About The Tour

100% Genki is the brainchild of Smash and the music charity Strummerville. Because of the success of bands like Dir En Grey, LOUDNESS, Puffy and X Japan on the international scene, the call for Japanese bands to tour Europe and America is increasing. Anyone lucky enough to live in the UK can fight back the recession blues by heading to one of the 100% Genki shows and checking out some of the bands.

The tour dates are as follows:

Friday May 15th – Brighton – The Great Escape (Dan Black, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, 80kidz)
Saturday May 16th – Brighton – The Great Escape (DE DE MOUSE, Skint And Demoralised, TF OFF, Dan Mangan
Sunday May 17th – Manchester – Futuresonic Festival (80kidz, DE DE MOUSE, Riddim Saunter, Tucker)
Tuesday 19th May – London – Strummerville party (80kidz, DE DE MOUSE, Riddim Saunter, Tucker)
Thursday 21st May – London – Stag & Dagger festival (80kidz, DE DE MOUSE, Riddim Saunter, Tucker, Lukid, Paul White, 2tall
Friday 22nd May – Liverpool – Liverpool Sound City (80kidz, DE DE MOUSE, Riddim Saunter, Tucker)

Who’s Playing?

80kidz are an electro rock band from Tokyo. Their music is, and I think it’s one of the best uses of the word, funky. Incredibly fun to listen to. They’ve got 30 second samples of every song off their new album “This is my shit / she” on their Myspace, and every single song is bouncy with a great mix of rock and electro. There’s so much energy, these guys are going to be so much fun live. I can’t wait.

DE DE MOUSE are a chiptunes band. Yes, that means more bleeping but in a very different way. It also means they are kind of similar to Machinae Supremacy, one of my favourite bands, so colour me very excited. Their 2007 album “Tide Of Stars” and last year’s “East End Girl” are mixes of pop and dance music, all with calming atmospheres and a uniquely Japanese classic twist to them. Again, check out their Myspace for some samples. I have to confess I’ve never been to a concert with any music like this at it, so it’ll be quite the experience.

Riddim Saunter are another fusion of musical styles. I don’t know if it’s because Western music is relatively new to Japan, but bands seem much more willing to transcend genre boundaries and just go nuts. These guys have hip hop, ska and groovy tones all mixed into their music. It doesn’t really sound like it should work but it does. Check out the song ‘1.2.3.4.5′ on their Myspace for a great example of how they sound: awesome as hell

Finally we have Tucker, a ‘hyperactive one-man band / turntablist / organ playing whirlwind, who has created an worldwide internet phemenon.’ and also does whatever is going on in that photo. Of all the bands I think this guy is the most ‘out there’, with rock and roll, punk, pop and hip hop literally confusing the heck out of anyone who tries to explain what he sounds like. So I won’t even try, I’ll just say check out some of his music to be blown away.

Let’s Go Together!

Sadly the 100% Genki tour hits the UK very close to my exams. However I am going to try to get to the Manchester date on May 17th. If you’re thinking of dropping by leave a comment or get in contact with me, perhaps we could have a little meet up. Nothing too big, although if you want to bring me presents I won’t mind.

Check out the 100% Genki tour site to get tickets and so on. Hope to see you there!

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