Videos of the Week 8/2/09

Another week, another videos of it. Let's go!

Yuzu "Ichigo"


After seeing the cover art [possibly NSFW] for the "Ichigo" single from Yuzu, I just had to see if there was a video. While not nearly as racy at the art, the video is nevertheless pretty crazy. The Busby Berkeley-style choreography is really nice, and it's just fun to watch in general. I haven't heard of these guys before, but I might just have to keep an eye out for more.

Hit the jump for more Videos of the Week!



Eastern Youth "Everything Shines Like the Sun"


Brand new video from the brand new album from Eastern Youth. I guess there really isn't too much one can say about this one. It's really straight forward and doesn't really shake things up. Um, there's lots of heat, I guess...

Sister Jet "Romantic Comedy"


Hey, who says you need more than a bunch of drawings to make a good video? This one from Sister Jet is made up of a ton of drawings in a sort of punk/new-wave style. I think it's great! It really kept me glued to the screen the entire time, even when things started to repeat here and there.

Rock Fujiyama with Hiro of Polysics






Here's the full episode of the always amusing Rock Fujiyama with Marty Friedman. This show features Hiro from Polysics, and it's not stop awesome. From both Hiro and Marty rocking out to Devo songs, to the "name that tune" style game, the rock out medley and a tour of Hiro's guitar collection, it's all just great.

ArcAttack "Dr. Who Theme on Twin Tesla Coils"


This week's random video comes from ArcAttack. They managed to rig up a couple of Tesla coils and and use them to play the Doctor Who theme song! It's totally amazing, not to mention a very apt use of retro/future technology.

Eastern Youth

Does it seem like a lot of Japanese band's bios start off with "Formed by childhood friends..." I know that every band I've been in has been started with/by friends, but I find it amazing that anyone can from a band at a young age, with other young friends, and manage to not only stick together, playing the same music for over twenty years, but also consistently produce amazing music. That's some hardcore dedication, and Eastern Youth has a hell of a lot of it.

Their musical style falls into the emo/screamo category, but with none of the limp, sniveling, pantie waist, fake trendiness of most emo bands. Eastern Youth is the real deal. Singer/guitarist Hisashi Yoshino's is constantly at risk of having his head to explode from the force of his vocal delivery. On the other hand, they have a sort of quiet earnestness that leads extra weight to their more restrained tracks. These guys mean business and they sound desperate to get the word out to everyone within range.

They don't fool around to fancy production or special sonic sound palettes. The Eastern Youth sound is guitar, bass, drums and vocals with no added ingredients or effects. This is something else that helps paint their landscape with bombed out buildings, run down cities and a rugged countryside. It's music of the people and for the people. They seem to embody the underground indie vibe, making it hard to imagine their music bring played anywhere but the smallest, sweatiest and beer-stained club full of rabid fans.

Hohaba to Taiyou, their new album in 2009, marks their 21st year together.

BUY EASTERN YOUTH RELEASES HERE

"Hakai Muzan Hachigatsu"




Official Site
MySpace

Members:
Hisashi Yoshino - Vocals, Guitar
Atsuya Tamori - Drums
Tomokazu Ninomiya - Bass

Albums:
East End Land - 1989
Time Is Running - 1990
For Skins and Punks EP - 1991
Eastern Youth - 1993
Kuchibue Yofuke-ni-Hibiku - 1995
Koritsumuen no Hana - 1997
Tabiji ni Kisetsu ga Moeochiru - 1998
Kumo Inuke Koe - 1999
Kanjusei Outouseyo - 2001
8 Teeth to Eat You - 2002
What Can You See From Your Place - 2003
Don Quijote - 2004
365歩のBlues - 2006
Blowing from the Other Side of the Earth - 2007
Hohaba to Taiyou - 2009

"Kakato Naru"


"Boiling Point 36 Degrees Celsius"


"Natsunohi no Gogo"

Mars Eurythmics

According to Merriam-Webster, "eurythmics" is "the art of harmonious bodily movement especially through expressive timed movements in response to improvised music." Here I thought it was just some cool made up word from the 80s. Now you know.

Anyway, Mars Eurythmics (interpretive dance on Mars?) is a new band formed in 2006 by Masafumi Isobe, the former front man of Husking Bee and Corner. He retains his guitar playing and singing duties in Mars Eurythmics, and in fact the band sounds an awful lot like Husking Bee as well. Much like their listed influence The Pixies, Bad Religion and Foo Fighters, Mars Eurythmics are a loose edged rock band, full of indie spirit and earnest, full-on delivery. They are a bit more upbeat than Husking Bee, mixing strong melodies with jangling guitar riffs and straight forward drumming. There are absolutely no frills here. It's Masafumi's voice that takes center stage, driving the band and really making the songs, well, songs. He always sounds just on the brink of cracking, and in fact does a few times, which also adds to the late night at the club, last leg of the tour feel. Sort of like a happy Eastern Youth. While only a year old, Mars Eurythmics sounds like a band that's been around the block more than a few times, which, in fact, they have.


Official Site
MySpace

Members
MASAFUMI ISOBE - Vocal / Guitar　
ETSUSHI ITO - Guitar
MAKOTO KAWABE - Bass
YUKI TOSA - Drums

Major Releases
The Blend of A Cabanon (2007/10/10)
Range Over Hill and Dale (2007/5/23）