48 Hours with the Mystery Jets
“Is…is that Mark?” croaks a weary voice on the phone. It’s William Rees, guitarist for the Mystery Jets, a band I’ve personally admired since a friend (whose finger was significantly more on the pulse than my own) played me their track “On My Feet” back in 2005. “The boys are all asleep. We hit it quite heavy last night after the gig…sorry mate,” he apologises. Apparently even the most seasoned of musicians cannot resist the lure of the after-party. Who could blame them really? The previous night they had played an electrifying live set in front of a packed house at Club Quattro.
The band makes good on their promise to meet up after a decent night’s sleep. I arrive at their hotel and am greeted by a spritely looking Blaine (vocalist) and Kap (drummer). “Is that your new leather, Will?” Blaine enquires as he enters the lobby from the elevator. “Yep. What do you think?” grins Will. “You look like a fuckin’ gangster,” Dave (the band’s guitar tech) chimes in, his soft French patter, belying his ice-cool, tattooed appearance.
From the off, I‘m surprised how down to earth the guys are. Most of their questions are directed at my experiences in Tokyo, a city they clearly have a lot of love for. We arrive at the restaurant and the anxiety over showing my personal heroes a good time begins to abate as we settle in over beers and umeshu, whilst attempting to translate the myriad of fish on the menu into English. “What’s a horse mackerel? A mackerel fed on horse?” Blaine jokes.
Sitting in the midst of the Jets, I begin to see the intelligence and maturity of the band – a fact that is surprising given they are only just in their mid-twenties. I guess this is the result of having spent the past five years in the limelight, not to mention the three successful albums under their belt. However, their youthful exuberance soon shines through at the mention of roller coasters- our suggestion to visit Fuji Q Highland wins hands down for how to spend their one free day in Japan.
After dinner we hit the ever-reliable Beat Café, where the drinks grow in both size and regularity, and the conversation turns to music. “We’re moving to Texas for three months to start recording the next album,” reveals Blaine. “To be honest, most of the music we’re listening to at the moment comes from America, I’m kinda bored with London.” This is a natural progression for a band whose last album was crafted in places as disparate as Nice, Berlin, and a gypsy caravan in Cornwall. Will the band ever have a stint in Japan? “I’m not just saying this because we’re here- Japan is one of my favourite places,” smiles Kap. As the witching hour of 4am approaches I try to take my leave of the band. “Stay for one more!” crows Kap, but I make my excuses as I know the following day will be a long one.
That first night may have shown us the guys behind the band- and their thoughts on everything from London house prices to osteopaths- but the next night shows us the boys in their element. The level of support for the Mystery Jets in Japan is incredible. Perhaps it’s their clean-cut charm that appeals, twinned with a razor sharp pop-indie sound: an ecstatic crowd of over 400 turns up to see them at Shibuya’s decadent Trump Room. At this, their public persona gives way to more swagger in their steps, and fire in their eyes. Trading photos for kisses on the cheek with adoring fans, the boys slowly make their way inside. “Wow, this place is like Clockwork Orange!” remarks Will as he enters the 6th floor bar.
At 1:30 am, the hyper-energetic The Suzan step aside for Blaine and Will to take control of the decks. Spinning for over 2 hours, the Mystery Jets’ set weaves between indie, electro, pop, and back again. At one point the crowd goes crazy as Will drops a track from the Bugsy Malone soundtrack. I smile to myself thinking, I could never get away with playing this! The room is jam packed with an overwhelmingly female crowd until the end of the set. So packed, in fact, that cigarette lighters won’t work due to lack of oxygen.
After the set, in true rock and roll style, we have to whisk the boys away from the venue to get them onto their Narita-bound bus – trying our best to ignore Blaine’s repeated cries for a karaoke session (although we were sorely tempted!). Amazed that we got them all there on time, the bus rumbles into view and we hug, swap emails, and vow to hook up next time they are in town. After spending even such a short time with the band, it’s easy to see why they have been so successful: their great records are backed up by decorous personalities and level-headedness. Waving goodbye, we’re left to reflect on a terrific first Tokyo Indie x VANITY collaboration…and continue to wonder: How exactly did they get away with dropping Bugsy Malone? Mystery Jets fans really are as die-hard as they come…
Words: Mark Birtles
Translation: Maika Tomori
February 13, 2011
