The president of The Ramones Fan Club Japan interviewed me and posted it to her blog.
My Google Translate wouldn’t work on the website, so I translated it manually. I corrected just enough English for you to get the point but I think it is kinda cool to read translated Japanese
You can view the original blog here

http://newsblog.ramonesfanclubjapan.com/?eid=280

D.J. Yugo-Introducing Rocky, aka “One Man Ramone,” who will be coming from Texas at the end of this month.

Today’s news and blog introduces Ramones fan Rocky, also known as “One Man Ramone,” who will be coming from Texas, USA at the end of this month. DJ YUGO, a Ramones DJ and RFCJ member who is in contact with him, explains below.
Rocky comes from Dallas, Texas, USA. He continues to be active with the concept of playing RAMONES songs by himself. Last year in 2023, they came to Japan for the first time and held a LIVE at Rock Inn DICE in Shinjuku/Okubo. We had a fun night surrounded by Japanese RAMONES fans. I had so much fun that I’m planning to come again this year.
LIVE is a style in which he plays the guitar along with videos of himself playing the drums and bass, and in addition to the performance scenes, the videos that have been edited in various ways are made to make you laugh, and you won’t get tired of watching them. . I felt that this was a new style that could be patented in a sense. The video also includes easy-to-understand lyrics captions, so you can sing along or learn the meaning of the lyrics anew.
This tour will have live performances in Tokyo for two days.

The 3rd RAMONES NIGHT will be held at Numabukuro Section9 on Friday, November 1st. On November 2nd (Saturday), I, DJ YUGO, will be performing at Shinjuku/Okubo Rock Inn DICE, where I DJ regularly every Friday. There will be a different setlist for each of the two days, so please come and see us on both days. You can listen to lots of RAMONES songs. And in between the live performances, RAMONES’ favorite DJ will liven up the event with a selection of songs.
The LIVE will be in two parts, so even if you arrive a little late, you can still watch the second part. If you are late due to work, please consider coming after work. Also, if you would like to share the vocals on one song, please try singing your favorite RAMONES song at karaoke with Rocky playing it. You are welcome to drop in on the day, but please DM X @yugo1008 in advance. Please feel free to participate.

Lastly, after Tokyo, they will be holding live shows in Fukui, Osaka, Kyoto, Matsuyama, and Fukuoka, so if you live nearby, please check them out.

We also did a mini-interview with the unique Uncle Rocky. The differences between Texas and Japan are also interesting.

Yuki- When did the idea of ​​playing Ramones by yourself come about?
Rocky– The idea started in 2015 as a street gig/street performance. Since I had experience recording and performing backing tracks, I recorded drum and bass tracks. In 2016 I got a computer with video editing capabilities. That’s how I evolved into stage performance.

Yuki- Do you play on the streets in Texas as well?
Rocky- I used to perform in a red-light district called Deep Ellum in Dallas, Texas, but it got too dangerous so he now commutes to Denton, 30 miles north of Dallas. This is a university town and street performances are allowed in the main square.

Yuki- Is it too dangerous… like Kabukicho? Or is it so dangerous that you can hear the sound of guns?
Rocky- Kabukicho is only scary when you go to clubs with touts, but Deep Ellum has shootings, robberies, and gang wars. This is a dangerous area for ordinary people.

Yuki- The Ramones have toured Texas many times, but have you ever seen them live?
Rocky- I saw the Ramones six times, all in Dallas. The first performance was on November 12, 1984. I was scared and excited. Having grown up listening to KISS, I understood the dramatic entrance, but I was totally unprepared for the amount of energy that was unleashed. I had never seen Slamdance before and was scared at first, but eventually fell in love with it. The last time I saw a Ramones show was March 20, 1995.

Yuki- Who were the members at that time?
Rocky- My first show was with Richie and Dee Dee. They played marching snare music as an intro, and hadn’t yet started using the Zoku: Gunman of the Sunset theme song (The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly theme song).

Yuki– In what order will each person play the four roles (how do you record your videos)?
Rocky- In the stage video, I start with the drums and play from memory using a click track. Next add the base. Edit these two and add the lyrics in the space above the drums and bass. I also split the screen into four parts for a 4-way cover of a Ramones song. If so, add the guitar next and the vocals last.

Yuki- Are there any Ramones fans in Texas? I have the impression that in the 80’s, punk was relegated to America.
Rocky- Texas Ramones fans are of all ages. Not all fans are punks. Many people only know “Sedated” and “Blitzkrieg Bop.” They also recognize Ramones T-shirts.

Yuki- By the way, how many songs do you have in your repertoire?
Rocky- I have 55 songs in my repertoire, but I would like to add more. To add a track to a song with a guitar solo, I need to find a lead guitarist. The guitarist will be included in the stage video. We recorded a new version of “Rock and Roll Radio” with a guest bassist. The song had too many notes for me to handle, so I asked Gino from Dallas Ramones tribute band Mondos BIzzaros to play the part. He brought along a replica of Dee Dee’s spider base. As a drummer, I’d like to play “Let’s Go,” which has a drum solo.

Yuki– Last year, you came to Japan for the first time and spent time with Ramones fans. What are your impressions of Japanese fans and Japan?
Rocky- I had such a great time last year that we had to come again. I first saw Japanese KISS fans in 1977.
I saw pictures of fans giving away dolls and engaging with the band much more enthusiastically than American fans. The Ramones are the exact opposite of KISS, but I think they have something in common that appeals particularly to Japanese culture. What I admire about Japanese society is collectivism. It’s a feeling. The Ramones built their image around collectivism. Over the last 50 years, those who cannot adapt have found a common language of acceptance. No matter how different someone is from you, when you recognize the Ramones logo, a common bond is created. I had great conversations with Japanese fans even though they don’t speak English. You don’t need to say many words to share your feelings with each other. Both understand the emotional context of how the Ramones affected them personally. I love performing in front of Japanese audiences and plan to come back as many times as possible.

Yuki- It’s already October. You’re coming to Japan at the end of this month, right? Please give a message to the Ramones fans and rock fans who are coming to see you.
Rocky- This show is not intended to recreate cosplay. This is a celebration of the Ramones and I want everyone to feel a part of the show. Audience members are invited to sing as loud as they like and bond with each other over their shared love for the band that saved rock and roll.

Yuki- If you come across Rocky (uncle) who travels all over Japan doing DIY, please give him a shout!

Ramones Night Vol. 3, presented by three DJs and members of Ramones Fan Club Japan, will be held on November 1st at the familiar Section 9 in Numabukuro, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, with Rocky. YUKI/RFCJ