TheBawdiesThe Bawdies begin their nationwide 40-date headlining tour for their recently issued fourth full-length, “There’s No Turning Back,” on May 13 meaning the dapper looking Tokyo foursome’s live set will be firing on all cylinders at Fuji Rock on July 30.

Friends since elementary school, Roy (vocals and bass), Taxman (guitar), Jim (guitar), and Marcy (drums) decided to start playing together as The Bawdies on January 1, 2004.  It didn’t take long for them to begin garnering attention for their infectious mix of vintage R&B-accented rock ‘n’ roll and especially for Roy’s fantastic, soulful vocals.  Since then the group have toured Australia twice and have played a number of large Japanese festivals including an appearance on the Rookie A Go-Go stage at FRF ’07.

On the strength of last year’s “This Is My Story,” The Bawdies were voted favorite Japanese act by record store staff from across the country at 2010’s CD Shop Awards.  And while “There’s No Turning Back” stumbles at times, there’s still abundance of top-notch tunes like closing cut “Movin’ and Groovin’” to get the masses at FRF ’10, um, well, movin’ and groovin’.

Here’s The Bawdies “Hot Dog” music video:

Photos and a live report from FRF ‘07.

Here’s a review of “There’s No Turning Back” that I wrote for The Japan Times.

Photo by Hoya and used with the permission of Fuji Rock Express ‘07.