from nippop:
"Frank Chickens, in their own oddball way, managed to become one of the most successful Japanese artists ever on an international scale, but somehow seem to barely rate a footnote in most Japanese music histories. Perhaps they are swept under the carpet because people still don’t know quite to make of them. The group was basically two Japanese women with a wicked sense of humor living in England. It could be argued that they were comedians who sang, more than singers who did comedy. Their songs largely made fun of how foreigners perceive Japanese people, but also included a few jabs at modern Japanese culture as well. The group was also political and feminist leaning. Frank Chickens was formed by Kazuko Hohki and Kazumi Taguchi in 1982. Their first single in 1984 was a double sided hit “We Are Ninja (Not Geisha)” b/w with a cover of “Fujiyama Mama”, originally a hit for Wanda Jackson in 1958. The two were not part of any established music or comedy businesses in Japan or the UK, and gleefully went on their satirical ways without regard to any norms. Their debut We Are Ninja (Not Geisha) became a minor hit and was later picked up by BMG. While not as big in the States, their music also found its way to US college radio and strong import sales. Japan, meanwhile, did not know what to make of them, as they were unknown in their homeland at the time, and was not quite sure who they were making fun of. John Peel was amongst the group’s supporters, and he put their follow-up single “Blue Canary” into his Festive Fifty on his BBC show. Eventually the pair landed their own TV show, which was basically a chat show, but had an ending segment during which guests sang karaoke. Frank Chickens also played concerts around the UK, most famously as part of the Red Wedge movement, and opened a few dates for The Smiths. The novelty of the group, however, wore off after awhile, and by 1986 their star had dropped a few ranks. Nonetheless, the Frank Chickens still carried on. In 1987, after just two albums, a greatest hits album was released. Taguchi left the group, and was replaced by Atsuko Kamura, and then Chika Nakagawa, and then by something of a revolving cast with Kazuko Hohki the only constant. Their double sided single of 1989, “Do The Karaoke” b/w “Jackie Chan” caused a small blip up in popularity, but only momentarily. Eventually some of their material was also released in Japan, but not until things were already on the slide, and little became of their career there. Kazuko Hohki continues to live in the UK and does a one woman multimedia show, also working in in various other capacities in the arts."
No comments:
Post a Comment