Released in 1990 through Vis a Vis
Probably the most humane element about Juntaro Yamanouchi's projects with The Gerogerigegege is that they are executed with finesse and grace that doesn't compromise the artist's ability in being straightforward. Most especially in this outing,
Tokyo Anal Dynamite, which was, not surprisingly, also recorded live in 1987.
Around some time in 1986 Juntaro meets up with a fifty-something homosexual man only known by the name of "Gero-30", who later went on with the band to perform the almost one-of-a-kind "senzuri" (choreographed, or rather, improvised masturbation) onstage during shows. This more or less catapulted the band to underground cult status in Japan, or in the frontman's own self-proclamation, "Japanese ultra sh
it band".
Quote:
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"*** compose, *** Melody, Dedicated to no one, Thanks to no one, ART IS OVER."
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Juntaro exclaims. It's just one of those moments, apparently. By the looks of the cover art itself, the band's brand of music is pretty self-explanatory. If seeing flame-headed, white, sweaty men marching naked on black goo while vomiting and excreting bodily wastes at the same time don't give you a clue, I don't think you can't get any more obvious than that. To give you an idea on what the album sounds like, Juntaro plays "noise bass" and some other guys play drums and (?) guitar. It's like a cement block racing towards someone's head at a hundred miles per hour in slow motion. Or a duck when it's covered in pink paint. Or your own toilet not flushing properly.
Be it a Cure tribute ("Boys Don't-a Cry" ) or their own Japanese curse-laden originals,
through
Tokyo Anal Dynamite's 75 less-than-one-minute track journey that spans over the course of an excess of half an hour, the band doesn't let up its energy for more than a few seconds. Looks familiar? Some works of Naked City might have something to do with this. "(insert song title) ONETWOTHREEFOUR.. [explosion]" seem to be the only thing constant in each track, albeit being a bit repetitive. This makes "Kamu Kamu Chinpokke" somewhat distinguishable from "Good Man No Oyagi Wa Good Man" or "Kuraimakkusu Goishoni" from "Sexy Night". A little drone there, a heap of feedback , truckloads of all-out distorted madness and even a dose of humor do the job quite well.
Tokyo Anal Dynamite stands as one of the most regarded and well-loved Gero releases that's still making waves in Japan's underground a decade after its conception. They, along with compatriots Melt Banana and Masonna and others are massive contributors to noise scenes everywhere. But five stars? You might ask. Overrated trash? Underrated? A desperate attempt to give this record some justice? Maybe so. But if you think The Locust is the most hysterical band you've heard. If black metal production isn't good enough for you. If you've been desensitized from Merzbow.
The Gerogerigegege is rock and roll. And you're the victim.
