Japan Underground returned to the Bloomsbury Lanes, bringing an electrifying night with three of the most eccentric electronic bands on the ‘Kimono Records Europe Tour 2011’ all the way from Japan. Known for their exceptional music and special guests like Japanese singers HITT and Hibari, this club night promised to infuse the Tokyo nightlife into the UK.
First on stage, and my personal favorite, HONDALADY, with their Techno style since 1996 and collaboration with Nintendo for ‘No More Heroes 2’. Their enthusiastic performance, especially with the crowd interaction, set a high bar for the night. The standout track was ‘Seishun No Satetsu’ (Setback of Youth) from their latest album ‘Gimiabureiku’ (Give Me a Break), offering catchy melodies and upbeat rhythms, leaving the audience captivated.
Following was Sharaku Kobayashi’s new project, ‘GalapagosS,’ blending electronic and rock elements. Their song ‘Dance Pessimism’ stood out, although they lacked the crowd interaction of HONDALADY. Despite this, their appealing looks and catchy sound kept the audience engaged.
The headliners, the quirky three-piece girl band ‘Tokyo Pinsalocks,’ brought psychedelic outfits and real-to-life lyrics, reminiscent of the UK-based Japanese band ‘No Cars.’ With a unique sound, they had the crowd moving, even introducing their producer to play guitar. The band’s interaction with the crowd, including handing out tambourines, marked them as the crowd’s favorites.
Japan Underground delivered a lively night with excellent performances, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. The venue’s offerings, including 2 bowling alleys, a karaoke room, a bar, and a diner, added to the overall experience. If you get a chance to see any of the bands from Kimono Records, make sure not to miss out!