How many degrees of separation are there between Iron Maiden and  Moja? By my count, two.

Bruce Dickinson was quoted as saying that the Japanese band, Electric Eel Shock was "...one of the most amazing hard rock and roll bands around... and one of my favourite studio guests of the last year" on BBC Radio 6. And what Does this have to do with Moja?

Go on Youtube and check out their first video, "Hello", a low budget PV compiled of different live footage cuts and what will you see? It might take some pause-rewinds, but there they are. The Iron Maiden frontman's "most amazing rock and roll band" headbanging away in the front row.

On top of that, when you place 3rd in a global battle of the bands and play in the 2nd biggest concert event in Japan (Summer Sonic) one thinks that a band like Moja would be enjoying more success.

Yet, nothing has come easy to the industrial/funk/thrash duo, it seems. But because of that every layer you peel back is fascinating.

There is nothing dull about Moja. Whether talking about the band's history, their taste in music, or even their jobs outside of music, you'll find yourself enveloped in their world.

Take, for example, bassist/ vocalist Haruhiko Higuchi's full time job which, incidently, makes him late for our interview appointment.

"I see them (dead bodies) every day. Sometimes I have to touch them. People who can sense the presence of ghosts usually don't last more than a couple days doing this job."

Everyday, he delivers flowers to funeral ceremonies.

"It reminds me that no one knows when it's their time to die. Because of that, I live every day to the fullest, like it's my last."

Words rarely hit home with such a solid effect and yet it's just another day for Higuchi.

While waiting, the drummer, Masumi Sakurai, sat down with me and fleshed out the details of her and Moja's history.

Originally a 4 piece band named Gorilla, the Moja-era began when the lead singer and guitarist abruptly left. After the breakup, Haruhiko and Masumi toiled in studios and even on the street, debating whether or not to return to a 4 piece setup before coming up with their unique style. "There were just 2 of us and we thought, 'What could we do?'" says Sakurai, "We just jammed in the studio and searched for a way to survive." They found their way and debuted at Shimokitazawa's Daisy Bar about 3 years ago, but before that Masumi spent some time in the USA.

Tom Melesky: Can you tell me about your stay in the United States?

Masumi Sakurai: I lived in the US for about 5 1/2 years. First, I lived in New Haven, Connecticut. I studied English because I didn't speak it at all. I went to an English school for about half a year and then I got into a university with a music program. Then I studied music theory and basic things for about a year and then I moved to Berkelee College of Music in Boston.

TM: How did you study at Berkelee?

MS: 3 1/2 years.

Moja will be playing 5 shows in the United Kingdom (4 in London and 1 in Liverpool) and this writer heartily recommends checking them out. The first three will be as part of the Tokyo/Osaka indie tour T.B.J.E. (The Big Jugs Experience) When asked about plans for 2010, the answer is...

Haruhiko Higuchi: International.

MS: Every year, international.

TM: The Royalinserts invited you to London. How did you get involved with the T.B.J.E. tour?

MS: We participated in their event a couple times in Tokyo and also in Osaka. Then they asked us to go to London. They originally contacted our distributor at that time.

TM: What are you hoping to get from these shows?

MS: Many things...We just want to let them know about Moja. We'd really like to perform around the world. This will be the very first step. This is a chance to let them know about Moja.

TM: How many countries have you performed in, already?

MS: I think three: England, US, and Canada.

TM: Do you find it's difficult to get around in other countries?

MS: I think so. In Japan, the livehouses have everything, nice PA, nice lighting, but once you got out of this country, especially in the US, they don't have anything like PAs and lights. The band has to express everything.

TM: After London, where would you like to go?

MS: I think Europe. We've been to the US a couple times and Canada. We haven't been anywhere in Europe except the UK so we want to go around there.

TM: Anyplace in particular?

HH: Belgium...Romania.

MS: Me, too.

TM: I've seen your show and you will set up your instruments almost anywhere in the club? Any special reason for that?

MS: We wanted to share the space with the audience so we prefer playing on the floor. Most of the venues didn't allow us to. Then one time Lush (a club in Shibuya) allowed us to perform in the audience and it was a good show for them and for us too. After that some venues asked us to do it again.

TM: Do you have a favorite place to perform?

HH: For the atmosphere, Chelsea Hotel.

TM: You played in the 2007 G.B.O.B. & the 2009 Summer Sonic, which was a bigger thrill?

HH: They were totally different.

MS: Yeah.

TM: How?

HH: G.B.O.B. had music plus various cultures. It was international. Summer Sonic had a Japanese atmosphere.

TM: Which had a bigger audience?

MS: G.B.O.B. was bigger, wasn't it?

HH: Yeah, I think so.

MS: At G.B.O.B. the Electric Ballroom was huge. We never played that kind of place before.

We moved on to their debut album " Moja" released on Feb. 18th of this year. For this writer, it definitely conjures up images of the college alternative past, like Primus, Ministry (and their various incarnations), early NIN, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

TM: "Weny Weny" is one of my favorite tracks.

MS: Oh, thank you.

TM: What Does it mean?

MS: (Laughing) (to Haruhiko) What Does it mean?

HH: It's a feeling.

MS: He was singing it and....

HH: I thought of a motorcycle in Virginia when you ( Does a rev motion)

TM: Oh, I get it. When you do a wheelie the sound from that.

HH: Yes, yes, (laughs) (Masumi covers her face.)

TM:Why are you embarrassed?

Haruhiko, as it turns out, is a bit of a prankster.

MS: He always makes stories up. It's not a true story.

HH: True story.

MS: (laughs loudly)

TM: If you wanted to convert a Japanese fan and they only had time to listen to one track. Which would you recommend?

HH: I guess "Hello".

MS: Yes, "Hello".

This was rare case of the two being in agreement, as they seem to be cut from totally different molds. This was especially apparent when asking about what inspires them.

MM: In my case, I get impressions from everything. I love to be in town. I love to be out somewhere even traveling. Especially when I go outside Japan. There are so many influences.

HH: Nothing really. Just from inside (laughs)

MS: We talked about it once. I get so many influences from everything, but he's like noooo..

TM: So you're the opposites. That's good.

MS: It is very opposite.

HH: We're mixed.

TM: Sometimes when you have positive and negative, it explodes. So you're matter and anti-matter.

HH: Yes! (both laugh)

TM: I should be your writer.

To end off the interview, I ask for quick opinions of fellow hard rockers and...others.

Electric Eel Shock

MS: Friend band.

HH: Senpai band.

Shonen Knife

MS: I don't know so much about them.

HH: The first (Japanese) girls band to get popularity overseas.

Nirvana

HH: A legendary band. Good songs. Good voice.

MS: Yeah, I have a CD. The same.

Dragon Force

Both: I don't know

Red Hot Chili Peppers

HH: A crazy, but great band.

Sex Pistols

HH: the soul of the UK.

Michael Jackson

MS: King of Pop (laughing)

HH: Memorial artist.

TM: Are you a fan?

MS: I have a CD so, yes.

Primus

HH: I love Primus.

MS: I don't know.

Rush

HH: I like Rush.

MS: I don't know. I don't know so many bands

Beyonce

MS: She is beautiful.

HH: I'm not interested in her.

Metallica

HH: Metal Masters. I like.

MS: I know the name only.

The three of us continued to talk and laugh. When the conversation started to wind  down Masumi turns to me and says, "Can we go? We're both a little tired." Both had come back from performance in Osaka the night before and worked all day before coming to the interview. I couldn't really accuse them of slacking off, could I?

Moja's debut CD " Moja" is available through Amazon Japan, Tower Records, HMV, and iTunes. For more information on their touring schedule and other news, check them out on Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/moja777.

Moja: An Interview at the Brink