STANDING ON A BASS DRUM FOR BREAKFAST

STANDING ON A BASS DRUM FOR BREAKFAST

Three guys from Sapporo walk into a bar… no really though, front row fans of 8otto, three guys all the way from the road up north Hokkaido, Japan, can tell me they love 8otto, but don’t remember any song titles. They like the ensemble for their energy and stage presence. And, for the opening show at the Red Marquee at 11:30, that better be the case…And it was!

Drummer/vocalist Maenosono Masaki, clad in a bright red “Dubstep is DEAD” T-shirt started the morning off right with screams of “NAEBA!!!” that might have actually been heard about 8 hours south in Osaka where 8otto hails from. His Rasta-style red/yellow/green snare drum may have had you thinking these guys would start in with reggae beats, but actually 8otto sound is more like The Strokes or Pixies, with a bit of disco/punk edge thrown in the mix.

The power ensemble had at least half the crowd clapping along with the first song, and by the end of the show the entire red tent had succumb to the multi-genre barrage. With the dyed-blonde, dark-rimmed glasses wearing bassist, all of 5 feet 5 inches jumping off the bass drum, and the archetypal lead guitarist, black clad, tight pants, jet black hair holding his guitar overhead, the stage tricks where present for breakfast in the Red Marquee.  Only at Fuji Rock will you get guys jumping off bass drums before noon.

When rhythm guitarist took off his hoodie and Eastside LA shades, realizing that it was not cold, the sun was not out, and he was in a tent, none of the above mentioned accessories were needed, he impressed with slide guitar riffs, fitting nicely with the increased energy of Maenosono standing while still slamming cymbals at the trap set.

I like to think that in a band like this, so many different styles from fashion to music proliferate, that we can actually rise above the styles themselves, and just enjoy these guys’ “genki!”

The last track strung out to allow for crowd surfing, and puffy afro touching, courtesy of drummer/singer Maenosono, halfway in the crowd still chanting, “We got a vibration!”

I got vibrated.  It was a great start to the fest.

Photo courtesy 直田亨. See more photo report here