| After a brief introduction from our wonderful editor, Italy's Banda Bassotti emerged from the darkness. Standing in a straight line across the front of the stage, the eight men in the group began chanting softly in Italian. Quiet instrumentation was added as the song slowly built up into a rambunctious ska track. The kids, taking their cue from the band, began dancing and pumping their fists in time with the music. Wasting no time, the group kicked into their second number, which saw them playing a hard punk track that turned into another upbeat ska song half way through.
|
|
 
|
Following two popular Japanese acts would be tough for any act, but with lots of strong material and remarkable showmanship Banda Bassotti showed that they could hold their own. The three member horn section did their best to ensure this by putting on a talented and entertaining show. When not playing, the trio was jogging on spot, dancing in unison, pretending to dig with their instruments, and singing along. Accepting their challenge, the group's lead singer did his best to keep the crowd pumped by jumping around like a man possessed, making crazy facial expressions, pumping his fist, and giving the people up front high-fives while belting out his political messages. |
| Twenty minutes into the hour plus concert, the horn section departed from the stage. The rest of the band launched into a fantastic four song set of old school street punk. Not knowing the material, or even what the group was saying I found myself still wanting to sing and screaming along with the contagious music. Although these songs were some of the strongest of the night, it seemed that visually something was missing without the shenanigans of the smiling horn section. Those missing their presence didn't have time to be disappointed as they bounded back on stage a few minutes later to help create another large dose of ska to help keep the party going. This evening was an example of just how powerful music is. Although the majority of the Japanese audience had no idea what Banda Bassotti was saying or singing about, they were still able to enjoy the music and the performance. Good music will always have the ability to transfer any artificial boundaries that we create between classes, sexes, ages, nationalities, languages, and anything else you can thing of. Tonight proved this point and that's what made it such a wonderful thing. God I love music. |
 report by shawn and photo by hanasan |
|
Banda Bassotti Japan tour 5th May @ Ueno The Church 10th May @ Bottom Line in Nagoya 11th May @ Big Cat, Osaka photos / review 12th May @ Kawasaki Club Citta, with Doberman, Oi Skall Mates & Rude Bones 13th May @ Shibuya Club Asia with Salsa Gum Tape and 忌野清志郎 Street Beat Festival in Italy 19th April in Bergamo with Brahman 18th April in Genova : with Brahman 17th April in Pisa with Brahman 12th April @ Villageo Globale in Rome with The Unity Squad / Rude Bones & Mongol 800 11th April @ Villageo Globale in Rome with Betaggari / Brahman / Obrint Pas 29th March @ Leonkavallo in Milan with Dobernman & Capdown 28th March @ Pedro in Padova with Capdown & Doberman 27th March @ Container in Bologna with Doberman & Capdown 26th March @ Auditorium Flog in Firence with Capdown & Doberman |
|
--http://www.bandabassotti.org/ Gridalo Forte Records The official site of Doberman The official site of Oi Skall Mates The official site of Rude Bones To enjoy their live, the most recommended album is ;
Banda Bassotti Live |
shawn's works-->2005  2004 CD review : "Christmas" : Old Man Gloom (28th Dec)Music Soothes the Savage Beast
: eastern youth (20th Dec @ Shibuya Club Quattro)And to all A Good Night : Shonen Knife (19th Dec @ Daikanyama Unit)Exciting Music for Exciting People : illreme (6th Dec @ Shibuya Club Quattro)It's In Their Hands Now : Franz Ferdinand (29th Nov @ Shibuya AX)Lights, Camera, Action : Brahman (15th Nov @ Ebisu Liquidroom)Mostly Business : The Stills (8th Nov @ Ebisu Liquidroom)Scare The Rock Right Outta Ya : Halloween Ball 2004 feat . The 5,6,7,8's, Gasoline, The Woggles (30th Oct @ Shiomkitazawa Shelter)Three More, Two More, and Take it to the Left : Hawaiian6/ Idol Punch (11th Oct @ Shinjuku Loft)Busting Eardrums : Mogwai (5th Oct @ Ebisu Liquidroom AX )Medical Breakthrough : The Most Notorious Vol. 18 feat. Melt Banana and K.K. Null (25th Sept @ Shimokitazawa Shelter )Grey Skies Are Going To Clear Up... : HUSKING BEE (5th Sept @ Shibuya AX )no title : V∞REDOMS (8th Aug @ Ebisu Liquidroom )CD review : Andre Ethier With Christopher Sandes : Andre Ethier2003Cause Music Must Be Magic : Mayor McCa (21st Dec @ The Casbah,Hamilton, Ontario )Make It a Double : EVANESCENCE (28th Jul @ Shinjuku AX)Getting Knifed in Tokyo : Shonen Knife / bloodthirsty butchers(12th Jul @ Shibuya Club Quattro)Hail Hail! Some of Japan's best come together to pay tribute to San Diego's finest : TRIBUTE TO ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT feat. John Speedo with Jet Boys, Retro Gretion, and KEMURI, (21st June '03 @ Shibuya Club Quattro)The Canucks are Coming! The Canucks are Coming! : Simple Plan & GOB (26th Apr @ Akasaka Blitz)no title : Banda Bassotti with Doberman, Oi Skall Mates & Rude Bones (12th May @ Kawasaki Club Citta)The Enchanting Sounds of Summer : KEMURI (31st May @ Shinjuku ACB Hall)Absolutely F**king Brilliant!! : The Coral (21st Apr @ Shinjuku Liquid Room)no title : Short Circuit w/ Asparagus (24th Mar @ Shibuya AX) |