Day 8 Wednesday June 20

Stompin' Riff Raffs

The boys are off exploring again today so today I go looking in Shimo-Kitazawa for presents for the kids with Poz. Wev meet at the same coffee shop as last week but it seems like ages ago.

Get a few t-shirts, explore a few record shops and find a shop that is full of Japanese dolls and I pick one up for Liz. Lots of great second hand stores here and someone would need 5 suitcases and a pile of money to get the things you wanted home. What would you do if you lived here? I don't know.

Frank and I

 Toyozo as put us on the door for Nicki Corvette tonite at Shimo-Kitazawa Three. Bruce and Choc have been out looking for Mt. Fuji today so they don’t come with us. Bruce turns up later for a few minutes but he’s quickly gone. We meet up with Poz, Yol and Erin there. And our guest DJ Frank. It’s a small venue. But a little bigger than our ones.  

Gorrilla* start the night and they’re great. They are a fantastic power pop band and a bunch of lovely guts too. The Fadeaways play a blistering set and Toyozo does a flip while playing guitar. The energy puts off the stage. They're are followed by The Stompin’ Riff Riffs. They are just as good as the previous two bands. The girls all wear robber masks. The keyboard player uses a theremin. Young Parisian add a touch of glam to the night.  So much good stuff. It’s mind blowing. Nicki Corvette did a great set too. Going to gigs in Japan is never boring. audience love it. And so do we.

Toyozo and I

I chat to Bryce at the Merch stand. He’s married to the drummer of the Stompin’ Riff Raffs. Off the Hip are trying to get the Fadeaways to come to Australia. I tell him The Stompin’ Raffs should come too. he explains the problems that might arise. The bands want to bring their own gear because it's part of what the bands are. They're afraid of getting turned back at the Australian airport. I must admit that I had some of the same fear coming to Tokyo. What if they questioned our guitars CDs and drumsticks et al? But damn it,  it would be great to load up a plane with all these bands and blow Australian minds.

I plan to meet Toyozo back at Poor Cow but we decide to grab a bite to eat first and head off to our favourite Japanese Pancake place. We have too good a time there and go too late and then realise we have to catch the last train home. I message/apologise to Toyoza and realise I won't be able to catch up now because he's off on tour with Nicki Corvette until after we leave. 

Should of gone to Poor Cow but the band are playing there tomorrow night so we make our way back to the station and back to the hostel. Last night there thank god. Tomorrow we move to nicer digs.