 | | OK Tokyo (C) Chris Harris |
They've only played a handful of gigs at Reading's Plug 'n' Play studios and the Oakford Social Club. Now OK Tokyo are heading to Somerset this weekend to play one of the most famous festivals in the world: Glastonbury. The spunky trio will be whipping up their grind 'n' gurn gala of exotic adventure rock before thousands of people on the BBC Intodrucing Stage, which is launched this year as a BBC platform for emerging talent around the country. And OK Tokyo, the self-styled sonic explorers with the infectiously quirky alter-egos, are still reeling from the news. | "I've got my eye on a 15 minute guitar solo a la Richie Sambora (don't tell the lads)." | | Sammy Tokyo having a quip...or is he? |
"To be fair, I thought it was a wind up or something," exclaims Sammy Tokyo, who received a call from the BBC only days ago. "Actually it still might be! Ha." They've barely got a week to prepare for what is so far the pinnacle of their young careers, and they're chomping at the bit to get out there. "We can't wait to unleash some rock carnage in the fields of Pilton," says Sammy. "We've been holed up in our cowshed (rehearsal room) for the last few weeks fleshing out some new tunes of adventure rock, so we're having to bash the set into shipworthy fashion pronto..." OK Tokyo were selected from hundreds of bands by an esteemed panel of judges including Steve Lamacq (Radio 1/6Music), Emily Eavis (Glastonbury) and Huw Stephens (Radio 1). They had to choose 24 bands from a raft of recommendations by BBC local band shows around the country, who each put forward two acts. BBC Radio Berkshire's Linda Serck, who presents The Session, had a tough job choosing just two bands from the treasure trove of local talent, but in the end plumped for OK Tokyo and Wire Jesus. She says: "I'm over the moon that one of BBC Radio Berkshire's selections has been chosen, and I understand the judges ranked OK Tokyo as one of the highest out of the 24. "It was a real quandary choosing just two bands. But in the end I chose OK Tokyo for their kick-ass tunes and the palpable buzz surrounding them. And Wire Jesus for their bohemian festival vibe and harmonic beauty. "I'm so happy that at least one of them gets to show the world that Berkshire's local band scene is not just on fire, it's set off a volcanic eruption." OK Tokyo tracks TV Evangelist and You Better Believe It are fan and A&R favourites, but what do Ok Tokyo have planned for the unsuspecting Glasto crowd? "Of course it's every bands dream to play at a festival, whip the crowd into a frenzy, then drop the ballad, while sending fireworks into the sky," he grins. "I've got my eye on a 15-minute guitar solo a la Richie Sambora (don't tell the lads). "Has anyone got a long white cloak that I can borrow?" But all rock pomp and bombast aside, will the legs be quivering a little before they fly on stage? "Yeah, we are a bit nervous. "I mean, is it usual for a band to play at the Oakford Social Club, Plug 'n' Play, and then Glasto? Of course, we're nervous! But nothing that a few goose looseners (beers) can't sort out." Good luck guys! See OK Tokyo wow Glastonbury on Saturday 23 June. Find out more about the band and listen to their songs here: OK Tokyo >
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Slough teenager Lizzie Massey will also be playing at Glastonbury. Get the lowdown here: ___________________________________________________ Ok Tokyo will be playing live on BBC Radio Berkshire's The Session on Sunday 8 July from 7pm. | 
