An Interview with FiRESiGN: On Music, Martial Arts, X Japan, and More

Saturday night, I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing a local New York City music group called FiRESiGN. Comprised of lead vocalist Aya and bassist Masaki Yamada, the two have a long-standing background in music, with Masaki originally being the lead singer in the heavy metal band Ezo (formally known as Flatback). Coincidentally, Ezo has been named as an influence for such artists as Steve McDonald of Redd Kross and Michael Steele of the The Bangles. With that said, here’s the interview. Enjoy.

Jeremy: How did you two meet and what brought about the formation of the band?

Aya: We met a while back at Castle Heights at an open mic. We were just jamming together and it kind of clicked.

Jeremy: And did you have any background in music before you formed FiRESiGN?

Aya: Yeah, I went to the Berklee College of Music.

Jeremy: That’s a really famous music school, I believe John Mayer, Diana Krall, and Quincy Jones went there right?

Aya: Yeah.

Jeremy: So have you had any other members in the group or has it always been you two?

Aya: We’ve played around with some people, guitarists and drummers, but it hasn’t worked out so far.

Masaki: It’s hard to stick with four people. It’s much easier to work just with Aya.

Aya: I feel like we work from similar influences.

Masaki: Yeah, I mean it’s fun but it can get pretty annoying if the guitarist is really aggressive and takes over the melody.

Aya: (laughs) We’ve been suffering because we can’t find permanent members.

Jeremy: That’s understandable. Speaking of influences, did you two have any predominant influences starting out?

Aya: Basically, my influences are 80’s hard rock groups like Skid Row along with Janis Joplin and Pat Benetar, but I try not to limit myself. I feel like I have a special connection with Pat Benetar as we both can hit really high notes. (laughs)

Jeremy: So what has been your greatest experience as a group?

Aya: Well, we performed in Genki Shock last summer-

Masaki: No, it was last winter.

Aya: I think it was April or May. Anyways, we only played a couple of songs but it was a great experience. We had a lot of people come up to us afterwards and talk to us.

Masaki: It was in Brooklyn.

Aya: Yeah.

Jeremy: So, as a group, where do you see yourselves in five years?

Aya: I want to solidify the band, maybe do a tour, write some move songs obviously.

Masaki: Same…..maybe shoot a video.

Aya: The important thing though is that we have control over our music. We always want to have our opinion and our say in what we do. If we can’t get that working with someone then it won’t work.

Masaki: (motioning to Aya) If you don’t like them, you can punch them. Kick their asses. She does martial arts. She’s really good.

Aya: (laughs) I don’t know…It’s very calming though, like a Kurosawa movie.

Jeremy: Besides martial arts, do you have any other secret talents?

Masaki: (shrugs) She should write about food though. She can find good food.

Aya: I have a good nose for food (laughs).

Jeremy: So do you two have a favorite band?

Aya: Ah, that’s really hard to choose! Um…well….It’s really hard. Do you have a favorite?

Masaki: Yeah, Motörhead.

Aya: Favorite…still thinking. Well, I love Janis Joplin. Maybe she was my original inspiration. As singing skills go though, it’d be Masaki.

Masaki: Not anymore, now Masaki old and fat (laughs).

Jeremy: How did you come up with the name for your group anyways? Was it always FiRESiGN or did you have any alternate names?

Aya: No. We didn’t have a name in the beginning. In the paper American Dream, we were featured and they asked us “what is your band name?” and we said FiRESiGN. I’m a firesign.

Jeremy: Oh, alright.

Aya: When’s your birthday?

Jeremy: August 5th.

Aya: You’re a firesign too!

Jeremy: (laughs) I can play the cowbell. On a different topic, do either of you have a “dream band” you’d like to open for someday?

Aya: Well, Masaki has done a lot of opening already.

Masaki: Guns and Roses, Skid Row, Metallica in Europe. That was a really big event.

Aya: I’d open for Heart.

Jeremy: Oh I love them!

Masaki: Me? Anybody.

Aya: Someone Japanese Masaki.

Masaki: X Japan!

Aya: I grew up on X Japan.

Masaki: Yeah, they’re good.

Jeremy: By the way, I have to ask. How loud do you crank it? You’re a hard rock band, 10 or 11?

Aya: 11.

Masaki: 12 (laughs).

Aya: Yeah, louder is better.

Jeremy: So do you guys have any special ritual before a show?

Aya: We do like to wear black eye makeup. We can’t do it ourselves so we do it to each other. It’s a mutual thing, we always get nervous before a show so it helps.

Masaki: Yeah. We went to a Starbucks with our makeup on one time and people were like “what the f#@k?”

Jeremy: (laughs) I’m sure if you wore that to an airport you’d definitely get “randomly searched”. I don’t even wear the stuff and I’m always searched.

Aya: We actually get pulled aside a lot too!

Masaki: It’s our long hair. They immediately think - junkies.

Aya: They open up my guitar case, asking if there’s any drugs in there. I don’t do drugs!

Jeremy: That’s funny. So back to rituals, any other things you two do?

Aya: Well, we walk around a lot too.

Masaki: Exercise. Motivate.

Jeremy: I see. Well, I think that about does it for the interview, anything you’d like to say to your fans?

Aya: I hope they like our music and who we are.

Masaki: Enjoy it live. Get drunk…and send us gifts.

Aya: He’s joking.

Masaki: I’m not. Send us expensive gifts.

Jeremy: (laughs) And do you guys have any last wise words you’d like to say just in general?

Aya: You only live once. Enjoy it. Live to the fullest.

Masaki: Cooool, I feel the same way.

Aya: (laughs) yeah right!

Those looking to check out the music of FiRESiGN, their album Anger Management can be purchased on Amazon, Rhapsody, as well as iTunes. In addition, below for your viewing pleasure, I’ve included a video of one of their performances. Enjoy.