The Slackers

So for those of you that haven't had the priviledge Japan is a wonderful place to be. The folks taking us around (Akira, Hideki, and Hiroshi "does the pope shit in the woods" Brown) are some of the nicest folks we have had the priviledge to meet. Any one that can survive a smoke free 10 hour van ride with the Slackers is a real trooper. Personally I don't enjoy seafood, but I had a great eating experience in Japan its called the BEEF BOWL. I must have eaten at least 2 a day, I now have a favorite chain(Sukiya), and I must say Japanese truck stops are the best in the world and their food is excellent (and their bathrooms impeccable!) The shows this time around were amazing. The band was really on point and we had some new stuff for the Japanese fans, plus we had the great support of Disk Union and Ska in the World with our new Greatest hits CD and that always helps build the excitment. And Shit Was Exciting! The shows in Japan were almost all sold out!!!! I love That. And the Japanese fans were wild ! I love That!!! They went nuts when we played a couple of songs by Japanese Punk legends "the Blue Hearts"! I love that! The singer from Oi-Skallmates drank a 1.5 liter pitcher of Guiness is one gulp!!! That one I thought was amazing but I felt more nausea than love at that moment. My favorite moment: finding a zen rock garden in the corners of the Sansui club in Osaka, that would not happen ant where but Japan (and maybe Holland). Favorite reaction: when I gave my backstage pass to a fan that couldn't get into the 2nd sold out Tokyo show. He flipped out, his friends flipped out, so I asked Q-maxx to translate and I quote "Ahhh....he says thank you." Thanks. Even I understand that much Japanese . I could go on for hours
At the end of our Japan run we went to Korea for a couple of shows in Seoul. Meant some really cool folks (Big Up Korean Punks! thanks to Jon Dunbar and ORC!) and had some wicked spicy food (Dave could eat lava, I think the shit was hot) saw some awesome centuries old fortess gate from the early days of Seoul, and visited Dongdaemoon market where we saw "grey " market goods for sale hehe. It reminded me of Canal St. but they definitely had some very interesting stuff. Surprise of the tour: meeting so many Canadians and Americans. Most fun: The band Ska Sucks did "Int. Nat. War Criminal" and they were great!!!

• marcus's blog