I'm Punched

At a recent bonenkai (year-end party), one of the entertainers was Neko Punch. Neko Punch is a band, led by singer/songwriter Leanne and producer/bass player Macc. Later, the duo was joined by dancer, Pinky. The group formed, apparently, in London in the summer of 2012, but has recently caught storm in Japan. "One Day in the Life of Neko Punch" shows the crazy and zany side of their life.

http://youtu.be/CE8M2K04I6c?list=UUIQfVTwfiCqurK_auHIx2wQ

While the band may have gotten their start in the UK, I think their sound and style is very much Tokyo cool. They recently released a Maxi Single, "Go Baby." The trailer video showcases the very 80s and 90s influenced pop style, along with the characteristic dance steps, courtesy of Pinky.

http://youtu.be/TvZXaaXwn9k?list=UUIQfVTwfiCqurK_auHIx2wQ

Fans have taken the music to heart, with hundreds of videos online showing groups dancing to "Go Baby" and other tracks.

http://youtu.be/Ge--5BO6E9c

The band is campy, but very catchy. While the dances seem to be the thing that draws the greatest attention, their music may have more lasting power than one might think from a simple glance. I saw them in a very small venue, with fewer than 100 people in the room. Only around 20 or so people knew the dances prior to the event, but by the end of each song, more than half of the people were dancing.

A promotional track that Neko Punch has uploaded in collaboration with Regal seems, to me, to capture the essence of the punch. It packs a wallop that one might not realize could come from such a cute cat. Meow!!

http://youtu.be/uTc9ehwpAsk