Shiina Ringo is great - was really happy when they finally decided to reissue Heisei Fuuzoku on vinyl a couple of years ago, since i could finally get a copy without going bankrupt.
She was the soundtrack of my life for a year around 2008.
With all respect to your knowledge on this topic, and with the possibility that I misunderstand what "primer" means ... this seems like a deep, detailed dive into a kaleidoscopic world that I do not understand. With that said, I appreciate the depth and direction on things to try and reasons why to do so.
I thought I was doing well with Shonen Knife and Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media, and I know how any band of any sort is an gateway into other worlds.
And as long as we're here, I don't think it's good form for Japanese Breakfast not to be a Japanese band.
I am reminded that this is part 1, and I look forward to future parts.
Agreed. Delightful is exactly the right word. I also like "Ah Singapore" and "Strawberry Cream Puff", the latter of which demonstrates the Japanese obsession with food is real.
MD, my previous knowledge of Japanese music began and ended with Loudness' Crazy Nights, barring some experience of Yoko Kanno and Seatbelts. In other words, English language only. There's a lot to look into and that's much appreciated, sir!
This was a super dense, intimidating read. My awareness of the music of Japan is sort of limited to the more extreme edges. Yamatsuka Eye's work on Naked City's 'Torture Garden' comes to mind. He is also in a band called The Boredoms. He did a few oddball solo works on John Zorn's old label (not sure if it's still around). I think a Japanese band called Ground Zero released some stuff on it too. There's also this really obscure prog band called P.O.N. that I don't know anything about but they made a crazy heavy record in the '90s. There's also a drums/bass duo from there called The Ruins that made up their own languages IIRC. I think Ghost was another decent prog/metal band from there. All of the above would be described as challenging listening.
And 1,000 years ago I saw Cibo Matto open up for the Butthole Surfers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSyCFWS5bvA
Great music and album cover!
Shiina Ringo is great - was really happy when they finally decided to reissue Heisei Fuuzoku on vinyl a couple of years ago, since i could finally get a copy without going bankrupt.
She was the soundtrack of my life for a year around 2008.
This is pretty much the only song I can credibly karaoke:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9BupglHdtM
well, this and "Hot Rod Lincoln."
With all respect to your knowledge on this topic, and with the possibility that I misunderstand what "primer" means ... this seems like a deep, detailed dive into a kaleidoscopic world that I do not understand. With that said, I appreciate the depth and direction on things to try and reasons why to do so.
I thought I was doing well with Shonen Knife and Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media, and I know how any band of any sort is an gateway into other worlds.
And as long as we're here, I don't think it's good form for Japanese Breakfast not to be a Japanese band.
I am reminded that this is part 1, and I look forward to future parts.
Hey, those are the CONCRETE ANIMALS girls. I have them on cassette!
+1 for Shonen Knife. Their cover of Top of the World is delightful.
Agreed. Delightful is exactly the right word. I also like "Ah Singapore" and "Strawberry Cream Puff", the latter of which demonstrates the Japanese obsession with food is real.
This was excellent! I have a lot of links to explore. Thank you.
MD, this looks like a worthy event to take the family to and it’s not that far from you. https://soranews24.com/2026/02/05/naruto-jerseys-coming-to-major-leage-baseball-theme-nights-hello-kitty-to-take-over-a-field/
Check out “Sheena” Ringo covering Radiohead’s Creep! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uMN-WdPi3W8
MD, my previous knowledge of Japanese music began and ended with Loudness' Crazy Nights, barring some experience of Yoko Kanno and Seatbelts. In other words, English language only. There's a lot to look into and that's much appreciated, sir!
Yoko Kano/Seatbelts are really what made Cowboy Bebop so much better as a series.
hell yeah cowboy bebop
This was a super dense, intimidating read. My awareness of the music of Japan is sort of limited to the more extreme edges. Yamatsuka Eye's work on Naked City's 'Torture Garden' comes to mind. He is also in a band called The Boredoms. He did a few oddball solo works on John Zorn's old label (not sure if it's still around). I think a Japanese band called Ground Zero released some stuff on it too. There's also this really obscure prog band called P.O.N. that I don't know anything about but they made a crazy heavy record in the '90s. There's also a drums/bass duo from there called The Ruins that made up their own languages IIRC. I think Ghost was another decent prog/metal band from there. All of the above would be described as challenging listening.
And 1,000 years ago I saw Cibo Matto open up for the Butthole Surfers.
Tremendous!