VIDEO VIOLINS
HALF JAPANESE - THE BAND THAT WOULD BE KING
(d. and p. by Jeff Feuerzeig, starring Jad and David Fair, Moe Tucker, Gerard Cosloy, Byron Coley, David Greenberger, Penn Jilette et. al., 90 Minutes, USA, released 1993 by Morganville Films, released on video 2000 by Vanguard Films, 15061 Springdale Street, Huntington Beach, California, 92649, phone 800-218-7888)by
Tim Murphy
Half Japanese are one of my favourite bands, but I will try to be brief in my introduction. In 1977, Jad and David started the band, having fooled around with recording equipment and, as they put it, 'living room groups', for a few years by then. In 1980, they released '1/2 Gentlemen, Not Beasts', a triple album debut, on which they demonstrated an originality that has yet to be equalled or even imitated (I don't either goal could be achieved, truthfully).They have persisted since then in making original, heart-felt and (in the best way) strange music, learning along the way which aspects of convention to incorporate and which to leave aside.
This film documents their weird and wonderful career, mostly filmed around the time they were recording 'Fire In The Sky' with Maureen Tucker producing (ca. 1990/91), with: heartfelt testimonials from Jad and David's parents, who seem genuinely happy for their sons' artistic, if not commercial, success, though I suspect they rarely pop the records on themselves; cutting, perceptive comments about success and the media from Maureen, Byron Coley of "Forced Exposure" 'zine, Gerard Cosloy of Matador Records and the magician Penn Jillette; archival film from Half Japanese performances, including one at the infamous Duplex Nursing Home, whose residents seemed to enjoy the band, as well as special numbers performed for the benefit of the documentary and some studio recording footage.
It's all captured in brilliant colour, with some effective use of resonant black-and-white to leaven it out and give it a classical, archival look.
It is gratifying to see a labour of love like this, and it couldn't happen to a better band.
"Miracles happen every day...they really do." JAD FAIR