For a country with an immense impact on American pop culture (videogames, electronics, animation, monster movies), Japan has had almost zero success in exporting pop music to the USA. The average listener is probably more familiar with artists from Germany (Kraftwerk, Scorpions, Falco, Nena) or Iceland (Bjork, Of Monsters and Men, Sigur Ros) than from the Far East (Shonen Knife?).
Many Western acts have found success touring Asia (who can forget Cheap Trick at Budokan?), but for whatever reason, the musical trade winds don't seem to blow east across the Pacific (except from Australia, but that's Oceania; different climactic forces at play).
But none of that means that Asian musicians can't rock. On a recent trip to Japan, Jim Lenahan, co-host of USA TODAY's Dad Rock podcast, discovered quite a few bands that immediately became some of his favorites. Jim also traveled to The Philippines and brought back a couple of recommendations for music from Manila.
Overall, the styles range from modern indie rock to '60s-influenced pop to breezy beach music to synthpop to punk. Please join Dad Rock on this musical journey.
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More about the bands in this episode:
The Havenot's / The Bored
The two Japanese indie bands recently released a split 7-inch on Star Jets Records, with two songs per band. The Havenot's, a power trio that has been playing since 1994, has a sound reminiscent of Guided By Voices. The Bored sound more like the Replacements.
DYGL
This Tokyo indie quartet (pronouced "dayglo") just released its first official EP, Don't Know Where it Is, recorded in Los Angeles. DYGL's dynamic sound is similar to that of Britain's Arctic Monkeys.
The Pen Friend Club
Talk about American influence. The members of this Tokyo seven-piece wear their love of Phil Spector and Brian Wilson pop on their groovy retro sleeves. The Pen Friend Club plays wall-of-sound originals as well as a few choice classic covers on its three albums.
Never Young Beach
This Japanese indie band favors more of a laid-back, breezy style, with some pretty intricate arrangements. Never Young Beach released album Yashinoki House last year, and a follow-up, fam fam, this year.
The Blue Hearts
One of the most popular alternative bands in Japan, The Blue Hearts recently released a retrospective of their 30-year career, called All-Time Memorials — Super Selected Songs. It features Linda Linda, a 1987 tune that has been covered by some American artists.
Up Dharma Down
This synthpop band from Manila has a laid-back sound that is popular in the tropical nation of The Philippines. Up Dharma Down has released three albums, the latest being 2012's Capacities, but has a new single out called All the Good Things, an ode to Singapore.
Flying Ipis
At the other end of the rock spectrum is The Philippines' Flying Ipis, a hard-edged, provocative punk band reminiscent of the riot grrrl acts (Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney) of the Pacific Northwest.
Music featured in this episode:
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