer.

M: You have toured North America a lot. How is it different than touring Japan?

EES: North America is bigger than Japan, so we have to drive hard, but beer is cheap. It’s so good.

M: You had a lot success on your last Canadian tour. Do you like Canada?

EES: Sure, we love Canada! I think our success there is just beginning. We need more success in Canada. Our favourite memory of Canada is our first show at the famous El Mocambo in Toronto. It was very exciting!

M: What are some of the bands you play in the van?

EES: Black Sabbath, le Nombre, the Illuminatti, Arlo, Foo Fighters, Iron Maiden, Stereo MCs, C Average, Michael Jackson, Masatoshi Nakamura.

M: Are afros the future of rock?

EES: Yes, definitely! :

With le Nombre at Lion d’Or on Saturday, Feb. 15, 9pm, $10

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