Got up early to make the final preparations for the Freak Guitar Workshop/Apple
Horn Sand Stone presentation. Washed my greasy hair (which I swear is turning green,
more for each day due to the water from our well home in the woods outside of
Gothenburg. I decided I have to dye it when you can't tell the difference between
my head and a head of broccoli).
On my way to the Caparison booth I did more signing and photo shots together with the fine guitar
maniacs of Tokyo. Well in the stand there was a serious crowd awaiting me. One person was Takahide
Hosukawa who somehow managed to dig up the rare CD of mine and former Freak Kitchen drummer
Joakim's teenage band Frozen Eyes! Got a lot of presents (thank you very much everyone!)
and signed Freak Kitchen, Freak Guitar and Fate records. Even signed an Apple Horn guitar
before meeting with Guitar Player for an interview.
Did a short photo session with the new guitar and explained some licks while Tom translated.
Translator/interpreter/tour manager/
lightning engineer/guitar tech = Tom
Skipped breakfast so I got some goodi-goodi crab sandwiches from Subway delivered. Mmm…
Editor in chief, Mr. Kei Nagase and Mr Masaki Fukuda (amazing transcriber!) of Young
Guitar magazine arrived together with a video crew. I promised the fine Young Guitar
guys not to reveal too much of what we were doing to spoil the surprise so I will do
my utmost to shut up now, ok? Mmfl, mml, mfplm… (it's hard!).
Shin escaped The Doobie Brothers a second time and showed up during the Young Guitars
sessions. (When the time comes there will be a full coverage and explanation around this
secrecy).
Getting warmed up
Hurried to the conference hall for the Freak Guitar Workshop to tune up, sound check and
get ready. The limited 250 tickets for the event were gone in no time. I was thrilled about
meeting all the people and my heart was beating faster as I got closer to kick-off.
Introduced by Itaru I ran in to greet the audience, screaming "Hello Tokyo!" Lots of happy
faces were shouting back!
Hello Tokyo!
And now, let me show you how to hold your arms like a monkey...
Showed as much tricks, licks and whatnot I possibly could in 90 minutes. We spoke about
the new, fabulous guitar and Mr. Kanno explained all about it: body, neck, the improved
cut away, pick-ups and the tiptop new graphic design. (The Apple Horn is carved into the
body). It's good to have a man like Itaru by your side when it comes to these matters; I
can try until I turn blue in the face, it's just impossible for me to remember facts like
that. I just play the thing. Somebody else will have to take care of the parts that requires
certain brain activity.
Poor Tom had a real hard time to translate my hopeless motor mouth, never leaving any gaps for
the guy to talk. (Sorry, Tom. I warned you it would happen. You did as splendid as anyone possibly
could! I'll make it up to you when we meet again).
No brain activity here...
I also apologize to those of you who sat right in front of the mighty Laney-speaker. Hope I didn't
cause any permanent damage to your ears. It must have been insanely loud! You were all very patient.
Will somebody get that hose-clip off his finger!
When I announced it's about time for a Freak Kitchen tour in Japan there was a magnificent response.
Felt good. After the release of the next album WE WILL COME, no matter what! It's a damn promise!
(At the risk of sounding repetitive and pretentious) I just want to say one last time how incredibly
thankful I am to all of you for your dedication and deep interest in my playing, in my Freak Guitar
tunes and in Freak Kitchen's music. This is so appreciated and I don't take any of it lightly. It
means a lot. As I must have said and written a million times by now: this IS only the beginning.
Dripping from sweat I met my old buddy Hiroshi Tominaga backstage. Everything was pretty chaotic
and I couldn't say hello to all the people outside that I wanted to. Nor could I talk to "Tommy"
in a proper manner. Did some fast hand-shaking through the backstage door and got even more gifts:
CDs by a lot of talented bands as well as a rare Zappa bootleg with Steve Vai from 1981 on video.
Ever tried Viking Hugging?
Teamed up with Kei and Masaki and the video crew again. The Musical Fair was closing down rapidly and
there wasn't time to complete the YG sessions. Everybody did some heavy braining. I suggested we
simply force ourselves into my hotel room for interviews and further photos sessions. Said and done.
Five people, two guitars, tons of camera equipment invaded room 3026 at the Prince Hotel. It was a
lot of fun, real guerilla style. Remembered the cookies I got from Takahide earlier in the day, the
only thing I had to offer these hard working guys (thanks again Takahide).
Wrapped it up and said farewell to everyone. Talked to Shin on the phone and decided to meet in
the lobby for the famous Korean Barbecue.
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