I just made the debut video for a Japanese Rock-a-Billy, er, I mean, Psychobilly band from Tokyo named Bobby's Bar. These folks are tight as hell and have an awesome look.
Bobby's Bar
I've mentioned before that I make promotion videos for free for bands to help them (they don't have any money) and I want to pay back to music for the great life it has given me.
Bobby's Bar is a trio with Naoya on guitar, Sharky of stand-up bass and Mira Kuru on drums....
On, and by the way, there is a burlesque dancer in the video too. Her name is Miwa Rock. When we saw her perform we were blown away. It reminded me of the throwback to strip or burlesque dancing from the 1940 or 50s. She says that there is a burlesque boom going on with the young people in Tokyo and it is, in part, due to to the film "Burlesque" featuring Dita Von Teese. Miwa Rock isn't just your average everyday sexy Japanese girl stripper... Er, maybe that didn't come out right... Anyway, Miwa Rock is cool!
Miwa asked Ken and I to make her demo video and we probably will. We might feature Miwa Rock along with making a documentary about youth culture in Japan - we also met an awesome bluegrass banjo player the night of the video shoot too! It's fascinating what the Japanese youth are into these days!)
Here's Bobby's Bar and "Weirdo Jungle".... Enjoy!
6 comments:
Hey Mike - Congrats to you and Ken! A nice clean video - none of the ultra guessing about what the heck is going on!
Psychobilly? Like The Reverand Horton Heat - excellent energy and it looks like they are having fun!
The drummer is excellent and really holds the band together well. Bass and Lead Gitbox are also good. The beginning of the song was similar to a bit of Thorogood - same speed and then they went to a more classic rockabilly ala Stray Cats with some Clash tossed in.
I love the rockabilly/psychobilly sound.
As for the dancer, while appreciated, an unnecessary part of the act. Let the music speak for itself if you have the talent, and thy have the talent.
Now... having said that, the biggest talents do indeed belong to the dancer. Not sure what type of video you could do for her, but I want a copy.
Great idea to help support the arts with the free videos. You guys are an inspiration to the industry.
I imagine all of the talent that was turned down for lack of a demo. Guys like Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis could have been mere foot notes if someone hadn't taken a chance... at least you are giving these musicians a chance... Cheers!
Nice video! Love the song too. I know psychobilly used to be in Japan, and I was hoping to catch some shows when I'm there in April this year. But it's hard to find out about gis -- can't even find Bobby's Bar's website!
Any tips on where to go for these kind of tunes?
-Roel
Hi Roel,
You in Tokyo?
Heavy Sick is a club near Shinjuku that, incredibly, only plays this type of music. Go to this site: http://www.heavysick.co.jp/club/index1.html
If you go there on any night you can usually see shows (call first)... Then go and pick up the tons of flyers at the door... It's like going on an adventure in a forest, the further you go into it, the deeper it gets!
Hi Roel,
You in Tokyo?
Heavy Sick is a club near Shinjuku that, incredibly, only plays this type of music. Go to this site: http://www.heavysick.co.jp/club/index1.html
If you go there on any night you can usually see shows (call first)... Then go and pick up the tons of flyers at the door... It's like going on an adventure in a forest, the further you go into it, the deeper it gets!
Hi Mike,
Not yet, will be in April. For some reason the Heavy Sick website won't load although downforeveryoneorjustme.com says it's up. Will check it again in a while.
You think places like that will be gaijin-friendly?
Sure! I always see foreigners hanging around. Several foreigners in some of those bands too!
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