Yuya Saito
Interview with Mike Park

He is definitely one of the busiest men in the music business today. Mike Park is who I speak of.
His love for music has done many great things for him, for us and for the world.

He was the front man of now-legendary Third Wave Ska Revival band Skankin’ Pickle, is the front man of the Chinkees and Bruce Lee Band which he formed with his friends from Less Than Jake. He also has released his first solo album For The Love of Music, which is with his new found style of music, simple and plain, yet bold sounds from the acoustic guitar and his voice.

He is probably making himself more famous and keeping busier with his record label, Asian Man Records, and his Plea for Peace Foundation.

Asian Man Records, one of the remaining true DIY record labels, has been introducing many bands like Alkaline Trio, MU 330 and The Peacocks. It still is operated in a garage of Park’s parents and has only two people who work with him.

Plea for Peace is non-profit organization, and its message, of course, to bring peace on the earth. The foundation has been able to put out big tours include this year’s with Saddle Creek's Cursive and a string of successful compilation albums.

Mike Park has given his time to Smash Magazine to talk about his projects and a gist of his philosophy over the phone.

About himself

Smash Magazine: What do you think about Ska Core or Third Wave Ska Revival scene now?

Mike Park: Well, it’s in a transition period now because the scene is so small, and it is going to take time, but I think it is growing again. Hopefully, it is going to be strong again.

SM: Why did you choose Ska to be your music?

MP: I didn’t choose it. It’s just one ingredient. It’s one of the styles I love. I love all the music.

SM: What is your all time favorite Ska Band?

MP: I think The Skatalites, Bad Manners, Bob Marley and Fish Bone. That’s some of my favorites.

SM: What was a band that most influenced you?

MP: I think Fish Bone. They made me want to play music.

SM: You play the guitar and saxophone, and you are a singer, which one do you love the most, and why?

MP: Guitar. I don’t know why. You know, the guitar, you can just pick it up and play.

SM: What are you working on right now besides the tour?

MP: I’m writing songs for the solo record. Next one will be the acoustic guitar and voice again.

SM: What do you think about racism in this society now compare to 10 years ago?

MP: To be honest, I feel that the growth has not been that much. I feel that now more worth than 10 years ago because now we have a lot of people who are not well educated. They think anybody who looks like they're from Middle East are bad. They are not. It is a very bad time. People are very ignorant. They stereotype anybody from Middle East.

SM: What do you want the listeners to get out from your music?

MP: I just want them to get whatever they want as long as they enjoy sound. That’s all I can ask for. Hopefully, read lyrics and understand what I am thinking about.

SM: What do you think you will be doing 10 years from now?

MP: I think I’ll still be doing the same, playing music and trying to enjoy life and trying to contribute to the music scene.

About Plea for Peace

SM: Why and how did you start Plea for Peace?

Mike Park: I started it because music business only cares about money. I wanted to show music is not only about money.

SM: How was the reaction from the tour in Japan?

MP: I think it was very good. Because of language barrier, it is little difficult to explain my feelings, but I got some people who wrote me a letter telling how they felt. It was really special, and I kept those letters because I know that some people really appreciate my music.

SM: What kind of impact has Plea for Peace had?

MP: I think it’s growing and getting stronger. People have become more aware of Plea for Peace. I’m sure I will do Plea for Peace Tour again next year.

SM: What do you think about other similar music-based organization like Punkvoter.com?

MP: I think it’s great that people are finally using music as tool to help spread their ideas. I am a member of Punkvoter.com.

SM: What is the message you want to emphasize for this year?

MP: We are emphasizing on the importance of voting, especially for younger people 18 to 25 year-olds. We need voter turn over.

SM: What do you think about Bush administration?

MP: I think that right now it’s hurting our country. We are making poor relationship with other countries. I really hope that the Bush administration would leave after this election. We need to look for a different direction.

SM: What do you think is the single idea that brings peace?

MP: I think the most important thing is tolerance, tolerance for each other’s differences. If we can’t learn how to accept differences, there will always be problems.

SM: Do your ideas of Plea for Peace and anti-racism come from your personal experience?

MP: Sure. I think so. It is from how I was brought up. I think my personal experience is really important.

About Asian Man Record

SM: What motivated you to start a record label?

MP: I wanted to have a label that is my own. I didn’t what to be a part of the corporate label. I wanted it to be DIY, the philosophy of a real punk label.

SM: What is the hardest thing about running a record label?

MP: A lot of the business part, I don’t enjoy. It’s hard to explain. [Music industry] is really bad. There are a lot of corruptions within the industry. It’s like playing a game of “I rub your back, you rub my back.” I don’t like playing that game. It should be about music, not money.

SM: What is the relationship between you and the bands on Asian Man Record like?

MP: It’s pretty good, but now there are so many bands, so it’s getting harder and harder to have good relationships with all of them. We have bands from all over the place in the U.S. and even in Japan. It’s really hard to have a close friendship with them, but I’ll try my best.

SM: When deciding on bands to sign to Asian Man Records, what qualities do you look for them?

MP: I always look for a band that is interesting. Secondly, they have to be good people. I ask around, you know, what their reputation like, and make sure the bands don’t have bad attitude or something.

SM: What is the future of Asian Man Record?

MP: I want to keep it strong, but I want it to be less busy. I will continue to do the label. I’d like to do more entertaining.

SM: Any new up and coming Asian Man Acts that we should look for?

MP: A band called Duvall from Chicago, I think they are going to get popular. Also Polysics from Japan has been drawing attention in the U.S. I think all the Japanese bands will do well in the U.S.