Review Summary: Noise in G
The Japanese noise scene is about as out of control as you can possibly imagine. Along with producing some of the most visceral and brutal noise releases the world has ever seen, the Japanoise scene Is also known for its live gigs. What would typically be a one man get up with some pedals and analogs was instead twisted into deranged, almost conceptual live shows that often incorporated the audience. Noise group Hijokaidan grew infamous for their chaotic performances which would involve live urination and vomiting and Hanatarash have gone down in history for their destructive sets, including driving a bulldozer through the back of a venue. But, in my eyes, none can match up in sheer chaos and insanity to The Gerogerigegege. Formed by Juntaro Yamanouchi, the Gero grew infamous for their masturbation (Senzuri) themed performances, which included group exhibitionist Gero 30 jerking off on stage and occasionally live *** eating and urine play. The group’s infamy surpasses their music, sadly, which is some of the most creative and diverse in the Japanoise scene. Often conceptual, always ear shattering, the band’s discography ranges from noisecore (Tokyo Anal Dynamite), field recordings/dark ambient (Hell Driver, Moenai Hai), straight up hardcore punk (Sexual Behaviour In The Human Male) To all out harsh noise (Nothing To Hear...Nothing To... 1985, Senzuri Champion). Today I’ll be looking at one of their more recognisable releases: Yellow Trash Bazooka.
Yellow Trash Bazooka is an 80 song, 13 minute EP, combining the group’s noisecore punk sound with elements of pure harsh noise. Nearly everyone of the tracks are extremely short, the longest being just 21 seconds. Each song begins with a yell of the track’s title (they all start with the letter ‘G’ so for example ‘Gape’, ‘Grass’, ‘Gospel’, etc), followed by a screech of “ONE TWO THREE FOUR” and an ear shattering burst of chaos. You might think, well doesn’t this get a bit boring after a while, if it’s just some noise and a guy shouting? Well no, a lot of the fun that you get from this record is Juntaro’s prescience. His calling of the titles and wild screaming become gradually more and more frenzied and out of control as the record goes on, as the song names themselves got progressively more absurd (the first track is simply called ‘G’ while later on, titles like ‘Golden Shower Boy’, ‘Greek Culture’, ‘G.I ***’ and ‘Get Some Ashes Hauled’ pop up). Juntaro attempts to deliver his “one two three four” starting call in anyway he can, from deranged screeching, to long drawn out huffs, often overlapping with some of the tracks, making everything feel even more ridiculous and shambolic.
There isn’t much to say about Yellow Trash Bazooka musically. It’s a noise record, and a comedic one at that. While the pieces vary from explosions of blast beats and layers of feedback to ear piercing tones and gargled screaming, most of what you’ll get out of this record is from Juntaro’s ridiculous prescience and the absurd titles. Still, it’s an essential release from the band and one of their most fun and, dare I say, accessible?
