Song of the Day: “Action” by CHAI

Posted on 01/26/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged CHAI, Japan, post-punk, Song of the Day.

CHAI (Photo by Kodai Ikemitsu)

Japanese quartet CHAI are thrilled to announce their new album, WINK, out May 21st on Sub Pop. Ahead of its release, they present lead single/video “ACTION.”

Live Review: DRUM TAO @ Strathmore Music Center — 2/7/20

Posted on 02/11/2020 by shedrick pelt in Live Review and tagged Drum Tao, drums, Japan, Strathmore, Strathmore Music Center, Tao.

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.

Snapshots: Babymetal @ The Anthem — 9/8/19

Posted on 09/16/2019 by paivi in Live Review and tagged Babymetal, heavy metal, J-pop, Japan, kawaii metal, The Anthem.

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!

Preview: Babymetal @ The Anthem — 9/8/19

Posted on 09/04/2019 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Babymetal, heavy metal, J-pop, Japan, kawaii metal, The Anthem.

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!

The Best Japanese Bands to Ever Play in Washington DC

Posted on 07/26/2019 by Parklifer in Live Review and tagged 9:30 Club, Acid Mothers Temple, Black Cat, electronic, Japan, psychedelic, synthpop, The Bayou, Yellow Magic Orchestra.

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.

Live Review: Damaged City Festival @ Black Cat — 4/11- 4/14/19

Posted on 04/19/2019 by mdxpc in Live Review and tagged Black Cat, Coke Bust, Colombia, Damaged City, Damaged City Fest, Haram, Japan, Low Vision, music festival, punk, Raw Brigade, straight edge.

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.

Live Review: CHAI @ Union Stage — 3/18/19

Posted on 03/22/2019 by Brenda Reyes in Live Review and tagged CHAI, Japan, punk, Union Stage.

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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Ticket Giveaway: Shonen Knife @ Black Cat, 9/3/18

Posted on 08/21/2018 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review and tagged Black Cat, cuddlecore, free tickets, Japan, Naoko Yamano, Osaka, pop-punk, post-punk, punk, Shonen Knife, ticket giveaway.

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.

Music Park: Shonen Knife @ Black Cat — 4/30/17

Posted on 05/03/2017 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review and tagged Black Cat, cuddlecore, Haikan, Izakaya Seki, Japan, Naoko Yamano, Osaka, pop-punk, post-punk, ramen, Shonen Knife.

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.

Interview: Naoko Yamano of Shonen Knife (@ Black Cat, 4/30/17)

Posted on 04/11/2017 by Mickey McCarter in Interview, Live Review and tagged Black Cat, cuddlecore, Interview, Izakaya Seki, Japan, Naoko Yamano, Osaka, pop-punk, post-punk, ramen, Shonen Knife.

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.