Nekomushi RIP

Although their sound was still evolving, band leader Goto Izumi's twisted vision was firmly in evidence. I clearly remember once the simple bassline and Izumi's childlike vocal started up, heads started popping out of tents and people from all over the festival site were drawn towards the stage. In just a few minutes, I was convinced that this was a band to wtach and that they could have great appeal overseas.

Although still very much a fledgling site we wanted to use GetHiroshima to promote the first local band that we'd come across that had gotten us really excited. Doing an interview and publicizing and going to their gigs, over time, we got to know the band quite well. One evening at GetHiroshima Towers, Izumi mentioned that their bass player was quitting the band and wondered if I knew anyone who might be interested in taking his place.

"It's a shame that I am tone deaf, have no sense of rhythm and have always been hopeless at playing any instrument (one of my most vivid chilhood memories is crying in recorder class) as I'd love to have had a go".

"Oh, bass is really easy. I could lend you mine and teach you. Nekomushi songs are so simple, it wouldn't take long.

"Err, OK. Bring it around and I'll have a go, but if at any time you think I'm just too crap, you must say and kick me out".

"By the way, our first gig is in six weeks. In Tokyo".

"!"

"Then we are supporting Shonen Knife at Club Quattro".

"!!!"

My conviction that Nekomushi would be very popular overseas was confirmed in spring earlier this year when we played at the SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas. After a shakey start we packed out our showcase and freaked out hundreds of passers by with our street shows.

It seemed like Nekomushi was about to embark on new and interesting future, seeing how far we could push things outside Japan. I was fired up and resolved to apply myself more seriously to practice - and perhaps even change my bass strings. Alas, it wasn't to be. Real life has an unfortunate way of pushing it's way into even the most fantastical alternate realities, and in this incarnation at least, Nekomushi's first international sojourn was to be its last.

And so, on October 16, it all came to an end at Club Quattro. Almost exactly five years after I first stood petrified on that stage, covered by another bassist (who had managed to master all of the band's tunes in about 12 minutes) I was back. I was still unable to look directly at the audience, and only able to take my eyes off my fingers for a few seconds at a time, but way more relaxed and I actually enjoying being up there. It was a fun show, and after playing so many bars and cafes recently, it was great to finish up playing in a proper venue with proper sound and a sound engineer with the imagination to help us sound like our image.

Juggling practice and touring with GetHiroshima, family and everything else, I often complained about the time being in the band ate up. I was looking forward to the extra time (and already planning what I would do to fill it up). As we made our way from the rehearsal studio to the venue Tuesday night, however, I couldn't help feel some sadness. It's only really been over the psat couple of days, looking at the video footage and photos that it has dawned on me that it's all over.

When I first walked on stage at that gig in Tokyo, it hit me that switching from fan to member meant I'd probably seen my last Nekomushi show. It came as a shock, and it was to be a long time before I'd enjoy playing as much as I used to enjoy watching. It actually took way longer than I (and I'm sure the rest of the band) imagined, but over the past few months I'm glad did start enjoying myself up there.

I'm going to miss it.