A Week of SXSW 2009: BO-PEEP

[SXSW 2009]
BO-PEEP
Sounds Like: J-Rock / Garage Punk
Drinking Buddies: Kokeshi Dolls, Fool&Scissors, The Pillows
Synopsis: A punk rock explosion from Japan.
Appearances at SXSW:

• Creekside Lounge (2:30 PM, March 19)
• Whole Foods Market Roof (3:30 PM, March 20)
• Lamberts (8:00 PM, March 20)
  

[Myspace]




All this week, Voilà! is covering South by Southwest.
Time for the sixth Voilà! featurette.
Today, the featured SXSW artist is BO-PEEP.



South by Southwest is a festival. Of course, you knew that. But my intention is to point at the extremity of this grand fête! SXSW is so huge, it contributes over 100 million dollars to the Austin economy. That means literally thousands of people, trolling the streets in search of the latest indie film, or hottest new band that nobody's ever heard of. Juxtaposed is the bands from all over the planet converging on the city to passionately play their hearts out to anyone and everyone willing to spend 30-45 minutes of their time before the crowd rushes to the next venue to catch a different artist. So much energy, so much excitement packed so closely together, it's ready to explode. That's what SXSW is like.

Coincidentally, that is the same sort of image you can see in BO-PEEP as well. It could be understood that one might question what sort of explosive contents lie within the beating hearts of a Japanese trio of girls. But don't let their femininity fool you - BO-PEEP are an extremely aggressive outfit from Tokyo. They're the type of dog that has more bite than bark. They're volatile, and will burst at the seems with all their potential energy until their entire audience is kinetic.

Filled with attitude and zeal, BO-PEEP break any language or culture barriers that lie in their way as if such invisible walls were built with paper. BO-PEEP's style draws from everyone from Nirvana, to The Pillows, to Black Flag, to the Arctic Monkeys; powerful, intense, punk-infused, loud, blaring rock that send shocks straight up and down the nervous system. You don't come across this sort of honest punk-rock these days anymore. BO-PEEP's style is one of a kind in our post-Y2K, bubblegum pop society.

BO-PEEP has a very eclectic repertoire as well, with mini-albums, 0X3 and Time of Rock, along with two full lengths, Is It Good For You?! and Sick Orange Television, all bulging at the seams with energetic J-rock. Of course they have a Myspace, but sadly they only have one full-length song. If you're looking for more of their material that is accessible, may I suggest visiting their Last.fm page? Or check out this three part live performance (un | deux | trois). And if you've been doubting this whole explosion of energy thing throughout the article, watch the last 5-7 minutes of the third live show... you'll understand.

What does this all mean when it boils back down to SXSW? Blatantly, it means you have this brief opportunity to see exactly how intensely awesome BO-PEEP can be. It's an absolute necessity to catch the gals while they are stateside. They'll be at the Creekside Lounge at 2:30 PM on March 19th for the Japan Preview Showcase (a free performance). Then on March 20th, they'll show up on the roof of the Whole Foods Market at 3:40, followed by a performance at Lamberts. Some solid chances that you definitely don't want to miss.