ROCKABILLY ROUNDUP PART 1: BLUE ANGEL

 ROCKABILLY ROUNDUP: BLUE ANGEL

 

BRIEF HISTORY LESSON:

There have been numerous styles and subcultures to come out of Japan. Some have reached the mainstream West, like Gyaru or Visual Kei. And others have stayed in relative obscurity.

Rockabilly in the United States dates back to the 1950s, when (mostly) Caucasian singers and artists from the South performed rock n' roll music (literally, hillbilly rock n' roll. Rockabilly!) Mixing already existing African-American music styles like rock n' roll with country music styles, it was bound to become a hit with listeners. Gradually transcending beyond the racial boundaries set by society at this time.

But the Far East combines things and takes culture on its own terms. The term rock n' roll was first recognized in Japan, with Chiemi Eri's 1955 cover of 'Rock Around The Clock.' Rockabilly was properly introduced to the Japanese people in June of 1956 with the group 'Kazuya Kosaka & The Wagon Masters.' With a cover of Presley's 'Heartbreak Hotel' being performed. Though during that time, they were still considered to be in the genre of rock n' roll.

Kazuya Kosaka

Allegedly, the term "rockabilly" in Japan was coined by one 'Takatada Ihara.' He was the director of Nippon Television and devised a strategy to differentiate upcoming stars like Mickey Curtis, Hirao Masaaki, and Yamashita Keijiro from existing rock n' roll singers like the Wagon Masters. This was used to promote the Nichigeki Western Carnival. Journalists at this time labeled these three as the 'Three Rockabilly Guys.' The event was planned by Misa Watanabe, who sensed that a second rock and roll boom was coming from a new generation of artists. This was a substantial event, as this was the first documented performance where rockabilly artists played in a large venue. It's reported that concertgoers loudly shouted. They shouted so loudly that it blocked out the music actually being performed. People in attendance threw a various display of things onto the stage, including undergarments. The Nichigeki Western Carnival was, needless to say, a massive success, causing rockabilly to come into Japan's mainstream.

Mickey Curtis

Before this event, rockabilly music was heard in the years when Japan's occupation was still ongoing, from the servicemen… it spread to rowdy postwar urban youth. Post-war Japan's economy grew exponentially in the years after the Second World War. Artists that attempted to appear at US service bases diminished, as gigs were difficult to attain. and eventually the occupation ended in 1952. With nowhere to go to perform their music, brave musicians started to find other venues to produce and sing. Jazz coffeehouses were nightclubs that could seat crowds of patrons, and the youth flocked to the 'Jazz Kissa.'

The Japanese people of the time had little understanding of ACTUAL rockabilly culture, as stated beforehand. But with the little knowledge they had of the music, people, fashion, and dancing, they had made it their own. Years later, as times moved on, the music began to die off, and sales started to dwindle. Leaving rockabilly in the past.

SUMMARIZED SOURCES

https://allabout.co.jp/gm/gc/422444/

https://blog.iias.asia/pop-pacific/bedlam-nichigeki-theater-japanese-rokabiri-rockabilly-craze-1958 

 

NOW, AFTER THE UNNECESSARILY LONG HISTORY LESSON:

A rockabilly resurgence was bound to happen, at some point! Groups in Japan like the COOLS ROCKABILLY CLUB and CAROL (I'll write about them later) rocked stages and LPs! The subculture was reformed, and places like Harajuku Hokoten (pedestrian paradises) flourished with twisting rockabilly souls.

Blue Angel was formed in 1985 by staff that worked at the Pink Dragon rockabilly store in Shibuya (that sells brands like Cream Soda.) The main vocalist of the group is Akiko Urae. They had changed members numerous times after debuting again with a single 'Virgin Love.'

 

Today, we're focusing on the titular self-titled album 'Blue Angel.'

 

The first track titled 'Go Cat Go' isn't anything to write home about (The title is obviously a reference to Elvis, and his blue suede shoes.. but that's besides the point!) Although, one thing is evident throughout listening. Urae's voice is unique, flavorful, and fun to sing along and dance to. The twang of the double bass fills your ears as you enter the sound that makes up this four-piece band, with this introductory track.

 

 By the second track 'Rock'a Billy Night' you might already be bobbing up and down to these catchy melodies! Urae and her crew of rockabilly enthusiasts don't disappoint in that department whatsoever! 

I've sung my praises enough, and you might as-well listen to the album yourself! My only complaint..? I wish the songs were longer.

The standout track is the album's finale 'Kiss Kiss Fall In Love.' The chorus is unforgettable, and the drums have a certain kick to them! Don't forget that wondrous bass!

 

キス！キス！！ Fall in Love!!　君の 

 

Thank you for reading. If anything was inaccurate, or wrong.. please contact me. -J.M

    

 

CRUSHED BAGS

CRUSHED BAGS OF TSUPPARI

Fads and trends come and go. As society's view of certain things changes throughout time, these fads will become 'outdated' and 'outclassed.' 

The country of Japan has it's fair share of trends that have long since been forgotten, or surpassed by more newer, modern things.

The 'Tsuppari' or 'Yankii' culture is now more commonly seen on dramatic TV show dramas or emotional manga stories.. But back in the stages of Late Showa (1980-1989) rambunctious teenage youth admired becoming hard, toughened delinquents. Mangas like Be-Bop Highschool and High Teen Boogie glorified this lifestyle to a tee.

 

BE-BOP HIGHSCHOOL

HIGH TEEN BOOGIE

 

 But where do commonly-issued leather school bags of the time come into play? 

With many fads, you follow certain outlines and instructions given by other people, or follow the crowd, because it's cool! It was popular in those days to boil your leather school bag in water, crushing it from 10-15cm to a 5cm total. Students thought it was 'tacky' or 'uncool' to have a big, packed bag full of school supplies and books. If it wasn't thin, it was tacky. 

Below are pictures I have taken of a 'crushed' school bag I obtained. Stickers included.

 

When laid down flat, the 'crush' can be seen!

It's an interesting sight. If you were walking down the street with one of these, you'd be the talk of the town!

 

Standing up

 

Many students would adorn their bags with embroidery, or in this case.. stickers!

 

Yoko Minamino from the series "Sukeban Deka"

BLACK "FOR THE ROCK GENERATION"

 

Kyoko Koizumi and Yoko Minamino

Kanji

 

All and all.. For the time, this was something viewed as extraordinary, breakout! But nowadays, it's seen as 'tacky.' Just like how the students from those days would see bigger, thick bags. Yankii culture has since vanished, and more stories and books are written about them today, instead of people partaking in the culture itself. There are a few holdouts, and people still learn and reminiscence in the current age.

Thank you for reading. -J.M