FEAUTRE STORY IN JAPANESE PAPER

Flame was recently featured in The Mainichi Daily News, Tokyo's oldest and largest newspaper.  Yasuo Ota, from the Mainichi Daily News, spent several days with Flame, going to 2 performances and observing the band in their daily lives.  The story ran on 12/15/11.  See below for the English translation.

THE MAINICHI DAILY NEWS

12/15/11

The Shining Flame of Hope
FLAME is a rock band that has up to 100 performances every year in the United States, mainly centered around New York State. All 12 of it's members have some type of physical or mental disability, making it the one and only touring rock band in the world of its kind. The first chance for the band to come together was in 2003, at a talent show in a human services facility in New York. An idea about creating a band naturally arose. Almost all of the members live in a group home, with support. Michelle, who is the vocalist for the band, has autism. She has been interested in music since she was very young and often sang Gospel at her church. Her mother Mary says that Michelle's sociability and vocabulary has grown exponentially since she joined the band. FLAME's fame has spread through the internet. David, who cannot see and is mentally challenged states that he feels the bewilderment of the audience before he starts playing, while when he starts playing, the bewilderment turns into a loud applause. In front of the stage becomes so packed from people dancing that no one can move around. The band says it has the most fun experiencing the reaction of the audience. The person who named the band FLAME is also David. "It makes me happy when people who listen to our songs become happy. I want to keep a flame of hope burning." Maria, the manager, comments "Each member is like a puzzle piece, when the pieces come together, they become one piece of art. The ability and passion of each person can be felt from their music and you find there is a lot you can learn from them."