Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Osaka Superstar Is A Rock Supergroup That Blends The Misfits With Comics Books And Anime

Osaka Superstar is a Rock Supergroup that Blends The Misfits with Comics Books and Anime

Osaka Superstar is back. The punk supergroup released their new EP “Ear Candy” this past May following an expanded edition of their 2006 album “Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk,” released in February. 

Osaka Superstar is formed by longtime Misfits and Ramones collaborator John Cafiero, who fronts the group. Their debut rolled out with a lineup of Jerry Only (bassist, The Misfits), Dez Cadena (lead guitar, Black Flag), Ivan Julian (rhythm guitar, Richard Hell & The Voidoids), and Marky Ramone (drums, The Ramones). 

Their music would feature a mix of classic covers from their respective groups, original songs written by Cafiero, and punk covers of anime shows like “Astro Boy” and “Sailor Moon.” 

Since 2016’s “Christmas in the Loony Bin,” Cafiero’s lineup reshuffles the deck. He is joined by guitarist Dean Rispler (formerly of NY rock band The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black) and drummer Jon Wurster (of Superchunk, Bob Mould, and The Mountain Goats).

Osaka Popstar Ear Candy

In-Ear Candy, Cafiero premieres a new original song “Lost & Found,” complete with a music video starring actor/comedian Fred Armisen. The EP also features reinvented covers of The Archies’ “Sugar, Sugar,” The Partridge Family’s “I Think I Love You,” and The Monkees’ “All Of Your Toys.”

Like all the music videos from Osaka Popstar, Cafiero prefers to use animation. In addition to being a director–he directed Misfit music videos “American Psycho” and “Dig Up Her Bones” as well as Insane Clown Posse comedy “Big Money Hustlas” and documentary “Ramones: Raw”–Cafiero is a former animator as well, as told by his Q&A with antiMusic. 

As for the music itself, there is still a lot of potential for the band. Most of Osaka Popstar’s catalog consists of covers and it is time to break free from that. Lost & Found is a great song but their covers can never really eclipse the greatness of the originals. They skirt the line between classic punk and pop-punk, which don’t deviate enough from the classics to make it their own thing. 
Ear Candy is Osaka Popstar’s first project since 2008. In prior years, they have released singles every so often. Even though Osaka Popstar is still signed by Misfits Records, they can’t keep coasting on name recognition alone (especially now that their lineup has changed to more obscure rock musicians). It is clear that if Cafiero wants to take his talents to the next level (which he clearly has the capacity to do), a new album with a clear direction and original songs is fully necessary.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe Now

Get Twisted Weekly Newsletter

Related Articles

Latest Articles