Rock the House

Rock the House

Tokyo's live house music scene is set to go global

By

Ed Woods at Heaven’s Door

Ed Woods at Heaven’s Door

Despite the comparatively high entry costs, there are many fans who visit live houses several nights a week. One familiar figure in Tokyo is a small woman clad all in black who flits about in front of the stage with a camera. She is Hiroko Matsushita, known as the “Koenji Godmother,” a photographer who has published two collections of live house photos and is working on a third.

Matsushita started photography to fill her spare time after her children had grown up and left home. One of her first shots was of a young woman with a mohawk she met outside Koenji station. This woman was in a band, and invited Matsushita to a show. The photographer loved the youthful atmosphere, and embarked on a mission of shooting live houses.

“I really wanted to document these young people who have talent but who don’t have the opportunity to appear on TV,” says Matsushita, who has twice suffered cracked ribs and broken cameras when mosh pits became too intense. Today, she has photographed literally thousands of musicians, and considers the members of over 400 bands “friends.” A recent, well-attended celebration of her 73rd birthday was held, of course, at a live house.

“I really wanted to document these young people who have talent but who don’t have the opportunity to appear on TV,” says Matsushita, who has twice suffered cracked ribs and broken cameras when mosh pits became too intense. Today, she has photographed literally thousands of musicians, and considers the members of over 400 bands “friends.” A recent, well-attended celebration of her 73rd birthday was held, of course, at a live house.

Glossary

  • Pikkuappu (ピックアップ) Pick-up events are those recommended, and sometimes organized, by the live house manager or staff, usually consisting of more established bands that often play at that particular venue
  • Kikaku (企画) These “plan” events are organized by a veteran band that invites groups playing similar styles, or younger bands they want to support
  • Sainyujo (再入場) Some live houses do not allow guests to reenter once they leave, while others do if the customer gets a hand stamp. Be sure to check the sainyujo (“reentry”) rules before you pop out
  • Dorinku-dai (ドリンク代) Almost all live houses charge an additional ¥500 over the advertised ticket price for a drink ticket that can be used at the bar. Some venues, such as Shinjuku Jam, offer an all-you-can-drink ticket for an additional ¥1,000
  • Maeuri yoyaku (前売り) Although live house events rarely sell out, bands accept reservations via their websites or email, which knocks around ¥500 off the ticket price
  • Guest (ゲスト) Befriend a band and your name is likely to appear on the guest list, which often gets you in free, with or without the dorinku-dai. You may also be listed as band staff, which gets you in free, with reentry privileges
  • Uchiage (打ち上げ) Performances usually end before 11pm to avoid noise complaints from neighboring businesses. But that doesn’t mean that the fun is over. The uchiage (“after party”) for bands and friends is held in the live house or in a nearby izakaya and can carry on till the wee hours