TOJO YAMAMOTO On the Making Of ‘Tojo Yamamoto’
What was the creative process like for this particular 'Tojo Yamamoto?’
The idea for creating some songs started with a comment on an Instagram post. We're all old acquaintances that played in various bands in our little area but had never worked together. We love old Memphis Wrestling which was broadcast in the area every Saturday morning and we also love punk, post-punk and noisey rock bands. So, the process of just working on songs that paid a bit of homage to our shared interests was both exciting and fun. We had zero aspirations beyond writing some material that we would like to play, record and have as a document. But songs being songs, they begin to take on their own lives and the interpretations broaden as more people hear them.
Have you noticed any particular interpretations or connections that listeners have made with 'Tojo Yamamoto?'
Well, the "olds" potentially recognize the band name "Tojo Yamamoto." He was a short but powerful wrestler best known for being a "Heel" or bad guy, who would cheat by hitting his opponents with large wooden sandals, or salt in the eyes or even worse. So, the expectation that the sounds might be abrasive given the name and the band members’ pedigree is met at times with a bit of shock as the songs are a bit dancier, quirky and although still noisy and aggressive, more approachable than we ever imagined they would be. We've been pleasantly surprised at the response, we made the songs for us but again, the listener has their own agenda so it's cool to see someone besides old punks dig what we are doing.
What did you enjoy most about making 'Tojo Yamamoto?'
To see what started as chatter among friends become ideas that have become realized. Jason Groves, who is not just the recording engineer but a crucial part of the band live and in the studio made recording the songs fun, worry-free and really--the easiest recording sessions any of us have ever been a part of. And the results are a fun, worry-free outing for the listener. We're not a challenge to get at surface level but live, it's a pretty bombastic affair.
How did your band members initially come together?
Elwood Francis is the current bassist in ZZ Top, which is a shock to folks, but he's been a notable guitar tech for the band for decades now and was the natural replacement in the band, but he's also had his own bands (between skate sessions); The Mighty Skullhead, Abusement Park, Pincushion and is a creative guitarist and songwriter. Will Pieratt has played bass with Elwood in many of these same bands, Darren Howard was the original drummer in Nine Pound Hammer and has played in many of Elwood's projects as well as many more punk bands. I'm the scribe of the verbiage and lead yelper I guess. I (Larry Joe Treadway) sang most notably in Ted Bundy's Volkswagon which was a mid 90s sludgey, punk band that had some success with a few releases and had recorded at AmRep before imploding. Elwood's daughter Billi also adds backing vocals which is something just a bit different. She killed it. We all just began by exchanging emails while Elwood was on the road and he was demoing guitar melodies to write lyrics around and when he came home, we just picked up the gear and started grinding out these ideas in a small rehearsal room...
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
I wish I could say something intellectual and deep but it's Memphis Wrestling, Boston lo-fi 70s punk, Killing Joke remixes, 90s mid-western noise rock, wide skateboards, carnies, Kentucky bourbon and the dog park. Will is a brilliant chef, so good food too.