For the members of The fin., being a Japanese rock band isn't easy. Ever since its inception, the four members say they have felt a sense of being on the outside of an industry that rarely embraces those who challenge established conventions. Even after garnering attention two years ago with debut EP "Glowing On the Red Shore," the situation remains the same.
"I think we've been able to keep going because we play overseas. Our music would be a hard sell if we were only playing in Japan," singer and songwriter Yuto Uchino tells The Japan Times at the offices of the group's management company, Hip Land Music, in Tokyo. "J-pop is what's popular. We're perceived as being similar to other bands who operate abroad but aren't that popular in Japan."
Uchino doesn't reference any act in particular, but later on he mentions Lite and Bo Ningen. He adds that last year was a big one for the band, which also includes bassist Takayasu Taguchi, drummer Kaoru Nakazawa and guitarist Ryosuke Odagaki (all four members are 24). The venues they play have been getting larger, as have the crowds, and Uchino thinks this may be down to the sheer amount of shows they've done overseas.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.