Japan has a screamo band called Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas

Ah, Japan. What a baffling land of head-melting goodness it is. It reminds me of the artistic guy in your class who would be pretty cool if he just stuck to what he was good at and didn't try to pass himself off as the rebellious trouble-maker. Instead of drawing on his own background and skills, he copies another culture down to the last detail and basically becomes a parody of himself.
And so it can be the case with Japan and the U S of A. Don't get me wrong, Japan is scarily far ahead in terms of technology and karate and all that stuff. There's also some great bands like Engrave and some funny bands that are ok like Brain Failure. (No idea if either are from Japan or China or wherever but same difference, am i right?!)

Enter Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas, a trancecore/screamo band from Japan and OMGoth where do I start?

I don't even..I can't...what?!

I tried to make some order to this but they are an assault on the senses! Alright first off - the name. Firstly it is lol just by simply existing as a band name. If I have to explain this then you need to pay more attention to post hardcore/anything-core bands. That's before I talk about DAT COMMA. Did they intentionally say 'fuck you grammar' when they chose it, or was it a ridiculous attempt to distance themselves from crazy ol' Hunter S?

Then there's their sound and videos...

I actually like the first 20 seconds or so of the song. I mean, they are jumping around like overgrown androgynous kids dancing in front of a mirror but it's upbeat, it's fun, I can dig it...and then....

DAT AUTOTUNE

W...T....F.... I'm guessing they set it to 11?! Holy shit. Talk about taking an idea and going with the 'make it more make it better' formula! Why not just have a robot, that would be x10000 times cooler and just as natural sounding. Though I will say when the screams come in I think it works a bit better aaaand they can write/programme a catchy chorus! 1.25 brings some of the best 'get the fuck up!' nu metal style bounce riffing I've heard in a long time and that guy/girl really can scream! Also the little breakdown with the guitar lead over it is kinda sweet.

But let's get back to the comedy!

• Has anyone else noticed that the screamer moves a lot like a certain magician in Arrested Development?

•  I thought 'party by the pool' music videos were meant to have, you know, people? Friends..fans..guilt-tripped girlfriends..

• Flip flops...

• Dat keyboard playing at 2.01 looks familiar...
   
  
  
  (SRSLY PLAY THE SONG IN THE BACKGROUND AND WATCH THESE TWO GIFS)
  
  
  ...and this is only the tip of the iceberg...they have loads of videos ..!

I would non-ironically lose my effin' mind to the first half of this song if I was in a club. I think I got a nose bleed about 2.30 though.

Now, I'm sure you're all saying 'this is A grade stuff, but they won't be my new favourite band until I connect with the lyrics.' I hear you! Here is a lyric video.

I'm going to go on record and say I would actually be super into this band if it wasn't for the autotuned lad. The intro is sweet and the heavy bits are nailed down MOSH. But, back to the lyrics. Some highlights include.

• Travelling all four point wherever wind blows
• Do not hold any bag courage is all you need
• There are no choice for you but to go forward
• Things you've never met exist in the world. It's will surely make your journey worthy.

But fie on all my jokes, dat breakdown 2.00. Hooooooly.

I'm actually going to check out some more, but I might need a lie down first. As their last.fm biography says:

"The audacious and unique fusion of heavy music and various electronic sounds produced by the keyboard has facinated many audiences."

 CONSIDER ME FACINATED.