Ever wondered what Halloween in December would be like? With the exception of there being no candy, tonight's show at Unit was the closest thing I've ever seen to a Halloween party at Christmas. With all kinds of colourful characters and some crazy costumes on spectators, musicians, and members of the press everyone involved attempted to make this a truly unforgettable experience.
Watsui Zombie started things off with a high energy set of 60s inspired garage rock. Looking to set the tone for the evening's festivities early on, the Osaka trio emerged in full costumes. Guitarist Jugem Tanimura was dressed like the Incredible Hulk, guitarist Anri Yasuzato was wearing all kinds of silver paper, and drummer Miyake Meguru was sporting a big foam cowboy hat and a pair of large, funky sunglasses. People in gorilla and mouse costumes soon appeared and started dancing up a storm to the band's infectious rock n' roll sounds. When not taking turns singing Tanimura and Yasuzato jumped around and had faux rock duels. A third dancer clad in a full body suit and carrying a large foam penis joined in on the dancing, waving her phallic object as she moved. Unable to resist a good party, members of Afrirampo and Oshiripenpenz soon joined the cast of eccentric characters as well.Plowing through several selections from their self-titled full-length, the plethora of strange, bouncing bodies took nothing away from Watsui Zombie's patented sonic attack. Looking to mix things up a bit Tanimura began pulling audience members up on stage. A surprising number of attendees were also clad in costumes, the most notable being a middle-aged gentleman who was completely naked except for a mask on his face and a curved horn object over his uh... manhood. With things beginning to get a little too crowded, Meguru picked up his drum kit and moved it onto the dance floor. Yasuzato soon joined him, followed by Tanimura. Playing amongst the spectators the guys continued to turn out an amazing mix of soulful, vintage rock that had everyone bopping around and screaming their appreciation. 
Realizing how tough it would be to match the antics and liveliness of their predecessors, Oshiripenpenz went with a slightly more subtle approach. The mouse and gorilla appeared again and the act's guitarist had his face painted, but their performance never morphed into a crazy-ass dance party like Watsui Zombie's. Playing over 30 minutes of twisted, psychedelic art-rock their frontman established himself as the focal point of the band by throwing his body around like a rag doll, sending his long hair flailing in all directions. At one point he started swinging his mic chord high in the air. The out of control tool headed straight for the guitarist's skull, but he quickly dove out of the way without missing a single note of the trio's shronky rock goodness. After MC Romeda Kirishima judged a costume contest on stage (the naked guy took home the grand prize) Afrirampo emerged. After an amazing year that saw the brilliant Osaka duo releasing their debut full-length on Ki/Oon Sony, touring throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States, and turning in one of the best concerts at this year's Fuji Rock Festival the girls were at the top of the game. After engaging in a bit of call and response with the audience, guitarist Oni and drummer Pika kicked into their awesome opening number. Mixing the best elements of pop, punk, metal, and rock with a Mac truck full of psychedelic noise, the girls has little problem winning over the legions of boisterous, bouncing fans packed into the club. |
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The most important thing at an Afrirampo gig is for Oni and Pika to have fun. Playing like two young children hopped up on all the sugary treats they could get their hands on, they pounded on their respective instruments with reckless abandon. Cute and vicious at the same time, after only a few seconds for the girl's spastic musical collages it becomes evident why Afrirampo have risen to the top of Japan's heralded underground scene. The mouse and gorilla danced out on stage, but were regulated to background duty as all eyes were glued to Afrirampo. Between their wonderful, chaotic compositions Oni and Pika made strange noises, chanted, and spoke to one another in their own made up language. The confusing interludes added to the musical insanity being manufactured by the duo. As their set began to wind down the stage was flooded with all of the night's musicians and wacky characters. Members of Oshiripenpenz and Watsui Zombie took turns playing briefly with Afrirampo while everyone else danced and tried to see what kind of trouble they could get into. Pika invited the audience on stage as she stood on top of her kit and began chanting things with the crowd. Oni grabbed the gorilla and jumped onto the dance floor were she got people marching around in a giant circle. Pika picked up a giant flag and joined her, leading attendees around the club like an indie rock pied piper. The ladies and their collective soon made their way out of the club and onto the street, spreading their Halloween-themed Christmas cheer to the people of Daikanyama. |
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report by shawn and photo by saya38 |
 mag files : afrirampo photo report : (05/12/21 @ Shinsaibashi Club Quattro) : photos by tommyMerry Christmas and Happy... Halloween?!?! : (05/12/19 @ Daikanyama Unit) : review by shawn, photos by saya38photo report : (05/12/19 @ Daikanyama Unit) : photos by saya38photo report : (05/11/11 @ Daikanyama Unit) : photos by samphoto report : (05/06/3 @ Shibuya O-nest) : photos by saya38photo report : (05/06/1 @ Spiritual Lounge) : photos by q_taphoto report : (05/05/20 @ Namba Bears) : photos by kecophoto report : (05/04/09 @ Aoyama Cay) : photos by saya38photo report : (05/02/25 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : photos by saya38mag files : watusizombiephoto report : (05/12/21 @ Shinsaibashi Club Quattro) : photos by tommyMerry Christmas and Happy... Halloween?!?! : (05/12/19 @ Daikanyama Unit) : review by shawn, photos by saya38photo report : (05/12/19 @ Daikanyama Unit) : photos by saya38photo report : (05/06/12 @ Shinjuku JAM) : photos by saya38mag files : Oshiripenpenzphoto report : (05/12/21 @ Shinsaibashi Club Quattro) : photos by tommyMerry Christmas and Happy... Halloween?!?! : (05/12/19 @ Daikanyama Unit) : review by shawn, photos by saya38photo report : (05/12/19 @ Daikanyama UNIT) : photos by saya38photo report : (05/06/12 @ Shinjuku Jam) : photos by saya38 |
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The official site Afrirampo Watsui Zombie Oshiripenpenz the latest album  Afrirampo : "URUSA IN JAPAN" the latest album Watsui Zombie : "Budah Mask Experience" |
the latest album Oshiripenpenz : "Neko Ga Mita Live" check the albums? |
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