Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk

by Osaka Popstar

Overview

Any serious punk fan would probably appreciate an answer to the following question: what would you get if the Ramones' Marky Ramone, former Misfit Jerry Only, the Voidoids' Ivan Julian, Black Flagger Dez Cadena, and longtime Misfits collaborator John Cafiero all got together and recorded an album in 2006? The answer is simple: an anime-themed punk concept album, complete with a DVD of animated music videos, a Topps collectable sticker card, and proof of purchase good for a Misfits LP. If this sounds silly, shticky, and over the top, that's because it is. Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk is a truly delicious project that proves punk is about spirit and delivery, not about content. The songs on this record revolve around Sailor Moon, Astro Boy, the threat of giant insects, a fear of monsters in the closet, and the tragedy of being out of Cap'n Crunch. There's also "Wicked World" -- a song by cult hero Daniel Johnston, who also sings backup on a rowdy version of the bluegrass traditional "Man of Constant Sorrow" -- but even the few tracks that don't directly reference kitschy ideas are still delivered with the same fun, rollicking exuberance. All 13 tunes are just as fast and tight as anything off of Leave Home or Walk Among Us, but what's truly remarkable is how the veterans attack the material. Each song is executed with the ease of lifelong musicianship, but the characteristic punk messiness is still there; it just emerges as an organic element of the way these guys play, rather than as a consequence of inexperience or inebriation. Enjoyment of anime and sugary breakfast cereals is not mandatory for relishing this album, but it doesn't hurt. In fact, punk fans and Otakus may find a common ground in Osaka Popstar that they never noticed before: a mutual appreciation for all things flashy, loud, and sometimes confusing. ~ Cammila Albertson

Product Details

Release Date:	05/03/2024
Label:	Misfits Records
UPC:	0760137156628
Rank:	177104

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Osaka Popstar   Primary Artist
Jerry Only   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Ivan Julian   Harmonium,Guitar (Bass),Guitar,Piano,Guitar (Rhythm),Bass,Soloist
Daniel Johnston   Vocals,Guest Artist
Dennis Diken   Drums
Marky Ramone   Drums,Percussion
Sal Maida   Bass
Dean Rispler   Guitar
Dez Cadena   Guitar
John Cafiero   Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Rhythm)

Technical Credits

John Cafiero   Audio Production,Arranger,Composer,Lyricist,Producer,Video Producer
Joey Ramone   Composer
Dee Dee Ramone   Composer
Johnny Ramone   Composer
Diana Reyes   Composer
Robert Ross   Composer
Kanako Oda   Composer
Norman Williams   Composer
Gerardo Reyes   Composer
Alan Douches   Mixing,Mastering
Daniel Johnston   Composer
Jesse Cannon   Mixing
Richard Hell   Composer
Michael Monagan   Composer
Tommy Ramone   Composer
Keisha Dotson   Composer
Tommy Yates   Composer
Phomma Vannaseng   Composer
Donald Rockwell   Composer,Lyricist
Andy Heyward   Lyricist,Composer
Tatsuo Takai   Composer
Nancy Preston   Composer
Ray Carter   Composer
Tetsuya Komoro   Composer
John Insinna   Composer
Marianne Elliott   Composer
DJ Product   Mixing
Jerron Cook   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Steve Watson   Mixing
Jesse Baccus   Mixing
Carl Brown   Composer
Butch Lukic   Artwork
David Aronin   Composer
Brenda Garcia   Composer
Paul Tripp   Composer