We're taking a break from the usual at PlayLouder's gig at the Old Blue Last next Wednesday and hosting a glory of colourful electronic madness from Japan. The frequent It Came From Japan tours exist to showcase the best of the diverse talent from Eastern shores, and have received high praise and acclaim, even from the folks at The Sun, while their daytime show at the Great Escape festival last year was rammed with people blasting away their hangovers with a dose of sublime pop.
Bespa Kumamero, Tokyo Pinsalocks and Sonic Dragolgo are threaded by an electronic approach, but all sound radically different - not only from one another, but also from everything else. You can hear them at the It Came From Japan mySpace, where you'll also find the rest of the tour dates taking place before the PlayLouder finale. In the meantime, let's hear what the artists have to say for themselves:
Bespa Kumamero
Hailing from Yamanashi, Bespa Kumamero offer a ludicrously exciting live show, with vocalist Azumi Kuwadate belting out her lyrics over Monkichi Irikura's sweaty techno beats. The music carries an upfront house sound but is unmistakably Eastern, and their stage antics - swordplay, acrobatics, electronic rice bowls - are guaranteed to thrill.
How did Bespa Kumamero get together?
Azumi: "I read an article written by Monkichi in the local paper, about music, photography, books, poetry and his homemade music equipment. I had an impression that his sense and my sense were the same." [Makes several impossibly cute noises, mimes with her hands, and then laughs for ages.]
Did you hit it off right away?
Monkichi: "The first time we met, we were curious about each other's personality. We were talking and we realised that we each had the exact same hat with bear's ears. We were so surprised by that coincidence! We didn't know each other at all before that, and not many people have a hat like that."
What are your influences?
Monkcihi: "Roots, punk, hardcore punk, house, techno, club jazz, hip hop... I love loads of stuff. It's all mixed up. I might like one song by a band and hate the rest. But I love electronic music the most."
When you play live, how important is the performance?
Azumi: "The performance is great for the audience, but we don't want to ignore the quality of the music. So they're equally important."
Tokyo Pinsalocks
Tokyo Pinsalocks are Naoko Nunobiki (keyboard/vocals), Hisayo Uenaka (bass) and Reiko Kayoh (drums, fiddly electronic things). They formed in 2000 at university in Tokyo, released their first album in 2005 and have a new one coming up soon, which will doubtless be a first-class package of groove-led pop magic with mashed-up vocals, warm rhythm instruments and electronic leanings. Reiko fields the questions...
What does Tokyo Pinsalocks mean?
"We created the word Pinsalocks by combining 'pinsalo' and 'rocks'. Pinsalo is a Japanese abbreviation for 'pink salon' (blowjob bar). There's a pinsalo in the same building as our rehearsal studio and our university was in the middle of a red light district, we named ourselves Tokyo Pinsalocks."
What is the ethos behind the band?
"We don't have a direct political message. We want our music to be an ordinary little happiness in people's daily life. But by making people a little happier, maybe we'll change the whole world."
Why did you decide to play in Britain?
"Because we love British people, and we know British people will like our music. We want to meet as many people as possible, feel the different atmosphere, different culture, and get inspired by it. And we can't wait to get drunk there!"
You sound like a boozy bunch. What's the worst thing you've ever done while drunk?
"Hisayo got really drunk and went home by train. She woke up next to a homeless person saying sleeping next to her who woke up and said, 'Good morning!'"
Sonic Dragolgo
Sonic Dragolgo, aka Kozaburo Narita, was born in Tokyo, where he was championed in the mid-'90s by internationally-renowned DJ Ken Ishii. He moved to Berlin in 2002 and then London a year later, where he signed to Chris Blackwell's ill-fated Palm Beats label. Musically insane, his sound is a schizophrenic mish-mash of leftfield electronica beats, crunchy guitar, pop melodies and warm vocals; and his live show is shot through with unhinged humour. He calls himself an "electro-pop superstar". We're not going to argue.
When did you start making music?
"I got my first synthesizer when I was 17, but I've been making music since I was six."
How did you find your record deal with Palm Beats?
"I sent a demo to about 80 record companies in the UK. Some were interested, so I selected seven of them and sent a new two-song demo every week. I had to write more than two songs a week! BMG wanted to sign me but then they merged with Sony, so it didn't happen. Instead I signed with Palm Beats to release seven 7" singles in seven months, but then their UK branch closed down! I released a few singles through them though."
Why did you choose to live in London?
"I moved to London for the climate. You know, it really influences my sound. Tokyo is too wet. Berlin gave me a bit of a hard sound. London is better for worldwide success!"
What do you expect from the tour?
"Money! Just joking. Pillow talk with groupies! That's a boy's dream. I hope I'll have fun. But not only hotel's free teabag!"
We have no idea what that last sentence means. But one thing's for sure: with a rock tour planned for May 2007, and praise from the press as well as the Japanese Embassy, this bold touring event is set for big things. We suggest you get your arse along to the Old Blue Last next Wednesday, February 21st at eight pee em.
