Email Page to Friend

* denotes required field

Nagoya Live Guide - March 2010

By Daniel Ostrander

wednesday 3rd

Kottonmouth Kings @ Apollo theater (20:00 | ¥5,000)

I make it a point to avoid any band that has appeared in every issue of High Times magazine...

thursday 4th

Hiroumi @ Heartland (19:00 | ¥2,000/¥2,500)

The songwriter behind Nagoya's Secret Ocean will be lending his easy vocals to this night of J-folk.

friday 5th

"Haiti Hard Rock" @ Hard Rock Café (19:00 | FREE)

In an effort to raise some much needed money, several local bands including Blanka, Unsound and The Tomo Shagger Tribute Band will be performing on this night for free (but I expect you all to make a donation!).

Enter Shikari @ Diamond Hall (19:00 | ¥6,000)

...exit talent.

Sheryl Crow & Jackson Browne @ Zepp Nagoya (19:00 | ¥13,000)

If you really want to spend that much for some big name folk-rock, may I suggest you wait for Bob Dylan on the 18th?

sunday 7th

Bone Zero @ Shooters (20:00 | ¥300)

This collection of good ol' boys plays classic rock that you will be happy to hoot and holler to. Shouts of "Free Bird" are also greatly encouraged!

tuesday 9th

Placebo @ Club Quattro (19:00 | ¥6,500)

Angsty 90s alt-rockers whose sound just can't find a niche in today's market (read: it's dated).

friday 12th

winnie @ Apollo Theater (19:00 | ¥2,000)

A new Tokyo-based power pop outfit with a cute drummer: that's pretty much a safe formula for a successful J-band.

sunday 14th

Shonen Knife @ Apollo theater (18:00 | ¥3,000)

After over 25 years, you'd figure these godmothers of J-punk would have grown tired of singing about candy and "BANANA CHIPSU!" but their new album, Free Time, would beg to differ.

wednesday 17th

Dr. Cullen's All Star Magical Mystical Irish Extravaganza @ Red Rock (20:00 | ¥500)

As the only place in town celebrating St. Patty's on the actual date, the Red Rock gets extra points... and loses them all due to the fact that they're an Australian bar.

thursday 18th

Bob Dylan @ Zepp Nagoya (19:00 | ¥12,000/¥20,000)

The Never Ending Tour is finally coming to Nagoya for a two-night engagement! I love his music too much to bitch about the ticket price, but that doesn't change the fact I can't afford to go...

friday 19th

"QUEST FOR thE REST vol. 9" @ K.D. Japon (19:00 | ¥1,500/¥2,000)

Taka from local band foRest (though I can't remember the last time he played with them) always manages to put together an amazing line-up of must-hear melodic musicians. This month he's got Kyoto's shiba in car with Karesi and dearjoewood. It's lowercase mecca!

saturday 20th

"FREEEK" @ the Plastic Factory (22:00 | ¥1,500/¥2,000 [1D])

After many years plugging their "Heaven's Music", the FREEEK DJs are finally starting to get their dues. This monthly house and electro dance party is becoming quite the scene.

sunday 21st

"TINY" @ Club JB's (22:00 | ¥2,500)

To help celebrate their second anniversary, this town's premier electro party has lined up a guest so secret they wouldn't even tell me his/her initials (the wankers!).

The Slackers @ Club Upset (18:30 | ¥3,500)

Prepare to skank the night away when this NY ska band take to the stage along with several local acts and DJs.

monday 22nd

Kes Band @ K.D. Japon (19:00 | ¥2,000)

this Melbourne-based psych-folk band should in no way be confused with Trinidadian soca outfit, KES the Band. To further the confusion My Pal Foot Foot will be there - that's the Tokyo band, not the famously annoying Shaggs song...

wednesday 24th

Ogre You Asshole vs. Deerhoof @ Club Quattro (19:00 | ¥4,000)

I really don't know what the deal is with putting "vs." on concert listings. I mean, it's not like these two bands are going to throw down Street Fighter Alpha-style. But if they were... my money would be on the Ogres stomping the pretentious piss out of those San Fran alt-rockers.

thursday 25th

Seamo @ Zepp Nagoya (18:30 | ¥5,250)

I hold J-rap in the same regard as 15-year-old me held American rap (those were my metal years). But unlike the work of MC Hammer and Ice Cube, I severely doubt that I will look back fondly on this ear swill in years to come.

saturday 27th

Galactic @ Club Quattro (19:00 | ¥6,000)

Funk addicts rejoice!

"Fever" @ Plastic Factory (21:00 | ¥2,000/¥2,500 [1D])

The event that proves musicians and DJs can get along (sort of) is back! Sonicland Peace Makers with DJs Nick Edges, Taro & Cyclic 13, dij, Mizo and David W.

sunday 28th

"Harmonium Parlour" @ Plastic Factory (19:00 | ¥1,000 [1D])

The monthly open mic goes unplugged for a special acoustic-only night. Get there early if you want to play.

monday 29th

Europe @ Diamond Hall (19:00 | ¥7,500)

Europe's "Last Look At Eden Tour" is entering its Final Countdown (see what I did there?). Catch them now before they return to the obscurity of 80s Nights and karaoke bars.

the venues

Apollo theater (Shinsakae)

052-261-5308 | www.diamond-hall.com/apollotheater

Club JB's (Sakae)

052-241-2234 | www.club-jbs.jp

Club Quattro (Sakae)

www.club-quattro.com/schedule_nago.php

Club Upset (Ikeshita)

052-763-5439 | www. club-upset.com

Club Wall (Sakae)

052-251-5609 | www.thenagoyametroclub.com

Diamond Hall (Shinsakae)