We interrupt your regularly scheduled program
You will have to excuse my brevity and/or weirdness in this week’s Events Calendar. It’s deadline time again and I’ve been writing all day long, and now I fear I may have overloaded my brain. However, before my head meat crashes I will struggle to complete this comprehensive, if not coherent, listing of things to do this weekend. I mustn’t let my reader down. For without the E.C., what will you do this weekend, Scott?
What’s Got Me Buzz’n: coffee
Specifically the 4 cups I put away before lunch time trying to get my work in by the deadline. It worked like gangbusters but now I’m having some trouble focu…SQUIRREL!
On to the calendar!
Thursday, February 16
Sakanaction
Zepp Nagoya near Nagoya Station from 19:00
Danceable rock from yet-another Sapporo band (that place is the Seattle of Japan), plus their name means “Action Fish” (seriously awesome!). With the telephones, OGRE YOU ASSHOLE and more opening for only ¥4000 at the door. Be prepared to buy a drink, too.
Friday, February 17
OPETH
Club Quattro in Sakae from 19:00
More Nordic-born heavy metal than the mighty Mjölnir, hammer of Thor… FOR ODIN and ASGARD! DOOR ¥6500
Skimmer
Huck Finn in Imaike from 18:30
Enjoy this Birmingham band’s pop-punk before MTV gets a hold of it and uses it to soundtrack their programming ad nauseum. DOOR ¥2500
Places
K.D. Japon in Tsurumai from 19:00
The so-much-more-than-the-usual lineup of indie bands that K.D. is famous for with tacobonds, NINGEN OK, YOK and, my new favorite local band, POP-OFFICE. DOOR ¥2300
Club About in Sakae from 21:00
From Russia with much love, comes DJ Kefir with DJs Nick Sharp, Andy S. and more. ADV ¥2000 / DOOR ¥2500
Saturday, February 18
The Red Rock in Sakae from 18:00
Nagoya-Life is a local social group dedicated to providing fun parties and events where people can come together to meet others and enjoy a nice conversation. On this night, there will be a 3-hour all-you-can-drink with some delicious food provided. You will also be amazed by the mashup skills of resident DJ scrying. RSVP now for only 3000 yen at their website (or 3500 yen at the door).
The Star Club vs. Cobra
Club Quattro in Sakae from 19:00
Two influential bands of the Japanese punk scene since the late 70s. It speaks volumes about Japanese musicians that they are still going strong after so long, especially in comparison with American or British punk bands formed around the same time… who are now mostly dead. DOOR ¥3800
Windea Hall in Toyokawa from 15:00
If your feeling adventurous and in the mood for some great live music, than hop a train for Toyokawa this Saturday and join local rockabilly legends Duck and the Billys with Crafty and the Blue Moon Boys. As an added bonus, Leslie from Semi-On will be filling in as the bass player for the Billys, and hearing those two musical greats come together is more than worth the travel time. Here’s a map, now just go. ADV ¥1000 / DOOR ¥1500
Taurus in Shinsakae from 15:00
However, if you cannot be bothered to get out of your box this weekend, your laziness will still be rewarded with more great local music. Back from a successful tour of Canada, local singer and songwriter Michael Wade is returning to the stage with belly dancer Ariane and Bodhi Kenyon. DOOR ¥1000, so it’s close AND cheap! No more complaining from you.
Gold Experience
Café Domina in Sakae from 22:00
Live performance from the strangely splendid duo OBRIGARRD. Admission comes with free food, but I don’t know that Domina has a kitchen… so, is that really a good thing? DOOR ¥3000
Plastic Factory in Imaike from 22:00
Exciting night of nothing-but-house music with Stereophonics DJ Nick Sharp, DJ Kaol and Guest DJ Mika. DOOR ¥1500 (1D)
Sunday, February 19
Tokuzo in Imaike from 19:00
This long-running rock band is returning to Tokuzo. And since they have been performing together for over 30 years, they’ve had quite a while to perfect their Latin-jazz-rock-reggae-psychedelic-enka-punk. They only do a few shows a year, so you better catch this one because no telling when the next one will be. ADV 2000 / DOOR ¥2300
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
Club Quattro in Sakae from 18:00
I really dig this NYC band, but the fact they’re playing the over-priced Quattro is the heart in my heartbreak. However, the lo-fi awesomeness of supporting band Weekend may be just enough motivation to get me to shell out the 50 bones. DOOR ¥5000
Tuesday, February 21
Nuclear Assault and Black Dahlia Murder
Club Quattro in Salkae from 18:30
…with names like that you know what you’re getting into. DOOR ¥7000
Upcoming Events
| February 26 | Pub Quiz @ The Elephant’s Nest |
| March 10 | Alien Invasion! Vol. 2 @ Studio 246 |
| March 19 | Spring Fling Swing and Sing Thing @ Shooters |
| April 21 | The Elevator @ The Red Rock |