Dan Jarvis
Daikaiju
Daikaiju make for a good mystery. The four-piece surf-rock outfit from Huntsville, Ala., take many of their song names from Japanese monster movies. The members go by the names Blast-man, Pulse-man, Rock-man and Secret-man. All four of them perform with Kabuki masks on. Their real identities are a secret.
But like their clandestine surf-rock brethren Man or Astro-man?, Daikaiju make the fictional shtick seem appropriate by packaging it with otherworldly musical chops. Their skills take the form of rubbery guitar wailing ("Flight of Garuda") and muscular riffing ("Double Fist Attack"). Also mind-blowing are rippers like "Spiral Serpent Strike," which the band contributed to the new Monsters of Surf compilation. And without any vocals to bother with, Daikaiju are freed up to call upon ancient powers when creating a furiously sweaty live show.
The band haven't released a full-length album since 2010's Phase 2. But that record didn't come along until five years after the band's blistering self-titled debut, so they could be due for a new album soon. Don't expect a straight answer on that, though.
Isthmus reached out to the surf-prog monsters ahead of their June 26 show at Mickey's Tavern and received some suitably bizarre responses.
Isthmus: What is the origin of Daikaiju?
Team Daikaiju: Daikaiju arrive from location of last Daikaiju attack!
How do Daikaiju describe their music?
Daikaiju have very diverse vinyl, cassette and 8-track collection!
Do Daikaiju play surf because kaiju come from the sea?
Daikaiju play in the surf because Daikaiju like splashing sounds!
Do Daikaiju have a new full-length album coming soon?
Yes! Daikaiju order last Knuckel Drager album rush delivery!
Did Daikaiju enjoy the new Godzilla movie?
New Godzilla movie make Daikaiju wonder [if] Godzilla??? may be better movie title!
Does it get hot playing a concert with masks on?
Masks always very arousing during piano recital!
How does one prepare for a Daikaiju show?
Worship Daikaiju daily!
