Interview ~ The Candy Spooky Theater: November 9, 2007
PMX Los Angeles, CA
We got a chance to ask The Candy Spooky Theater about their second appearance in the USA, and meet their new guitarist, Kiddy Skeleton.
Ok, first thing first, as usual: please introduce yourselves.
Jack: I am vocalist, Jack Spooky.
Peggy: I'm the bassist, Peggy.
Kiddy: Guitarist Kiddy Skeleton.
For those who don’t know The Candy Spooky Theater, how would you describe your music?
Jack: Horror...horror.
Do you think that this type of music can be enjoyed by everyone or is there a certain type of “open mind” people need?
Jack: It’s kind of hard to say whether or not everyone will like it. So, it’s probably safe to assume that it’s more geared towards a specific audience.
How do you conduct your live shows? For instance, do you do things that come naturally to you while on stage or do you prepare for it beforehand?
Jack: Most of it is natural.
When performing a live show, what kind of impression do you want to leave on the audience?
Jack: A feeling of terror.
Now, your names are very catchy and I personally like them a lot. How did you each come up with them?
Jack: We just kind of thought of them.
Peggy: (giggling in the background)
I understand that you are all into horror and Halloween type of things. How did these interests begin and grow? Did you have them as children?
Jack: Ever since I was little, I really liked Dracula and that theme. Even all the B rated horror films with all the posters and silly flyers posted everywhere for them. I wanted to express all of that with music in a very pop way. Also, another big influence is Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas movie.
Going off of that question, was that how The Candy Spooky Theater’s music was born or was it more of an idea that just came to you one day?
Jack: I wanted to have a sound that could be as though it were a soundtrack to a movie. When you listen to the music, I want you to have visions and images dancing in the back of your mind.
Regarding your music, do you think there will ever be any room for changes or experimenting in the future?
Jack: We are interested in doing a few things with our music. We like various things, like country or more hardcore rock and roll.
When you are creating a song, what kind of images go through your mind?
Jack: I think “Let’s make an amusement park! Let’s go on a roller coaster!”
Peggy: Then I think “Ok, roller coaster…roller coaster...what would be good on a roller coaster? Ok! I think I found something!” Then, we take it to the studio and the three of us play it out, mess with it, and refine it.
So, this is The Candy Spooky Theater’s second time playing here in America. So far, how does it compare to your previous time back in May?
Jack: With our first performance in May, it was our first time outside of Japan. We want to utilize what we have learned from that to make this tour better.
Have you been able to do any sightseeing here in LA yet? If so, how was it?
Jack: Unfortunately, no sightseeing yet.
Is there anything you would like to see?
Jack: Hollywood and Disneyland.
Being here in America, what are some things that you have discovered that are different in comparison to Japan?
Jack: All the cars are big!
Peggy: We feel a sense of freedom here because Japan is so….squared off and tiny. Everything is so squeezed together. In LA, everything is so spaced out and you can actually see the sky.
For tonight’s show, do you have any expectations for your fans , or maybe even for yourselves?
Kiddy: We’re just going to go as we are, nothing special. (pause) Since we have found out that we have such a large following outside of Japan from our last performances, we would like to feel a little more “together” with the fans this time and have a really good show together.
Speaking of that, did you guys even think that you had so many fans here?
Jack: Honestly, we had no idea.
Kiddy, this will be your first time performing in America. How do you feel about that?
Kiddy: I don’t really feel anything about the performance exactly, but in general, I am really excited to be here. Everything I see is very new.
Also, I heard that this was your very first time on an airplane. How was it?
Kiddy: It wasn’t nearly as bad as I had expected!
Jack: He was really scared when he got on the plane, though.
Kiddy: Really, it was alright.
I understand that Halloween is a very important holiday for the band and you even held a live to celebrate with your fans. What other things do you do to celebrate?
Jack: Everybody spends New Year’s relaxing and everything, but as for Halloween, we don’t really celebrate it much.
In the USA, children often dress in costumes and trick-or-treat for candy. If you went trick-or-treating, what would you dress as and what kind of candy would you want the most?
Peggy: (points to bed sheets and makes a motion to pull it over his head) I want to go as a ghost!
Jack: I don’t really care if the candy is sweet.
Kiddy: Normal clothing is costume enough. (laughs)
Other than Halloween, do have any other favorite holidays?
Jack: I have to say New Years Day.
This next one is for Peggy. We’ve heard that your favorite show is The Happy Tree Friends. Which is your favorite character?
Peggy: Giggles! (laughs)
If you could switch places with one another, who would you be?
TCST: (laughs and thinks for a few moments)
Jack: I will be Kiddy then.
Kiddy: Hey! What? What do you mean “then”?!
Peggy: I don’t want to be either of you…ok, fine! I will be Kiddy and do lots of bad things!
Kiddy: (stares at Peggy and Jack)
What would you all be doing if you weren’t musicians?
Peggy: I want to be a fisherman.
Kiddy: I would be a homeless guy. (everyone laughs)
Jack: I would have become a manga artist.
Last, but not least, do you have any message for your American fans?
Jack: (quietly) …I want to eat your brain…
Peggy and Kiddy: (burst into laughter)
interview by Kei
Thank you to Tainted Reality for arranging the interview, and The Candy Spooky Theater for taking the time to answer our questions
links
The Candy Spooky Theater Official Website
The Candy Spooky Theater Official MySpace
Tainted Reality
The Candy Spooky Theater Live Report PMX 2007
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