April 30, 2006
News | Japanese Group Sounds "Go Japanese." |
There's an interesting clip up on youtube, a publicity reel of Mickey Curtis and his band Samurai attempting a British Invasion of their own. In this 1960s film aimed at British music fans, the bi-racial Curtis and his group play up their Japanese identity. While the voiceover man rattles off cliches ("Six swinging samurais from the Land of the Rising Sun... led by Mickey Curtis, a top name on the sake circuit..."), the band eat with chopsticks and clown around in robes.
Japanese Group Sounds and surf bands also presented Japanese-styled versions of pop for Japanese audiences, but in this case it's pretty clear that someone thought that the only way the Samurai were going to make it in the UK was by playing up their "exotic" heritage.
You could argue that things haven't changed much, as many bands still play up their Japanese ID when they tour the west. Personally, I don't think that's so bad--in the end, the individuality of a good band will shine through. But let's hope that publicists steer clear of the lame chopsticks-and-sake talk in 2006.
April 23, 2006
Radiodiffusion has a tasty track by 60s carnivores, the Jaguars. Actually, "omnivores" would be a better description of the band performance of their song "The Legend of Kisanado"--within the first thirty seconds, the Jags go from Spanish surf rock to something like a TV western theme to smooth Group Sounds harmonies. This one's a keeper.
Nice vests, too.
April 13, 2006
According to Pitchfork, the Boredoms will hit Europe and the US this summer. The groundbreaking, ear-shattering, shamanic noise scientists of Japan will have both Yamatsuka Eye and Yoshimi P-we in their lineup for this tour. The fantastic Intonation Festival will be one of their stops, providing yet another reason to attend Chicago's indie spectacular.
05-20 Camber, England - Camber Sands Holiday Centre (All Tomorrow's Parties)
05-22 Berlin, Germany - Maria am Ostbahnhof
05-26 Dublin, Ireland - Temple Bar Music Centre
05-29 London, England - Shepherds Bush Empire
06-01 Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Festival
06-24 Chicago, IL - Intonation Music Festival
06-25 St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
06-27 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center
06-28 Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop
06-30 Philadelphia, PA - Starlight Ballroom