I am always looking for recommendations when it comes to good Japanese music and recently it was suggested that I check out The Earth Earth, an Aomori-based rock band. For many fans of Japanese music, the first thing that comes to mind when “Aomori” and “band” are mentioned in the same sentence is Supercar. Since the band broke up in 2005 there has been an Aomori-shaped hole in many hearts. The Earth Earth are one band doing their best to remind us that the prefecture still has quality music to offer us.
The Earth Earth, at first glance, look like a throwback to goth-rock bands of the 80s and 90s. Their sound also offers a blend of vintage styles ranging from textured shoegaze-type noise tunes to somewhat poppy hook-driven songs. There is a nice variety from track to track, but it is all held together by a consistent amount of fuzz and muddiness.
The band itself is still relatively young. Formed in 2010 in Aomori City They have been playing out for just over two years and have released two albums: “matador is dead” (2011) and “dead matador’s funeral” (2012). The latter is more or less a re-release of the first album on a different label. The current lineup is made up of Oshima Kosuke (vo & G), Ogawa Kaori (vo & G), Nomura (B), and Harada Ayako.
Here is a link to the band’s web page as well as their soundcloud profile and a Youtube video for one of my favorite of their tracks. Enjoy!
http://the-earth-earth.com