Lush provided the perfect backdrop for Metalchicks pre-release party. Hidden in a Shibuya basement, the club may not look like much from the outside, but is quite spacious and cool inside. Tonight was all about teaching your mind to expect the unexpected. From the venue itself, to the awe-inspiringly good selection of bands whose musical styles definitely kept spectators on their toes, to make it through this show you definitely had to be prepared for anything. 
At quarter after seven a recording of a voice repeatedly saying "Nisennenmondai" started playing over the Lush's sound system. The Tokyo trio soon emerged onstage and spent a few minutes tuning and adjusting their instruments while the loop continued to play. As the voice faded out, the ladies kicked in with a huge blast of distorted goodness. For the next 30 minutes, they wowed the mixed crowd of hipsters and scenesters with their brilliant instrumental creations. With their music travelling in several fantastic directions at once, try as one may, it was hard to imagine what wonderful direction the band was going to take listeners in next. The Japanese underground music scene is world renown for turning out a plethora of unique and eccentric sounds, or as I prefer to say "some crazy shit." Nisennenmondai easily fall under this blanket and can definitely hold their own against luminaries such as Melt Banana and Vooredoms. Perfectly fusing the finer parts of punk, indie rock, shoegaze, and math rock with a whole lot of catastrophic, beautiful noise, the girls are definitely something that should not be missed.
The duo of Utako Tayama and Reiko Tada, better known as Kiiiiiii, launched into a mock cheerleading skit to start their show. They spelt out their name and then chanted it while making their way through an intentionally badly choreographed dance routine. Tada soon sat behind her drum kick and begin playing "4 Little Joeys" as Tayama bounced around and sang. Acting like two preteens who have stayed up past their bedtime and are hopped up on way too much cola and candy, Kiiiiiii's only goal was to have as much fun as possible. Though far from being the most talented musicians in Japan few would question their level of creativity or ability to carry out the mission statement above. Taking turns dancing, jumping, singing out of tune, and working an alligator puppet, Kiiiiiii's wacky and highly entertaining antics held the attention of everyone in attendance. Their show-stopping, hip hop take on "We Are The World" had everyone cheering along as Tayama and Tada "tried to make the world a better place" by bringing about a whole lot of laughter.
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Asa-Chang & Junray's ambient set provided a nice change of pace. Bathed in black light, the two musicians sat down at the front of the stage surrounded by electronic devices and a dozen instruments. Horns, guitars, tabla and other percussion instruments were modified and complemented by various gadgets, making for an interesting performance of experimental soundscapes. One of the best parts of their set came as the two toyed with a machine that was spitting out short segments of different dance beats. They soon began playing horns and each blast from their instruments brought about a different kind of music from the machine. Some came in clearly, while others were drenched in static, creating the illusion of an old radio being changed from station to station. Unfortunately, by sitting down while they played, many people couldn't see what they were doing and some of the quieter, unique music was drowned out by the conversations erupting from the back of the club. |
Metalchicks closed out the night's events with a set of ROCK. Sugar Yoshinaga and Yuka Yoshimura more than lived up to their name by playing a whole lot of new wave-infused metal and by being, um, chicks. Playing selections from their upcoming self-titled debut, the powerful two-piece showed they had an Appetite For Destruction as they ripped their way through their awesome performance. The band's highly danceable hard rock mayhem features power chords heavy enough to make Tony Iommi proud and proved that no matter how hard people may try, You Can't Stop Rock & Roll.
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With the crowd nodding along to the group's infectious material, Metalchicks seemed to be holding the Ace Of Spades in their hands as they continually out did themselves. It was one of those shows were you say to yourself "there's no way they can get any better than this" and then much to your astonishment the next song comes on and kicks the previous one's ass as it sends it down the Highway To Hell. Possessing a stunning display of talent and a whole whack of headbanging fury, with any luck Metalchicks will be able to Ride The Lightning to bigger and better things. |
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report by shawn and photos by saya38 |
 mag files : Metalchicks Expect The Unexpected (05/07/16 @Shibuya Lush) : review by shawn,photos by saya38季節がら入り混じりまして (05/07/16 @Shibuya Lush) : review by toddy,photos by saya38photo report (05/07/16 @Shibuya Lush) : photos by saya38今日ばっかりはひとことで表せない (05/05/22 @Shinjuku Loft) : review by toddy and photos by saya38photo report (05/05/22 @Shinjuku Loft) : photos by saya38 |
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The official site Metalchicks http://www.metalchicks.blogspot.com/ The latest album  "Metalchicks" （7/27発売） |
check the albums? |
 2005All The Young Dudes : Jude (10th Jun. @ Yokohama Blitz)The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades : Date Course Pentagon Royal Garden (6th Jun. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)The Life Aquatic With Yo La Tengo : Yo La Tengo (28th May. @ Laforet Museum Roppongi)The Little Things : Boom Boom Satellites (29th Apr. @ Shibuya AX)Interview : Insanely Brilliant : Les Savy Fav (30th Apr.)Organized Chaos : Shibusa Shirazu (17th Apr. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)Socially Aware And Ready To Party : Asian Dub Foundation w/African Head Charge (10th Apr. @ Shibuya AX)Nice And Simple : Jimmy Eat World (4th Apr. @ Shibuya O-East)Nothing A Few Sweets Couldn't Fix : Lemon Jelly (29th Mar. @ Shibuya AX)Groove Is In The Heart : Tabla Kwaiesa (6th Mar. @ Yokohama Silk Road Buto-Kan)Interview : Constantly Evolving : 90 Day Men (13th Mar)It's Party Time! : The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Benevento/Russo Duo (28th Feb @ Shibuya Club Quattro)Weekly Service : The Chemical Brothers (12th Feb @ Shibuya AX)Tattoos and a Whole Lotta Hair : EXTREME THE DOJO Vol.12 feat. Every time I Die, As I Lay Dying and Shadows Fall (7th Feb @ Shibuya Club Quattro)Geography At Its Best : ISIS (5th Feb @ Shibuya Club Quattro)To The Extreme : The Shins (31st Jan @ Harajuku Astro Hall)CD review : "Panopticon" : Isis (27th Jan)Winter Be Damned : Ash (17th Jan @ Shibuya AX)Interview : Peaceful, But Far From Quiet : Mono (20th Jan)CD review : "The Nein" : The Nein (13th Jan)2004CD 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)Expansive Rhythms : Tabla Kwaiesa (4th Dec @ Cozmo's Cafe and Bar)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 Ethier |