In 2000, they surprised many music fans at SXSW.

     In 2001, they released their first US album "SPIKE" which was listed in the top 10 albums of 2001 in Billboard's Critic Choice and people in the US were able to see them on MTV.

     So, if 2001 was a good year for Puffy AmiYumi, 2002 looks even brighter!

     Puffy AmiYumi is back and this year they will definitely take things up a notch by releasing their Japanese singles compilation "An Illustrated History" (which will be released by Bar None Records in May 2002). They will also tour the United States this summer which includes opening for the B-52's.

    Their upcoming compilation will feature sixteen of their popular tracks including "Kore ga watashi no ikiru michi (That's the way it is)", "Mother", "Nagisa ni Matsuwaru Et Cetera (Electric Beach Fever), "Puffy De Rumba" and many more. Also included is their English track "Love So Pure" and an English version of their first song "Asia no Junshin (True Asia). Included in the CD is a music video for "Boogie Woogie No. 5".

     Their music will also be featured in the two upcoming Hollywood flicks. "Boogie Woogie No. 5" will be featured as the opening credit song for the movie "Sheer Bliss" and "Love So Pure" will be used during the closing credits for "I'm With Lucy".

     As I prepared for this third interview with Ami and Yumi, I wanted to combine the styles of fan participation from the first interview and also cover the Japanese entertainment side from the second interview. With Japanese music fandom growing at an increasing rate and with many publications focusing on the US perspective of Puffy AmiYumi, I felt it would be great to show another perspective that fans of the duo will not see in other publications. In addition I wanted to ask Ami and Yumi questions regarding music, life and even their personal interests.

     I recently had the opportunity to interview the duo who were in the United States for a photo shoot for "An Illustrated History" through coordination with Yuriko Inagaki of Sony Music Japan and with interpreter Tomoko Yamamoto.

DENNIS:  Last year, you released your first album “SPIKE” and there were many positive reviews. It was included in the list of top 10 albums of 2001 in Billboard’s Critics Choice.  Americans had the opportunity to watch you on MTV.  How was the experience of releasing an album in the US different compared to releasing an album in Japan?
YUMI:  It’s really great that our album has received good reviews.  The majority of the songs we are singing are in Japanese and to be able to get good reviews based on the music is good. What we do in Japan and what we do over here is no different since there is no change in the style of the music.  So, we are very happy to get the positive feedback.

Pictured from L to R: Puffy AmiYumi's Yumi Yoshimura and Ami Onuki

DENNIS:  What was the biggest challenge for each of you since releasing your first album in the US? AMI:  The biggest challenge was to sing the song "Love so Pure" in English.  DENNIS:  You are releasing your second album in the US titled “An Illustrated History of Puffy AmiYumi” which consists of many of your popular hits from Japan.  I know many Puffy AmiYumi fans will be very happy to see this release.  Was it your choice to release a greatest hits album in the US or Sony Music Japan?   YUMI:  Since we put together the album for Japanese release anyway, just because we are releasing an album in the US, we didn’t want to change the style of the direction of our music.  So, it has been our choice to release the album the way it is.

DENNIS:  How you feel about the many fans outside of Japan who have been supporting you since “Asia no Junshin”?  Are you surprised by the support?
AMI: We really are happy that people outside of Japan have followed our music. We are very honored.

DENNIS:  Back in the 1960’s, Sakamoto Kyu’s “Ue o Muite Aruko” was the first Japanese song to stay #1 in the Billboard top 3.  Now in 2002, thanks to the Internet, more and more people are becoming aware and are listening to Japanese music.  Do you think it’s possible for another Japanese song to make it #1 like Sakamoto Kyu’s song did in the 60’s?
YUMI:  We won’t necessarily say definitely “no” but to say that there will possibly be another chance like that...it’s really hard to say.

DENNIS:  You’re in the US working on promotions for “An Illustrated History of Puffy AmiYumi” but I know that you released a new album “THE HIT PARADE” in Japan.  Is it hard to do two different album promotions at the same time?
AMI:  Not really because it’s songs that we sing and it’s all about songs.  So, we don’t find it difficult to do two different album promotions in different territories for our songs.

DENNIS:   I know many fans outside of Japan have bought your new Japanese album.  I would like to ask a question about it.  How did an album doing covers of WINK’s “Ai ga Tomoranai”, SPITZ’s “Cherry” and other well known songs come about?
AMI:  We were thinking of making a new album and what we would do for the new album.  We wanted to work with Okuda Tamio again but he was really, really busy.  So, we needed to come up with new ideas that we can work together on a different album without hassling Okuda Tamio so much.  So, we felt we should do a cover version because songs already exist and we felt it would be a good idea.  That’s why we chose to do this album.

DENNIS:  We have seen other Japanese artists release albums in the US and recently Utada Hikaru has been signed with a major US label.  How do you feel about other Japanese artists releasing music in the US? AMI:  It’s good to know that other Japanese artists want to test out their opportunities in Japan but it’s a positive thing that many Japanese artists are releasing their music in the US.

DENNIS:  The next questions are from fans who have followed Puffy AmiYumi's music in Japan and the US. The questions were taken from fans from the J!-ENT Website and members from the J-ENT (Japanese Entertainment) and nt2099 mailing list for Ami and Yumi. 

FAN QUESTION: When Puffy AmiYumi goes on tour, will they be going alone, or with another Japanese band, or maybe opening up for an American band?
YUMI: Nothing is really confirmed right now but we are thinking of opening for an artists in the United States or at some places we will headline ourselves. But as long as we can have fun, we will keep on going and do our best. Whichever the situation maybe or whoever we are with in a live tour.

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