THE KOXX

Korean Koxx Roxx Soxx

Hot on the heels of The Koxx’s new release “For Your Bon Voyage” comes their first ever Fuji Rock Festival performance at the Red Marquee. No strangers to Japan—and why would they be, it’s close to their home country, Korea—they played Summer Sonic three years ago, and did a Japan tour before that. Since then the band has been on hiatus, as many of the members were doing their obligatory military service. Three years has given them a lot to think about, and it shows. The songs from their new EP are punchier, rockier and dare I say it? A bit more mature. In particular, their new single “Trojan Horse” sounds more put together and smoothーit has inklings of Muse about it.

They were due on stage at noon on Sunday—an unfortunate time slot considering many punters are dealing with their third consecutive day of hangovers. A half-empty Red Marquee didn’t stop them though, and they both literally and figuratively swaggered into their first song, “XXOK”. Then, in a pleasantly ironic twist, the second song of their set “Over and Over”, had vocalist Hyunsong singing “This place is crowded with people”. Thanks to the band’s upbeat almost 90s vibes though, the initially thin crowd began buffering up. One guy opened up a one-man mosh pit to one side and was flailing wildly, causing those around him to give him a wide berth.

Back on the 90s vibes though, as The Koxx were rocking out, and their diehard fans with them, I began to mull over the whole “things used to be better before” tripe that people often say as they get older. The Koxx has made me realize that this has some truth to it—things from days on yore were better in some ways, and utter shit in others. These Korean music mavericks have managed to take the best of what was before, and bring it into the future: yes, there’s a touch of 90s there, but it doesn’t feel dated. It just feels good.

At about this point, the band paused for an announcement to be made. In the stereotypical Japanese robotic announcer voice, a woman began explaining something. Being used to this kind of thing I assumed the show was being interrupted for a serious news report (earthquake or tsunami or something), or that there had been some sound mess up. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The voice announced, “…We especially like cute girls,” on repeat several times before asking everyone to have fun, and please applause. It was a nice touch.

The Koxx continued full throttle and exuded such wonderful energy as they grooved along to their rock’n’roll rhythmic synth-tastic wonder music. Hyunsong put on a sexy gymnastic show as he swayed and writhed on the platform in front of the stage—all while filming the crowd!

The band gave it all they got until the very end, and as they left, said “I hope we’ll see you soon.”
So do we, guys, so do we.

Addenum: For those of you thinking their name is lewd, get your heads out of the gutter! Their emblem is a cockerel on a shield, framed by two laurel leaves. There’s your answer, you dirty dogs.

Setlist: Coming Soon