What Goes Around Comes Around, Punk Meets J-Pop Edition

These two bits of news I came across were simply made for a blog that posts about both J-pop and punk rock!

Item one, from Anime News Network via PunkNews.org:

In what is perhaps the most unusual compilation seen so far this year, a number of Anime (Japanese Animation) voice actresses have collaborated on a new album where these actresses perform classic punk rock songs by the likes ofThe ClashSex PistolsBlondieThe OffspringGreen DayRancidThe ExploitedRamonesThe Stooges and more. 

The Anime News Network had the scoop. The record is titled Legendary Punk Songs Collection and is due out February 25, 2009. Sadly, we could not find samples of these songs. 

various-legendary-punk-songs-collection

  1. Halko Momoi – “Sex and Violence” (The Exploited)
  2. Haruna Ikezawa – “Basket Case” (Green Day)
  3. Kaori Shimizu – “White Riot” (The Clash)
  4. Mai Kadowaki – “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)” (The Offspring)
  5. Rie Tanaka – “Anarchy In The UK” (SEX PISTOLS)
  6. Yuko Goto – “London’s Burning” (The Clash)
  7. Halko Momoi – “Call Me” (Blondie)
  8. Haruna Ikezawa – “God Save The Queen” (SEX PISTOLS)
  9. Kaori Shimizu – “Blitzkrieg Bop” (Ramones)
  10. Mai Kadowaki – “Search and Destroy” (Iggy & The Stooges)
  11. Rie Tanaka – “Ruby Soho” (Rancid)
  12. Yuko Goto – “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana)

This looks way too interesting. A couple of the cover choices seem off the beaten path (The original version of the Exploited cover that starts this off was actually a filler track that the band made up in the studio during the sessions for their first LP, and I would have never expected anyone to cover Rancid), but this is too good to resist. I won’t have too long to wait: the album comes out next Wednesday.

In an almost opposite note, PunkNews.org reported today that MxPx’s next album, On the Cover II, is going to feature a cover version of The Blue Hearts’ “Linda Linda” (probably more familiar to many of you from Paranmaum’s cover version from the movie of the same name.) Now THAT sounds like it could be interesting. Or a train wreck. Or at least an interesting train wreck.