Puffy Amiyumi

thomas · Jul 9, 2002, 05:53

Japan conquered, Puffy ready for U.S

=> http://asia.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Mus...apan.puffy.ap/

thomas · Jul 24, 2002, 23:02

Here's an article I found at nytimes.com, July 23, 2002:

New Import From Japan That's Loaded With Sugar

By KELEFA SANNEH

The story of Puffy Amiyumi sounds like the story of any other pre-fab pop group. The two women were put together by music-industry executives in Tokyo; their first single, "Asia No Junshin," was a smash hit; over the next few years they conquered Japan with a television show and a blizzard of merchandise.

What's surprising about Puffy Amiyumi is the group's sound, which owes more to the Ramones than to the New Kids on the Block. On Saturday night at Irving Plaza, Puffy Amiyumi led a five-piece band through 17 songs of loud, sugary rock 'n' roll.

Ami Onuki wore ripped jeans and an oversized T-shirt, and Yumi Yoshimura took the stage in baggy pants and cheap sneakers. Their nonchalant performance only heightened the effect: they slouched and wandered around, acting as if the concert were merely a rehearsal in someone's garage.

Every once in a while, though, there were reminders that this was no ordinary garage band. What looked like casual gestures were actually synchronized dance moves; when Ms. Onuki kicked up her left foot, Ms. Yoshimura kicked up her right foot. The hard-core fans crowded near the front of the stage knew the act backward and forward: they sang along to all the songs, pumping fists and flashing peace signs at the appropriate times.

It's inevitable, perhaps, that a group like this would wear out its welcome in the course of a few years, so Puffy Amiyumi has set its sights on a new market: America. (In Japan the group is known simply as Puffy, but the group adopted a surname to make sure American listeners didn't confuse them with the hip-hop mogul.) A new CD, "An Illustrated History" (Bar/None), gathers 16 of the duo's greatest hits.

Of course American audiences generally demand that their stars speak (and sing) English, and most of Puffy Amiyumi's songs are in Japanese. Halfway through the concert, Ms. Onuki read a prepared statement. "If you don't understand what we are saying, just turn to the nearest Japanese person and ask," she said. "I bet they are exchange students and just dying to make new friends."

But even if the lyrics were mainly indecipherable, the musical references were familiar, and irresistible: the band quoted everyone from the Who to Gary Numan, and more than one song sounded like the Go-Gos. By the end of the night, when they played, "Puffy's Rule" � a charged-up confection built around a refrain that goes, "La, la, la, la, la, la" � it seemed only fair that Puffy Amiyumi be given a chance to wear out its welcome in America, too.

Copyright © NYTimes

Twisted · Jul 25, 2002, 01:19

Hmm, i'm reading about them everywhere and it's all good fun of course but... ehm...

WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO COME TO EUROPE!!!!!!!???????

Sorry, it's been a long day

and i've got this terrible cold...

thomas · Jul 25, 2002, 02:55

Peter, the European music biz is waiting for you. Open your own agency and promote Jpop/Asian pops, perhaps a market niche.

Btw, are you still on air at KinkFM?

Wish you a speedy recovery.

Twisted · Jul 25, 2002, 05:25

I've been thinking about starting up my own record-label for distribution of Japanese music, but honestly though, i don't think there's actually any profit in a business like that. At least not in Holland alone. On a European scale, maybe.
But i don't really have a nose for business anyway and i certainly don't have any money to invest. Are there any potential sponsors on this forum??

Yeah, i'm still on Kink FM, but yesterday the regular DJ was sick and there weren't any replacements available, so we had the nonstop-program running.
I'll be back on friday though...

moyashi · Jul 25, 2002, 09:20

I vote with Thomas. You should go independant. Contact everybody you know and get some groups bookings.

Need staff, give Thomas a ring. I bet he's got time on his hands.

Getting contacts in Japan. Just give em a ring. You don't need [konne] (connections) in this type of situation.

When they ask who speaks Japanese you just say Thomas and Nahoko do ;)

Take a chance !!!!

hmmm ... anybody hear of Yellow Generation (song::Lost generation) ??

thomas · Jul 25, 2002, 18:59

Originally posted by moyashi
When they ask who speaks Japanese you just say Thomas and Nahoko do

Well, at least Nahoko has a decent command of Japanese, hehe. We'd be willing to help anytime.

PoKenshin · Feb 11, 2003, 02:48

Hello!

I'm new here! Nice to meet you all!

I would like to know where can I find some info/music videos on Puffy Amiyumi! I've searched everywhere I know but I couldn't find anyting

Twisted · Feb 11, 2003, 04:08

Welcome to the forum, PoKenshin.

You can basicly find out everything there is to know about Puffy AmiYumi on their official (English) website: http://www.puffyamiyumi.com

As for video's, i suggest you try out WinMX. It's excellent for finding Japanese music and video's.

Just type in Puffy as the search-query, since they're known as only Puffy in Japan. The AmiYumi-part was added for the American market, so people wouldn't confuse them for Puff Daddy.

Good luck!

midnitestar7 · Feb 11, 2003, 05:53

Theres also always Kazaa (I think the address is just www.kazaa.com!) which is where I've got all my dir en grey vids from!

joshua dearing · Mar 1, 2003, 08:14

I saw Puffy when tey were here in Los Angeles this past summer and a frend took a few pictures.. chekc it out on my website. I got to mee them at there CD signing.. really cool girls.

Go to my site and click on photos and it should be at the bottom of the photos page.

Joshua Dearing
joshuadearing@dearingfilm.com
http://www.dearingfilm.com/

PoKenshin · Mar 2, 2003, 03:28

thanks guys!

Nice photos

necrozombie · Jul 25, 2004, 03:49

*motions around and giggles*

*barely making out words*

*something like....*

puffy... do... te-... titans... happy... star... girls..

(o.O;;)

budd · Aug 3, 2004, 11:03

i like them, most definitely
bought all three volumes of japan for sale and several cd/singles
that parappa rapper dude has some nice artwork also

Lopan999 · Aug 19, 2004, 10:12

Does any one here like Puffy AmiYumi?
I know it's kind of Girly... And by my avatar image you can see I like to betray myself as "all man."
But theres something about Puffy Amiyumi that's addicting.
You don't beleive me. Listen to their songs. The first time you hear there songs you think; this is kind of lame and just sounds like pop. But the second time you listen to you think; actually this is kind of good. And by the hundrenth time you're still not bored with it.
Now I have to do something manly.

bartbeanie · Aug 19, 2004, 13:34

on cartoonnetwork, there is a show called teen titans. they sing the theme show in englisn and japanese. they sing well.

budd · Aug 19, 2004, 15:23

i buy all of their stuff when i visit cd resale shops there
they are featured on the "japan for sale" series as well

Twisted · Aug 19, 2004, 19:26

They're produced by Tamio Okuda. You might want to try his solo-work as well.

MHtrStevie · Aug 19, 2004, 21:32

I've enjoyed their music quite a bit, and they've been linked musically to some talented, legendary people in J-music as well. Like Twisted said, they've worked a lot with Tamio Okuda... I wanted to add that their first single (IIRC) "Asia no junshin" was written by legendary Japanese artist Yosui Inoue, who is also the artist behind "Yume no naka e", the song used as the ending theme to the KareKano anime series.

Personally, I love their songs "Mother" and "Circuit no musume"...

necrozombie · Aug 20, 2004, 01:05

i lubb teen titans!! *sings along with theme song*

they've been playing the theme song in japanese as of recently!! XDDD

justin · Aug 25, 2004, 13:03

I like Puffy AmiYumi there's something about their music that I really like. Its fun and has a lot of feeling.

Mizumi · Aug 25, 2004, 13:41

I like them! Something so addicting. You might wanna try Judy & Mary, too, if you like Puffy.

okinawa · Aug 25, 2004, 14:59

They're good. That song for Teen Titans is kind of annoying, though. They're going to perform at the House of Blues soon... if only I had money in my wallet...

chiquiliquis · Aug 25, 2004, 15:27

Originally Posted by Lopan999

...The first time you hear there songs you think; this is kind of lame and just sounds like pop. But the second time you listen to you think; actually this is kind of good. And by the hundrenth time you're still not bored with it.

I don't really think of them as girlie... but I do agree with this part (above). I often think they have all the vocal abilities of a plate of beans navigating the digestive tract of a cow... but I am strangely attracted to them.

I think their music is very creative. You can tell they are borrowing sounds from everyone and their mother (namely, the beattles; "Kore ga watashi no ikiru michi", being a great example)... but I give them credit for having as diversified a sound as they do. Yasuharu Konishi (Pizzicato 5) has remixed a few of their tracks: Circuit no Musume, Your Love is a Drug, and BugiUgi No. 5--which are all awesome.

budd · Sep 4, 2004, 09:05

ttp://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=526&highlight=puffy
ttp://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1680&highlight=puffy
ttp://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=459&highlight=puffy
ttp://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1430&highlight=puffy

Jul 24, 2002, 23:02	#2
thomas Decommissioned ex-admin Join Date: Mar 14, 2002 Posts: 4,209	Puffy Amiyumi Here's an article I found at nytimes.com, July 23, 2002: New Import From Japan That's Loaded With Sugar By KELEFA SANNEH The story of Puffy Amiyumi sounds like the story of any other pre-fab pop group. The two women were put together by music-industry executives in Tokyo; their first single, "Asia No Junshin," was a smash hit; over the next few years they conquered Japan with a television show and a blizzard of merchandise. What's surprising about Puffy Amiyumi is the group's sound, which owes more to the Ramones than to the New Kids on the Block. On Saturday night at Irving Plaza, Puffy Amiyumi led a five-piece band through 17 songs of loud, sugary rock 'n' roll. Ami Onuki wore ripped jeans and an oversized T-shirt, and Yumi Yoshimura took the stage in baggy pants and cheap sneakers. Their nonchalant performance only heightened the effect: they slouched and wandered around, acting as if the concert were merely a rehearsal in someone's garage. Every once in a while, though, there were reminders that this was no ordinary garage band. What looked like casual gestures were actually synchronized dance moves; when Ms. Onuki kicked up her left foot, Ms. Yoshimura kicked up her right foot. The hard-core fans crowded near the front of the stage knew the act backward and forward: they sang along to all the songs, pumping fists and flashing peace signs at the appropriate times. It's inevitable, perhaps, that a group like this would wear out its welcome in the course of a few years, so Puffy Amiyumi has set its sights on a new market: America. (In Japan the group is known simply as Puffy, but the group adopted a surname to make sure American listeners didn't confuse them with the hip-hop mogul.) A new CD, "An Illustrated History" (Bar/None), gathers 16 of the duo's greatest hits. Of course American audiences generally demand that their stars speak (and sing) English, and most of Puffy Amiyumi's songs are in Japanese. Halfway through the concert, Ms. Onuki read a prepared statement. "If you don't understand what we are saying, just turn to the nearest Japanese person and ask," she said. "I bet they are exchange students and just dying to make new friends." But even if the lyrics were mainly indecipherable, the musical references were familiar, and irresistible: the band quoted everyone from the Who to Gary Numan, and more than one song sounded like the Go-Gos. By the end of the night, when they played, "Puffy's Rule" � a charged-up confection built around a refrain that goes, "La, la, la, la, la, la" � it seemed only fair that Puffy Amiyumi be given a chance to wear out its welcome in America, too. Copyright © NYTimes

Jul 25, 2002, 09:20	#6
moyashi Regular Member Join Date: Apr 15, 2002 Location: SonyLand Age: 40 Posts: 1,566	I vote with Thomas. You should go independant. Contact everybody you know and get some groups bookings. Need staff, give Thomas a ring. I bet he's got time on his hands. Getting contacts in Japan. Just give em a ring. You don't need [konne] (connections) in this type of situation. When they ask who speaks Japanese you just say Thomas and Nahoko do ;) Take a chance !!!! hmmm ... anybody hear of Yellow Generation (song::Lost generation) ?? __________________ crazy gonna crazy

Jul 25, 2002, 18:59	#7
thomas Decommissioned ex-admin Join Date: Mar 14, 2002 Posts: 4,209	Originally posted by moyashi When they ask who speaks Japanese you just say Thomas and Nahoko do Well, at least Nahoko has a decent command of Japanese, hehe. We'd be willing to help anytime.

Feb 11, 2003, 02:48	#8
PoKenshin Junior Member Join Date: Feb 11, 2003 Location: Sampa City Age: 25 Posts: 2	Puffy Amiyumi! Hello! I'm new here! Nice to meet you all! I would like to know where can I find some info/music videos on Puffy Amiyumi! I've searched everywhere I know but I couldn't find anyting __________________ See ya space cowboy... "Furidashita ame ni kasa mo sasazu ni 'sugu ni hareru yo' to hohoenda"

Feb 11, 2003, 05:53	#10
midnitestar7 Regular Member Join Date: Nov 22, 2002 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 87	Theres also always Kazaa (I think the address is just www.kazaa.com!) which is where I've got all my dir en grey vids from! __________________ show ~ lie ~ mad ~ sexual

Jul 25, 2002, 01:19	#3
Twisted That man in the corner Join Date: Mar 15, 2002 Location: The Netherlands Age: 35 Posts: 1,456	Hmm, i'm reading about them everywhere and it's all good fun of course but... ehm... WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO COME TO EUROPE!!!!!!!??????? Sorry, it's been a long day and i've got this terrible cold...

Jul 25, 2002, 02:55	#4
thomas Decommissioned ex-admin Join Date: Mar 14, 2002 Posts: 4,209	Peter, the European music biz is waiting for you. Open your own agency and promote Jpop/Asian pops, perhaps a market niche. Btw, are you still on air at KinkFM? Wish you a speedy recovery.

Jul 25, 2002, 05:25	#5
Twisted That man in the corner Join Date: Mar 15, 2002 Location: The Netherlands Age: 35 Posts: 1,456	I've been thinking about starting up my own record-label for distribution of Japanese music, but honestly though, i don't think there's actually any profit in a business like that. At least not in Holland alone. On a European scale, maybe. But i don't really have a nose for business anyway and i certainly don't have any money to invest. Are there any potential sponsors on this forum?? Yeah, i'm still on Kink FM, but yesterday the regular DJ was sick and there weren't any replacements available, so we had the nonstop-program running. I'll be back on friday though...

Feb 11, 2003, 04:08	#9
Twisted That man in the corner Join Date: Mar 15, 2002 Location: The Netherlands Age: 35 Posts: 1,456	Welcome to the forum, PoKenshin. You can basicly find out everything there is to know about Puffy AmiYumi on their official (English) website: http://www.puffyamiyumi.com As for video's, i suggest you try out WinMX. It's excellent for finding Japanese music and video's. Just type in Puffy as the search-query, since they're known as only Puffy in Japan. The AmiYumi-part was added for the American market, so people wouldn't confuse them for Puff Daddy. Good luck!

Mar 1, 2003, 08:14	#11
joshua dearing Regular Member Join Date: Dec 10, 2002 Location: Los Angeles Age: 35 Posts: 21	I saw Puffy when tey were here in Los Angeles this past summer and a frend took a few pictures.. chekc it out on my website. I got to mee them at there CD signing.. really cool girls. Go to my site and click on photos and it should be at the bottom of the photos page. Joshua Dearing joshuadearing@dearingfilm.com http://www.dearingfilm.com/ __________________ [ -_- ] joshua dearing joshuadearing@dearingfilm.com http://www.dearingfilm.com

Mar 2, 2003, 03:28	#12
PoKenshin Junior Member Join Date: Feb 11, 2003 Location: Sampa City Age: 25 Posts: 2	thanks guys! Nice photos

Jul 25, 2004, 03:49	#13
necrozombie pLaTfOrM wOoBiE bOoTs Join Date: Jul 23, 2004 Location: Hell's Kitchen Age: 24 Posts: 188	motions around and giggles barely making out words something like.... puffy... do... te-... titans... happy... star... girls.. (o.O;;) __________________ "i'm not your type. i'm not inflatable." "you can't have manslaughter without laughter

Aug 3, 2004, 11:03	#14
budd __________ Join Date: Jul 10, 2003 Posts: 1,972	i like them, most definitely bought all three volumes of japan for sale and several cd/singles that parappa rapper dude has some nice artwork also __________________ ttp://www.tcvb.or.jp/

Aug 19, 2004, 10:12	#15
Lopan999 Junior Master Join Date: Aug 15, 2004 Posts: 53	Puffy AmiYumi Does any one here like Puffy AmiYumi? I know it's kind of Girly... And by my avatar image you can see I like to betray myself as "all man." But theres something about Puffy Amiyumi that's addicting. You don't beleive me. Listen to their songs. The first time you hear there songs you think; this is kind of lame and just sounds like pop. But the second time you listen to you think; actually this is kind of good. And by the hundrenth time you're still not bored with it. Now I have to do something manly.

Aug 19, 2004, 13:34	#16
bartbeanie Regular Member Join Date: Aug 9, 2002 Location: florida Age: 47 Posts: 22	on cartoonnetwork, there is a show called teen titans. they sing the theme show in englisn and japanese. they sing well.

Aug 19, 2004, 15:23	#17
budd __________ Join Date: Jul 10, 2003 Posts: 1,972	i buy all of their stuff when i visit cd resale shops there they are featured on the "japan for sale" series as well

Aug 19, 2004, 19:26	#18
Twisted That man in the corner Join Date: Mar 15, 2002 Location: The Netherlands Age: 35 Posts: 1,456	They're produced by Tamio Okuda. You might want to try his solo-work as well.

Aug 19, 2004, 21:32	#19
MHtrStevie Regular Member Join Date: Jul 13, 2002 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 291	I've enjoyed their music quite a bit, and they've been linked musically to some talented, legendary people in J-music as well. Like Twisted said, they've worked a lot with Tamio Okuda... I wanted to add that their first single (IIRC) "Asia no junshin" was written by legendary Japanese artist Yosui Inoue, who is also the artist behind "Yume no naka e", the song used as the ending theme to the KareKano anime series. Personally, I love their songs "Mother" and "Circuit no musume"... __________________ Mamono Hunter Stevie DJ, Radio 1/2 - WSPN 91.1 FM Sundays 6-9 AM EST

Aug 20, 2004, 01:05	#20
necrozombie pLaTfOrM wOoBiE bOoTs Join Date: Jul 23, 2004 Location: Hell's Kitchen Age: 24 Posts: 188	i lubb teen titans!! sings along with theme song they've been playing the theme song in japanese as of recently!! XDDD

Aug 25, 2004, 13:03	#21
justin The new cool Join Date: Aug 31, 2003 Location: Spokane Age: 27 Posts: 445	I like Puffy AmiYumi there's something about their music that I really like. Its fun and has a lot of feeling. __________________

Aug 25, 2004, 13:41	#22
Mizumi Regular Member Join Date: Jul 28, 2004 Posts: 20	I like them! Something so addicting. You might wanna try Judy & Mary, too, if you like Puffy. __________________ 知恵者一人馬鹿万人...

Aug 25, 2004, 14:59	#23
okinawa ~Asia no Junshin~ Join Date: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 9	They're good. That song for Teen Titans is kind of annoying, though. They're going to perform at the House of Blues soon... if only I had money in my wallet...

Aug 25, 2004, 15:27	#24
chiquiliquis tokyo dancer Join Date: May 9, 2004 Location: Setagaya, Tokyo Posts: 163	Originally Posted by Lopan999 ...The first time you hear there songs you think; this is kind of lame and just sounds like pop. But the second time you listen to you think; actually this is kind of good. And by the hundrenth time you're still not bored with it. I don't really think of them as girlie... but I do agree with this part (above). I often think they have all the vocal abilities of a plate of beans navigating the digestive tract of a cow... but I am strangely attracted to them. I think their music is very creative. You can tell they are borrowing sounds from everyone and their mother (namely, the beattles; "Kore ga watashi no ikiru michi", being a great example)... but I give them credit for having as diversified a sound as they do. Yasuharu Konishi (Pizzicato 5) has remixed a few of their tracks: Circuit no Musume, Your Love is a Drug, and BugiUgi No. 5--which are all awesome. __________________ "Am I a Rastafarian by any chance? Yes. I don't know if I like it...I listen to a lot of Dancehall"-- J-Bot "Yes I like to inhale occasionally."-- J-Bot "Dude, I can't tell if JREF smoke weed. I think JREF smoke weed for medicinal purposes"-- J-Bot

Sep 4, 2004, 09:05	#25
budd __________ Join Date: Jul 10, 2003 Posts: 1,972	ttp://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=526&highlight=puffy ttp://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1680&highlight=puffy ttp://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=459&highlight=puffy ttp://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1430&highlight=puffy

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