Jpop: Nature Danger Gang (ネイチャーデンジャーギャング)

Last year, I shared some of the jpop bands like Riemann mic and Sloth that conciously delves into a more "everyday ugly/vulguar" side of modern japanese pop culture. Nature Danger Gang with a home in fashion-eclectic Shinjuku, Tokyo, is another example of this with a techno sound that would even make some 90s music offenders blush. But I so love this kind of kitsch now and then!

• Nature Danger Gang - Cherry Blossom Uncle (桜おじさん)
• Nature Danger Gang - Dopa (どぱ)

Kpop: Girl's Day - Ring My Bell

I will be honest, there are reasons I hate this summer song from Girl's Day, the styling of the four gorgeous girls being the main reason. I mean:

Where did those *but-ugly* bathing suits come from?! And the zebra background just doubles the pain.

Hotpants to die for. Literally die...

Homeless bum - jeans meets marching band gold chains??

And that super-cheesy whip-my-horse's-ass move in the refrain...

This video was going straight for the Top 10 Biggest disappointments this summer. And then I just had to listen to it again one more time. And one more time...just to hate it all again. And when I returned to listen the 10th time I had to admit it - the song is actually quite addictive, the refrain being really catchy, and the girls just shines through all the styling filth by sheer force of charisma. So in the end this actually became one of their most memorable videos. - But - don't do it again!

• Girl's Day - Ring My Bell