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| TsuShiMaMiRe / Courtesy of Atsuki Iwasa |
By Jon Dunbar
They couldn't have asked for worse timing to bring two Japanese bands to Korea. But amid worsening bilateral relations, consumer-led boycotts and historic conflicts, punk band TsuShiMaMiRe and post-hardcore/shoegaze band Mass of the Fermenting Dregs are braving the political climate to play at the first-ever Oso Oseyo Yeonnameh (literally "Welcome to Yeonnam") Music Festa in Yeonnam-dong, near Hongik University in western Seoul.
Their visit will show whether there is unity between Korea and Japan's underground music scenes.
"Maybe some people might become more sensitive about Japan," TsuShiMaMiRe bassist Tsushima Yayoi told The Korea Times. "But if I am worried about problems between countries, I couldn't go to other countries. I believe music is borderless."
Kim Min-jung, founder of Kkakka Company (named after her cat) which is running the festival, admitted she's been watching the news with worry since the beginning of the month when the trade confrontation began. She began planning the festival in April before things turned ugly, but their friendship comes first.
"It's not that I'm not concerned at all," Kim told The Korea Times. "But I strongly agree with Yayoi that music is borderless. It makes me feel a little peaceful. And I want to add that music is peace."
Kim has been a fan of TsuShiMaMiRe "since the beginning" and has fostered a close relationship with the girl band since 2015.
When she heard TsuShiMaMiRe was coming to Korea for Zandari Festa 2015, she engaged in some letter diplomacy, preparing an 11-song demo CD and a written invitation to see her own psychedelic punk band, Ego Function Error, founded in 2013. And the Japanese trio took them up on the invitation and showed up.
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| TsuShiMaMiRe performs at Strange Fruit during Zandari Festa 2015. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar |
"We listened to their CD at the hotel and we thought their music is very interesting," Yayoi said. "We went to their show. The show was very fun. And then our relationship started."
TsuShiMaMiRe returned to Korea for Zandari 2016, and for 2017 Yeosu Sea at Night Fest. And Ego Function Error also visited Japan on three occasions to tour with TsuShiMaMiRe, in 2016, 2018 and earlier this year. They have played together 12 times, and Ego Function Error has performed with Mass of the Fermenting Dregs twice.
"I think Korea's scene is more pop, and less punk and psychedelic than Japan's," Yayoi said. "And I feel many of Korea's musicians play better. I think they must practice more!"
This year Yayoi celebrates 20 years with TsuShiMaMiRe, which formed in 1999 with her college schoolmates Mari Kono and Mizue Masuda, with the band name coming from sounds from each of their names.
"it's been a very quick 20 years for me. I'm surprised 20 years has past," Yayoi said. "We have never stopped and have been very busy ― making songs, plans, recording, releasing, shows, touring in Japan and many other countries ― always for 20 years."
They broke through to U.S. audiences in 2004 when they performed at Austin's South by Southwest music festival. The following year they toured the U.S. again as part of the Japan Girls Night US Tour, and again later in the year with the Suicide Girls Live Burlesque Tour, performing 35 shows between Sept. 30 and Nov. 5. Then in 2006 they were back for the Anime Central convention in Rosemont Illinois, and were set to tour with the Suicide Girls again when the latter changed plans in order to become the opening act for Guns N' Roses.
"We have overcome difficult things and felt much emotion with our members. We have new dreams and new troubles and new feelings always. Maybe never satisfaction…" Yayoi said.
"I love more TsuShiMaMiRe. I believe more in our power. I want to see more people love our music. And I feel a stronger desire to keep making music."
Now, they are returning here for the fourth time with Mass of the Fermenting Dregs, newcomers to Korea.
"They are very good friends of ours for more than 10 years," Yayoi said. "Their music is very emotional. It sounds like a wave. I'm attracted to their show always."
The three bands are set to play a pre-show on Friday at Club Steel Face.
Then on Saturday, the full-day, two-venue festival begins at 2 p.m. with legendary Korean punk band Crying Nut. The seven other bands joining TsuShiMaMiRe, Mass of the Fermenting Dregs and Ego Function Error include Laybricks, Airy and Dabda. Bands are at Channel1969 and DJs are nearby at Chill Pub.
There is talk of an additional after-party show scheduled for ticket holders; Kim said details will be released on Wednesday.
