Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Biography
Asian Kung-Fu Generation are one of the most successful indie rock bands of Japan ("indie" standing for the genre, not the recording label), with their Weezer/punk tinged sound enjoying a popularity that even Weezer themselves hardly ever had on their side of the Pacific.
AKFG began as a college band back in 1996 in a private university in Yokohama. It was the first and, to date, the only major project for three of its members -- Masafumi Gotou (lead vocals and guitar), Takahiro Yamada (bass and vocals) and Kensuke Kita (guitar and vocals). Soon they were joined by drummer Ijichi Kiyoshi, and this lineup proved to be stable, lasting over the course of three albums and while gearing up to release their fourth in spring 2008, not counting the many singles -- important releases in Japan, where CD prices are among the highest in the world, increasing the demand for cheaper records. However, in the beginning the band spent several years playing local gigs and making small-label releases, known in Japan simply as "indies." The three first EPs, recorded during the course of 2000-2001 -- The Time Past and I Could Not See You Again, I'm Standing Here, and a split with Caramel Man -- had lyrics sung in English and broke no new ground for the band, but the experience allowed Asian Kung-Fu Generation to mature and realize they should aim for domestic listener.
Selected Discography
Sol-fa
2005
amazing artist. met them in person when I visited family in japan and hope to hear many more wonderful pieces of their work.
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World World World is freaking awesome! And their newest album, Kamakura Surf Culture(Sa-f u Bunka Kamakura), is even more kick a**... just listen to it, you'll fall in love all over again.
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these guys rock. no joke. after listening to their Naruto opener, i had to listen to more of their songs. amaaazing!
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Didn't use to be any music from the major japanese bands at all on here, it's nice that they're expanding though I'm on the look out for Beat Crusaders and more pillows.
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ahor a que teng la oportunidad de escucharlos seguire haciendolo.. . .
muy buena musica que hacennn!!! |
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I agree with sonkyu. Especially Tokio Hotel, ew! Like I really want to listen to that garbage, lol. noooo. I don't.
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I can't make a decent J-rock or J-pop station going without Pandora lumping in other countries' bands.The J in J-Rock and J-Pop means "Japanese." Please Pandora stick to that. Seriously, why do I get British fantasy metal and Dutch electronic body music or emo bands with "Tokyo" in the band name when I have artists like Gackt and Malice Mizer?! Emo does not equal J-rock, PERIOD! And for Christ sake PLEASE ADD the GazettE!
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Is everything either Jpop OR Jrock to you guys. Expand your your vocabulary Japan has more than 2 genres of music you know. Now if you'll excuse me i'm going to listen to my Arock now
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I would love to see some Japanese english punk. Asparagus, Beat Crusaders...
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Ajikan !!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
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my new favorite band. i wish they had more of their songs here :(
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AKFG is definitely in my top 5 bands. Ever.
And in response to Sailorcardkn i g h t , I totally agree. The beauty of good music is that it transcends the boundary of language. Regardless of how impossible it is to understand just what they are singing at first, one with a good ear for music knows that music is great. An easy example would be my roommate. I just played Rewrite for him and he's hooked. Absolutely wonderful music. |
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I first listened to them through Naruto--the song "Haruka Kanata" was used as a theme song, though i'm afraid that CD isn't on Pandora. I really started listening to them after hearing the song "Rewrite," which was used as a theme song from Full Metal Alchemist. They're a great band, thanks to Pandora for putting them on here.
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I got into this group because of Fullmetal Alchemist (the 2nd song on Sol-Fa, the album featured here, is the 4th opening song btw)
I was shocked that they actually have music from this group here on pandora. Which makes me happy, Asian Kung-fu Generation rocks! Its a shame there not more well-known here in the US, i'm sure they would do pretty well even though all thier music is in Japanese. |
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