Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2011

Enduring collective the Brand New Heavies personify the UK jazz-funk movement that swept Japan in the 1990s. With songs like “Never Stop” and “Dream On Dreamer,” the group gave American funk, soul and disco a stylish, multiracial London makeover that continues to resonate through the Japanese club scene.

But even more than consummate musicians, the Brand New Heavies’ three central figures also bring an insouciant chic and sense of self-deprecating humor to everything they do. Metropolis spoke with guitarist and comedian-in-chief Simon Bartholomew before the Heavies touch down for another nostalgia-soaked outing at Billboard Live.

In a very early interview you speak about “giving back” to America. Tell us how America has received your music, which blends American funk with UK style, over the years.

When we spoke about giving back to America, it was because we were heavily influenced by American funk of the 1970s, but in the 1990s this funk music was largely ignored in the USA. We felt that we were bringing their own music back to them when we began to have success there.

Japan has been a longtime supporter. Tell us about the response you get here and your Japan-only album.

When you begin to travel with music you are very fortunate to get to see places you wouldn’t have otherwise and Japan has always been many things to us: unique, fascinating, friendly, efficient and a great place to party! In a way it’s become a second home. We love the food, which has a palette like no other in the world [and] the shopping, clubbing, bars and the fans at our shows who always make it special with their understanding and enjoyment of our music.

Looking back on hits like “Never Stop” and “Dream on Dreamer,” tell us how these songs were created, and what place they have in the musical universe two decades on.

In a way, these types of songs are timeless as they’re about human experience in general. Musically, because they are played live with real instruments they will never date in a way that Led Zeppelin perhaps sound ‘evergreen’ also. “Never Stop” came out of a time when we were jamming funky grooves for hours on end and you can hear that.

Tell us about the place of humor in your music and stage show.

You need a sense of humor to survive in the music business—long hours travelling and you can get tired. We like to hang out after the shows, so you need to laugh and joke to keep the demons at bay.

What is the current status of N’Dea Davenport with the band—how come she didn’t end up being part of the Japan tour?

N’Dea is living in America and has been spending some time in Japan. She’s always collaborating or forming some music somewhere. She was busy with some prearranged things she had to do. But we wouldn’t miss an opportunity to play with her again. No way!

What does your new vocalist Honey Larochelle bring to the band?

Honey is not actually our new vocalist. In the tradition of The Heavies, we like to switch things around here and there and have worked with many singers. We’ve done some shows already with Honey, at the legendary Ronnie Scotts club in London’s Soho. She tore the roof off! We’re bringing that tornado to you soon!

You are friends and bandmates since your school days: What is the secret to keeping it all together?

Music is the glue that keeps us coming back for more. And a sense of humor. It’s also our job and a great one too. In a way it’s like a second family as we’ve watched each other grow really.

Tell us about the current direction of the band and what we can look forward to in terms of new material and projects.

It’s quite exciting because we’ve never been the type of band to say, “Let’s make this type of album,” it just kind of happens. Though saying that, we’ve been talking about combining elements of The Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol 1 album in with some songs. It’s hard to say…there are a few projects in the wings.

Do you live in London? Do you go out? What catches your fancy recently in terms of music and nightlife?

There are some changes that have happened to the East of London around Shoreditch. It’s getting a little touristy now and the developers are following the artists, but it’s still quite nice – funky little bars in old London streets, markets in the street, lots of second stuff. And some very cool clubs that host every type of music such as Cafe Otto with everything from exploratory music from Poland, to our own sax player’s band Finn Peters Brain Music.

Billboard Live, Nov 2-3 (listing).