Osaka / Tokyo based rock trio Electric Eel Shock release a new single titled Nice Guy Of The Year with video ahead of their return this week to UK / Europe. The well-loved and brilliantly fun band return with a new album Heavy Metal Black Belt this March 21st and a UK/European tour which coincides with their 30th anniversary.
Frontman Aki Morimoto (vocals/guitar) talks about the new single with the no-frills humility and self-deprecating humour you can expect from EES.
“That riff was unearthed from my PC’s “Memo” folder.” He comments “I think it’s probably a riff I made when I was still a nice guy.”
He continues “I had really liked that riff, but at the time I couldn’t find the perfect melody and lyrics for it, so I guess I gave up. Now when these riffs were rediscovered, it took just three seconds to find the best matched melody and lyrics in my car!!”
And so, emerges a reworking of Electric Eel Shock’s Live favourite “Bastard” as Nice Guy of the Year! “Most people are nice guys and sometimes bastards. I think we have two sides.
To accomplish what you need to do in life, I think it’s better not to be too nice a guy, and I think you should be just the right amount of bastard.”
Hot off the green screen here’s the video for Nice Guy Of The Year
“We usually make videos with a good editor.” States Aki, “But this time, bassist Kazuto edited it.” He continues “This is a matter of motivation and time, and because we are poor! And sure enough, a cheap video was created. We love cheap!”
Aki Morimoto (vocals/guitar) and Kazuto Maekawa (bass) were first brought together over a mutual obsession with Black Sabbath while in school in Osaka. Later they met drummer Tomoharu Ito (who loves to play naked). Since then, they have toured across well over 40 countries, including playing every state in The USA except Alaska and Hawaii and most major European rock festivals. Known for their high energy live experiences, the band love to be on stage. Along the way they have toured with numerous household names of rock music including The Dwarves, Sepultura, Turbonegro, The Bloodhound Gang and Therapy?. What’s more, many notable bands have supported EES over the years including Arctic Monkeys, the guitarist of Ghost and even Mark Owen of Take That! They have played with an Orchestra on a beach, pioneered fan funding, performed at fans’ weddings, and released 8 previous studio albums.
But who is the Nice Guy Of The Year?
“Aki’s Nice Guy of the Year is announced on the last Friday of December each year.
That means you still have the chance. Spend more money on EES merchandise!” – Aki
Electric Eel Shock kick off their UK/European tour this weekend
Aki: “Yeah! So exciting to play many new songs for you guys! See you very soooooon !!!” Check out the dates below:
Electric Eel Shock will play the following shows:
March
Fri 22nd – Winchester UK | Railway Inn
Sat 23rd – London UK | Black Heart
Sun 24th – Bournemouth UK | The Anvil
Mon 25th – Swansea UK | Bunkhouse
Tues 26th – Bristol UK | Gryphon
Wed 27th – Glasgow UK | Audio
Thu 28th – Aberdeen UK | Krakatoa
Fri 29th – Edinburgh UK | Bannermans
Sat 30th – Huddersfield UK | The Parish
Sun 31st – Scarborough UK | Punk Festival
April
Wed 3rd – Antwerp BE | Kids Rhythm n blues kaffee
Thu 4th – Hoofddorp NL | C Punt
Fri 5th – Oss NL | Groene engel
Sat 6th – Vlaardingen NL | Kroepoekfabriek
Sun 7th – Volt NL | Sittard
Wed 10th – Copenhagen DK | Råhuset
Thu 11th – Linköping SE | Platens Bar
Fri 12th – Stockholm SE | Kollektivet Livet Bar & Scen
Sat 13th – Gothenburg SE | Pustervik
Mon 15th – Malmö SE | Medley
Tue 16th – Berlin DE | Urban Spree
Wed 17th – Cologne DE | Sonic Ballroom
Thu 18th – Utrecht NL | DB’S
Fri 19th – Alkmaar NL | Victorie
Sat 20th – Ede NL | club Astrand
Sun 21th – Koudekerk aan den Rijn NL | Jofest (Invite only)
Tickets and info: http://electriceelshock.com/
Pre-order the album: https://www.musicglue.com/ees/
