Alex DiVincenzo
07/18/08, 06:55 PM
Osaka Popstar - Rock'em O-Sock'em Live!
Record Label: Misfits Records
Release Date: May 20, 2008
With a mix of old-school punk sensibilities and modern pop-punk stylings, Osaka Popstar is a difficult band to categorize. Despite their bubblegum pop sound, their connection to classic punk rock is undeniable. The musicians, often credited as The American Legends of Punk, come from some of the most influential punk bands of all time: Marky Ramone of The Ramones plays drums, Jerry Only of Misfits plays bass, Dez Cadena of Black Flag plays lead guitar, and Ivan Julian of Richard Hell & the Voidoids plays rhythm guitar. The band is fronted by John Cafiero, the driving force behind the project. He may not be too well-known in the scene, but his mastermind created this supergroup. Prior to the band, Cafiero directed films and produced both movies and music, but he is now living out a dream as the frontman of what he calls his "own personal punk rock 'n' roll hall of fame."
The group released their debut, the catchy, energetic, and cover-filled Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk, in 2006. Although some traditional punkers excepting something similar to the members' previous output were disappointed by the poppy result and others were turned off by the anime imagery and influences, many fans warmly received the band and have been anticipating more material. While they will have to wait longer for studio material, their appetite will be whet by Rock 'Em O-Sock 'Em Live. This live album was recorded at the band's Halloween night performance at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ as part of Misfits' 2006 Fiend Fest.
The set kicks off with "Wicked World," the first single from the band's debut. They then go into back-to-back covers of anime series themes, "Astro Boy" and "Sailor Moon," before playing their second single, "Insects." After this, they play a selection of covers, beginning with The Voidoids' "Blank Generation" and followed by a trio of Ramones favorites, "Beat on the Brat," "Blitzkrieg Bop," and "The KKK Took My Baby Away." It would have been more pleasing, not to mention appropriate, to also include Misfits and Black Flag covers, but they're still great for any Ramones fan. Cafiero's voice sounds as good as it did on the previous record, although his Joey Ramone imitation doesn't live up to the original. His backing band is, of course, exceptional. The performance comes to a close with the band's modernized rendition of the traditional folk song "Man of Constant Sorrow."
There is little banter between songs. Cafiero introduces the songs and, at one point, introduces the band members, and that's about it. With a nine-song set list, the album clocks in at under twenty-two minutes, which is my main gripe; I found myself wanting more material. What's presented, however, is good for what it is. The production, also handled by Cafiero, is clean and good quality, and you can hear the energy brought by the group. As an added bonus, the digipack of the album comes with an exclusive Garbage Pail Kids trading card featuring the cover art by Garbage Pail Kids creator John Pound (who also contributed art to the band's debut). As is the case with most live albums, I prefer to hear the studio recordings and thus must recommend their debut first, but if you've already enjoyed that, pick up Rock 'Em O-Sock 'Em Live for some more fun.
Ramones, Misfits, anime, The Offspring, MxPx, bubblegum pop meets classic punk
myspace.com/osakapopstar (http://www.myspace.com/osakapopstar)
Record Label: Misfits Records
Release Date: May 20, 2008
With a mix of old-school punk sensibilities and modern pop-punk stylings, Osaka Popstar is a difficult band to categorize. Despite their bubblegum pop sound, their connection to classic punk rock is undeniable. The musicians, often credited as The American Legends of Punk, come from some of the most influential punk bands of all time: Marky Ramone of The Ramones plays drums, Jerry Only of Misfits plays bass, Dez Cadena of Black Flag plays lead guitar, and Ivan Julian of Richard Hell & the Voidoids plays rhythm guitar. The band is fronted by John Cafiero, the driving force behind the project. He may not be too well-known in the scene, but his mastermind created this supergroup. Prior to the band, Cafiero directed films and produced both movies and music, but he is now living out a dream as the frontman of what he calls his "own personal punk rock 'n' roll hall of fame."
The group released their debut, the catchy, energetic, and cover-filled Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk, in 2006. Although some traditional punkers excepting something similar to the members' previous output were disappointed by the poppy result and others were turned off by the anime imagery and influences, many fans warmly received the band and have been anticipating more material. While they will have to wait longer for studio material, their appetite will be whet by Rock 'Em O-Sock 'Em Live. This live album was recorded at the band's Halloween night performance at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ as part of Misfits' 2006 Fiend Fest.
The set kicks off with "Wicked World," the first single from the band's debut. They then go into back-to-back covers of anime series themes, "Astro Boy" and "Sailor Moon," before playing their second single, "Insects." After this, they play a selection of covers, beginning with The Voidoids' "Blank Generation" and followed by a trio of Ramones favorites, "Beat on the Brat," "Blitzkrieg Bop," and "The KKK Took My Baby Away." It would have been more pleasing, not to mention appropriate, to also include Misfits and Black Flag covers, but they're still great for any Ramones fan. Cafiero's voice sounds as good as it did on the previous record, although his Joey Ramone imitation doesn't live up to the original. His backing band is, of course, exceptional. The performance comes to a close with the band's modernized rendition of the traditional folk song "Man of Constant Sorrow."
There is little banter between songs. Cafiero introduces the songs and, at one point, introduces the band members, and that's about it. With a nine-song set list, the album clocks in at under twenty-two minutes, which is my main gripe; I found myself wanting more material. What's presented, however, is good for what it is. The production, also handled by Cafiero, is clean and good quality, and you can hear the energy brought by the group. As an added bonus, the digipack of the album comes with an exclusive Garbage Pail Kids trading card featuring the cover art by Garbage Pail Kids creator John Pound (who also contributed art to the band's debut). As is the case with most live albums, I prefer to hear the studio recordings and thus must recommend their debut first, but if you've already enjoyed that, pick up Rock 'Em O-Sock 'Em Live for some more fun.
Ramones, Misfits, anime, The Offspring, MxPx, bubblegum pop meets classic punk
myspace.com/osakapopstar (http://www.myspace.com/osakapopstar)