From Hamamatsu, Japan, Spookey are basically the what the Ramones would be like if the Sanrio corporation had dreamt them up instead of that damn cat. A kawaii Shangri-Las, they’re a girl gang with poise to envy and the catchiest tunes imaginable and so much sheer exuberance in their execution it’s a marvel to behold.
This four track ep starts out with title track Cheeky Girl in which they let all the otaku losers that must dog them tongue tied to get a life and stop bothering them. Unfortunately, you can’t help but imagine that the completely killer riff and the best hey-heys since the Monkees will only serve attract more. Infectious. Quick as you like, along skips the deceptively titled Bad Day. From the few english lyrics, a tale of one of those days where everything just goes wrong. It both swings and stomps at the same time. I defy you not to dance the blues away to it.
The band have a badge on their merchandise stall with the legend I *heart* Beans on it. But, here, the B of I *heart* B is on fact southern coastal resort Brighton. An anthem to the joys of spending days kicking back on the beach there. Y’know where “Everyday smily ‘Hello!’”? The record closes with Fancy Christmas, which is a first for me this year. I hate the season, myself, maybe this year there’s something to make it that little bit more tolerable. Oh yes, there’s sleigh bells and and a huge singalong chorus and, some bizarre lyrics about santa deciding who he’s going to visit. What more do you want?
There’s more rock ‘n’ roll in this ep than most people achieve in a lifetime. If this does not make you punch the air and grin like a loon, you might as well give up the breathing bit now.
You hear that? It’s Tippi running weeping from the building.
//Tony Kiernan