The multi-talented Oscar Levant once proclaimed, "There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line." Those looking for a living example of this should spend a few moments with Afrirampo to understand what he meant.
2005 brought a lot of attention to the Osaka duo and with good reason. The combination of their chaotic blend of noise, indie rock, punk, pop, and hardcore and their powerful, completely off the fucking wall live performances left music scribes and fans slack-jawed in awe. Word of mouth combined with a tour schedule that took guitarist Oni and drummer Pika throughout Asia, Europe, and the States have helped push the act to the forefront of the Japanese underground. With more shows lined up in Japan and a tour scheduled in America to coincide with their appearance at the renowned SXSW Music Festival, this year should see the fiery red ball of musical fury known as Afrirampo increasing their status with music fans around the globe.Tonight's show at the UFO Club in Higashi Koenji saw the girls performing with Keiji Haino as part of the venue's 10th anniversary celebrations. Playing to a packed house, the band were barely visible to those not crowded near the UFO Club's low stage. The good thing about an Afrirampo concert is that if you can't see everything simply use your imagination and think of the craziest possible scenarios. In all honesty, there's a good chance your deranged imagination won't be that far off from the madness that's unfolding onstage. |
Dressed in their trademark red outfits and wearing streaks of make-up under their eyes Oni and Pika looked like warriors suited for battle as they launched into their awesome set. It didn't take long for the ladies eccentric personalities to emerge. Oni put her guitar down and began flapping her arms like a bird. She soon made her way into the audience and walked around the whole room while continuing to flap her arms. Meanwhile Pika was blowing into a small instrument that was producing chirping noises. She jumped on top of her drum kit and placed her hand on the ceiling of the basement club so that she could see over everyone's heads as she screamed lyrics. Oni made her way back to the front and the two unleashed a ferocious blast of brilliant noise to usher in the next mind-bogglingly good track.
As absolutely stunning as their music is, it's the between song shenanigans that really push things over the edge. As tracks end the two often start chanting nonsensical phrases and making all kinds of strange sounds. Occasionally they'll just jump and dance around and bash their instruments creating brief, wonderfully eccentric jam sessions. In some rare instances you may even get to witness a bit of gymnastics. Tonight's thrilled Japanese and foreign spectators got to see Oni stroll out into the audience and do a handstand against one of the venue's walls. The UFO Club is painted red with black swirls all over the walls and ceiling allowing her to blend in perfectly.After a small psychedelic excursion that featured several minutes of light instrumentation and whistling, Pika kicked things back into high gear with frantic, almost tribal drumming. The gig began to wind down with an ear-shattering bout of feedback. Oni threw a strand of red tinsel over her shoulder and launched into a bout of fast, furious punk music. Thrashing around, her hair wildly flew in all directions while Pika pulverized her kit. The song continued to increase in intensity, morphing into almost a faux doom metal number. Punctuated by Oni's blood-curling screams, the excellent heavy sludge brought cheers and smiles from all in attendance. Oni and Pika began yelling "arigatou" as the music suddenly cut out. Eerily quiet, the two thanked everyone once again before disappearing off stage. |
|
report by shawn and photos by yusuke The photos were taken by yusuke @ Daikanyama Unit on the 25th of Jan. '06.
|
 mag files : Afrirampo Walk The Line : (06/01/29 @ Higashi Koenji UFO Club) : review by shawn, photos by yusuke原始回帰 : (06/01/25 @ Daikanyama Unit) : review by ryoji, photos by yusukephoto report : (06/01/25 @ Daikanyama Unit) : photos by yusukephoto report : (05/12/21 @ Shinsaibashi Club Quattro) : photos by tommyphoto report : (05/12/19 @ Daikanyama Unit) : photos by saya38photo report : (05/11/11 @ Daikanyama Unit) : photos by sam厚み増す年輪、追いかけても回帰 : (05/09/10 @ Tsujido Sputnik Cafe) : review by toddy , photos by saya38 |
|
The official site Afrirampo http://www.afrirampo.com/ The latest album  "Kore Ga Mayaku Da" (US import) |
previous works "Afrirampo" (domestic press) check the albums? |
 2006Every Girl's Crazy About A Sharp Dressed Man : Kaiser Chiefs (23rd Jan. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)All That And Looks Too : Tristan Prettyman (22nd Jan. @ Shibuya AX)2005Merry Christmas and Happy... Halloween?!?! : Afrirampo with Oshiripenpenz and Watsui Zombie (19th Dec. @ Daikanyama Unit)Brothers In Arms : Bloodthirsty Butchers with +/- {Plus/Minus} (4th Dec. @ Shibuya AX)This Is Rock N' Roll : Oasis (20th Nov. @ Yoyogi Daiichi Taiikukan)Shake Your Rump : Rovo (5th Nov. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)Majestic Doves Battle Evil Spirits In Tokyo : Doves (30th Oct. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)DVD review : RGB : sianspheric (17th Oct.)Needs To Be Seen To Be Believed : Shibusa Shirazu Orchestra (16th Oct. @ Yokohama Thumbs Up)Shimmy Shimmy Ya : Zilli**Sweet Oriental Dance Show feat. Zilli, Eshe, Ken, Shinshi, and Mananbu (8th Oct. @ Shibuya Udagawa Cafe)Something Old And Something New : Time Bomb Records 15th Aniversary Feat. Blind Beast (Thurston Moore+Jim O'Rourke+Yoshimi), The Evens (Ian MacKaye+Amy Farina) with Ruins alone, Tamio Inoue (18th Sept. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)Half Hour Of Power : Punkrockers Bowl Vol.11 Feat. Razors Edge, Melt-Banana, Wrench (10th Sept. @ Shinjuku Loft)A Mind Is An Awesome Thing To Blow
: Fantomas & Zu (5th Sept. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)With A Little Sake Always Makes For A Good Night : Cubismo Grafico Five with Sakerock (27th Aug. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)Cool Sounds From The Underground : "What's That Sound?" Feat. Four Tet, Caribou, Mugison (20th Aug. @ Laforet Museum Roppongi)Expect The Unexpected : Metalchicks with Kiiiiiii and Asa-Chang & Junrei (16th Jul. @ Shibuya Lush)All 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 @ Liquidroom Ebisu)Mostly Business : The Stills (8th Nov @ Liquidroom Ebisu)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 @ Liquidroom Ebisu 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 @ Liquidroom Ebisu )CD review : Andre Ethier With Christopher Sandes : Andre Ethier |