Japanese Jukebox: Spooky Halloween J-Videos

What goes bump in the night? The bass in your speakers might, if you turn up this collection of Japanese music this Halloween. Let’s get into the ghostly spirit with some spooky-good videos from Japan.

Going solo can be a scary experience. Not for Yamanaka Sawao of the Pillows fame. He’s released another solo project album entitled Taikutsu na Otoko, and the first track is a graveyard rock song “Vacant House.” Most nerds recognize The Pillows for their famous soundtrack to the anime FLCL. Since then, the band has always exemplified Japanese Rock.

Continuing with a slightly sinister theme, Yamanaka Sawao also rocks out with skeletons south of the border in the track “The Devils pub.” While Coronas, burritos and nachos aren’t entirely scary, sombreros totally are. Avex Trax has only offered up snippets of both singles, but it’s nice to know the company recognizes October is Halloween month. Taikutsu na Otoko was released 10.12.2011.

While skeletons aren’t that scary, indie rock bands can be quite disturbing. Take Ogre You Asshole’s classic haunted house inspired video for “Headlight” off the 2009 album Foglamp. It’s like “Paranormal Activity” up in this piece. Add some haunting and hazy vocals with some buzzing guitars and that’s some killer ambiance. Ogre you Asshole has also released a new album in August of this year entitled Homely that has practically abandoned its indie rock leanings for jazzy funk-lite. Scary!

It’s not Halloween without girls screaming at the tops of their lungs. Check out how the cute school girl group of Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku employ spooky story telling in their PV for “Oh My Ghost? Watashi ga Akuryo ni Nattemo.” It’s like Thriller for 13-year-olds .While it looks like they are putting on a play with cardboard backdrops and cheerleader dancing, wait until the moon is full at the 4:30 mark. Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku turn into ghastly hopping ghosties. Boo!

Take a cue from the Japanese and get into the Halloween spirit.

So Japan’s fascination with ghosts and the dead might not have been an entirely scary experience, but it still shows Japan’s adoration of dress up and costumes. Take a cue from the Japanese and get into the Halloween spirit. While you’re at it, crank up some J-tunes and get your party on.