Not a Rock Band

Learning to surf was a dream come true experience. We're going out to repeat the whole thing again this weekend minus the instructors and the Tubular One. Lately I've been thinking of other dreams I've realised in my life. Here's one---a long time ago, I started a rock band. I wanted to be the drummer but ended up being the lead singer and songwriter.

In 1994, I was living in a town of 3000 in the North of Japan. My apartment was flanked by rice paddies and I lived next door to a Ken and Barbie couple from Myaaaad-ison, Wisconsin for my sins. We were the only gaijin in town. I survived the rural life with mixed tapes sent by friends from the states, 7-11 oden, mini-relationships, and writing, loads of writing. Most of the fun I had however, was a 4-hour train ride south to Tokyo.

I fulfilled my teenage dream of being in a rock band. I must add, by deliberately not playing the cymbals on the drums, Joanne said we were technically a punk rock band. A band, nevertheless!

It all started at a women's weekend in Saitama, Japan, circa 1994. Joanne and I conceived of the idea while soaking in the osento. We recruited a bunch of others that weekend to form "D.V.L." The Saggitarius from San Francisco, Michelle from Berkeley, Cowboy Sue from Texas, and the sultry Ingrid from England. Silvana from Sao Paulo was our manager, and Tammie from Seattle was our videographer.

We practiced in a studio in Nakano. Our usual times were 11pm-2, the cheapest time. We usually ended our late morning sessions slurping miso ramen across from the studio. We then crashed at Michelle and Silvana's nearby apartment. Our big break came via our only fan, Miwa who sorted out a gig for us in Rappongi. We were offered a second gig there plus the equivalent of $5 on every cover charge. Unfortunately, we declined. I believe we cited "shyness" as the main reason.

We may have been a one hit wonder with "Can I borrow your penis?" if it weren't for our other beautiful and evil songs: "Yamanote Line," "Peko the Lesbian Superhero," and "Tease of the Senses." Despite the fun we had, we were really in it for the t-shirts that were never made.