ONE TIMES ONE - SWEET J.A.P. "VIRGIN VIBE " CD/LP
First of all, everyone needs to know how much I love Japanese rock'n'roll. I love it more than a lot of American rock'n'roll. For a while there it seemed like there were tons of American rock'n'roll influenced Japanese bands that were seriously kicking a lot of ass. I call to mind bands like Teengenerate and Guitar Wolf who to me represent a giant influence (way more so than the Makers, those dudes are way too slick) of a lot of trash-shit rock that was so popular a couple of years back, but enough about that. I got the Sweet J.A.P. record a few weeks back and I’m in love with it. They definitely aren’t Teengenerate or Guitar Wolf, but they’re still just as much fun and I would probably kill to see them live. These guys hail from Minnesota I guess, info is still kinda sketchy on them, and I’m pretty sure they’re Japanese, but these guys are on Big Neck records (one of my favorite labels) so hopefully they’ll get good distro and a few more people besides me will listen to these guys. the good thing about these guys is that they don’t rely on the hash and rehashed version of punk or rock'n'roll to get down, I’m gonna be honest about this, they do some fun things with their changes and they’re a pretty tight band, which isn’t always the case for their peers, but it works for these guys, so what I guess I’m saying is, they’re pretty innovative (I shy away from saying original), yet they still nod to their predecessors, which is ALWAYS a plus for me, I hate it when a band gets so caught up with themselves that they can’t admit they have influences while they rip off their influences. So I guess what I’m saying again is these guys have definitely been influenced, they know it and they acknowledge it. Let's be honest here, not many bands do that. My only problem with the record is how many songs there could have been on the record. When you think that the entire album is under twenty-five minutes, they could have easily doubled the number of songs on the record. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to hear these guys, but I want to hear more. Oh well, chalk it up to me being a dreamer. So I don’t always know what these guys are saying, but I sure do like them. They do the shout back thing that is so much fun at shows when you know the song, and they do count downs and yell “go” a lot. You can’t ask any more from a band really. They aren’t too lovey-dovey and for hell’s sake they’re Japanese. "Den Den Den" is a ripping first track, "Oh My Pretty Face" is probably the closest they come to a love song, but I think Sho is singing about himself (that’s the con of not being able to understand these guys), I really can’t tell. "Hong Kong Express" blazes away and "R.E.F." is probably my favorite track on this record. If I wanted to give people and idea of what these guys sound like, I would let them listen to this song; it’s probably the catchiest, and toughest, without any kitsch. So yeah, if you’re interested in Japanese rocknroll at all, I would seriously check this record out. And even if you’re not, check it out anyways because you probably don’t have enough real rock'n'roll to begin with.
SMASHING TRANSISTORS - SWEET J.A.P. "VIRGIN VIBE " CD/LP
I'm always amazed how the Japanese take Western pop culture and turn it on it's ear. Now wonder what it's like for them to live in the US (Minnesota to be exact) and be totally immersed in it. The J.A.P. stands for Japanese American Princess though there's no girls in the band. I doubt a traditional Japanese father wouldn't let their daughter date these guys. They've been exposed to the lazy American life of drive-thru's, used record stores, over the counter trucker speed and 24 hour cartoon channels. It's hard to wipe that out of one's conciousness. Luckily, most rock-n-rollers don't think like traditional Japanese fathers so we can let the music blast. AND BLAST IS ONE THING SWEET J.A.P. DO! The songs are at a chop-chop velocity yet they still take the time to craft a catchy melody into each and every one. It got me thinking Registrators if they would've got turned on to drinking countless cans of Red Bull instead listening to the Vapors and the latter Undertones albums.
I don't know when exactly when the single was recorded but whether it was before or after the album it doesn't really matter cuz it's just as good as anything on it. On the other side, the Kill-A-Watts turn out their usual spazz action. If your a big Kill-A-Watts fan like me you are always gonna find picking up anything by them worthy of your entertainment dollar and their song "1977 Sunglasses" is so blazing hot it burns your internal organs!
PSYCHOTIC REACTION e-ZINE - SWEET J.A.P. "VIRGIN VIBE " CD/LP
Ugh, what an ugly name... probably for them mean anything i don't know. But if any of the members read this review, change the name!!! Now the real review!!! Like i read in another review on Big Neck when all the japanese bands are turning into pop punk/power pop directions this guys stop in the age of the good japanese garage punk when Teengenerate where the kings of the world and Registrators the seconds... fuckin good boy!!! They don't do nothing new but i haven't problems! There aren't lots of things like this now! This is fun, fast, catchy... and that type of things that have this type of records. I prefer to hear this album before "the next big thing" like the Ponys (yes boy, i'm stupid... i don't like them!!) or before the new-cool-wave-fashion band... i'm a close minded boy! I like this!!! I don't understand what the hell they are talking but i don't care!!! If i care about this things Teengenerate don't be my fav band ever!!! I like it, isn't the record of my live but they rock my body!!!
CAUSTIC TRUTHS - SWEET J.A.P. "VIRGIN VIBE " CD/LP
This is satisfying as uncensored porn from Japan. Short, fast, Japanese amphetamine influenced punk rock with a rock n roll influence. Add a touch of "1-2-3-4!" stripped down punk, a tad of garage, some buzz saw guitars, rabid drumming and you get the picture. The only thing I would improve on is to add a girl to the band, say Yuki Hitomi, but that's just my fantasies talking.
ROCK-N-ROLL PURGATORY - SWEET J.A.P. "VIRGIN VIBE " CD/LP
I love everything that Big Neck Records has sent me so much that I want to send them a perfumed thank you letter with naked pictures of myself, but then that's more of a disgusting gesture than one of gratitude. I think these guys are from Minneapolis and play punk rock the way I've always wanted to hear it, only more so. I have no frame of reference for band comparisons, but I imagine if you like punk rock at all, you'll love this.
RAZORCAKE - SWEET J.A.P. "VIRGIN VIBE " CD/LP
An assault, in the best possible sense. I had a chance to see these guys live in Minneapolis and I was amazed that they could play so fast, so frenetic, and actually play their songs note for note. That impressed me much more than any prodigy playing the violin or piano, because, really could those dandies play so well with beer being thrown at them? Could they do it surrounded by a churning crowd? No, of course not. Sweet J.A.P. (three of them a Japanese, thus the play on words) take the banner placed in America's ass by Teengenerate and kept there by Registrators. In other words, they play garage rock that is too fast and chaotic for the garage purists, and punk rock that's too tightly played for the punk purists, but perfect for those of us who like to flat-out rock out without worrying about what holes to fill. I had a hypothesis that if a Japanese band was to continually kick our asses at our own game, they'd have to cross an ocean before shaming us. (figuring fresh sushi, sleeping on mats, and advances in technology would always give them the edge.) Nope, these guys have resided in Minnesota long enough for American culture to make them slow, cheese-fat, and complacent. Twelve Songs. They go off like a dozen bottle rockets lit in your back pocket. If you can't wiggle or scream along when they sizzle to life, you've either got iron underwear or no molecules in your brain with an appreciation for fast music. Spectacular!
UP YOURS - SWEET J.A.P. "VIRGIN VIBE " CD/LP
With a band name like Sweet Japanese American Princesses you're much more likely to expect some dance theatre performance group band getting fronted with a Japanese punkrock unit operating from The Midwest. Sweet J.A.P. (as this band is also known) is a bunch of relocated to Minneapolis, MN, Japanese students, who share a common interest or addiction for punkrock and r-n-roll underground music. Guitars and backing vocalist Hideo has his very own Nice'n'Neat Records (both a small labeland also a distribution) where he put out the first Sweet J.A.P. 7" (one a split with their Texas buddies The Reds). "Virgin Vibe" is the first LP/CD and contains some very well done buzzing punkers burning deep into ones skin and brains leaving scars and traces. An impact which is maybe due to the shared ferocity Sweet J.A.P. seems to embody on records as well as performing live. Sweet J.A.P. may be operating from the U.S. but is fully drenched with the same stench like The Registrators, The Havenots, Tonight, The Gimmies, Teengenerate,… No wonder this was originally released as Japan only ouput by Tokyo's 1+2 Records. Thanks to the band being familiar with the actual whereabouts of several U.S. punkrock labels, the demo tracks also ended up in Big Neck Records headquarters, who owed it to their loyal fanbase to release this album also. 12 pure, up tempo launched and loosely fired, but extremely essential blisters that won't take long to grab you, hold you, and get you addicted as well. "Virgin Vibe" is the name of the game and SWEET J.A.P. are the folks delivering the goodies right through your speakers.
AMP(AMERICAN MUSIC PRESS) - SWEET J.A.P. "VIRGIN VIBE " CD/LP
Originally released on Japan's 1+2 Records late last year, the fab Big Neck label gives us yanks the debut album by the best Japanese band from Minneapolis (don't ask). But yeah, I've said it before and I'll say it again: this band rules the school. While so many great Japanese bands tend to go powerpop and new wave, Sweet J.A.P. continue in the fine tradition of The Registrators, keeping things loud, spazzy, buzzy and 100%. At times they even out bash some of the greats. You need all their records (see also their split 7" EP with THE KILL-A-WATTS this month). Start now!!!!
GO METRIC - SWEET J.A.P. "VIRGIN VIBE " CD/LP
My tastes in music are leaning toward shorter, faster, and dumber, so liking Virgin Vibe is as easy as reviewing it: think Registrators and Teengenerate - spazzy, punk pop from Japan. Yes Please!
HORIZONTAL ACTION - SWEET J.A.P. "VIRGIN VIBE " CD/LP
This band is the real fucking deal!! Hightest reccomendation. Unbelievable live. They have blown me off the stage everytime I play with them. High energy punk rock that still has hooks. The most underrated band today. I hope that this record changes all of that. I wish they would rule over all of us forgin' devils.
BLANKGENERATION - SWEET J.A.P. "VIRGIN VIBE " CD/LP
It took almost a year, but finally this album has come out domestically!!! There has been a lot written about this record so far, and with good reason. Since I'm a Minnesotan by birth (certainly not by choice!) I've been down with these boys for some time now, but even I was surprised by how well this album captures the bombastic blitzkrieg that is Sweet J.A.P live. In fact it replicates the energy of their live show so well that you can almost picture Sho contorting around like a madman and Takashi falling off the stage while you bop around your room to it! If I had bothered to make a top ten for 2003, this surely would have been in the top five. Also, after seeing a ton of bands in Japan last winter, I can safely say that even in their native country, Sweet J.A.P would be one of the finest bands around. It should go with out saying then that they trounce just about all comers here in the States. I know this comparison is pretty cliché at this point, but if you take the early Registrators, put em on amphetamines and give em chainsaws instead of guitars and you might come up with something not to far away from Sweet J.A.P. If by some chance you haven't heard these boys before now is the time to get on board before they become huge.
CYCLOPS ONLINE ZINE - SWEET J.A.P. "VIRGIN VIBE " CD/LP
"Virgin Vibe" is the debut release from Sweet Japanese American Princesses and a great find for Big Neck Records. "Virgin Vibe" was released in Japan on 1+2 Records and now Big Neck Records is releasing it for the rest of us. Sweet JAP are a Japanese punk band; think Guitar Wolf or Teengenerate. These guys play wild punk rock, with crazed vocals in broken English, have cool hooks and are loud. The album kicks off with "Den De Den." It is a ferocious song with great backing vocals. This is a great start and pulls you into the world of Sweet JAP. The lead guitar on "Ikuze" is absolutely killer. No idea what he hell the singer is yelling about. "Can't Stop Love Go" is a little slower and has a great melody. "Oh My Pretty Face" has a great catchy chorus. You'll be singing along in a bad Japanese accent. I know I do. Great song. On "Hong Kong Express" Sweet JAP sounds their most Guitar Wolf-like. It's heavy, blazing fast and has scream your guts out vocals. I love the drum intro and blazing riff on "Denki Me." "Shake It Up All Night" ends the record in fine style. This is a catchy rock and roller with another sing-along melody. Rock and Roll transcends all language barriers. Sweep JAP is a great punk rock band and will kick your ass. Get "Virgin Vibe!"
GARBAGE DUMP FANZINE - SWEET J.A.P. "VIRGIN VIBE" CD/LP
Japanese punk-rock lovers, this one is for you. Well, actually these are some japanese boys living in Minnesota, but I can assure you won't catch the difference. SWEET JAP were already familiar to me for a split 7" with DAS BOOT I got some time ago, but I must say this first full-lenght is a real better surprise: tight rhythms, japamerican vocal style and a sound that put to shame all of the latest RIP-OFF Records bands... this CD is the american edition of a debut they just had out in Japan on 1 + 2 Records, and thanks to BIG NECK you'll be able to catch the substance. With a sound a bit less lo-fi than TEENGENERATE or early GUITAR WOLF (extra points in my book) SWEET JAP blast 12 songs in twenty minutes, frenzied rock'n'roll shakers in the best tradition of three chord fuzzy japan punk rock, maybe a bit more melodic here and there, but always in a fucked up way, like spinning at 78 rpm your old power pop 7"s... If I was you, I'd look for it right now!!!
