Tokyo's Ticket to Ride

The best of Tokyo's young performers join forces to reign supreme over the city's tribute band scene.

Text/Photos by Jason Whiton

Tokyo hosts a thriving music scene ranging from bluegrass to noise to�The Beatles? Tucked behind the trendy Roppongi strip stands the city's own Cavern Club. Like Abbey Road down the street, The Cavern Club hosts a large stable of Beatles tribute bands. Some offer up entertainment that's pure camp. But a number of these lads deliver shows that smoke with historical sizzle.

You remember Robbie Robertson's story about how they stole the best players from various groups to form The Band? Tokyo musician Ricky Hirota had the same idea and in March 2002, he picked four talented performers to form The Silver Beat. Within months, they became the club's premiere attraction. Specializing in The Beatles' early years, The Silver Beats burst with energy on stage and illustrate why the original Fab Four became kings of the Liverpool bar bands.

The club is dedicated entirely to The Beatles, and the intimate space is decorated with framed photographs and posters. Any cynical expectations of "She Roves You" faded on my first visit when Mr. Tanahashi, a club manager, welcomed me at the door. Like the Cavern itself, he beamed with sincerity and love for the music. I found a request card on my table listing every Beatles song by album. And my drink coaster read, "Our wish is�giving you sweet memories and dreams by live performance! Our band plays good Beatles songs. Why don't you come and join us!"

The star of The Silver Beat is twenty-three year old Eric Mabuchi, the group's John Lennon. Eric bears a striking resemblance to Lennon when he's on stage, and his performance is charged with passion. Eric was inspired to pick up the guitar after seeing a TV show about a disabled man who was learning how to play. He was so moved that he bought a cheap Spanish guitar. The first song he learned? "She Loves You." Nine years later, Eric sits at the bar during a break between sets, sipping a ginger ale and studying an English/Japanese guide to Beatles lyrics.

Eric's scholarly approach makes me wonder about the whole tribute phenomenon. The American version of tribute revolves around Elvis. Relying heavily on the jumpsuits and karate moves, these performances seem to be more about Elvis the icon than about his music. To our eyes, it's a close cousin to drag reviews, and exists in that wonderful world of kitsch.

Tribute in Japan, however, is an integral part of artistic tradition. The student strives to follow in the style of his master. There isn't the same emphasis on individuality typical in the west. Eric finds self-expression through performance by trying to empathize with Lennon's own experiences. To use that classic Zen lesson, he draws bamboo until he becomes bamboo.

The Cavern Club is devoted to creating community through the music itself. The message of the songs draws crowds every night, where they participate in a modern mythology. Despite the fact the most of the participants can't speak English, I see most of them sing joyfully along with the band in perfect English. "Sometimes the audience sings so loudly we can't hear ourselves on stage," says Eric. It's a heart-felt celebration that transcends camp.

Eric is committed to leading the group to become the top Beatles Tribute band in Japan. In addition to rocking The Cavern Club as its house band, he hopes to see the group invited to join the roster of Liverpool's annual Beatles Week, an August celebration that hosts the best tribute bands from around the world, headline artists, and special guests. Wherever you can find them, however, The Silver Beats are worth the ticket to ride.

*11/07 update: The Silver Beats did get to play in Liverpool! And they toured the US in the Fall of 2007 as the opening act for The Killers!