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(Almost) all Asia
Japanese girls, Chinese boys, and pre-Rumble Savants
BY RYAN STEWART

As the token all-male group on the Japanese Girls Night Out Tour, Yokohama’s the Emeralds had some explaining to do. The other four groups on the bill last Tuesday at the Abbey Lounge had at least two female members each. And though all the bands on the bill played high-energy punk rock that combined elements of garage, ska, surf, post-punk and the Dischord scene (often in the same song), it was possible that some of the patrons who packed the room were there for something besides music. Which is where the Emeralds came in: "Now we give you lesson on how to pick up Japanese girl!" one of their three singers shouted during one song.

For the most part, the bands avoided kitsch — the exception being headliners Petty Booka, a novelty duo who donned ukuleles for covers of such standards as "Rockaway Beach." But the language barrier made for some odd stage banter. "This next song is pirate song, okay?" offered Puppy Pet, a ska-pop group who had a good chunk of the place chanting "Oi!" and skanking as if it were 1997. The all-girl trio Titan Go Kings got people to spell out the word "Titan" with their arms (yes, "Y-M-C-A" style). And Tsushimamire assured the crowd that some clichés transcend cultural boundaries: "I love beer!" the singer announced before kicking off one song. Her final number left everyone with a bemused smile as she segued between a harmonious coo and a Godzilla-like "monster voice." (At least I think that’s what she called it.) Afterward, several men could be heard trying to put the Emeralds’ advice into action, wooing members of the Titan Go Kings by saying — very slowly, very loudly — "Yooouuu roooock!" No doubt these gentlemen later found themselves home alone, uh, turning Japanese.

The following night, Beijing’s Brain Failure brought Chinese punk rock to Blackout Bar at Great Scott. Touted as the Far East’s answer to Rancid, BF have become honorary Boston punks: Dropkick Murphys’ Ken Casey produced their recent American Dreamer (Thorp), and they’d just come off a tour with the Unseen, whose frontman was in the DJ booth. Most of the fans who braved an aggravating late-season snow knew the words to most of the songs — which, even though the band sing in English, is no easy task. "I hope you all get laid tonight!" frontman Xiao Rong yelled, displaying his command of American vernacular. Later, however, he invited the audience to "come down at a future time." Since the song he played afterward focused on the repeated spelling of "B-E-I-J-I-N-G," one can only assume he was inviting us to visit him in China. If you go, make sure to take your checkered newsie hat: for the second night running, it was apparent that ska is still going strong in Asia. Could this be the fourth wave? Please, God, make it stop.

On Friday at T.T.’s, the moody, Brit-inspired pop group Bon Savants played a tune-up for the Rumble, where in their first round this Sunday they’ll be competing against ballyhooed punks Lock and Key, metal god Robby Roadsteamer, and Berklee proggers Fluttr Effect. Weird bill, no? "If we were asked to play the [Ed] Sullivan Show," frontman Thom Savant said before the band’s set, "we would do it [even] if we were going to be on with a trained poodle act." Of course, the Bons have an unimpeachable connection with former Rumble winners: their van — "The Bon SaVan" — used to be owned by the Dresden Dolls. (The Dolls had named it the "Ludwig Van.") "It’s the sluttiest thing ever," Savant said on stage, dedicating a song to his band’s transport. "I love it." Putting an end to long-standing speculation about when the band will release an album, Savant announced, "Tentative release date fall 2009." At least it’s something to look forward to.

Ryan Stewart can be reached at rstewart[a]phx.com


Issue Date: April 1 - 7, 2005
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