Sure we’ve heard about you before, but we think it’s time for Tone Deaf to get to know you a little better. Slip in to something comfortable while we put on some music, pour us a couple of drinks and turn the lights down low. So, tell us about yourselves…Who are you – who who? We really wanna know….

Who are you and what do you do in your act?

Taka Honda. I’m a guitarist and singer in the Hondas

‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parents’ record collection and why?

Abbey Road by the Beatles- My dad was a massive Japanese hippie when he was young and had heaps of old-school rock’n’roll records. His Abbey Road vinyl copy was a limited clear green edition and I thought the colour was really pretty. It took me a while to realise it was in fact one of the greatest records ever made.

What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?

Parallel Lines by Blondie, The Clash by the Clash and Let it Bloom by the Black Lips.

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‘Home taping is killing the music business’ was the catch-cry of the record industry in the 1970s and 1980s, but it managed to survive until now. What do you think is the difference between mates taping copies of friend’s records back in the 80s and 90s and file sharing now?

I’m too young to know all the fuss about the tape. I was born with iPod in my hand. I don’t mind file sharing as long as people come to our gigs.

You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What was the first gig you went to?

Where was it and what was the venue? Oasis gig in 2002 at Tokyo Arena back in Tokyo. I was still Japanese back then. The gig was right after the world cup we hosted and Liam Gallagher kept talking how badly English soccer team played in the tournament and how surprisingly good our national team did.

What’s your favourite site to download music from and do you ever pay for it? Can we find any of your releases there?

Yeah, I’m an honest iTunes account holder. We don’t have any release yet. But, we are releasing a single in September and album next year. You’ll find our stuff online and any record shops around Australia then.

What artist made you want to pick up an instrument and/or sing?

Gallagher brothers from Oasis. But, I’m trying not to be a dickhead.

Have you ever been arrested?

No, never. But, I got deported from Australian in 2006 when I overstayed my visa. I got a shit hot lawyer and he got me back to Australia. If anyone is having a trouble with Australian immigration, I’ll recommend him. Contact me.

Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?

I wipe my guitar strings with my special guitar string wiping cloth and pray that I won’t break them. I have no spare guitar.

Supposing you were to be playing sold out stadiums on your next tour, what outrageous rider requests would you submit?

Strippers. A lot of them. I think our dressing room should be like a strip club if we were to play at stadiums.

Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?

Phil Jamieson from Grinspoon. He seems like a fun guy to hang out with.

Right, let’s get really intimate. Tell us what releases you have that we can listen to with the lights down low, or even better, where we can see you play in person next. Naturally, don’t forget to give us the link to your Facebook fan page too.

As I mentioned above, we are to release a single this September and our first album next year. Please keep an eye on us! You could see us playing at the Retreat Hotel in Sydney Road Brunswick this Saturday 12th August. Here’s our facebook link (http://www.facebook.com/thehondas?sk=app_178091127385). Thanks a lot!

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