The White Stripes
Jan 15

The late British music mogul John Peel compared their importance on the music scene to that of Jimi Hendrix and The Sex Pistols. Another critic described them as 'a new breed of back-to-basics rock act'.

Detroit garage/blues duo The White Stripes are again bringing their own brand of 'Kinkesque pop/Doors-likened rock' to Japan for a short four-date visit.

The White Stripes, consisting of Jack White (real name John Anthony Gills) on guitar, vocals and keyboards, and Meg White on the drums have been on tour since May of last year touting their fifth and latest album release, Get Behind Me Satan — an album that was written and recorded in just two weeks.

Formed in 1997 in Michigan, their debut album was released two years later and was simply titled The White Stripes. From there they've seen a rapid rise in popularity that shows no sign of waning. With their minimalist but inspiring blend of rock, blues, punk, garage and folk, The White Stripes are bringing something to the music scene that is much needed: bare and simple honesty.

Zepp Osaka
Entry: ¥6,500 • Time: 6pm
Rock Tel: 06-6233-8888

Tristan Prettyman

Jan 25

'Uncluttered', 'heartfelt wonder', 'contemporary and timeless', 'a natural talent'; these are all words that have been said about Twentythree the debut album from singer/songwriter Tristan Prettyman.

Since emerging on the Californian club circuit just a few years ago (still too young to legally enter a bar, which meant she had to stay backstage until she was due on stage) she has certainly caused a stir in the offices of many a major music label across the US.

Her first EP, The Love EP, sold over 10,000 copies even though it was only available through her website and at club gigs. It was no surprise then that word of her abilities and following got out and in the Autumn/Fall of 2003 she was invited to open up for Jason Mraz on his US tour (incidentally, Jason Mraz is also at Club Quattro this month, on the 29th). It was this support slot that probably kick-started her career properly. Her fan base grew enormously and it was just a matter of time before she was signed up to a major label (Virgin).

So, back to the album, the music; Tristan was initially inspired to pick up her father's acoustic guitar and write songs at the age of 15 after hearing an album by fellow American Ani Difranco. When it came to the recording she says that she 'didn't want to make a major label pop record', most of the tracks are first takes, trying to keep it raw and honest.

So finally, to describe how her career has progressed up to now we'll leave it to Tristan herself, 'Everything in my life has come to me so easily, like it was exactly what I was supposed to be doing'.

Club Quattro Osaka
Entry: ¥5,500 • Time: 7pm
Acoustic Female Vocal Tel: 06-6535-5569

Mike Stern Band
Jan 20 & 21

Three times Grammy nominated, Berkeley College of Music Graduate Mike Stern brings his band to the Blue Note, Osaka for two nights. Beginning his professional musical career at the age of 22 with the band Blood, Sweat & Tears he's been described as developing an 'exciting brand of modern Bebop, often featuring catchy, syncopated grooves with high energy overdriven solos', Stern has a CV to die for.

In 1981 he was part of the Miles Davis comeback band, in '85 he toured with Jaco Pastorius before returning to Davis and then in '86 went on the road with David Sanborn (who played alto sax on Stern's 1985 release 'Neesh').

Mike Stern is no stranger to Japanese shores and last year visited in January and October. Incidentally, his debut solo album 'Neesh' was released on the Japanese label Trio. His guitar playing has also graced a number of Japanese artists' recordings.

Stern's last album, his twelfth solo, These Times released over a year ago now demonstrates his openness to new directions and influences. Reviewed as 'hearkening back to the seventies when the boundaries between Jazz Fusion and Progressive Rock were pleasantly blurry …funky, rocking, bluesy and totally mesmerizing', Stern is not afraid to face commercial non-conformity head on and usually finds himself coming out on top.

Blue Note Osaka
Entry: ¥6,400-¥8,400 • Time: 6.30pm/9.30pm • Guitar Fusion
Tel: 06-6342-7722

Kaiser Chiefs
Jan 27

In between supporting The Foo Fighters in Australia and a European tour of their own, leading Brit-pop revivalists The Kaiser Chiefs stop by The Big Cat, Osaka as part of a short four-date trip to Japan.

It's been a rapid rise to fame for these five lads from the North England City of Leeds. Forming in 2003 with the sole ambition to play a support slot at the Leeds Festival (an ambition that they have now achieved), it wasn't long before the signs of greatness were beginning to appear.

Their self-financed single 'Oh My God' reached number 66 in the UK charts even though it was released in limited numbers and from there they were quickly signed up and released what they would call their first 'proper' single I Predict a Riot, which became a top twenty UK hit. They were also picked out to play on the UK magazine NME's Awards tour last year.

By means still unknown to the band news spread of their popularity to the US and a bidding war between labels to sign them up to a major thus ensued, the victors being Universal.
The Kaiser Chiefs debut album Employment has been described as a 'barrage of bouncing art-pop brilliance'. And if you're wondering what the band's name is all about, the original Kaiser Chiefs were a South African football team. But why they chose this name is still an unanswered question.

As for what the band hopes to accomplish in the future with their new found stardom, vocalist Ricky Wilson says that he wants all of his ex-girlfriends to recognize him on the television and most of all he wants a new filling for his tooth. Shouldn't be long before they have to set their sights a little higher by the sounds of things.

Big Cat Osaka
Entry: ¥5,800 • Time: 7pm
Brit-Pop Tel: 06-6535-5569

Live Listings January

1/5
Smorgas @ Club Quattro Osaka. 7pm ¥3,000 Tel: 06-6233-8888. J-Rock/Rap
1/5-7
The Ventures @ Blue Note Osaka 6.30pm/ 9.30pm ¥6,900.¥8,900 Tel: 06-6342-7722 Rock/Pop
1/7
The Elephant Kashi-mashi @ Namba Hatch Osaka. 5pm. ¥5,500 Tel: 06-6233-8888. Rock
1/8
SakeRock @ Metro Kyoto. 7pm. ¥2,500 Tel: 06-6535-5569. J-Band
1/9
All American Rejects @ Club Quattro Osaka. 6pm. ¥5,500-¥600 Tel: 06-6281-818 Rock
1/10
Bullet For My Valentine @ Club Quattro Osaka. 7pm. ¥5,500-¥6,000. Tel: 06-6281-8181. Metal
1/11
Drive Thru Tour @ Club Quattro Osaka. 7pm. ¥4,800 Tel: 06-6535-5569. Rock
1/13
Kenny G @ Festival Hall Osaka. 7pm. ¥8,500 Tel: 06-6233-8888. Jazz
1/14-15
Earth Wind & Fire @ Festival Hall Osaka. 5pm. ¥9,500 Tel: 06-6233-8888 Funk/Soul
1/15
The Whites Stripes @ Zepp Osaka. 6pm. ¥6,500 Tel: 06-6535-5569. Rock
1/16-17
Larry Carlton @ Blue Note Osaka 6.30pm/9.30pm. ¥6,400-¥8,400Tel: 06-6342-7722. Fusion Blues
1/17
Rufio @ Club Quattro. Osaka. 7pm ¥4,000
Tel: 06-6281-8181. Pop-punk
1/18
Stratovarius @ Club Quattro Osaka. 7pm. ¥6,500 Tel: 06-6281-8181. Metal
1/19
Mest @ Big Cat Osaka. 7pm. ¥5,800 Tel: 06-6535-5569. Rock
1/19
Kishidan @ Kyoto Daiihci Hall Kyoto. 6.30pm. ¥5,989
Tel: 075-252-5150. J-Rock
1/20-21
Mike Stern Band @ Blue Note Osaka. 6.30pm/9.30pm. ¥6,400-¥8,400 Tel: 06-6342-7722. Fusion Guitar
1/20
Tarnio Okuda @ Kyoto Daiichi Hall Kyoto. 6.30pm. ¥5,900
Tel: 06-6357-4400. Male Vocal
1/23
The Ordinary Boys @ Club Quattro Osaka. 7pm. ¥6,300-¥6,800 Tel: 06-6281-8181. Rock
1/24
Lala Hathaway @ Blue Note Osaka 6.30pm/9.30pm. ¥6,000-¥8,000 Tel: 06-6342-7722. R&B/Soul
1/24
Supergrass @ Club Quattro Osaka 7pm. ¥6,000-¥6,500
Tel: 06-6281-8181. Rock
1/25
Tristan Prettyman @ Club Quattro Osaka. 7pm. ¥5,500 Tel: 06-6281-8181. Female Vocal
1/27
Kaiser Chiefs @ Big Cat Osaka 7pm ¥5,800 Tel: 06-6535-5569 Brit Pop
1/27-28
George Yanagi @ Blue Note Osaka ¥6,400-¥8,400 Tel: 06-6342-7722. J-Pop/Blues
1/29
Jason Mraz @ Club Quattro Osaka 7pm. ¥6,000 Tel: 06-6281-8181. Male Vocal
1/30
The Bled @ Club Quattro Osaka. 7pm. ¥3,800 Tel: 06-6281-8181. Rock
1/30
Rihanna @ Namba Hatch Osaka. 7pm. ¥6,000 Tel: 06-6233-8888. R&B

Compiled by Phillip Jackson