Friday, February 25, 2011

Lolita No. 18 -- "Video Killed the Radio Star" (1999)


In my mind and in my car,
We can't rewind, we've gone too far.
Pictures came and broke your heart,
Put the blame on VCR
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star


Lolita No. 18
I could have used the Ben Folds Five version of "Video Killed The Radio Star" here, but instead I chose this version by the Japanese all-girl punk band, Lolita No. 18.  (It was a no-brainer.)

Lolita No. 18's record company calls them "[t]he Pioneer of all girl punk in Japan.  The most vigorous and the most famous girls punk band in Japan."  It then goes on to say:

This punk-rock-band-next-doors debut CD "KARATE TEACHER" was released in February 1995 from BENTNE Label and quickly captured the heart of both punk rock fans and cartoon fans. In March 1996, Lolita No.18 went to Austin, Texas to play live shows and record their second full length album. They played 7 places in Texas including the international showcase at SXSW.
Although they are singing in Japanese, the audience loved Lolita No.18. They did 2 radio live shows during their stay in USA, KVRX in Austin and KZSU in San Francisco. Their Texas recorded album "Sister Run Naked" was released that following July 1996. They released their 4th album "FUBO LOVE NY" in July 1997 produced by Joey Ramone. Yeah, they are the first and last Japanese band Joey Produced. You can see how he enjoyed this project in the promotional video of Rockaway Beach.
In '97 they did an American tour in 50 day & went to 43 spots. (This US tour video was released from Sister Records) The members are all funny like cartoon character and vocalist, Masayo's weird voice also became the talk in all over the world. They released their 6th album (on Nov. 18th in 1999 ) "TOY DOLL" which was produced by Olga from The Toy Dolls and recorded in Hull, United Kingdom. 

In 2000 Lolita 18 did 40 places Japan tour then US tour again and did Europe tour also. The original member did the final show at Shibuya Club Quattro in Tokyo on Dec. 21 2001. Masayo, the singer and the leader got new bass player, Tacochi, new guitar, Tacchamen and new and powerful drummer, To-Bu and has started new Lolita No. 18 since 2002. 

(Before you make fun of their English, tell me something -- how's your Japanese?)

Here's the Lolita No. 18 video:



If you want to buy this song, you can try their record company's website, but it looks to me like the album this song was on is sold out.


No comments:

Post a Comment