→PIA-NO-JAC← ROCKING OUT AT FRF '09

→PIA-NO-JAC← ROCKING OUT AT FRF '09

Admittedly, when deciding what “new” (for me, at least) local acts to check out I usually make my decision based solely on their name.  If I come across a Japanese band with a really cool or interesting moniker, I try to see what they are all about.  More often than not, this system yields pretty good results.  At FRF’ 09 it led me to Gypsy Avalon to watch the highly entertaining →Pia-no-jaC←.  The duo’s set turned out to be one of the best performances I caught all weekend long.

Formed in 2005, →Pia-no-jaC← is a combination of the words piano and cajon – the two instruments that drive the band’s instrumental songs.  Arty jazz played with a whole lotta rock ‘n’ roll gusto, these guys are very fun live, bouncing around and shouting as they literally bang out their tunes.  Definitely deserving of a follow-up showing at FRF’ 10, I’m curious to see how Hayato and Hiro fill out the big Orange Court stage with their stripped down setup of keyboard, cajon, and cymbals.

→Pia-no-jaC← will issue their new “This Way Up” disc on September 1 so expect them to be previewing material from it during their hour-long Sunday morn slot.  Orange Court can be quite the hike to start the day, but odds are after experiencing →Pia-no-jaC← you’ll be happy you made the trek.  Check out Sean’s post on how to keep your footies comfy for the walk!

More photos of →Pia-no-jaC← at Fuji Rock ‘09 here.

A live report of →Pia-no-jaC← at Fuji Rock ‘09 is here.

Live shots of →Pia-no-jaC← from Sakae Spring 2010 here.

*Photo by saya38 and used with the permission of Fujirock Express ‘09.