Whatever is this "New Wave" and "Punk" you speak of? </Knows 'Cause He Lived Through It And Misses It But Isn't Telling>

"New Wave" and "Punk" were two sepaparate pop music fashions of the 80's. "New Wave" was sort of retro 50's, and very graphics oriented, with lots of dot screens, blocks of colour, unusual type fonts, and comic book like layouts. "Punk" art, on the other hand, embraced improvisation, imperfection, and plain sloppiness for it's own sake. Accidental paste-up lines and smudges were not only overlooked, but purposefully added. It went along with the carefully ripped and bleached jeans, and safety pins stuck through less sensitive parts of the body.

If you only read major newspapers, or read magazines like Time, you might have missed all that. But there was a brief period when some TV graphics bought into the more retro form of "New Wave." The opening of "The New Leave it to Beaver" show, for instance. If you had your head buried in imported manga you would probably have missed even that. But some ordinary Japanese magazines meant for the mainstream reader had a very New Wave look.

(*Smile*) Preach it, Brother! </Child of the 80's>

*remembers the days of glam & prog rock-- BEFORE Punk, New Wave and Ska, and the emergence of serious Japanese pop & rock...* :)

d.m.f.

There's serious Japanese pop rock?

All I know about is some contempory "alternative" Japanese stuff, like Tomita. And commercial adolescent pop like "Shonen Knife," and "Puffy Amy Yumi Whatever."

Firstly, I'll define "serious" here as work that can be taken seriously, even if what's made can be silly at times. Most Japanese music heard here comes of course from videogames and anime, but yes, there ARE serious musicians and bands in Japan- Back in those days, I preferred YMO, whose three musicians were all well-respected from previous bands- One member, Ryuichi Sakamoto, has been instrumental in world music and jazz, and for doing soundtracks (and occasional acting) for movies like Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence in 1984; as well as other bands like Lizard (a Clash-inspired synth-punk band, that actually got some help from The Clash), Shoukichi Kina, an Okinawan long considered as the "father" of modern Japanese rock, Hikashu, a band that combined kabuki theatre with Kraftwerk, and so forth... :)

Yeah, I guess I've been around. :)

d.m.f.

I never really give much thought to soundtrack music, though some composers are quite good at it. (I particulary like Danny Elfman, and that guy Horner has some very good moments.) But mostly it goes unnoticed while watching the movie. I don't recall any soundtracks from the anime I've seen that I thougth stood alone, but won't dismiss the possibility.

The one big exception was some classic jazz performed by a Japanese retro jazz band in Metropolis.

Is TAFF like DUFF (Down Under Fan Fund)?

TAFF is the Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund, and the older of the two. I believe it came into existence somewhat unintentionally, when a fund was begun, in 1954, to bring Irish fan Walt Willis to an American convention. A couple of years might have gone by, and then the idea revived for an annual election. First one way across The Pond, and then the other.

No Canadian has ever won TAFF or DUFF, by the way, though a small number have tried.

I was alive in 89. lol

but i don't think that's long enouph to remember teh 80's lol

I was alive in '89 too. And '79. And '69... And *groan* '59...

lol I could see you dressed up like Fonzie and doing the pointing thing goin "aaeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii...."

By the time I was old enough to play Fonzie, the greaser look was several years out of date, and uncool, man. I might have been able to get away with long hair, bell bottoms, no shirt, and love beads though.

lol *hippie voice* wooooooeee.....maaaan....thats all like......trippy maaan.

XD Sorry couldn't resist. :P