And the summer ends with a bang with some high profile releases by Dir en grey and another Straightener album. But I’m most excited for Miila and the Geeks’ debut album, followed closely by sgt. and Ogre You Asshole. Stateside we get a simultaneous release of Dir en grey’s new album, a Peelander-Z greatest hits compilation and the DVD release of the Live From Tokyo documentary.
ANYO (あんよ- “footsie”) is a female fronted post rock/shoegaze band from Osaka. The band consists of 4ho (vocals), Yamashita (guitar), Teppei (bass) and Tama (drums). They have released two EPs, O in 2008 and iro in 2010. Musically they have been compared to bands like downy or Mogwai.
“A to Z,” 水鏡 and 白い夜 come from their second EP iro. “A to Z” and 水鏡 are massive tracks that get a little shoegazey in the middle but are still ferocious. Meanwhile 白い夜 is quieter and focuses on 4ho’s vocals. 声from their first EP starts out slow but builds into something as powerful as “A to Z.”
Just a reminder, Peelander-Z’s greatest hits album Super DX Hitz comes out today via Chicken Ranch Records. It includes 28 happee songs, some of which are rerecorded, and a karaoke DVD with 5 music videos. Below are the karaoke videos for the DX versions of “S.T.E.A.K.” and “Mad Tiger.” The sax in “S.T.E.A.K.” sounds amazing! Buy it now on Amazon.
Miila and the Geeks filmed an impromptu video while in Austin for SXSW this year. Looks like they didn’t bother to edit the video or inform their neighbor but screaming sax saves the day again. “Superhero” was originally released on their sold out 6 Songs EP last year, but you can catch it again on their debut album New Age later this month.
Hi-KING BEAR is a melodic punk band from Yokosuka. The band formed in 2003 and their first live was held in 2004. Their first single MAISON DE CARPILLON was released in 2009 and their second single この素晴らしき日々の中で was released in July 2011.
All of the songs on myspace come from their first single and demos. Highlights include “Take A Walk With You,” a fun punk song with some flute and their female drummer contributing vocals in the second half. パリ☆パリ (“Paris Paris”) and “Big Boy” are equally fun summertime pop songs. Unfortunately, I can’t find their two singles for sale anywhere so this is the only way to get your fix for now.
Chuck G. & The Napkins is a R&B/soul band from Tokyo that formed in March 2010. They named their band after Booker T. & The MG’s, the house band of Stax Records in the ’60s. The band consists of Chuck Goto on vocals, Yusuke Mori on guitar, Takehiro Mikami on bass and Hideaki Baba on AKAI MPC sampler. Yusuke Mori is also a member of Plastic Soy Sauce, a Chicago based band formed by four Japanese students at Columbia College. Chuck G. & The Napkins released their second EP in June.
There’s not a whole lot going on on Chuck G. & The Napkins’ myspace page (time to drop myspace from this column’s title?) except for some bandcamp links. Their demo EP has more of a standard indie rock/pop feel while their newest lays down the funk. You can buy their music at bandcamp or CD Baby. The first EP is free!
“I am a bucket. As yet I have no name. I’ve no idea where I was born.
All I remember is that I was miaowing in a dampish dark place when,
for the first time, I saw a human being.”
Super Cool Bucket Relay (スーパークールバケツリレー) combines video game chaos with anime cuteness. Kind of like Shinsei Kamattechan but with chibi mascots. The band originally formed in 2003 but dissolved in 2007. Original members Mukikofu and Tatsuya put the band back together in 2009. They are currently a three-piece and drumless.
Hemlock is the type of band that left a few comments on my profile but whose advances I largely ignored. Until they decided to make a Durarara!! MAD (now airing on adult swim!!). Hemlock formed in October 2009 around Shimokitazawa. Naturally their band name comes from the poison Socrates was sentenced to drink in prison. Their first mini-album Shinokosho came out in June.
The song used in the Durarara!! MAD, ” ブルーローズ (Blue Rose),” is a nice aggressive rock tune. The rest of the songs on myspace are samples from Shinokosho. Although “Blue Rose” is absent from that mini-album, the songs here are in the same vain. “メコノプシス・ホリドゥラ” is especially rocking, while “君と宇宙と愚かな僕と” and “君と宇宙と愚かな僕と” are slow numbers. I would like to see Ms. Tomiki do more vocals but I’m okay with her being eye candy for now.
Buy Shinokosho at CD Japan. Download “Blue Rose” here.
Polyvinyl has released a compilation entitled Japan 3.11.11 benefiting the ongoing relief efforts in Japan. The compilation includes b-sides and rarities from the label’s artists including Asobi Seksu and Deerhoof. It also includes Shugo Tokumaru’s cover of “Video Killed the Radio Star” and toe’s “Ordinary Days,” previously released on iTunes. The MP3 version of the compilation is available now while the 2LP will be released in September. All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross. Order here.
J-Rock Explosion 