Foot-Tappin’ Fascists
Comments: 1
Anyone who’s spent any time in Japan (and I’m talking about a matter of days here) will probably be familiar with the right-wing/gangster groups that drive around in pseudo-militarised Mercedes trucks blaring things like “Revere the Emperor!” through huge loudspeakers mounted on the roof.
They also play music from the ’30s and ’40s at insane volume to inspire that old-time Emperor worship feeling. We heard some a block or two away this afternoon coming back from the park and it struck me again, as it always does — it’s damned good music! Some of it’s almost jazzy, although you have to be careful because you can’t allow too much Taisho-era Western influence to creep in and encourage harmful thoughts, and (although this is an age-old stock device for rallying the masses) it’s happily jaunty in a way that the dumb militarism of it can’t suppress.
I’m thinking of signing up in the hope that I can get some free CDs. I just don’t want to have to grow one of those stupid little chinpira* moustaches that they all seem to wear.
* The lowest rung of gang membership, or an unaffiliated thug.
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Posted to Oh, the Humanity • 2003.05.03 (Sat) • 16:40
Comments
Posted by Mr. X 2003.05.05, 04:39
what is that music exactly? you got a link or something? I’m always looking to discover new stuff and that sounds interesting… :)
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