osaka popstar

And now, as they say, for something completely different.

Almost an understatement, this band’s name. It’s made up of punk veterans from the Ramones, Misfits, and Black Flag, which is awesomely cool in itself, but then it goes and makes crazy anime-flavored music, which amps the coolness up about twenty notches. I mean, I don’t watch Sailor Moon, so her punk theme song is kind of lost on me, but I am helpless before the power of a song called “Shaolin Monkeys.” That’s right, you heard me. Because any song about monkeys is an instant winner.

But Osaka Popstar isn’t just a novelty act. When listening to “Insects,” please note the skittering strings that start it out and the Black Sabbath-esque creepiness in the lyrics. And when they cover “Man of Constant Sorrow,” note the fantastic harmonies and the way they modernize this country classic, making it stand up and mosh. It’s good old-fashioned punk: pop-flavored, American made, and as fun to listen to as it likely was to record.

Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk – Site | Myspace | Label (Misfits)

[These tracks have been removed. You can contact me if you'd like a copy.]

Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk – Shaolin Monkeys
Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk – Insects
Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk – Man of Constant Sorrow