The UC Theatre shook with exhilaration from experiencing over an hour of nonstop punk energy from Otoboke Beaver on International Women’s Day. With Accorinrin providing the main vocals, Yoyoyoshie on guitar, Hirochan on bass, and Kahokiss on drums, the Japanese quartet showcased some of their greatest hits along with some new gems from their most recent album Super Champion (2022) on their first full length North American tour.
Local Bay Area band Seablite kicked off the show with a lively set of modest music. The softer rock of the band filled the room with an eager anticipation. The vibe of the room completely changed when Otoboke Beaver took the stage. The tame rock atmosphere created by Seablite was completely destroyed by the loud and fast punk garage music of Otoboke Beaver. The juxtaposition of the two styles resulted in extra excitement from the crowd. Fans were beyond excited to see the Japanese quartet enter the stage sporting their iconic pink, orange, green, and blue dresses. The seemingly passive crowd erupted into a riot as the band played their first song “YAKITORI.”
There was a large security presence throughout the venue; the UC Theatre knew to expect a wild show. During the show, multiple people were lifted above the crowd, often being carried far away from where they were originally picked up. From young children all the way to older adults, the crowd was brimming with excited fans. The dynamic aura created by the band created a thrilling show for people of all ages. To ensure the crowd wouldn’t burn out, there were long pauses between some songs. In these brief periods of peace, each member of the band struck a pose and waited for the audience to calm down; rarely were they able to achieve total silence. Instead, the crowd found these pauses to be an opportunity to yell praises at the members of Otoboke Beaver in both English and Japanese. Otoboke Beaver eagerly returned the spirit from the crowd, looking for genuine connection during the performance. Between songs, the members would often tell anecdotal stories and ask the crowd about something relating to the next song before playing. The moments between songs made the show feel less like a performance and more like a dialogue between the audience and the band.
The energetic group bounced around the stage, making sure to show off some killer dance moves while masterfully playing their instruments. The loud, fast paced music was the perfect catalyst for starting a mosh pit. The crowd thrashed and swirled around the center of the venue as the band rocked on. The intense flashing lights added to the ambiance of the performance, injecting even more energy into the crowd. It was hard to tell who was having more fun: the audience or the performers.
When it seemed like the show couldn’t get any more intense, Yoyoyoshie announced their final song. This whipped the crowd into a frenzy, creating a new energy unlike anything that had come before. “Anata Watashi Daita Ato Yome No Meshi” got the crowd even more hyped and the room erupted into a zealous fervor. When the band left the stage, the energy from the crowd didn’t disperse, though.
When Otoboke Beaver inevitably returned, they asked for a picture with the audience and instructed everyone to raise their hands into the air. This sentimental moment was the calm before the storm as the final song was exceedingly exuberant. “We are Otoboke Beaver!” was screamed numerous times throughout the performance and after such an incredible show, Otoboke Beaver is a name the crowd will never forget.
Article and Photos by Kyle Garcia Takata