Random
Source Code
Random
Formed in 2002 by Australian Japanese punk rock band, Inari, Machikara consisted of Machiko (guitar and vocals), Chisato (guitar and vocals), Eri (bass and vocals), and Hanako (drums).
Played mainly Shonen Knife / Ramones style pop punk in short bursts of pure energy. Directly influenced by Inari in terms of song structure and riff compositioning, but began to create their own structure. Machikara originally used Inari's guitar, bass and drum rigs when playing at the same location, but later went on to preserve this sound in independent concerts. Therefore the actual 'sound' of their instruments is identical to Inari's and some criticize them for copying.
Eventually outgrew Inari in general popularity and played in over a dozen different public concerts in 2002, and headlined kick up the dust in 2003 and guest featured at dancekool 2003 in front of thousands.
After Inari lost their drummer, Machikara often featured remaining members, TAKU and TJF, in their performances. Some speculate that this led to the formation of NRE, without Chisato, who left for unknown reasons.
Yoko's Review: Don't get me wrong, Machikara was a great band and had some nice songs such as 'Punk girl f*' and 'TRICK', but was eventually just a female version of Inari. They obviously tried very hard to compose their songs and in some cases their compositioning is theoretically superior to Inari's, but in my opinion they simply lacked the raw energy that the guys of Inari had. Some even go to the extent of likening Machikara to Avril Lavigne in that most of Machikara's popularity sprung from their sk8er boi and girl audience. It was pop punk, but Machiko's real talent isn't seen until NRE. If only Inari and Machikara had been one band from the very beginning.
5👍 1👎
Dates 24 girls but dumps them as soon as he finds a new one. A smoozer to the core, oily as an Asian wok, and white as paper. Calls himself the Asian Girl Carousel (AGC), and tells the girls he dates that it stands for the All German Club. Most notably, he guns you, as in after he's walked all over you, and pretends like everything is still dandy, he'll give you the guns. On good days, he will repeat your name twice. When he is in a hurry, he will get Mitchy with you in a drive-by gun fashion.
"JillJill...!! <pow pow> Howwww's it goin? Yeah? Oh man, I'm so pumped! Let me tell you what, JillJill...I've gotta go do something completely selfish and unhelpful to anyone but myself...see ya 'round, JillJill! <powpow>"
8👍 6👎
Formed in early 2003 by previous Inari members, TAKU (bass) and TJF (guitar, vocals). Features Machikara members, Machiko (guitar, lead vocals), Eri (bass guitar, vocals), and Hanako (drums).
Played mainly 'remixed' versions of old Inari and Machikara songs, but possessed four of their own Japanese punk rock songs written by Machiko and TJF titled, "six past f***ing midnight", "We will never forget", "Sakura" and "Falling".
Their sound is original and experimental, often using guitars to emulate the sound of Japanese instruments such as the koto and shamisen. Machiko's voice sounds the most beautiful, unlike her typical Shonen Knife / Ramones sounding voice in Machikara, and she skilfully emulates a traditional bunraku voice to off beat punk rock. Machiko sings most vocals in NRE, but is accompanied by TJF in songs, "We will never forget" and "Falling".
Quite surprisingly, the music only contains a hint of punk rock, and most of the music seems quite carefully composed and constructed. The guitar riffs show an obvious progression in Machiko and TJF's guitar style and TAKU's bass lines could stand alone on a drum and bass record.
However, NRE only played 2 public concerts at the Sydney Japan Foundation nighttime concert in Sydney during 2003 before slowly disappearing with punk rock band, Oil and NEVERGIVEUP. All members have since returned to Japan, marking the end of Inari, Machikara, and NRE.
Yoko's review: NRE was a good band and it's a shame that they didn't last long at all. I heard 3 of their songs and only just recently heard a recording of 'Falling'. "six past midnight" is a fast song about sneaking out late at night and just fooling around as if the sun would never rise again, and is a fun song with no real meaning. It's their poppiest song and I guess that it would have been the first song NRE wrote together. Then, all of a sudden, "We will never forget", is a hardcore and emotional song about racist sentiment, discrimination, the atomic bomb in Japan and recent murders amongst Japanese school children. It's an incredibly dark song and I can't help but compare it to Inari's "Save the World". The song portrays the image of a young girl dying of radiation sickness who experiences these evils; discrimination because of her looks, violence at school and at home, and exploitation by a westerner. It's disturbing and on second thoughts sickening, but it's not exploitative and instead turns out to be an extremely emotional opinion of modern day society which has been chained down by past evils such as WW2. I admit to crying during the chorus of the song. "Sakura" is another song about a girl, but it's about a girl who uses her beautiful appearance to tease older men and then exploit money from them, much like the 'mutual dating' which has been liberally publicized in the media recently. Like the well known metaphor of the sakura, her beautiful blossoms soon fall, symbolizing her loss of innocence, but her blossoms never grow back. The imagery is almost poetic, yet it's also another very realistic song. Their final song is called "Falling", which almost sarcastically calls for hope in a time of a rapidly declining economy and social system. It references teenage suicide, hikkomori, betrayal and dying sad and lonely, and the song ends in a way which almost indicates that NRE won't last much longer.
Both of their performances were energetic and sincere, and as you can guess, my favorite song is "We will never forget". It's a song which has caused me to bleed so much, yet mature in a way which I would have never anticipated before. NRE belittles Inari and Machikara, and it was a wonderful parting gift from both bands.
NRE I LOVE YOU!
15👍 33👎
Underground Japanese punk rock band formed in 2001 by bassist, TAKU, and guitarist, TJF.
Their music initially began as straight edge hardcore punk rock but eventually faded to more appealing melodic softcore pop punk, with most songs written after 2002 being written in English by frontman, TJF.
Established all-girl pop punk band, Machikara, in 2002, which eventually grew larger than its founding fathers themselves.
Despite losing drummer, HIRO, in early 2003, Inari resurrected old school punk rock to hundreds of Australian Japanese kids.
Eventually evolved into NRE after months of collaboration with Machikara.
Yoko's Review: They usually played for the Japan Foundation in Sydney City locations or at North Sydney and opened most concerts with their energetic punk rock performances of long remembered songs such as "Ochiba (Fallen Leaves)", "Old Yesterday, New Tomorrow", "Save the World", "Remember Me" and "Sabishii". I presonally preferred their old 'hardcore' sound, but I personally think they sold out to all the younger teenagers who preferred their 'pop punk' sound. There was really no need for them to go pop punk because they had formed Machikara which was basically a female version of Inari's pop punk side which usually covered many of Inari's songs anyway. It was good while it lasted. There are still some other good Aussie Japanese indie bands around like A-Bomb, Wrecking Crew, and Oil.
18👍 10👎
Used mostly by Mitch, who <Gets Mitchy>. Is characterized by pointing both index fingers out with thumbs pointing up, in the shape of a gun. Is followed by repeating your name twice.
"PaulPaullll! <powpow>. I'm Mitch the Bitch! <powpow>"
6👍 3👎
The expensive private school of the Thousand Oaks - Westlake area. Good at football and not much else.
Did you see Oaks Christian won the championship again?
4👍 3👎