Battle of Disarm: Peace, Crust & Animal Liberation

Battle of Disarm are an anarcho crust punk band from Tokyo, Japan, formed in 1989 and one of the most passionate Japanese bands about DIY ethics, animal liberation, and anti-capitalist politics. What follows is an interview with the band’s singer Ryuji Asada, who is a militant vegan punk and also runs D.I.Y. Records. Originally published in 1997, this interview has been lightly edited for clarity and readability in English, while preserving the voice and convictions that defined Battle of Disarm and the Tokyo DIY scene at the time.

Could you tell us a short history of the band? What is the current lineup?

We started the band seven years ago. I was looking for people and first met Hiromitsu, our original guitarist. Then Aechi joined on bass, and after that we found our first drummer, Tetsuya. A few years ago we changed both the guitarist and drummer.

Our current lineup is: Aechi (bass), Yuzi (guitar), Chicara (drums), and me, Ryuji (vocals). We’re much more active now than before, and I really think this is the best lineup we’ve had.

Which bands influenced you? What are you listening to now?

I was influenced by many old thrash, noise, and hardcore bands like Kaaos, Riistetyt, Bastards, Painajainen, Rattus, Sorto, Sekunda, S.O.D., Disarm (of course!), Anti-Cimex, Shitlickers, Avskum, Power Age, Moderat Likvidation, Screaming Foetus, Pandemonium, Antisect, Anti-System, and many others. A lot of people probably love these bands too.
I was also strongly influenced by Crass and Conflict. I loved their lyrics and started studying anarchism, animal rights, and similar ideas, which changed my lifestyle. I think many people changed their lives after discovering those bands.

I’m sad that Conflict changed and that their shows became so expensive. Many of their releases were reissued on CD without lyric sheets for the original 7-inches. Still, I follow my own path. I have many good friends, and our DIY network is really strong. Some people sell out, but many stay in the DIY scene.

These days I like Active Minds, Autonomy, Los Crudos, and others. I really like Finnish DIY bands, Brazilian anarcho collectives, and European DIY groups. I don’t want to decide which records are “the best.” There are more important things than music, and you know that too.

What releases has the band put out? Which ones are you most satisfied with?

We’ve released: a split LP with Brainstorm, split 7-inches with Hylkiö, Inkisição, Fleas And Lice, Masskontroll (8-inch), Subcaos, and Katastrofialue, the 7-inches In The War, Anti-Vivisection Live EP, demo tapes, split tapes, compilation tracks, and more. Our latest release is the split EP with Snifter.

Of course, we love all our releases. Many DIY labels, distros, and bands support us. We’re always happy with our records because they’re released by people who genuinely support DIY.

Who writes the lyrics, and what are they about?

I write all the lyrics. They’re about animal rights, anti-war ideas, vegetarianism/veganism, and opposition to the capitalist system. These aren’t fantasies, they’re everyday realities. I hope people read the lyrics, change their lifestyles, make new friends, and help build a new society.

Can you tell us about the new LP? How did you connect with M.D.C. Records?

The LP includes newly re-recorded older songs that originally appeared on splits with Brainstorm, Hylkiö, Inkisição, Subcaos, and the 7-inch compilation Tokyo Crusties.

I first contacted M.D.C. because I wanted some of their releases for my distro. We became friends, and they offered to release an LP or CD. They said B.O.D. records were hard to find in Portugal. I agreed, on the condition that it would never be released on CD, only vinyl. The LP will come out on M.D.C. soon. The main delay is that I don’t have enough free time to finish the artwork. I’m really sorry about that. As soon as the cover is ready, the record will be released. I think M.D.C. is a good label. Hey readers, do you agree that a B.O.D. LP should come out on M.D.C.? Let me know.

How often do you play shows in Japan? What about venues?

We play in Tokyo about once a month. There are many bands here, but no squats or proper DIY venues. We’re forced to use capitalist clubs. It sucks. We have to pay 140,000 yen (about $1,400) per show. Usually 5–6 bands play, each paying around 24,000 yen. Tickets cost 1,200 yen and drinks are 500 yen, so punks spend about 1,700 yen per show. Typical Japanese punk shows cost even more. We’re always trying to find better solutions.

What is the Tokyo scene like right now (1997)?

Here’s my short report. B.O.D. and Power Of Idea organize monthly DIY shows called ABC Partisan Gig. We play with many great bands: Abolish, Asbestos, Deadlock, Flame, Beyond Description, Ignorance, Life, Peaceful Protest, Frigora, and many others.

We also play with Fuck On The Beach, Slight Slappers, Mass Genocide, Protect, and Power Of Idea. Many crust punks are vegetarian or vegan and support animal rights, though some people drink and use drugs too much, which causes problems.

There are good labels like Tribal War Asia, Peace Punk Records, Forest Records, and of course D.I.Y. Records. All of them oppose the capitalist rock industry. We also fight against fake DIY labels. Capitalist labels suck. We never release bands that support nazism, fascism, sexism, or violence.

There are also good zines: Minimum, Rebel 28, Mission Undone, Unite, and Fight And Resist (which I make). All are in Japanese.

Non-Japanese bands also play our gigs, like Recharge, Assück, Hellnation, Dropdead, and Los Crudos (one of the best DIY bands ever). Soon we’ll have Selfish from Finland and Cripple Bastards from Italy. I hope you’re interested in our small DIY scene.

Can you tell us about your label, D.I.Y. Records?

Releases include Tokyo Crusties EP, many splits, and records by Disclose, Deadlock, Crocodile Skink, Cluster Bomb Unit, Katastrofialue, Injustice System, and more.

I started the label because Japanese labels are very capitalist and expensive. I learned how vinyl pressing works and found a plant in the US. I keep prices low, spread DIY ideas, and many people support this approach.

I don’t pay bands, but they get 10% of the pressing for free. If bands want money, I won’t release them. If you want vinyl, you must save money yourself. That’s real DIY.
Future releases include Kirous/Frigöra, Unarmed, Epäjärjestys, and a split with Ira and Peaceful Protest.

Are many Japanese punks politically active? What about the Animal Defense League (A.D.L.)?

Some members of Power Of Idea work on animal rights, and others fight police violence. Social Crime support anarchist and communist ideas and are involved in protests against the US military base in Okinawa.

I founded the Animal Defense League. It’s similar to the ALF (Animal Liberation Front). Right now we’re organizing demonstrations to free captive orcas, together with the Free Animals Network. Fishermen captured ten orcas in 1997 and sold calves to aquariums, pure exploitation. We must liberate them.

We also boycott the ivory trade. It’s a small movement, and most Japanese people only care about money, but we never give up.

What are the band’s future plans?

We’re planning a European tour, a split 7-inch with Guernica Y Luno (Poland) and Proyectoterror (Spain), an LP of old songs on M.D.C., and an LP of new songs on Tribal War.

Any final words?

Thanks to everyone who read this and to Chris for the interview. If you’re interested in B.O.D., A.D.L., D.I.Y. Records, or the Tokyo DIY scene, write to me. I always reply, sometimes slowly because I’m busy every day.

Make new friends. Create a new scene.

Stay punk. Stay DIY. Never sell out. I’m waiting for your letters.