Psychobilly Around The World 5 (Japan Part 2)

I got so amped up at a show yesterday. I needed to put my energy into something, so I wrote a little more for my band and for this blog (soon to be zine?????). I love every aspect of the Japan billy scene, and youll see, by the end of it, I give you a little taste of the rockabilly end of things (which I will end up talking about, its just as rockin!). I really loved revisiting some of these albums that I kind of left as I discovered more and more in the world and listening to familiar favorites. 

All of this stuff is on YouTube (especially if youre looking for Ane-Kubi Manelai), so it's really accessible to check out and bump at your leisure! Enough yapping, more reviews:

4. Ane-Kubi Manelai- Aige Im Theeee…Moody! (2008, Ane-Kubi)

This album definitely delivers the grime that some psychobilly is missing. Playing in fields and bars alike, there’s no doubt they’ll blow the stage away with a moshing fury. Ane-Kubi has all the mile-high quifs and slapping bass one could want out of any psychobilly, but the low rasp of the vocalist sends it over the edge. How can anyone else compete? I think the guitar tone is something a little different from the usual fare as well. The mild flanging (if that’s what you’d like to call it) on tracks like “Sound Family-Ya” really adds a feral bite matching the energy of the vox mentioned earlier. These are wild rockers and you may not be ready for them, so watch out, they bite!

5.Great Inavders- Henshin Cyborg (2010, Power Bomb Records)

I know looks never equate to music, but these guys might match up to Ane-Kubi in terms of hair prowess (seriously this Dog is impressed!). Anyways, onto the music. This is their first outing as a band and it really has a more metal take on the genre than I’m used to personally. But it is a welcome surprise. The wild death metal chug of the vox pairs great with the insane riffs, all led up to be some kind of sludge intro hooking you right in. Songs like “Zombie Rock” can go 3 beats per minute and you’re still up and ready. The 4^th track has some really interesting as well, I really enjoy the full kick in the production. Even though I’m pinning this as a very metalcore psychobilly White Zombie-esque take, it's still psycho to the core and filled with all the love in the world.

6. Hot Dog Buddy Buddy- First Feelings (2018, Jukebox Cannonball Records)

With a name based off a Bill Haley tune, you know these guys have to be good. Leaning a little more into the neo-rockabilly sphere, Hot Dog Buddy Buddy manages every camp perfectly, with tracks like “Go!Go!Rockabilly World” in the rocka- camp and “Shout” and “Guitarmen” backing the psycho team. I love the versatility of this band that, obviously, has so many influences. No matter what track you bump each is a mover to say the least. If you’re looking for a taste of the rockabilly scene without diving head first, these guys are a good modern start with a fun mix of new-ones and palate cleansers. This album never misses (as a fan of all -billy), so broaden your horizons, its not just psychos doing it right!

That's all for this double-dogwolf-death barage of psychobilly reviews. Feel free to interact if you've gotten a kick out of any of these and see you around :3