As you can see, Tokyo’s Broken Doll have a very loud image. Along with being 1980s rock and pop enthusiasts, the band manages a Kawaii fashion store where it sells its own designs. The fashion brand isn’t simply a sideline to help Broken Doll stay afloat while plotting music industry domination. Rather, guitarist Kensuke Ba explains that the fashion interests are an essential part of the band’s identity.
“It’s very important, because Broken Doll is an artist that makes music and clothes,” he says. “Even though a lot of bands just write music, a concert just wouldn’t be the same without the fashion. My idea is that during a concert, when we wear the clothes, the fans get to see that too, and it can inspire them to dress in their own individual fashion too. That is the idea of Broken Doll.”
Japanese Kawaii is pretty far removed from the ‘sex sells’ American fashion model. Instead of skimpy, suggestive wear, it embraces cartoon-like adornments (giant bows, pom-poms and fairy skirts) and a vivid exploration of the colour wheel. Yet while Broken Doll’s image is distinctly Japanese, their major musical influences are anything but. “We were heavily influenced by ’80s music,” says Kensuke. “For example, artists like Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, Sex Pistols, Poison.”
Something grouping all of these artists together is a striking visual aesthetic, which contributed to their appeal. Broken Doll subscribe to a belief that when bands look fantastic as well as sound great, it will make a bigger impression on audiences. “I admire it, of course,” Kensuke says. “Being unique is always a good thing.I love unusual style and vivid colour. I love ’80s Cindy Lauper fashion.”
Of the aforementioned artists, Lauper’s flamboyant fashion is perhaps the closest to Broken Doll’s own style. However, Kensuke says the Sex Pistols had a particularly significant influence on the development of the burgeoning Broken Doll empire.
“[Broken Doll] started when I began listening to Sex Pistols. Their fashion was so cool. I wanted to become a band and fashion brand like Pistols and make my own clothes and play music. So I created Broken Doll.”
Given that Broken Doll’s identity is rooted in a uniquely Japanese visual style and a proud embrace of ’70s/’80s rock music, one wonders if many other bands in Tokyo are doing a similar thing. According to Kensuke, they’re not.
“The sound is Japanese Kawaii rock. There are no bands playing Kawaii rock in Japan, only Broken Doll.”
Broken Doll might be an anomaly in their home country, but Kensuke says they’ve had no trouble attracting fans. “Because our fans are mostly from around the world and online, we didn’t really have a lot of issues with opposition.”
That’s not to say people at home aren’t interested. “It’s the same as it is in England or America,” he says.“The people who love Harajuku-Kei [visual style music] are everybody cool and cute and also crazy, sick, a little Otaku [ie of obsessive interests]. I love them all.”
While Broken Doll have been together for a few years now, they hadn’t stepped beyond Japanese soil until quite recently. Following on from a visit to London earlier this year, Broken Doll head down to Australia this month. Kensuke is thrilled about the way things are taking shape.
“We have a lot of fans and friends in UK, Europe. They came to Hyper Japan [to meet] us. We hope [for the] same things in Australia. Finally my dream came true that we [will perform a] concert in Australia. We have a lot of fans in Australia. It’s amazing!”
2014Australian Tour EP out now through Valve/MGM. Catch them live atFactory Flooron Saturday November 22, tickets online.
