Talking Tunes: Acid Mothers Temple Cancelled!

Kipp Whittaker | Feb 20, 2014 5:00 pm | 4 comments | 3635 reads

Once again an interesting Japanese band has been denied entrance to the PRC. Acid Mothers Temple was scheduled to be one of the headlining acts at this year's Jue Festival, but have been forced to cancel because their visa applications were denied.  

With a constantly evolving lineup, and guitarist Kawabata Mokoto as a ringleader of sorts, Acid Mothers Temple is not only a band but a way of life. I will admit that they have sort of a rebel, dark hippy persona, though they aren't acid casualties or anything like that. They use these aesthetics for dramatic effect. kind of like how high fashion had used drugged out models to present their clothing lines for an in the gutter kind of glamour, i.e. Calvin Klein and a less than sober teenage Kate Moss in the 90’s. I have never met Kawabata or his gang of merry pranksters, but stories from my friends who have had the pleasure speak only of their sweetness and peaceful nature. Here is the press release from Jue where they explain the whole debacle.

For the sake of protecting future Japanese underground music visitors, I will only use cartoonish language usually reserved for children’s music like Raffi or The Wiggles. I will say nothing about the dark aesthetics that they may be referencing, or the nudity on their album covers. We owe it to everyone involved in promoting and organizing these out-of-town guests, we owe it to the people interested in experiencing this music, and finally to the artists so that they can discover how interesting and unique the cultural capital can be. Shield the noise!

In a positive note, Wuhan post-rock group Hualun will be filling the void for all of the Acid Mothers Temple shows on the tour. And finally, if you have already purchased your tickets to this concert, you can get them refunded through the Yoopay system and be reimbursed by the end of the week.   

Here are some interesting live music events in the coming week:

Photos: thedailyrecord, expose.org

Comments

New comments are displayed first.
Re: Talking Tunes: Acid Mothers Temple Cancelled!
Posted Feb 21, 2014 11:24am by britomart

Ah yes, good intentions... When I was younger, I had every intention in the world to become a concert violinist. I also intended to become a reporter who traveled internationally, write a national bestseller and then possibly become a world-famous opera singer. I also occasionally thought about intending to become a professional dancer, but gave that up because I didn't think it fit with my intentions to be a professional Nat Geo explorer.

And yet somehow... interviewers are never very impressed by all my good intentions.

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

Re: Talking Tunes: Acid Mothers Temple Cancelled!
Posted Feb 20, 2014 8:18pm by charlesliu
(Reply to a previous comment)

Steven Schwankert wrote:

All Beijing shows should now just be pre-cancelled. "The Rolling Stones, who would have played on Saturday, March 15, are pre-cancelled. We're not even scheduling. No need for refunds because we never sold any tickets. Thanks just the same."

At least the good intentions are there. What else is necessary beyond that?

Re: Talking Tunes: Acid Mothers Temple Cancelled!
Posted Feb 20, 2014 7:49pm by danielkippwhittaker@gmail.com

I am going to start a business that fills every cancelled gig with a ZZ Top cover band named Fill'er Up. 

Re: Talking Tunes: Acid Mothers Temple Cancelled!
Posted Feb 20, 2014 7:31pm by Steven Schwankert

All Beijing shows should now just be pre-cancelled. "The Rolling Stones, who would have played on Saturday, March 15, are pre-cancelled. We're not even scheduling. No need for refunds because we never sold any tickets. Thanks just the same."