Tokyo-based Envy issued their fifth full-length album, "Recitation," in September. To celebrate its release, the quintet embarked on their first North American tour in four years. On this, their longest international trek, the postrock and hardcore hybrid act played 25 shows in the span of a month.
"It went by really quick," says vocalist Tetsuya Fukagawa. "We met some really great people and got to see some old friends. We went to watch 'Jackass 3-D' with some other bands on one of our days off, too."
A quiet evening sipping soda in a cinema may not exactly fit most people's image of a rock 'n' roll lifestyle, but Envy have earned the right to relax a little while out on the road. Their first visit to the United States in 2005 was completely self-organized and done on a very tight budget. They likely cursed their situation at the time, but definitely chalked up some experience.