Asian American Rock Band Random Ninjas
May 16, 2008
Minority groups have long added to the unique diversity of the American musical landscape. In the latest census, Chinese had risen to become the most commonly spoken language after English and Spanish in U.S. households — and that’s just one of the many Asian languages that thrive from sea to shining sea. Despite the many talented Asian American musicians, however, there has yet to appear a distinct Asian American contribution to America’s aural arts.
Now, an Asian American band seems determined to make its mark on U.S. sound waves: Random Ninjas. This American heavy rock/fusion band utilizes the usual Western rock instruments — guitars, bass, drums — and combines them with diverse languages, traditional Asiatic instruments, and random humor. Founded in 2004 by guitarist, Full Metal Ninja, this ethnically diverse group conveys a neo-cultural expression of a global lifestyle, and their diverse fan base is dedicated and growing.
The band’s music defies categorization. People often try to box them away with the rising J-rock trend. However, these guys can’t quite fit their distinctly Asian American big sound into the J-rock cubby hole that is mostly full of rehashed punk, 80s glam, and pop rock from America and Europe.
Their modest EP of four songs boasts diversity of music moods and genres, both between and within the songs. One may start out with some serious rock, get playful in the middle with some fusion jazz, and end with a determined scream. Random Ninjas is integrated and full of genres, a rich, new musical style they call “random.”
The Random Ninjas’ fresh new sound is winning over a wide audience, allowing them to play packed shows at legendary rock establishments, such as The Whisky A Go Go and The Roxy Theatre on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. They also have played to audiences all over California, Las Vegas, and as far away as the exclusive Shibuya Boxx in Japan.
Comments
Got something to say?