Staff Pick: Cheap Trick - At Budokan
Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Have you ever seen that episode of Full House where Jessie and the Rippers become hugely popular in Japan, and then go there to play a concert? The one where, I think, Uncle Jessie gets all hot-headed and ego-driven only to find that his fame is short lived and he must return to this humble life in the Tanner household?
Well, Cheap Trick's At Budokan is most likely the inspiration for that episode - albeit, without the family drama and gorgeous hair. And it rocks harder. It's hard to believe, but in 1978 Cheap Trick were about as popular as The Beatles were in 1964 … in Japan. Exactly why, however, is unknown.
During a tour of Japan at the height of this success, Cheap Trick played an arena in Central Tokyo. Japanese fans screamed and hollered like teenage girls did when The Beatles played Ed Sullivan in '64. The resulting record, At Budokan, went on to be immensely popular in Japan and, once released in North America, it went triple platinum.
Yes. Cheap Trick. A band that actually can, probably, be adequately compared to Jessie and the Rippers. The band you always thought were kind of a joke, or the one you are reading about right now and are completely clueless about. You might be slightly confused as to why I am suggesting that you check out a live recording from a mediocre band from the '70s, and that's perfectly legit, but can you take my word for it that this album friggin' rocks?
To the screams and hollers of adoring fans, Robin Zander, Rick Neilson and company tear through some of the most mediocre hits of the '70s with a frantic head of steam.
There is a certain novelty in a live recording that has the singer talking as slowly as he can so that if anyone in the Japanese audience speaks English, they might understand what he's saying. After getting that out of the way throughout most of Side A, Side B really kicks into gear with an extended "Ain't That a Shame", followed by "I Want You To Want Me" and an enthusiastically introduced "Surrender".
It's amazing to hear just how much Cheap Trick feed off the stupid energy of the screaming, manic Japanese fans. As Zander jumps back into the song after a long instrumental on "Surrender" - "Whatever happened to all this season's losers of the year?" - the crowd screams and Neilsen's custom 5-neck Hamer guitar explodes and murmurs. The same raw energy is found in "Goodnight Now" and ending with "Clock Strikes Ten," Cheap Trick reached the pinnacle of their career.
Besides, there is a certain appeal of a band with a lead guitarist that plays two guitars at once. Or maybe that's just me.
- Travis Nicholson
Well, Cheap Trick's At Budokan is most likely the inspiration for that episode - albeit, without the family drama and gorgeous hair. And it rocks harder. It's hard to believe, but in 1978 Cheap Trick were about as popular as The Beatles were in 1964 … in Japan. Exactly why, however, is unknown.
During a tour of Japan at the height of this success, Cheap Trick played an arena in Central Tokyo. Japanese fans screamed and hollered like teenage girls did when The Beatles played Ed Sullivan in '64. The resulting record, At Budokan, went on to be immensely popular in Japan and, once released in North America, it went triple platinum.
Yes. Cheap Trick. A band that actually can, probably, be adequately compared to Jessie and the Rippers. The band you always thought were kind of a joke, or the one you are reading about right now and are completely clueless about. You might be slightly confused as to why I am suggesting that you check out a live recording from a mediocre band from the '70s, and that's perfectly legit, but can you take my word for it that this album friggin' rocks?
To the screams and hollers of adoring fans, Robin Zander, Rick Neilson and company tear through some of the most mediocre hits of the '70s with a frantic head of steam.
There is a certain novelty in a live recording that has the singer talking as slowly as he can so that if anyone in the Japanese audience speaks English, they might understand what he's saying. After getting that out of the way throughout most of Side A, Side B really kicks into gear with an extended "Ain't That a Shame", followed by "I Want You To Want Me" and an enthusiastically introduced "Surrender".
It's amazing to hear just how much Cheap Trick feed off the stupid energy of the screaming, manic Japanese fans. As Zander jumps back into the song after a long instrumental on "Surrender" - "Whatever happened to all this season's losers of the year?" - the crowd screams and Neilsen's custom 5-neck Hamer guitar explodes and murmurs. The same raw energy is found in "Goodnight Now" and ending with "Clock Strikes Ten," Cheap Trick reached the pinnacle of their career.
Besides, there is a certain appeal of a band with a lead guitarist that plays two guitars at once. Or maybe that's just me.
- Travis Nicholson
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 17
Laura Faeth
posted 1/29/08 @ 11:46 PM EST
Yes, Budokan put the band on the map, and it was a great live album. But the band's latest release, Rockford, (2006) was hailed as their best effort in two decades. (Continued…)
Kevin
posted 1/30/08 @ 4:45 PM EST
Mediocre songs from the 70's? Travis are you really that stupid?
"The band you thought was a joke" Who is you? Was it John Lennon, who worked with them on his Double Fantasy album. (Continued…)
Ken Severson
posted 1/31/08 @ 9:24 AM EST
I realize there's no accounting for taste, the author of this certainly can account for his.
If Travis had done his homework--and it's quite evident he didn't, he would have realized Cheap Trick is far from mediocre. (Continued…)
Dixie Wrecht
Dixie Wrecht
posted 1/31/08 @ 3:02 PM EST
Dear Music Expert Travis Nicholson who is very clearly drunk on his own self importance,
Your recent "review" (or whatever you want to call it) of Cheap Trick's At Budokan record was so far off the mark I wonder how it was you even decided to submit that? Surely there are a great many other things that you know nothing about so couldn't you have picked one of those instead?
Tell you what you little punk, if slagging one of the greatest and most influential american bands is your idea of a good time then hey, I cant stop you but it pains me to know that you got paid (probably not much) to write about something you know nothing about and that's obvious if "At Budokan" is the only thing you know about those guys. (Continued…)
Paul Calypso
posted 1/31/08 @ 3:19 PM EST
Travis....you're an mediocre idiot!
Mediocre band, my ass.
Ura Dooshkit
posted 1/31/08 @ 3:40 PM EST
Wow. What are you like 16? Do you do this on the side for your high school journalism class? Let me guess... you're more of a Stone Sour kinda guy.
Sure, I'm a huge Trick fan. (Continued…)
OrlandoTrickFan
posted 2/01/08 @ 1:37 PM EST
Travis,
I think Paul short changed you here in the comments.
You're not a mediocre idiot...
You're a tremendous idiot!
If you ask anyone worth anything in the music industry, they will tell you all about Cheap Trick's influence on not only their own personal career, but on music in general!
You are entitled to your opinion. (Continued…)
Paul Calypso
posted 2/01/08 @ 3:30 PM EST
What do you expect from someone who watches Full House....that says a lot.
Frank Templeton
posted 2/01/08 @ 7:54 PM EST
Ok, what can I say, I wonder if you are related to Shannon Cashin. The similarities are eerie. Both are from Canada, both are as dumb as a bag of hammers, and both are musically illiterate. (Continued…)
Faux Pas
posted 2/03/08 @ 11:05 PM EST
What is the point of the article? Extra credit in high school journalism? Taking jabs at guys that achieved fame and success because their fans, NOT their critics, is mediocre writing. (Continued…)
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