THE SPACE AGENCY

      Since the release of the first VIBRASONIC LP Simon Jones consequently discovering new landscapes of sound, as a solo musican or with his latest outfit THE SPACE AGENCY. The far out instrumental sound can be heard on the SPACE AGENCYS actual release "KALEIDOSPCOPIC SOUNDS" released (like all SPACE AGENCY records) via his Label "Tremolo Records". Tyme to do an interview with guitarplayer Simon Jones. Enjoy !

TES: At first, who are the members of THE SPACE AGENCY ? Can you give a brief history of the band ?

SJ: Simon Jones – Guitars, Drums, Sitar, Bass & Effects Hiromi Fukuzawa – Bass Guitar, Rhythm Guitar. We formed The Space Agency in 2002.

TES: Your sound seems influenced by various artists and styles [eg. Eleki, TV Themes...]. Can you tell some more about the influences ?

SJ: I started buying records when I was 9 years old, the 1st record I bought was Ennio Morricone `Fist Full ofDollars` soundtrack. I was`nt interested in much modern music &  was always attracted to the sounds &musicians on old records.  I got my 1st guitar when I was 11 years old but did`nt start learning properly until Igot a Fender Jaguar when I was 17 and taught myself how to play from my records.

      Instrumental

      The Ventures, Takeshi Terauchi, Yuzo Kayama,The Sharp Five(Japan), Joe Maphis, Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant, Les Paul, Chet Atkins,Vincent Bell, Dick Dale, Davie Allan, Imrat Khan, Vilayat Khan, Vajahat Khan, Amjad Ali Khan, Wout Steenhuis, The Shadows, Surf, Hot Rod, Go-Go.

[Simon Jones]                                                                                 [Hiromi Fukuzawa]                       

      Singers

      Gene Vincent, Mary Ford, The Everly Brothers, Yuzo Kayama, Chubby Checker, The Orlons, Dee Dee Sharp.

      Bands

      The Electric Prunes, the Seeds, Chocolate Watch Band, The T- Bones (USA), the Zombies, The Kinks, The Spiders (Japan), Bo Diddley.      

      Also influenced by sounds & music from cartoons , sci fi, horror & secret agents from 1930`s –1970`s. In the early 90`s I studied Indian Classical music & learned  Sarod (like a Fretless Sitar) with Vajahat Khan, son of Sitar Maestro Ustad Imrat Khan.

      Hiromi started playing Bass Guitar aged 13 in Japan.

TES: Where did you get the inspriration for your tunes and their songnames from ?

SJ: Tunes usually just come from ideas while playing the guitar or Bass, I don`t know how to write music, somost instrumentals I record are often just me recording so I don`t forget the tune.  Getting titles for tunes veryhard work. I usually try & get a title that has some kind of description of the sounds or atmosphere of the tune.

["THE SPACE AGENCY"]

TES: The production and arrangement of Vibrasonic and The Space Agency records is remarkable. Often, there can be heard 3 or more guitars in each song, everyone with an own sound identity [fuzz, tremolo, reverb]. So, how does therecording/production process looks like ?  Do you own a home studio ?

SJ: I do most of the recordings at home. Everything is recorded using tape recorders (cassette & reel to reel), bouncing tracks from one machine to another then finally mixing onto a CD recorder. I sometimes record drums or a backing track in a rehearsal studio if I need to be loud, then overdub the other stuff at home. I try and make each instrumental unique, they all have a lot of improvisation involved in the playing and the sounds. I don`t know how to write music, so most instrumentals I record are often just me recording so I don`t forget the tune.

TES:  Do you produce other bands/artists too ?

SJ: I`d be interested in making sounds with other bands sometime.

TES: You use a wide spectrum of different guitar sounds. What gear do you play ?

SJ: I use Mosrite guitars most of the time, a 6 string Ventures model(1965) & a 12 string model (1968). Also a Yamaha SG5 from 1967, 2 Fender Jaguars(1 old one from 1966 & 1  New Baritone version) & an Electric Sitar. Hiromi plays a Fender Jazz Bass & Yamaha SGV800 guitar.

TES: The 2nd Space Agency CD "Galactic Vibrations" features some live recordings. Do you often play live ? What is the line up for a live "Space Agency" ?

SJ: Hiromi is in Japan until summer & we don`t have a drummer for The Space Agency at the moment so there are no plans to play live until we can find the right person for the job.

[VIBRASONIC LIVE AT BRIGHTON BEACH 1996 - frome left: SIMON JONES; RONDO HATTON JR; VICTOR K. FITCH ]

TES: So, to do some time travel ... Were there any other bands/projects before VIBRASONIC ?

SJ: From 1985 I was making recordings at home on my own & learning how to play instruments & make sounds, Vibrasonic was my first band 1990 - 1996.

TES: What were the highlights [on stage] with VIBRASONIC ?

SJ: We were lucky enough to be asked to play with Dick Dale in 1995 when he first came to England & also playing with Link

      Wray in 1996.

                             [Concert Poster]                                                                                                    [VIBRASONIC LIVE IN LONDON 1995]

TES: I read that you played with "THE SURFIN GORILLAS". How did it come to that colaboration ?

SJ: It was 2004 when we met & I played a few shows with them, I still play with them sometimes, they live nearby.

TES: The first Vibrasonic record features some vocal numbers in the vein of 60s psych bands like 13th Floor Elevators, The Seeds or Electric Prunes. Any plans to do some vocal numbers for the SpaceAgency too ?

SJ: Hiromi has a good voice so maybe one day?  but I don`t sing, I prefer playing instruments.

TES: All of your records were released via your own label Tremolo Records. Can you tell us more about your label ? Where canall your releases be ordered ?

SJ: Tremolo Records was started so that I could release my own music on my own terms. I was`nt satisfied with my earlier experiences of being on labels so I thought I`d try doing it myself. CD releases can be ordered from www.tremolorecords.com

[COVERS: SIMON JONES - "INSTRUMENTALS VOL 1" | THE SPACE AGENCY - "THE SPACE AGENCY" | THE SPACE AGENCY - "GALACTIC VIBRATIONS"]

TES: Is there a chance that The Space Agency CDs will be released on vinyl too ?

SJ: No plans to but it would be nice sometime.

TES: What are the plans for 2006 ?

SJ: I`m recording some new tracks at the moment & will hopefully have a new album out.

THANKS FOR THE INTERVIEW !

comin` home baby.