Violence Summer
Music first:
From their Second Fanfare (second) album:
From their Sun Sun Sun (third) album:
From their Dreamer (fourth) album:
Sparta Locals
(2009.08.02)
On the Japanese bands webpage is an entry stating they're breaking up.
This hit me hard because this was in many ways a special band for this decade for our generation. Granted this is a band from Japan so the impact is nearly non existent here but for those that are in the know Sparta Locals was one of if not the greatest 80's post-punk revival band of Japan. In fact there was a time when certain Japanese indie music circles would recommend Sparta Locals to a newcomer of Japanese music 99 percent of the time. Unfortunately that excitement died down as the band went on to release three last albums (self-titled, Maboroshi Forever, Leecher) that may have been the final nail in the coffin. They weren't bad albums per se, but they were not quite as great as the first half of their discography. Either way I'm sad that they're gone but as with any break up it's usually for the better. Sometimes I guess you need a recharge to start up again. Fortunately I saw them live at the Japan Nite (stateside) showcase. They have so.much.energy that I was practically straining my voice and limbs along with the songs! <---ha ha obsessed fan here
As far as recommending albums to anyone that's interested:
Second Fanfare as that's a timeless classic from them. Their more catchier stuff can be found in Sun Sun Sun and their dreamier, but still catchy material, is on Dreamer. They're last good album is a toss up between the 3 last albums (Self-titled, Maboroshi Forever, Leecher) depending on your preferences. I'm fairly partial to Leecher because it was the closest to their older work and creativity...a bit less tuneful though.
Kanashii Miminari is a good first somewhat amateur-ish effort by them too. I'd recommend it after you've got a feel for the rest of their material unless you want a darker and more rough edge from them.
If anybody wants some hooking up by all means give me a message! I may not reply to outside messages though.
Last but not least this is the last single Mizu no Youda that came out of them before their broke up:
From their Second Fanfare (second) album:
Click to viewFrom their Sun Sun Sun (third) album:
From their Dreamer (fourth) album:
Sparta Locals
(2009.08.02)
On the Japanese bands webpage is an entry stating they're breaking up.
This hit me hard because this was in many ways a special band for this decade for our generation. Granted this is a band from Japan so the impact is nearly non existent here but for those that are in the know Sparta Locals was one of if not the greatest 80's post-punk revival band of Japan. In fact there was a time when certain Japanese indie music circles would recommend Sparta Locals to a newcomer of Japanese music 99 percent of the time. Unfortunately that excitement died down as the band went on to release three last albums (self-titled, Maboroshi Forever, Leecher) that may have been the final nail in the coffin. They weren't bad albums per se, but they were not quite as great as the first half of their discography. Either way I'm sad that they're gone but as with any break up it's usually for the better. Sometimes I guess you need a recharge to start up again. Fortunately I saw them live at the Japan Nite (stateside) showcase. They have so.much.energy that I was practically straining my voice and limbs along with the songs! <---ha ha obsessed fan here
As far as recommending albums to anyone that's interested:
Second Fanfare as that's a timeless classic from them. Their more catchier stuff can be found in Sun Sun Sun and their dreamier, but still catchy material, is on Dreamer. They're last good album is a toss up between the 3 last albums (Self-titled, Maboroshi Forever, Leecher) depending on your preferences. I'm fairly partial to Leecher because it was the closest to their older work and creativity...a bit less tuneful though.
Kanashii Miminari is a good first somewhat amateur-ish effort by them too. I'd recommend it after you've got a feel for the rest of their material unless you want a darker and more rough edge from them.
If anybody wants some hooking up by all means give me a message! I may not reply to outside messages though.
Last but not least this is the last single Mizu no Youda that came out of them before their broke up: