Introduction Guitarist of Benten Label's biggest band, Lolita No.18, for ten years, Ena (sometimes Ena-zou or Ena-pou) has been busy with more than just her many bands since she left Lolita in 2001. Ena enthusiastically shares everything from the first time she played a guitar to her most recent musical plans. PONI-CAMP Official Site Ena-pou Walker Super Guitarist Odenkun Official Site back to features		Ena What was your first interest in music? When was it? Hmm, when was it? The first time I ever really wanted a record was in elementary school when my mom got me the soundtrack to a movie called "Kitakitsune Monogatari" (The Fox in the Quest of the Northern Sun). But that was more of because the fox was so cute rather than me liking music (laugh) Because I love animals. After that I got into Culture Club and Madonna in middle school. Around then I was like "Boy George is so pretty! Madonna is so cute!". I think that was when I really got into music. Their looks were amazing in my eyes and I loved their songs. But my dad has always loved music (the Beatles in particular) so I'd been listening to it since I was little, but never payed full attention. I think it was when I started guitar in high school and wanted to be in a band when I was truly interested in music. How did you start playing guitar? Why were you interested in it? In eighth grade, I discovered my dad's old guitar and amp in the storeroom, and that's what first piqued my interest! But then I didn't even know how to tune, so I just enjoyed making sounds by picking strings. What was the first guitar you you had? My dad's guitar was a Guyatone Mosrite. The first guitar I bought myself was a Hohner Steinberger, which is a small, headless guitar. I used it in high school. Please list your band history (band name, years, genre, etc.) 1989-91: A bunch of cover bands through a school club. Joined in 1991, left in 2001: Lolita No.18. Tea-time punk and hardcore rock. 2002-04: SON OF A BEACH, Enamashi, Elvis, and more. Played in many lives with other bands. All punk. I also supported and guest played with bands like PUFFY and NEW ROTE'KA. 2005!: PONI-CAMP. Pop-punk. And I just formed a girl band of 5 called Densha Onna. You love Flying Vs, don't you! Please introduce your two Vs and your other guitars. What effects do you use? You're exactly right! I love Flying Vs so much, I don't really use anything else. Other than them, though, I've used a Greco SG, an SG Jr., and a Les Paul Jr. in shows a long time ago. I don't name my guitars, but I make them glitter by covering them with stickers! As for effects... I used to use a ProCo Rat and SansAmp Classic. Now I use a custom-made effect that my friend Wajii, guitarist of Ningen Isu, made just for me called PONI-DRIVE! It's an awesome distortion pedal. As for amps... I actually don't have one right now, but I generally use a Roland JC-120. How was Lolita No.18 formed? The vocalist Maachan (Ishizaka Masayo) formed Lolita No.18 in 1989, but the members had changed a few times. In 1991, the drummer invited me to join as the bassist, but I said I wanted to play guitar, so I could only help if they wanted me to play bass. The guitarist at that time said she'd play bass so I'd have to join! And I played guitar in Lolita for ten years! After leaving Lolita, you became a session guitarist for Puffy. That's huge change from a punk band. When Lolita went to SXSW in Texas, we saw each other's shows and got along well. It felt more like hanging out with friends than being a session guitarist. Even while I was in Lolita they let me play guitar for them at shows and had me as a guest on their TV show, PaPaPaPa Puffy. Recently I've been playing guitar for them when they perform on TV shows. I also sing karaoke with them on the live action portion of their cartoon. I love Puffy's pop songs, so I really enjoy playing guitar for them! How was your current band, PONI-CAMP, formed? Little by little I'd been wanting to start my own band. I asked my old friends Rei (bass) and Nobu (drums) to play with me, and we ended up being that band that played for Puffy on their show. They told us if we had a name, they'd put it on the screen, so decided on the name PONI-CAMP! You're PONI-CAMP's vocalist! Why is that? How is it? Really we were planning on being a four-person band with female vocals, but she unfortunately had to leave the band to get married and have a child. We thought we couldn't continue, so I ended up deciding to sing! Until now I've never played guitar and sung, and it really is hard. But it's so fun doing it for my own band and I'm getting better little by little with each show. I'm doing my best to sing skillfully! Recently you've been involved in many projects (cartoons, soundtracks, side bands, radio, illustration). It seems like you're too busy for music! Why did you want to do these projects? What aspects of them do you enjoy? Currently, my life is centered around PONI-CAMP, being an illustrator, and voice acting. I've loved drawing ever since I was little, so even though my illustration job is busy, I'm having fun with it! Ever since Lolita I've been designing CD jackets and shirts and stuff for my bands (same goes for your favorite, Higeninja). Now I'm drawing the designs for PONY-CAMP merchandise. As for voice acting, the animation director Kobayashi Osamu coincidentally saw me playing guitar at a show and invited me to work with him. He has let me act in his work "End of the World" and the TV show "BECK". Now I'm acting in a cartoon called "Odenkun". I've loved animation and comics for a long time, so I'm happy to get a chance to do this! You really love animals, don't you! What do you have? I'm currently living with my droop-eared rabbit (a lion lop) Pocchi. At my parents' house I also have a bernese mountain dog named Lucky. I've also had cats, parakeets, crawfish, Japanese grass lizards, bugs... I've had lots of things. I've been depressed recently because my gecko just went to heaven... Please say anything else you would like to tell overseas fans. Hello, everyone across the world! I'm Ena-pou!! I'm very thankful for the tours in Europe and America I got to go on with Lolita No.18. Making friends overseas was also very fun. I wish with all my heart that one day my new band PONI-CAMP will be able to go and play shows in all your towns. When that day comes, I'll be pleased to meet you!! - Hana
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