Recently in town for the SMG x Devilock Order & Chaos event, Plussixfive managed to catch up with Noriaki Endo, founder of Devilock, for a smooth feature interview session. Endo shares with us his thought processes, influences, and his take on global issues. Jump for the full interview.

What is the philosophy behind DEVILOCK? Obviously the name is a direct product of influence via the MISFITS; what does DEVILOCK represent, in your own words?

Endo: I used to play in a band when I started Devilock, so everything is rooted in music and clothing, a combination of the two; that’s what Devilock represents.

Punk is more than music, it’s a way of life; given traditional conventions that envelope Asia, and no doubt Japan as well, how does one such as yourself strive to create a product whose roots are in disorder to a society where order and conventions are the norm?

Endo: All I have to say to this is: I don’t care about society, I don’t care about the government, I just want to listen to music; I like punk and rock music and inspiration comes from these things. These bands often speak of society, war, and government, ultimately I don’t know exactly know about societal matters, I just know that I should do my things, my way and that’s the most important to me.

Can you describe the aesthetic of DEVILOCK, and of course, in the ideal world of Noriaki Endo, who would wear the clothes made by DEVILOCK.

Endo: All kinds of people, it doesn’t matter.

We know that you did a shirt with Theatre8 for the Scorsese directed documentary about the Stones, did you get to meet them?

Endo: No, unfortunately not.

Any plans for bringing “DEVILOCK Party” out if Japan/HK? More specifically, to Singapore?

Endo:It’s been to Vancouver, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mexico. Devilock brings parties all over the place. I hope to bring DEVILOCK party here one day too.

We know that you worked with Red Ribbon to create a series of  AIDS awareness t-shirts, would you say that sub-cultures should be more involved in promoting the many issues that plague the world today?

Endo: Yes, definitely.

What global issues would you say are of prime importance at the moment? Would you work with let’s say, UNICEF, or WWF?

Endo: I think everything is important; no one thing can be isolated from the other.

Would you like to say anything, or speak for a cause for the record?

Endo: Yeah, I want to save the trees, definitely, I like nature very much, I’m a nature lover.

For those who don’t know, how different is the fashion scene in Japan as compared to what you know of Singapore at the moment?

Endo: I haven’t been in Singapore that long, just a few days to I’m not too sure, but as far as I can see, it looks to be the same. I heard Singapore is similar to Hong Kong, if it is, then it’s pretty much the same as Japan. It’s kind of the same, all these places, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore too.

Tell us about the process you go through to create a season, does it usually extend from ‘what you’re feeling’, or derived from a more mainstream source of feedback?

Endo: It all stems from music. Every time I finish a collection, I always head to the United States to listen and get inspired by punk rock for the next season. The United States is a really important place for me, that is why I head there after each season.  I stay for about a week each time, usually in Los Angeles. Sometimes I go to New York, but I don’t really have time to think there as things move so fast, people are moving past you all the time, so I hardly have any time to myself, to get inspired, to think! As for what I create, to be honest, I generally don’t care about what other people think, what they have to say about what I’ve created, as long as I am happy with it, that’s the most important to me.

What can the world look forward to seeing from DEVILOCK in the near future?

Endo: The Devilock music party, the tour for SMG x DEVILOCK, and the collaboration with CLOT as you know we’re have the ongoing DEVILCLOT.