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Features - Interview
 Yakuza Chicago's most exotic headbangers Interview by Chris Hodge | April 3rd, 2007
Through three distinct albums, Yakuza is a band that has consistently defied categorization. The Chicago based quartet has blended elements of prog-rock, freestyle jazz, metal and what can only be described as world beat into their ever-growing eclectic sound. Known to incorporate diverse instruments including clarinet, saxophone, piano and cello, the band creates a style of music that is innovative and unquestionably heavy.
On their 2006 Prosthetic debut Samsara, Yakuza was able to create meandering, jazz-laden soundscapes while at the same time displaying their true roots in heavy-metal. The album was immediately well received by fans and critics alike. With Matt Bayles handling production, Samsara was as spontaneous as it was trippy and aggressive.
On the verge of their fourth release, and second for Prosthetic Records, the band has more momentum than ever. After recently tracking drums for the upcoming Transmutations, we caught up with frontman Bruce Lamont to answer a few questions about the new album.
SF: The title to your 2006 release 'Samsara' had a specific meaning—the cycle of birth, suffering, death and rebirth—does the title of your upcoming release ‘Transmutations’ have any specific meaning in relation to the album?
Bruce Lamont: Transmutation is the conversion of one object into another, more or less transforming a base element or an idea into something of extraordinary value. We attempt this through our writing and performing, taking something as basic as sounds, moods, etc and transform these into something beyond that, something that will affect the listener on a much deeper level.
SF: Guest appearances on 'Samsara' were an integral part of the album…Can listeners expect the same on ‘Transmutations?’ Is there anyone you guys have locked in at this point or are hoping to collaborate with on this one?
Bruce: This time around, we wanted to focus on ourselves a bit more. We did have jazz percussionists Hamid Drake and Michael Zerang come in to do some overdubs. That stuff sounds great.
SF: As stated in an interview with Live-Metal, among the lyrical content of 'Samsara' was numerous “rants and raves” and “social commentary”…Would you guys describe yourselves as overtly political?
Bruce: I think it was "random rants" meaning that nothing was overtly obvious. While the lyrics for this outing are more focused, we still aren’t spelling anything out for anybody. By the way, [the lyrics] will be available with this recording for once.
SF: Sanford parker made a guest appearance on 'Samsara'…on the upcoming record, he is at the helm as producer. How was the decision to go with Sanford parker made? How has it been in the studio working with Sanford now as producer instead of as a guest contributor?
Bruce: The last 5 or 6 recordings Sanford has done have been killer. He has really been coming into his own as an engineer.
SF: Yakuza has never been one to follow trends or even abide by the usual standards of instrumentation found in most ‘heavier’ acts today. Widespread use of sax, clarinet, keyboards, cello and other jazz-oriented instruments can be found in your music. What can listeners expect to hear as far as instrumentation on ‘Transmutations?’ Didgeridoos? Trumpets?
Bruce: We incorporated saxophones, bass clarinet, hand drums, acoustic guitar, moogs, etc. We use what needs to be used.
SF: Yakuza has shared the stage with some major players in the world of progressive metal (ISIS, Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan among others). If you guys could choose the bands to do a festival with, which bands would you pick to put on the bill and why?
Bruce: Huun Huur Tu, Peter Brotzmann, Battles, Enslaved, Brighter Death Now. We like variety. Oh, yeah and have the reformed Pink Floyd headline, to ensure 150,000 people are there to enjoy it all.
SF: In a past interview, the band expressed interest in scoring the soundtrack to a movie. If you guys got the opportunity,what kind of movie would you see yourself scoring and why?
Bruce: I personally would try anything. I mean, a creepy art film would be ideal, but I would definitely find it to be a challenge to score music for, say, a comedy or something more mainstream.
SF: What can we expect as far as touring after the new album IS complete? Will you guys make it out to the west coast?
Bruce: We are planning on heading to Europe in early fall, then a full US tour.
Listen to Yakuza @ MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/yakuza
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