BANG THE NOISE

Hello it's Fumie, it's been soooooooo long since I did  the last post!!

Well actually I've been working on a new music promotion project called Bang The Noise !!

Me and my friend Saki got together and decided to introduce many cool bands to the Japanese audience. So posts on the website are all written in Japanese.
Our main passions are for lo-fi garage/ psychedelic rock/ punk/ noise etc....but we love all great bands!! We also promote bands to Japanese record shops/ labels and also we organise their Japan tours so if you are aspiring musicians then please get in touch!!

めーーーーーっちゃご無沙汰してます。フミエです。もー最後のポストから長ーい事経っていてしまって申し訳ありません．．．実は去年の暮れから新しい音楽プロモーションプロジェクト、Bang The Noise /バング・ザ・ノイズを始めていました！

かっこいい海外のバンドをもっと日本の皆さんに届けたい！という思いから、友人のサキと一緒に始めました。バンドの紹介／レコード・CDの流通／来日ライブを企画しています！主に扱っているのは私たちの大好きなローファイ／ガレージ／サイケデリックロック／パンク／ノイズ等ですが、とにかくめちゃくちゃかっこいいバンドを紹介していきます！！ぜひチェックお願いしまーす！！

Hair Colour and Outfit

I've been wiring about music here all the time but now, I want to start writing about my style as well.

I couldn't get my head around for a long time but got encouraged by my friends and street fashion photographers so here you go....finally I'm doing this!

To being with, let me talk about my hair colour and matching outfits. As you can tell from my profile picture, I have dip-dye fringe with my natural jet black hair. This is sort of my distinctive style, I guess. Of course I know you say it's 'trendy' though!

But I've changed my hair colours so many times over 2 years. First colour was green, then blue, pink, orange, purple, went back to pink and now I have peacock blue fringe with emerald green on tip of my side hair (I always use Crazy Colour). 

I  must admit that I am easily get bored and that's the reason why I keep changing the colour. I don't know why I started having dip-dye fringe, but it was around Autumn in 2011, maybe I was so inspired by fashionable people or again just got bored with my conventional hair style. But since then I cannot go back to simple black hair, I'm so addicted to vivid hair colours. Though I wouldn't dye whole my hair because I still love my black hair and also it takes time and it costs a lot if I dye all my hair. 

I love wearing really colourful clothes, vivid, psychedelic patterns and colours. But I don't want to be so messy,  I always want to be playful but stylish and I love matching my hair colour and outfit colour. 

You can't see it well but green colour on my hair is sort of matching with the shirt's green patterns. 

(Photo credit The Nyanzi Report, taken in 2011 )

Again it's not easy to see but blue fringe is matching with my scarf's print colour. 

(Photo credit Styleeast, taken in 2012 )

I'm not sure how many people saw this but this photo of myself was featured in Evening Standard in May 2012. You can find the article here (Oh my skin condition was terrible at that time....shame! )

This is all about being pink. (photo credit Styleeast, taken in 2012)

I matched purple of my hair, scarf and tights, and also orange of my coat and dress. Plus brown sandal and brown bag! (photo credit Marcus Dawes, taken in 2012 )

I couldn't find my photo of orange hair....but here's one I made to match with Japanese super-heros Gorenger....

Unfortunately I didn't have red hair and yellow hair so they are replaced by orange (looks like red though) and purple. 

Well I don't have much to say for conclusion of this post...haha sorry, but hope you enjoyed looking all these colours! 

These photos were taken in 2011 and early 2012 so my style has been changed since then, now I wear lot's of 60s and 70s because music, fashion, life style in the 2 decades are all my passion now! I will blog about my latest style soon again :)

Thanks for reading the post, 

Fumie xx

Cosmonauts

Last month I went to see Cosmonauts, 4-peice lo-fi garage/ psychedelic rook band from South California.

Cosmonauts were formed in 2009. They released their first self-titled 12" LP in June 2010, followed by cassette tape EP New Psychic Denim in March 2011. Since then they have been prolific: producing three singles, one LP and one EP during 2012 to early 2013. Their latest album released in this August "Person Non Grata" is available in CD/LP/Cassette format. Having finished their headlining European Tour in this summer, now they are back in USA and carrying on their tour this year. 

They are often described as garage/psych but you could see they are influenced by 80s/90s shoegaze and alternative rock (and that's what they love).

They didn't talk much and just keep playing at the gig I went, I really enjoyed the show though they seemed like they had problems between members and the guitar player left the stage before they finished last 2 songs. Hopefully they will be in a good mood when I see them again.....

Visit their Facebook

Listen to their music on Bandcamp

Read their interview on Get Bent!

Oh la la

Shite!! I haven't posted anything since this January.....it's September now!

Well so sorry for being quiet for such a long time. Mainly because I became SUPER BUSY since the end of January, I've got a job at a vintage shop. So now I am a freelance translator, record shop staff and vintage shop staff. So indeed I am still super busy. But I'm back on blogging again, I just want to share music with many people and maybe I'll share my fashion style because I'm such a vintage fashion victim, I can't stop collecting 60s&70s clothes....but I love dressing up everyday like I listen to records everyday Oh thanks to my jobs!!

So....just watch this space!! I'll try to update here more frequently!!

Thanks,
Fumie xxx


なんてことでしょう。１月にブログ更新したのが最後で、もう９月．．．実は1月の暮れからものすごーい忙しくなりまして。ビンテージショップでのお仕事が始まったもので、なので現在翻訳家・レコードショップ店員プラスビンテージショップ店員をしております。なのでまだまだかなり忙しいんですが、でもやっぱりブログで音楽をシェアしたいので、戻ってきました！これからは自分のファッションスタイルもちょいちょい小出しに紹介して行こーかなぁとも思ってます。もうね、60sと70sのお洋服、集めるのが辞められず、ファッションビクティム状態です．．．でも仕事のおかげで毎日おしゃれして出勤できるんでもう最高、音楽も毎日聞けるので最高ですよ。

ということで、今後ともわたしのブログ、よろしくお願いします。今後はもっと頻繁に更新できるようにがんばります！

Fumie xxx

Brown Brogues + Thee MVP's + Charles Howl

１月10日に行われたBrown Broguesのアルバムラウンチギグのレポート！

May I Walk With You

 from Brown Brogues on Vimeo.

Brown Brogues

Brown Broguesはマンチェスター出身のローファイガレージバンドデュオ（Vo/G. Mark, Dr./Vo.Ben）。2009年結成。2010年6月にカセットテープのフォーマットでA Ninght Of Living SicknessをSuffring Jukeboxからリリース。2011年にはシングルWildmanとDon't Touch My Hairをリリースし、2012年には3枚目のシングルAnyone But Youをリリース。そして2013年1月22日、待望のデビューアルバムBorn To Loseをリリース！！


私はA Night Of Living Sicknessがまだ彼らの手作りCDだった時に本人らから直接購入。それがきっかけでギター／ボーカルのマークとちょっと知り合いに。日本でいつかライブがしたい！と情熱的だったものの、私は日本のイベントオーガナイザーやプロモーターをやっている知り合いがいなかったため、あまり力になれず。それでもオンラインレコードショップPanda Panda Recordsさんを紹介することができまして、現在Anyone But YouとWildmanの7インチシングルを取り扱ってもらっています。今回のデビューアルバムも入荷予定とのこと！！

さて今回のギグ、いつも通り楽しかった！すごい久しぶりにライブ見に行ったんだけど、やっぱりこの２人の音楽はかっこいい。そして相変わらずマークはギターを弾きながら腰をセクシーに振っておった。

ギグの写真

こちらはデビューアルバムに入っている"Mike, I Love You"のビデオ。ライブの様子も少し伺えます。

かなりローで、ファズが心地よい。

今回のアルバムラウンチで一緒にプレイしたThee MVP'sとCharles Howlもすごくおすすめなのでご紹介！

Thee MVP's 

Thee MVP'sはロンドンで結成されたガレージパンクバンド。メンバーはCharlie(Vo./G.)、Dan (Ba.)、Alex (Dr.)。去年ロンドンのショアディッチというエリアで開催された1234 Festivalに参加、アメリカのガレージバンドTy Segallがイギリスでライブをする際サポートを依頼され、最近のガレージロックバンドの中でも注目が集まっている。曲によってはヘビーなサウンドもあり、いろいろな側面を見せてくれる。今月の始めにはPNKSLM RecordingsからファーストシングルWoman Is A Danger Cat/The Lurgyをデジタルリリース。今年3月1日にリーズで行われるBlitish Wild Festivalでもパフォーマンスを行う。

こちらはバンドが作った練習風景のショートビデオ。こちらもすごい楽しそうです。

ギグの写真

Charles Howl

Charles Howlは6人のミュージシャンが集まって結成したガレージバンド。鋭いガレージサウンドと言葉を吐き捨てるように歌うボーカルが印象的。こちらも去年1234 Festivalに参加、2012年11月から12月にかけてヨーロッパツアーを行い、今月16日から25日まで再びヨーロッパでツアーを敢行中。ちなみに24日は以前紹介したThe Phantomsと一緒にポーランドでライブ予定。さらにちなみに、このバンドのボーカルは以前はJerry Toropicanoとして活動しており、Brown BroguesのふたりとSex BeetのメンバーLukeと共にToto & The Bad EggsとしてEP Wallet DroppinをこちらもPNKSLMからデジタルリリースしたことも。

ギグの写真

この最後の写真に写ってるおっちゃん、もぉ狂ったように踊ってて、最終的にセキュリティーのお兄さんに外につまみ出されてったよ。まぁそれほど楽しかったんだろうね。

各バンドのホームページ、facebookはこちら（全て英語サイトのみ）

Brown Brogues 

 http://www.brownbrogues.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brown-Brogues/296937446795

Thee MVP's

http://theemvps.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theemvps

Charles Howl 

https://www.facebook.com/CharlesHowlMusic

Rodriguez: Searching For Sugar Man

I keep listening to Rodriguez these days.  He's such an amazing American folk singer!

Sixto Rodriguez has released amazing 2 albums "Cold Fact" in 1970 and "Coming From Reality" in the following year. However, a little bit of luck didn't turn to him, so he has gone forever, well, until 2 of his big fans from South Africa started searching for him in the 90s.

A documentary 'Searching For Sugar Man' which came out last year tells how they found him, how he has been doing, everything about this mysterious man.

I was so lucky to be able to attend his concert in London. My boss at the record shop got free tickets from one of our regular customers (how generous she was!!) so we went to see him. I couldn't believe that his vocals sounded exact same as his in the 70s,  even he hasn't sang for a while till now, and his guitar was really great. And he said he was going to be 70 years old!! Incredible.  His lyrics are quite straight and political, but they are all beautifully written and very touching.  I am so glad that the 2 fans decided to find him, otherwise we never got to know this amazing singer.



最近ロドリゲスのアルバムばっかり聞いております。なんて素晴らしいフォークシンガーなんでしょう。

シクスト・ロドリゲスは1970年にアルバム"Cold Fact"、翌年"Coming from Reality"という素晴らしいアルバムをリリースするも、あと少しの運がなく、その後姿を消したアメリカ出身のアーティスト。しかし、90年代になり、彼の大ファンである南アフリカ人の男2人が彼の行方を追い始める。

そして2012年、ロドリゲスについてのドキュメンタリー『シュガーマン　奇跡に愛された男』（日本では2013年3月16日に公開予定）が公開され、世界はこのミステリアスなミュージシャンをついに知る事となった。


ラッキーな事に、私は彼のロンドンでのギグに行く事が出来ました。レコードショップのボスが、常連のお客さんからチケットをなんとタダでもらったので、一緒に見に行きました。もちろんその前にドキュメンタリーも見に行きましたよ。何が驚いたってね、しばらく歌っていなかったにも関わらず、ロドリゲスの声は70年代に歌っていた時の声と全く同じで、ギターの音もホントに素晴らしかった。おまけに、彼、今年で70歳！もう信じられない。歌詞の内容はかなりストレートで政治的。でもそのソングライティングは美しく、尚かつ心に訴えてくるものがある。

２人のファンが彼の捜索に乗り出してくれてホントによかった。そうでもなきゃ、みんなロドリゲスについて知らないままだったよね。

Review of 2012

日本語記事はこちら


Finally. I listed albums and singles which I really liked in 2012. All released in 2012.



Albums (listed in alphabetical order)

1. Allah-Las - Self-Titled

I didn't know about this band till my friend introduced me their songs. The 60s garage sound plus West Coast lazy and easy-goin beat.

2. Black Moth - The Killing Jar

I went to their gig three times last year. Every time I went to see them their sound got better and better.  The best new heavy rock/doom metal band in 2012.

3. Bo Ningen - Line The Wall

I don't know how many times I went to see since I moved to London. I think at least 10 times so far haha. If you haven't seen them live yet, you must attend their gig! I always don't understand what's going on on the stage, but there are always lots of energy, dynamism and impulse. Psychedelic noise. 

4. Clinic - Free Reign

I've been waited for this since their last album "Bubblegum". I'm so looking forward to seeing them this March. Post-punk/ neo-psychedelic album.

5. Dum Dum Girls - End Of Daze

I love this album. Songs are a bit sad and dark but they are all beautiful and I always feel so calm when I listen to this album.

6. Egyptian Hip Hop - Good Don't Sleep

I've introduced them here in 2010, and they are still youngsters who have got talent. I thought my taste in music has changed since I don't listen to electro rock now, but seems I can't resist their sexy music.

7. The Funkees - Dancing Time: The Best of Eastern Nigeria's Afro Rock Exponents 1973-77

I've never listened to Nigerian rock till I found this comp album at the record shop I work. It's funky but also progressive. 

8.Grizzly Bear - Shield 

This is a beautiful album. Grizzly Bear's albums are always in my "music for work" playlist. When I do translation or write an article, I listen to music which makes me calm down and relaxed. But it ain't classical music! It has to be slightly rocking and this album is!

8. The Heartbreaks - Fun Time, debut album

I've introduced them here in 2010, and finally they released their debut album in 2012! They are so-called indie rock band, but I love their music. And you know what, they are big in Japan now. 

9. King Salami and Cumberland 3 - Shake It and Dig It

R&B Punk!! Oh you should see them live, definitely. You can't help dancing. Search them on Youtube, there are so many their live videos!

10. Little Comets - Life Is Elsewhere 

They released the album on Columbia Records and are getting popular, but I still think they are a bit underrated. They are described as "Kitchen Sink Indie Music" on their wikipedia, um, maybe. 

11. MFC Chicken - Music For Chicken 

Rock'n'Roll with Saxophone. I started to dig 50s R'n'R and R'n'B thanks to them. Listen to their music if you wanna twist!! 

12. Moon Duo - Circles

Formed by Wooden Shijips guitarist Ripley Johnson and Sanae Yamada, they say their genre is Repeat-o Rock. I don't know what it is. Only I can say is they are psychedelic and space rock and I like them very much. 

13. Night Beats - Self-Titled

Oh their gig in London was brilliant. I was far away from the stage first but ended up banging my head at the front. Lo-fi psych garage. My favourite song is the first song on the album "Puppet On A String. 

14. The Phantoms - Crazy Like A Wasp 

I've wrote about them here before, it was so cool to meet their manager Maciek at Casbah Records. I really wanna attend their gig next time!! 

15. The Routes - Instrumentals 

I'm a big fan of them! This album is all instrumentals and really really cool garage/surf rock!! And they are already working on next album. I'm already excited!!

16. The Shook-Ups - Bad Reputation 

I'm so glad I went to their gig last year. Actually I didn't plan to go to see them, but back then I had a really bad day and I thought I needed good live music to cheer up myself. And their gig was bloody fun!!! Forgot all bad things happened to me on the day. 

17. The Smoking Trees - Acetates 

Psych pop album by a psychedelic duo Sir Psych and L.A. AL. This album is the one I listen to when I ride on a bicycle in a suburbia, instead of Rain Drops Keep Falling Down on My Head. 

18. Stealing Sheep - Into The Diamond Sun 

I quite like Psychedelic Folk with female vocals. These 3 girls are really creative and make a beautiful harmony.  Shame I haven't been to their gig yet, hope I can see them soon!

19. Thee Vicars - I Wanna Be Your Vicar 

This album has many different style in it: Garage, Beat, Punk, R'n'R, Blues, but all danceable! You can read about them and their last gig here and their new band The Baron Four here. 

20. Trembling Bells feat. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - The Marble Downs 

This is another psych folk album I really liked last year. It's got traditional music, proggy sound and a ccapella as well. I also got their EP Duchess, you might find it boring if you are not a fan of folk music and a ccapella but the last song Tincture of Tears is beautiful. 

Singles 

I didn't buy many singles of new release last year since I was keen on reissues and original issues of garage 45". But I loved 6 singles of 2012 below!

1. Bo Ningen - Henkan 

Yes. How could I miss this. Probably this song sounds dark but this is so intense and energetic when they play the song on a stage. This 7" includes lyrics printed on beautiful black Japanese paper. 

2. Jacco Gardner - Clear The Air 

I'm so jealous of him. Too talented at his age. I've never heard of  Neo-Psychedelic/ Burlesque pop till I listened to him.  You can read about him here. 

3. Jacco Gardner - Where Will You Go 

His another single released in last year. What can I say. I love this music video as well. 

4.Temples - Shelter Song

Another Neo-psychedelic group. I managed to go to see them last year and their set was really good!! I'm so looking forward to getting their full-length album. Check B-side song Prism, it's great as well!

5. The Sundowners - Hummingbird 

I've waited for this release for a long time!! Produced by James and Ian Skelly of The Coral, this single became shaper and bolder than its demo version which was much slower tempo. I'm still waiting for their another single release and album release! 

6. The Travellers - Summer With No Sun

Loving their mixture of this retro feel and the fuzz guitar! I can tell that they genuinely love making music. This single will be exclusively available from Casbah Records soon!! Get in touch if you want your copy!

Right, that's all!! It took me ages to write this post so I'll try to blog each time I find a good album and single! This is one of my new year resolutions!! 

I also would like to hear which album and single you listened to last year. Please let me know if you have good/ interesting recommendations!! 

Thanks xxxxx