Finding Yokohama Blitz wasn't the least bit difficult tonight. Admittedly, having never been to the venue I was slightly worried about trying to locate it. I looked at a map on the 'net before leaving and it looked pretty close to the station. However, anyone who has ever used a map in Japan knows how deceiving they often can be. Upon arriving at Shintakashima station though I was hit with an overwhelming sense of relief. Surrounded by several huge crowds of Japanese males dressed head to toe in black and sporting a variety of wacky hair styles I realized that I probably wasn't going to need the map. Instead a much safer, and ultimately more effective, method popped into my mind. Follow the parade of dudes.
Within a few short minutes they had led me directly to a large line-up stacked with even more dudes, both young and old, and their lady-friends outside of Blitz. Perhaps heightened by the high level of dudeness in the air, throughout the line you could feel the anticipation for the first show of Jude's Electric Rainbow Tour.Just how excited was the crowd of dolled up spectators? Well, for starters an announcement saying that cameras, cassette recorders, and laser pen lights were prohibited inside the venue that was made about 15 minutes before the band came on was met with a massive cheer. Afterwards, every roadie that ran across the stage to check something was also greeted with applause. A chant of "Jude" erupted from the entirely Japanese audience just prior to the lights being dimmed. A deafening roar arose from the floor as the band sauntered out of the shadows and launched into their opening number under a blistering barrage of flashing lights and smoke. On cue, the crowd started going absolutely fricking nuts. Thousands of limbs flailed wildly as attendees danced, pumped their fists, and supported the crowd surfers above while the trio ripped through their high speed rock attack. |
The band was in fine form as they played cuts from the recently released Electric Rainbow as well selections from their back catalogue. The frenzied crowd sang along to every one of Kenichi Asai's lyrics and applauded his every move. Solid songwriting abilities that mix the harder elements of garage rock and punk with bits of melodic pop has allowed the group to appeal to a large cross section of music fans (which includes, but is not limited to a whole whack of dudes). This coupled with an energetic live show has helped establish Jude, as it did with Asai's previous acclaimed acts, as one of the top bands in Japan.
A superb light show and a noticeable lack of banter kept the night's performance moving at a quick pace. Not wanting to rest on their laurels, the band focused their attention on turning out a constant stream of energetic, tight songs as opposed to simply strutting around and basking in the audience's mass adoration. Looking slightly dudish themselves with their loud, collared shirts all unbuttoned too much and bassist Keiichi Watanabei's sunglasses, the group fit right in with the people they were entertaining. Luckily for them and fans across the country, dudes playing for dudes is a concept that few will ever tire of.Jude will be touring all over Japan over the next few months. For a night of strong music and awesome dude anthems make sure you check them out. Later dude! |
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report by shawn and photos by sama |
 mag files : JUDE All The Young Dudes : (05/07/10 @ Yokohama Blitz) : report by shawn, photo by samaさらに加速度を増すJUDEのドライヴ : (05/01/06 @ Ebisu Liquidroom) : report by wacchy, photo by sama高速で回転するベンジー : (05/01/06 @ Ebisu Liquidroom) : report by nob, photo by samaphoto report : (05/01/06 @ Ebisu Liquidroom) : photo by sama |
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The official site JUDE http://www.sexystones.com/ The latest album  『Electric Rainbow』 |
previous works
"Silvester&Johnny K "
"ZHIVAGO" "Highway Child" "海水浴" "DIRTY ANUMAL" "CHARING BLOODY TUESDAY" "シルベット" check the albums? |
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