Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2011

First of all, let’s get the obvious question out of the way. No, Uhnellys are nothing like America’s recently split White Stripes.

“The foreign press always compares us,” grants multi-instrumentalist frontman Kim in an interview at Starbucks in Roppongi. “But really, the only similarity is our band makeup. Otherwise we’re completely different, so the conversation usually ends there.”

With the beguiling Midi behind the drums and Kim whipping up a frenzy of bass, guitar and trumpet loops out front, Uhnellys (“the undulators”) are like the White Stripes only in their lineup and ability to generate a tsunami of noise from only two people.

Formed at a Saitama high school 14 years ago, they are not a high-concept duo like the famed Detroit outfit, but a duo by process of elimination. “There were five of us,” Kim explains, “but the others gradually dropped out leaving only us two. When the vocalist left, I had no choice but to sing. That was about eight years ago.”

Reduced to two, Kim and Midi sharpened a two-prong attack in which Midi plays the cool, steady foil to Kim’s fusillades of instrumentals and rant-raps. It’s rock, rap, jazz and a bit of electro all mashed up—and the sensation is pleasurable.

But on their sixth and latest album To Too Two…, it’s hard for a non-Japanese to make out exactly what Kim is going on about. I ask him to explain a favorite song on the record.

“‘Cassy’ is about a prostitute searching for her lost father,” Kim answers. “My songs usually tell stories, and the character usually dies at the end,” he laughs. “I like dark material. The music may be showy but the lyrics are tragic.”

A repository of Kim’s stories are posted on the Uhnellys website. While they are only in Japanese at present, those with a bit of nihongo can try to parse his terse stories, which often come with arresting photographs.

With tours to Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia under their belt, Uhnellys reached the pinnacle of Japanese concertdom last summer, playing Fuji Rock for the first time.

“I was surprised how many people seemed to know who we were,” Kim says. “Sadly our fans tend to be quiet, geeky guys who probably have no other outlet to relieve their stress.”

“I’ve had male fans ask me to beat them with my drumsticks,” Midi adds. I suggest charging for the service. “Not a bad idea,” she laughs. “I could have them line up.”
After leading with an obvious question, ending with another seems to make sense.

“So are you romantically involved with each other?”

“It’s a secret,” Kim teases. “We like to keep people wondering.”

Uhnellys play Saiko vol. 9 “Psychotic” on Dec 4 (listing). www.uhnellys.com