Angel Face features members of Teengenerate, American Soul Spiders, Raydios, Ruler, The Fadeways, and Firestarter. First coming together in 2021, Angel Face is gathering steam with their new single and LP released on Slovenly Records. I had the opportunity to talk to Fink about his new band, his past and the future.
Scene Point Blank: Did the band name come from the Glitter Band’s glam stomper hit, “Angel Face”?
Fink: Yes, you're half right. Actually, it was taken from a sax player’s name in my band, Angel -- not from a French protopunk rockers.
Scene Point Blank: Was your name derived from Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s Rat Fink character?
Fink: No, actually not. Steve Baise of the Devil Dogs named me Fink on my first visit to NYC.
Scene Point Blank: Was early glam ever on your radar early on? Did the New York Dolls ever resonate with you?
Fink: Yes. Glam rock like Sweet or Alice Cooper was familiar to my ears since I was a kid, so of course I always loved it. And the Dolls was one of the biggest things in my life.
Scene Point Blank: Are there plans for Angel Face to storm the shores of North America?
Fink: We hope so.
Scene Point Blank: What has the reception to the single and full-length release on Slovenly been like so far?
Fink: Not so much in Japan, like always. I'm not sure about it overseas but I hear some cool jockeys played them.
Scene Point Blank: Are you the sex symbol in the band and can we expect a Fink swimsuit calendar?
Fink: Yes, I am. Pete Slovenly is working on it should be out by summer.
Scene Point Blank: Can we expect more material from Angel Face in the future? Have you been recording new material?
Fink: We’ll have a couple of new single records this year. One will be out on Seattle’s Lucky Records, whose owner has been a great friend of mine since Teengenerate.
Scene Point Blank: Angel Face recently did a show with The Outcasts. Were you largely familiar with them and the history of Belfast punk?
Fink: I’m sorry that the show didn’t happen because their Japanese tour was cancelled due to the illness of a member's family. I’ve been a big fan of them since the ‘80s and my old band, The Ruler, once performed with them years ago. They were still super cool. I’ve been falling in love with the Belfast punk rockers for a long time too. I could go on and on.
Scene Point Blank: Has Japan embraced Angel Face? Or, like in the past, is there more interest from other countries? When I was in Japan in 1999 I had an easier time finding Japanese pressings of North American bands than Japanese bands themselves.
Fink: I have no idea about overseas, but I wouldn't say we're accepted in Japan. They seem only to love manga and animation. But I don’t care.
Scene Point Blank: Do you have any comments on how the Japanese music industry differs from other countries or has changed?
Fink: : They're 80 years out of time. That’s it.
Scene Point Blank: If they were to erect a statue of you in your hometown what part of the statue do you think tourists/fans would touch for good luck?
Fink: Maybe a wart on my back.
Scene Point Blank: Are you an avid vinyl collector or do you still have a large collection?
Fink: I'm not trying to collect records seriously, but I've discovered a lot of good music over the years and, as a result, I have a lot of records.
Scene Point Blank: The Devil Dogs were early champions of Teengenerate. Are you still in contact with Steve Baise of The Devil Dogs?
Fink: Yes, I am. I met Steve a few years ago when he toured Japan with Black Mambas. He’s fine. I haven’t seen Andy for more than 10 years. I really miss him.
Scene Point Blank: When not creating music what does a day in Fink’s life involve?
Fink: Mostly reading books or listening to records.
Scene Point Blank: What are your thoughts about the likes of Spotify and such? How has the music industry changed since you began creating music and have been in the business?
Fink: I think it's good that kids have cheap and easy access to music. It's like a dream I had when I was a kid. But the fossil music industry is still there to prevent kids from finding authentic cool music. I think it may take a little more time but it’s just a matter of time.
Scene Point Blank: Currently, are there any musicians you would like to collaborate with?
Fink: Ann Peebles. Definitely.
Scene Point Blank: Of all the tours and shows you have played, is there one that stands out in your mind either as the best/worst show you ever played?
Fink: I think every show was great. Maybe the best show will be the next one. We're always on the cutting edge!
Scene Point Blank: Do you have any regrets about any of the career choices you have made? Were there ever any other thoughts of choosing another career path or leaving Japan?
Fink: No, I have nothing. I wanted to leave Japan and form a band in the U.S. or Paris until I was 25, though.
Scene Point Blank: How would you like to be remembered?
Fink: It would be great if people thought of us as some idiots in Japan who were into the MC5.
Scene Point Blank: Parting thoughts or shots?
Fink: Don’t think, feel.
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Find Angel Face here:
Slovenly Recordings Online
