I recently heard about a kooky band called Dynamite Club. Their music is a mixture of jazz, punk, and kung-fu. Uh huh…kung-fu.

The band will play two shows in Houston this week–Sunday, 12.12.04 @ Axiom, and Tuesday, 12.14.04 @ Rhythm Room. Be sure to come out and show your support.

Here’s the band’s bio (from their website):

Dynamite Club was formed 2001 in New York City by two young “jazz” musicians, Kentaro Saito and Mike Pride. Conceived as a “rock band,” their avant-grade influenced sound and extraordinary energetic and unique stage performances — involving actual Kung-Fu fighting and wrestling! — garnered attention from all around the New York City area.

After giving unforgettable performances at nearly every club in the New York City & Brooklyn areas, including CBGB’s and Knitting Factory, Dynamite Club released their first full length CD, The Legend Of Tiger Mask. Released on New Jersey-based label, Big Sleep Records, in late 2002, the album left an unforgettable impression in the U.S, Canada, and even Australia and Taiwan, gathering heavy college radio play throughout. Shortly thereafter, following four successive bass players, Dynamite Club finally found its foil in Byrne Klay in 2002.

Their first international tour in 2003 included Taiwan, Japan, and Australia, and had such a great response that it mislead the members to think that they were “Rock Stars.” While in Taiwan, Dynamite Club gave its wild performance, not realizing the magnitude of accepting the headlining position at Spring Scream Goat, one of the biggest music festivals in the country. They don’t know why exactly, but Dynamite Club gets wild love from the Taiwanese now, and was asked to headline Spring Scream Monkey followed by packed concerts in Taipei in the Spring of 2004. This was followed by the band’s second successful tour of Japan.

Dynamite Club is Kentaro Saito (guitar/vocals), Mike Pride (drums/vocals), and Byrne Klay (bass). I recently sent the band some questions for Houston Calling. Enjoy.

Ten Questions for Dynamite Club

HC: How did Dynamite Club come together?

MP: The same radioactive gamma rays that brought Thor and the Incredible Hulk together in 1984.

KS: I started this when I found out that BFA in Jazz ain’t worth a cent. Mike joined when original drummer was too busy making cocktails. Byrne joined when the bassist of the time decided to search a light in jazz again.

HC: What do consider to be your musical influences?

KS: American music.

BK: Anything that makes me smile.

MP: Jim Hall.

HC: Have you been getting a good response to your new album, It’s Deeper Than Most People Actually Think?

KS: Good, somehow. I do not believe ’em though.

MP: Well, it isn’t actually out yet, so I am not sure what Kentaro is talking about…I mean, yeah, our friends like it, but what can they say once Byrne threatens to to thow a big ol’ bag of sh*t on them?

HC: How about the tour? Does the response you get from the fans (and converting new ones) make “life on the road” all worth it?

MP: Groupies my friend. Groupies.

KS: I’ll see what’s up tomorrow.

HC: What’s your take on the state of the music industry? Are you for or against the MP3 “revolution”? How are you using the internet as a tool to market the band?

MP: It takes me 20 f***ing minutes to write an email on my sh***y computer. Don’t talk to me about the internet.

BK: It doesn’t matter what we think. Things are the way they are and we all have to adapt. Entertainers are whores.

KS: I would be happy if Santa decided to give me an i-pot.

HC: If you could have any band cover one of your songs, what song would it be and what band?

KS: I would like to see Meat Loaf singing “Spritual.”

MP: Diana Krall doing “Junkies.”

BK: David Lee Roth should sing “Tight Pants.”

HC: How would you describe Dynamite Club’s music/sound to someone who has never heard it before?

MP: Noise-Math-Jazz-International-Seizure Core, or any combination of the 5. You choose. That is what promoters are paid to do.

KS: It’s deep.

HC: What is the one description that you hate to hear about your music?

BK: I don’t know if the music is serious enough to warrant an offensive misunderstanding.

KS: It’s deep. “Hate” sounds as strong as “Love.”

MP: “I think this guy is going through a mid-life crisis.”

HC: What plans do you guys have for 2005? More touring?

MP: Open a Krispy Kreme in San Lucia.

KS: Another U.S tour in February, with a couple of great bands from Japan.

HC: What is on your CD player right now?

BK: David Allan Coe, Van Halen, and Megadeth. I’m a redneck at heart.

KS: Devo.

MP: Dust.

Special thanks to Dynamite Club for taking the time to respond to these questions.

Be sure to check out the band live in Houston tonight (Sunday, 12.12.04) at Axiom and Tuesday, 12.14.04 at Rhythm Room. Visit the band’s website here.

Now Playing in My iPod: Miles Davis — Miles in the Sky