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    King Baby Duck's J-MUSIC Band of the Week: TsuShiMaMiRe

    posted @ 9/30/2008 03:29:00 PM by King Baby Duck

    What happens when you mix punk, rock, ska, and then place it in the hands of three Japanese girls? You get the best all-girl band on the planet: TsuShiMaMiRe!

    Since 1999, TsuShiMaMiRe has rocked both America in Japan with their songs about food, sex, and death (and sometimes all three at once). Composed of Mari (vocalist and guitarist), Yayoi (the self-proclaimed "fucking crazy bassist") and Mizue (the greatest female drummer in the world). Their styles range from soft in heart to evil as hell; and this wide variety of song styles makes them an act you can't miss!

    TsuShiMaMiRe - Air control remote control


    They have so far released three albums (the critically-acclaimed "Pregnant Fantasy," "no-miso shortcake," and "TsuShiMaMiRe to Rock to Beer de), a couple singles, two mini-albums ("Love and Peace & BOU" and "Six Mix Girls"), and a Live DVD that captures a live show in Japan and clips from a couple US tours. Out of the seven US Tours they've done, two were with the famous Suicide Girls burlesque show. The second tour was where this Duckie met and befriended the girls.

    TsuShiMaMiRe - no-miso shortcake (Live)


    Last night, I went and interviewed TsuShiMaMiRe at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA (which may appear on here in text or in a special audio form). I won't reveal much, but they told me that they are going to be appearing in a music video on Cartoon Network featuring the Powerpuff Girls starting next month; which will help TsuShiMaMiRe more well-known in the eyes of many. They also dream of opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, which I think could happen very soon; considering J-METAL band BORIS will be opening for Nine Inch Nails in November & December, and J-PUNK band melt-banana opened for Tool last year. After the interview I was treated with one of the most exciting shows I've ever witnessed (even more than Queens of the Stone Age). These women are not just proof that women can rock, but that they can do it much better than the guys.

    TsuShiMaMiRe - Sakuran Boy


    "Pregnant Fantasy" is available on CD and iTunes, "no-miso shortcake" & "TsuShiMaMiRe to Rock to Beer de" are available on iTunes, and "Six Mix Girls" is currently only available on their US Tour. I highly recommend checking out this band more than any other group from Japan. Their music is catchy, experimental, and just simply amazing!

    This is King Baby Duck: 脳みそショートケーキ!!!

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    King Baby Duck's J-MUSIC Band of the Week: monobright

    posted @ 9/21/2008 04:03:00 PM by King Baby Duck

    The Duck hath returned with another great music act to look out for from the Land of the Rising Sun. This week we look at monobright!

    I was watching Space Shower TV (greatest music channel ever, by the way) while staying in Japan one July week in '07, and monobright's first mainstream single came onto the TV. It was called "Mikansei Riot" (or "Incomplete Riot"). For almost four minutes I was spellbound by the most original rock 'n' roll I had heard in years.

    monobright - Mikansei Riot


    The following Thursday I was in Shibuya, where I picked up the new single; as well as their indie EP "monobright zero." When I listened to both, my thoughts had been confirmed: monobright was going to be the next big thing in Japan, and possibly the world.

    Following "Mikansei Riot" came "Atama no Naka no SOS," a bit similar to the first single, but with more of a skip-down-the-street-happily feel to it. Then, their first major album "monobright one" was released a month after. The album mixed past rock, blues, and the current sound to make one solid CD.

    monobright - wARp


    In late-January came "wARP," a single that opened with something sounding like the classic Adam West "Batman" series; which brought a nostalgic sound into my ears. It was followed in May by monobright's next EP "Ano Toumei Kan to Shounen." That month also saw the band hit the UK for the first time, meeting success by both fans and critics. Whether or not monobright will hit the US anytime soon is anyone's guess; but let it be know that once they do it'll be hard to not notice this band.

    monobright - Ano Toumei Kan to Shounen


    monobright's music is not currently available in the US (or the rest of the world), but if you got money to spare I highly recommend importing their music through either CDJapan or HMV Japan. If demand is high enough, maybe a good-natured indie record company might pick them up (looking at you, Matador Records!).

    This is King Baby Duck: "Ain't born to lose, baby, I'm born to win. I'm so Goddamn slick, baby, it's a sin!"

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    King Baby Duck's J-MUSIC Band of the Week: Electric Eel Shock

    posted @ 9/08/2008 08:26:00 PM by King Baby Duck
    So many Japanese CDs to review, yet so many bands that are needed to be heard. Welcome to the first of a (hopefully) weekly look at Japanese music that truly matters. Today we look at Electric Eel Shock.

    I first heard of Electric Eel Shock while looking on the website of the popular South By Southwest (SXSW) festival in 2006. Each year I look on the site to see which bands from the Land of the Rising Sun will grace this spectacular event. That year, Electric Eel Shock would be playing there. The song they had listed for a free listen was the addictive "Scream For Me," from their 2005 album "Beat Me."

    Electric Eel Shock - "Scream For Me"


    Composed of Akihito Morimoto (vocals, guitar), Kazuto Maekawa (bass), and Gian (drums, cock sock), this Japanese heavy metal trio eats, breathes, sleeps, and bones pure heavy metal rock 'n' roll! Not only that, but their live shows are simply a marvel to watch. In June of 2006 they played a show in Cambridge, MA at the surely-to-be-famous-one-day Middle East. My cousin and I caught their show, and had the chance to meet the trio; who were the most down-to-earth guys I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. That night, in that tiny club, they played a show that was football stadium-worthy. I knew right then and there that Electric Eel Shock would be one of the biggest bands of all time.

    Electric Eel Shock - "Suicide Rock 'n' Roll"


    They have released four albums so far: "Slayers Bay Blues," "Go USA!" (or "Go Europe" in non-American countries), "Beat Me," and "Transworld Ultra Rock." Each album has been able to capture their live sound to a key, a feat that many bands have dreamed of doing. The mix of heavy metal, hard rock, and punk has also helped Electric Eel Shock with creating a distinct sound (meaning that when you hear one of their tracks out of the blue, you know it's them). They have also made fans of the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Bloodhound Gang, Judas Priest, and the Presidents of the United States of America to name just a couple. Plus, this year, they were the fastest band ever to raise $50,000 to make their next album on the new site SellABand. Their fanbase is continuously growing, and soon not even the biggest rock festivals will be able to contain their sound. In short: Electric Eel Shock is one of the top bands that every person should turn their ears towards.

    This is the full show from the SellABand Festival. (Sadly, Gian has not been able to tour outside of Japan due to him taking care of his Mom; who is recovering from cancer. My thoughts, prayers, and wishes go out to his entire family; and I hope a speedy recovery comes soon for the mother of one of the world's greatest drummers!)


    This is King Baby Duck: Ain't born to lose, baby, I'm born to win! I'm so Goddamn slick, baby, it's a sin!

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