Chicago DJ PsychoMike Presents BABYMETAL!?! Stop this now!
With DJ Dave The Spazz on vacation the powers that be let their guard down for a moment. This isn't heavy metal. THIS IS MUSICAL GENOCIDE!
You think metal is all bad ass with devil imagery and references to Crowley? How about metal with banned Japanese state religion Shinto imagery?
Hi folks, I’m filling in for the great WFMU DJ Dave The Spazz until September and I know your first question is, “Who the hell is DJ PsychoMike”?
I was the first American to spin mashups and only mashups in the U.S. and introduced the writer of the above article to mashup DJ’s around the world for quotes for the above article. I also did a documentary on punk rock- in 1977.
And I also have headed this film society that runs The Global Psychotronic Film Society here on Substack for over 35 years.
I have also written, produced and directed 19 plays.
And I have about 5 stalkers which is the sign of success in America. Because I partied with bikers and am an honorary member of a club for 7 years they never confront me, but instead send letters and emails to the press, police, celebs, etc. Now, on to the music.
There has never been a band, metal or otherwise, as BABYMETAL. They started as teenagers and are now in their 20's. They are unique to say the least. BABYMETAL wouldn't work unless the music was mindbogglingly good, and it is.
After World War 2 Japan was actually in good shape economically because it wasn’t in debt as was much of the world. General MacArthur discovered the word “yen”, the word for the Japanese dollar meant circle and destroyed the economy. He also banned the Shinto religion as a state religion which drove it underground. The Japanese people did not complain. They thought they were being punished for losing the war. The Shinto religion can best be explained here at the Wikipedia link:
Understanding the Shinto religion click here
Kawaii metal (also known as idol metal, cute metal, J-pop metal, or kawaiicore is a musical genre that blends elements of heavy metal and J-pop that was pioneered in Japan in the early 2010s. The genre combines both Eastern and Western influences that appeal to both cultures. A typical kawaii metal composition combines the instrumentation found in various types of heavy metal music with J-pop melodies and a Japanese idol aesthetic. Kawaii metal's lyrical topics often contain kawaii (cute, lovable, kidlike) themes.
The Japanese girl group Babymetal is often credited with the creation and success of kawaii metal. - Wikipedia. That’s right. Babymetal created a genre of heavy metal.
This was the first song I ever heard of Babymetal, and it blew my socks off. Still does.
Babymetal (Japanese: ベビーメタル, Hepburn: Bebīmetaru) is a Japanese kawaii metal band consisting of Suzuka Nakamoto as "Su-metal", Moa Kikuchi as "Moametal" and Momoko Okazaki as "Momometal". The band is produced by Kobametal from the Amuse talent agency. Their vocals are backed by heavy metal instrumentation, performed by a group of session musicians known as the "Kami Band" at performances. - Wikipedia
Here is their giant robot song. but actually, could be about any Japanese warrior:
For reasons unknown, the following song wasn’t released outside Japan. However, as fans heard it around the world, they bought up import copies and made it a beloved classic.
Here is their latest song:
This playlist begins with Rob Halford of Judas Priest joining them to sing with them: