HANGRY & ANGRY BAND: JAPANESE POP PUNK & GOTHIC LOLITA GROUP FROM H.NAOTO.
Paris denim brand April77 launched a record label; UK’s Rodnik started a rock band with Peaches Geldof. Now, Japan’s h.NAOTO is getting into the musical act… with the emphasis on “act.” The designer roped in two former Morning Musume members, Hitomi “Yossie” Yoshizawa and Rika Ishikawa, to play his Goth/punk kitty mascots Hangry & Angry (above).
The group’s marketing budget must be as huge as the vocalists’ spiky hair. Last November, Hangry & Angry’s 5-song album “Kill Me Kiss Me” was released in both Japan and America. (Reader Dragonswyng even found their CD in Hot Topic! ) The group made its American debut last month at Seattle’s Sakura-Con, and a Japan-USA-Europe tour is in the works.
Of course, the group is a marketing device for h.NAOTO’s Hangry & Angry clothing line (which will likely be in American stores this year). And why not? Fashion is a business, not a notepad of pretty sketches.
But to me, Hangry & Angry lacks… anger. Heart; passion; whatever you’d like to call it. Everything is too perfectly calibrated: the girls are edgy yet cute, the single is punky-catchy and throws in some English words, and there’s even a nod to eco-awareness (the cats “came from the H44 Star Nebula in order to save the world from global warming.”)
The campaign appears to target the Hot Topic / emo / “vampire kids” set. And I use these terms without judgment – I think Hangry & Angry is a great fit for this (lucrative) young market. But is manufacturing a band the best way to present the brand? Personally, I think h.NAOTO’s designs speak for themselves…
… and I don’t have much to say about their music. What do you think? Is Hangry & Angry a quick gimmick? Will it make an impression in the States?
Song of the Day #21: Hangry & Angry – Kill Me Kiss Me
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My opinion, H.Naoto is one of my FAVORITE lables
Im sure the fashion would fit in nicely, as you said, with Vampire/emo/goth kids, and maybe it will open people's eyes to more Japanese fashions.
But as for the music, very very few people that I know of where I live listen to Japanese music
But I do know alot of people in the states listen to it alot, so hopefully Jrock will get more known and more bands come to the US
<333
ALSO
I agree H.Naoto's designs are great and should speak for themselves, and I personally dont like the English in the song. I mean, yes its cute in some songs, but they kill it.
I think..they look fake..Like, I picture a musician trying to promote H.Naoto would have..darker music..I suppose..not Upbeat and Punk.
I dunno..I know what Im thinking, I just dont know how to word it
I hope it made sence xD
<333
I actually got kind of *angry* when I heard about this. H. Naoto makes amazing clothes and doesn't need a cheap gimmicky band to market their product. I actually kind of hope this *doesn't* catch on the states/europe, because the last thing us j-fashion lovers need is for everyone to think we're a bunch of posers and brand-worshippers. >_<
And that's my two cents…
What's more, the entire music video is just an advertisement for the products. I mean, there's more mascot-flashing than there is actual music. O_o You'd think h.Naoto would respect its fans a little more… >_<*
And oh lord, they're facial expressions…
It also left a bad taste in my mouth. I wonder if it's the result of crossed cultural wires. Brands too often misunderstand the nuances of the culture they're marketing to…
My opinion, H.Naoto is one of my FAVORITE lables
Im sure the fashion would fit in nicely, as you said, with Vampire/emo/goth kids, and maybe it will open people’s eyes to more Japanese fashions.
But as for the music, very very few people that I know of where I live listen to Japanese music
But I do know alot of people in the states listen to it alot, so hopefully Jrock will get more known and more bands come to the US
<333
ALSO
I agree H.Naoto’s designs are great and should speak for themselves, and I personally dont like the English in the song. I mean, yes its cute in some songs, but they kill it.
I think..they look fake..Like, I picture a musician trying to promote H.Naoto would have..darker music..I suppose..not Upbeat and Punk.
I dunno..I know what Im thinking, I just dont know how to word it
I hope it made sence xD
<333
i like the song, its catchy. they clothes are friggin awesome as always. but i just wish there wouldn't be SO much of the brands advertisement in the pv. its just over the top! i think if they just toned the music video with all the busyness and the brand itself, it can have very good potential.
“We're sorry, this video is no longer available” 0_o
From what I've read and seen anyway, it's a good marketing tool but (as unlikely as this sounds), I hope the Hangry&Angry USA shop will be opened as its own and not as a part of Hot Topic with the likes of 'Skeleanimals'.
I actually got kind of *angry* when I heard about this. H. Naoto makes amazing clothes and doesn’t need a cheap gimmicky band to market their product. I actually kind of hope this *doesn’t* catch on the states/europe, because the last thing us j-fashion lovers need is for everyone to think we’re a bunch of posers and brand-worshippers. >_<
And that's my two cents…
Really? The video works for me… try this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p42y8zRdg0U
I agree with you – I think the quality of Hangry and Angry differentiates it from the brands that Hot Topic carries.
I must admit the hair is kinda awesome… ;)
What’s more, the entire music video is just an advertisement for the products. I mean, there’s more mascot-flashing than there is actual music. O_o You’d think h.Naoto would respect its fans a little more… >_<*
And oh lord, they're facial expressions…
It also left a bad taste in my mouth. I wonder if it’s the result of crossed cultural wires. Brands too often misunderstand the nuances of the culture they’re marketing to…
I personally think the music is quite shit *sorry*
I don't think they can sing the recording adjusted thier vocals
I also think it is too pop and commercial for thier image *which WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE COMEMERCIAL ANYWAY*
why did he do it!!!! WHY!
Sigh, cute singing girls equal sales in Japan… but not necessarily for this brand, and especially not overseas…
I totally agree with you. Besides i think this is more pop than punk. I don't think it fits at all….. but i guess vampkids will like it… -.-
i like the song, its catchy. they clothes are friggin awesome as always. but i just wish there wouldn’t be SO much of the brands advertisement in the pv. its just over the top! i think if they just toned the music video with all the busyness and the brand itself, it can have very good potential.
I must admit the hair is kinda awesome… ;)
“We’re sorry, this video is no longer available” 0_o
From what I’ve read and seen anyway, it’s a good marketing tool but (as unlikely as this sounds), I hope the Hangry&Angry USA shop will be opened as its own and not as a part of Hot Topic with the likes of ‘Skeleanimals’.
Really? The video works for me… try this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p42y8zRdg0U
I agree with you – I think the quality of Hangry and Angry differentiates it from the brands that Hot Topic carries.
i think its a good gimmick because there trying to show that H.Naoto has a lighter side and thats the hangry&angry brand. And even though it looked fake the girls looked great in the clothing and can sing really well
I personally think the music is quite shit *sorry*
I don’t think they can sing the recording adjusted thier vocals
I also think it is too pop and commercial for thier image *which WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE COMEMERCIAL ANYWAY*
why did he do it!!!! WHY!
Sigh, cute singing girls equal sales in Japan… but not necessarily for this brand, and especially not overseas…
I totally agree with you. Besides i think this is more pop than punk. I don’t think it fits at all….. but i guess vampkids will like it… -.-
i think its a good gimmick because there trying to show that H.Naoto has a lighter side and thats the hangry&angry brand. And even though it looked fake the girls looked great in the clothing and can sing really well
Well in fact to me it's the opposite. I dislike Naoto clothing (xD) , while i don't think the song is that bad for a pop song. It's quite nice actually, save for the fact that “punk” look and fabricated “anger” does not look persuasive at all XD They'd rather picked some rock girls or something , they'd look more natural. But since we're talking about a brand that's trying to become mainstream, well that's the way to go i guess? Btw I played this song in the pop part of my last j-party *giggle*
How sad. h.NAOTO is one of my favorite brands, but this is so fake. And the “guitar playing” in the video is definitely a bit too much .=/
Ahhh I want to be at your next J-party! I love looking through the photos :)
excuse the typos, argh XD
Hihihi we're going to Athens end of January for our 3 year Anniversay Party. The up next is Horror-Valentine's special on the 13th of Feb XD Wish you could drop by ..^.^/
Well in fact to me it’s the opposite. I dislike Naoto clothing (xD) , while i don’t think the song is that bad for a pop song. It’s quite nice actually, save for the fact that “punk” look and fabricated “anger” does not look persuasive at all XD They’d rather picked some rock girls or something , they’d look more natural. But since we’re talking about a brand that’s trying to become mainstream, well that’s the way to go i guess? Btw I played this song in the pop part of my last j-party *giggle*
Ahhh I want to be at your next J-party! I love looking through the photos :)
Hihihi we’re going to Athens end of January for our 3 year Anniversay Party. The up next is Horror-Valentine’s special on the 13th of Feb XD Wish you could drop by ..^.^/
excuse the typos, argh XD
Horror-Valentine – I LOVE the idea. You should serve a bloody, gelatinous human heart dessert! :)
Yah cos its Friday the 13th and next day its Valentine’s. Plus we’ll be celebrating our 3 years anniversary. I’m thinking about a bloooody cherry cheesecake *_* Those heart desserts sound so good XD I wish they could make them here XD
How sad. h.NAOTO is one of my favorite brands, but this is so fake. And the “guitar playing” in the video is definitely a bit too much .=/
I agree; it feels fake. It's really obvious that the girls aren't into what they're singing. And the whole guitar playing bit is lame; they're not even touching the strings!!
On a side note, isn't Morning Musume a rather cute and cheerful group? Why not hire someone who is more used to singing this type of music?
Horror-Valentine – I LOVE the idea. You should serve a bloody, gelatinous human heart dessert! :)
Yah cos its Friday the 13th and next day its Valentine's. Plus we'll be celebrating our 3 years anniversary. I'm thinking about a bloooody cherry cheesecake *_* Those heart desserts sound so good XD I wish they could make them here XD
I agree; it feels fake. It’s really obvious that the girls aren’t into what they’re singing. And the whole guitar playing bit is lame; they’re not even touching the strings!!
On a side note, isn’t Morning Musume a rather cute and cheerful group? Why not hire someone who is more used to singing this type of music?
wait reverse what i said, its Angry who's the more believable to me oops lol
and sorry for posting such a book! I didn't realize I'd typed that much til I saw it lol
gah I'm late posting but yay for honorable mentions teehee
actually I don't think it was Hot Topic where I found it, I want to say it was cdJapan. tho I should prolly check before posting this.
this brings to mind something that has long irritated me. obviously I love lots of things about Japanese culture including the music. but whenever I get the happy news that a band or cd is being sent to the US its always changed. same with the anime.
one good example is Boa's new song Eat You Up. ok maybe she's Korean but the point is the same. there are two videos made for the song. the first version is pretty darn cool; lots of dancing (tho the choreography is repetitive) cute backup dancers (the guy in the hat, whoo!) and lots of cheesy effects. I love it. then you have the US version. ::sigh:: watching it actually gave me insight into how we must appear to others I swear. for this version they went all …mariah carey or something. I hated it instantly.
it brings to mind what you said about people not entirely getting the culture they are trying to break into. but maybe in Boa's case they did. they just picked the wrong set of people to go after imho. I think they should play more to the fans she already has first but w/e. I hope it works for Boa's sake as well h.Naotos. but I just wish they wouldn't dumb stuff down the way they do. I don't need to be spoon fed for pete's sake.
sometimes commercialism really sux. I will say one thing for the girls he chose to be H&A, I'm totally jealous of their wardrobe :-P as to the song and vid, well the girl portraying Hangry to me is more believable, in that she might actually rock the look, might. Angry however too much. and that guitar playing, wow. but its cute for what it is and I don't hate it. it will prolly do the job. tho I imagine noone outside of Cali will see any of it in stores. they say all things trickle south but as I live here I say they lie lol
ok rant over lol now what was that about Jparties? I want to come!!! I reeeeeeeeally wish something like that would happen here. and the desserts sound divine ^-^ how bout making heart shaped cookies or pastries that have a bloody or black (they have black food coloring) filling. maybe even make it spicy! like with strong cinnamon or peppers (you'd be suprised how good sweet things are with something hot like pepper flavor). make them so cute noone suspects what hides inside muwahaha
Hahaha I've been making cute-meets-creepy food for my book… can't wait to share them with you when it comes out!
By the way, the J-Rock French Kiss video on your MySpace profile is… beyond words ;)
heheh ain't it tho
lookin forward to those goodies, trying out new foods is definately one of my fave things to do
wait reverse what i said, its Angry who’s the more believable to me oops lol
and sorry for posting such a book! I didn’t realize I’d typed that much til I saw it lol
gah I’m late posting but yay for honorable mentions teehee
actually I don’t think it was Hot Topic where I found it, I want to say it was cdJapan. tho I should prolly check before posting this.
this brings to mind something that has long irritated me. obviously I love lots of things about Japanese culture including the music. but whenever I get the happy news that a band or cd is being sent to the US its always changed. same with the anime.
one good example is Boa’s new song Eat You Up. ok maybe she’s Korean but the point is the same. there are two videos made for the song. the first version is pretty darn cool; lots of dancing (tho the choreography is repetitive) cute backup dancers (the guy in the hat, whoo!) and lots of cheesy effects. I love it. then you have the US version. ::sigh:: watching it actually gave me insight into how we must appear to others I swear. for this version they went all …mariah carey or something. I hated it instantly.
it brings to mind what you said about people not entirely getting the culture they are trying to break into. but maybe in Boa’s case they did. they just picked the wrong set of people to go after imho. I think they should play more to the fans she already has first but w/e. I hope it works for Boa’s sake as well h.Naotos. but I just wish they wouldn’t dumb stuff down the way they do. I don’t need to be spoon fed for pete’s sake.
sometimes commercialism really sux. I will say one thing for the girls he chose to be H&A, I’m totally jealous of their wardrobe :-P as to the song and vid, well the girl portraying Hangry to me is more believable, in that she might actually rock the look, might. Angry however too much. and that guitar playing, wow. but its cute for what it is and I don’t hate it. it will prolly do the job. tho I imagine noone outside of Cali will see any of it in stores. they say all things trickle south but as I live here I say they lie lol
ok rant over lol now what was that about Jparties? I want to come!!! I reeeeeeeeally wish something like that would happen here. and the desserts sound divine ^-^ how bout making heart shaped cookies or pastries that have a bloody or black (they have black food coloring) filling. maybe even make it spicy! like with strong cinnamon or peppers (you’d be suprised how good sweet things are with something hot like pepper flavor). make them so cute noone suspects what hides inside muwahaha
Hahaha I’ve been making cute-meets-creepy food for my book… can’t wait to share them with you when it comes out!
By the way, the J-Rock French Kiss video on your MySpace profile is… beyond words ;)
heheh ain’t it tho
lookin forward to those goodies, trying out new foods is definately one of my fave things to do
If the brand is sold at places like Hot Topic, it will be pretty successful because a lot of the kids who shop there are open to J-rock. But as far as making a huge impression, Hangry & Angry won't be able to do that cause its a little too shallow. In my opinion, the J-rock culture in the U.S. and Canada needs to stay underground cause when stuff comes out into the mainstream, its usually butchered and/or cutesied up too much.
If the brand is sold at places like Hot Topic, it will be pretty successful because a lot of the kids who shop there are open to J-rock. But as far as making a huge impression, Hangry & Angry won’t be able to do that cause its a little too shallow. In my opinion, the J-rock culture in the U.S. and Canada needs to stay underground cause when stuff comes out into the mainstream, its usually butchered and/or cutesied up too much.
They're very cute and the music is quite catchy.
Too bad JRock & Japanese Street Fashion isn't well-known enough in Australia for them to come to AUS. Hopefully, One day it will all be well-known enough to come to the anime conventions in AUS. Haha. Let's just spread the word to anime lovers about Japanese JRock & Street Fashion.
They’re very cute and the music is quite catchy.
Too bad JRock & Japanese Street Fashion isn’t well-known enough in Australia for them to come to AUS. Hopefully, One day it will all be well-known enough to come to the anime conventions in AUS. Haha. Let’s just spread the word to anime lovers about Japanese JRock & Street Fashion.
Wonderful article, just added the site to my favorites. Thanks so much.
Wonderful article, just added the site to my favorites. Thanks so much.
h.Naoto is one by my favorite clothing brands, but I really didn't like Hangry and Angry. I like their music, and the clothes and hair, but I always pictured that a h.Naoto band would have been gothic and dark, not so upbeat. I think Yossi and Rika should have just stuck with Morning Musume.
h.Naoto is one by my favorite clothing brands, but I really didn’t like Hangry and Angry. I like their music, and the clothes and hair, but I always pictured that a h.Naoto band would have been gothic and dark, not so upbeat. I think Yossi and Rika should have just stuck with Morning Musume.
I like Hangry & Angry plushies. Theyre cute but I don't think many people in the USA know of them. People around where I live don't even know about Angelic pretty or Sisen.:[
Hahah, even in JAPAN, a lot of people don't know about cyber/Gothic DJs or street style… :)
I like Hangry & Angry plushies. Theyre cute but I don’t think many people in the USA know of them. People around where I live don’t even know about Angelic pretty or Sisen.:[
Hahah, even in JAPAN, a lot of people don’t know about cyber/Gothic DJs or street style… :)
HMmm… Yep they are indeed not angry enough or lack of some things u mentioned. But that was also mentioned by them Both in an interview (i forgot which one) , They said that they are not portraying what is suppose to be the original Hangry & Angry but instead their own style(various examples mentioned which i have already forgotten) of Hangry and Angry .
So.. i guess we cant go around expecting them to portray our ideal image of hangry and angry.
HMmm… Yep they are indeed not angry enough or lack of some things u mentioned. But that was also mentioned by them Both in an interview (i forgot which one) , They said that they are not portraying what is suppose to be the original Hangry & Angry but instead their own style(various examples mentioned which i have already forgotten) of Hangry and Angry .
So.. i guess we cant go around expecting them to portray our ideal image of hangry and angry.
Funny that from Youtube to Facebook, I keep bumping into you! I was actually looking for Hangry and Angry doll clothes to make. You see, my almost FOUR year old daughter likes them. She absolutely loves the kitties. I recently won the pair in an eBay auction (getting a much better deal, they are obscenely expensive) I myself think they do lack substance as far as serious musicians go, it is obviously a gimmick and it plays to a younger crowd (well, at least in THIS household). For some reason in the video, the, ahem, closeness of Hangry & Angry, reminds me of the Russian group t.A.T.u-not really genuine in that sense.(And, it was a commercial for plushies!) Well, my daughter likes it,(the cats anyway!) and the song is quite catchy, but it does seem to have fad-like tendencies. Which is quite fine with me, kids are faddish in that way anyway.
Funny that from Youtube to Facebook, I keep bumping into you! I was actually looking for Hangry and Angry doll clothes to make. You see, my almost FOUR year old daughter likes them. She absolutely loves the kitties. I recently won the pair in an eBay auction (getting a much better deal, they are obscenely expensive) I myself think they do lack substance as far as serious musicians go, it is obviously a gimmick and it plays to a younger crowd (well, at least in THIS household). For some reason in the video, the, ahem, closeness of Hangry & Angry, reminds me of the Russian group t.A.T.u-not really genuine in that sense.(And, it was a commercial for plushies!) Well, my daughter likes it,(the cats anyway!) and the song is quite catchy, but it does seem to have fad-like tendencies. Which is quite fine with me, kids are faddish in that way anyway.
haha so funny! At least Hangry and Angry the band don’t wear revealing clothes, like Pussycat Dolls or a lot of Western girl groups.
haha so funny! At least Hangry and Angry the band don't wear revealing clothes, like Pussycat Dolls or a lot of Western girl groups.
This is a very interesting article. I enjoyed reading it. I need to read more on this topic.
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