Interview and photography by Rob Kern copyright 2005.

“Rock And Roll Can Rescue The World,” intones Japan’s Electric Eel Shock on their 2004 release Go USA!  The casual listener may be unfamiliar with Electric Eel Shock (EES) but if you’ve ever seen an episode of MTV’s Viva La Bam you’ve heard an EES tune or 10 playing in the background.  Lets face it, the dolts running modern American FM rock radio would sooner bash their privates with a ball peen hammer than give Rush’s “Tom Sawyer” a few less spins in order to break the next wave of rock.  People of America it’s time to rise up, clean the shite out of your ears, get off your behinds and rawk.  EES are here to serve up a dose of rock/metal/punk/blues that will have you wishing you had picked up a guitar instead of getting that accounting degree.  The latest EES release Beat Me features a more elaborate production that adds crunch without diluting the energy and tongue-in-cheek metal fury that is EES.  Shortly before performing a jaw dropping set in Cleveland, Ohio EES guitarist/vocalist Aki Morimoto sat down with reporter Rob Kern over a few beers and discussed Beat Me and life on the road.

From Out Of Nowhere: For those unfamiliar with the band, lets start things off with a brief introduction. 

Akihito Morimoto: This is Aki; I play guitar, bass and go fishing.  Kazuto (Maekawa) is the bassist, he’s the monkey, he climbs the amps and walls.

FOON: Has Kazuto ever injured himself jumping off the amps? 

Aki: No, he’s okay. 

Aki: Gian (Ito), he’s the drummer.  He’s the naked guy on the stage. 

FOON: (As Gian is attaching some fishing line to the “cock sock” he wears on stage) How does Gian keep that sock on anyway? 

Aki: He ties it.  He has a strap.  But I’m not sure if he’ll become naked tonight or not, nobody knows.  Even he doesn’t know (laughs).

FOON: The new Electric Eel Shock release Beat Me has a much bigger sound than the previous EES releases. 

Aki: Yes, much bigger.

FOON: How was it working with Attie Bauw (producer)? 

Aki: Amazing, crazy, he has magic for rock and roll.  We got a lot of influence and experience from him.  He used a lot of technical things and also he used analog things.  On the drums he recorded with lots of microphones but on other songs he just put out only a small microphone and let it go.  It was amazing what he did with the sounds.

FOON: How hard is it touring in America coming from a non-English culture? 

Aki: This is our sixth or seventh time in the United States and we are still getting better.  We have a record deal now with Gearhead Records maybe six months ago.  Now we have a big tour with the Bloodhound Gang and we have secured lots of new fans.

FOON: With all this touring it must be tough on the home life, have you been back to Japan recently? 

Aki: No. The last time was last Christmas.  Of course it’s hard physically but it’s okay for the mind.  Of course we miss our family and our Japanese friends and other Japanese bands but also we have gotten lots of new friends all over the world.  It’s a really great thing for me, personally.

FOON: I heard EES had a tour stop at Disney World on this leg.  

Aki: Yes!  It was good!  Rock and roll people are rock and roll people even in Disneyland.

FOON: So rock lives in the land of make believe? 

Aki: Just one thing, the backstage pass is printed with Mickey Mouse on it.  So it’s a little bit hard to concentrate on the rock and roll when you look down (motions to his leg) and see Mickey Mouse (laughs).

FOON: You mentioned that you are an avid fisher, have you had much time for fishing on this tour? 

Aki: Already I’ve caught 20 fish on this tour, Bass.

FOON: Did you get to fish Lake Erie while here in Cleveland? 

Aki: I tried only for one hour but it was to muddy and cold.  It’s been raining for the last four days so it’s really tough but I tried.

FOON: What would we find in your tackle box if we opened it right now? 

Aki: Lures, we have tight travel space so I don’t bring so much; so I bring two rods, two reels and a small box.

FOON: Recently EES had a chance to play with the West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra. What was that like? 

Aki: Yes, we played with them at a local festival in Scarborough in the U.K.  It was an amazing time, for us it was the first playing with an orchestra.  Before playing, I got just a little bit nervous because it was the first time with them; it was a fun time. 

FOON: Any news on upcoming tours or releases? 

Aki: They can go to www.electriceelshock.com for information about our albums and tour news.  The new record Beat Me is available there or through Gearhead, or people should be able to find it in stores.

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