Daikaiju (band)

Last updated

DaiKaiju
Origin Huntsville, Alabama
Genres Surf punk [1]
Years active1999–Present
Labels
  • Migoto Radiation
  • Valiant Death Records
  • Reptile Records
  • DingDong Records (current)
Members
  • Secret-man (Guitar)
  • Blast-man (Drums)
  • Ultra-girl (Guitar)
  • Pulse-man (Bass)
Past members
  • Ace-man (Guitar)
  • Jet-man (Bass)
  • Bat-man (Bass)
  • Crash-man (Drums)
  • Hit-man (Drums)
  • Smash-man (Drums)
  • Rock-man (Guitar)
  • Dead-man (Guitar)
  • Beat-man (Drums)
  • Shank-man (Bass)
  • Abstract-man (Drums)
  • Rumble-man (Bass)
  • Electro-man (Keyboards)
  • Multi-man (Keyboard/Guitar)
  • Necro-man (Guitar)
  • Captain Kanchou (Aaron Rathz)(Bass/Guitar)
  • Tentacles-X (Keyboard/Guitar/Bass)
  • E (Elija Horgan)(Drums)
  • Mr. Nein (Milburn Lominick)(Drums)
  • Brain Conflict (Brian Murphree)(Bass)
  • Dymaxion Lee (Marc Elliott)(Guitar)
Website daikaiju.org

Daikaiju (stylized "DaiKaiju") is a kaiju-themed surf punk band from Huntsville, Alabama, now based out of Houston, usually consisting of two guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer. [2] The band formed in the winter of 1999 and first performed in January 2000. The band has played shows across Europe, eastern Asia, and North America. As of 2023, the band is still actively touring.

Contents

History

Daikaiju originally formed in the winter of 1999. [3]

In 2005, the band released their first full-length album, Daikaiju. Of the album's ten tracks, five were previously recorded (in an earlier form) on 2001's Monster Surf, [4] and two more were previously heard on 2002's The Phasing Spider Menace. [5] The album received mostly positive reviews from critics, with Pitchfork Media giving the album a 7.8/10, praising the band's "prog muscle" and calling it an "impressive full-length debut". [6]

In 2010, the band released their second full-length album, titled Phase 2.

In a 2012 interview with Florida Geek Scene, the band was asked about the change in personnel between Daikaiju and Phase 2. [7] Daikaiju, in response, referred to the departing members as "casualties".

In 2013, the band toured the Far East visiting China, South Korea, and Japan. Its visit to Japan, in particular, was highly anticipated by fans and the band itself. [8] Daikaiju tied Public Image Ltd. as the 'Best show by a foreign touring act' in Time Out Beijing's "Year's end roundup: the best of Beijing music" for 2013. [9]

Performing style

Daikaiju performs while wearing kabuki masks, and using pseudonyms. They do not speak during performances, instead communicating using hand signals. [10] The band often sets fire to their instruments during live shows.

Interaction with media

Due to how secretive the band is, they rarely grant interviews, and do not mention their real names or private lives (apart from their opinions on monster movies such as Tristar's Godzilla, which they agreed to call Godzilla "in name only") in the interviews they do agree to. [7] [11]

It is a reflection of how wild Daikaiju's live performances are that, on their own website as well as in interviews, they refer to these performances as "attacks"; [7] or instead, in a 2013 interview with Time Out Beijing , referring to them as "Most exciting shower of golden radiance!!!" [11] This likely refers to the band's tendency to use lighter fluid to spray their instruments while the instruments are on fire.

Similarity to Man or Astro-man

The similarity of the band's sound to Man or Astro-man? has fueled some unconfirmed speculation that the band may contain members of that band. [6] The band's only response to this speculation, a denial (though characteristically vague), appeared in an August 2012 interview:

"Daikaiju have many member of man: secret-man, rock-man, hit-man, and mobile-man!!! Daikaiju also like taste of astro-man but have preference of lizard-man... or aqua-man!!!" [8]

Discography

The band has released two EPs, three studio albums, and two singles.

NameRelease TypeLabelRelease date
Monster SurfEP, Six tracks [12] Migoto RadiationFebruary 2001
Little Darlin'Track from compilation album American Graffiti RevisitedOmOm Music2001
The Phasing Spider MenaceEP, Three tracks, Three videos [12] Valiant Death RecordsFebruary 2002
OvertureTrack from compilation album Jesus Christ SurferstarOmOm MusicApril 2003
DaikaijuStudio Album, Ten tracks [6] Reptile RecordsMarch 8, 2005
Phase 2Studio Album, Ten tracksDingDong RecordsSeptember 21, 2010
Double Fist AttackSingleDingDong RecordsFebruary 19, 2013
Spiral Serpent StrikeTrack from compilation album Monsters Of SurfDingDong RecordsJanuary 21, 2014
Cock LobsterSingleDingDong RecordsFebruary 4, 2017
Deluxe Electric Ninja MistressSplit with Harriers Of Discord DingDong RecordsMay 14, 2019
Red TsunamiSingleDingDong RecordsMarch 10, 2022
Phase 3Studio AlbumDingDong RecordsFebruary 21, 2023

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Godzilla</span> Godzilla kaiju

Godzilla is a fictional monster, or kaiju, that debuted in the eponymous 1954 film, directed and co-written by Ishirō Honda. The character has since become an international pop culture icon, appearing in various media: 33 Japanese films produced by Toho Co., Ltd., five American films and numerous video games, novels, comic books and television shows. Godzilla has been dubbed the "King of the Monsters", an epithet first used in Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956), the American localization of the 1954 film.

<i>Destroy All Monsters</i> 1968 Japanese science fiction Kaiju film directed by Ishirō Honda

Destroy All Monsters is a 1968 Japanese epic kaiju film directed by Ishirō Honda, with special effects directed by Sadamasa Arikawa and supervised by Eiji Tsuburaya. The film, which was produced and distributed by Toho Co., Ltd, is the ninth film in the Godzilla franchise, and features eleven monster characters, including Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, King Ghidorah, Anguirus, and Minilla. The film stars Akira Kubo, Jun Tazaki, Yukiko Kobayashi and Yoshio Tsuchiya.

<i>Kaiju</i> Japanese media genre

Kaiju is a Japanese term that is commonly associated with media involving giant monsters. A subgenre of science fiction, it was created by Eiji Tsuburaya and Ishirō Honda. The word can also refer to the giant monsters themselves, which are usually depicted attacking major cities and battling either the military or other monsters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodan</span> Godzilla kaiju

Rodan is a fictional monster, or kaiju, which first appeared as the title character in Ishirō Honda's 1956 film Rodan, produced and distributed by Toho. Following its debut standalone appearance, Rodan went on to be featured in numerous entries in the Godzilla franchise, including Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, Invasion of Astro-Monster, Destroy All Monsters, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II and Godzilla: Final Wars, as well as in the Legendary Pictures-produced film Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

<i>Godzilla vs. Gigan</i> 1972 film by Jun Fukuda

Godzilla vs. Gigan, is a 1972 Japanese kaiju film directed by Jun Fukuda, written by Shinichi Sekizawa, and produced by Tomoyuki Tanaka, with special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano. Distributed by Toho and produced under their effects-based subsidiary Toho-Eizo, it is the 12th film in the Godzilla franchise, and features the fictional monster characters Godzilla, Gigan, Anguirus, and King Ghidorah. The film stars Hiroshi Ishikawa, Yuriko Hishimi, Tomoko Umeda, and Minoru Takashima, alongside Haruo Nakajima as Godzilla, Kenpachiro Satsuma as Gigan, Koetsu Omiya as Anguirus, and Kanta Ina as King Ghidorah. It is the last film in which Godzilla was portrayed by Nakajima after playing the character since the original 1954 film; he subsequently retired from suit acting.

<i>Tokusatsu</i> Japanese film genre

Tokusatsu is a Japanese term for live-action films or television programs that make heavy use of practical special effects. Credited to special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya, tokusatsu mainly refers to science fiction, war, fantasy, or horror media featuring such technology but is also occasionally dubbed a genre itself. Its contemporary use originated in the Japanese mass media around 1958 to explain special effects in an easy-to-understand manner and was popularized during the "first monster boom" (1966-1968). Prior to the monster boom, it was known in Japan as Tokushu gijutsu or shortened Tokugi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hedorah</span> Kaiju from Godzilla films

Hedorah, also known as the Smog Monster, is a kaiju monster who first appeared in Toho's 1971 film Godzilla vs. Hedorah. The huge monster was named for Hedoro (へどろ), the Japanese word for sludge, slime, vomit or chemical ooze.

<i>Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack</i> 2001 film directed by Shusuke Kaneko

Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack is a 2001 Japanese kaiju film directed and co-written by Shusuke Kaneko, with special effects by Makoto Kamiya. Distributed by Toho and produced under their subsidiary Toho Pictures, it is the 26th film in the Godzilla franchise and the third film in the Millennium era. The film stars Chiharu Niiyama, Ryudo Uzaki, Masahiro Kobayashi, Hideyo Amamoto, and Shirō Sano, with Mizuho Yoshida as Godzilla, Akira Ohashi as King Ghidorah, and Rie Ōta as Baragon. In the film, Mothra, King Ghidorah, and Baragon defend Japan from Godzilla, who has been possessed by the souls of those that were killed during the Pacific War. Like the other films in the franchise's Millennium period, Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack serves as a direct sequel to the original 1954 Godzilla film, ignoring the events of every other installment in the series, minus a small reference to Godzilla (1998).

<i>Godzilla: Final Wars</i> 2004 Japanese science fiction action film directed by Ryuhei Kitamura

Godzilla: Final Wars is a 2004 kaiju film directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, written by Isao Kiriyama and Wataru Mimura, and produced by Shogo Tomiyama. An international co-production between Japan, Australia, the United States, and China, the film was produced by Toho Studios, CP International, Zazou Productions, and Napalm Films. It is the 29th film in the Godzilla franchise, the sixth and final film in the franchise's Millennium series and the 28th Godzilla film produced by Toho. The film stars Masahiro Matsuoka, Rei Kikukawa, Don Frye, Maki Mizuno, Kazuki Kitamura, Kane Kosugi, Kumi Mizuno, Kenji Sahara, Masami Nagasawa, Chihiro Otsuka, Shigeru Izumiya, Masakatsu Funaki, Masato Ibu, Jun Kunimura, and Akira Takarada. In the film, when a mysterious race of aliens known as the Xiliens arrive on Earth, the Earth Defense Force find themselves locked in battle with various monsters attacking cities around the world, leading them to revive the only chance to save their planet: Godzilla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minilla</span> Godzilla kaiju

Minilla is a kaiju who first appeared in Toho's 1967 film Son of Godzilla. He is the adopted son of Godzilla, and is sometimes referenced as Minya in the American dubbed versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Man or Astro-man?</span> American surf rock group

"Man or Astro-man?" is an American surf rock group that was formed in Auburn, Alabama in the early 1990s and came to prominence over the following decade.

<i>Spectreman</i> Japanese TV series or program

Spectreman is a tokusatsu science fiction superhero television series. Produced by P Productions and created by producer Souji Ushio, the series aired on Fuji TV in Japan from January 2, 1971 to March 25, 1972 with a total of 63 episodes, not counting the pre-series pilot episode. This was the first major Japanese superhero show of the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceGodzilla</span> Fictional Godzilla monster or kaiju

SpaceGodzilla is a Godzilla clone kaiju that first appeared in Toho's 1994 film Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla, as the main antagonist.

<i>Godzilla</i> (franchise) Japanese media franchise

Godzilla is a Japanese monster, or kaiju, media franchise consisting of films, television series, novels, comic books, video games, and other merchandise. The franchise is centered on the fictional kaiju Godzilla, a prehistoric reptilian monster awakened and powered by nuclear radiation. The franchise is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the "longest continuously running film franchise", having been in ongoing production since 1954, with several hiatuses of varying lengths. The film franchise consists of 38 films; 33 Japanese films produced and distributed by Toho Co., Ltd. and five American films: one produced by TriStar Pictures and four produced by Legendary Pictures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monster movie</span> Film genre

A monster movie, monster film, creature feature or giant monster film is a film that focuses on one or more characters struggling to survive attacks by one or more antagonistic monsters, often abnormally large ones. The film may also fall under the horror, comedy, fantasy, or science fiction genres. Monster movies originated with adaptations of horror folklore and literature. Typically, movie monsters differ from more traditional antagonists in that many exist due to circumstances beyond their control; their actions are not entirely based on choice, potentially making them objects of sympathy to film viewers.

<i>Ike! Greenman</i> Japanese television series

Go! Greenman is a tokusatsu television series Kyodai Hero kaiju produced by Toho in 1973. It ran from November 12, 1973, to September 27, 1974. It emerged as a follow-up series to Ike! Godman, but the two share no continuity. Compared to the anthology-like storylines of Ike! Godman, Go! Greenman has a single overarching plot.

G-Fest, often typeset as G-FEST, is an annual convention devoted to the Godzilla film franchise and other kaiju franchises such as Gamera and the Ultra Series. G-Fest is staged by Daikaiju Enterprises, Ltd., and G-Fan magazine. It regularly features panels, contests, and theatrically screened films of interest to fans of Japanese monsters.

As an enduring and iconic symbol of post-World War II cinematic history, the fictional giant monster Godzilla has been referenced and parodied numerous times in popular culture. Godzilla and other atomic monsters have appeared in a variety of mediums, including cartoons, film, literature, television, and video games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoichi Hirose</span> Japanese actor

Shoichi Hirose, occasionally miscredited as Masakazu Hirose and nicknamed Solomon for his survival in the naval Battle of the Eastern Solomons, was a Japanese actor. Hirose portrayed Godzilla's archenemy King Ghidorah and King Kong in King Kong vs. Godzilla, along with several "tough guy" roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Destoroyah</span> Fictional Godzilla monster or kaiju

Destoroyah is a crustacean kaiju who first appeared in Toho's 1995 film Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, as its titular main antagonist.

References

  1. Moyer, Matthew (26 October 2016). "Surf punk trio Daikaiju crash lands into St. Matthew's Tavern tonight". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  2. Ruhlmann, William. "Daikaiju". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  3. "Daikaiju EPK". daikaiju.org. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  4. "Monster Surf". RateYourMusic. Retrieved 9 May 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. "The Phasing Spider Menace". RateYourMusic. Retrieved 9 May 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. 1 2 3 Tangari, Joe. "Daikaiju: Daikaiju Album Review". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 "DaiKaiju Attacks Florida!". floridageekscene.com. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Larryville Chronicles" . Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  9. "Year's end roundup: the best of Beijing music - Music - Time Out - Beijing". Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  10. "DAIKAIJU, An Incredible Surf Rock Band, Totally Stole The Show Last Night". Metal Injection. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  11. 1 2 Tung, Liz. "10 Minutes With... Daikaiju". Time Out Beijing. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Review - DAIKAIJU: The Phasing Spider Menace (self-released)". Cosmik Debris. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.