Blast Slump：Active in the 1980s and 1990s - what is your fondest memory from that time? Appearing in the final episode of a legendary show, and the first Budokan performance of the Heisei era

Bakufu Slump, a rock band active in the 1980s and 1990s, has recently reunited for the 40th anniversary of their debut. In August, they released their first single in 26 years, "IKIGAI," and in October, they released a two-disc best album. At the end of the month, they will begin a tour with four performances in three locations, visiting Nagoya, Hyogo, and Tokyo. We asked the four members about their memories of that time, their best album, and their enthusiasm for the tour. (Part 2 of a series)

◇They also appeared on five terrestrial music programs a week

Bakufu Slump was formed in 1982 by vocalist Sanplaza Nakano, guitarist Pappara Kawai, drummer Funky Sueyoshi, and bassist Egawa Hojin. They made their major debut in August 1984. In December 1985, they held their first solo concert at the Nippon Budokan. In 1988, their song "Runner" became a huge hit, and they made their first appearance at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen. In 1989, Egawa Hojin left the band and BarbeQ Wasada joined. They enlivened the Japanese music scene with songs such as "Riso Lover" and "Under the Big Onion - Faraway Feelings" (both in 1989). In 1999, they announced a hiatus. They held one-off comeback concerts in 2005, 2007, and 2010.

When asked about their best memories from the 80s and 90s when they were active, Sanplaza Nakano-kun (renamed in 2008, hereafter Nakano-kun) looked back fondly and said, "There were so many music shows on terrestrial TV that we had about five a week. That alone kept us so busy. We also appeared on "The Best Ten," "Uta no Hit Studio," "Music Station," and NHK programs."

Wasada also reminisced, "What I remember most is appearing on the final episode of 'The Best Ten' (September 1989). The rankings were displayed and spun around, and when I came out, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi and others welcomed me. I was so happy to be able to appear on the final episode of the show I watched as a child."

Sueyoshi said, "My first performance at Budokan (December 1985) is memorable, though it was tough. We performed at Budokan one year after our debut, so it was a mess. After the Budokan performance, I remember washing my hair in the sink in a four-and-a-half-tatami room that had no bath and cost 11,000 yen to rent."

On the other hand, Kawai said, "The 'Heisei Rock Explosion' became a headline in the sports newspapers. Of the three days we performed at the Budokan (January 7, 8, and 9, 1989), the 7th and 8th were canceled (voluntary cancellation due to the death of Emperor Showa), and we finally performed one day on the 9th, when the Heisei era began. The fact that we were featured in the newspapers is what I remember most."

◇Tracks selected by the members themselves for the double-disc best album

A double-disc best album will be released on October 23rd. "Disc 1" will feature the album version of the new song "IKIGAI" as well as re-recordings of past songs, and "Disc 2" will be re-mastered past songs.

Nakano said, "We selected all the songs ourselves. It looks like it's going to be an interesting album, so I'm looking forward to it."

Kawai said, "We're a band with a long history, so we've released quite a few best albums. This time, the members chose the songs, so I thought there were various ways to do it (laughs), but we chose the songs to walk a fine line, so I think that our fans will think that it was a good idea and end up buying it." Sueyoshi said, "We've finished recording the drums and bass for the self-cover (re-recording). When we were recording, Wasada (the bassist) and I were having a lot of fun. It's a rare self-cover, with two drum solos and two bass solos among the 11 songs, so please look forward to it!" Wasada said, "I hope that everyone will once again feel that we are a band with a lot of talent. As a band, we don't stick to one genre, and we chose a wide variety of songs, so I hope you enjoy it." ◇ Hoping for a resurgence in J-ROCK popularity The band will then start a live tour in Nagoya, Hyogo, and Tokyo at the end of October. Nakano said, "The band Sueyoshi is in in China, 'Buyi,' will be the opening act, so I think that's interesting."

Kawai said, "I want to show my physique. When I watch a video of myself playing when I was 20 years old, I can't believe how sharp it was. I think it's amazing, so I'm training hard now. I don't want people to think I'm old, do I? I am old, but I'm going to fight that (laughs)."

Sueyoshi said, "We'll create a great highlight during Nakano's 5 or 10 minutes of rest, so please look forward to it." Wasada commented, "I think that the only way musicians can show their true selves is at a live performance, so I hope that you will enjoy seeing us grow even though we're over 60 years old."

The world is in the midst of a Showa boom, but Nakano said, "I think that after city pop, the next boom will be J-rock, so I'm looking forward to it," expressing his hope that Bakufu Slump will once again be at the center of the boom.