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Japan’s BOREDOMS induce anything but.
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FILE UNDER: No-wave noise and drum-heavy cosmic psychedelia YEARS OF EXISTENCE: 1986-present RECORD TO START WITH: Pop Tatari (1993, Reprise) AFTER THAT, CHECK OUT: Super æ (1998, Birdman); Vision Creation Newsun (2001, Birdman); Seadrum/House Of Sun (2005, Vice) GO DOWNLOAD: "Bo Go," "Cheeba," "2" (off Super Roots 6), "Super Going," "Super Shine," track 4 off Vision Creation Newsun, "Seadrum" THE MUSIC, THE MESSAGE: Japan's Boredoms have had one of the most unexpected and dramatic evolutions of any band in rock history. Their early records conjure the spazzadelic madness of '80s-era Butthole Surfers playing a concert in a Tokyo subway station at rush hour-bolstered by John Zorn's frenetic time-signature switcheroos. With Pop Tatari, the band's only album released domestically via major label Reprise Records (which illogically signed the band because Kurt Cobain said he liked them), Boredoms broadened their approach, fusing noisy no-wave fury with psychedelic disorientation. Group mastermind Yamatsuka Eye's marrow-rippling screams and guttural exclamations frequently irritated-or inspired, depending on your tolerance for vocal sadism. In 1994, Chocolate Synthesizer marked Boredoms' first forays into weirder prog- and kraut-rock maneuvers; by Super æ, Boredoms seemed to be striving to launch their music into an ever-ascending arc, attempting to harness solar power with every wild beat, feral yawp and rapturously distorted guitar chord, creating a massive whir that sucked you into its vortex. The album radiates an overwhelming world-conquering vibe, and who can resist that? But it was with Vision Creation Newsun that Boredoms took a bold leap into the cosmic void, with mind-altering results. This was like the loftiest '70s krautrock catapulted to another dimension, all trance-inducing drum circles with madly FX'd guitars set on stun. Boredoms' most recent full-length, Seadrum/House Of Sun, explored avant-garde jazz and gorgeous tamboura drones. And with that, their trip from turbulence to tranquility appears to be complete. But you never know... PUNK-ROCK RELEVANCE: In their early years, Boredoms were too uncontrollable to be nailed down to any one genre, though albums like Soul Discharge and Onanie Bomb Meets Sex Pistols had more than enough aggression and speedy dynamics to shoot adrenaline through the bodies of more adventurous punks. Noise has played a huge role in Boredoms' attack, and in this regard, their blasting-in-all-directions approach and unpredictable dynamics pack more parent-annoying power than any Mohawked/safety-pinned punk rocker you could name. CURRENT WHEREABOUTS: Still guided by genius Yamatsuka (sometimes Yamataka) Eye, Boredoms continue to push their unfettered creativity to superhuman limits, powered by at least three drummers at any given time, including Yoshimi P-WE of Flaming Lips album-title fame. Boredoms' influence has spread worldwide and can be heard in bands like the Mars Volta, Lightning Bolt, Black Dice and many others. On July 7, (7/7/07, to be precise), Boredoms are scheduled to perform in New York with 77 drummers. It's hard to imagine how that could not be one of the most sevenly concerts ever. -Dave Segal |
