As my daughter begged and pleaded with me at the 11th hour’s last 5 minutes to take her all the way to Nagoya to see her favorite boy band (she’s 13) at Vantalin Dome, and as I refused her a dozen times trying to explain to her that it made absolutely no financial sense, there sitting on a massive shelf behind her were about 1000 2nd-hand records that cost a small fortune to accumulate, and as many dollars worth of stereo equipment, not to mention a piano and two guitars and a few other musical trophies (all of yours truly), and I started thinking of all the nonsensical financial circumstances I myself have “squandered” in the pursuit of my love of this artform …and as I contemplated all this, in one flash of a moment, I suddenly changed my mind and said, “Ok, let’s get you to Nagoya to see this band. Let’s make it happen!” Poor thing nearly short-circuited but luckily held it together long enough to get her ticket order in with about one second to spare.
So the two us us found our way down to Nagoya a few weeks later, and while she went to idolize her favorite group, with about 36,000 other adoring teenage girls, I went to the record shops where I met up with Yukinari coming out of Greatest Hits Records with an Upsetters 12” single. As luck would have it, I was packing some “Blue Identity” stickers by artist friend Miro, including one of Lee “Scratch” Perry that I was stoked to gift to Yukinari.
Yukinari told me he was into reggae and dub, jazz and fusion, contemporary classical, old school hip-hop, Dr. Octogon, as well as a big fan of Dinosaur Jr, Sabedoh, and more. Though it was over a month ago that we met, I’m guessing he was equally crushed by the recent unexpected passing of producer Steve Albini as was my circle of friends. Yukinari also shared with me that he’s a “helper” at a retirement home, a career I’m familiar with, being married to a nurse. To that, I can only say, “Respect” and thank goodness for the people who do this work.
Finally, I gotta comment on Yukinari’s digs. He had all the right designer gear, including a Wacko Maria x Nanga statement collab pullover, pulled over his Wacko Maria Texas Chainsaw Massacre Tee, and some sparkly trousers, probably also Wack Maria, and some effortless Vans authentics …plus some preppy specs and a great head of hair. This is the look of cool dudes in Japan.
See you next time Yukinari. More NAGOYA Record Style on the way!
Upsetters – 14 Dub Blackboard Jungle
Label: Auralux Recordings – LUXXLP 004
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 2004
Genre: Reggae
Style: Dub
https://www.discogs.com/release/529374-Upsetters-14-Dub-Blackboard-Jungle
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