When Japan produced the strangest discordance

Such a superficially happy place Japan seems today. No anger is displayed outwardly; and I feel little is felt inwardly. This can't be true. Dormant volcanoes bide their time after seeming inactive for centuries. The aftermath of rapid economic growth and the appearance of meat-munching middle-class offspring, whose height towers over westerners brought up on junk food, signal there has been a big change. Why wouldnt they be satisfied? Smiles are everywhere, which is good, what what?

It's a long time since there were riots in Tokyo and Kyoto, and according to a colleague I spoke to last week this was mainly in protest of the Vietnam war. A generation tired of kowtowing to a foreign master exploded - for a short while. That foreign master has taken over the culture, though not the language. English is held at arms length and a Japaanising of English took place.

Around the time of the above riots, the bass player from Les Rallizes Denudes is said to have taken part in the hijacking of a plane bound for Pyongyang. The singer was asked to participate - such was the groups connections to radical groups formed whilst at university - in terrorism. But who knows the truth? I suspect much is mythmaking. I don't even believe the story that they handed out political texts to junior high school students for their concerts. How could such a group be invited to play to JHS students? If ir happened, what a treat for the creative!

There is no sign of radicalism with today's students. Campuses without beer, few after-hours meetings, or even radio stations. No lingering on campuses either. Get them bussed out quick sharpish. Back in the 1970s, singer Takashi Mizutani suggested rebel culture existed. He wasnt merely aping Lou Reed and psychedelia as I first thought. His group veered into drone rock with texts tinged with subversiveness, which is hard to imagine coming from this current crop of eager-to-please conformists. Maybe I'm not looking in the rite places?

But yes, their music from this period was great. Les Rallizes Denudes, combo who had political links with a whole host of groups antagonistic to the state, and who functioned sporadically between 1967 and 1982. Julian Cope has just put a stream to a newish collection on his website, and, in a week when many are talking about the Jesus and Mary Chain revival, it's good to hear some music which covers the pure path they once trod. Perhaps the Chain knew of Rallizes as a definite link is there.

The savage guitar in the tracks mid-way through Fightless Bird tramples over the likes of Sonic Youth and the Chain, succeeding without question with Flames of Ice. Listening to (what I think is) Enter The Mirror/Smokin' Cigarette Blues/Flames of Ice is taking me back to the first time I heard certain groups that made inroads into taste buds. The only downer is that some tracks have been mastered from recordings of recordings released in small quantities or via bootlegged from their infrequent concerts.

Flames of Ice: what a fantastic track!

They didn't enter the business for money. No need for accountants. Deeply sinister with their repetitive simplistic bass riffs that splinter behind disconcertingly glassy lead guitars. I really didn't think such intense music could be created here - how wrong I was. The possibility of making such music will be drummed out of them through the schooling of most. Or maybe new foods have moulded their minds to be placid and content. Anyway,though I'm not going to rush out and buy all Rallizes' work, if only as it's too darn expensive, at least I'm aware of their splendid works, which take me back to the first rush from bands I've shared much of my life with. It's a relief (to me) that Japan didn't always have Stipey Smiley Happy People.

England did the job (2006)

The World Cup began two days ago after an opening ceremony that this disliker of all things pomp and glitter-like could actually tolerate. Seeing World Cup winners from the not too far and distant past participating in the parade made it earthy and less showbiz-like. English champions of 1966. Your presence knocked any showbiz glitz into touch.  But better was Traditional German Dancing. 

Germany began well, even without the maestro Ballack unlike the Poles, who were shocked by the Ecuadorians. Not entirely unexpected because Ecuador defeated Brazil a few years back. And they possess the imagination and verve seemingly found with ease in South American teams.

England? Despite hyperbole in the English press about England's chances of winning the trophy, I was uneasy before seeing them play Paraguay. Paraguay had taken the scalp of Argentina in the qualifying round. But Beckham et al actually won, though the performance seemed sluggish and uninspired. Owen went off injured, and Crouch was repeatedly (and unfairly) penalised by the Mexican referee. Supposedly John Motson attacked this ref, but I'm unsure, listeniong to Japanese commentary as I did. They, too, appeared to sympathise with Crouch. And we won. 

Winning the first match is, of course, the main priority. Sweden drew against Trinidadians, so we merely need to overcome Yorke, Shaka Hislop and all to go through to the next round - where we will probably face Germany. Let us hope that Wayne Rooney recovery is as reported. 

Even a half-fit Wayne would strengthen the side. 

Before closing, I must add that I can't help but feel sympathy for the Paraguayans. Their keeper, Getty, played admirably. His injury, after conceding an own goal, made England's victory less than convincing. The game was a gift. 

World Cup began two days ago after an opening ceremony that this disliker of all things pomp and glitter-like could actually tolerate. Seeing World Cup winners from the not too far and distant past, participating in the parade, made it earthy and less showbiz-like. English champions of 1966. Your presence knocked any showbiz glitz into touch. 

But better was Traditional German Dancing. Their began well, even without the maestro, Ballack, unlike the Poles, who were hocked by the Ecuadorians. Not entirely unexpected as Ecuador defeated Brazil a few years back. And Ecuador possessed the imagination and verve seemingly found with ease in South America.

And what about England? Despite hyperbole in the English press about England's chances of winning the trophy, I was uneasy before seeing them play Paraguay. Paraguay had taken the scalp of Argentina in the qualifying round. But Beckham et al actually won, though the performance seemed sluggish and uninspired. Owen went off injured, and Crouch was repeatedly (and unfairly) penalised by the Mexican referee. Supposedly John Motson attacked this ref, but I'm unsure, listening to Japanese commentary as I did. They too appeared to sympathise with Crouch. And we won. 

Winning the first match is, of course, the main priority. Sweden drew against Trinidadians, so we merely need to overcome Yorke, Shaka Hislop and all to go through to the next round - where we will probably face Germany. Let us hope that Wayne Rooney recovery is as reported. 

Even a half-fit Wayne would strengthen the side. 

Before closing, I must add that I can't help but feel sympathy for the Paraguayans. Their keeper, Getty, played admirably. His injury, after conceding an own goal, made England's victory less than convincing. The game was gifted to us. 

.