CRUCIAL SECTION is a representative of the Tokyo veteran thrash hardcore, who has been active since the 1990s despite repeated member changes. One of the reasons for introducing them here is the live venue Pit Bar operated by the vocalist Hiro. The fact that we can now enjoy hardcore gigs every weekend in Tokyo is due to the existence of several venues that understand the musicality of punk/hardcore. They have invited many thrash hardcore bands from all over the world, both famous and unnamed, and Hiro has hosted a label called Crew for Life, releasing a lively band around Tokyo.

I occasionally receive DMs from overseas Punk hardcore fans who plan to go sightseeing in Japan asking where to go. As always, I advise them that if you go to Pit bar for the time being, you will surely enjoy it.

SKITKLASS are four mysterious punk rockers with rubber masks and leather gears. The band appeared abruptly and drew attention to the scene due to its appearance, attractive artwork, and skillful release strategy. However, when you look at their stage, you will understand from their dignified performance that their identity must be proven members of the scene.

The sound is characterized by rough performances and short songs. Most of the songs take less than a minute, the stage ends quickly, and the audience gets stunned. Fans of 80's Euro Hardcore Punk, such as Discharge / Shitlickers, will love this band without asking questions.

Some of the records they released quickly sold out. The album "PRIMITIV KÄNSLA", released in 2019, is a very complete work where all elements such as artwork, lyrics and songs express their world.

DAIEI SPRAY was originally from Aomori; a local town located in the northern part of Japan, and started its full-fledged activity after moving to Tokyo. Let's start with the weird band name. This is the name of a cheap hairspray sold at the Japanese supermarket Daiei, where most punks used this spray to make their hair in the 80's here in Japan. As you can see from their sound, they are influenced by DC Hardcore in the late 80's and UK Melodic Hardcore from the 90's. Complex song composition, emotional melodies, impressive guitar phrases. The sound is both delicate and dynamic, and each player has a certain level of playing power. They also regularly host showcases called EIGHT RARES. The band that appears is composed of a variety of lineups such as Punk / Hardcore / Alternative each time, so anyone can enjoy it. Recently, they have been energetically expanding their activities, including performing shows in Seoul and Taipei.

Shortly after I started photography, I met them. We got along since they got the back cover of the album using the stage photos I took. Simple and friendly personality is one of the reasons they are loved in the scene.

Since the 1990s, there have been many top quality D-Beat bands in the world, such as Disclose, Contrast Attitude, Framtid and Disturd, not only in Tokyo but also in other local parts of Japan.

KRIEGSHOG released a masterpiece album in 2010 and gained a global reputation. In their live performances, you will be overwhelmed by the sound and performance of the storm.

Last year they did a successful US / Canada tour. Many gig photographers I follow on Instagram uploaded photos of the stages around the tour one after another on my timeline, so I could realize in real time that they were welcomed by a large audience and was also very happy with that fact.

Regardless of sub-genre of punk/hardcore, it is arguably one of the best hardcore bands to show excitement in Tokyo.

SLIGHT SLAPPERS

No one will argue that they have been one of the great bands that have set the golden age of worldwide brilliant Power Violence since their appearance in the 90s. They are still active today and perform with bands of various genres on a monthly basis. The singer Kubota's hectic expression and the funny stage action with props characterize the band's personality. In addition, sandwiching catchy songs between the set list composed of serious Power Violence songs, they always betrays the audience in a good way.

This is a photo taken at a rooftop show when I accompanied them on their Korean tour. The crowd was watching their live with a little tension, as the rooftop had a fence only at the height of the chest and was at risk of falling to the ground. In a moment, incredibly, Kubota threw away the microphone and started cloud surfing! I felt a sense of crisis that everyone on the spot couldn't kill him and ran up. During the show on this day, he had an octopus bought on the market the day before and put it on his head!

KLONNS is an awesome band with a unique sense and high performance. Their sound is based on D-Beat and Noisecore, but through their own interpretation and with modern sound creation. Also, on the stage, you can feel an inorganic and cool impression.

They are based in a fascinating venue called Bush Bash in a town called Koiwa, which has a beautiful DIY space-like atmosphere, and regularly host a project called DISCIPLINE. An interesting aspect of this event is that it features not only Hardcore but also a wide variety of musical bands such as Industrial and Dark Wave, and it progresses with many DJ sets. I think this style symbolizes that they are open-minded. If you want to feel the pleasant chaos of Tokyo's music scene directly, you should definitely go there.

NO NO NO

In Japan, female vocal hardcore bands have traditionally enjoyed a certain popularity since the 1980s, such as Comes and Nurse. They are one of the bands in their lineage, even though they are unconscious. Although No No No has been active for over 10 years, its existence was not well known in the Punk / Hardcore scene. The EP released in 2018 shocked the scene and drew attention. Now a wide range of audiences come to their shows every time.

No No No is a trio who plays poorly in plain clothes, but when the stage begins, they betray the audience's imagination. With a surprisingly high tension, they rush to the last song. It's exciting to see a female vocalist who seems to have nothing to do with the hardcore noisy world screaming as soon as the stage begins, dropping the guitar halfway down the stage, and disturbing the audience.

They are one of the precious bands that makes us feel the primal impulse of Hardcore. If you like 80 's raw hardcore, be sure to visit their show.

LOW VISION is a fiery band with a determined will. They are willing to fight all the irrational, intolerant, indifferent and incomprehensible things in this world. Its musicality has unique songs and grooves, like Japanese Hardcore and Youth Crew Hardcore. Their sound will kick the hardcore punk fan's ass poisoned by the dumb machoism.

In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, many punk bands, who have remained politically indifferent, have had to be aware of the situation surrounding them and have begun sending out in their own words. Japan's current political situation is under a one-party dictatorship of the Liberal Democratic Party, all gears are out of order, and it is slowly heading for ruin. The country is economically left out of the world as unspecialized politicians spend time on non-theoretical measures that prioritize large corporations and senior citizens. The younger generation feels that their future is completely abandoned by the state. When I read in a music magazine when I was a teenager that the terrible mood from the British recession gave birth to punk rock culture, I could only feel it like a completely distant country.

But as of 2020, I feel the same as reality in this country. Every time I experience the intense shouts and sincere statements on the stage with LOW VISION, I get the courage to confront it. We must not get used to disillusionment.