13 December 2008

Jumping Pando, Pjeckae, Ren-I-Police, Tsuji Shion: Chelsea Hotel, Shibuya, 12 Dec 2008

Ren
Ren from Ren-I-Police

This gig had me worried. Being my first time going to a live house in Japan, I was expecting to be the oldest in the place. Thankfully, bands with pretty girl singers draw old grizzled blokes out of the woodwork so I could chill out a bit.

First up, Jumping Pando rocked the house like Daisy Chainsaw. I loved the grungey chords, distortion a-go-go. In a word, wicked. The singer and guitarist are really cool, and in fact the singer is maybe the most energetic person I have ever met.

Next up Pjeckae (pech-ka) sorted out another dollop of rock with a side-salad of roll. They had a more laidback vibe going on and even a ballad, which was good but just not exactly my cup of tea. Still, the singer is very nice.

Ren-I-Police drew me here. I wasn't disappointed by their set either. Melodic punkish pop-rock awesomeness. They rocked out, Ren really fronting the band and Marty kicking the fretboard fireworks. That I was already drunk by this point only enhanced the fun.

Tsuji Shion was not my kind of thing - a bit too poppy for me and though she was the headline act with a debut single it felt like a bit of a comedown after Ren-I-Police's high-octane set. Having this much fun at a live house, I'll be going again.

08 December 2008

Ren-I-Police

There are some days you just need to be lifted up after a long day at work. On a December evening, with the weather having become that much colder in the last few days, I needed it more than ever. I got it.

恋愛ポリス or Ren-I-Police as they like to be romanized delivered uplift in spades despite being frozen by the dry Tokyo winter. A group of salarymen and I stood clapping to their songs outside Shinjuku station and lapped up the music and chat.

恋愛ポリス
L-R Maryne (bass), Nyoco (drums), Ren (vocals), Marty (guitar)


There may be an interview coming soon. Stay tuned!

Official site: ren-i-police.com
Myspace: profile.myspace.com/policeoflove

10 October 2008

Why?

I decided to start this blog to document the different kinds of music I experience in Japan in general and Tokyo in particular.

When I lived in Japan last time I found that much like England the worst kind of music becomes most popular and the better stuff is found by accident or by searching. This will help jog my memory and hopefully expose some people to some wonderful Japanese music.

The kind of stuff I tend to like is electronic, hip-hop, indie rock and jazz and even better, unclassifiable stuff.

If I find a good band busking at train stations, I'll post about them too.

I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I enjoy writing it.