uhnellys at Ruby Room

The uhnellys did a quick set at the Ruby Room year end party last night. I only wish that my foreign language comprehension could keep up with Kim's explosive Japanese rapping.

It was a hot set and I'm looking forward to seeing these guys again soon.

GO!GO!7188 - Ukifune

Metropolis ran an article a few weeks featuring 10 famous Japanese songs. My good friend Daniel Robson nominated "Ukifune" by GO!GO! 7188. Check out his review here.

He was most impressed by the band's ability to tie together traditional Japanese sounds and themes (the title comes from a character in the Tale of Genji) with crushing modern rock.

As a fan of this band, I wanted to share these videos. I think they definitely give you a good idea of the band's sonic essence. And personally, watching the live video gives me flashbacks to the times that I've seen GO!GO! in concert. I distinctly remember thousands of Japanese people jumping in step to the quirky rhythm of this song.

Here is a live TV spot:

and the official video subtitled in English:

Cyberpunk Post-Apocalyptic Psychedelia - Ken Ishii's "Extra"

Japan is now officially the coolest nation on the planet. I came across this track in an article in Nipponpop, journalist Steve McClure's run down of the Japanese music scene as it stood in 1998.

"Extra" was one of Japanese techno giant Ken Ishii's worldwide club hits in the mid 90's. This video was directed by Koji Morimoto, legendary animation director best known for his work on the quintessential 1988 sci-fi anime, Akira.

Cyberpunk post-apocalyptic psychedelia in music and film.

Prague - Light Infection

New Release from Prague! Check it out!

Beer Pong PHASE VI (with Bo-Peep?!?)

Thanks to all who came by Beer Pong this past evening. Can you believe we've been at it every month for nearly a half year? I already can't wait for the next party in January.

Bo-Peep even came by to shoot a few rounds this time. Here is lead singer Mika preparing for her vicious attack:

Drummer Ryoko, quite and agile, aiming a killer shot...
The intensity of the tournament wiped us all out. We had to find sustenance (i.e. ramen) fast or else we risked exhaustion.

To the right of Ryoko is last month's Pong Champion, Eric.

Red Bacteria Vaccum & Lolita No. 18

Last night, I was invited to see legendary female punk groups Red Bacteria Vaccum and Lolita No. 18. Lolita is currently on their 20th anniversary tour. Afterwards, I had a drink with Mika and Take from Bo-Peep.

The show was great. Thanks for the invite, you know who you are. :)

Red Bacteria Vaccum:

Lolita No. 18

I'm Just a Little Bitch

I asked this 9-year old girl where she got the shirt. It was a Christmas present from her grandmother.

Some things just don't translate.

Warning: Pervert

I saw this notice clipped to a stand outside my local 7/11.

Translated in English, it reads:

Warning: Pervert

There has been a recent outbreak of incidents where women returning home in Shimoochiai have been gropped by a man. The criminal is young, wears beige pants, and uses a bicycle. Please be careful.

Ten Tips to Safely Stash Your Ride

Guess what? I have an article published in this week's edition of Metropolis. Check it out: "No Parking: Ten Tips to Safely Stash Your Ride."

Spunky afro tiger jet flies so high...

The line-up at Metropolis' Saiko Walectro party last night was fierce. Rising above the super saturated goldmine of the Tokyo music scene, this installment of Saiko was really able to showcase some unique talent.

Taking the stage around 9PM was guitar and drum duo, the Uhnellys, comprised of Midi on drums and Kim on vocals and baritone guitar. The group's formula was centered around Kim's digital loop stations. He would loop bass lines and accompaniment on his baritone guitar in the beginning of each song, then proceed to bust out some ill Japanese rhymes over Midi's solid groove. The loop station is a common tool these days, but I've never seen a band use it so flawlessly and ambitiously. Their seemingly thin line-up was beefed up into a full on hip-hop ensemble.


But the real headliner of Saiko Walectro was Japanese pop funk princess Tigarah. Often compared to M.I.A and Lady Gaga, Tigarah is one of the hottest new dance pop acts to come from Japan, although labeling her with any sort of nationality or genre is dubious at best. Her music is equal parts hip hop, electronica, miami bass, and dirty south crunk, but she draws her main inspiration from baile funk, a Brazilian club genre that she was exposed to during her time in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo.

With a musical combination of saw bass, miami crunk, and phat Brazilian rhythms, and a lyrical palette of English, Japanese rap, and sexy spoken word, I'm at a total loss for how to describe how awesome Tigarah's show was. She was an electrifying performer and knew how to work and rock the crowd. She ended the night with one final genre twister, her recently penned homage to Michael Jackson, "Funky Afro Tiger Jet Flies So High."

Keep your eyes peeled for more in the future.

_____

www.tigarah.co.uk

www.uhnellys.com