Ken Yokoyama: Even if I don't want to do something, once I decide to do it, I will see it through to the end.

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Ken Yokoyama

Crazy Ken Band. Born in 1960 in Kanagawa Prefecture. Vocalist of Crazy Ken Band. CEO of Double Joy Records. He has been active in music in various bands since his teens, and formed Crazy Ken Band in 1997. In 2002, he attracted widespread attention with the single GT, and in the same year, Tiger & Dragon had a huge hit. He calls himself 'the number one sound creator in the Orient' and is actively writing songs for various artists. His catchphrase is "Like!"

Crazy Ken Band incorporates various musical elements into their colorful songs and free-spirited, unique, and heartfelt lyrics, captivating not only enthusiasts but also many others. At the center of this band, which continues to produce nostalgic yet new music, is the band's vocalist, Ken Yokoyama, 'the number one sound creator in the Orient', who takes music more seriously than anyone else.

Self-sufficient musical activities without complaints

"When we first formed, we were doing our activities alongside our jobs, and although it wasn't easy, it wasn't as hard as people might think," said Crazy Ken Band, which began full-scale activities in 1997. The band was formed by friends and coworkers, centered around Yokoyama Ken, who we spoke to.

"We supported the band ourselves while working other jobs so we wouldn't be criticized. We didn't rely on anyone, and we supported our activities without relying on anyone. But because we were working on music outside of work, it was hard to get enough sleep (laughs). It was physically tough, but rather than feeling like it was difficult, I actually enjoyed it." However, while it wasn't difficult, he admits that the road wasn't smooth. "At first, our music wasn't well-received. After all, no matter what you do, it's not easy. I think there are many excuses for music. Even if you're not selling at all, as long as you create your own style, you can say that your band and songs are established. But in sports, you have to get results, right? It's the same with music. Like an athlete, I like to work without compromising, with the mindset of achieving results. Of course, as an artist, I can continue working even if the results aren't what I expected, but I'm always grateful to the fans who love me and the staff who support me. I try not to get complacent and get carried away."

Yokohama and the Precocious Boy

Yokoyama, who has a strong image of Yokohama, says he has lived there all his life. "I went to high school in Tokyo, and my friends there spoke highly of Yokohama and looked up to it with admiration. You don't really understand when you live there, but once I stepped outside of Yokohama I realised just how great it is. That's how I became more of a 'Yamakko'. I still commute from Yokohama to Tokyo, and sometimes I get ideas for new songs on the way there, and sometimes the unique atmosphere of Yokohama helps me write songs. My hometown of Yokohama suits me perfectly, and it's not just a place to live, it's a place that has had a strong influence on my music."Speaking of high school, there's a story that Yokoyama used to be a delinquent? "That's right (laughs). But I wasn't a 'delinquent' boy! Looking back, I think I may have been precocious. Ever since I was little, I always had a goal in mind and would skip school to achieve that goal. I may have been mischievous. But at the time, people around me may have thought I was going astray, but that was the result of me acting with a goal in mind. I was a disobedient boy, but I wasn't a delinquent who did bad things. Through these experiences as a student, I learned the difficulties and challenges of being a 'serious adult' like Namihei from Sazae-san. If I wanted to work in music and be around adults, then even as a student, I had to be as serious as adults. That's why I respect fathers all over the world, and I wrote songs for them."

My dream is to win a Grammy. The challenge continues.

"Even if you don't do things you don't want to do, it's not that easy," says Yokoyama, who has been active in the music industry for over 20 years, even before Crazy Ken Band was formed, and says that there is one thing he has always stuck to.

"Even if you don't want to do something, if you decide to do it, see it through to the end. Even if the job is uncool, see it through with the determination to make it cool. You can use your ideas to modify your job like a car. There have been many times when, even for things that might be uncool, if you keep proposing ideas, your ideas have been accepted and the job has turned out to be cool as a result."

Yokoyama will be turning 50 this year, but his challenges are still ongoing.

"I want to create a national hit song. I want to create a classic song that everyone has heard at least once. And, this is a dream come true, but ultimately, it would be amazing if I could win a Grammy Award for Best Original Score. To achieve that, I have to keep challenging myself."

"To all students: Don't be self-centered, but be someone who understands the pain of others. Don't worry about the future, and don't get caught up in past failures or glories. Look at your feet, don't think about unnecessary things, and make this moment a 'spark'!"

From the August 2010 issue of the Student Newspaper