Uzumibi (埋火) is a 3-piece folk rock band from Tokyo. The band members are Mai Mishio(vocal/guitar), Kanako Shiga (drums) and Keizo Suhara (bass). They formed in 2001 in Fukuoka and the current lineup was solidified when Keizo joined in 2006. Their first mini-album Koi ni Kansuru Ikutsuka no Film was released in 2005 when the band still had 5 members. They have released two albums Watashi no Fune in 2008 and Diorama in 2011.
There are two tracks on Uzumibi’s myspace, “Letter” from Watashi no Fune and the “mono” version of 溺れる魚 from their new album Diorama. “Letter” is sweet little pop diddy while 溺れる魚 is on another level. There is something very nostalgic about it that keeps making me hit replay (watch the album version PV below!).
Similar to AA=AiD, Punk Ska Unity is an even more massive collaboration of punk and ska artists organized by Kenzi Masubuchi of Frontier Backyard. “Decision” is a charity single released benefiting Livehouse Daisakusen, a newly established venue with three locations in the disaster affected areas of Japan. The CD, which includes a remix by Cubismo Grafico, is available for a limited time from Amazon Japan and a few other places listed on Punk Ska Unity’s website.
List of artists:
Akira Tsuneoka (Hi-Standard / Cubismo Grafico Five / etc)
AYATOMO (Skall Headz)
Canasu (ex. Feel Flip)
Gen (DALLAX)
HAL (The Redemption)
hamawo (KIBOU / FrailHeadSqueeze)
KAZZ (ex.Pikes Peak)
Kenzi Masubuchi (Scafull King / Frontier Backyard)
Koosuke (step by step)
KZ (HAKAI HAYABUSA)
Little Masta (Blue Beat Players)
LOW IQ 01
NARI (Scafull King / WUJA BIN BIN)
NUMB (DALLAX)
Paul (SUBLIMINAL RIPPLE)
Pe- (DALLAX)
Rei Mastrogiovanni, Riku Kudara (Fed MUSIC)
RYOJI (TV Addictions / ex.Potshot)
TGMX (Scafull King / Frontier Backyard)
Ryu”Ruppa”Sasaki (YAPANI! / KAGERO / The Cubes)
SAITO “JxJx” JUN (Your Song Is Good / ex.Fruity)
Seasir (浅草ジンタ)
Tojo (baby I need you)
Tomoya Yamagata (Wednesday)
TOSHI-LOW (BRAHMAN), UKI (SHAKALABBITS)
YA-MAN (BASSUI)
Yukihiro Shimazu (Japonicans)
October marks the return of legendary thrash band BBQ Chickens. The original lineup consisted of Hatano (drums), Hongolian (vocals), Iso (bass) and Ken Yokoyama (guitar) who were buddies since childhood. The band formed in 2000 after Yokoyama announced the hiatus of Hi-Standard. They released three albums and won two Space Shower awards for “Sick Guy/Stupid Magazines” and “Pizza of Death’s Theme/Fat Boy.” BBQ Chickens themselves went on somewhat of a hiatus after their 2003 cover album Fine Songs Playing Sucks, presumably so Yokoyama could focus on his more successful solo career.
BBQ Chickens officially got back together last year. Hatano left to focus on his own band. Their new drummer is Andrew from Rise and Fuck You Heroes. Crossover and Over, which was released today, is BBQ Chickens’ first album in 8 years. Their new video for “Raised Up In Hell/Xie Xie” is classic Chickens. Older songs can be heard on myspace.
The mysterious Hysteric Picnic formed earlier this April in Tokyo. According to the band’s bio (written in…German), the duo spent some time in New York prior to forming. They are influenced by post punk and 80s new wave. Their self-titled EP was released in August.
“Tonight” is a lo-fi pop song that chugs along at a slow pace. The do-do’s are sometimes washed out by the droning guitar but they’re there.
“Merry Go Round” takes Hysteric Picnic to more psychedelic grounds. The beat is a little creepy and the wailing and screaming in the latter half only intensifies that feeling.
Hysteric Picnic’s EP is available at Jet Set Records. Download “Tonight” for free at bandcamp.
The_AIU is a “mysterious multinational rock band” from Tokyo that formed in October 2010. Leading The_AIU is Indonesian pop singer Aiu Ratna, who released a covers EP in Japan last year. Rounding out the band is Sohichi (The JETZEJOHNSON) on guitar and Jessie (Noise & Treatment) on electronics. A distinguishing characteristic of their music is the lack of a drummer, although it appears they have a support drummer live. Their debut mini-album Minority was released today. They also did a remix for Genki Rockets’ second album released earlier this month.
The four tracks on The_AIU’s myspace are labeled “Ver.0.” These demo tracks are a bit raw on the instrumentation side but there’s a lot of promise here. Aiu Ratna does sound a little diva-like on “Gothictro” and “Loser” hopefully she doesn’t sing this high on all their songs. All four tracks and “CPU,” which kicks a lot of ass, are available on Minority.
There’s a lot to go through this week so let’s! get! it! started!
THE Dakishimeruzu- “I wanna be your boyfriend”
THE Dakishimeruzu is not afraid to thrash around in the mud. Let’s just get dirty and have fun. Their second album was released last November, so this extra long PV is a good reminder to check it out.
September is the month for electro with brand new albums from The Brixton Academy and sakanaction, not to mention The_AIU’s debut. I expect all three will find their way on my year end list.
At first glance Ohshu (王舟) looks like the Broken Social Scene of Japan, a collective of musicians centered around singer-songwriter Ohshu. Notable musicians that perform and record regularly with Ohshu include Hara Kazutoshi (ex Gellers), mmm, muffin and oono yuuki. Ohshu has released two CD-Rs in 2010, 賛成 and THAILAND. A digital single was released in June through Tonofon, with all proceeds donated to the victims of the Tohoku earthquake.
Most of Ohshu’s songs are acoustic based with piano, trumpet and flute filling the orchestra. Title track “Thailand” is a nice love song, sung in English. Throughout the song we get lovely flute by mmm (hear more of mmm’s flutework on Ogre You Asshole’s new album) and everyone goes all out on the ending.
Hello Canadians! Next Music From Tokyo is back for its third tour with 5 dates and 5 bands – Akai Ko-en, Chiina, Hyacca, Merpeoples and Natsumen. Check out the promo video above and Merpeoples going nuts below. Visit NMFT’s website for tour info and band bios.
DATES
Oct 13 Montreal – Divan Orange
Oct 14 Montreal – Club Lambi
Oct 15 Toronto – The Rivoli
Oct 16 Toronto – Velvet Underground (All Ages)
Oct 18 Vancouver – The Biltmore Cabaret
J-Rock Explosion 