This week Japanese punk/ska band HEY SMITH are headed down under for their debut Australian headline tour with specials guests, California punk/ska legends Voodoo Glow Skulls and Australia’s own fine purveyors of the genre The Resignators. The tour kicks off in Adelaide on November 27, heading up the east coast of Australia then culminating at the Ska Nation Festival in Colac on November 30.
Ahead of their run the band dropped in to give us their top 10 things they were looking forward to the most about Aus!
1. Reunion with Voodoo Glow Skulls
I’m really looking forward to reuniting with Voodoo and touring together. In Japan, we played together in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka on our tour. In America, we played together in California! They were all very exciting days. I’m so excited to tour Australia together this time! I’m spending my nights getting drunk on whiskey because I can’t sleep due to the excitement.
2. Meeting music lovers in Australia
Meeting Australian music lovers who will see our live performance for the first time is very rewarding and an honor. After the show, I’d love to have a drink with everyone who watched.
3. Visiting various cities in Australia
The real thrill of touring is being able to go to different cities. I love learning about and studying the history of each city we visit on tour.
4. Ska Nation Festival
I’m simply delighted and really looking forward to the fact that a Japanese band has been invited to Australia’s ska festival. I want to check out many cool bands with my own eyes on the day. The only difficulty is that ska bands often have many members. I’ll need a notepad on the day to remember all their names properly.
5. Hugging a koala
When Japanese people think of Australia, most of them first think of koalas. I believe I was born to hug a koala. And I’ll say to the koala with the gaze of a grandparent watching over their grandchild, “I Love You.”
6. Meeting kangaroos
Like koalas, when Japanese people think of Australia, they also think of kangaroos. I was raised by my parents to meet kangaroos. By the way, I’ve heard a rumor, is it true that kangaroos are good at boxing? If that rumor is true, I’ll need to join a boxing gym before going to Australia.
7. Seeing Uluru (Ayers Rock)
I’ve heard that people in this world can be divided into two types: those who have seen Uluru and those who haven’t. They say those who have seen it get the greatest luck in life. I’m going to try to grab that luck.
8. Great Barrier Reef
The World Heritage Great Barrier Reef is one place I absolutely want to visit. Japanese people, being islanders, have a habit of gaining strength by looking at the sea. After all, the ancestors of all Japanese people were mermaids.
9. OG Beef
Eating OG beef in its home country is a basic must for meat lovers. And red wine goes very well with steak. That’s basic knowledge.
10. Day off on the last day of the tour
The only day off on this tour will be the day before returning to Japan, but I have to accomplish all the things I mentioned in points 5-9 on that single day off. In just one day, I have to hug a koala, meet a kangaroo, go to Uluru, visit the Great Barrier Reef, and eat OG beef. I’m really excited to see if it’s possible to fulfill all these dreams in just one day.
HEY SMITH hail from Osaka, Japan. Formed in 2006, the origin of the band name is, “SMITH” is taken from the initials of each member, and “HEY” just sounds like we’re in a good mood!
HEY SMITH incorporate horns into their upbeat, catchy melodic punk rock, a true live band who performs around 150 shows annually in Japan. The band host their own outdoor festival OSAKA HAZIKETEMAZARE FESTIVAL in Osaka every year. This band is not to be missed live!
FOCUS MUSIC GROUP & UPBEAT SOUNDS PRESENTS
HEY SMITH Japan)
with special guests
Voodoo Glow Skulls (USA) + The Resignators (Melb)
Wednesday November 27 The Gov – Adelaide, Tickets
Thursday November 28 Brightside – Brisbane, Tickets
Friday November 29 Factory Floor – Sydney, Tickets
Saturday November 30 Ska Nation Festival / Colac Showgrounds – Colac, Tickets
