Japan Invasion!

I am fascinated with Japan. The traditions and customs, their strange obsession with all things American Pop Culture, the game shows, the vending machines, and yes, the square watermelons. There are quite a few bands out of Japan that cite the US music scene as inspiration, and here are a couple:

JinnyOops!

Normally, I don't dig all-girl bands. These ladies are an exception.



JinnyOops! on myspace

Okamoto's

This quartet proudly boasts that they want to fill the boots left behind by the Ramones. They've even gone so far as to adopt an identical surname- Okamoto, of course. Whether or not Okamoto's is Japan's answer to the Ramones remains to be seen, but their unique sound of early 70's-inspired rock is fun to listen to.



Okamoto's on myspace

BRAHMS

This NYC band has only been together a short time, but they've made a big impact on the music scene with their fun electro-pop. Their first show was in front of an audience of 2000 people, and they scored an invite to SXSW this year.

Unfortunately, as is the case with many new bands, music is hard to come by on the web. You can find them on their website and myspace, or you can check out the live video below, courtesy of BIG LIVE.

BRAHMS from Big Live on Vimeo.

MUSE live at SXSW

It's no secret that MUSE is probably my favorite band ever, and finally seeing them live last December just cemented that. These guys are incredibly talented of course, but there's just nothing better than having every one of your ridiculously high expectations exceeded at a live show. I'll be seeing them again in 19 days when they roll through Phoenix, and here's a little something to keep the anticipation up.

MUSE live from SXSW, via myspace.


Muse - Live from South By Southwest 2010

MUSE | MySpace Music Videos

SXSW picks, day eight

We have more great bands from SXSW today and you win, because I couldn't narrow it down to 5. Enjoy! 

After the jump: Master Shortie, The 88, Jonna Lee, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Maverick Sabre, The Boxer Rebellion, and Instrumenti.

Gavin Castleton, What the Hell are You?

Gavin Castleton. I discovered him while listening to artists at the last SXSW. And I can't seem to figure this guy out. His latest album is love gone bad/zombie movie. His tweets are a continuing story: twitter/gavincastleton
His music is indefinable. I really don't know what to make of it. I like it. A lot. But what the hell is it? Not that music necessarily has to be defined in a genre, but, I really would like to know what the hell is going on.
His latest album, Home, is described as "an album about the process of healing from massive heartbreak. Written over the course of a two- year breakup, this 14-song narrative blurs the line between fact and fiction as it details the extreme highs and gut-wrenching lows of Castleton’s first bout with love, presented in the motif of a zombie film."

Here is one of the songs, “Coffeelocks” a "50’s doo-wop/dub pop of - a love at first sight introduction in the coffee shop"



Listen to his entire new album HOME here: http://www.gavincastleton.com/

I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks about it.

SXSW picks, day seven

It's day two of the SXSW festival in Austin, and the Beards picks continue. Here are some highlights from today's performances.

After the jump: Avi Buffalo, Tigersapien, Le Loup, These United States, and Horse Feathers.

SXSW picks, day six

Today marks the official start of the music festivities at SXSW. While we can't be there to document all of the great music in person, the picks continue.

Check out today's selections after the jump: Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly., Hyperpotamus, Jill Barber, Surfer Blood, and Miles Kurosky.

SXSW picks, day five

The annual SXSW festival in Austin, TX starts tomorrow. We here at Beards would love to be there but alas, the magic ticket fairy didn't visit us this year. Fortunately, The SXSW website has a complete list of performers, so we'll be bringing you our picks over the next couple weeks.

Check out today's picks after the jump:

New Holy Fuck song! "Latin America"

Yes, it's completely badass and chair-danceable if you're stuck in the office. No, the embed code does not want to behave itself so instead, please have this delightful link:

http://holyfuckmusic.com/

Enjoy or die~!

"Kings of the basement party jam"

Straight outta Philly is Chiddy Bang, who some bloggers say is a "hipsters wet dream". Combining hip-hop and electronica with samples from MGMT, Passion Pit, even Mary Poppins, Chiddy Bang is the self-proclaimed "Kings of the basement party jam".


Opposite Of Adults (HD)

Chiddy Bang | MySpace Music Videos

Their story is as great as their music: http://my.sxsw.com/events/eid/11148

SXSW picks, day four

The annual SXSW festival in Austin, TX starts next week. We here at Beards would love to be there but alas, the magic ticket fairy didn't visit us this year. Fortunately, The SXSW website has a complete list of performers, so we'll be bringing you our picks over the next couple weeks.

Check out today's picks after the jump: Kaiser Cartel, Lost in Holland, Nico Stai, Suzanna Choffel, The Young Republic

SXSW picks, day three

The annual SXSW festival in Austin, TX starts next week. We here at Beards would love to be there but alas, the magic ticket fairy didn't visit us this year. Fortunately, The SXSW website has a complete list of performers, so we'll be bringing you our picks over the next couple weeks. 

Check out today's picks after the jump: Choir of Young Believers, Monarchs, More or Les, The Hounds Below, The Minutes

SXSW picks, day two

The annual SXSW festival in Austin, TX starts next week. We here at Beards would love to be there but alas, the magic ticket fairy didn't visit us this year. Fortunately, The SXSW website has a complete list of performers, so we'll be bringing you our picks over the next couple weeks. 

Check out today's picks after the jump: Doll and the Kicks, L. Stadt, The Black and White Years, The Howlies, The Pharmacy, The Uglysuit

SXSW picks, day one

The annual SXSW festival in Austin, TX starts next week. We here at Beards would love to be there but alas, the magic ticket fairy didn't visit us this year. Fortunately, The SXSW website has a complete list of performers, so we'll be bringing you our picks over the next couple weeks.


Check out today's picks after the jump: Diamond Rings, Jason Collett, Jenny Owen Youngs, Miz Metro, The Dirty Hearts