The Pillows

Quirky as they come bubblegum rock, think the Pixies meet The Ramones and your not too far off. Over the last 14 years The Pillows have been consistent and progressive in their releases, going from strength to strength and constantly banging out catchy tunes.  A must.  There is also an anime link with The Pillows in that the music from Furi Kuri was mainly taken from their back catalog. 

For more on The Pillows (www.thepillows.co.uk)

Puffy AmiYumi

'Japanese duo Puffy AmiYumi are more than just a chart topping group... much much more. They are, quite simply, a cultural phenomenon'

The Press Release says it all – two TV shows [including an anime] and various sponsorship deals ensure that Puffy AmiYumi can be seen in many a place, about the place. Recently they did the theme tune for the DC Comics spin off animation Teen Titans the show can be seen on Sky Digital’s Toonami.

For more on Puffi AmiYumi (www.puffyamiyumi.com)

Pink Lady

“The 1970s was the golden decade of the idols, packaged pop stars whose every move, every thought seemed to be controlled from behind the scenes and whose real purpose was making money for sponsors and promoters. The level of their success was measured by sales, not only of records but of the various products they endorsed in TV and print commercials. So the more successful they were, the more the public were saturated with their gleaming smiles and choreographed enthusiasm. In most cases this wore thin pretty quickly and a new star was born, or hatched. The perfect case study for this phenomenon was Pink Lady. The bubbly duo of Mii (Nemoto Mitsuyo) and Kei (Masuda Keiko) totally dominated the pop culture scene for five years and then promptly disappeared.” – Japan Zone

In the time before their disappearance Pink Lady was indeed, a force to be reckoned with producing some fantastic pop records.  It’s pretty hard to get hold of Pink Lady records in this day and age but it’s worth it if you can…

Melt Banana

”Ashes always seem to find a place and settle. Out of the old ashes sizzle and scream a new wave and realization simply called MELT-BANANA. A maelstrom of experimental heart surgery, Melt Banana walk on water, they effortlessly juggle all of those sharks that think they're swimming in new, unexplored territories. Here are the imported children of the no waves gone by, a hardcore-informed, audio info overload from Tokyo's ferocious underground. MELT-BANANA sweat out a super-adrenalized, maxi-caffeinated collision of frenzied drum rhythms and torturous guitar squeals through tiny, frantic, hyperrhythmic little songs. Frontwoman Yasuko O.'s ultra-high-pitched screeches and Agata's screaming slide guitar vie for supremacy across a rhythmic frenzy that is so ridiculous and precise, it will crush you with it's brilliance. Here are the cerebral gnashing guitars, the aggravated pep squad proclamations and the neck-snapping rhythm change-ups irresistible to those seeking a new musical truth. MELT-BANANA doesn't sound like anything you've heard. Simply put, they are unclassifiable. If that's not enough for you.... well then, back into your cave Grogar. Tonight’s gonna be chilly. “

Once again the press release says it all – screechy vocals, effect ridden guitars and a tightness other bands can’t even imagine – MELT-BANANA have redefined no-wave.  Now, let them redefine your music collection it’s “rock” with a capital “R-O-C-K”. 

For more on MELT-BANANA click here.