Review: Bands from Japan

As I mentioned in my last blog, there were several Japanese acts coming to Liverpool as part of Liverpool Sound City I managed to catch most of them (missed out on Remain On and Levelload).

Tokyo Pinsalocks @ The Magnet 20th May 2009
Dressed in Kimono's this three piece band from Japan play somewhat hypnotic dance/electronic music that you can't help but dance along to. Songs like Circle and Antenna have a nice, warm and friendly electro feel to them, while new song Mannequin has a feel of an old arcade game, and is one of the few Tokyo Pinsalocks' which is sung primarily in Japanese (most of their songs are sung in English) the beats sound space-agey at times while the vocals sound very pop-esque, well when they could be heard over the instruments.

Skunkrice @ The Korova 21st May 2009
Another three piece band however Skunkrice's sound gives the impression that there are more than three members playing at a specific time, their blend of rock and techno comes together flawlessly it makes you wonder why other bands haven't tried this combination, neither the heavy guitar or the dance beats sound like they're fighting for domination i.e. every song's sound is a perfect balance of the two genres, the often distorted vocals make the songs like they are using a recorded voice instead of it coming from front man T2low.

100% Genki Tour @ Barfly 22nd May 2009
The 100% Genki Tour featured four acts; De De Mouse, Tucker, Riddim Saunter and 80Kidz
De De Mouse
First act of the night was De De Mouse a J-Electro artist whose music is filled with light synth beats and computerised vocals (mainly female vocals) his set was quite mellow, most of his music came from his laptop but his keyboard playing adds a more melodic touch to the music.
Tucker
Multi instrumentalist Tucker was up next, and his performance was perhaps the most memorable of the night, using mixing decks, a guitar, drums, a bass guitar, an electone and an old oil drum to create a unique performance, (often looping several instruments together to create a beat while he played one specific instrument. Tucker's performance wasn't just music based, at a couple of points during his set he would set the top of his electone on fire and at the end of the set he proceeded to do a handstand from atop his electone.
Riddim Saunter
This 5 piece band played with alot of energy, the small stage at the Barfly couldn't contain them or the mic stands, but that didn't seem to matter for this band whose tempo shifts from melodic rock to something reminiscent of old school punk which made there set unpredictable yet enjoyable. Not only would they change their style several members changed instruments. The band also played a cover of Counting Crow's Big Yellow Taxi, enlisting the aid of Tucker on Keyboards and unlike most bands when Riddim Saunter enlist the aid of the audience they provide hand bells.
80Kidz
Yet another techno/dance based band, 80Kidz finished the 100% Genki Tour in style, their music was more techno based than De De Mouse's work earlier in the evening and somewhat reminded me a bit of Skunkrice with the live guitar (and in 80Kidz case bass guitar as well) both weren't overpowering the beats and in some instances you forgot they were even there.

Natccu @ Bumper 23rd May 2009
Natccu rounded off the Japanese bands playing in Liverpool Sound City, her bouncy guitar tunes like Apple Z are helped by great bass lines and good guitar licks, while her song Crescent Moon (or Kagen No Tsuki the Japanese version of Crescent Moon which she played) have soulful lyrics sounding something like a Goo Goo Dolls song.

What struck me the most about all of these bands was that while they didn't have that many people watching them, is the real effort to put on a strong performance that people would remember them by, and for acts like Tucker who put on a show that didn't feel boring or like you were just watching a recorded song in its rawest element. It'd be understandable if these bands did that especially those who played at the 100% Genki Tour and Natccu who played gigs which were free entry but they didn't, they came out and played memorable sets and made me feel like I have been cheated by other bands who have played with little soul to them.