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I must confess to having a healthy obsession with Japanese rock n roll bands. Ever since I was a youngster growing up in Los Angeles I was always procuring strange and interesting tunes from our friends in the Far East. There was something compelling about these mad bands with names like Teengenerate, the Registrators, 5,6,7,8's, Melt Banana and Cibo Matto. Somehow these kids had managed to create music that was equal parts artistic expression and pure unbridled fun, they seemed so much more imaginative than the shoe gazing-types that were plying their trade in my local area. I was totally hooked. Flash forward to London in 2004, and it seems that a five-piece band from Norwich called Hyperkinako has captured the spirit and freedom of Japanese rock n roll that caught my attention ten years ago.
Arriving on stage it is clear that Hyperkinako are not your average five-piece rock band. While they contain all of the normal elements, vocalist, guitarist, bassist and drummer, they augment their line-up with a computer laptop-assisted member who controls samples and tweaks various sounds. The best analogy would be to say that he is Hyperkinako's answer to Brian Eno. Starting their set with little fanfare I must admit that I was completely blown away by the sound they produced. It would be very difficult to sum it up in simple comparisons, but if you could imagine Erase Errata or other similar no-wavers doing cartoon theme tunes you'd probably get the idea.
The songs are short and perfect, with 'Tokyo Invention Registration Office' and 'Car and Kettle' standing out as personal favourites in the set. I have not been able to get the chorus of the former out of my head since seeing them on Friday, causing embarrassed stares from fellow passengers as I sing 'T-O-K-Y-O' on the bus into town. That is the nature of Hyperkinako's appeal, the songs are infectious and fun, even though like me you probably won't understand the Japanese lyrics, and seeing them performed is uplifting. They seem to be the perfect antidote to a bad day at the office.
Judging by the scrum for their demo after the set ended, we should be seeing a lot more from Hyperkinako. I will definitely be looking out for their next show in London, as I cannot remember the last time I had as much fun at a gig.
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