Stereo Fabrication of Youth

5/10 (Sat) 14:00 @Osaka Jyo Music Hall ¥free! Tel: 06-6354-8020 www.funky802.com

Nagoya based J-indie powerpop kid wonders go door-to-door with their new release. Brought to life in '99 by buddies Eguchi (vo/g) and Wada (g), they've been rockin' and rollin' ever since. Free show with tons of other guests so no reason not to go!

The Thrills

5/10 (Sat) @Club Quattro ¥5500 Tel: 06-6361-0313

Road trips around the States inspired these five young Dubliners to form the Beach Boys of a postmodern world. No wonder Bono loves them. Their California harmonies and vintage keyboards can make you feel innocent again. Morrissey was so impressed by a rehearsal that he gave them opening slots on his last tour.

Chara

6/18 (Wed) 19:00 @Festival Hall ¥5775 Tel: 05-6357-4400 www.digi-chara.com

Her unmistakable voice and style give her "you either love her or you hate her" popularity. As for the details, Chara was born and raised in Saitama and at 22, she auditioned and got her first show at Club Quattro in Shibuya and by the end of the year, she was back there playing standing room only shows. In '96 she hit us with a staring role in Shinji Iwai's Swallowtail Butterfly (her second film with the director), which not only landed her the (Japanese) Academy Award for best actress, but best soundtrack as well (Yen Town Band). Towa Tei Produced her next album Junior Sweet and the rest is history. Her new album is called Yoakemae (Before Dawn) and we definitely love her.

Lisa Loeb

5/28 (Wed) 19:00 @America Mura Big Cat ¥6000 Tel: 06-6361-0313

Once upon a time there was an unsigned musician who went to all kinds of big music schools. Her name was Lisa. Lisa liked cats. One day, Lisa's friend Ethan Hawke asked her to contribute a song for his next movie. Lisa gladly did. The next thing she knew, her single Stay had been at the top of the charts for over three weeks. She and her band sold many albums and they weren't even signed yet. Her most recent release has Kitty-chan on the cover. Kawaii! No longer with Nine Stories but for anyone who loves Kitty-chan or simply has a megane fechi (glasses fetish), Lisa Loeb will surely satisfy.

American Hi-fi

5/28 (Wed) 19:00 @Club Quattro ¥5500 Tel: 06-6361-0313

Yet another band inspired by Cheap Trick. Indie veteran Stacy Jones, formerly of Letters To Cleo and Veruca Salt, put together this four-piece from Boston. They're in Japan for the first time since Fuji Rock last year, pushing their second album, The Art of Losing. Fun and accessible indie-rock.

The Ataris

6/1 (Mon) 19:00 @Club Quattro ¥5000Tel: 06-6361-0313

Discovered by Vandals member Joe Escalante at a Vandals concert, they were taken in and given room and board on Kung-Fu records until they were abducted by Sony last year. Now sounding like they came directly from the pop punk cloning factory, you'd better not Blink 182 or you just might miss them.

Quick listings

US3 It was only a matter of time before the sampler would become an instrument of jazz. Us3 have been playing jazz with samples of jazz for over ten years on the Bluenote label. By adding rap and hip-hop to the mix they're expanding the genre. 5/9,10 (Fri,Sat) 19:00, 21:30 (both nights) @Osaka Bluenote ¥7350 Tel: 06-6342-7722

THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT True, blue, driving rock and roll from this monster Japanese band. Promises to be as wild a show as their new record Wild Wild Sabrina Heaven. 5/10-11 (Sat, Sun) 19:00 @Zepp Osaka. ¥3800 Tel: 06-6341-3525

THE DONNAS Still full of attitude and middle-finger mayhem, Donna A., Donna R, Donna F, and Donna C are back in Japan. Half punk, and half rock and roll, The Donnas are not the kind of party girls you want to piss off. 5/11 (Mon) 18:00 @Club Quattro ¥5500 Tel: 06-6281-8181

ELVIS STORY So realistic that audience members have been brought to tears. Your chance to live it all over again. 5/14,15 (Wed, Thu) 14:00 +19:00 @Osaka Kosenenkinkaikan ¥9000/8000Tel: 06-6233-8888 www.fujitv.co.jp/jp/events/elvisstory/program.html

THE BANGLES In contrast to the opinions of various rock critics, the Bangles were a girl group that could play their instruments. As a four piece unit, they were covering guitar bands like Big Star and Love in L.A.'s Paisley Underground scene in the early 80's. The record industry picked them up, and gave them a complete makeover. The radio hits followed, with the help of some hot shot producers, including the artist formerly known as Christopher, later named Prince. The Bangles have reunited for your nostalgic pop pleasure. 5/26 (Sun) 19:00 @Club Quattro ¥7000Tel: 06-6281-8181

AVRIL LAVIGNE At the not-so-tender age of 17, this girl from Ontario gave us the 2002 release, Complicated, which cursed us by running through our heads all summer long. The worst part is that she's kept churning them out ever since then. This Canadian pop protege comes to town with all the power and persuasion that money and the business can buy. 5/27 (Tues) 19:00 @Zepp Osaka ¥7000Tel: 06-6362-7301

MURDERDOLLS After touring together at Ozzfest, guitarists Joey Jordison of Slipknot and Tripp Eisen of Static-X spawned the Murderdolls. Crossing rap metal and hardcore punk, their debut album, Beyond the Valley of the Murderdolls, features singer Wednesday 13. 5/27 (Tue) 19:00 @Minami America Mura Big Cat ¥5800 Tel: 06-6361-0313

EASTERN YOUTH Formed in '89, they managed to survive the band boom and bust of the early to late '90s. They toured most recently in the States with At the Drive In, these Japanese indie-rockers are doing a couple shows at home. 5/28 (Wed) 19:00 @Namba Hatch ¥2500 Tel: 06-6361-0313

BIOHAZARD Nothing like the game but just as entertaining. 5/29 (Wed) 19:00 @Club Quattro ¥5500Tel: 06-6361-0313

LOVE PSYCHEDELICO Excellent songs and a hip, retro feel are the ingredients of one of Japan's best rock units. Kumi can sing and sneer in flawless English, and partner Naoki Sato plays some very decent guitar. 5/31 (Sat) 18:00 @Osaka Jyou Yagai Ongakudo ¥4200 Tel: 06-6344-3326

HALL AND OATES Although mostly remembered as an 80's act, Temple University mates Daryl Hall and John Oates were making music together since 1967. Their modern take on Philly Soul eventually topped the pop charts, and briefly the R&B charts in the U.S., which was almost unheard of for White singers. This could be your last chance to see the blue-eyed kings of the doo wop. 6/1-2 (Sun, Mon) 17:00 +19:00 @Festival Hall ¥8000/7000Tel: 06-6341-4506

STRATOVARIUS Finland's Power Metal boys are back in Japan, or maybe they never left. 6/7-8 (Sat-Sun) 18:00 @Liquid Room /6500 Tel: 03-5474-9999 6/3 (Tue) 19:00 @Club Quattro ¥6500Tel: 06-6367-6000

YKZ Rap rockers from Japan 6/5 (Thu) @Club Quattro ¥2800 Tel: 06-6361-0313

MARIAH CAREY For all you fans of Glitter, now's your chance to see the princess live. 6/24,26 (Tue, Thu) 19:00 @Osaka Jyo Hall ¥10000/8000Tel: 06-6362-7301

Live section compiled by Dan Jury and Scott Mintz .
Japanese by Terumi Tsuji.