Japanese rockers stomp into Seoul
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Japan’s Stompin’ Riffraffs are scheduled to perform in Seoul, Friday. / Courtesy of Stompin’ Riffraffs
By Jon Dunbar
Japan’s Stompin’ Riffraffs will come to Seoul on Friday for their first-ever Korean gig.
“It is the first time for us except (pianist) Miku,” said bassist Rie. “She has been to Korea before because she is a big fan of Korean BBQ!”
The quartet ― “A Man and Three Chicks” as their album is named, will play at Gyeongnidan club Boogie Woogie, joined by Korean garage punks Crawler and local expat indie-pop act Nice Legs.
“Simple and primitive” is how bassist Rie describes the Riffraffs. We’re all big fans of late ‘50s, early ‘60s rock and roll, and that's where we would hope to place our sound,” she told The Korea Times.
But that doesn’t do justice to their striking live performances, in which they dress up in costumes or formal wear on stage. Frontman Nao strikes quite a profile backed by masked female musicians Rie on bass, Miku on piano and theremin and Saori on drums.
“It’s important to look sharp on stage,” Rie explained. “You wanna see how crazy a bunch of masked women can get onstage, you're just gonna have to come see us for yourself.”
The concert was arranged after a chance encounter in a bar in Shibuya, Tokyo, with Baron van West, an expat event organizer living in Seoul.
“We've always been interested in other Asian rock n’ roll scenes outside of Japan,” said Rie. “We are looking forward to meat, beer and rock n’ roll!”
Seoul Shindig, an expat-run event promoter founded in 2011, is co-hosting the show with Seoul City Stomp, a new all-vinyl DJ crew specializing in vintage music.
“On any given weekend in Seoul you can’t throw a rock without hitting a club playing top 40 pop, house, EDM or obnoxious party music,” Baron told The Korea Times. “We do this out of our love and deep dedication to music from communities that were marginalized, segregated and never given the chance to become the stars they should have been!”
Baron co-founded Seoul City Stomp with Korean reggae/ska musician and DJ Jude Nah. He also runs Seoul Shindig with DJ Legba, having inherited it after the previous manager moved away. “Shindig has gone through many owners,” he said.
“We’re an extension of a worldwide scene that exists in world-class cities and we believe Seoul should be a part of that community.”
Doors open at 9:30 p.m. and entry costs 10,000 won. After the bands, Rie and Baron will DJ an all-night vintage vinyl dance party with northern soul DJ Pablo Winchester. Visit facebook.com/seoulshindig or facebook.com/seoulcitystomp for more information.