Japanese hardcore punk - a scene marked by violence, rebellion, and creativity - is looking back on its roots with nostalgia and pride. The genre, which emerged in the 1980s, was characterized by its raw energy, aggressive sound, and DIY ethos.
"I was always looking for fast rhythms," says Minoru Ogawa, bassist of Lip Cream, one of Japan's earliest hardcore bands. "I'd dig through western hardcore records at UK Edison record store, asking staff for recommendations." This obsession with Western punk helped shape the Japanese scene, which drew inspiration from Discharge, Chaos UK, Dead Kennedys, and Disorder.
Lip Cream's music was marked by its ferocity and unpredictability, qualities that defined much of the early hardcore sound. Ogawa has said that everything he experienced in the Comes ended up fueling his drive with Lip Cream. "It wasn't that I wanted to change what I did - I just wanted to keep moving," he explains.
The Japanese scene was also marked by its isolation and exclusion. Punks were often treated like enemies of society, facing discrimination on trains and in job applications. Ishiya, frontman of Death Side, recalls the pressure to conform to mainstream norms. "Our basic stance was to rebel against society and 'common sense'," he says. "We chose a look that mainstream society wouldn't accept."
This tension between conformity and rebellion created an environment where violence was not only tolerated but also encouraged. Bands like GISM and Death Side were known for their intense live performances, which often featured violent outbursts from fans and band members alike.
Despite the challenges, many Japanese punks saw their scene as a source of empowerment and community. "There was a sense of rivalry but I think it was more like sharpening one another," says Ishiya. The individualism of the scene allowed bands to develop unique sounds and styles, with some experimenting in strange and innovative ways.
The impact of this scene can still be felt today, with Japanese hardcore influencing bands around the world. The release of reissued albums from the 1980s is a testament to the enduring power of this underground movement.
Ishiya's theories on why violence was so prevalent in the Japanese hardcore scene range from samurai influences to post-war trauma. However, he also suggests that Japan's unique musical heritage - rooted in forms like geinΕ kayΕkyoku, enka, and folk - helped fuel the genre's intensity. "If one rebels, one will likely move in a unique direction," he says.
The legacy of Japanese hardcore punk continues to inspire new generations of punks and fans alike. As Ishiya says, being a punk makes you a minority, but that value lies in its ability to bring people together and create something truly original.
"I was always looking for fast rhythms," says Minoru Ogawa, bassist of Lip Cream, one of Japan's earliest hardcore bands. "I'd dig through western hardcore records at UK Edison record store, asking staff for recommendations." This obsession with Western punk helped shape the Japanese scene, which drew inspiration from Discharge, Chaos UK, Dead Kennedys, and Disorder.
Lip Cream's music was marked by its ferocity and unpredictability, qualities that defined much of the early hardcore sound. Ogawa has said that everything he experienced in the Comes ended up fueling his drive with Lip Cream. "It wasn't that I wanted to change what I did - I just wanted to keep moving," he explains.
The Japanese scene was also marked by its isolation and exclusion. Punks were often treated like enemies of society, facing discrimination on trains and in job applications. Ishiya, frontman of Death Side, recalls the pressure to conform to mainstream norms. "Our basic stance was to rebel against society and 'common sense'," he says. "We chose a look that mainstream society wouldn't accept."
This tension between conformity and rebellion created an environment where violence was not only tolerated but also encouraged. Bands like GISM and Death Side were known for their intense live performances, which often featured violent outbursts from fans and band members alike.
Despite the challenges, many Japanese punks saw their scene as a source of empowerment and community. "There was a sense of rivalry but I think it was more like sharpening one another," says Ishiya. The individualism of the scene allowed bands to develop unique sounds and styles, with some experimenting in strange and innovative ways.
The impact of this scene can still be felt today, with Japanese hardcore influencing bands around the world. The release of reissued albums from the 1980s is a testament to the enduring power of this underground movement.
Ishiya's theories on why violence was so prevalent in the Japanese hardcore scene range from samurai influences to post-war trauma. However, he also suggests that Japan's unique musical heritage - rooted in forms like geinΕ kayΕkyoku, enka, and folk - helped fuel the genre's intensity. "If one rebels, one will likely move in a unique direction," he says.
The legacy of Japanese hardcore punk continues to inspire new generations of punks and fans alike. As Ishiya says, being a punk makes you a minority, but that value lies in its ability to bring people together and create something truly original.
it's all about embracin the raw energy & rebellion, you feel? i mean, those bands were all about breakin free from society norms & creatin their own thing 
it's so inspiring to see how they drew inspiration from western punk & turned it into somethin' unique. and yeah, the violence was definitely a part of it all 
but at the same time, it's clear that these guys were all about findin each other & creatin this community, you know? 
the japanese hardcore scene was all about raw energy & creativity 
it's no wonder they drew inspiration from western punk bands like discharge & chaos uk who were already pushing boundaries with their music & live shows back in the day 
minoru ogawa's story is so inspiring - digging through records at uk edison record store asking staff for recs just to find the perfect sound... talk about dedication 
and death side's frontman ishiya's words hit home for me too, the rivalry between bands was all about sharpening each other, not tearing each other down 
what i love most about this scene is how it brought people together & created a sense of community that's still felt today 
even though it was tough back in the day, those punks knew they had something special 
. I can imagine Minoru Ogawa digging through records at that UK Edison store, totally inspired by those fast rhythms 
. And yeah, it's crazy how the scene was all about rebellion and conformity, with some bands being super intense live 
. It's like, the Japanese hardcore scene may have been tough, but it still brought people together in a way that's so inspiring 
!
and i'm loving the fact that they're still reissuing old albums from the 80s... keeps the spirit of the scene alive 
The way it taps into this sense of rebellion and nonconformity is fascinating - it's like they were trying to shake off all these societal expectations and just be themselves, you know? And I love how it was influenced by Western punk bands, but also drew from Japan's unique musical heritage. It's like they took these raw energy and aggressive sounds and infused them with this Japanese aesthetic that was really unique at the time... 
. And I can see why violence was a thing in the early days β it's not hard to imagine being part of a community where you're already an outsider 
. But at the same time, it's great that many punks saw their scene as a source of empowerment & connection.
.
its like they took all the energy & anger of the 80s western scene & turned it into something TRULY unique 
β
& i love how they talked about how their experiences in japan's underground scene shaped them into who they are today 
it's so cool to see how japanese hardcore punk has influenced bands all around the world 
and despite being super intense, it brought ppl together 
the scene's raw energy still resonates, 40 years on 
minor details like geinΕ kayΕkyoku and enka might've played a role in shaping that intensity 
but also, it created an environment where they could be super intense & violent live 
death side & gism were known 4 their wild shows, lol
. I think what really set them apart was their willingness to challenge the status quo and push boundaries 
. And yeah, there were some wild times... but at its core, it was about community and creative expression 
. sure, it was intense, but it was also super isolated and cliquey 
. and don't even get me started on the whole "samurai influences" thing 
. like, japan has so much more to its musical heritage than just some ancient warrior culture 
. and that's what made it so special 
οΈ. the fact that it inspired bands around the world is a testament to its power 
But on the other hand, isn't this kind of individualism what made the scene so special in the first place? 
I guess I'm all over the map on this one... 
. I mean, can you imagine creating music in a country where the government's all about conformity? 
You gotta admire how those punks turned that into fuel for their rebellious sound 
. And now Japanese hardcore's influencing bands worldwide? That's just mind-blowing 
The nostalgia is real with this Japanese hardcore punk scene looking back on its roots! It's crazy to think about how this genre emerged in the 80s, influenced by Western bands like Discharge and Dead Kennedys. Minoru Ogawa's love for fast rhythms from UK records really helped shape the sound.
and recognizing how that DIY ethos helped shape an entire genre