KB'S DIARY OF CLARIAS TOUR: MT. FUJI, JAPAN

posted in: Music News

We arrive at Camp Fuji after a 3 hour bus ride from Tokyo (2 of those 3 hours are spent driving side by side the world’s largest city). Clarias and I are very excited to go to the military base that borders one of the most beautiful and most climbed mountains in the world.

To say that Mt. Fuji majestically soars above the US Marines training camp is almost an understatement. But, scenery aside, we quickly realize just how depressed (and how young) the soldiers stationed at the camp are. In fact, all of their military-produced television programming is filled with PSA’s on topics such as PTSD, suicide prevention, depression, the need to prepare a will, etc. We know that the 650 men and 2 women stationed here need a friendly reminder of home.

As the band loads into Roadhouse, the base’s entertainment venue, we discuss a game plan for the evening. I overhear soldiers talking about the show and basically anticipating that the band is going to suck. With all the testosterone flowing, I know it is going to be a really tough audience to win over. My recommendation to the band is to place a drum solo at the front of the set as well as a guitar solo towards the end. I also suggest that the band back off from performing ballads and keep the set list adrenaline-heavy.

Luckily, these suggestions pay off. Jordan’s drum solo (complete with a military drum roll) receives hoots and hollers and earns the band masculine cred. Paul also gets props for his guitar solo which helps secure the band a captive audience of about 75 soldiers (although about 150 catch glimpses of their set). When the set is over, the members of Clarias get off the stage and take my cue to go up to the soldiers as opposed to waiting for the soldiers to approach them. What ensues is the ultimate bro down. The servicemen are extremely appreciative of the band’s American made rock ‘n’ roll. Overall, the night is a success (of course there is always room for improvement).

Back at the billet we debrief. The band admits they were all initially intimidated by their audience, which explains the weak attempts to connect with the soldiers while on stage. My advice on how to overcome audience intimidation is three-pronged: 1. Display confidence even when you don’t feel it”this will earn you immediate unspoken respect. 2. Show your audience how to engage with you and how to praise you. (Stepping up to the front of the stage during soloing, making eye contact, leading hand claps, etc. are all ways to engage). 3. Above all else, have fun. Fun is contagious and no one will ever fault you when they see your enjoyment on stage.

Next stop Yokota, where we’ll see if the feedback pays off.

-KB