Music is a magical thing. Of course, it’s an approximately 20 billion dollar a year industry led by the likes of Billie Eilish and other superstar performers. Indeed, every year seems to usher in its own set of break-away talent. Thankfully, with the constant connectivity of the modern age, all you need is a cellphone and earbuds to enjoy the latest and greatest.

Yet, sometimes it's worthwhile to ignore the Spotify recommendation algorithm, roll up your sleeves, and do some sleuthing of your own to find the next band to follow. I like to do this on a local level, browsing flyers of upcoming shows to enjoy an in-person experience.

Admittedly, that's a lot harder during the pandemic. That said, we've covered independent musicians in Japan who are pushing ahead through the tough times: some are forming artist unions and forging NFTs while others are leveraging live streaming platforms to stay connected to fans in their area.

PEXPOX

Hiroshima isn't the first place audiophiles think of as a music mecca. That's a shame because there are numerous performers worth following. Despite the difficulties of the last year, PEXPOX—founded by members jailbird Y and anndoe—have remained active online and off. In short, the indy act has a no-holds-barred aggressive psychedelic sound reminiscent of the early Butthole Surfers.

As you can see, the green screen and editing madness add edge to the video. Although I can't personally understand a single lyric, PEXPOX's music has that punk intensity that raises your heartbeat, if nothing else--some glitch and fidget added for extra flavoring. Here is another intense and interesting collage-art-inspired video by the group:

A little bit older, the video and song are a fast-paced briefing on Japanese outlaws. Seemingly inspired by the legendary bandit Ishikawa Goemon, the piece takes viewers on a whirlwind vision that is entirely thrilling, even if a bit nauseating at times. I guess that's the price of admission.

Nightmarish grams...the good kind

PEXPOX and co have kept up their breakneck pace of creative releases throughout the topsy-turvy of the pandemic. The band’s more recent clips maintain their glitch psychedelic stylings while taking on a darker, somewhat David Lynch-esque feel. Although the mood is admittedly different, these short posts are mesmerizing nonetheless. See this for example:

The music in the clips relies heavily on electronics while pushing the distorted elements front and center. The sound is abrasive and seems to draw on the tricks typical of noise music and the like. However, the overall soundscape is engrossing and impossible to ignore.

The band's Instagram also showcases other creative moments, albeit with the same dark undertones:

This track, "BE TRUE," mixes EDM synth sequences with beats and vocals akin to hip hop. The toe-tapping, head-bobbing factor is also evident as PEXPOX moves away from guitars and features electronics. All good evolutions.

Everything considered, the faint of heart should be wary of the Instagram page. Some of the posts are the fodder of nightmares that Lynch fans, like myself, will appreciate. See what I mean for yourself:

If you like this content, be sure to checkout PEXPOX’s Instagram, YouTube, and bandcamp pages for much more. Enjoy!