THE HARPY's USA Tour - A Winged Tale of Estrogen & Eyeliner from Japan

So I finally did what I've been talking about doing for a longtime. I booked a Japanese band in the NY area and went on tour with them, at least for most of the shows. When I wasn't spending time with family whom I hadn't seen in nearly two years, I was chauffeuring Japanese girls band THE HARPY's around, taking them to sights of interest and wheeling so that they got the most out of their trip. Many might recognize guitarist Satomi and bass player Maki from their previous band the infamous Falsies on Heat. For a year now both have been writing new frenzied material with a drummer named Tomo who they conned (without much difficulty) into dressing like a punk rock girl, eye liner and all. The result being a hot buzz band that's won a Fred Perry sponsored contest and released a single on the indie label Due. RECORDS to coincide with their recently completed USA tour which brought them from NYC to upstate NY, the backwoods of Connecticut and back. I'll go into some fine day-by-day details from here...

9/11 - QxBxRx presents... @ CAKE SHOP, Manhattan, NYC

No I didn't actually make it to this one, but I heard from Satomi some interesting details. Falsies on Heat played this party when they came around two years ago, and The Harpy's were welcome to join the city's gateway into the queer underground & metrosexual garage subculture. This time round featured a burlesque show by curvy badgirl Li’l Miss Lixxx and local bands Triple Hex & Boogie Brains. I was also told that Kerry Davis from the Red Aunts (Maki and Satomi started out playing their songs in a high school band) was in attendance at the Cake Shop.

9/12 - Lady Bree Presents... @ DON PEDRO BAR, Brooklyn, NYC

I met up with my old friend and cohort from high school days Chris Webber (http://www.lemondonutphotos.com), who occasionally acts as a tour photographer when I have a Japanese band the NY area. We rode the train down from Port Jervis to NYC and walked in the rain to Other Music then took the L to Bedford Ave and hoofed through Williamsburg to the place where Pass Out Record Shop used to be. Oh well, it's gone.

Then met up with my folks and my sister for her birthday dinner at The Lodge before heading to the show at Don Pedro's around 9pm. At Don Pedro I met Lady Bree, hostess for the evening, Phil & Matt who were helping The Harpy's get around in the city, and Hitomi, drummer for High Teen Boogie. And another friend, Anna Bananarchy, from my days at Radical Records also showed up to see her friends in Devil Eyes, the first Canadian band to cross paths with The Harpy's on this tour. Devil Eyes were killer friendly, and played a hip set of indie punk tunes that included a cover of Please Don't Touch (I bought the 7"!). The Harpy's had no need to adjust to playing on tour and proved themselves infinitely more than capable of holding a lazy Sunday nite crowd's attention. The final band, The Back CC's were the main draw and killed with organ-powered garage punk and frantic stage action with rubber chicken heads! The drive home upstate was a drag, but at least we had a day off before picking The Harpy's up in Manhattan for a Tuesday afternoon road trip.

9/14 - Pete's Warehouse, New Paltz, NY

Drove down to Manhattan with Chris and picked up The Harpy's from Matt's place. On the way out of the city, I fumbled a bit and let the GPS take me through the Holland Tunnel, getting slightly lost in Jersey City then taking a slow and hardly scenic route through north Jersey. Finally made it to my folks place where we had some Bud Lite and deli subs for lunch. Showed them around the house and my Dad's roadhouse barn, which would be like an estate in Japan (Tomo literally flipped out like a hyperactive anime character when he saw the pool!), but with wild gardens & hillbilly junk lying here and there. Then we headed up to High Falls (Tomo, being a country boy, nearly got lost in the brush with Chris), Rosendale (we went on the rail trestle despite it being closed for safety reasons) and finally Pete's house on the outskirts of New Paltz.

(Rosendale rail trestle)

At Pete's house we pretty much waited around for Los Doggies to arrive with amps and set up. At first I was doubtful that anyone would show up on a Tuesday nite, but apparently the big warehouse in the middle of nowhere has a big draw just on word-of-mouth. By the time Pete's band NCM started, a group of teenage crust punks, hitchhikers on their way to rainbow gatherings and old guard New Paltz pirates had emerged out of the woods with about a dozen dogs ready have a rock 'n' roll party! Lighting was a non-issue and Los Doggies played an almost instrumental post-punk set in the dark with flashlights flickering from across the musty expanse of damp warehouse and dreaded heads of dancing crusties. When The Harpy's blitzed through a perfect set heightening the grooves of the dancers with their dogs weaving frenziedly between shifting bodies. During "5x6" I shot off a couple cans of silly string into the crowd right when the music picked up and then all the kids continued to party, slugging warm whiskey, singing folk tunes on an accoustic and wrestling each other, well after the climax.

(Dogs and New Paltz pirates at Pete's warehouse)

 9/15 - SNAPPER MAGEE'S, Torrington, CT

Loaded up the family van with amps, drums and gear, then drove up to New Paltz with my hippie biker Dad (who The Harpy's instinctively called Papa!), picked up the the band at Pete's house (with Tomo already in full drag attire) and headed out into the wooded hills of western Connecticut. I was actually bit nervous driving into such uncharted hillbilly wilderness and hunter cuntry with a faux drag queen in the back seat. Especially since we had plans to stop for something to eat on the way. We found a Subway on the NY/CT border and the young Indian clerk seemed really interested that we were all coming from Japan; and he did give a sideward glance at Tomo when he heard us discussing sandwich toppings!

Finally we made it to Torrington for my first visit to Snapper's at this location. I've been familiar with the one in Kingston, NY and previously booked Falsies on Heat where they infamously supported one of punk rock's biggest aberrations The Murder Junkies for a one-shot gig two years ago. This year, The Harpy's were thrown on a bill with Rehab for Quitters, a Canadian band with a penchant for loud fast punk'n'roll, and i,fanblades, a trio up from Delaware whose sound borders on baroque punk and progressive hardcore. Before the start of the show, Travis from Snapper's got us invitations to go on air on WAPJ-FM, Torrington's own independent radio station! We walked two blocks down with Rehab for Quitters and waited in the lobby while they did a short interview. Then Satomi and I went into the studio; one of the world's coolest DJs Sketch asked us questions about the tour and played a couple Harpy's songs on Connecticut radio!

We got back to Snapper's and The Harpy's immediately set up and started to play after checking levels and and a quick sound check. They grasped the attention of a lot of kids unready for it and went beyond the expectations of a couple of Japanese culture heads including a sole lolita fashion girl and a roly-poly bag-piper named Ken who did a little Egyptian dance while trying to get the rest of the crowd psyched up! Oh and since I decided to drive home, "Pa Pa" had decided to suck down a bunch of The Harpy's drink coupons! It was a raucous set that left an amazed audience needing more and The Harpy's did a one song encore hardly satisfying the Wednesday nite Snapper's regulars.

As if the saga ended there...! As mentioned before Rehab for Quitters, the second Canadian band to appear on The Harpy's tour, killed it with my drunk old man cheering "That's awesome!" repeatedly! Assisting the band with getting their drinks, I kept my eye on Tomo, who, with miniskirt and eye liner, did a convincing kawaii. I had to just let it flow when the bartender asked, "What'll she have?" Luckily by the time i,fanblades came on, people had figured it out (I guess) and Tomo had been happily dancing with the jubilant Ken, aforementioned! Then i,fanblades' guitar amp head caught on fire causing a silent uproar in the bar and lead to an improvised bass and drum jam to which Tomo grooved too nicely... He was finally compelled to jump on stage announcing "This is Japanese famous song!" and then proceeded to rap Blue Hearts lyrics to the i,fanblades jam! Something like this:

one! two! three! four!

みてきたことやーきいたことー♪

はじめておぼえたぜーんぶー♪

デタラメだったらおもしろいー♪

そんなきもーちわかーるでしょー♪

こころのずーっと奥のほおー♪

こころのずーっとおくのほおー♪

らららららららーらららららー♪

こころのずーっとおくのほおー♪

thank you！！！！

I realized Tomo truly has no fear! Papa swaggered over to me and shouted, " I have hope for this world!" Satomi just said he's BAKA! Then I had to drive everyone home for two and a half hours with The Harpy's yelling "YOPARAI! " (or he's drunk!) at my Papa!

9/17 - SNUG HARBOR, New Paltz, NY

Woke up, had scrambled eggs & toasted bagels and cream cheese before beginning yet another road trip. Seeing as the weather was overcast and rainy, I popped The Vaseline's in my car CD player and we took off for the Galleria mall on the way to New Paltz. Pointed out cheap gags at Spencers, manga at Borders, they got lost in H&M for half an hour... Satomi emerging with piles of bags of clothes! and Tomo curiously dashing through Forever21... If only they were exchange students when I was in high school! Then we headed up to New Paltz for comic and record shopping... made a pilgrimage to October Country. Then had some sad news when I stopped by Jack's Rhythms, Jack Goldberg the longtime record peddler of Main St. had passed while fighting brain cancer. Sullenly we moved onto the 68 Main Co-op where I saw some of the kids who came out to the warehouse show on Tuesday and then headed across the street, making the New Paltz rounds to Rhino Records. After rapping with staff there and buying some souvenir postcards, we headed to Bacchus for some delicious southwestern by way of Hudson appetizers and our first beers of the evening. Still having time to kill before Los Doggies arrived with gear, I gave The Harpy's a tour of the 300 year old stone Huguenot Houses and the church graveyard along supposedly "the oldest street in America." Maki wanted to check it out but, being after dark, Satomi got scared, Tomo and I were carefree and found places to pee in the bushes! Then we decided to wait at Snugs for NCM and Los Doggies to arrive and set up. By 11pm things were underway and NCM had started while the place was filling up. Then The Harpy's commandeered the stage getting neo-hippie regulars and townies alike grooving to their infectious rhythms and off-beat grrrl pop. They planned an extra long set, so that by the time they did "5x6," the crowd was hyper and yenning for more! After they wrapped it up, Los Doggies blasted out with a bit of Nirvana Paltz, something I had not seen yet since they usually reserve only for Halloween! They began their set with covers from Nevermind and then finished up with original Los Doggies experimental fare. By that time a few old friends and cohorts from old New Paltz days sauntered in as I was sobering up ready for the long ride home. I left The Harpy's at Pete's house, telling them I felt depressed, even knowing that they're gonna play my Mystery Mondays show right after we all get back to Japan!

9/17 - Mr. BEERY's, Bethpage, Long Island, NY

9/18 - Lady Bree Presents... @ DON PEDRO BAR, Brooklyn, NYC

Missed these last shows because I was spending time with family, friends and neighbors. First, got a dodgy email from Lady Bree asking if The Harpy's were canceling at Don Pedro's, then got a frightening called Friday evening from High Teen Boogie's Nonlee asking what time The Harpy's were supposed to arrive in at Grand Central from Poughkeepsie... then called Matt and found out they were together and en route to Long Island and judging from the bits of data swirling around the interwebs, they had great shows at both venues with superb local NYC garage bands. Special thanks to High Teen Boogie and Lady Bree for arranging things this last weekend, wish I coulda been there, but barbecue food and potato salad was calling.

Epilogue - BACK IN JAPAN

So I been back in Japan for two days now, trying to manage jet lag and going back to work with keeping ahead of my upcoming event schedule. For anyone in Tokyo, please head to HATAGAYA HEAVY SICK on Mon. 9/27 for MYSTERY MONDAYS Vol. 3, Mystery Girls Part 1, feat. THE HARPY's vs THE DARLINGS! Also including guest DJs SACHI B (GO HONEY GO!) and KYOKO ( THE LEGS) as well as your host WAYNE MANOR (SWAMP FICTION) and his side-kick DJ MICHAEL (HEAD KICKED IN)!!!! Opens at 20:00 and cover is 1,200 yen (plus 1 drink)!

HOUSE of MYSTERY Vol. 1

Last Sunday I hosted the my first event in Tokyo which I hope to make into a regular series. My idea for Wayne Manor's HOUSE of MYSTERY is to not only have a savage line-up of Japanese garage & punk bands, but also include sideshow entertainments during entertainments. So last Sunday we were graced by THE FLY's newest fling, belly-dancing princess SHAULA LEE... there was also an arm-wrestling contest featuring the fierce CHRIS the ARM-CRUSHER and little challenger DJ OKD of the demented duo YUKKUM YUKKUM along with psycho-weirdo DJ Mr. DEATH! At the end of the nite I pulled raffle tickets and awarded the prizes like a bobble-head Rat Fink and Doggy Style: The Dogs Tribute, with illustration by Rockin' Jelly Bean! Despite being quite busy 'n getting frazzled trying to keep all the bands on time, play my DJ sets and host these skits, it was all worthwhile!

(CHRIS the ARM-CRUSHER vs KAYO (ex-FALSIES ON HEAT drummer!) & WAYNE MANOR!)

It was also a Bon Voyage party for THE HARPY's who I will actually be flying to NY with for their US tour which kicks off next weekend! I jumped on stage and had an American beer KANPAI with Budweiser to celebrate. Les VIVIAN BOYS played next and gave a very European chic meets Japanese mystique performance. Next I passed out home-made Batman masks and played the original 60's TV soundtrack for a Bat-craze dance party just in time for THEEE BAT to blast a high-power cover of Blue Cheer's "Summertime Blues!" THE FLY & his one-man garbage played his slick garage blues and invited rockabilly double bass & guitar men for a hot tune. ED WOODS freaked out like never before with a frantic room of trash followers, I think Billy showed us his entire collection of Batman dungarees before slipping around on the floor! And ANISAKIS finished up the night with their darkly hyper post-punk that ended in bloody fingers and fretboards. So despite my nerves on the edge of a hectic night, everything turned out very cool. My turbaned head is receiving vibes and I predict the HOUSE of MYSTERY will open its doors once again!


(KUB SHARP of THEEE BAT)

MYSTERY MONDAYS Vol. 1 - Punk Nite

So last week I started up a new regular event titled Mystery Mondays. The idea is to have a mini-live (or 2 band show) with a couple guest DJs every time. The first was more of a punk nite with the '77 punk and skinny tie New Wave style of THE LEGS, a relatively new band on the Tokyo scene that is still gaining ground.

The headliner SEE HER TONITE was a more melodic Japanese punk with a longer history in the Tokyo punk scene alongside bands like The Havenots and Water Closet. Both bands fit well together and I played a DJ set as The Stately Wayne Manor of mostly new gen garage punk, 77 punk and power pop. The guest DJ was Michael, a half-Russian Japanese kid who is a resident at the Dope Music Bar Foggy in Takadanobaba where he does a regular party called Head Kicked In.

The next Mystery Monday, this upcoming September 27th, is sub-titled Myster Girls Part 1 and will feature female-fronted bands THE DARLINGS and THE HARPY's (first show after their return from their US tour!). DJs will include KYOKO, drummer of THE LEGS and SACHI B who hosts a regular party called GO HONEY GO! at DJ BAR CHROME. I will post another blog about this soon!

Sound-splintering Dimensions of Wan Ting

The past few posts have dealt with a variety of female rock musicians, so I though I would continue the trend by introducing a prolific Taiwanese artist who I've worked with since opening Pacifiction Record and a new CD of hers that I have been meaning to stock for a while now. You might recall Wan Ting from her surrealist electro project Varo, well, I'm proud to introduce her latest CD release with the math rock/post-punk/post-rock band Tin Pan Alley, Needing Dimensions! Below you can read a short outline of Wan Tings career highlighting her musical contributions to the Taiwanese underground scene.

For the past fifteen years or so, guitarist and producer Wan Ting Huang has been piercing diverse spheres of music and developing her unmistakable tremolo reeving solos to become a veritable Taiwanese indie rock icon. She started her career in the seminal girl punk band Ladybug which was know for its angsty lyrics, yet artistically charged compositions. For more about Ladybug and their exploits, read this article on Island of Sound:

http://www.islandofsound.org/taiwanrocksounds/ladybug.html

After quitting Ladybug, Wan Ting enrolled at Columbia College in Chicago to study sound engineering. At the same time as the post-rock phase was reaching its height in Taiwan, she was being exposed to a wider range of music including jazz fusion. Wan Ting was also taking good notes in order to bring proper underground recording techniques back to Taiwan.

On her return, she tested the waters with a solo record entitled Sedaris and then formed Tin Pan Alley with Xiao Bai, a member of a prominent local post-rock outfit Sugar Plum Ferry and set to putting her new-found knowledge to work. The result was their first lo-fi recording Entering Another Tunnel which became a sensation in underground circles and broadened the horizons for post-rock with its use of loungy saxophone and math rock rhythms. Read more about Tin Pan Alley here:

http://www.islandofsound.org/indierocksounds/tin_pan_alley.html

Next, Wan Ting took her career a step further by forming her own label 7 Inch Vinyl Records and released a couple local indie bands including the Japanese/Taiwanese combination shoegazer group SMOL and her new indie-electronica unit Varo. Read more about 7" Vinyl Records here:

http://www.islandofsound.org/indielabels/7inch_vinyl.html

With Varo, Wan Ting applied much of the same stylized tremolo picking techniques, but this time to laptop-generated loops and beats. Taking influence from the surrealism of painter Remedios Varo, she juxtaposed sight and sound by creating songs named after her favorite indie films, almost like alternate soundtracks, but still with an electro/pop song structure. Varo most recently received a reboot and remix album by the Japanese label Rejectone Records, which I might try to stock for Pacifiction if I get some requests. Read more about Varo here:

http://www.islandofsound.org/electronicsounds/varo.html

Both of Varo's albums, the phenomenal debut Hardcore Beach and the intriguing follow-up My Body is the Tempo are available at Pacifiction Records!

Since the 2006 release of My Body is the Temp, Wan Ting has continued to write new Varo material as well as releasing a new Tin Pan Alley album while reviving old friendships along the way.  For example, she has also recently toyed with Chug D Lash, a collaboration with former Ladubug vocalist Mei. Always weaving in and out of the fabric of the past, present and future of Taiwan's underground scene, Wan Ting's discography is also awakening interest in the global community of experimental music listeners.

Please visit The Far East Audio Review for an informative interview with Wan Ting!

http://www.fareastaudio.com/archives/05/06/taiwan_chronicle_4_coffee_with_wanting_huang_by_news.php

THE ROCKTIGERS: Dishin' out some hot Kimchibilly!

Riding the psychobilly bandwagon jump-started by the likes of Tiger Army and taking influence from the leather jacket Jet Rock 'n' Roll of Guitar Wolf, Korea's Rocktigers have gained a cult following at home while raising eyebrows across Asia. With pinup knockout Velvet Geena as the group's spellbinding center piece, The Rocktigers recorded their debut album Come On Let's Go and were subsequently invited to join Japan's Tokyo Big Rumble in 2004. The Rocktigers followed up with Oldies But Goodies, and most recently Rock 'n' Roll Licence which shows a slight change in style from punk hooks to more roots rockabilly, hot rod and exotica sounds. They also continue to host their own Kimchibilly Nights which showcase a wide array of subcultural acts from the Korean underground scene while capturing the interest of rockabilly fanatics the world over!



Read what the LA Times has been saying about The Rocktigers!

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/13/entertainment/la-et-rock-tigers-20100513
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/05/the-rocktigers-bringing-kimchibilly-to-the-masses.html

And on Korea.net!

http://www.korea.net/news.do?mode=detail&guid=47291

And now available on Pacifiction Records, The Rocktigers smash 3 song single Taste The Kimchibilly and newest hoppin' full-length Rock 'n' Roll Licence!

Nikki Corvette & Gorevette Sideswipe Japan!

Every year, the week between April and May is a big vacation holiday in Japan called Golden Week and this year Detroit punk legend and girl group enchantress Nikki Corvette came with her latest backing band Gorvette, consisting of members of the Gore Gore Girls. They made a four show tour organized by Nikki's longtime Japanese label Base Records with Yokohama garage band The Havenot's supporting at all stops. First nite was at Nakano Moonstep in Tokyo with additional support from Spookey, an all-girl punk/new wave band got popular in Europe for playing with the likes of the Damned. Next the Gorvette crew headed down to Osaka to play Rockrider with one of Japan's most fuzz-fueled trio of female furies The Go-Devils and the old-school pop punk sounds of Wimpy's (who can be found on the 2007 Raw 4 DVD). Next they were joined by melodic punk/power pop fusion band Water Closet and firewater-guzzling garage punk legends Gasoline at Day Trip in Nagoya. Nikki and company finally wound their way up to F.A.D. in Yokohama where they were opened by some of the most savage & stylish garage bands in Tokyo these days, namely the caveman surf & soul group The Mighty Moguls and spy-theme Mod girl band Six (featured on the first Sex & Fury & RnR DVD). I'm very pleased so many bands that I've come into contact with through Pacifiction Records have participated in Nikki's tour and it was very cool I could promote these artists at the same time.



In 2006, I got to see Nikki Corvette and the Stingrays in NYC when they played with Big Fun, Baby Shakes and The Milky Ways at Cake Shop and Trash Bar. At that time I also met Rico, a Japanese kid living in NYC who plays with WLWL, who I became friends with and met in Shibuya and also the last time I went back to the city. After the show, stragglers (like me and Rico) got pictures taken with Nikki and we all went to another rock 'n' roll bar down the road for drinks and late nite dance party. So, needless to say I had been anticipating when I would see Nikki in Japan. I met up with Detroit Jack outside and rapped with him for a bit before going in where I then met DJ Micky Room, who owns a small record shop in Yokohama where I distro some NY punk. After seeing Six do a blistering set of 60's mod & surf filtered through girl punk intensity and The Mighty Moguls lay down a fuzzed-out primitive groove, I met up with Mika and Kub (Theee Bat) and we all waited for Gorvette to speed out of the graveyard. Nikki met another adoring Japanese audience who seemed to shimmy out of their coffin-cubicle daily life to Corvettes classics, Gore Gore Girls tunes and new co-written material as well. They even graced us with a cover of the Buzzcock's "What Do I Get?" and, during the encore, called a bunch of girls from the audience on stage for a femme fatale freakout! To know more about the amounts of estrogen and the machinations of Mothra read this article from the Phallus Press!



After the set, much like in NY, Nikki and company hung out with fans getting pictures taken with them and dancing to the music being played DJ's Micky and Kent-low. Kub and Mika gave Nikki a copy of their new 7" split on Swamp Fiction Records, the first release of a new garage punk label I'm trying to kick start. After much drinking, introducing and chatting, we all let the flashback fade away and parted ways waiting for the next chance to take a spin in the Gorvette time machine.

Japan got ATOMIC SUPLEXED!

ATOMIC SUPLEX, the high-power UK rock 'n' Roll band, came to Japan at the end of March to celebrate the release of their split 7" EP alongside Tokyo's most frantic garage punk trio THEEE BAT on the new Swamp Fiction label. 

 This time Stuart came with the Emma (guitar) and Dan (bass) and were backed up by support drummer Joe (who lent his hands to SHLONK last October). They had four gigs lined-up and the whole tour ensued as some kinda twisted circus wrestling match between the Strong Man, Sword Swallower and Bearded Lady. Read on if you will...

March 25th, 2010 - K's Dream, Inage, Chiba

This first show of the tour was in Chiba at K's Dream where some familiar faces from the SHLONK tour showed up. ED WOODS played first, but I missed it because I had to come from work in Yokohama. When I got there I met  Howling Hideki, the madman guitar-slinger for HOWLING GUITAR and found out their friend had traveled to NY with GOLDEN and met my father a month earlier. SURGE, a very cool 90's indie, powerpop, alt-rock stylized band also played as well as THE WORLD APARTMENT HORROR, a jumpy DAMNED-influenced garagey rock band with catchy songs who are relatively new on the scene. When ATOMIC SUPLEX came on chaos broke out. Mika Bat and Kub Sharp from THEEE BAT enticed the local Chiba folk to violence and it all came to a sudden halt just short of 20 mins when the mic stand got thrown around and a jockish guy smacked it down into Stuarts's face like a bo staff. It was like a record needle being ripped of their Rock 'n' Roll Must Die 7", the curtain closed and that was the end of the show. Suplexed indeed.

March 26th, 2010 - BAR GIG, Motomachi, Yokohama

While Stuart had broken a few teeth the night before, everyone was ready to go for MACKY RAMONE's "BUZZ ATTITUDE," the best punky party in town. Everything went much smoother. The event was opened by BEAT GENERATION frontman KENYOU, who played solo offering acoustic punk by way of CLASH covers. BUZZ ATTITUDE was marked by special appearances by VIVIAN BOYS (long time friends of Stuart) with their stylish punk and powerpop hooks, fashionista punks TRIOL who could have been called The Che Guevara's (cause they all looked like him!) but played full-bodied Detroit rock and the legendary JET BOYS who recently released a kick-ass album. ATOMIC SUPLEXS ripped through a bunch of great songs that the crowd could really feel to the center of their bones, lot's of happy drunken shaking going on.. Special thanks to Macky for letting me strip the rust from my DJ skills and breakout as The Stately Wayne Manor.

March 27th, 2010 - JAM, Shinjuku, Tokyo

This show at JAM was an all-niter hosted by THE FADEAWAYS as part of their "Teenage Shutdown" series. I was DJ-ing as The Stately Wayne Manor alongside Adrian, a British mate who's got a killer collection and great sensibility at choosing a playlist. On the bill were LEGS, a new band with old school punk tastes, MIDDLE's (not from Tokyo) who had new wavey Paisely Underground organ stylings; both bands look at the world through a garage punk lens tho. THE PAPPY's, an all girl garage punk band returned to the stage and went wild. THE FADEAWAYS sounded highly charged and fun as usual, but literally caused a freak-out when one onlooker fell backwards with a seizure causing 3 people to simultaneously call 119! (He was OK, took 5 in an ambulance and came back to enjoy the rest of the show!!!!). Sounding probably the they have ever in Japan were ATOMIC SUPLEX who had the audience carrying around people while simultaneously slipping around on the mud slick dance floor. THEEE BAT ended the night with one of their best shows ever, including guest guitarist and saxophone player, who held together Mika and Kub's naturally chaotic tendencies which made their sound come across in a more frat-rock, surf group kinda way. It was a long night but those who missed it, really missed it!

March 28th, 2010 - AOIHEYA, Shibuya, Tokyo

Everyone forced themselves to drag themselves out of bed the next day and some arrived at the chambre des chansons in Shibuya a bit later than others (ahem Emma and Dan... haha). This show was presented by ED WOODS as "Swamp Trash Nite" in order to celebrate the foundation of the new Swamp Fiction label and the first release, the 7" split EP feat. THEEE BAT and ATOMIC SUPLEX! Phenomenal bands like Japanese new wave pioneers ROCKET JACK VADERS, blues garage band THE VOLUME OUT! and the hip shakin' freak show THE FLY & HIS ONE MAN GARBAGE (with special burlesque dancer MISS TARANTULA). Both THEEE BAT and ATOMIC SUPLEX played electrifying sets to ignite more rioting over their newly released split record. Special thanks to DJ MR. DEATH and MC OKD for having me, The Stately DJ Wayne Manor, spin garage & punk tunes side by side them.

Wrap-up

The band and some friends who participated in the tour came out for an after party at Stay Free - Poor Cow, Fifi's rock & roll meeting place in Shimokitazawa. And I was able to get together with Stuart, Dan, Emma (ATOMIC SUPLEX) and their crew, Mika, Kub (THEEE BAT) and Tommy (VIVIAN BOYS) for a HANAMI party in Koenji before everyone had to part their separate ways. 

Very Special thanks to SURGE & K's Dream for helping out in Chiba, MACKY RAMONE for having us join BUZZ ATTITUDE in Yokohama, THE FADEAWAYS for inviting us to Teenage Shutdown and ED WOODS for organizing Swamp Tash Nite. All these bands and organizers have acted helpfully and selflessly so that ATOMIC SUPLEX could play shows and so that I could promote the new Swamp Fiction release in Japan. They all have a true rock 'n' roll spirit that I greatly appreciate and will try my hardest to reciprocate while in Japan and in this lifetime. DOMO ARIGATO to all the wild cats, bats, rockers, punks and trash!

Life goes on, the band plays on...

Yesterday I attended a funeral in Japan for my friend Kensuke who was the lead vocalist, guitar player & songwriter for Six o'minus. Only twenty seven years old, he committed suicide last week leaving his friends, bandmates and wife of less than one year in a state of shock, bewilderment and sadness. Many who came to pay their respects were friends I hadn't seen since Kensuke's wedding last spring when we all drank and laughed together. This time we hand few, if any, words and simply nodded in silence. Kensuke's bandmates were such an important part of his life that they helped with the funeral services which lasted all Saturday night and finished by Sunday afternoon. After I arrived for Sunday services, I signed in at the reception desk and then waited in line to pay my respects. As I approached the casket I could hear the music of Six o'minus, Kensuke's music and his voice. I bowed to his family then prayed to his casket which had a small alter before it with his guitar and other treasured belongings. My vision was so tense I only remember seeing a Beat Generation book, a similar passion that bonded me to the members of Six o'minus. After everyone finished bowing and praying we were all asked to view the the open casket and see our friend for the last time. Everyone crowded around, the sobbing and crying became deeper as we laid flowers on his broken body. Then the hearse took him away to be cremated as "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" played. Taisuke and Shunsuke of Six o'minus marched off with immediate family to be with him one final time.

Please take the time to listen to the music of Kensuke and Six o'minus:

http://www.myspace.com/sixominus

Six o'minus was the first band I saw live in Japan after moving here over three years ago. The drummer Taisuke was dating an old Taiwanese friend who told me to check them out. After that we became good friends and I took a couple trips with them to Taiwan for festivals and tours. The Taiwanese underground community will be just as shocked and saddened when they get the news of this tragedy.

I'd like to take this time to remember two other friends and musicians who have recently decided to take their own lives. Shortly after moving to Japan in 2007, I got word that Taipei punk A-han, the leader of  the sloppy teenage street punk band Sexy Lips, had committed suicide. They were my hope for Taiwan punk to break away from poppy melodies and put more boot stomp into the music. Read more about Sexy Lips here:

http://www.islandofsound.org/punksounds/sexy_lips.html

Nearly a year and a half ago, Denton, a friend from my high school and a talented musician and songwriter left us. After I had already started college, his high school band Ear Candy became infamous playing at talent shows and parties my sister threw at our family's barn. He later moved on to numerous experimental indie projects including Egon Strangler, the Please Dept. and Brainweise. We worked together and hung out a bit before I moved to Japan and I remember driving home after seeing X in the city, I played a mix CD of Taiwanese indie bands that he was genuinely enthusiastic about. His death deeply affected my sister and her group of friends and left the local underground music community at a loss.

I'm not writing this delve into the issue of suicide and suicide prevention. Even being a good friend is not always enough and often there are no "warning signs." My purpose is to simply remember how these friends affected my life in interesting and positive ways. My heart goes out to the closest friends and family of Kensuke, A-han and Denton because they are the ones who I see suffering the most.

228 PEACE MEMORIAL DAY: Songs and Lyrics

228 Day or Peace Memorial Day is a day to celebrate a dream for world wide peace while solemnly remembering the massacre of the Taiwanese people by the ruling KMT party that was started on February 28th, 1947. Several artists have begun to speak up and write songs confronting the effects of the tragedy in hopes that new generations will not forget their history. The following post includes lyric and explanations of some of the songs I know to confront this day in history.

PART ONE: THE TONIC "Modern Age"

"Modern Age" was written by Taike (Taiwan rock) band THE TONIC for their album 鯤島 which tells the island's history in sequential order on each track. This song is about the end of Japanese rule in 1945, the new rule by the exiled Chinese KMT party and the 228 Incident that sparked a period of White Terror and martial law that wouldn't end until 1987.

Below is and explanation I found on website in Chinese:

http://snow.ilvu.net/~emerge/tonic/taiwan.htm


7. 現代
1945年，美國的兩顆原子彈，結束了二次大戰，日本宣佈無條件投降。在戰爭中節節敗退的中華民國政府，意想不到地成為戰勝者。同年10月25日，代表中華民國的陳儀將軍在公會堂（後改名為中山堂）接受日軍投降，當時毫無疑問地稱之為「台灣光復」。島上居民歡欣鼓舞地迎接「祖國」的到來，曾在日治時代從事抗日運動的人士，如陳析、葉榮鐘等，籌組了「歡迎國民政府籌備委員會」，在各地張燈結彩，迎接國民政府。

然而，新來的國民政府卻以「征服者」的姿態對待台灣。首先，在台灣設立了一個和中國大陸各省不一樣的制度，「台灣省行政長官公署」，作為統治台灣的總機關，此機構集行政、司法、立法、軍事等各項大權於一身，戰後台灣的政治、經濟、社會等資源也幾乎壟斷於此新「殖民體制」之下，也為日後的二二八事件埋下伏筆。

國民政府將中國文化中「家族政治」的特色，「光復」到台灣島來，裙帶關係、壟斷權位、貪污腐敗；經濟剝削、物價暴漲，人民生活更加困苦；軍紀敗壞、擾民欺民、治安嚴重惡化、社會動盪不安…。於是，1947年初發生的欺民事件，引發出一連串全面鎮壓與屠殺人民的歷史悲劇。1947年2月27日，專賣局台北分局查緝員傅學通等人在台北市太平通（今延平北路）一帶查緝私煙，查獲中年婦女林江邁於天馬茶房前（今延平北路與南京西路交叉口附近）販賣私煙，林婦苦苦哀求勿全數沒收，查緝員以槍管敲擊林婦頭部，致林婦頭部出血暈倒，圍觀群眾群情激憤，向查緝員理論抗議，查緝員向民眾開槍，不幸擊中市民陳文溪（隔天不治死亡）。民眾更加氣憤，包圍警局和憲兵隊，要求交出肇禍人員法辦，但無結果。2月28日，台北市民示威抗議，在官署前警民衝突，造成死傷。群眾奪占廣播電台，向全島人民播報事件原委，呼籲大家起身反抗。台北民間首先成立「二二八事件處理委員會」，與官方協調交涉，並要求政治改革；官方一面和處理委員會談判，一方面連絡仍在南京的國民政府主席蔣介石，蔣決定派兵來台鎮壓反抗。 3月8日，國民政府派來的軍對在基隆登陸，進入台北，繼而向南挺進，在各地展開鎮壓與屠殺，企圖以武力來堅固國民政府在台的統治權威

Here are lyrics taken from the album's liner notes:



And an English translation of the passage above (taken from Babelfish so beware the errors):

7. Modern age in 1945, US's two atomic bombs, ended the Second World War war, Japan announced the unconditional surrender. Republic of China Government which retreats in defeat again and again in the war, becomes the victor unexpectedly. On October 25, represents Republic of China's General in the same year Chen Yi after the male meeting hall (changes name for Zhongshan Hall) accepts the Japanese forces surrender, at that time called without a doubt it “recovers Taiwan”. On the island the resident dances with joy greets “the motherland” the arrival, once governed the public figure who in the date the time is engaged in the opposition to Japan movement, like Chen Xi, Ye Rongzhong and so on, organized “have welcome the National government Committee”, was decorated with lanterns and colored streamers in each region, to greet the National government. However, comes newly National government actually by “vanquisher” the posture treats Taiwan. First, has set up one in Taiwan with the mainland China various provinces dissimilar system, “the Taiwan Province chief executive government office”, the achievement rules Taiwan's total institution, this organization collection administration, the judicature, the legislation, the military and so on each power authority in a body, postwar resources and so on Taiwan's politics, economy, society also nearly monopolizes in this is new “colonizes the system”, also will lay down the foreshadowing for in the future 228 events. National government in Chinese culture “family politics” characteristic, “recovering” to the Island of Taiwan, relationship through female relatives, monopoly authority, embezzlement and corruption; The economical exploitation, the price rise suddenly, the lives of the people are more poverty-stricken; The discipline ruins, harasses the people to bully the people, the public security serious worsening, the society unstable…. Therefore, at the beginning of 1947 occurred bullies the people event, initiated a succession of suppresses and slaughters the people comprehensively the historical tragedy. on February 27, 1947, monopoly bureau Taibei Sub-bureau investigation Fu Xuetong et al. pass (now Yanpingbeilu) in Taibei area to look up the apprehending smugglers smoke peacefully, ferrets out middle-aged woman Lin Jiang to step before the white fox waiter (now Yanpingbeilu and nearby the Najingxilu road intersection) trades the private smoke, Lin Fu does not implore urgently the total confiscation, the investigation by the barrel rap forest woman forehead, sent the forest woman forehead hemorrhage to faint, surrounds the populace public sentiment to be indignant, protested to the investigation theory, the investigation opened fire to the populace, unfortunately hit residential Chen Wenxi (previous day to die). The populace are more indignant, the surrounding police authorities and the military police corps, the request hands over the causing an accident personnel to deal with according to law, but is inefficient. On February 28, the Taibei residents demonstrate protested that the police people conflicts before the government office, creates the casualty. The populace seize the Broadcasting station, disseminates news the event whole story to the entire island people, appealed that everybody sets out to revolt. The Taibei folk first establishes “228 event processing committee”, with the official coordinated negotiation, and requests the political reform; The official negotiates at the same time with the processing committee, on the one hand contacted still in Nanjing's National government President Chiang Kai-Shek, Jiang decided that dispatched troops to come to Taiwan to suppress the revolt. On March 8, the National government sends the armed forces to land in Jilong, enter Taibei, subsequently pushes onward to the south, launches the suppression and the slaughter in each region, attempts to come the firm National government by the military force in Taiwan's dominant authority

And finally if your interested in THE TONIC's album, visit Pacifiction Records:

http://www.pacifictionrecords.com/taiwan/CD/thetonic.shtml



PART TWO: SOFTBALL "0228"

Japanese girl punk band SOFTBALL became attached to Taiwan after playing there about ten years ago. They continued to play the island's Say Yes to Taiwan event every year throughout the early '00's. After SOFTBALL broke up, leader MOE SUZUKI continued to appear at the event with her new band AKIAKANE who met with then Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian and took part of a human chain that stretched up and down Taiwan's west coast symbolizing unity and solidarity.

For more info on SOFTABLL, AKIAKANE and Taiwan check here:


http://www.islandofsound.org/friends_of_taiwan/akiakane.html

Ever politically charged and influenced by historical events, MOE SUZUKI even wrote a song about the 228 Incident and how it's being covered up and forgotten. Here's the English lyrics to SOFTBALL's "0228"

0228
作曲：SOFTBALL
作詞：MOE
The history was wiped out by the carnoise and crowd.
Shaped and erased history. Skillful way of doing it.
An old man shut his mouth, unwilling to tell so much.
Blood, tears sank into the earth, concealed with the asphalt.

Responsibility of the past war.
An excuse of great people. I don't want to know such things.
I just want to know the truth.

Aimless destination. We're treated as a trash.
But we can tell you forever what an old man's word mean.
Over the generation. We're going to build a bridge.
We have to make revolution with singing a peace-loving song.

blood bath is just wrong we know. We have lived a not so long life.
If there's the Dragon's Palace story, have to find something from legend.
It is fine to face an impossible thing sometimes.
Anyway, we addicted to the vacant reality.

We will gaze at that, as we flow down with an idol.
Let's open our eyes, if we can make his dream true.

Aimless destination. We're treated as a trash.
But we can tell you forever what an old man's word mean.
Make sure of imitation. Oppression suppressed the feeling voice.
If we can know its meaning, we'll be able to have a good sleep.


And here's a scan from SOFTBALL's Lamp album:



And the Japanese lyrics:

車の音と人ゴミにかきけされた歴史は 形を変えて消されてゆく
それは巧妙な手段でやってくる
老人たちは口を閉ざし 過去を多くは語らない
土の中に沈んだ血と涙は アスファルトに覆われた

過去の戦争の責任や
偉い人たちの言い訳が聞きたいんじゃない
ただ真実を知りたいだけ

あてもない がらくた扱いされた僕等だけど
あの老人の声を永遠に届けることはできるよ
僕等は世代を超えて橋を架け
改革をしていかなきゃいけない 平和の唄を歌いながら・・・

僕等はそんなに長くは生きてないけど 血を流す戦争がまちがいだってことくらいは解ってる
昔話の竜宮城が存在するなら 僕等はその言い伝えから何かを見いださなきゃいけない
時にはかなわぬ物に向ってもいいじゃないか
僕等はこの空っぽな現実にふけっているのだから

僕等の力であの老人の思いがかなえられるなら
偶像に流されながらもそれに目を開き みつめようよ

あてもない がらくた扱いされた僕等だけど
あの老人の声を永遠に届けることはできるよ
にせものを見極めろ 権力で閉ざされた心の声
もしその心の声を聞くことができるなら ゆっくりと眠ることもできる


Here's the album cover for Lamp if anyone is interested in tracking it down.




PART THREE: CHANG JUI-CHUAN "Hey Kid"

Taiwanese rapper and college professor CHANG JUI-CHUAN has been probably the most vocal artists to pursue the truth about the events surrounding the 228 Incident and use history as a way of educating Taiwan's youth to reinforce a national identity for the future. His song "Hey Kid" does just that. It teaches history and serves as an attention call for a new generation to take pride in its native culture.


http://www.myspace.com/juichuanchang

Here are the lyrics to "Hey Kid" in English:

Hey kid, you must remember
History teaches us to forgive mistakes, not forget them
You have to turn around, see where you’ve come from
If you want to figure out where you should go
Hey kid, you must remember
History says that people may disagree with you, anger you
Understand and respect each other, work it out together
If you oppress and exploit them, one day the tables will turn
And you’ll have nowhere to hide

In 1945, a group of people landed on this yam-shaped island
Saying Taiwan was a province of Great China
“Come back to us. We KMT will love and look after you.”
Within two years, the people’s expectations crumbled
Bum soldiers pissing and shitting on the streets
Loot, abduct, kill, burn, eat free
Chen Yi’s government confiscated farms and land, corruption via monopoly
You’re a lowlife if you don’t speak Chinese
On February 27, 1947
Their police pistol-whipped an old lady selling cigarettes
Shot a young bystander
“Can’t stand it no more. Let’s strike! Let’s go to Toa-tiu-tia (大稻埕)!”
Then Chinese soldiers went on a cruel shooting spree
Pierced the palms and ankles of people with a lead wire
Tie them up. Execute one by one
20,000 lives were ended in two weeks

Hey kid, you must remember
History teaches us to forgive mistakes, not forget them
You have to turn around, see where you’ve come from
If you want to figure out where you should go
Hey kid, you must remember
History says that people may disagree with you, anger you
Understand and respect each other, work it out together
If you oppress and exploit them, one day the tables will turn
And you’ll have nowhere to hide

What ensued was thirty-eight years of the martial-law era called “White Terror”
Doesn’t matter if you’re a Mainlander, Formosan, Hakka, Holo, or Aborigine
If you mess with the Party, you’ll vanish in no time
Or be butchered like the mother and two daughters of Lin Yi-hsiung (林義雄)
Lei Jhen (雷震) was imprisoned for ten years for criticizing Chiang Kai-shek
Yin Hai-guang (殷海光) was under surveillance for his political articles until he died
James Soong (宋楚瑜) banned all the Taiwanese TV shows
Even puppet shows and Taiwanese Operas must be aired in Chinese
Brave Taiwanese souls fought and struggled for democracy and freedom
Beautiful Island Incident for political reform, 520 Farmer Protest
Jail after jail, kill after kill
Jheng Nan-rong (鄭南榕) burst into flames that’ll last forever for free speech
Hey kid, you must remember
Their blood and sweat, torment and sacrifice, gave you the air you’re breathing
Don’t forget the revolution for democracy has just begun
You won’t see the spring buds if you don’t go through the winter snow

Hey kid, you must remember
History teaches us to forgive mistakes, not forget them
You have to turn around, see where you’ve come from
If you want to figure out where you should go
Hey kid, you must remember
History says that people may disagree with you, anger you
Understand and respect each other, work it out together
If you oppress and exploit them, one day the tables will turn
And you’ll have nowhere to hide

I wish you all the best
I pray you can distinguish
I hope you’ll change society in the future
I wish you all the best
I pray you can distinguish
I hope you’ll fight injustice and oppression

One more strong Taiwanese kid
One more unbreakable brick of the Taiwanese spirit
So you must exercise every day and drink eight glasses of boiled water
No cigarettes and drugs. Drink tea, not coffee
Read a book every week because knowledge is power
If you know more you’ll have more control of your life
Pay attention in school. Ask questions
Do homework. You don’t need cram school
You’re fortunate if you can afford buying food, clothes, books, and music
And go to the mountains and beaches on holidays
Don’t be greedy, buying stocks and Rolex
Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all evil.”
Don’t be like those cowards going to China singing and dancing
Saying they represent Taiwan but calling China the “mainland” all the time
The KMT’s party property is worth hundreds of billions of dollars
Who killed Yin Cing-feng (尹清楓)?
Hey kid, my kid, you must remember
[Translation]
Hey kid, you must remember
History teaches us to forgive mistakes, not forget them
You have to turn around, see where you’ve come from
If you want to figure out where you should go
Hey kid, you must remember
History says that people may disagree with you, anger you
Understand and respect each other, work it out together
If you oppress and exploit them, one day the tables will turn
And you’ll have nowhere to hide

In 1945, a group of people landed on this yam-shaped island
Saying Taiwan was a province of Great China
“Come back to us. We KMT will love and look after you.”
Within two years, the people’s expectations crumbled
Bum soldiers pissing and shitting on the streets
Loot, abduct, kill, burn, eat free
Chen Yi’s government confiscated farms and land, corruption via monopoly
You’re a lowlife if you don’t speak Chinese
On February 27, 1947
Their police pistol-whipped an old lady selling cigarettes
Shot a young bystander
“Can’t stand it no more. Let’s strike! Let’s go to Toa-tiu-tia (大稻埕)!”
Then Chinese soldiers went on a cruel shooting spree
Pierced the palms and ankles of people with a lead wire
Tie them up. Execute one by one
20,000 lives were ended in two weeks

Hey kid, you must remember
History teaches us to forgive mistakes, not forget them
You have to turn around, see where you’ve come from
If you want to figure out where you should go
Hey kid, you must remember
History says that people may disagree with you, anger you
Understand and respect each other, work it out together
If you oppress and exploit them, one day the tables will turn
And you’ll have nowhere to hide

What ensued was thirty-eight years of the martial-law era called “White Terror”
Doesn’t matter if you’re a Mainlander, Formosan, Hakka, Holo, or Aborigine
If you mess with the Party, you’ll vanish in no time
Or be butchered like the mother and two daughters of Lin Yi-hsiung (林義雄)
Lei Jhen (雷震) was imprisoned for ten years for criticizing Chiang Kai-shek
Yin Hai-guang (殷海光) was under surveillance for his political articles until he died
James Soong (宋楚瑜) banned all the Taiwanese TV shows
Even puppet shows and Taiwanese Operas must be aired in Chinese
Brave Taiwanese souls fought and struggled for democracy and freedom
Beautiful Island Incident for political reform, 520 Farmer Protest
Jail after jail, kill after kill
Jheng Nan-rong (鄭南榕) burst into flames that’ll last forever for free speech
Hey kid, you must remember
Their blood and sweat, torment and sacrifice, gave you the air you’re breathing
Don’t forget the revolution for democracy has just begun
You won’t see the spring buds if you don’t go through the winter snow

Hey kid, you must remember
History teaches us to forgive mistakes, not forget them
You have to turn around, see where you’ve come from
If you want to figure out where you should go
Hey kid, you must remember
History says that people may disagree with you, anger you
Understand and respect each other, work it out together
If you oppress and exploit them, one day the tables will turn
And you’ll have nowhere to hide

I wish you all the best
I pray you can distinguish
I hope you’ll change society in the future
I wish you all the best
I pray you can distinguish
I hope you’ll fight injustice and oppression

One more strong Taiwanese kid
One more unbreakable brick of the Taiwanese spirit
So you must exercise every day and drink eight glasses of boiled water
No cigarettes and drugs. Drink tea, not coffee
Read a book every week because knowledge is power
If you know more you’ll have more control of your life
Pay attention in school. Ask questions
Do homework. You don’t need cram school
You’re fortunate if you can afford buying food, clothes, books, and music
And go to the mountains and beaches on holidays
Don’t be greedy, buying stocks and Rolex
Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all evil.”
Don’t be like those cowards going to China singing and dancing
Saying they represent Taiwan but calling China the “mainland” all the time
The KMT’s party property is worth hundreds of billions of dollars
Who killed Yin Cing-feng (尹清楓)?
Hey kid, my kid, you must remember



And in Chinese:

囡仔
張睿銓 / 阿弟仔
*原曲收錄於張睿銓《創世記》﹙2006﹚，莫尚混音版收錄於張睿銓《重生》﹙2007﹚，阿弟仔音樂工作室發行。

囡仔 你就要會記
歷史教咱錯誤可以原諒但是不能忘記
轉頭回來了解你對叼位來
才有法度知道要對叼位去
囡仔 你就要會記
歷史有講別人的意見有時候會給你生氣
互相了解互相尊重鬥陣才會出頭
鴨霸剝削有一工就換你無底躲

一九四五年一群人來到這個番薯島
他們說台灣是偉大中國的一省
回來祖國 我們國民黨會疼惜照顧
無兩年 人民的期待變作土土土
乞丐兵路邊放尿放屎無衛生
囂張搶婚搶劫殺人放火白吃白喝
陳儀政府佔田佔地貪污專賣
你若無水準才會來講台灣話
一九四七年二月二七他們的警察
用槍敲一個賣煙歐巴桑的頭
開槍碰死一個站在邊仔的少年仔
人民擋不住 來去抗議 來去大稻埕
中國兵狠毒 拿槍掃射
用鉛線殘忍穿過一排人的手和腳
綁給緊 一個一個槍決
二萬人的生命 二禮拜了絕

囡仔 你就要會記
歷史教咱錯誤可以原諒但是不能忘記
轉頭回來了解你對叼位來
才有法度知道要對叼位去
囡仔 你就要會記
歷史有講別人的意見有時候會給你生氣
互相了解互相尊重鬥陣才會出頭
鴨霸剝削有一工就換你無底躲

續來戒嚴三十八年白色恐怖
管你外省本省客家河洛還是原住民
黨看你不爽 你就馬上無去
林義雄老母二個查某子 全部殺死
雷震批評蔣介石 被關十年
殷海光寫冊 被監視逼死
宋楚瑜全面禁止台語節目
連布袋戲歌仔戲也要講北京話
勇敢的台灣人 打拼追求民主自由
政治改革的美麗島 農民抗爭的五二零
關的關 死的死 鄭南榕為言論自由
點起的那把火還未燒完
囡仔 你就要會記
他們的流血流汗艱苦犧牲給你自由的空氣
不可忘記 民主革命才開始
無經過寒冬的風雪 看不到春天的花蕊

囡仔 你就要會記
歷史教咱錯誤可以原諒但是不能忘記
轉頭回來了解你對叼位來
才有法度知道要對叼位去
囡仔 你就要會記
歷史有講別人的意見有時候會給你生氣
互相了解互相尊重鬥陣才會出頭
鴨霸剝削有一工就換你無底躲

我祝福你可以好勢
我祈求你會曉分別
我希望你可以改變以後的社會
我祝福你可以好勢
我祈求你會曉分別
我希望你可以改變不義的一切

多一個勇健的台灣囡仔
台灣就多一塊敲不破的活氣磚角
所以每工要運動 喝八大杯煮過的水
不要吃煙毒 喝茶不喝咖啡
一禮拜要看一本冊 知識就是力量
認識越多 自己做主的信心越強
學校上課要專心 聽無就要問先生
認真寫功課也不需要補習
賺錢有夠吃 有夠穿 有夠買冊
聽音樂 放假去山頂海邊走走就好
不要貪心 還要買股票和名牌手錶
提摩太六章十節 金錢是萬惡之根
不要像那些俗仔去中國唱歌演戲
講自己台客 卻歸工歸嘴內地內地
國民黨的千億黨產 誰殺死尹清楓
囡仔囡仔 你就要會記

This is the first rap (and might be the first musical composition, to my limited knowledge) ever that depicts the February 28 Massacre of 1947 in Taiwan, launched by Chiang Kai-shek and his Chinese Kuomintang (KMT, also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party), and the thirty-eight-year martial law era that followed the Massacre. More than twenty thousand people disappeared or were slaughtered in the Massacre, countless more in the martial-law era, as is typical of extreme political persecution and witch hunts (generally referred to as "White Terror" in Taiwan). The song is a tribute to all those brave souls - both Formosans and newcomers - who died fighting the KMT and its dictatorial government, which was finally ended by Taiwan's fledgling democracy in 2000.

-CHANG JUI-CHUAN




For more info on CHANG JUI-CHUAN's albums, visit Pacifiction records:

http://www.pacifictionrecords.com/taiwan/CD/joe_genesis.shtml

Rock 'n' Roll Circus in Taiwan - Dec. 2009

OK, I might not have been at this gig, but I really feel like it deserves mention on my blog. In an effort to throw down some seriously needed RnR raves (as opposed to techno house raves) in Taiwan, THE DEADLY VIBES have been organizing an event called Rock 'n' Roll Circus on the island for the past few years. I wrote about it previously on Island of Sound here:

http://www.islandofsound.org/events/rock_n_roll_circus.html

In recent times the VIBES started inviting Japanese bands, like THE DREXEL, after they were impressed by the rockabilly group's traditional sound when they played together on their Japan tour in 2008. Last December, THE DEADLY VIBES invited another band that supported them in Japan, the crazy trash rock 'n' roll trio ED WOODS. At my behest, I asked them to add the MINNESOTA VOODOO MEN to the bill and their label manager Harry the Hempstead Heath to bring his old school RnB 45s and DJ some sets. Miss Cabaretta, one of Tokyo's top burlesque dancers tagged along making this year's RnR Circus even more titillating!

As I mentioned before I didn't actually go to Taiwan, but I did dredge up a couple articles on the interwebs that are worth taking a look at.

http://shuflies.blogspot.com/2009/12/rock-n-roll-circus-2009.html

http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2009/12/rock-n-roll-circus-taipei-taichung/

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2009/12/18/2003461205

http://www.waakao.com/en/music/bands/538-halloween-christmas-and-your-birthday-all-in-one-night

MINNESOTA VOODOO MEN @ 89K, Taichung

ED WOODS @ 89K, Taichung