犬神サーカス団(Inugami Circus Dan, or the Circus Troupe of the Dog God) has been around for quite a while. Like, since 1872, according to their history. They are alive today because they were resurrected by alchemy in 1994 after a hundred year internment. You see, the 4-members of the band are siblings, children of a famous Noh actor of the Inugami family, which kept a crazed, hatred-filled dog's head with which to curse the unfortunate rival, etc. After a time they set out on their own, traveling around as an actor's troupe in Japan, when in 1894 they were buried alive by those who feared that the four had become possessed. After being resurrected in 1994, as I mentioned before, they began a rock-band, because 「もともとロックという表現形態は、怨念を娯楽化し魂の自由を獲得することを目的とした音楽である。それは迫害されて殺された四人の呪いを世間に放電するのに最適な手段であったのだ。」 That is, "(f)rom the beginning, the way of expression known as "rock" has been a kind of music which endeavours to change hatred to pleasure and gain freedom of the soul. It was the most suitable means by which the persecuted and executed four's curse could be discharged over the world."
If this back story doesn't intrigue you, what will? I've been listening to Inugami Circus Dan since high school, and for all of their dark or off-putting songs -- 「 皆殺しのララバイ」 or "Lullaby for a Massacre" begins 体の中で骨が砕ける, the bones in my body are broken -- they have some fun (and funny) songs. These songs aren't completely devoid of the "this is kind of sad/gross/wrong) factor, but they get a giggle out of me. One of my favourites is ほんとにほんとにご苦労さん. The video is all one-take, and that's pretty impressive too.
| (It's been so bad for you, seriously, thanks for the trouble. It's been hard, let it out, seriously, thanks for the trouble.) Don't you think it's unpleasant, Chief Clerk, sir? You'll never ever be a popular guy but all of your puns are dirty or about you and the people that you talk to only manage a strained smile. Truly truly thanks for all the trouble you went through. Don't you think it's unpleasant, Section Chief, sir? Although you never hear what people have to say you'll muscle your way into a conversation and the stories you tell are always about your manliness. Truly truly thanks for all the trouble you went through. (It's been so bad for you, seriously, thanks for the trouble. It's been hard, let it out, seriously, thanks for the trouble.) Don't you think it's unpleasant, Department Head? Always obsessing over work and work alone you were tossed away by your wife and your kids and now when you retire you will be living on your own. Truly truly thanks for all the trouble you went through. Don't you think it's unpleasant, coworker, sir? When you are on your own you've really got no fight but once you're in a crowd you get carried away and you'll hurt someone and not even think of being contrite. Truly truly thanks for all the trouble you went through. (It's been so bad for you, seriously, thanks for the trouble. It's been hard, let it out, seriously, thanks for the trouble.) Don't you think it's unpleasant, young President? What necktie should you wear today? You can't decide. At the bar you can't decide what drink you want to get. You can't even decide how you should phrase your pick-up lines. Truly truly thanks for all the trouble you went through. Thanks for the trouble, thanks for the trouble, thanks for the trouble. | (もう沢山 かなり悲惨 マジ御苦労さん もう散々 要・発散 マジ御苦労さん) いやじゃありませんか 係長 人気者でもあるまいに ダジャレにシモネタ、自慢ネタ 取引相手も苦笑い ほんとにほんとにほんとにほんとに御苦労さん いやじゃありませんか 課長さん ひとの話は聴かないクセに 突然 会話に割り込んで 語るよいつもの武勇伝 ほんとにほんとにほんとにほんとに御苦労さん (もう沢山 かなり悲惨 マジ御苦労さん もう散々 要・発散 マジ御苦労さん) いやじゃありませんか 部長さん 仕事仕事で気がつけば 女房子供に捨てられて 定年退職一人きり ほんとにほんとにほんとにほんとに御苦労さん いやじゃありませんか 同僚さん 独りだけでは弱いけど 大勢になったら調子こき 平気で誰かを傷つける ほんとにほんとにほんとにほんとに御苦労さん (もう沢山 かなり悲惨 マジ御苦労さん もう散々 要・発散 マジ御苦労さん) いやじゃありませんか 若社長 今日のネクタイ決まらない 飲み屋で注文決まらない くどき文句が決まらない ほんとにほんとにほんとにほんとに御苦労さん 御苦労さん 御苦労さん 御苦労さん |
Here's a bonus video of them playing Matsuda Seiko's pop hit, 夏の扉:
Oh, and they each have a blog.
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