Cool & Strange Music Countdown

All posts in “Cool & Strange Music Countdown”

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Mar. 28, 2015 – Coldcut and Hexstatic, Tom Lehrer, Sweden Heaven and Hell!

2016年3月28日 / 2 Comments

We’re back to Cool & Strange Music for March 29, 2016! This is THEE Cool and Strange Music chart! The only one that matters (probably the only one that exists, actually…) Here is this week’s chart of the most out of this world musical bizarreness!

On last week’s Cool and Strange Music Countdown I got thousands and thousands of emails from folks who just went crazy over the Hexstatic version of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made For Walking.” People wrote that they want to see more! (Okay, well, maybe “thousands” is a bit of a stretch! This is Coldcut and Hexstatic. Awesome!

#3) Coldcut and Hexstatic – Timber https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8-QDCKdVO4

It’s Springtime in Japan! And what song always reminds me of Spring? It’s Tom Lehrer! Thomas Lehrer is an American singer-songwriter, satirist, pianist, and mathematician. He has lectured on mathematics and musical theater. He is best known for the pithy, humorous songs he recorded in the 1950s and ’60s.

This song is hilarious! Check out the lyrics of Tom Lehrer’s “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park”:

Spring is here, spring is here,
Life is skittles and life is beer,
I think the loveliest time of the year
Is the spring, I do, don’t you? Course you do
But there’s one thing that makes spring complete for me
And makes every Sunday a treat for me

All the world seems in tune on a spring afternoon
When we’re poisoning pigeons in the park
Every Sunday you’ll see my sweetheart and me
As we poison the pigeons in the park
When they see us coming
The birdies all try and hide
But they still go for peanuts
When coated with cyanide

The sun’s shining bright
Everything seems all right
When we’re poisoning pigeons in the park

We’ve gained notoriety
And caused much anxiety
In the Audobon Society
With our games
They call it impiety
And lack of propriety
And quite a variety of unpleasant names

But it’s not against any religion
To want to dispose of a pigeon

So if Sunday you’re free
Why don’t you come with me
And we’ll poison the pigeons in the park
And maybe we’ll do in a squirrel or two
While we’re poisoning pigeons in the park
We’ll murder them amid laughter and merriment
Except for the few we take home to experiment
My pulse will be quickenin’
With each drop of strychnine
We feed to a pigeon
It just takes a smidgin
To poison a pigeon in the park

#2) Tom Lehrer – Poisoning Pigeons In The Park https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhuMLpdnOjY

At #1 is something that is very Cool and Strange. It’s Sweden Heaven and Hell, Here’s what Wikipedia says: “Sweden: Heaven and Hell (Italian: Svezia, inferno e paradiso) is an Italian mondo film from 1968 directed by Luigi Scattini. The film which is made up of nine segments that focus on different aspects of sexuality in Sweden such as lesbian nightclubs, porn films, swinging lifestyle of married couples and sex education of teenagers (“…lesbian nightclubs, porn films, swinging lifestyle of married couples and sex education of teenagers”!? I’m in!- Mike). The film also examines drug addiction, alcoholism and suicides in Sweden (Been there. Done that. – Mike) The film also featured the debut of the song “Mah Nà Mah Nà” by Piero Umiliani.

#1) Sweden Heaven And Hell (Svezia Inferno E Paradiso) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj_jaAsTpHg

Well that’s it for Cool & Strange Music for this week. As Mr. Spock would say, “Live well and prosper!” Have a great week! – Mike in Tokyo Rogers

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Past issues of:

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Mar. 21, 2015 – Mr. Diagonal, Hexstatic, Messer Chups, Messer Fur Frau Muller! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-feb-21-2015-mr-diagonal-hexstatic-messer-chups-messer-fur-frau-muller/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Feb. 13, 2015 – Star Wars Mah Na Mah Na, Dj Trotsky, Messer Chups! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-feb-13-2015-star-wars-mah-na-mah-na-dj-trotsky-messer-chups/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Feb. 13, 2015 – Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper, Hexstatic, Great David Bowie & John Lennon Imitator! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-feb-13-2015-mojo-nixon-skid-roper-hexstatic-great-david-bowie-john-lennon-imitator/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Jan. 29, 2015 – Oleg Kostrow, Jimmy Bo Horne & Kim Jung Un, Milky Edwards & the Chamberlings robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-jan-29-2015-oleg-kostrow-jimmy-bo-horne-kim-jung-un-milky-edwards-the-chamberlings/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Jan. 14, 2015 – David Bowie Tribute! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-jan-14-2015-david-bowie-tribute/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 29, 2015 – Eddie Murphy, Messer Chups, Vladimir Putin! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-29-2015-eddie-murphy-messer-chups-vladimir-putin/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 21, 2015 – Bennie Melwin, Cambodian Space Project, The Rebel Scumbagsrobot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-21-2015-bennie-melwin-cambodian-space-project-the-rebel-scumbags/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 15, 2015 – Hexstatic, Stan Freberg, Mary Schneider, The Fancs Brothers!robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-15-2015-hexstatic-stan-freberg-mary-schneider-the-fanc-brothers/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 8, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-8-2015/ (Messer Fur Frau Muller, Eliert Pilarm, Zlad)

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 1, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-strange-music-dec-1-2015/ (Mrs. Miller, Ray Stevens, Barnes & Barnes)

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ALTERNATIVE/INDIES ROCK MUSIC? TRY THE PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

TOP 3 VIDEOS SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

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If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

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Cool & Strange Music, Cool & Strange Music Countdown, Cool and Strange Music, ROBOT55, Rock & Roll, Top 3 Indies Artist Videos, Top 3 Indies Artist’s Videos, Top 3 New Artist Videos, Top 3 videos, video, video production tokyo, ビジネスビデオ制作, ビデオ, ビデオ制作, ビデオ編集, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー, 動画, 動画制作, 動画制作　東京, 動画制作、格安動画制作、ビデオ制作, 動画広告, 広告動画, 撮影, 映像, 東京, 格安, 紹介動画, Mike Rogers, Mike in Tokyo Rogers

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Mar. 21, 2015 – Mr. Diagonal, Hexstatic, Messer Chups, Messer Fur Frau Muller!

2016年3月22日 / 2 Comments

We’re back to Cool & Strange Music for March 21, 2016! This week’s chart is the grooviest and most out of this world line up of musical bizarreness on the planet!

Today, I have some homework to catch up on so, let me clear out my Cool & Strange cabinet. First up is a band we featured last week called Messer Chups. Messer Chups is a trio from St. Petersburg, Russia (used to be called Leningrad for all you geekoholics!) Messer Chups have tons of fab tunes. They used to be in a unit called “Messer fur Frau Muller” and I’ll tell you more about them in a minute. But first, this awesome twist for all you David Lynch and Twin Peaks fans! Here’s their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/messerchups/?fref=ts

#3) Messer Chups – Twin Peaks Twist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZZHrK311aw

Next up is another artist that debuted two week’s ago on our Cool & Strange Music countdown. It’s Hexstatic from Jolly Old. Two guys who mix up visuals as well as sounds. This is an awesome mashup of the 1966 smash hit by Frank Sinatra’s daughter Nancy Sinatra. Here is Nancy’s original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbyAZQ45uww. Now check out the Hexstatic mashup. This is KILLER!

#2) Hexstatic – Nancy`s Boots https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu8VEN4K83o

At #1 is the band that was the original configuration of Messer Chups. Their name was Messer fur Frau Muller (In English that translates to: “A Knife for Mrs. Muller.”) There isn’t much information about either band on English language pages on the internet, but one common thing I’ve noticed is that the guitarist, Oleg Gitarkin and that hot Russian goddess on bass, Svetlana Zombierella Nagaeva, were in both bands. This next song was one of, if not the, most requested song in the 25-year history of my radio show.

#1) Messer fur Frau Muller – The Best Girl in USSR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUzcKlgy_a4

SPOTLIGHT ARTIST! Today a special treat! It’s Mr. Diagonal. Not much seems to be known about Mr. Diagonal but we do know that he was once a member of Mr. Diagonal and the Black Light Orchestra which was a group that consisted of a guy named Mr. Diagonal and two statues (judging by their FB page). Now, according to informed sources, Mr. Diagonal suddenly disappeared on Feb. 29, 2016 and hasn’t been seen since. Some are suspecting “fowl” play. I suspect he’s “chicken.” Nevertheless, he is under contractual agreement to appear in Japan for several shows starting today, in fact, and lasting until the end of this month. To prevent Mr. Diagonal from being sued in Japanese court, I hear that Dan Barbenel has agreed to step in and perform at these shows…

I’m sure Interpol will be there too with questions for about the sudden disappearance of Mr. Diagonal and where Mr. Barbenel was at the time. Go check it out. Tour dates below the video. Here is Mr. Diagonal’s FB page: https://www.facebook.com/mrdiagonal/?fref=ts

SPOTLIGHT ARTIST! Mr Diagonal – Holiday on Ice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrVKsWx_CKc

MARCH 22-31 – Dan Barbenel solo tour of Japan. Here’s the webpage URL: http://mrdiagonal.com/

3/22 Kyoto RAG

3/24 Kobe Kyu-Guggenheim-Tei

3/25 Osaka Knave

3/26 Kanazawa Mokkiriya

3/27 Tokyo Pit Inn

3/28 Kashiwa Nardis

3/29 Yokohama Airegin

3/31 Tokyo Saravah

Well that’s it for Cool & Strange Music for this week. Have a great weekend! – Mike in Tokyo Rogers

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コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

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Past issues of:

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Feb. 13, 2015 – Star Wars Mah Na Mah Na, Dj Trotsky, Messer Chups! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-feb-13-2015-star-wars-mah-na-mah-na-dj-trotsky-messer-chups/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Jan. 14, 2015 – David Bowie Tribute! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-jan-14-2015-david-bowie-tribute/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 8, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-8-2015/ (Messer Fur Frau Muller, Eliert Pilarm, Zlad)

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 1, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-strange-music-dec-1-2015/ (Mrs. Miller, Ray Stevens, Barnes & Barnes)

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ALTERNATIVE/INDIES ROCK MUSIC? TRY THE PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

TOP 3 VIDEOS SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

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If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

If you like this, please “Like” the Robot55 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robot55video

On Twitter, we are: @robot55video

Robot55 Youtube?: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRBSdzh-E4_bRM_akdRAAQ

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Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Feb. 13, 2015 – Star Wars Mah Na Mah Na, Dj Trotsky, Messer Chups!

2016年3月7日 / 1 Comment

We’re back to Cool & Strange Music for March 7, 2016! This week’s chart is way cool for you cool guys and gals, geeks and geekettes, dorks and dorkettes!

First up is a song that everyone knows. It was written by Piero Umiliani. Umiliani is an Italian composer of film scores and today we feature a song that is a world famous track. “Mah Nà Mah Nà” (1968) was originally used in Sweden: Heaven and Hell, a 1968 Mondo documentary about Sweden, but the song was popularized by The Muppets, who covered the song several times on their own show as well as The Ed Sullivan Show. The track was also a hit in the UK, reaching number 8 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1977. Today’s version is by Cake who is an American alternative rock band from Sacramento, California. This songs has really nothing to do with Star Wars, but do you think there is a geek in the room who cares?

#3) Cake – Star Wars Mahna Mahna https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qF6yjFZbTY

Next up is a band that have become “regulars” on the Cool & Strange music countdown (“Regulars” on “Cool & Strange”? Hmmm?) They are a hot surf-rock band from St. Petersburg, Russia! (“Surf Rock from St. Petersburg, Russia!?” Are you kidding me?) Look for the hot sounds and the hot guitar and girl in the bikini! (I wouldn’t kick her out of bed for eating animal crackers!) Here’s their FB page. Go Like it! https://www.facebook.com/messerchups/

#2) Messer Chups – Curse of Stephen Kong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LtsJmxcj2M

Finally, this week’s #1. This is Dj Trotsky. DJ Trotsky is Los Angeles based producer, songwriter, bassist, mixer and DJ David Brownstein. This week’s #1 is a hot track and cover of Iggy Pop’s “Search and Destroy.” Imagine, if you can, Amy Winehouse doing a sultry cover of that Iggy song! Can’t imagine it? OK, check it out right here! This is “Very Cool!”
While you’re at it, go “Like” DJ Trotsky on FB: https://www.facebook.com/DJ-Trotsky-886854641332900/

#1) DJ Trotsky – Search and Destroy (feat. Koralee) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S9zD1XvZSA

Thanks to Trip to the Moon for the trippy illusion! Check them out here: http://www.triptomoon.com/

Well that’s it for Cool & Strange Music for this week. Have a great weekend! – Mike in Tokyo Rogers

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コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

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Past issues of:

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Feb. 13, 2015 – Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper, Hexstatic, Great David Bowie & John Lennon Imitator! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-feb-13-2015-mojo-nixon-skid-roper-hexstatic-great-david-bowie-john-lennon-imitator/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Jan. 14, 2015 – David Bowie Tribute! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-jan-14-2015-david-bowie-tribute/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 8, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-8-2015/ (Messer Fur Frau Muller, Eliert Pilarm, Zlad)

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 1, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-strange-music-dec-1-2015/ (Mrs. Miller, Ray Stevens, Barnes & Barnes)

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ALTERNATIVE/INDIES ROCK MUSIC? TRY THE PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

TOP 3 VIDEOS SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

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If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

If you like this, please “Like” the Robot55 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robot55video

On Twitter, we are: @robot55video

Robot55 Youtube?: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRBSdzh-E4_bRM_akdRAAQ

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Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Feb. 13, 2015 – Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper, Hexstatic, Great David Bowie & John Lennon Imitator!

2016年2月13日 / 3 Comments

We’re back to Cool & Strange Music for Feb 13, 2016! And I’ve got some great weird stuff for you today!

First up, an oldie from 1985. It’s Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper! The name of their debut album and their real names too! They are two rock/psychobilly musical artists and this hot track was released in 1985. Blogger RYP writes of this album, “It reveals this dynamic duo at their vibrant best, putting across an instrumental conceit that weds a kind of old-timey instrumentation with a whisky-soaked, poetry-slam mentality.”… Another fave track of mine on this twisted slab of vinyl is “Jesus at McDonald’s.” Look for it… Oh, and the album credits the boys with: Skid Roper: upright washboard and other stuff; Mojo Nixon: vocals, guitar and foot.

#3) Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper – Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant With My Two Headed Love Child https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXLuSHx1fR0

At #2 is Hexstatic. Hexstatic is an English electronic music duo that formed in 1997. Hexstatic specializes in creating “quirky audio visual electro.” They have released two CD/DVDs so far. This stuff is VERY cool.

#2) Hexstatic – Nancy’s Boots https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu8VEN4K83o

Are you still missing David Bowie? I am. At #1 is a delightful Bowie imitator that made this video in 2009. I think this is great! Check it out. (Sorry, but it seems that no one knows this guy’s name!)

#1) David Bowie & John Lennon Imitator – Fame https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkLE1Gno724

Well that’s it for Cool & Strange Music for this week. Have a great weekend! – Mike in Tokyo Rogers

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コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

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Past issues of:

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Jan. 29, 2015 – Oleg Kostrow, Jimmy Bo Horne & Kim Jung Un, Milky Edwards & the Chamberlings robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-jan-29-2015-oleg-kostrow-jimmy-bo-horne-kim-jung-un-milky-edwards-the-chamberlings/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Jan. 14, 2015 – David Bowie Tribute! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-jan-14-2015-david-bowie-tribute/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 8, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-8-2015/ (Messer Fur Frau Muller, Eliert Pilarm, Zlad)

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 1, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-strange-music-dec-1-2015/ (Mrs. Miller, Ray Stevens, Barnes & Barnes)

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ALTERNATIVE/INDIES ROCK MUSIC? TRY THE PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

TOP 3 VIDEOS SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

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If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

If you like this, please “Like” the Robot55 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robot55video

On Twitter, we are: @robot55video

Robot55 Youtube?: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRBSdzh-E4_bRM_akdRAAQ

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Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Jan. 29, 2015 – Oleg Kostrow, Jimmy Bo Horne & Kim Jung Un, Milky Edwards & the Chamberlings

2016年1月29日 / 4 Comments

We’re back to Cool & Strange Music for Jan. 29, 2016! And do I have some strange and cool stuff for you today.

First up, is Oleg Kostrow. Oleg Kostrow is a very prolific Russian synth & sample artist, and the member of the Messer Für Frau Müller duo, and Messer Chups. He mixes modern beats with cool & crazy samples.

#3) Oleg Kostrow – Bukva F https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldyZ-Pdo418

And speaking of people from the East, at #2 is also a guy from a faraway land. It seems that North Korea has (or hasn’t?) blown off a hydrogen bomb. That puts our #2 song in the news this week. North Korean military propaganda videos are very boring (as are all military propaganda). So the creator of this video took the footage and tried to sync it up with some delicious disco groove (Jimmy Bo Horne – Dance Across the Floor). It’s really funny in places where it looks like the editor had it almost in sync. It’s worth several laughs. Check it! The artillery firing off in unison with the trumpets towards the end is hilarious!

#2) North Korean People’s Army Funky Get Down Juche Part y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwoSFQb5HVk

Finally at #1, Milky Edwards & The Chamberlings. Did a a gospel group record an album of cover versions of all the songs on David Bowie’s “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” album in the 1970’s?

On YouTube you can find three videos of someone playing songs from this album (that doesn’t exist) being played on a record player (with record noise added for special effect). The videos were uploaded in early 2012 and recently they started to draw attention (you can also check out the very basic website: www.milkyedwards.com).

Milky Edwards and the Chamberlains. Track listing: Starman, Suffragette City, Moonage Daydream, Five Years, Soul Love, It Ain’t Easy, Lady Stardust, Star, Hang Onto Yourself, Ziggy Stardust, Rock N Roll Suicide.

Who created these songs (and videos) and why? No one seems to know. Whoever created them, did an excellent job. The recordings are top quality professional. The only thing I know for sure is that the album cover is definitely not from the 1970s because it uses Mojo Standard font (which didn’t exist until 1990!) The font is altered – easily done on a computer – I do it all the time. Besides that, there’s not much else. Oh, there is a rumor that this could be the hi-jinks of David Bowie with Luther Vandross from the Young Americans period. I have to admit that, yes, the singer does sound a bit like Luther Vandross. Check Luther Vandross and compare voices here, if you like (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmDxJrggie8)

#3) Milky Edwards & The Chamberlings – Soul Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GlsNSWDVdM

Heck, while we’re here, I’ll link to the other two existing videos!

Milky Edwards & the Chamberlings – Starman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y115_2h4a68

Milky Edwards & the Chamberlings – Moonage Daydream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvXLuYXPL94

Read more about Milky Edwards and the Chamberlings here.

Well that’s it for Cool & Strange Music for this week. Have a great weekend! – Mike in Tokyo Rogers

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コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

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Past issues of:

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Jan. 14, 2015 – David Bowie Tribute! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-jan-14-2015-david-bowie-tribute/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 8, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-8-2015/ (Messer Fur Frau Muller, Eliert Pilarm, Zlad)

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 1, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-strange-music-dec-1-2015/ (Mrs. Miller, Ray Stevens, Barnes & Barnes)

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ALTERNATIVE/INDIES ROCK MUSIC? TRY THE PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

TOP 3 VIDEOS SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

——————-

If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

If you like this, please “Like” the Robot55 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robot55video

On Twitter, we are: @robot55video

Robot55 Youtube?: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRBSdzh-E4_bRM_akdRAAQ

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Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Jan. 14, 2015 – David Bowie Tribute!

2016年1月14日 / 3 Comments

Welcome friends! It’s time once again for the Cool & Strange Music Countdown! It’s been a sad week this week due to the passing of one of the greatest stars of the 20th and 21st centuries. You all know I am talking about the death of David Bowie.

Bowie so influenced my life. When I was a teenager, David Bowie was just about all I ever listened to. I did listen to other music, of course, but no one ever touched my life or enthralled me like Bowie did. I wanted to be like him and even look like him.

He taught me that it was OK to be different and that everyone is special. I got high with him, laughed and screamed with him, sang with him and dreamed with him…

And, on Jan. 11, 2016, Bowie made me remember how to cry again.

This is the Cool & Strange Music countdown. And what could be cooler than David Bowie or stranger than he? Today, I want to share with you some of David Bowie’s music, art, fashions and some of the really fantastic and bizarre videos he made.

There’s so many great Bowie videos that I couldn’t possibly list them all. This first video is a great start as it has an interesting story. It was 1972 and David Bowie was breaking big in England. David Bowie was the first rock star of the seventies. Before him, all the bands were remainders from the sixties and the Vietnam War and the Hippie movement. Bowie came out with outrageous red hair, and androgynous look and spandex clothes. He looked totally different from all other rock stars. He appeared on “Top of the Pops” with the Spiders from Mars (His band from “Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”). This was the moment the Bowie became a superstar. Watch carefully as he captured an entire nation of British girls when he points at the camera (at about 1:35) and sings, “I had to phone someone so I picked on you-u-u-u!” Every girl in the UK fell in love with him at that very moment because he was talking directly to them. A heart-throb not seen since the likes of silent film superstar Rudolph Valentino was born.

#4) David Bowie – Starman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B5zmDz4vR4

In the late eighties, I was programming the music videos for a TV show here in Japan. When I received the list of possible videos that I could select from, I found this official version of “Jean Genie.” I inserted it into the playlist. Later, I would receive complaints from some people at the station for “playing too many old videos.” I also received massive accolades (mostly from women viewers) about this video and how, even after all those years, Bowie was still so fashionable and cool. I was redeemed. It’s still way cool now! Check it

#3) David Bowie – Jean Genie https://vimeo.com/61137000

Many Bowie videos were so artistically done that they belong in a category by themselves. Here is a classic Bowie track with the bizarre video that looks like something out of a dream. Pay special attention to the characters in this video. Who are they? Why are they there? What does it all mean? I especially was floored by the appearance of his “mom”(?) at about 3:12. It seems like an experience we all had in our lives; our mothers trying to convince us to change our ways. Or, maybe in Bowie’s case, she is trying to convince him to “come back to earth.” Wow! What an imagination!

#2) David Bowie – Ashes To Ashes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMThz7eQ6K0

Last night, as I lay in bed. I could hear my son practicing piano upstairs. He won second place in the All-Japan Piano Finals so he is no slouch on the keyboard. He will be playing at Japan’s version of Carnegie Hall in March. You can imagine the tears I shed when I heard him playing this next song and singing. He only plays classical piano, but I think, someday, it will matter that the first rock song he has ever played on the piano in his life is Bowie’s “Life on Mars.”

“Life on Mars” was directed by the world famous photographer, Mick Rock. I guess I can say that the closest I ever came to Bowie was that Mick Rock’s wife, Sheila Rock, a famous photographer in her own right, has also taken my photo! I think if there ever just one Bowie song I could take to heaven, it would be this. What style and fashion! What great lyrics and what a touching song.

#1) David Bowie – Life On Mars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEgfckymRjY

Thank you David Bowie! I love you! Even in your death, you are with me and a guiding light to do greater things than myself.

See you next week!

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コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

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Past issues of:

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 21, 2015 – Bennie Melwin, Cambodian Space Project, The Rebel Scumbags robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-21-2015-bennie-melwin-cambodian-space-project-the-rebel-scumbags/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 15, 2015 – Hexstatic, Stan Freberg, Mary Schneider, The Fancs Brothers! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-15-2015-hexstatic-stan-freberg-mary-schneider-the-fanc-brothers/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 8, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-8-2015/ (Messer Fur Frau Muller, Eliert Pilarm, Zlad)

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 1, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-strange-music-dec-1-2015/ (Mrs. Miller, Ray Stevens, Barnes & Barnes)

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ALTERNATIVE/INDIES ROCK MUSIC? TRY THE PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

TOP 3 VIDEOS SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

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If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

If you like this, please “Like” the Robot55 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robot55video

On Twitter, we are: @robot55video

Robot55 Youtube?: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRBSdzh-E4_bRM_akdRAAQ

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Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 29, 2015 – Eddie Murphy, Messer Chups, Vladimir Putin!

2015年12月29日 / 3 Comments

It’s the last Cool & Strange Music Countdown for 2015! Welcome! I promise you that you will laugh and dig today’s tunes BIG TIME! (If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!)

Today’s first video is a sidesplitting number done by American comedian Eddie Murphy. This was a skit of Saturday Night Live whereby he parodies James Brown – and does a hilarious job of it too! It’s James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub Party! And now, here he is – the Godfather of Soul, and hot tub man number one – Jaaaaaaaaaaames Brown!

Eddie Murphy – James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub Party https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAJnpaFRrlw

Next up is an artist that also charted on my year end, “Mike (in Tokyo) Rogers’ Top 50 Best Songs of 2015 (With Music Videos!)” modernmarketingjapan.blogspot.jp/2015/12/mike-rogers-top-50-best-songs-of-2015.html It’s Messer Chups from St. Petersburg Russia!

#2) Messer Chups – Sex Euro And Evils Pop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLPBo3ItZ8g

On last week’s Cool & Strange Music Countdown, we got rave reviews for the hilarious video about Vladimir Putin! Thanks! But fear not comrades! This week we have another mind-bender about our favorite hero! This is pretty funny and some people might think I like bashing Putin so watch out for the surprise ending!

#1) PUTIN IS NUMBER ONE GREATEST PRESIDENT SONG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbBaSfgNJnE

Well that’s it for this week! Happy New Year and may all your dreams come true in 2016! See you next week! – Mike (in Tokyo) Rogers

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コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

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Past issues of:

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 21, 2015 – Bennie Melwin, Cambodian Space Project, The Rebel Scumbags robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-21-2015-bennie-melwin-cambodian-space-project-the-rebel-scumbags/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 15, 2015 – Hexstatic, Stan Freberg, Mary Schneider, The Fancs Brothers! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-15-2015-hexstatic-stan-freberg-mary-schneider-the-fanc-brothers/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 8, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-8-2015/ (Messer Fur Frau Muller, Eliert Pilarm, Zlad)

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 1, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-strange-music-dec-1-2015/ (Mrs. Miller, Ray Stevens, Barnes & Barnes)

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ALTERNATIVE/INDIES ROCK MUSIC? TRY THE PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

TOP 3 VIDEOS SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

——————-

If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

If you like this, please “Like” the Robot55 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robot55video

On Twitter, we are: @robot55video

Robot55 Youtube?: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRBSdzh-E4_bRM_akdRAAQ

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Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 21, 2015 – Bennie Melwin, Cambodian Space Project, The Rebel Scumbags

2015年12月21日 / 3 Comments

We’re back to the “Cool & Strange Music Countdown.” Welcome one and all! If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

Today’s countdown has a decidedly Rock and Roll edge to it. First up is an animation that is completely made up from still photos. This might be the best adaptation yet to Electric Six’s “Gay Bar” from 2003. In the Electric Six original, Abraham Lincoln was the hero of the video, but in today’s, Bennie Melwin has updated us quite a bit and uses Vladamir Putin! The creepiness, as well as the quality of the animation, just make it perfect.

#3) Bennie Melwin – Putin Depardieu Love Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORSgkBz09-Q

Next up is a fab band from Cambodia of all places. This band has several really good videos but I picked this one today because of all the foreigners in it. It reminds me (and inspires me) of all the great foreign bands we have in Japan. Srey Thy, lead singer of The Cambodian Space Project, was recently appointed as a Good Will Ambassador for UNiTE, a campaign to stop violence against women worldwide.

#2) The Cambodian Space Project — Have Visa No Have Rice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1oG4x2Y_HE

Finally, just in time for Star Wars is a band from Los Angeles that has been making waves and been getting airplay on the world-famous KROQ! The band is called “The Rebel Scumbags” and they describe themselves as a “Geek n Roll” band.This song is hot and funny! Just released on December 14, so it’s hot off the presses! Thanks once again to Kona Cindy for the hot tip!

#1) THE REBEL SCUMBAGS – I LOVE YOU (I KNOW) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99Xt_a_OqNA

Well that’s it for this week! May the farce be with you! – Mike (in Tokyo) Rogers

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コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

————

Past issues of:

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 15, 2015 – Hexstatic, Stan Freberg, Mary Schneider, The Fancs Brothers! robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-15-2015-hexstatic-stan-freberg-mary-schneider-the-fanc-brothers/

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 8, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-8-2015/ (Messer Fur Frau Muller, Eliert Pilarm, Zlad)

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 1, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-strange-music-dec-1-2015/ (Mrs. Miller, Ray Stevens, Barnes & Barnes)

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ALTERNATIVE/INDIES ROCK MUSIC? TRY THE PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

TOP 3 VIDEOS SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

——————-

If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

If you like this, please “Like” the Robot55 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robot55video

On Twitter, we are: @robot55video

Robot55 Youtube?: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRBSdzh-E4_bRM_akdRAAQ

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Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 15, 2015 – Hexstatic, Stan Freberg, Mary Schneider, The Fancs Brothers!

2015年12月15日 / 5 Comments

Welcome friends! It’s time once again for the Cool & Strange Music Countdown!

Today, first up is a song that is definitely on the “Cool” category. It is Hexstatic. Hexstatic is an English electronic music duo that formed in 1997, that consists of Stuart Warren Hill and Robin Brunson. Hexstatic specializes in creating “quirky audio visual electro.” This is MOST definitely quirky. I think this is brilliant art! We will have more from these two in coming episodes!

#3) Hexstatic – Auto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPrT0Fzzwsg

Next up is a “Cool and Strange Music” classic. It’s by a guy named Stan Freberg. Stan Freberg passed away earlier this year on April 7, 2015. Stan was an American author, recording artist, animation voice actor, comedian, radio personality, puppeteer and advertising creative director, whose career began in 1944. He remained active in the industry into his late 80s, more than 70 years after entering it.

Today’s pick is a Freberg classic. He had a knack for doing quirky and insanely funny TV commercials as well as music. In today’s pick up track, Stan Freberg does both voices of a couple in love who go through difficult times and tragedy as well as making up again…. All with ONLY Stan doing all the dialogue for both our lovers, John and Marsha, AND with only saying names only, he goes through and entire conversation of love, betrayal and reconciliation! The engineers who recorded this when Stan Freberg was in the studio must have either laughed hysterically or thought they were witnessing an insane man. It’s hilarious. Check it out. Listen carefully!

#2) Stan Freberg – John and Marsha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkfwmB8jeSU

At #1 today is yodeler, Mary Schneider. Mary Schneider is an Australian singer, songwriter and performer, who is a master at the classic Swiss Alpine style, she is best known for yodelling the works of various standards by many a classic composer. Listen to this. There are parts of her yodel where I wonder how it is humanly possible to do this and still breathe? (Especially check at 1:49 and 2:15 and 3:12!)

‪#1) Mary Schneider – Yodelling Overtures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awp3-7EVM0Q

Incredible!!!!! I’m gasping for air just listening to it.

Today we have a freebie for Cool and Strange Music! It’s two guys known as the “Fancs Brothers.” This is an incredible story. These two guys are NOT professional musicians but they work at an internet company! They just decided one day, “Hey! Let’s make some songs!” and so they did. This video production is by us at Robot55 (Ken Nishikawa did the work… I was snoring on the sofa in the studio!) It blows my mind that two guys, who aren’t musicians, can make such a great (and amusing song)…. Just goes to show how far “just having fun” really can take an artist or a band, no?

If you love Shibuya in Tokyo, you will love this!

Spotlight: The Fancs Brothers – Welcome to Shibuya https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjdrHWGUoR8

Well, that’s it for today! Hope you have a great rest of the week and hope you stay Cool and Strange! – Mike Rogers

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コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

————

Past issues of:

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 8, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-and-strange-music-countdown-dec-8-2015/ (Messer Fur Frau Muller, Eliert Pilarm, Zlad)

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 1, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-strange-music-dec-1-2015/ (Mrs. Miller, Ray Stevens, Barnes & Barnes)

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ALTERNATIVE/INDIES ROCK MUSIC? TRY THE PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

TOP 3 VIDEOS SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

——————-

If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

If you like this, please “Like” the Robot55 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robot55video

On Twitter, we are: @robot55video

Robot55 Youtube?: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRBSdzh-E4_bRM_akdRAAQ

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Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 8, 2015

2015年12月8日 / 6 Comments

It’s Dec. 8, 2015! In Japan, and in the USA (it’s Dec. 7 in America), that means today is “Pearl Harbor Day.” The anniversary of the day the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor! So that also means it’s time for me to “drop some real ‘bombs,’ hits and misses,” with the “Cool & Strange Music Countdown.”

Cool and Strange music isn’t just turds on the turntable! Sometimes the Cool & Strange music does include some cool tunes. For example, Dave Brubeck just passed away yesterday (R.I.P.) and his music can definitely be considered “Cool” – Dave Brubeck will be on the countdown someday, I promise! So don’t judge a book by its cover…. So, let’s get into our first song today; and this song is waaaaay cool.

At #3 is Messer Fur Frau Muller. Messer Fur Frau Muller is a duo from St. Petersburg, Russia. The band was founded by well-known guitarist and multi-talented composer and musician, Oleg Gitarkin with Oleg Kostrow. Messer Fur Frau Muller translates into “A knife for Mrs. Miller.” Today they perform as trio known as Messer Chups and they will most certainly be on the Cool and Strange Music Countdown in days and months to come. Go and “Like” the Messer Chups Facebook page. You can thank me later. (https://www.facebook.com/messerchups/)

#3) Messer Fur Frau Muller- Best Girl from USSR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7ImFwXARf0

At #2 is an Elvis Presley impersonator from Sweden known as Eilert Pilarm. Pilarm is off-key and off-tempo, but could arguably be the most famous Elvis presley impersonator in the world. He released several records imaginatively titled Elvis I, II and III before signing to a label, which issued Greatest Hits in 1996. The world-famous DJ, John Peel, played Eilert Pilarm often and it was something of a Peel favourite. Eilert Pilarm has sold over 1 million records. Listen to this version of Jailhouse Rock. Hilarious… And, after many listens, it begins to sound, “right”… You’ll see.

#2) Eilert Pilarm – Jailhouse Rock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MiJTxlEdtQ

This week’s #1 is Zlad. Zlad is the brain-child of Santo Cilauro who is an Australian television and feature film producer, screenwriter, actor, author, comedian and cameraman; he is also an author and former radio presenter on the Triple M Network, and achieved worldwide fame with the viral video Elektronik Supersonik. This is pure genius. Check out the tortured English including new lexicon such as”offblast”, “downsplash” and “bestest.” Today, this is the even bestest video of today you will have seen today!

#1) Zlad – Electronic/Supersonic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNyG-xu-7SQ

Well, that’s it for today! Hope you have a great rest of the week and hope you stay Cool and Strange! – Mike Rogers

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コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

————

Past issues of:

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Dec. 1, 2015 robot55.jp/blog/cool-strange-music-dec-1-2015/

—————

ALTERNATIVE/INDIES ROCK MUSIC? TRY THE PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

TOP 3 VIDEOS SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

——————-

If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

If you like this, please “Like” the Robot55 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robot55video

On Twitter, we are: @robot55video

Robot55 Youtube?: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRBSdzh-E4_bRM_akdRAAQ

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