Japan Tribute Bands
26 January 2004 0828
T-Rex Tribute band perofrming Music 19:20
Simkin: Japan has a fascination with imitation.
Music
Simkin: The nations clubs are full of Japanese versions of bands that are gone in the west, but havent been forgotten here. Old foreign bands are particularly popular fodder for impersonators -- Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Bay City Rollers theyre all still rocking in Tokyo -- not even T-Rex is extinct. 19:45
Elvis impersonator Music
Simkin: There are thousands of professional cover bands and at least 500 Elvis impersonators. 20:17
Music
Koki going to work Simkin: By day, Koki Oyori is a dour office worker a typical Japanese salaryman but by night, he squeezes into a rhinestone jumpsuit and becomes a big hunk of love. 20:41
Koki as Elvis impersonator Music
Simkin: Of course, many countries have tribute bands, but few have as many as Japan and virtually no one takes it as seriously. 21:06
Koki as Elvis impersonator ELVIS: We emphasise the spiritual part of Elvis -- the specific way he sang and the passion that came from his soul. I think the Japanese are better at reproducing those nuances than other impersonators. 21:14
Rock concert Simkin: Its not like there isnt a thriving local music industry. Bands like Bump of Chicken, Super Butter Dog and The Kinki Kids gets lots of exposure -- and pump out hit after hit. 21:47
Beatles tribute band But for many people, the old and the exotic are much more fun.
Yoko Ono wasnt the only Japanese woman to fall in love with a Beatle.
Beatles Tribute band: Ahh ahh ahh well shake it up baby now, twist and shout!
Simkin: There are eight full-time Beatles bands in Tokyo alone. They play every night of the week, and pull enthusiastic crowds. 22:34
Woman audience member Woman audience member: The Beatles are like an enka -- a traditional, old-style Japanese song. Its where Japanese hearts turn to. The Beatles are the British version of that. 22:49
Kiss Tribute band Music
Simkin: So why are fake foreigners so popular? Many people believe it reflects a copycat culture. In the same way that Toyota and Sony adapted and perfected foreign technology, Japan has adopted foreign music. These Kiss clones think it all began with traditional theatre. 23:13
Kiss tribute band KISS Member: Its is probably because of our Kabuki plays. Traditionally, the world of Japanese art like Kabuki has been handed down from generation to generation. There is a spirit of imitation and copying. 23:36
Madonna tribute artist Music 23:51
Simkin: Its not easy to imitate a foreign performer not least because of differences in language, culture and appearance. Every night, Chiharu Inukai turns herself into Japans version of Madonna. She knows she has big boots to fill. 23:57
Inukai Inukai: I change, not into Madonna, but into a different person when I put on the make-up and wear the costume. I become an almighty person and feel like I can do anything. 24:24
Inukai singing Music
Simkin: Inukai-san has spent six years studying every one of her idols video clips, movies and public appearances. The result is a remarkable similarity right down to the American accent. Thats despite the fact that Inukai-san doesnt understand the words shes singing although shes clearly worked out hanky panky. 24:56
Music
Foreign singing class Music
Simkin: There are shortcuts to success aspiring crooners can attend special foreign singing classes. The first step is to learn the words and what they mean. 25:40
Teacher: Make me thrill with delight.Students: Make me thrill with delight. 25:55
Simkin: According to these housewives, they could never say something as risqué as I want you, I need you, I love you in Japanese, but they can get away with it in English. 25:59
Woman in class Woman: Ever since I was young, Japanese songs have been quiet and restrained in their meanings. English songs are not thats why Im attracted to them. 26:14
Students learning English pronunciation Simkin: Some English sounds like r can be a mouthful for the Japanese -- and so is this unusual oral training technique. The teacher insists the chopsticks make a difference. 26:34
Teacher Teacher: The best thing is if you break the chopsticks in half and put the sharp side into your mouth. Then you can lift deep inside your throat and produce a sweet, soft voice. 26:47
Singing class vox pops Simkin: Its hard to know if the training is paying off. 27:00
SINGING: You light up my life I love my calendar girl Waltzing Matilda
Music
Simkin: Soon a whole new band of western singers will be hitting the notes, treading the boards and fulfilling fantasies. 27:26
Tribute BandsReporter: Mark SimkinCamera: Jun MatsuzonoEditor: Garth ThomasResearch: Yayoi Eguchi and Yumiko Asada
26 January 2004 0828
T-Rex Tribute band perofrming Music 19:20
Simkin: Japan has a fascination with imitation.
Music
Simkin: The nations clubs are full of Japanese versions of bands that are gone in the west, but havent been forgotten here. Old foreign bands are particularly popular fodder for impersonators -- Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Bay City Rollers theyre all still rocking in Tokyo -- not even T-Rex is extinct. 19:45
Elvis impersonator Music
Simkin: There are thousands of professional cover bands and at least 500 Elvis impersonators. 20:17
Music
Koki going to work Simkin: By day, Koki Oyori is a dour office worker a typical Japanese salaryman but by night, he squeezes into a rhinestone jumpsuit and becomes a big hunk of love. 20:41
Koki as Elvis impersonator Music
Simkin: Of course, many countries have tribute bands, but few have as many as Japan and virtually no one takes it as seriously. 21:06
Koki as Elvis impersonator ELVIS: We emphasise the spiritual part of Elvis -- the specific way he sang and the passion that came from his soul. I think the Japanese are better at reproducing those nuances than other impersonators. 21:14
Rock concert Simkin: Its not like there isnt a thriving local music industry. Bands like Bump of Chicken, Super Butter Dog and The Kinki Kids gets lots of exposure -- and pump out hit after hit. 21:47
Beatles tribute band But for many people, the old and the exotic are much more fun.
Yoko Ono wasnt the only Japanese woman to fall in love with a Beatle.
Beatles Tribute band: Ahh ahh ahh well shake it up baby now, twist and shout!
Simkin: There are eight full-time Beatles bands in Tokyo alone. They play every night of the week, and pull enthusiastic crowds. 22:34
Woman audience member Woman audience member: The Beatles are like an enka -- a traditional, old-style Japanese song. Its where Japanese hearts turn to. The Beatles are the British version of that. 22:49
Kiss Tribute band Music
Simkin: So why are fake foreigners so popular? Many people believe it reflects a copycat culture. In the same way that Toyota and Sony adapted and perfected foreign technology, Japan has adopted foreign music. These Kiss clones think it all began with traditional theatre. 23:13
Kiss tribute band KISS Member: Its is probably because of our Kabuki plays. Traditionally, the world of Japanese art like Kabuki has been handed down from generation to generation. There is a spirit of imitation and copying. 23:36
Madonna tribute artist Music 23:51
Simkin: Its not easy to imitate a foreign performer not least because of differences in language, culture and appearance. Every night, Chiharu Inukai turns herself into Japans version of Madonna. She knows she has big boots to fill. 23:57
Inukai Inukai: I change, not into Madonna, but into a different person when I put on the make-up and wear the costume. I become an almighty person and feel like I can do anything. 24:24
Inukai singing Music
Simkin: Inukai-san has spent six years studying every one of her idols video clips, movies and public appearances. The result is a remarkable similarity right down to the American accent. Thats despite the fact that Inukai-san doesnt understand the words shes singing although shes clearly worked out hanky panky. 24:56
Music
Foreign singing class Music
Simkin: There are shortcuts to success aspiring crooners can attend special foreign singing classes. The first step is to learn the words and what they mean. 25:40
Teacher: Make me thrill with delight.Students: Make me thrill with delight. 25:55
Simkin: According to these housewives, they could never say something as risqué as I want you, I need you, I love you in Japanese, but they can get away with it in English. 25:59
Woman in class Woman: Ever since I was young, Japanese songs have been quiet and restrained in their meanings. English songs are not thats why Im attracted to them. 26:14
Students learning English pronunciation Simkin: Some English sounds like r can be a mouthful for the Japanese -- and so is this unusual oral training technique. The teacher insists the chopsticks make a difference. 26:34
Teacher Teacher: The best thing is if you break the chopsticks in half and put the sharp side into your mouth. Then you can lift deep inside your throat and produce a sweet, soft voice. 26:47
Singing class vox pops Simkin: Its hard to know if the training is paying off. 27:00
SINGING: You light up my life I love my calendar girl Waltzing Matilda
Music
Simkin: Soon a whole new band of western singers will be hitting the notes, treading the boards and fulfilling fantasies. 27:26
Tribute BandsReporter: Mark SimkinCamera: Jun MatsuzonoEditor: Garth ThomasResearch: Yayoi Eguchi and Yumiko Asada