Those who only know the Japanese idol scene through the cute, fluffy aesthetic of units such as AKB48 and Rev. from DVL might be surprised when first encountering ASP (that’s ANTi SOCiETY PUNKS). If you are unfamiliar with the alternative idol scene, then it’s best to forget almost all of what you know about Japanese idol units. While there is some crossover between the two scenes, the realm in which ASP exist is far darker and probably best exemplified by the title of their first album (Anal Sex Penis). It means that ASP attract a more mature, rowdy type of fan, in addition to your typical idol fans there are those who prefer the likes of Hanabie. to Morning Musume and that adds an extra element of danger to tonight’s show.
ASP at The Underworld in London (Tour Final) | Photography by JJ Grant (wonderlens)
ASP are no stranger to Camden’s Underworld venue, having performed here at all six WACK in the UK events. However, as this show is part of their very first UK tour and the first time they have headlined the venue in their own right, there’s an additional layer of interest in tonight’s gig. Then, when you factor in that this is the final night of the tour and that two members will be graduating and won’t be performing with the unit again, then you have the recipe for a very special evening indeed. In fact, the whole event seems too much for some present as the weight of emotion begins to take its toll and makes the slow countdown to showtime almost unbearable. Therefore, it is with some relief when an announcer introduces the band, in a rather tongue-in-cheek manner, asks the crowd not to go too wild (yeah, right!), before the band arrive in a flurry of activity, a riotous cornucopia of sight and sound that is the aptly-titled opening track TOXiC iNVASiON.
Those who claim that the idol scene has no artistic merit have never seen a unit such as ASP in action: their vocals are bang on point, whilst the dance moves are performed with razor sharp precision; you feel that one wrong move and the whole unit would collapse like a house of cards and in a tangle of limbs. ASP are filled with boundless energy (despite the exertions of a hectic tour) and the levels never dip, all the more impressive considering that this is a far longer set (70 minutes) than the last time they were here as part of WACK in the UK.
ASP at The Underworld in London (Tour Final) | Photography by JJ Grant (wonderlens)
For an MC section, Nameless expresses her love for Queen and leads the crowd in a Freddie Mercury-styled sing-along, which has us performing all sorts of vocal aerobatics. However, apart from this, the MC’s are rather brief and limited to a short introduction, but Yumeka Nowkana? takes the opportunity to bid a tearful farewell, as does Mog Ryan, which adds a poignancy to the evening. But mostly the band unleash tracks such as JAPANESE GIRL and SEXUAL CONVERSATiON, with each song whipping the crowd into wilder throes of ecstasy. In fact, it doesn’t take long for a pit to erupt and for some crazed individuals to rush to the stage, arms outstretched, hoping to touch their favoured member (another example of how alternative idol differs from its mainstream counterpart).
The non-stop, fast-paced nature of the show means that final track Get New MIRAI comes around far too soon. However, the crowd chant for an encore and the band return, sweaty but not tired, and treat us to Hyper Cracker. It’s an explosive closer that not only concludes the ASP in the UK Tour, but with two members graduating, closes a chapter in the career of this most intriguing of idol units.
ASP at The Underworld in London (Tour Final) | Photography by JJ Grant (wonderlens)
Set List:
1. TOXiC iNVASiON
2. Black Nails
3. TOTSUGEKI!!!!!
4. MAKE A MOVE
5. I Won’t Let You Go
6. darma
7. JAPANESE GIRL
8. SEXUAL CONVERSATiON
9. Tokyo Sky Blues
10. NO COLOR S
11. Heaven’s Seven
12. I HATE U
13. Too young to get it, too fast too live.
14. BA-BY
15. Get New MIRAI
16. Hyper Cracker
Photography: JJ Grant (wonderlens)
