"嘘が本当になる日" the Day When Lies Come True part 1

June 28th, Shimokitazawa Daisybar

Yesterday I went to a tiny venue in Shimokitazawa, where I think there were tops 50 people in the audience, or something like that. Apparently it was this guy named Hiroki's special event where he had invited all the bands? I wouldn't mind having my own event like that too. Anyways, I had no idea how Hiroki knew all these bands, but I wanted to see OWARIKARA and Far France again, and they were excellent this time as well.

First up was 神さま (kamisama). Girl on drums, dude on vocals wearing a reflex vest who spent the first couple of songs just yelling in to the mic. Afterwards came their 大hit "SEX". And if I'm not completely wrong, another song had the following lyrics "I AM HITLER/まったく友達できません (I can't make any friends)/I AM HITLER" Sweet. After a while the guy picked up a guitar as well, and during the last song he played on the floor in the middle of the crowd (not that where that many people there). You know you're doing well when you have to ask for applause.

Some of the other songs had a better vibe going on, sort of cute-ish melodies, but honestly, I had no interest in this band whatsoever apart from the bizarre entertainment factor. Before every new song the girl asked the guy "are you sure you know what song we're going to play now??". They were going to play a new song, but had to start over again like 4 times because the guy interrupts and says: "The beat's way too slow! You need to practice more!"
Girl: "No, you need to practice more!"
Guy: "We should practice together."
Yeah, maybe you should. I think that's what most bands too.
If they had been an all girl group and dressed in short school uniforms I'm sure they would have had lots of fans though. But not me.

Before I ask myself who the hell would want to release 神さま's music, I should probably say that ironically they're on Rose Records, sokabe keiichi's label...



http://www.myspace.com/camisama1980

Next up was 太平洋不知火楽団 (taiheiyou shiranui gakudan). Yup that's one long ass name with lots of kanjis. I think they even played a few of Hiroki's (dude mentioned above's) old songs too? The coolest song was the second though "Dancing Hell". Up-beat post-punk song which was pretty catchy and cool. The only problem I had with them was the vocals. The vocalist looked like he was 15 and his voice reminded me of the amateur band event that was arranged at my old junior high school. The bassist though, was something to behold on stage. He had really long hair, which he kept tossing around and headbanging and spinning around. He was wearing a rose patterned jacket, but I didn't think any more about that until later...

www.myspace.com/taiheiyousiranui

OWARIKARA were awesome the last time I saw them. They arranged an event called "one morning I woke up as David Bowie vol.2" in May at Club Goodman in Akihabara. (I was going to write about it in this blog, but...). All the other bands were splendid too; Far France, Mahiruno, YOMOYA etc. During the last song of their set OWARIKARA completely trashed the stage (mostly by throwing themselves everywhere). The vocalist handed his guitar to Far France's vocalist、and then he and the keyboardist was all over the place. Then the bass player decided to stand on his head on the drum set (drummer still playing though). It was hilarious. (more pics at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sato-mi/sets/72157618821026210/)

So one thing's for sure: they're one hell of a live band. So much energy and craziness. This time, vocalist Takahashi entered the stage in this really ugly turquoise top. Apparently OWARIKARA and 太平洋不知火楽団 had exchanged "clothes you're too embarrassed to wear" of which they had to pick one and wear it on stage. Hilarious. Hence the rose jacket that the other bassist was wearing. He didn't look as bad as this guy though (although without a turquoise top he looks pretty damn hot). On top of that Takahashi split his shoe in two during the first song, but the problem was quickly solved: "Does anyone have right shoe they can borrow me?" The guy on the first row took of his shoe faster than you can say "what size?" and handed it over. You know you're awesome when the guitarist from your favourite band has played a show wearing your shoe. At least if you ignore any images of sweaty feet.

OWARIKARA has released three demos so far, of which I have the two last ones. Really good stuff. Psychedelic rock, but with lots of energy and cool guitars, but most important to me I guess, they have some killer tunes. I love "door-tachi", "yukan naru biihiyanau" and "sunaba". The entire 3rd demo is great. Definitely worth 500yen.

The keyboardist Cameda went pretty crazy as well, and at some point he ran off stage and came back wearing a lovely flowery shirt. I think he was trying to outstage Takahashi. He only got it on one arm though, as the whole thing was way to little, and he had to play a little in between to, you know.

This dude behind me was really enthusiastic all the time during their set and he was even singing out aloud. One of the few times I've heard that in Japan, unless of course everybody sings, like at a Sokaban gig. And when everbody sways from side to side... Sheep anyone? Sheep aren't bad animals though. Not neccessarily...

mp3's:
OWARIKARA - doatachi
OWARIKARA - judaikara hajimeru kakumei koza
OWARIKARA - kaijin-san

http://www.myspace.com/owarikara







To be continued... Far France and Sebastian X!

おとぎ話－青春GALAXY ep + tour

tracklist:
1. GALAXY
2. 青春 (seishun)
3. you
4. 火星 (Mars)

New EP from Otogi Banashi called "seishun GALAXY ep". They truly seem like the nicest people in the world, and they're so adorable in their own nerdy way. Add catchy melodies, cool guitars, lovely lyrics and what more can you ask for? I think Otogi Banashi are a band that you either think are incredibly charming or just they're downright lame though. I'm obviously in the first category.

(photo taken from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/otgbanashi/)

Otogi Banashi played a oneman show at Club Quattro, Shibuya on May 31st. Vocalist Kazuki Arima was wearing glitter on his cheeks. Apparently he had been watching Sigur Rós on YouTube and became inspired. It looked more goofy than cool. Did I mention that they're nerdy? It was a really nice concert though. Great vibe throughout the entire set. I especially enjoyed "new song", "NEON BOYS", "FESTIVAL EXPRESS" and "tobira akeru".





mp3:
おとぎ話 - BOYS DON'T CRY
おとぎ話 - ネオンBOYS
おとぎ話 - 火星 (Mars)

www.otgbanashi.com/
www.myspace.com/otgbanashi

CLISMS - s/t

tracklist:
1. Running Future From Now
2. Love Me True Poor Boy
3. OK OK OK

I know that their name is looks like some kind of nasty disease, but apparently you're supposed to pronounce it kurisumasu (the japanese way of pronouncing "Christmas").

I saw CLISMS in February and I thought they were so-so, but afterwards I listened to them again and I realized that they are kinda cool after all. Their Myspace music-player is messed up though, so I decided to just by the damn cd. It was released last year, but you can only buy it at their gigs or at Disk Union. They don't play that often either, I guess partly because two of the members are pretty busy with Otogi Banashi.

This cd only has three tracks, but two of them are very awesome. 70's inspired rock with twin drums and twin guitars that sound catchy and are lots of fun. As for the lyrics, it's written on the disc: "Hello! My Girlfriends & Boyfriends, This Season For You." and that pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

CLISMS - s/t

Shugo Tokumaru - Rum Hee release tour

May 15th, Kichijoji Star Pine's Cafe

Wen I saw Shugo Tokumaru in 2007 at his "EXIT" tour at Daikanyama Unit I thought the venue was way too big, and I was glad that he chose Star Pine's Café this time around. The venue had room for about 350 people, which was perfect.

Supporting act was OORUTAICHI, the guy who did one of the remixes on "Rum Hee". I'd never heard anything else from him other than that track, so I didn't know what to expect. I found his music to be a bit..strange. Sort of a crazy fusion of folk/psych. Some of it even reminded me of Animal Collective. I think Animal Collective are overrated though. Anyways, OORUTAICHI did some crazy vocal stuff accompanied by dance moves, so it was cool enough.

Shugo Tokumaru played the first track together with a band consisting of drums, keyboard/accordion, percussion etc, and then he did an acoustic set alone followed by another set with the band. When he plays alone you really get to see how skilled he is on the guitar, and also the more quiet songs sounds really beautiful. The new single "Rum Hee", "Green Rain", "Parachute", the songs that have lots of instrumentation serves their right better with the band. And it's more fun to watch.

Before playing "Parachute" Tokumaru asked if anyone had learned the song yet (the tabs are on the "Rum Hee" cd), and if anyone had they could come up on stage and play it. No one had. It might just be because I'm unexperienced with any instrument, but that songs sounds impossible to play. Did I mention yet that Shugo Tokumaru has some serious skills?

As usual Tokumaru was quite talkative. At the bginning the first thing he says is: "Last night I dreamt that I killed somebody and couldn't play tonight. That would have been a bummer."

He played to new songs. One up-tempo and a quiet one. Personally I liked the last one the best. I like the up-tempo songs too, but I also wish he would do more songs like the one's from his first album. Anyways, almost everything he makes is good, so I'm not complaining.

Towards the end they even did a cover. 「世界大好きな曲をやります」I have now heard "Video Killed the Radio Star" played on banjo and can finally die happy. It was hilarious. Tokumaru should definitely do more covers. Before he has done covers of Pete, Bjørn & John's "Young Folks" and M. Ward's "To Go Home" which can be downloaded from his myspace site.

Shugo Tokumaru is actually doing a tour in Europe in July, and he's even going to play in Norway! Wish I was at home so I could go. That would have been fun. Anyways you should go see him. Check out the dates here:
http://www.shugotokumaru.com/eindex.html
www.myspace.com/shugotokumaru

mp3:
Shugo Tokumaru - Rum Hee

Shugo Tokumaru - Such A Color