Akihito Kinoshita, founder and lead guitarist of SABER TIGER talks about the band
Interview conducted November 03, 2018
by Daniel Locke
For the last 35 years, Saber Tiger has been building a strong fan base in their native Japan, improving upon their classic heavy metal sound and contemporary progressive touches with each step along the way. And this isn’t just any anniversary: from now on, the rest of the world will fall prey to Saber Tiger.
Saber Tiger was founded in 1981 by guitarist Akihito Kinoshita. It hasn’t been an easy ride; numerous line-up influences and the band’s relatively remote location on the northern island of Hokkaido may have slowed down the rise of Saber Tiger, but Kinoshita has soldiered on through good times and bad. Lately, the band is experiencing the most prolific years of their career. With singer Takenori Shimoyama, guitarist Yasuharu Tanaka – both of whom had extended stints with the band in the nineties – and drummer Yasuhiro Mizuno in their lineup, the band sounds more inspired than ever.
Daniel Locke: So, for people who don’t know who you are, how would you describe yourself and your band?
Akihito Kinoshita: We are SABER TIGER from Japan. We play Heavy Metal
How was your musical upbringing?
I was playing trumpet in the school brass band.
How did you get into heavy metal music?
Back then, the classic was the only music I know. When I first listened to Deep Purple, I noticed what I really should do.
What are some of the bands you grow up with?
Flatback (currently known as E.Z.O.), Fast Draw, Eliza Screw Driver and the list goes on.
How is Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, Japan for live music?
Quite active.
You have been performing music since 1981. How has music change over the years?
Unintentionally, became slightly modern maybe, but we didn’t change our style on purpose.
Never wanted to stick to the old style, but don’t want to follow trend neither.
How is Japanese metal music different from other metal music?
Most of the Japanese Metal bands have accurate ensemble I think.
Saber Tiger
Tell me in a few words about some of these Japanese bands.
Bow Wow – The legend
Flower Travelin Band – The beginning
X Japan – The success
Terra Rose – Comrades
Baby Metal – Don’t understand
Lovebites – Good luck
Why is it so hard for Japanese metal to break into other markets?
Because of the language.
Most of the Japanese don’t speak proper English.
Luckily, we have great co-producer/lyricist who speaks and writes perfectly fluent English.
What makes your band different from other Japanese metal bands, beside your band sings in English?
We have 3 unique composers.
All band members have a strong impulse to exploring our own possibilities.
What is you’re feeling about J-Pop?
I don’t listen to J-Pop. So I really don’t know.
Where do you see your music going as you reach being in the music business for 40 years?
Like I said, I will not change the style on purpose.
But always open minded.
I would love to keep creating something new.
Anything in closing?
Please check our brand new album “Obscure Diversity”.
It’s now available on all digital platforms as well as physical.
Enjoy our music. Thanks.
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