Rage Against The Machine at Christmas no. 1 2009

Rage Against The Machine taking the Christmas no. 1 spot with their track Killing In The Name this year is one of the greatest news stories ever written. A cover of a Disney-approved slow ballad, sung by the winner of a TV talent show vs. a profanity-ridden manifesto on anti-authoritarianism written by a political rap metal band in the slums of LA. I've been watching this campaign and the buzz surrounding it intently since first hearing about it, and I jumped out of my chair and air guitar-ed around the room this evening when we found out that the band had reached number 1.

I'm a big fan of RATM. I've written about them a few times on this blog before, and I got to see the band perform last year at Leeds Festival. RATM's drummer, Brad Wilk, has been quite an influence on my personal drumming style, and the band's self-titled album, which contains Killing In The Name is one of my all-time favourite albums (so I already own the track in question on CD, but I bought the track through iTunes to participate and contribute to this great campaign). I wouldn't call myself political, but listening to RATM definitely made me more aware of the social and political issues our generation has grown up with and is still facing now. And musically, the band were, at their peak, highly original and innovative.

I think there are three levels of positives we can take from RATM's chart success. First of all, it's highly novel and quite hilarious that 1992's Killing In The Name, possibly one of the most offensive and un-mainstream songs every recorded, has reached the top of the charts in the UK at Christmas. And that the band who recorded this song is Rage Against The Machine, an openly anti-establishment band who sound nothing like the other 39 songs in the top 40 right now. This is a song that all fans of rock music know, due to its use of the F-word 17 times and its strong anti-authoritarian message. It embodies RATM's message in 5 minutes of rap, metal and funk.

One of the most interesting aspects of this whole campaign has been RATM being covered by the media over the past week. For most UK citizens these four guys are just some rock band who have spoilt the party this week by preventing X Factor winner, Joe McElderry from reaching the top spot at Christmas. But I've been getting quite a kick out of seeing one of my favourite bands covered and handled by the British media, as their success has become the main talking point of the week throughout the nation. One of the highlights of my week was RATM's appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live on Thursday morning when they were invited to perform via live link on the breakfast show. I would have never expected 5 Live to allow the band on their show - for one, 5 Live isn't a music radio station, and they should have known better than to ask a band as rebellious and unpredictable as RATM to perform for their listeners. The band had been asked to perform a censored version of their track, but went ahead with the album version, repeating the infamous F-word line four times before the transmission was cut. I've been pleased though that the BBC haven't avoided the band because of their political nature, as some big corporations might (although some might say the BBC were glad that RATM displaced a product of a very successful ITV show).

The second level of positives I'm taking from this relates to the musical nature of RATM. I'm a big fan of rock music, but pop music not so much. I mean, some pop music is musically OK, but the issues here run a bit deeper than that. Rock music has typically always been a rebellious, explosive form of music and has never been truly mainstream during recent times. Pop music represents the music of the mainstream and so there's a big dichotomy between the two. I don't listen to the charts or watch X Factor, or even take an interest in such things because they are so far removed from what I feel music is, and how it's a part of my life. So this is the first time I and many others all over the UK will have taken an interest in the charts in years, because, usually, it just doesn't represent us. And so it feels great to "take over" something as mainstream as the pop charts with a rebellious rock song and triumph over expectations, even if it's just for one week. In fact, I wouldn't want bands like RATM to become mainstream, because that would take away the alternative and subversive aesthetic attached to rock music.

(RATM broke two records with this week's success (first single ever to reach the top of the charts on download sales alone, and biggest download sales total in a first week ever), and it's interesting to note that these records were broken by a rock band, rather than the usual acts who make up the top 40 every Sunday)

The third, and possibly most important, set of positives to take from this experience relates to the way that this whole effort was so grassroots and anti-authority, but gathered a group of music fans together to topple the product of a TV show which had attracted close to 20 million viewers. This campaign really embodied the spirit of RATM, and I wonder if it would have been possible had it been any other band. This whole affair could be the most important legacy the band leaves, and is a concrete example of the power of the people, as it has really stirred a rebel passion within the UK, and the belief that large groups of people can make a difference. If our generation can do something as trivial as get RATM to the Christmas no. 1, what power do we have to make other kinds of political and social changes in our society?

Rage Against The Machine aren't a perfect band. I do have my own questions about some of their choices in the past, such as their decision to sign to the major label Sony, but I think they have helped create one of the most interesting news stories of recent times, and certainly something I'll never forget. I'm looking forward to hearing about details of the band fulfilling their promise of coming to play a show in the UK, now that they've reached number 1. A whole tour would be better, as I imagine it would be extremely hard to get tickets for just one show, now that the band have had a resurgence in popularity, and gained many new fans no doubt. I found it interesting though when Tom Morello said in an interview that the UK was the first place that RATM really started to "gain friction" as a band. Maybe the British people do have a natural rebellious nature - I can't imagine too many other nations where an upset like this might happen. The widespread popularity of punk in the 1970s also springs to mind, and this whole campaign has given me positivity and hope in some way for the future of the UK.

3 things that I love about Japan, #1

Things that I love #1

This one's a combination of things that's hard to give a name to. It'd probably be easier in Japanese, where you'd say something like 便利な日本 (convenient Japan) or 日本の便利さ (the convenience of Japan), as the word 便利/convenient has a broader meaning in Japanese. Basically, Japan is a very easy country to live in because everything is so... convenient.

Like I said, there are many reasons that contribute to this. A big one is that Japanese public transport is always on time, which is very important for a country which relies on trains so much. Japan is also very clean and pleasing to the eye for the most part - you'll rarely see litter in the streets. You're often never very far away from a convenience store, which is useful when you're hungry or thirsty, and you can also do things like pay all your bills or pay for concert or airplane tickets at convenience stores, which is genius. And convenience stores are EVERYWHERE. If you were to walk down any of the main roads on Port Island (where I used to live) you would literally see a Family Mart, Seven Eleven or Lawson every 5 minutes. The same is even truer for vending machines.

Another thing I was extremely impressed with, and used a lot during my time in Japan, was rehearsal studios. I had never had the need to use a rehearsal studio in the UK, as the bands I've been in have always found school rooms, or bedrooms to practise in. Plus, rehearsal studios are pretty expensive to rent over here. However, in Japan, there isn't space in the average house for a band to practise, and the houses are so close together with paper thin walls, so the whole neighbourhood would be able to hear you. Therefore just about every band uses rehearsal studios.

I joined a music society at Kobe Uni, and ended up in 4 different bands, so I used rehearsal studios a lot, and I was impressed with the quality of the equipment and the cheapness of the price. It would generally cost about 4,000 yen to rent a room for 2 hours, but when you split that between a 5 member band, it's only about 800 yen each, which is about £6, which is great value to say you're practising with top of the range equipment. You even get a points card, which you can use to claim back more studio time, or new guitar strings or drumsticks. And although I never tried this out myself, you can also record in these places for a relatively cheap price when compared to the UK.

There are also these things called manga cafes all over too, which are places you can go to and rent out a small cubicle with an internet-enabled PC, a big comfy chair and shelves and shelves of manga for you to read. You can also take showers here too, and the cheap hourly rate means that manga cafes make a cheap alternative to hotels if you're stuck in the city overnight.

If you stay in Japan for an extended period of time, you'll come to realise for yourself just how well organised Japan and it's people are. It's unlike anything you'll experience elsewhere. Everything just seems to work without any hitches or delays, and it makes living there very easy and comfortable.

And that concludes my series of the things I love and the things I hate about Japan. Who knows when I'll next write something on here. I'm super busy with uni right now, and have my dissertation coming up, so we'll see.

3 things that I love about Japan, #2

Things that I love #2 - Karaoke

Although a lot of people don't know it, karaoke was invented by the Japanese. However, Japanese karaoke is quite different to the kind of thing you'll find in a typical British pub on a Saturday night, and much more enjoyable.

It's the most popular evening entertainment in Japan, comparable to going clubbing at the end of a night in Britain. If you've been out for a meal or been out drinking in Japan, it's highly likely that the night will end in karaoke. You usually go with a group of 7 or 8 friends, but it's not uncommon for couples to go by themselves either. In urban areas there are karaoke venues absolutely all over the place, but you'll also find at least one in small towns and villages too. There are the big karaoke chains, which provide higher quality machines, and nicer karaoke rooms, and there are also the smaller karaoke places, which are a bit more out of the way and dirty, but you can often barter with the staff to get a cheaper deal.

Once you've decided upon your karaoke venue for the evening, you battle your way through groups of drunk businessmen and their partners and head over to the front desk. The staff will ask how many people is in your group, and how long you want to sing for, although you can often extend this time if you decide you want to sing some more later on. You then have the option of whether to include nomihoudai (all-you-can-drink) or not. This means that your overall price will be a bit higher, but you can order as many drinks as you want while you're singing. You're then given a room number, and you take the stairs or lift up through the countless floors of karaoke boxes to find yours.

When you arrive, you'll find a dark, smallish room with a sofa running all the way round the outside, a big table in the middle and a TV in the corner. There is also usually some kind of crazy disco light on the ceiling flashing away. You can then pick up the touch screen and mic, and start choosing songs and singing them. At first it can be quite daunting, singing in front of a bunch of people, even if they are all your friends, but I found even the most shy in our group enjoyed karaoke once they got used to the idea.

I also found that the way Japanese people do karaoke and the way foreigners do karaoke is quite different. Japanese people tend to pick a song and then sing that song on their own while everyone listens. Foreigners tend to pick songs and then everyone will sing along if they know it, either passing the 2 mics around the room during the song, or singing along without one.

I really grew to like karaoke when I was in Japan. As one of my friends once put it, "It's not often in life you get a chance to just sing". It's quite cathartic, and can end up being a lot of fun, especially when you have certain songs you always sing. Songs me and my mates would often sing included Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson, Under The Sea from The Little Mermaid and I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys. By the end of my year in Japan, we had become experts at certain songs like these, and had even incorporated harmonies and added our own little extra words and chants.

In each room there's a telephone attached to the wall, and you use this telephone to order drinks, or tambourines to play along to the music with, which are then brought to your room by the staff. You also always get a call on the telephone 10 minutes before your time is up, asking whether you want to extend your session.

When you're done, you head down to the front desk again and pay. Karaoke is a fairly cheap night out, a 2 hour nomihoudai session usually costing you no more than 10 pounds. It's even cheaper if you go in the daytime too, and we would often do this on Sunday afternoons.

Much like the public baths, if you're in Japan, karaoke is something I would definitely recommend. It seems this style of karaoke is spreading to other countries as well, as I hear there's a Japanese-style karaoke place open in Sheffield now.

3 things that I love about Japan, #3

Following on from my last post, here is #3 of the 3 things I loved about Japan.

Things that I love #3 - Public baths

This is something in Japan that you tend to either love or hate, but I would definitely recommend trying it out at least once if you're over there. Just to explain the idea of public baths, it is basically a place where people from the local neighbourhood all go and bathe together, fully naked, and that's the part that puts a lot of people off. For someone from outside of Japan it can be a strange concept at first, and I also know Japanese people who feel uneasy about the idea too, but if you're willing to get over your fear of bathing naked with other people, it can be a really enjoyable experience.

Now, the wearing no clothes with lots of other males isn't the reason why I enjoy the public baths so much, although being naked in public like this does add a certain feeling of liberation and complete cleanliness to the experience. And I don't enjoy the public baths because you get to see members of the opposite sex naked, as just about all public baths are divided into male and female sections (if you're lucky, you might be able to find one of the combined baths though). I think the reason I enjoy the public baths is because it's such a relaxing experience, and you feel so clean and relaxed afterwards.

I'll try and paint a picture of what visiting a public baths is like and what you do there. The actual building is generally quite small, and you get the feeling most public baths are family businesses. The first thing you do when you enter the building is remove your shoes and place them in a locker. You take your locker key, and go through to the lobby area where there is generally a few sofas with people who've just come out of the baths relaxing there. There's also a fridge full of cold drinks for you to buy, a TV, and usually a massage chair. You pay your money to the person on the front desk, and walk through a curtain to your changing room. Here you put your all belongings and clothes, (apart from a flannel, shampoo and shower gel) in another locker, and proceed to the warm, steamy bathing area, which is separated from the changing rooms by a sliding glass door. When you enter you'll see people either washing themselves over at the shower area or relaxing and chatting in groups in one of the pools. First you grab one of the plastic bowls and put your locker key, flannel, shampoo and shower gel in here, then proceed to the shower area. Before entering the pools you must wash yourself, so you grab a small plastic chair and sit down in front of one of the showers which are at about head height when you're sat down. There's also a mirror right in front of you so you can watch yourself while you shower. After you're clean, you can head over to one of the pools on the other side of the room. Each public baths has a different combination of pools, which could include a jacuzzi pool, a pool with carbon gas, a really hot pool and even sometimes a pool with electricity in the water, which is meant to be good for your muscles or something. I've also seen radon pools as well, which I never went in, as bathing in a radioactive substance isn't something I wanted to do. There are people who do though.

You don't have to go in all the pools, but you can if you want. You generally spend 10-20 minutes relaxing here. Then there's usually a steam room, which is fun to try out. You might not wanna stay in there too long though, as they are so hot you start to feel faint and light-headed, and instinctively want to leave. There's also a pool of freezing cold water to clean off all the sweat from the steam room, and if you want to go back into one of the other pools to relax, you should wash yourself with the cold water first. When you're done you head back to the changing rooms and get dressed again, then head out to the lobby to relax.

I've never felt so clean as when I went to the public baths, and you're soaking in warmth and warm water for so long that you can't help feeling relaxed. You might feel a bit dehydrated after all that heat though, so it's a good idea to grab and drink. After a few minutes in the lobby you'll want to say "arigatou" to the person at the desk, then wrap up tightly before you head back outside to make sure you don't catch a cold.

If you go to Japan you can also visit an onsen, which is similar to a normal public baths, except that the hot water occurs naturally from a spring, and it's bit more up-market and expensive. I only had one experience with an onsen, and that was getting thrown out for my tattoo. The vast majority of people with tattoos in Japan are gangsters called yakuza, and so there's generally a ban on tattoos at onsens. I never had any trouble at the public baths though. In fact, I once saw a yakuza with tattoos covering most of his body at one of the public baths.

Look out for #2 coming next.

3 things that I love and 3 things that I hate about Japan

So as you probably know, I went to Japan last year to study there, and I came back to the UK last month. Here are 3 things that I love about Japan and 3 that I hate. Let's start with the things I hate, so we can end this post on a positive note.

Things that I hate #3 - Work culture

Now this is something I didn't encounter directly, as I was a university student for my time in Japan, and in Japan university is undoubtedly the easiest stage of the school/university/work progression. However, I did come to understand a lot about the Japanese attitude to work and business, and it's something that really puts me off wanting to work there.

I'm making some generalisations here, but a lot of people work in office jobs in Japan, and the hours they work are extremely hard and extremely long. When I was returning home from karaoke on the train around 11 or 12 at night there would often still be businessmen and women returning home after just finishing at the office. You see, it's expected in Japan that everyone work overtime - it's just a normal part of the job, and basically everyone does it. And the emphasis for a worker in a Japanese business is not usually on results, but simply on time worked. So an employee could work extremely efficiently for 8 hours in a day and get all their work done and more, but it would be preferred that the employee works more hours, even if it means they get less work done.

From what I gather, Japan is moving away from their unique business practices, and towards a more Western way of working, but this kind of thing is still very prevalent in Japan, and results in things like death from overwork, which was a fairly big problem a few years ago.

It also creates a mindset where people become too focused on their work at the exclusion of all else, which means they barely have any time to see their family or spend as leisure time, which is very unhealthy. It can also contribute to creating a very homogenous society, which Japan definitely is, where there are few individuals, and just one massive workforce.

Of course this kind of system has its benefits. Japan are currently (although probably not for much longer) the 2nd largest economy in the world, and the Japanese population is very affluent, but it's something which I can't go along with myself, and would prevent me from wanting to work there.

Things that I hate #2 - Summer weather

The weather in Japan is really great for half of the year, namely spring and autumn. Both of these seasons are warm, with little rain, and could be compared to the British summer to be honest. And winter isn't all that bad. However, summer in Japan is horrible in every way. First the whole thing kicks off with a rainy season where you get torrential downpours and the possibility of typhoons. While I was in Japan the rainy season was apparently nowhere near as bad as usual, but it still wasn't enjoyable. Then it starts to get hot, really hot. Now being from the UK, you think I'd be happy of any kind of warm weather to come my way, but this isn't the kind of hot weather where you can get a suntan. This is the kind of heat that makes you sweat just sat in your room, meaning you have to have the air conditioner on full blast to make sure you don't end up in a melted puddle on the floor. The heat is so oppressive and muggy, that as soon as you walk outside you'll start to sweat, and about 30 minutes later be covered in sweat from head to toe. This climate was made ten times worse for me by the fact that my university was half-way up a massive mountain range, which meant I had to climb a huge hill every day to get to classes. One of my friends would take an extra change of clothes for when he reached uni because of the amount of sweat he would expend making the journey there. When you're in Japan you spend a lot of time on crowded trains too, which isn't fun in such weather.

You don't even get light nights in the summer in Japan, as it goes dark at the same time every night for the whole year. So it's safe to say I was relieved to come back to the UK and escape even just the tail-end of the Japanese summer. As soon as I got off the plane in England I noticed a difference, and the air felt so clean and cool. So while Japanese weather is quite nice most of the time, it's nearly unbearable in the summer.

Things that I hate #1 - Getting along with Japanese people

OK, that heading looks kinda bad, but let me explain. It's not that I hate Japanese people at all, but the biggest problem that I, and many of my foreign friends encountered in Japan, was getting along with Japanese people. Although I was warned about it before I went, and in a way even experienced it with some Japanese people I met before going to Japan, it took me a while to adjust to and understand the situation.

Now one of the big reasons I wanted to go to Japan was because it seemed so different to any other nation in the world. I once heard someone say something along the lines of "Japan is the most unique nation in the world, and is unlike any other", and after being there for a year I can agree with that. Even some of my Korean and Chinese friends who are from countries that are culturally close to Japan had a hard time getting along with Japanese people.

I don't like to make judgements on why a certain nationality of people behave in a certain way, but if I was to explain why I found it so hard to make good friends, I would say there are a couple of big reasons. First, Japanese people socialise in a different way compared to Western countries. It is common in Japan for your circle of friends to basically be the people in your class, or your office, and spontaneously making friends as we do in the West seems to happen much less. On top of that, many Japanese people have a mindset towards foreigners which means they view them as something very different and separate from Japan. Now every country in the world has this kind of view to some extent, but I believe Japan has it more-so than most other countries.

Also, I believe the concept of friendship in Japan is different to that in the West. For me, I can consider someone a friend if we get along well after just a few minutes, but in Japan it takes a long time to become good friends with someone. But even then, the method of becoming friends is different, and doesn't necessarily mean you have to spend much time with the person. It's a complicated process, and one I understand only a little of, which meant I didn't feel like I connected with a lot of Japanese people during my time there. Now don't get me wrong, I made some very good Japanese friends while I was there, but the number was very small compared to the amount I make back home in a year, for example.

This is a big over-simplification, but I think much of this problem comes from differences in personalities between me and the Japanese people, and it's a shame, because this is something else which puts me off living there long term. If I did, I know I'd need to have foreign friends there to hang out with.

OK, this got long, so we're gonna end on a downer :( I'll make the 'Things that I love about Japan' post next time.