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DRUM TAO performs at Strathmore Music Center on Feb. 7, 2020. (Photo by Shedrick Pelt)
The drum, a percussion tool sounded by being struck with sticks or the hands, is one of the most recognizable and established instruments in any tribal community. You might say the drum is the heartbeat of the tribe. Those who wield it and those hypnotized by its depth are led to reach into their souls and find peace and harmony in the lowest of its tones.
Babymetal performs at The Anthem on Sept. 8, 2019. (Photo by Paivi Salonen)
Japanese kawaii metal band Babymetal stormed The Anthem recently! The duo of Su-metal and Moametal performed songs from their upcoming record, Metal Galaxy, and everyone had a crazy good time. Paivi was there to shoot the show, but ultimately we had two photos approved. So here they are!
Babymetal (Photo courtesy The Anthem)
Japanese kawaii metal band Babymetal storm The Anthem on Sunday, Sept. 8! The duo of Su-metal and Moametal perform songs from their upcoming record, Metal Galaxy, as well as their previous two albums!
Acid Mothers Temple (Photo courtesy Space Agency)
Washington DC and Japan have a long and colorful history of cultural exchange.
In 1912, Tokyo mayor Yukio Ozaki gifted DC with Japanese cherry trees. Since then, several cultural exchange programs and initiatives have been institutionalized. This solidifying friendship is commemorated yearly via the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Japanese bands have also been performing in the US capital, with some of the country’s best bands performing here. From Japanese rock and heavy metal to the more contemporary Japanese pop or J-pop, Washington DC has bore witness to the changing trends and patterns of Japan’s eclectic music industry. Here are four of the best Japanese bands that already graced the city’s venues.
Damaged City Fest (Photo by Rashad Polk)
For the past seven years as the cherry blossoms along the tidal basin reach their peak, there has been a swelling of excitement within the underground punk scene. With the fragrant blooms comes DC’s Damaged City Fest — the brainchild of Nick Candela and Chris Moore.
Chai performs at Union Stage on March 18, 2019. (Photo by Brenda Reyes)
I caught onto Chai in November 2018 and thought that I had to go really far to see them live, but luckily I only needed to catch the metro to Union Stage. Den-Mate and Haiku Hands started the night off amazingly and hope to see them again very soon. After the openers, the crowd started to chant out C-H-A-I, and I was ready for their set to begin.
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Shonen Knife (Photo courtesy Ticketfly)
Shonen Knife play at the Black Cat on Monday, Sept. 3! You can win tickets to go with Parklife DC.
Shonen Knife perform at Black Cat on Sunday, April 30, 2017.
After missing DC on their perpetual world tours in the past several years, Shonen Knife paid a visit to DC and the Black Cat on Sunday in support of their most recent album, Adventure, their 20th studio album! Pairing their record with the band’s penchant for food-themed fun, founder and lone consistent member Naoko Yamano gave Shonen Knife a mission to eat and promote ramen, and thus hatched the Shonen Knife USA Ramen Adventure 2017.
Shonen Knife (Photo by Vicente Rondon)
Shonen Knife, Osaka’s reigning pop-punk trio, released their 20th studio album, Adventure, in 2016, and they have launched the 2017 USA Ramen Adventure Tour to play some more songs for us Americans. They play locally at Black Cat on Sunday, April 30.
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