BLANKEY JET CITY was a popular Japanese rock band formed in Tokyo, active b… Read Full Bio ↴BLANKEY JET CITY was a popular Japanese rock band formed in Tokyo, active between 1990 and 2000. It has been said that front man, guitarist and lead singer Asai Kenichi chose to try his luck as the leader of a rock band, and if this failed, his plan was to spend his days as motorcycle gang member. The band's rise to fame got a kick start when they participated in a TV-broadcast competition for newcomer bands. They didn’t win the competition, but nevertheless their participation scored them a contract with major label Toshiba EMI. The band stayed with this label until releasing their first self-produced album “LOVE FLASH FEVER” through Polydor in 1997.

Throughout their 10 years of activities the band experimented with a variety of different styles, such as rockabilly and surf-rock. Their lyrics–most of which were written by Asai–touched upon serious matters such as broken families and animal mistreatment, but also imaginative creatures and individuals made up in Asai’s mind. The band’s lineup remained consistent until breaking up in 2000. After the disbandment, Asai Kenichi created his own label, Sexy Stones Records, and founded the bands SHERBETS, JUDE and AJICO. Drummer Nakamura Tatsuya went on to concentrate on his LOSALIOS project, while bassist Terui Toshiyuki recorded material in bands such as ROSSO and RAVEN. In later years, he has also played bass on some of Asai Kenichi’s solo project releases.

Members:
Asai Kenichi (浅井健一) – Vocal, guitar
Terui Toshiyuki (照井利幸) – Bass
Nakamura Tatsuya (中村達也) – Drums

Official Webpages:
http://bjc.wilddisk.com/
http://emimusic.jp/bjc/
http://universal-music.co.jp/blankey/

Romance
BLANKEY JET CITY Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

シェパードを連れたパンク
瞳はトルコ石のブルー
ボロボロのセリカ走らせ
ボブ・ディランを口ずさむ
靴紐がないバスケット
シューズを履いているよ
髪の毛ははげあがってる
口もとに天使のピアス

素敵な恋を探して
白い雲を追いかける
トランクに詰めたドッグフード
首輪に揺れる十字架
マリリン・モンローのライター
太陽に透かして見れば
ロマンスの香りがするぜ
とても口じゃ言えないほど
金網に囲まれた公園には
ボロボロのソファー
バラ色の生地を突き抜け
スプリングとび出している

白い腕をのばして
砂漠の砂をすくえば
かわいく揺れる蜃気楼
妹の顔を思い出す
シェパードを連れたパンク
瞳はトルコ石のブルー
ボロボロのセリカ走らせ
ボブ・ディランを口ずさむ
靴紐がないバスケット
シューズが落ちていたよ
道路の真中あたり
何度も轢かれている
キリストの瞳は何故
悲しみにくれているの

キリストの瞳は何故
悲しみにくれているの

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of BLANKEY JET CITY's song "Romance" paint a vivid picture of a punk with a shepherd, driving a beat-up Celica and humming Bob Dylan tunes. They wear worn-out shoes and a hairline that's receding, with an angel earring adorning their mouth. They are in search of a wonderful love, chasing white clouds and carrying dog food in the trunk. A crucifix sways on the collar, and a Marilyn Monroe lighter is held against the sun, releasing the scent of romance. The park they find themselves in, surrounded by chain-link fences, has a dilapidated sofa that breaks through rose-colored fabric, springing out into the open. They reach out with white arms, scooping up sand from the desert, witnessing a charming mirage that reminds them of their sister's face. They continue their journey, still accompanied by the shepherd and their blue eyes resembling turquoise stones, driving the old Celica and singing Bob Dylan songs. The basket with no shoe laces drops their shoes somewhere in the middle of the road, repeatedly being run over. The song wonders why the eyes of Christ seem consumed by sadness.

Line by Line Meaning

シェパードを連れたパンク
A punk with a shepherd

瞳はトルコ石のブルー
Their eyes are a blue like turquoise

ボロボロのセリカ走らせ
Driving a beat-up Celica

ボブ・ディランを口ずさむ
Humming Bob Dylan

靴紐がないバスケット
A basket without shoelaces

シューズを履いているよ
Wearing shoes

髪の毛ははげあがってる
Their hair is thinning

口もとに天使のピアス
An angel's earring by their mouth

素敵な恋を探して
Searching for a wonderful romance

白い雲を追いかける
Chasing after white clouds

トランクに詰めたドッグフード
Packed dog food in the trunk