You are for the first time in Sofia. Did you have the time to walk around, see a few places?

Yes. Sadly it was because we got canceled yesterday in Belgrade, but happily I got to spend the day out in Sofia, so it was good. It was beautiful. I walked around the neighborhood, like twice this morning, ate some delicious food. Couple of band members and I walked around town. So it was fun. I had a good time.

Throughout the years you have collaborated with very good guitar players like Dave Mustaine, Jason Becker, Ron Jarzombek. Tell us what you like about working with them? Is it something in common they have or everyone has something different that you like about him?

Every one of them has something different I like, but I always end up playing with very good guitar players, you’ll see tonight. This guy (Takayoshi Ohmura) is really good, stupid good. I hate him. (laughs)

Of course, you get the most pleasure out of music when you play with good guitar players.

I like to play with good musicians, not just guitar players. I don’t like to be seen with people that have the potential to make the music sound bad.

Who else would you like to play music with, but never got the chance so far?

There are a lot of Japanese producers that I would like to work with. Like Yasutaka Nakata. Maybe it’s hard to pronounce, but he produces a unit called “Perfume” in Japan. A girls trio. Have you heard of them?

Yes, I have actually. Maybe it’s because I am a fan of Japanese culture. And speaking of which, my next question is actually related. We know Japan is a big part of your life. What is the thing about Japanese culture you like the most? Is it the exotic cuisine, martial arts or is it something else?

Definitely not martial arts, because I did that one time and I got my ass kicked. I am never doing that again. I love the food, I love the music especially. Really it’s the music that made me go there in the first place. I just wanted to play in that music scene and there are so many musicians I love. I love the pop music there, the j-pop. I look in the top 10 in Japan and I’d probably like 9 of the songs.  But if, for example, you look at the American top 10, I’d most probably like, if I’m lucky, one song.

Every guitar player has his own weaponry – the guitars, but you said you don’t like martial arts, so I suppose you don’t own a real weapon, like a Japanese long sword (katana)?

No, definitely not. But I like switchblades.  It’s a sort of knife, that has a button and when you press it, the knife pops out. Just like in the 50’s. Do they have those here?

I don’t think so.

(Laughs) Too bad, I like those.

You have many fancy guitars. But what is the most weird guitar you have or you want to have?

You know, it’s really going to sound funny, but I don’t really care about guitars. I swear to God. As long as it works, than I’m happy.

So the good sound of the guitar is a number one thing for you?

I like the ones that stay in tune. I can make it work from there. (laughs)

You actively participate in the everyday musical life of Japan. You made the program “Rock Fujiyama” and you have the record label “Gokukara records”. Any updates you want to share with us?

Sadly, “Rock Fujiyama” finished a couple of years ago after four seasons. And a lot of people in Europe were interested in it, because they saw it on YouTube. And it had a lot of stuff to do with music and it was a lot of fun. It was like a comedy game-show about music. But I really do a lot of shows that have nothing to do with music – politics, cooking, comedy. Any kind of crazy stuff I have done in Japan, but maybe the most popular in Europe is “Rock Fujiyama”.

So have you considered having another program like that in the future?

I would love to. That was so much fun! Actually the company that manages me is the one that produces “Rock Fujiyama”. And all the time people in Japan say “When are you going to do “Rock Fujiyama?”. I come in Europe and people are talking of it. In Bulgaria people are talking about “Rock Fujiyama”. I’d say lets do it!

Is it true that there is no problem to live without your guitar for awhile?

Oh yea, I love it.

So tell us, what is the thing you cannot live without?

I need good food, man! (laughs)

You are famous for your great guitar techniques and you always try to surprise your fans with something new and different. What is the next turn in your music that you are willing to take?

I am actually recording an album right now. Even though I’m on tour, I’m recording an album too. It’s called “Tokyo Jukebox II”. It will be more of my favorite songs from Japan, done in my own weird way.

I have a very special question to ask. Our site is called  “Metal Hangar 18”. Surely you understand where it derives from?

Jee, I wonder! (laughs)

Please tell us something about how you made the song.

All I remember about that song is that it was much longer when we originally recorded it. I remember, we were in the studio, and back in those days everything was on tape. And I remember thinking  “This song is so fucking long, lets cut some stuff out!”. We had the engineers cut out some of the song, and I remember there was tape all over the floor. They cut so much off the song, that the whole floor was covered in tape of that “Hangar 18” song. And it was still long. So it was a super long song in originally, but we cut off and edited it a lot before it got finished.

I see, you left only the really good stuff in it.

I hope we left all the good stuff in it.

What hides behind the title “Bad D.N.A.”? What is the message you want to deliver?

Well, I had a good answer for that in Japanese, but I don’t know how to say it in English. It’s very strange. I know what it is, I can explain.  When I speak Japanese its very proper, very nice, polite, and it sounds maybe as if a newscaster would speak. But when I speak in English with my american friends its rough. It’s like saying “Hey dude, fuck it, lets rock!” (in harsh voice).  I wanted to get the sound of my English in music. It’s like my bad DNA . I wanted that bad american Marty sound on the record.

Interesting.  And now to my last question. Do you have any expectations for the tonight’s show?

No, no. I have no idea, but hopefully all the girls will look like you.

Lets hope so. Thank you for this exciting interview. We’ll have a great time tonight!

Cool! I’ll see you there!