Doberman are the big dogs of Japan's ska scene

Doberman began as a bunch of art students coming together at Osaka University in 1998. They quickly found they had a shared love of ska music and embarked upon a career a year later. Now, they are one of the leading members of the local ska scene, purists in a sense as they are a big band with nine members.

The band have done well commercially and artistically and the large crowd at Orange Court is a testament to the band’s drawing power. Each member was dressed in a baby blue tuxedo coat except for the lead vocalist, Takashi Yoshida, who was in black. He deserved to be different as his powerful vocals gave the band depth and strength. Some arrangements are punk in nature, especially the anthem like song which characterized the final quarter of the band’s set. What began with one voice chanting was joined by others before a frantic, chaotic orgy of sound soon followed later.

Doberman are definitely atop the Japanese ska scene, headlining 2-day ska festivals and getting praise from international ska artists. With some luck, they can gain greater exposure abroad where the band will share their infectious energy with the audience.