Tommy - The Opera Continues

Last night, Mr Yoshida, the owner of the Rock of Gibraltar called me, at Natalie's, to say that Tommy Tokugawa had passed away.

I was shocked, as the last I had heard, his condition had stabilized, but apparently, his injuries were so severe as to make survival, let alone recovery very, very unlikely.

I had only met Tommy a couple of times, and to be frank, we didn't hit it off. But I wouldn't have wished this on him. Over the last month or two, I've become quite friendly with his brother, Terry, so it seemed like the right thing to do, to call and express my condolences. However, Terry's wife said he, and the rest of the family were just too upset to come to the phone. Understandably.

I decided to call Yuji. He'd already heard the news. "Well, at least it probably means Terry won't be in the mood for DJing this weekend!" he said.

"#### Yuji! That's a bit sick!" I said, taken aback.

"Right." he said, distantly. "The last couple of months have been a bit much... I just don't feel like this is the end of it."

Maybe he was right - a short time later, the cops came, and asked me ALOT of questions. Like "where have you been all day?" which I thought was a bit strange. Luckily, Nat and Chi chan accounted for me.

It was gone midnight when the police left. I was too knackered to do anything, but too hyper to sleep, so I watched telly with Nat, until 4am. Unreal evening! And I had to work, at 9, this morning!

Rock4four: Summertime Special '09

6.5 Fortunate Son

This midday (Monday) I went down to Yuigahama beach, in Kamakura, with Nat, and some folks from the Rock of Gib. There were a few people already along, for a liquid lunch. Kendrick and Tyrone were there, with a few of their friends, and Kendrick introduced me formally, to his girlfriend, Sayaka. Unutterably lovely, charming, and shy. Couldn't speak a word of English...

"How the #### do they communicate???" I whispered, to Kendrick.

"Heh heh... universal language o' luuurve?" he hypothesized.

Yuji Fuji was on the phone, as usual. He was giving someone a roasting. "Who's he talking to?" I asked Fox.

"Terry Tokugawa."

"Jeepers H Creepers. What is it with Yuji, and that family? What now?"

"We're not happy with his sets."

"I thought that was all done?"

"You should've been here on Saturday. He blew. HARD!"

I eavesdropped on the ensuing phone conversation. This was the gist:

YUJI: "No Terry. You're NOT playing this weekend, unless it's the pre-approved playlist. We agreed in the beginning, that you'd play on the same tip as Tommy, and as long as that was the case, we had no problem. But you went off on some Prog-rock wank fest, last Saturday, and I won't have it. I've got Yokohama FM and MTV coming down, for the the next event, and if ANYONE blows it, I'm gonna wring their ####ing necks! So, unless you stop playing up, and stick to the pre-arranged tracks Terry, forget it!...... Am I threatening you??? What the ####??? Terry, you've been practically begging me to let you DJ, for the last year, and when I finally do, you start lording it. You need to take a break, and think about who your friend is... No? Get the Ffff ... Goodbye Terry!"

I've never seen Yuji so agitated. I decided to let him cool down, before talking to him, and I sat down, with Kendrick, Ty, and Sayaka. To my surprise, Ty spoke Japanese incredibly well. "How long's he been in Japan?" I asked Kendrick.

"Couple o' years"

"His Japanese is amazing!"

"So is his Mom's.... she's from Fujisawa!"

'Oh, right!"


Featured Track:

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL - Fortunate Son

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBfjU3_XOaA&feature=related

Rock4four: Summertime Special '09 - AN OCEAN DAY to remember!

6.4 Review of Rock4four DJ sets, at Enoshima, on Ocean Day.

Hi,

What is regarded as the official start of the beach season is upon us today - Umi no hi, which translates into English, as OCEAN DAY, or MARINE DAY sees the beaches of the Kamakura area thronged with beach goers, party goers, right little goers, sun worshippers, surfers, sailors, foreigners, fun seekers, in sandals, and sneakers.

At the beaches facing enoshima, recent years have seen the kids swarm down, from the big cities, to wig out to r&b, house, reggae, and other forms of dance. But this year, the main attraction is Rock4four

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First up, Miki Ohara plays on what she calls a 'stomp rock' tip. Her set, featuring only original tracks, and no remixes, includes the clash, blondie, franz ferdinand, the strokes, the killers, the cranberries and no doubt. A great start.

DJ Miki Ohara
Happy Mondays - Stayin' Alive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igQd_41xNCE

The Cure - Close to me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIDeUssDFE0

The Killers - All these things that I've done: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6ERe23kSBM

The Cranberries - Dreams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9AE8QQfx_E

The Killers - Human: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_1R-1abIFI

Echo and the Bunnymen - The Cutter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM6j14DDtGI

David Bowie - Sound and Vision: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhW7pD_cC50

James - Sometimes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLhglefWgDU

Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_9GR9kdZ3o

No Doubt - Hella Good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiCMFd2XXT0

RHCP - Love Rollercoaster: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUNN0B7zPi0

The Cardigans - Explode (Remix): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-nFEotlSXo

No Doubt - Making Out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVK3bNArPNE

New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OhDp9o1dX4

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The recent (suspected) gangland hit, on Tommy Tokugawa, sees his brother Terry step in, to more than capably fill his boogie woogie shoes. Featured trcks include the Clash (train in vain, zz top (gimme all your lovin'), texas, creedence, kings of leon, the sweet, t-rex, aerosmith, and heart. Yeehaw. Awesome stuff.

DJ Terry Tokugawa

Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0nexz27oxg

The Sweet - Blockbuster: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN8SDdgMsuM

T-Rex - Ride A White Swan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SICigzL9wiE&feature=related

The White Stripes - The Hardest Button To Button: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLESpHrtvxs

Texas - I Don't Want A Lover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rdYtXn9eUk

The Clash - Train In Vain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYK7bEo1Z4M

ZZ Top - Gimme All Your Lovin': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK0G2XHwAFE

ZZ Top - Legshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLiC5hf-DJc

Electric Six - Danger! High Voltage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a4gyJsY0mc

Bruce Springsteen - Ramrod: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_luq3D92xbg

The Kinks: All Day, And All Of The Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3Oncm5Y420

The Doobie Brothers - Listen To The Music (Motiv8 12"Mix):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyCjLt9ItJI

Heart - Barracuda: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4nWy8pmIM4

Ramjam - Black Betty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUuXvKuUIqI

Kings of Leon - Taper Jean Girl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w38hpcABQWE

Primal Scream - Rocks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZpUcp-wgKM

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Novice Buddhist priest 'The Temple Cat' shows he's no novice, behind the Dharma Wheels of Steel, raising the tempo, and the adrenalin further still.

DJ The Temple Cat

U2 - With or Without You (Mirage mix):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSaEGEODh9Q

Blondie - Rapture：http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHCdS7O248g

Gorillaz - Dare：http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCy928QJCDE

Queen and David Bowie - Under Pressure (Remix): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZws8TESJNQ

INXS - Disappear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncPzxMoEGk0

U2 - No spinning fly on the horizon (Mick James mix): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHpurAboj0Q

Blur - Girls and Boys (Remix): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PExlI3fCWwQ

Klaxons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPhIvFQ-MyU

REM - Losing My Religion (White Label Remix):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maVtKCmQiIc

Mansun - Wide Open Space (Perfecto): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8Qo7uvUlzw

Cardigans - Erase and Rewind (Remix): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ77PM0EZc0

Radiohead - Idioteque: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ77PM0EZc0

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Finally, Fox White, fulfilling all our hopes, and expectations, delivers an absolutely blistering DJ set, which sends the two thousand or so party goers into raptures. WHAT A PARTY!

DJ Fox White

Fatboy Slim - Santa Cruz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRnpBj2bCCM

Chemical Brothers - Let Forever Be: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmpxsk3dHaA

INXS - Need you Tonight (Remix): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CejmKF85D4E

Elvis Vs Junkie XL - A little less conversation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYYqvrzC-bI

Fatboy Slim - Sho 'Nuff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI6qwfQrQZc

Tinman - Eighteen Strings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itUsnUB2zLo

Direkt - 2 Fatt Guitars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96vYBEaEX_Y

U2 - Moment of Surrender (Mick James Electro Mix): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt-BAyqmVPg

New Order - Temptation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRRS6Lz623A

Blondie - Heart of Glass (remix): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqkwVTmlWy4

The Beatles: We Can Work it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i0aaGT-2ys

Goldfrapp - Ooh la la: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wEzPgXOaHg

Oasis - Wonderwall (electro Mix): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dSiBVCpHDo

Daft Punk - Robot Rock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4rhX6iB-2o

The Who - Baba O'Reilly (Remix): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L1Bmr-DsZA

The Beach Boys - God Only Knows (Aeroplane Remix): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx-3UMJ32EM





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And you can read a review of the event, at SeekJapan:

http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/2183/Rock4four:+The+best+scene+of+the+Millennium+so+far

Rock4four: Summertime special '09

6.3 Preview of Rock4four, at Enoshima, on Ocean Day.

Enoshima

The ancient tales of Enoshima recount a fantastic story about how the island came into existence. For countless generations, local people had lived in fear of attacks, by a terrible five headed dragon. In response to their desperate prayers, the beautiful, and powerful Goddess Benzaitan appeared, in a firestorm, from the sky, during one such attack. She then seated herself upon an island, that arose at the same moment, from the waves, at the mouth of the Katase river - it was Enoshima. Well, not only the local people, but also the five headed dragon were absolutely awestruck. In fact, the dragon was also lovestruck! So much so, that it was only too happy to do Benziten's bidding, and leave the local people alone. But today, even though the dragon has gone, Enoshima remains, and Benzaiten is said still to reside there.

http://www.enoshimajinja.or.jp/enoshima_engi/enoshima-engi01.html

Rock4four: Summertime special '09

6.2 two weekends to go before ocean day, and terry and miki wow the crowd

I was down at Yuigahama beach, last night, to see Terry Tokugawa, and Miki Ohara DJ. It was a guilt trip, as much as anything. Fox had said their DJing style was not full on, and I had concurred.

So what greeted me was something most unexpected - a larger crowd than anticipated, for a start. It was great to see so many cube car kids, who were there for Miki. and a large contingency of Yokohamans too, to support Terry, despite the alarming news that Tommy, his brother, is in a worsening condition. Terry, as Japapanese often do, when solemnity abounds, made a speech, praising and thanking Tommy, and thanking their fellow Yokohamans, prior to the party.

And the Yokosuka crew was here too. I was really chuffed to see them, and spent a good while, catching up, and chatting, with Kendrick, Tyrone and everyone. 'Nice to see no 'White' here' sniggered Kendrick.

'He's planning his Ocean day set' said I.

Perhaps because everybody, sailors, surfers, foreigners, cube car kids, Tokyoites, Yokohamans, and Kamakurans were here to party, the initial vibe was terrific.And perhaps because Terry and Miki rose to the vibe, or perhaps because they were well up for it, they played fantastically. I was awestruck. Humbled even. Fox has to be told - Miki and Terry can not, and must not be sidelined. It was 'a fantastic night' in Yuji's own words. But I am sure that everybody present would have agreed.

The Rock4four soundsystem is back in town.

Rock4four: Summertime special '09

6.1 Fox is watching the clocks

Unexpectedly, Fox called me this morning. "Yuji's in Osaka on business, and I really need somebody to give me ideas and feedback, 'cos it's the all day Ocean day party, the week after next, and quite frankly, I thought last weekend was not good. Can you come over?"

"Okay. can I bring Natalie?"

"Who? Oh, is that the girl I saw you with at the weekend? We haven't been formally introduced. Oh, okay, but I do need to get some work done".

"Fox, you'll really like her - she's from Brighton too. Listen, you seem a bit stressed - why don't I take us all for lunch in Chinatown first?"

Over lunch, I introduced Fox and Nat to each other, and they hit it off well, having discovered they have a few mutual acquaintances back home. Not that Brighton is so big, but the fact that they both know Steve, the landlord from the Apple and Albatross pub, you wouldn't have guessed, as they squealed in delight, because they both know him. Seriously, what are the odds?

On the plus side, Nat had cheered Fox up. She has a knack for it. "Why do they call you Fox?" she purred "Apart from the fact that you're a fox! rrrr he he"

"Aren't we here to talk about music?" I complained.

"Yes" agreed Fox. "We've got one more shot, this weekend, before the big all dayer, Monday week. I don't think Miki and terry are on the right tip. Any suggestions, for DJs this weekend?"

"Terry and Miki"

"Eh? Do what? Did you just hear what I said?"

"Yes, so you've got to pull them from the Ocean day line up. So soften the blow, by letting them DJ this weekend!"

Fox gaped. "Des, that's a BRILLIANT idea!"

Rock4four: The summer season begins

5.5 Terry Tokugawa, and the end of the night.

At 9.30, Terry Tokugawa takes over, for the last hour. His set is the most orthodox of all tonights 'Rock' sets. It's really quite good, although not as dancey as the previous sets. Whereas the previous DJs has managed to create a kind of 'nightclub' or 'dancegfloor' vibe, Terry is more of a bar DJ. Despite many playing many of the same kinds of tunes as his brother, Tommy, Jun, the Cube Car kid, in one of his chatty moments, tells me that Terry doesn't have the same kind of Aura, behind the decks.

Nevertheless, when the set ends, around 11 o'clock, the three or four hundred people still here applaud, warmly, and Terry seems happy. A telling point though, was that only about fifty or sixty people are still dancing, at the end. As I said though, some enjoyable tunes.

After bidding our farewells, Natalie, Chinatsu and I got a lift back to Yokohama, with Yuji and Fox. A good opportunity for me to ask them how they think it went.

'Very happy with the turnout' says Yuji.

'The balance of music wasn't quite there yet though' tuts Fox. 'We need to build the vibe, over the night, so we need to juggle the line up a bit, maybe putting Miki on first, then me, then the headliner, then another of the sound system DJs to finish. No sweat though, it was okay, for the first night. It'll be mental, in a couple of weeks.

'Are you gonna use Terry again?' I ask.

'Not sure' drawls Yuji. 'Everybody seemed to like him, but he's not really a party DJ. We'll see. Maybe.'

David Bowie: Queen Bitch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3inEK-Dyq0

Primal Scream: Dolls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TseW8wtBB1M&feature=related

Primal Scream: Rocks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZpUcp-wgKM

Kings of Leon: Taper Jean Girl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w38hpcABQWE

Rock4four: The summer season begins

5.4 The Temple Cat

Tonight's headliner is local DJ 'The Temple Cat'. Apparently this guy is training to be a Buddhist monk, and is lead guitarist in a local electrofunk band, among other things. His set, it must be said, is very good, and combines electro, funk, and rock, in a very catchy way, in his 90 minute set. Yuji's found a little gem, here, as Temple Cat has the partyers eating out of his hand, with his anthemic, yet seductively funky set. 'We'll definitely be asking him to come back' Yuji tells, me, as I chat to him at the bar, and Yuji hands me a hurricane. I look over to the dance floor, and Natalie is dancing with her friend, Chinatsu. As Temple Cat plays 'Boys and Girls', his final track of the night, Nat beckons me over to dance. 'Ain't them two supposed to be working?' I ask Yuji.

'Yeah, but it'sd not like we're well busy, like we will be, by Amida's grace, in a week, or two. Get out there, and have fun!'

I was hoping he'd have agreed with my excuse not to dance. Oh well, time to hit the dancefloor.

Rhythm Code: Music People

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F57NW11pJv8

Goldfrapp: Ride a White Horse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFF8bubMc40

Mansun: Wide Open Space (Perfecto Mix)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8Qo7uvUlzw

U2: With or Without You (Remix)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqmrAkRvw48

Blur: Girls and Boys (Remix)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PExlI3fCWwQ

Rock4four: The summer season begins

5.3 Miki Takes Over.





Fox has set the crowd, and the mood up, nicely, as seven o'clock comes around, and Miki gets behind the decks. It's a real treat to watch her, slapping the discs on, and twiddling, so the sound is just right, for the dancefloor. Tracks like Judy and Mary's 'Cheese Pizza' seem to be somehow intensified, and Miki puts the sound of the beat, and reggae guitars above all else. Really good stuff, and the crowd respond. Then, she drops the Chili Peppers 'love Rollercoaster', upping the tempo, and the energy on the dancefloor, as Miki jumps around behind the decks. Miki is a real show off, and a great dancer, who interacts with the crowd, who really appreciate her.

Miki then mixes out of the Chili Peppers and the distinctive bassline of Queen and Bowie's 'Under Pressure' kicks in. Actually, it's a remix - the first I've ever heard her play, but it works a treat, andkeeps in the spirit of the original set. Everyone's really having fun now, and before we know it, it's 8.00, and time for the headline DJ....

Saint Etienne: Only Love can break your heart


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVdS6pPVCMU&feature=related





Judy and Mary: Cheese Pizza


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAaebIWJjMk





Red Hot Chilli Peppers: Love Rollercoaster


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-lbIfaqm0U

Queen and Bowie: Under Pressure (Remix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZws8TESJNQ

Rock4four: The summer season begins

5.2 Fox in the Box

It's the 4th of July. There aren't actually many Americans here tonight, and indeed, the crowd, of about 7 or 800, is smaller than I expected.

'Not to worry' says Miki. 'The summer season ALWAYS starts slowly - the first parties last year were only pulling crowds of 150 or maybe 200, so this is a huge improvement. The crowds will really start coming, from ocean day onwards, 'cos that's when the traditional Japanese beach season starts.

It's a pity that the crowd isn't bigger though, as Fox's set is really dancey, and great fun. Nevertheless, the people who are here, are loving it. Fox, as is his style, starts slowly, then builds, and intensifies, with tunes by Electric Six, INXS and Bruce Springsteen, which work together really well, and by about six thirty, there are about five hundred people dancing.

Selected Tracks:

Electric Six: Showtime

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIy5MlqKOjA

INXS: Disappear (Remix)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncPzxMoEGk0

Bruce Springsteen: Ramrod

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_luq3D92xbg

Rock4four: The summer season begins

5.1 Saturday, July 4th

I've had the coolest offer, from the cube car kids. 'Be at Kannai station, 5 o clock, Saturday, and we'll give you a ride down the beach.'

They are already waiting, when I arrive at Kannai. Natalie and I jump in, with Miki Ohara, and her boyfriend, Jun.

'Fox is spinnin', down the beach now', Miki tells me, 'and then I'm taking over from seven o'clock. We better get moving!'Jun nods, the car revs, and we're off - it's a straight run, down the Kamakura Kaido road, from Kannai. Traffic permitting, we should be on the beach, by six.

On the car's music system, 'melon', the U2 remix album is blaring, which gets me in the mood, as the car roars down the street. 'Who's DJing after you?' I ask Miki.

'Not sure - Fox and Yuji have sorted it out. A big name though. maybe Jiro or dj Tenjin. But the closing set will be Terry Tokugawa.'

'What? Tommy's brother?' I ask, taken aback.

'Yeah. Kind of a good will gesture on Yuji's part. Terry's a pretty good DJ too, by all accounts'

'Jeesh... okay'.That tidbit aside, we had a blast, zooming down the Kamakura Kaido, with U2 blasting out of Jun's speakers... and we were indeed at the beach, within the hour.