If classic New York punk, anime, cult movies, comic books & toys formed a band on a sugar rush…

For many years, musicians and bands have collaborated on media projects. Elvis Presley, for instance, starred in numerous movies (though, in my opinion, only a few were good) and appeared in two television specials: the “68 Comeback” Special and Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite. The Beatles, on the other hand, starred in major motion pictures and created “promotional films” for their hits because they couldn’t be in different places simultaneously. Additionally, The Monkees was a multimedia experience that combined television, music, and merchandise into one glossy pop package.

Meet Osaka Popstar

Fast forward to Osaka Popstar. Fronted by John Cafiero, a long-time

collaborator with The Misfits and The Ramones, and a platinum-selling film and video director, Osaka Popstar has made an art of combining high-energy post-punk pop with an anime-style presentation that includes music, video, and of course, merch. Along with Cafiero, their latest lineup includes Dean Rispler (Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black, The Dictators) on Guitar and Bass and Jon Wurster (Bob Mould, Superchunk and The Mountain Goats) on Drums.

Since their formation in 2006, they have collaborated with well-known artists in the punk and not-so-punk arena with names such as “Weird Al” Yankovic, a Dr. Demento-themed punk cover album, and actor/comedian Fred Armisen of SNL and Portlandia fame (Among others). Their latest effort, the EP Ear Candy, contains the original track Lost & Found, with a video featuring an animated Armisen who develops an unrequited crush on a girl he sees everywhere in an advertisement. The video contains heavy elements of anime artistry, with a hint of 70s-style Saturday morning cartoon imagery. Three more tracks include ripping sub-pop covers of The Archies Sugar Sugar, The Partridge Family classic, I Think I Love You, and All Of Your Toys, initially recorded by The Monkees for their 1967 LP Headquarters (Although not originally included on the album).

Listen to Osaka Popstar on Blank Generation Radio

All songs from Ear Candy can be heard in the Blank Generation Radio lineup, with Lost & Found in our regular new music rotation and the remaining pieces peppered into the specialty program, Under The Covers, broadcasting from 10-11 PM PST nightly.