"Not unlike a great statesmen, Natural Calamity is one of those bands that has the ability to lead and influence their peers. A band that will most probably be written about and remembered long after they're finished."

Strong words for a simple band introduction? Yes. Simply one writer's opinion? No. Go ask Money Mark, the Dust Brothers, or Buffalo Daughter who have done remixes for their new remix album. Go ask Kool Keith who rapped on one of the tracks. The votes are in and everyone agrees: Natural Calamity are up next.

Between the band's member's Kuni Sugimoto being based in London, Shunji Mori's constant traveling, and lead vocal support by an American living in England named Stephanie Heasley, Natural Calamity draw their influences from everywhere and anywhere, creating a serene guitar rock sound that ranges in musical depth from the 60s on into the year 2000.

Really, I could impress you all day with boring analogies and name dropping, but in the end music is something to be listened to, not read about. Therefore, if you really want to know more about Natural Calamity, you'll have to go to the record store. If you'd like a brief introduction to the men behind the music (and you should), then you need to read on.

Tokion: What made you originally decide to be musicians?

Shunji Mori: What else could I have been?

Kuni Sugimoto: The first time I heard electronic music I knew I wanted to create it myself. I bought a synthesizer and that was the start.

Tokion:Kuni, why did you move to London?

KS: We came to London to record the Sundance album. A year later I still hadn't left. It's not like I have any particular love for the town, but at the same time there's no real reason to leave.

Tokion: How do you find life in London and Tokyo to be different?

SM: London's got an easy pace whereas Tokyo is always busy. In London, all different kinds of people from all over the world are meeting here, and making an effort to pool their differences in order to make it a better place to live. In Tokyo it's not so much about the individual as the group. If you're told to go right you damn well better go right. But Tokyo's group mentality is just surface level, and it seems like people are working to make life more difficult rather than simpler for each other.

KS: The thing I like about London is that it's easier to kick back here. People here are into doing their own thing and they aren't so worried about what other people are saying. There's nothing particularly that exciting in my personal life right now though. The whole guitar rock and club music scenes aren't really offering anything new at the moment. There's more selection in Japan. I always wait 'till I get home to go shopping for CDs and stuff.

Tokion: Why do you think young Londoners suddenly have such an interest in Japanese culture.

SM: I don't really think they do. They're into Japanese products and stuff, but that's about it.

Tokion: How did Stephanie Heasley become involved with the band?

SM: She was working with a friend of a friend at the Country and Western Corner at the Tower Records in Picadilly Circus. We were impressed by her lazy vocal style.

Tokion: Name one person you really respect or admire.

SM: Musicians? No one really. I have respect for my parents and anyone that is working hard to achieve their own personal goals.

KS: If we're talking about musicians it would be hard to choose only one person. I guess I would have to say Miles Davis, for his creative energy and an ability to push himself to reach new heights. If we're talking about respecting music in general, I seem to have a certain affinity for the 70s.

Tokion: Do you hope to be famous?

SM: Yes, I'd like that. The reason being is that it would make life a bit easier and allow me more room to do some of the things I'd like to do.

KS: As long as I can do the things I want from my own stance, then it's OK whether the success follows or not.

Tokion:Are your parents proud of you?

SM: My dad always calls and says, "Let me sing too!" It's getting to be a problem.

Tokion: Best musical moments?

KS: It does feel nice to play on a big stage.

Tokion: Worst musical moments?

SM: Too many to mention.

KS: I don't really have a "worst" moment, but I have more than enough moments when the ideas just don't seem to flow.

Tokion: What do you wish for?

KS: I don't really have any set of goals or dreams, but I would like to continue to create music like we are doing now. If I could have a family too, I guess I'd be really happy.

Tokion: So what next?

SM: We're working on a new album that should be out in the spring. It's looking like it's going to be licensed in the US on the Dust Brothers label Nickel Bag (Ideal Records). If all works out for the best we'll do a tour of the U.S.