From reading up on London based rockers Yokozuna you really can’t help but like them. The ‘promoters’ paragraph on their Facebook profile in particular presents a band with firm and respectable ethics and passion for what they do. Plus any band who declare their genre as ‘Concrete/experimental showtunes’ are alright in my book. So it’s with high expectations I begin to spin their latest EP, the interestingly titled ‘John Frum’. I could waffle on about the significance of the title and cover but suffice to say, give the name a google and read up on why this was a superb and unique choice of branding.
As for the music, here Yokozuna present four excellently produced and dynamic tracks that easily capture the ear upon first listen. The overall sound recalls a throwback to mid-90’s scuzzy/fuzzy artistic punk spun with a modern wit and rock crunch, a welcome change of pace from a lot of the new music being touted right now.
Opener ‘Toy Boat’ begins with washed out strumming interspersed with huge stabbing punk chords that give way to a memorable “takes time” refrain and the song takes shape. The track is punchy and would be perfectly serviceable rolling along with the formula, but then Yokozuna stake their claim as a band to watch by switching to a big dirty Fugazi-esc breakdown. I did not expect that. It’s here the track takes on a life of its own and the sprawling instrumental second half of the song really gets you invested in the band and their potential.
Second track ‘Keith, Not Keith’ feels even better realised than the previous track as the punk edge is more seamlessly integrated in to the grungy Fuagazi influence and, as such, may be my highlight of the EP. The track rolls along on an almost sinister disjointed scuzzed up vibe with stabbing strums and builds to a great Sonic Youth-esc chorus. The closing wall of noise flurry really complements the throwback vibe and is where the bands song writing skill really shines through. This is a track purpose built to get a whole room bobbing along live.
‘Other Guy’ takes a more downbeat but no less engaging approach and contains quite possibly the EP’s best vocal lines. The Nirvana ‘Bleech’ esc riffs soar with the mix of spoken word and drawn out vocal refrains whilst another excellent post-rock wall of sound flurry rounds off the song and reminds you that this is a band with a cohesive and distinctive sound whilst still managing to throw a unique energy in to each track.
Closing track ‘Barlow’s House’ forgoes many of the post-rock flourishes seen previously in favour of a riotous two minute punk burst and affirms just how incendiary this band can be. Despite raging along with a barrage of drums and lashings of grunge menace the track never loses sight of the bands unique vibe and somehow fits perfectly along with the more brooding selections on the EP. It’s a testament to just how comfortable in their own skin this band are that elements recalling bands are polar as Baby Chaos and Fugazi can be forged together in to a sound that’s uniquely… Yokozuna.
After spinning the EP on repeat and each track engraining itself on my ears I’m still hungry for more and can’t wait to experience the band live. And in a scene where so many bands wash over you after the first listen I really can’t give a bigger compliment than that. My only criticism has to be the lack of at least one Banzai Drop reference, would’ve been nice. Still, superb stuff and I look forward to where the band goes from here.
Be sure to head over to http://yokozuna.bandcamp.com/ and check out the EP as well as their other material.
Grayham Rogers
As for the music, here Yokozuna present four excellently produced and dynamic tracks that easily capture the ear upon first listen. The overall sound recalls a throwback to mid-90’s scuzzy/fuzzy artistic punk spun with a modern wit and rock crunch, a welcome change of pace from a lot of the new music being touted right now.
Opener ‘Toy Boat’ begins with washed out strumming interspersed with huge stabbing punk chords that give way to a memorable “takes time” refrain and the song takes shape. The track is punchy and would be perfectly serviceable rolling along with the formula, but then Yokozuna stake their claim as a band to watch by switching to a big dirty Fugazi-esc breakdown. I did not expect that. It’s here the track takes on a life of its own and the sprawling instrumental second half of the song really gets you invested in the band and their potential.
Second track ‘Keith, Not Keith’ feels even better realised than the previous track as the punk edge is more seamlessly integrated in to the grungy Fuagazi influence and, as such, may be my highlight of the EP. The track rolls along on an almost sinister disjointed scuzzed up vibe with stabbing strums and builds to a great Sonic Youth-esc chorus. The closing wall of noise flurry really complements the throwback vibe and is where the bands song writing skill really shines through. This is a track purpose built to get a whole room bobbing along live.
‘Other Guy’ takes a more downbeat but no less engaging approach and contains quite possibly the EP’s best vocal lines. The Nirvana ‘Bleech’ esc riffs soar with the mix of spoken word and drawn out vocal refrains whilst another excellent post-rock wall of sound flurry rounds off the song and reminds you that this is a band with a cohesive and distinctive sound whilst still managing to throw a unique energy in to each track.
Closing track ‘Barlow’s House’ forgoes many of the post-rock flourishes seen previously in favour of a riotous two minute punk burst and affirms just how incendiary this band can be. Despite raging along with a barrage of drums and lashings of grunge menace the track never loses sight of the bands unique vibe and somehow fits perfectly along with the more brooding selections on the EP. It’s a testament to just how comfortable in their own skin this band are that elements recalling bands are polar as Baby Chaos and Fugazi can be forged together in to a sound that’s uniquely… Yokozuna.
After spinning the EP on repeat and each track engraining itself on my ears I’m still hungry for more and can’t wait to experience the band live. And in a scene where so many bands wash over you after the first listen I really can’t give a bigger compliment than that. My only criticism has to be the lack of at least one Banzai Drop reference, would’ve been nice. Still, superb stuff and I look forward to where the band goes from here.
Be sure to head over to http://yokozuna.bandcamp.com/ and check out the EP as well as their other material.
Grayham Rogers