www.avalanchers.co.uk ~ View topic - JESU -- LIVE IN TOKYO, 25 / 11 / 07...

Member Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 7

i gotta say, this was the first time i'd ever seen any JKB act whatsoever, so the expectation was high. i was kinda nervous, i gotta say. i travelled a long way to get to tokyo (i live about 2 hours away, in fukuoka, about 800 miles or 1200 kilometres), but it was well worth it...

four bands were on the bill; RURURU, The Rebel Familia, Zombi and Jesu. They performed in that order, with most sets being roughly half an hour in length.

To start with, RURURU were really good. Really technical, precise progressive rock/metal. Kinda reminded me of an Aussie band 'Alchemist', with traces of neo-Isis and even some Neurosis, sans the metal feel. They were definitely well worth listening to, would definitely recommend them to anyone else...

Next on were The Rebel Familia. It was an electronic act with a machine (of some sort) player and a live bass player. It was pretty Hi-tech sorta stuff being done, and whilst it really wasn't my thing, it did sound bloody awesome. So much so that I saw Justin off to the side of the side with a "what the hell is this?" look on his face. They kinda reminded me of post NJB Scorn with more bite and electrofuckery...

Then Zombi took the stage. Whilst they were setting up, I spoke to Justin for a bit. I got my 'Lifeline' CD signed (JKJesu 07), and just asked him a few questions. Turns out that it was his FIRST visit to Japan (I always thought that Godflesh played here once...), and he was loving it so far. I also asked if 'Multinational Corporations' was on the setlist. He laughed and said 'not tonight...', much to my dismay...

Zombi were fair, in that it took them a very long time to actually GET to the point in their songs. I dunno, but personally, I feel that in art, you REALLY need to hurry the fuck up and get to your killer riff or guitar solo or whatever it is. Their songs seemed to be great 4 or so minute high-pitched electronic rhythms bookended by atonal noise. I mean, I too can fuck around making horrible screechy noises. I feel that when you're live, with limited stage time, don't fuck around with that. Ultimately, a live band has to sell themselves. That's what I think, anyway...

Last on was Jesu, as a touch past 10 pm. Waaay early for a headline act, but fine by me, as trains stop at around 12 or so here. They started off with 'Stanlow', and worked their way through most of Conqueror, with songs such as Old Year and Medicine, which was dedicated to Paul Raven, who had recently passed away. They also played Silver, as well as Tired of Me and Friends Are Evil from their self-titled album. They even performed an encore, which kinda surprised me, as I thought I read somewhere that Justin despised them. That was, however, something he said from his Godflesh days.

They played more songs, I just can't remember them!

All in all, a great night, a great show and a great experience. I remember someone from the OOOLD board, maybe 5 boards ago, SwineFever, perhaps, told me that I would have to move overseas to see them, and he was kinda right...

mode-wataaaaa Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Posts: 5356

sounds like it was worth the 2h trip. Glad you had fun and got to talk to Justin Smile

Great to see Justin made it to Japan... yet it's not that much further to Australia ya bastard!!! Evil or Very Mad

Maybe someday, somewhere I will see Justin playing.

muzzeh - are you japanese, or living there? EDIT - I just realised you are muzzbait. What are you doing for work in Japan? I have 2 close friends who are married to japanese... but they all live in Australia as the costs of living in Japan is too $$$ and the standard of living isn't as good as in Australia... however, I could live in Japan quite easily. I visited japan two years ago and had a blast for a month. Amazingly, my japanese from high school came back, and my missus is a little good at speaking japanese, so we got by. Funny, you mentioned Alchemist, I'm a canberra boy and saw them many many times in the early to mid 90's. My missus is making me go to bed... goodnight Shocked

D.A.R. Johnson Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Posts: 3020

Saw Jesu yesterday, good gig.

the important question mr isc...

DID YOU ASK ABOUT PURE III???

mode-wataaaaa Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Posts: 5356

damn i knew that icon would come back around and get me!

D.A.R. Johnson Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Posts: 3020

Nope, nobody shouted anything Godflesh-related so I thought ... "let's make him remember this as the only gig where nothing Godflesh-related was shouted".

MUHAHAHA!!

Didn't talk to him as I had to go home, had to go to school today so waking up early.

I didn't know there were that many Jesu t-shirts/sweaters by the way. sniggering

Yeah Ive only heard Godflesh anything yelled once at the 5 shows Ive been to this year and that was ME that yelled it hah.
At least that was the first time I saw em and had been hanging out all day so Justin got a laugh out of it and threw out a CLAAAAAAAAAAAW!

unfortunatly I couldn't come down for this. Sounds like it was a blast.
Next time more than three Japan dates please justin Wink

mode-wataaaaa Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Posts: 5356