PANTA of Zuno Keisatsu (Brain Police) Has Passed Away - Punk Music Earlier Than the Pistols
Hello, I am Incompetent.
PANTA of Zuno Keisatsu (Brain Police) passed away on July 7, 2023.
I had been listening to them since junior high school, initially discovering them through related videos on YouTube with Japanese titles and mysterious montage photos. This reminded me once again that people eventually pass away.
During my difficult high school years, they were also a presence that helped me rouse myself from despair.
Zuno Keisatsu's "Fuzakerunja Nee Yo" (Don't Screw Around) captivated me completely with its simple yet edgy guitar sound that pierced my troubled heart.
Instead of worrying about others
and living that way, it's better
to be alone and freely
decide on a drink or two.
But everyone wants to
put handcuffs on me
Don't screw around
I'm not an animal
I'd rather punch
than be nice to idiots
The customs that hinder me
are things people arbitrarily decided
Even if I get beaten for it
it's better than just living
Don't screw around
I'll do it before I get done in
At the time, these lyrics felt like PANTA was telling me, "You (yourself) should act quickly!" and became a source of energy for me.
"Blood Blood Blood" similarly became a trigger for me to take action.
In terms of punk ideology as a band, I believe they were quite pioneering globally, even more so than the Sex Pistols in 1977. Strictly speaking, the Pistols existed a bit earlier, but their major debut was in '77, so I used the aforementioned phrasing.
The background to this includes the flourishing student movements in Japan at the time and the American Beat Generation itself, but simply looking into incidents like the United Red Army makes it clear that there were unique Japanese movements distinct from those.
Famous artists who thrived during the Beat Generation include Bob Dylan and The Doors, whom I also admire. While their underlying philosophy might involve free thought, it doesn't directly translate into a raw, aggressive sound.
Perhaps it was Japan that had already laid the foundation for clear punk music, with "howling instruments," anarchistic lyrics, and the idea that it's okay to be rough.
Another song I've listened to for a long time is "Sayonara Sekai Fujin Yo" (Goodbye, Madame World).
The world lies in junk
Though once I loved it so much
Now for us, the grim reaper
Is no longer so frightening
Goodbye, Madame World, come again
Adorn yourself young and lustrous
We are tired of your cries and your laughter
The world continuously gave us
Love and tears
But we no longer have dreams
For your magic
Goodbye, Madame World, come again
Adorn yourself young and lustrous
We are tired of your cries and your laughter
In contrast to their intense music, Zuno Keisatsu also has many ballads, which I feel gently lean in by the bedside of a young, sentimental boy.
These are lyrics that seem to say, "Isn't it enough already?" when one is desperate and has lost all hope.
After a long time, I was listening to Jun Togawa and others, and it reminded me to listen to them again.
Then I found out he had passed away this year, so I decided to leave this here along with my memories.
My deepest condolences.
It's a secret that I felt sad, realizing I haven't fully become an adult yet, as it felt like they were comforting me again. When will I become an adult? Lol
Perhaps it will never come.
Until next time.