With their Green Day-esque stoopid-punk sensibility, Ketchup Mania might be the most American-sounding band on the Japan Nite bill at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, were it not for the clear streak of Judy & Mary- tinged pop that marks them out as Japanese. Ketchup Mania — Hiro (vocals), Dai (guitar), Yosei (bass) and Wani (drums) — are great fun, and their visceral shows at Japan Bash and Japan Nite were full-on rock-outs that drove the crowd cockaloopy. Having already played at last year's A-Kon anime convention in Dallas, Texas, American success seems a headbang away.
Toward the end of SXSW, and after all the hard work was out of the way, Ketchup Mania took some time in the lobby of their hotel to reflect on the madness.
Dai: "Austin's f**king crazy!"