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There are countless Western bands that manage to transcend differences of
culture and language to become "big in Japan," but for some reason the
reverse rarely holds true. Fortunately, The Mad Capsule Markets isn't the sort
of group that takes "no" for an answer. Having spent over a decade
forging its aggressive hybrid of hardcore punk, metal, and techno, they have
amassed a formidable following in the Land of the Rising Sun. And now, with the
Palm Pictures release of OSC-DIS [Oscillator In Distortion], The Mad Capsule
Markets has fixed its sights on the United States and Europe.
Listening to the 40-minute adrenaline rush of OSC-DIS, it’s not hard to hear
how The Mad Capsule Markets has held its own live alongside hard-driving acts
like Rage Against the Machine and Atari Teenage Riot. Originally released in
Japan in 1999, the group's ninth full-length has spawned five hit songs at home:
"Tribe," "Pulse," "All the Time In Sunny Beach,"
"Midi Surf," and "Good Girl." The latter, inspired by
drummer Motokatsu's baby daughter, shortly brought the band to a whole new
audience when the song was featured in a popular TV commercial.
Although the sheer velocity of the band's sound – which walks the fine line
between the unfettered rage of hardcore and the streamlined virtuosity of heavy
metal, and fuses drum 'n' bass and techno rhythms with live drums – is what
grabs the ear immediately, The Mad Capsule Markets boasts a melodic sensibility
that belies its breakneck force. Deceptively catchy pop hooks lurk beneath the
driving rhythms, taunt bass lines, and bellowing rhymes of "Pulse" and
"All The Time in Sunny Beach"; "Island" almost sounds like a
sweet throwback to the sunny pop of '60s AM radio – until the track ignites
with fury halfway through. While Takeshi does most of the songwriting for the
band, Kyono contributes lyrically as well.
The Mad Capsule Markets originally took shape in 1990. After releasing the
single "Government Wall" and a debut album, Humanity, on its own
Insect Noise label, the group signed with JVC/Victor Entertainment in early
1991. Seven other albums followed: P.O.P. (1991); Speak!!!! (1992); Mix-Ism
(1994); Park (1994); 4 Plugs (1996); the best of The Mad Capsule Markets (1996);
and Digidogheadlock (1997). The group's ascendance has only accelerated since
the latter two albums reached the Top Ten on Japan's influential Original
Confidence (Oricon) chart.
The Mad Capsule Markets has toured Japan extensively, selling out shows on every
trip. In 1995, the group played its first Stateside shows with dates in San
Francisco (where 4 Plugs was mixed). In 1997, The Mad Capsule Markets appeared
at both the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City and South By Southwest in
Austin, Texas. That same year, they opened for both Rage Against the Machine and
Helmet on their Japanese tours, and also performed at the Fuji Rock Festival,
alongside RATM, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Atari Teenage Riot. In recent years,
they have also played with Pitchshifter and Fear Factory.
The band's electronic edge and undeniable rhythm impact have made The Mad
Capsule Markets a popular choice with remix producers. ATR mastermind Alec
Empire overhauled two tracks from Digidogheadlock - "Creature" and
"Crash Pow." U.K. legend Adrian Sherwood (of On-U Sound renown),
Japanese hip-hop kingpin DJ Krush, and electronica collective Audio Active have
also tinkered with The Mad Capsule Markets’ tracks. In 1999, Takeshi and
Motokatsu contributed a collaborative remix to a Yellow Magic Orchestra project,
while more recently members of California's Long Beach Dub All-Stars tackled
"Good Girl."
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