Cheap Trip to Japan 1999

My October 1999 Trip To Japan!

One day I was on my way to Rancho Cucamonga and I took a wrong turn and ended up in Tokyo, Japan. As long as I was there, I decided to stay and see Cheap Trick's 4-date Japan Tour. But this story isn't really about the details of Cheap Trick's concerts. First of all, cameras are strictly forbidden in concert venues in Japan, so I don't have any photos of the shows. Secondly, I don't have set lists or fashion reports, I just really wanted to write about my experiences in Japan beyond the concerts. But there are some backstage photos, so keep reading....

On a beautiful Sunday morning before the tour started I stopped in Shibuya to check out the sights. What I saw was an amazingly huge number of people - mostly lots of teenage girls in huge platform boots. It seems like every girl was wearing them - the bigger the better. I stopped at a shop to see what these 8-inch high boots were all about - and if I could get a pair for myself (warau).

Later I went shopping in the Takeshita dori (Takeshita Street) and while I was in a shop looking at Kato-Chan souvenirs, I ran into Tom Petersson and his guitar tech. He too was checking out the Kato-chan gifts and we decided Kato-chan looked like someone we both knew, but won't be mentioned here. But what a wild coincidence in such a big city!

Later that night I met up with Cheap Track guitar wizard and sushi-master Mitsuru, and his very friendly father, Kanaida-san at their Tsune Sushi restaurant in the Kameido area of Tokyo. I was accompanied by the lovely Mariko and charming Mika and I enjoyed the best sushi dinner I've ever had! Oishii!

The next day Mariko and Cheap Track drummer Shige picked me up and we left for Yokohama where we were to see the first Cheap Trick show. But first we had some time to hang down on the bay and check out the Marine Tower where we saw a fantastic 360-degree view of the port of Yokohama and an amazing Motion Display museum.

After the Yokohama Cheap Trick show, Mariko planned a special surprize party for yours truly at the (heavy metal-themed) Yokohama Hard Rock Cafe. It was a star-studded affair, as the world famous Kim from Leeds, England was there with Mitsuru and Masako. And if that wasn't enough, Cheap Track vocalist Tokyo Zander and Mariko and Cheap Track Manager Mika and Cheap Track drummer Shige were all there! What a fun evening! Thanks to everyone for making it such a special night!

The next day, after an unusual mac & cheese with shrimp breakfast at Dennys some of us had time to check out the sights in Asakusa. Kim was helpful in showing us exactly where we were located on a giant novelty map of the neighborhood. Then we walked through the market to the Sensoji Temple, where we tried "washing" ourselves in incense. We saw the Temple and then Mitsuru did his impression of a Samurai Guitarist. After the walking around the market, Kim and I thought our deodorant had given up. Maybe it was the hot weather or maybe it was that Golden...um...Flame...in the background.

After our visit to Asakusa, we left for Tokyo Station to catch the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka for the next Cheap Trick show. On the way there, we were treated to a rare cloud-free (yet chimney filled) sighting of Mount Fuji, otherwise known as Fuji-san. On the Shinkansen, I enjoyed a delicious "obento" or box lunch. Mitsuru helped me take a photo of my artfully boxed meal.

After arriving in Osaka, we checked into our de-luxe hotel and had a quick look at the beautiful view from our hotel window and left for the venue to see Cheap Trick. This show was notable for being in the basement of an office building, and for the unusual stage announcements. Before the show, a woman's voice was heard speaking Japanese of course, telling the audience the rules. She spoke in a plain low voice, very calm. A minute after her speech was done, we heard an American voice calmly announce, "You will enjoy the show. You will see a great guitarist..." and so on, and of course it was Rick Nielsen laying down his "rules" for the show. It was hilarious!

Back in Tokyo the next day, Mitsuru showed off his collection of rare guitars. Mitsuru is the "Rick-san" of Cheap Track, a Tokyo based Cheap Trick tribute band whom I've seen live in concert many times - they are amazing! In fact, they are so great that Cheap Trick themselves had Cheap Track join them onstage at TrickFest 3 in 1999 for a rousing version of "Auf Wiedersehen!"

On the night of the first Cheap Trick show in Tokyo, we were lucky enough (thanks Ken!) to get backstage and say hello to the band. Here's a shot of Mitsuru and Bun E. Carlos. The band were very friendly and talked to everyone.

The next day was an off-day for Cheap Trick, so some of us went sight-seeing on our own. Later we all met at Tsune Sushi for dinner. At Tsune, there was a special guest: a huge King Crab ! Unfortunately for the crab, he was on the menu. But that crab was excellent! Lots of Asahi beer and cold sake were served up with the crab legs and sushi. We all had quite a fun time.

The next night, Cheap Trick were playing again in Tokyo - at the beautiful Sun Plaza venue, just west of Shinjuku. Once again we were able to go backstage and say hello to the band. Shige and I had the good fortune of being able to have a photo taken of us two "Bun E.'s" with the real Bun E. Carlos. Shige was especially honored to have a photo of himself and Bun E. with his Cheap Track B.C.-signed bass drum head. Also backstage was Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson and Paul Chandler of Chandler Bass fame - Tom's new choice of basses. Kim from Leeds is lurking off to the right... And speaking of Kim, he was chatting with Robin Zander after the show. At one point, we had 4/4 of Cheap Track and 1/2 of Cheap Trick in the dressing room. Mitsuru brought his father along and he wore a Cheap Trick shirt and jacket to the show. His father had been to his fourth Cheap Trick show that night and his Mother and girlfriend Masako were also there. Later on, Mitsuru showed me how the new Japanese cellular "handy-bananas" could actually be used to make phone calls (my handy-banana just kept repeating "moshi moshi").

Finally, it was time for the band to leave the venue and we had the rare opportunity to witness the band in their vans and the fans standing behind barricades waiting to catch a glimpse of the band as they drove away.

After all that excitement our group of 11 decided to go have dinner at Tsubohachi, a very popular restaurant chain in Tokyo. We had to take our shoes off and sit on the floor at low tables. Luckily I was wearing my new socks that night...

And that was it! The end of a great trip to see some very special and generous friends and Cheap Trick.

While I was in Tokyo I stopped at my favorite collectibles store in Jimbocho to see what Cheap Trick stuff I could find. The store is run by a Cheap Trick fan who was at Budokan in 1978. She doesn't speak English but I was lucky and found several Japanese music magazines featuring Cheap Trick on their covers. Especially the Music Life from March 1978 and May 1978 (Budokan!). I also found two Ongaku Senka magazines featuring Cheap Trick from 1979 and 1980. Plus a special Ongaku Senka issue almost completely filled with photos of Robin drinking orange juice as well as (presumably) nutty articles on Robin, Bun E., Rick and Tom.

Oh yes, I almost forgot, I also managed to swipe a sign from the backstage area in Tokyo for Cheap Trick's dressing room after the show. It is a great souvenir.

All together, it was a fabulous trip to Japan and I really want to thank my Japanese friends for being such great hosts!

Domo Arigato! Now then, where *is* Rancho Cucamonga...?

-Ron aka, Cheap Tribute

Check out my photos from Cheap Trick's 1998 tour of Europe:

Melkweg, Amsterdam
Rock Vlaanderen, Gent
Rock City, Nottingham