Caribou and solo show-going

by liza

Was anyone else at the Caribou show at Daikanyama Unit this week?

I saw this review of it in Metropolis. It's funny how people can go to the same show and think different things! While I love Caribou, I'm not sure if it was a "triumphant" return -- the place was not even close to full and I'm sure the promoter lost money. I didn't think the crowd was particularly energetic, and people didn't really seem to be drinking either. I think the gig was bound to be good (I like the new album) but the band seemed a bit tired and just plowed through the set -- understandable as they're on quite an extensive tour at the moment.

Most everyone there looked like they were on their own -- I was too -- but buried in their phones. It seems like more people go to gigs solo in Tokyo than I remember in the United States or Australia. I don't mind it, but prefer company. However I usually need some liquid courage before I'll try to meet strangers! Are you usually at gigs solo or in groups?

Arakajime Kimerareta Koibitotachi E

by liza

Shibuya O-Nest was packed on Saturday for this "melodica-fronted psychedelic dub band" (as described by Metropolis) , and I don't think anyone was disappointed. These guys are truly original -- really intense, driving dub drum and bass, and layered over it is melodica and theremin improvisations. I have to admit, in the first half of their set, I worried that they were a bit one-note, but things got more complex and rewarding as their hour and a half moved on. They move seamlessly into psychedelic rock and noise -- no vocals per se, but some screaming in the noisier songs. The lights and visuals put me in this happy hypnotic state... I didn't want them to stop!

See them before they get too big! The full band doesn't have a Tokyo show scheduled at the moment (I don't think?) but looks like the melodica player will be at Sofla in Nakameguro on 4/28 (more of like a club night) and Daikanyama Loop on 5/20.

DOG and theremin show

by craig

Enban is a Koenji institution. A tiny record store stocking independent music by day and a place to see odd music at night. Random gigs here are likely to be more interesting than what's on at most livehouses.

On Monday night it was pretty packed when I entered (about 25 people) so I had to stand between the shelves of 7"s, DVDs and CDs, resting my beer on a stack of homemade CDRs.

A huge dog entered because first up was Inuhiko. Inuhiko is a duo, the Inu half being JON(犬) or in English JON (THE DOG) and the hiko half is well, HIKO. JON(犬) plays pump organ and sings in a child-like voice dressed in an amazing dog costume. HIKO is the drummer from legendary hardcore punk band GAUZE formed in 1981. So it was pump organ, squeaky vocals and muted crazy hardcore drumming complete with double bass pedal! Awesome!

Next, Hayato Tsuji started playing piano while doing some eerie breathing/singing. He was joined by psychedelic guitar shredder Tansch (from ginen tsubame). Hayato could really sing, sometimes sounding like Sigur Rós and other times doing his breathing thing or possessed screaming. Just to make sure it didn't go all Radiohead, Tansch, skinny and pouty with huge hair just as a psych rock guitarist should be, did lots of solos with his amp turned down to 2.

Those who weren't there to see a dog play organ were there to see two Okinawans play theremin and piano. Nori Ubutaka had a cool old Moog theremin which he managed to tame amazingly well and played his original compositions with vocals and piano by the extraordinarily unique Emi Eleonola, diva from the bizarre avant-prog group DEMI SEMI QUAVER. They spent half the set chatting, reminiscing and answering questions from the audience about theremins (How many volts does it run on?).


(from Colin)