JEAN-KEN JOHNNY - MAN WITH A MISSION INTERVIEW
James Kennedy interviews Jean-Ken Johnny of the Japanese rock band Man with a Mission. They discuss the band's recent U.S. tour, upcoming UK/European dates, their unique half-wolf backstory and '90s alternative music influences, as well as their perspective on the evolving global music industry.
James Kennedy: Where whereabouts in the world are you right now and what's happening, what's going on?
Jean-Ken Johnny: What’s going on right now, it's 6:30 p.m. in Japan. We just came back from the tour in the U.S. and Mexico. Having a bit of jet lag, but we're wolves, so we're used to it.
James Kennedy: Yeah, of course. Well, you've just finished a bunch of shows across America like you said, and you're soon going to be landing on European shores to grace our ears over over this part of the world. How have the shows been going, man? How have they been going, and what can people see in the new show, what can they expect?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Yeah, in the U.S. and the Mexico tour, it was really, really amazing. We had the opportunity to increase the capacity of the venues since the last time, and almost each and every venue was really fully packed. Above all, we had the chance to perform at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and that's a legendary venue in a legendary area, so it was just, we had a lot of fun. And we're looking for more in the UK and Europe.
James Kennedy: Yeah, can't wait to see you guys, really! Oh, I'm sure you're gonna get it, man. Is there anything you can tell us about the new show, or is it all, you know, you want to keep it a surprise, or is there anything you can tell the guys that's going to get them excited about the new show?
Jean-Ken Johnny: The thing is, this time we have a really great support from Crunchyroll, a great animation distributor. Definitely we're gonna drop some of the songs from the animation, the shows. I guess a lot of animation and anime fans are coming, but also through the rock listeners, it's been a long time since we last went there. So yes, more than you can imagine, we're gonna have a lot coming.
James Kennedy: Oh man, I can't wait! Well, as you mentioned, there's a lot of crossover with you guys, because a lot of people will know your songs from, like you mentioned, the anime, the video games, the sports soundtracks. You know, you're very much not just a band, you're like a multimedia experience. So how would you describe yourselves to people?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Our band? Well, obviously, I mean, apparently if you're looking at me right now, we're totally different from you guys, you know, half wolf—the head of a wolf—and half human being. So the appearance is totally different from what you can expect from normal bands. But musically, I guess we had the taste, the inspiration from all the rock music that was going on in the '90s all over the world. We're just a huge fan of that era. The music that was going on in the '90s was full with experiment and really, really free-minded, diverse culture, and genres were all combined together. The word alternative made a huge sense in that era, too. We have the heritage of that rock music into that era, trying to figure out what we can do today. If you guys have the same taste, you will definitely enjoy it.
James Kennedy: Well, there's a lot in the band. Musically, it's a lot of high energy as well, there's a lot of different influences and different sounds, and of course, you have got the fact that the music has been used in so many other formats as well, which kind of gives it that whole extra dimension. I think that's a really good point and a really good mention. What do you think it is about your sound that lends itself so well to these other things?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Yes, talking about videos and animations and even sports, we're just a real huge fan of the other culture itself. I'm a huge geek when you talk about animation and stuff like that. I guess we really enjoy it, we're already a big fan of whatever we collaborated with, and that makes it really natural for us to connect to, collaborate with those kind of stuff. I guess music itself, it should be enjoyable by itself, but at the same time, if it clings to sports and stuff like that, you have different aspects you can enjoy both ways. So yeah, I guess that's the chemistry of what we are having right now.
James Kennedy: Oh, well, it totally works, man! It really does work. I gotta ask—I'm English, so I hate to be impolite, but I have to ask you, how did you guys become half-man, half-wolf? I know a lot of your listeners will already know this story, but if we were chatting in a bar having a beer, I would have to ask you: dude, how did this happen?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Yeah, definitely! I mean, if you don't ask, that would be impolite at the same time, you know. Well, the thing is, it's a huge backstory, it's a long backstory that we have. We're half-wolf, half-human; we were made by a mad professor a long time ago. His name was—I'm not really sure if he's the Jimi that you guys know—but he was definitely really shredding the guitar, he was really good at playing the guitar. But he was just a mad professor. We were told to do the evil deeds that he wanted us to do a long time ago, with nothing to do with the music that we do today. But we probably went too far, so the professor decided to freeze us in the Antarctic, and we've been in the ice for a long time. During, while we were frozen, we still had the superpowers to listen to the music that was going on all over the world, and it really moved our heart. Music, it was beautiful. If we had a chance to get out of the ice, we promised ourselves that we would definitely do something with music next time. In 2010, because of global warming, the ice melted a little bit, enough for us to get out, and that's how it happened. We just chose to come out in 2010, started the band, and that brings us to today.
James Kennedy: Wow, long backstory, but that was the condensed version! Yeah, I love it. Well, it's funny how things go, isn't it, because if you guys weren't frozen for all that time absorbing all those awesome different influences, then we wouldn't have the band that we've got today. So it's funny how life goes sometimes. You mentioned 2010 when the band started; you guys have smashed out a lot of music in the past 10 or something years, and you've been very active as a live band as well. How do you guys stay so creatively inspired, fertile, and active? Is it a challenge, does it come naturally, do you still enjoy the process? How does it work?
ENJOYING THE CONVERSATION?
GET JAMES KENNEDY'S LATEST INTERVIEWS, WRITING AND LIVE SHOWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.
Jean-Ken Johnny: Well, each and every way it's a challenge each and every time. We have the body of a human, so just like you guys, we get old, we got to exercise, we got to maintain our energy. But it's always about the ambition and the dreams that we've always had. When we started the band, when we listen to music, the point is just to have fun, just to enjoy performing in front of people, like meeting people that don't even know us, but make them listen to us when we perform all over the world. I once watched a video of whatever festival that was—I thought it was Glastonbury or maybe Fuji Rock—and the atmosphere of the people just waiting for the band was really borderless. They didn't care about which country this band came from, which religion that they have, which race, nothing. They were just waiting for that one song, and that's pure. That's pure music. The energy that you can get from music is totally borderless, it doesn't matter what kind of ideology you have. Just pursuing that image, that dream, is probably the primal motive that we still have today.
James Kennedy: Yeah, so that's what keeps driving you guys to do your thing, because what you guys do is so big, musically, in terms of your live show, everything. I can imagine it does take a lot to keep that level of output going at such a high level. So what's driving that, then, from what you're saying, is just your love of doing it—it's still very much there.
Jean-Ken Johnny: That's right, yeah, we just love doing it, you know, the love of music. That's the only thing you need.
James Kennedy: Awesome, awesome! And if things hadn't gone the way that they've gone for you guys—because obviously the music industry's changed a lot since you guys have been doing your thing—would that still apply, would you still be just doing your thing regardless?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Regardless, well, that's a hard question. The reaction that we get, we really appreciate it, and even though we have the motive, that is another key for our drive. Thankfully, everybody's enjoying it right now, and that really maintains us, keeps us pumping ourselves up. Talking about the music industry, rock music especially has changed quite a lot since the '90s or whatever era that we loved, but I guess it's evolving and inheriting at the same time. Today it's a challenge, but at the same time it's like enjoying the challenge, and also enjoying passing what we love to the next generation.
James Kennedy: I think that's a really good point, inheriting it. Love it, love it! Yeah, that's a great point because the industry has changed a lot, especially since 2010 when you guys came on the circuit. That was the beginning of the old era kind of being outpaced and the new era coming in. Have you got any thoughts on that, you know, do you see the new industry as better or worse in any way, or is it just different? Obviously back in the day we had the gatekeepers; nowadays, artists who don't have that can do it themselves. They can record it by themselves, they can promote themselves, but obviously that comes with its own challenges as well. I'd love to know, as someone that's been busy and active in the industry through that change, what your thoughts might be.
Jean-Ken Johnny: Well, the thing is, probably when you're in that era, it's not easy to find the answer. It probably takes us another decade or maybe even 50 years to figure out if it was right or wrong. Maybe that doesn't even make sense either, but I really believe that even nowadays, people who are in the music industry really make a lot of interest in music, it's still inspiring. A lot of people make great music, but at the same time, I guess the people who are choosing it, they have so many ways to choose it—streaming, videos, CDs, stuff like that, it's spread all along. Nothing is more like capital than it used to be; anything can happen everywhere, and I guess that spreads a lot of opportunity, but maybe decreases the energy one can contain. So I guess we're lucky to have the opportunity to choose a lot of things, but we should not forget how passionate we should be in one item or one content or something like that. It's up to, of course, the creators of music, but it's also something the consumers have to think about for enjoying music nowadays. It's not a concrete answer, but that's the way that I think right now about music.
James Kennedy: 100%, yeah, that makes a lot of sense, man. So much more opportunity now for artists to go their own way and make their own music for very little money and put it out there. But as great as that is, the new problem that upcoming artists have got is that it's so difficult to get heard above the noise of everybody else doing it. As you said, it's hard to keep that energy of being an artist, but also being a graphic designer and a promotion person and a radio plugger and all the things that an artist now has to do—it's hard to keep that energy up. For artists who love Man with a Mission and want to follow in your guys' footsteps, but they're caught up in the new way of doing things, what words of advice could you give to them to keep them inspired and to keep them energized to keep doing their thing?
Jean-Ken Johnny: That's a hard one, okay, no pressure! I mean, you know, the new generation, you guys have your own way to do things. Nowadays it's really tough; talking about social media, you definitely gotta know how to use it right now. But above all that, it never changes. The passion you have in music—if that doesn't change, it doesn't matter which era you're in, which era you're living in, which era you're going to reach to. It's all about the passion to what you make and what you like. Even in the old days, a lot of people struggled about what comes next and what you're going to make, and it has to reach a lot of people, but at the same time, you should never spoil it to yourself. It should always spontaneously come from yourself—the passion and ambition. If that doesn't change, it doesn't really matter, so just keep on what you want to do, think about it, nurture it a lot, listen to a lot of music, experience your life, and that never changes. Just go your way, man.
James Kennedy: Love it, that's great advice, man! I'm going to use that for the promo clip, that's beautiful. Thank you, man. But I want to ask you, before we move back on to talking specifically about the band: you guys have traveled the world, you've got fans all over the world, you pull a good crowd wherever you go, you got a lot of love out there for you guys. What is your impression of the difference between the Asian rock music scene and the Western rock music scene? Is there a difference, or what are your thoughts?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Especially in Japan, Japan has a really genuine, unique music scene. Actually, the CD sales here in Japan are still huge—it's probably like the second hugest in the whole wide world. Nowadays everybody's talking about streaming and stuff like that. Of course streaming is huge, but CDs are still on the road in Japan, and that makes the rock scene in Japan really diverse and still pretty alive right now. I don't really sense that in Western music right now. There are a lot of great bands, but they're probably having a really hard time cutting through the music scene compared to other genres like hip-hop or EDM and stuff like that. But Japan especially, it's pretty unique, bands are still alive. What the funniest thing is, I guess animation helps a lot, but a lot of Japanese bands are really cutting through all over the world, especially in the Latin America and South America parts. That's probably really different from what we can hear from Western bands or Western music right now.
James Kennedy: Yeah, I suppose that is quite a major difference, isn't it, because the physical sales aspect of it, that's quite a major part of keeping a band on the road, isn't it? Absolutely. Well, I gotta get my band over to Japan!
Jean-Ken Johnny: Yeah, I mean rock music is still huge, it really, really is huge in Japan right now.
James Kennedy: Well, nobody is huger than you guys, not just in Japan. You got a lot of love all over the world like I said. Speaking of which, you guys have just blasted your way across the States, and you are coming, as I said in the show, over to this part of the world very, very shortly, including a date at the Kentish Town Forum in London on August 31st, a show which I'm going to come to. That is going to be an insane gig for a band like you guys, I can't wait to see it. The guys will then be heading over to the mainland where they're playing the Melkweg in Amsterdam, Le Trianon in Paris, Astra Kulturhaus in Berlin, and Live Music Hall/Kantara in Cologne. What's next for you guys after that? Is there any plan you're going to take some time out, or you got another project in the pipeline? What's the plan?
Jean-Ken Johnny: We're going to take a break a little bit, head back to our hometown in Japan. But after that, not only UK and Europe, but—we're not supposed to announce it—we're heading to Asia a little bit. So this time, the later half of the year, we had a chance to travel all over the world. It's going to be a blast, yes!
James Kennedy: Oh man, so there's no sign of you guys slowing down anytime soon!
Jean-Ken Johnny: Well, yeah, after that I'm gonna take a long break, but I'm just enjoying it right now. It's been a long time because of the plague, we didn't have a chance to travel all over the world, so we're just having fun right now, just enjoyable.
James Kennedy: Awesome, I love it, man! Well, I love everything you guys stand for and everything you guys do. Tickets for all the shows are available now at mwamjapan.info, and the guys can be followed at @mwamofficial on Instagram and TikTok, and MWAM Japan on Facebook. So go and show them some love, get to a show, you will not regret it. I don't think anybody listening to this is really going to need me to tell them anything about who Man with a Mission are, but for the three people that haven't heard you guys yet, they need to get on your socials, give you a follow, get involved, and check it out.
Jean-Ken Johnny: Yeah, please, the three of you that haven't heard the band yet, please come enjoy!
James Kennedy: Oh, Johnny, thank you so much for giving me your time today. I know you're super busy, I really appreciate it. I will see you in London on the 31st of August, and best wishes with everything else, man, and I look forward to everything you guys have got coming up pretty soon.
Jean-Ken Johnny: Thank you very much, and good luck to your tour, too!
Key Points:
The guest is Johnny (Jean-Ken Johnny), singer, songwriter, and guitarist of the Japanese band Man with a Mission.
Man with a Mission recently completed a successful US and Mexico tour, including a performance at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
The band is about to tour the UK and Europe, with a London show at Kentish Town Forum on August 31st.
Johnny describes the band's identity as half-man, half-wolf beings created by a mad professor and frozen in Antarctica until 2010.
The band's music draws on 1990s rock and alternative influences and is known for collaborations with anime, video games, and sports.
Johnny says the band stays motivated by a love of music, ambition, and the borderless energy of live performance.
He notes that Japan's rock scene remains strong, with physical CD sales still significant, unlike in the West.
Summary:
In this episode of the James Kennedy Podcast, host James Kennedy returns after a few weeks away, explaining that touring with his own band had taken priority. His guest is Johnny, singer, songwriter, and guitarist of the Japanese band Man with a Mission. Johnny discusses the band's recent US and Mexico tour, which included a show at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre and saw increased venue capacities and packed crowds. He also previews the band's upcoming UK and European dates, including a London show at Kentish Town Forum on August 31st.
Johnny explains the band's unusual backstory: they are half-man, half-wolf beings created by a mad professor, frozen in Antarctica, and freed by global warming in 2010, when they formed the band. He describes their sound as rooted in 1990s rock and alternative music, and notes that their love of anime, games, and sports makes collaborations feel natural. He reflects on the changing music industry, the importance of passion over trends, and the differences between the Japanese and Western rock scenes, particularly Japan's strong physical CD sales. The episode closes with tour details, social media handles, and the host's enthusiasm for the band's live shows.
The James Kennedy Podcast is a Society and Culture podcast hosted by musician and author, James Kennedy. Exploring the big questions around health, social issues, the arts, politics, mental health, the human condition and how to navigate this thing called life through casual conversations with scientists, activists, rock stars, philosophers and academics. Please subscribe, leave a rating and support the show.
