Anybody familiar with the Japanese pop band "Box"?

[bbernardini]

I acquired this really obscure about about 6 months ago, and I can't seem to find any more information about this band. The album I have, "Box Pops" was released in the late 80s, and is a dead-on Beatles imitation (think Utopia's "Deface The Music"). They seem to be singing in a mix of Japanese and English. The lead-off track, "Temptation Girl" has been stuck in my head for about a week now.

Anybody?

[Benfea]

1. I learned to despise Japanese pop music back in the 70s...

…when I lived there. It was all teeny bopper acts (e.g. Britney Spears).

I've since come to enjoy Yoko Kano and a few other bits, but for the most part the mere mention of "Japanese pop music" sets my teeth on edge.

[tigereye]

2. even Shonen Knife?

at least they are the cool kind of annoying.... :silly:

[Susang]

6. What about Cibo Matto

I love their tunes. "I know my chicken...you've got to know your chicken!" :D

[tigereye]

9. aren't they Americans though?

maybe it was the Sean Lennon angle that made me think that....

[Susang]

13. They live in NYC

But they're both originally from Japan.

http://www.wdirewolff.com/JapCibo.htm

[Benfea]

7. Shonen came waaaaaaaay later

Yeah, I liked them, but they're the exception, not the rule.

[tigereye]

8. not that much later

"Shonen Knife originally formed during December of 1981 in their hometown of Osaka, Japan (all three members were working at the time as office clerks) before playing their first real show in March of the following year. Soon after, the group began issuing albums in their native land, including 1982's cassette-only release Minna Tanoshiku (English translation: Everybody Happy?), 1983's Burning Farm, 1984's Yama No Attchan, and 1986's Pretty Little Baka Guy (the latter of which was reissued with extra tracks four years later, under the title Pretty Little Baka Guy/Live in Japan). Although their records were only available in the U.S. via import, Shonen Knife struck a chord with the underground with a track of theirs appearing on the Sub Pop 100 compilation in 1986. Also, in 1989, a variety of alternative bands recorded renditions of their favorite Shonen Knife songs for the tribute album Every Band Has a Shonen Knife Who Loves Them."

early 80s.

whoops you said 70s... I was thinking of the OP's looking for 80s groups.

[Benfea]

10. In 1981, I was no longer in Japan

Even if I was, it doesn't sound like too many people in Japan heard about them in 1981 either.

Like most people, I didn't hear about Shonen Knife until the 90s.

[tigereye]

11. you are right

It just seems like longer! SK were the obsession of most of my male hipster/college radio buddies for quite some time. Oddly enough, my female musician friends weren't quite as interested. :D

the early 90s were quite a while ago, too, though.

[sakabatou]

12. There are some good j-pop bands out there

Ma'aya Sakamoto
Do As Infinity

Some others...

[Fenris]

3. They apparently are/were on Sony Japan

They put out two albums, rereleased now as a double CD set. The first album is "Box Pops" and the second is "Journey To Your Heart."

Sorry...the only link I found was in Japanese.

http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/SR/Box/index.html

[bbernardini]

4. Thanks! I'll have to see if I can find 'em cheap somewhere. nt

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. I'm sure their fans are, and probably a lot of radio people

as well as yourself.

So, the answer is "yes".

:7