The Cherry Coke$ made their Fuji Rock debut on the Rookie A Go-Go stage back in 2005.  It took them eight years to get back here, but the septet made up for lost time by powering through an excellent set of fast and loud Celtic-inspired punk.

Dressed like a sea caption, vocalist Katsuo worked hard to rile up the early risers who made it to White Stage for the band’s Saturday morning performance.  To his credit, the area around the front of the stage was filled with fest-goers kicking up their feet and pumping their fists.  One excited Japanese fan was even running around with an Irish flag.  Another man waved a Flogging Molly flag.  Admittedly, that one seemed kind of out of place.  Sure Flogging Molly have influenced Cherry Coke$, but they aren’t playing at the fest this year so it seems a bit strange to go to all the trouble of bringing their flag to the fest with you.  But he looked like he was having a blast bouncing around with his flag, so who are we to judge.

Looking a bit like Robert Smith with turquoise hair, guitarist Masaya seemed to be wearing a cast on his hand.  But it didn’t slow him down one bit as he and bassist Hiromitsu criss-crossed the stage while banging out a steady stream on anthemic punk.  The two took the band into almost hardcore territory at times, but the more traditional instrumentation provided by accordionist Tomo, saxophonist Suzuyo, and tin whistle player Koya Ogata yet their sound rooted in Celtic-inspired party music.

Currently on tour in support of their newly issued Colours album, Cherry Coke$’ highly entertaining set was a really fun way to start off Fuji Rock’s second day.  Hopefully we won’t have to wait another eight years for them to return to Naeba.