SXSW 2012

From Dan Oko, The Austin Chronicle:

As the anniversary of Japan's devastating earthquake and ensuing tsunami passes, the Pacific island nation's riveting, rocking musical community makes its mark at the annual Japan Nite showcase, beginning with fashion-forward Yokohama-based Rubies, a high-energy pop quartet featuring ex-members of the theatrical Emeralds (a SXSW presence from 2004 to 2008). Also arriving on the bill is the eagerly anticipated 24-year-old banjo phenom Saito Johnny, whose String Cheese Incident/Wasabi Highway sound won his Tokyo bluegrass band an opening slot on Taylor Swift's Far East tour. As usual, you can never count out Japan's latter-day riot grrrls, who follow in Shonen Knife's subversive steps. Lovely ladies include Tokyo's cheeky goth trio Akabane Vulgars on Strong Bypass, and ZZZ's, a driving, droning post-punk trio from the North Coast community Hyogo (it played in a previous incarnation last year as Hystoic Vein). The remaining bands include Kao=S and Osaka's Nokies! and Vampillia, respectively a grab bag of chaotic acoustic sounds and sword dancing, post-punk pop, and Nipponese nu-metal.