Half Japanese - The Band That Would Be King

Starring:Maureen Tucker, Jad Fair, Penn Jillette, David Fair
Director: Jeff Feuerzeig
Studio: Vanguard Cinema
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
There's a moment in Jeff Feuerzeig's rockumentary Half Japanese: The Band That Would Be King in which Jad Fair--one half of the brother team that made up the avant-garde indie rock band Half Japanese--casually states that his only goal as a musician is to write the most popular song in the world. The statement gushes forth without irony or pretension, only admirable confidence and naiveté. Most of mainstream America probably hasn't a clue who Half Japanese is, and Feuerzeig's main agenda here is to enlighten all of us who let the band slip through the cracks of rock history. He does a pretty fine job. Along with performances by the band (whose lo-fi sound champions the Velvet Underground and whose goofy approach recalls the earnestly infantile Jonathan Richman), the film features interviews with the numerous lineups that have played with the Fair brothers, as well as gushing critics who seem like they've waited a lifetime to preach about Half Japanese ("Given the choice between Sgt. Pepper and Charmed Life [considered Half Japanese's masterpiece], it's a no-brainer: I'd take Charmed Life," blurts out one critic). Perhaps the finest hour belongs to Penn Jillette (one half of the comedy troupe Penn and Teller), who tells long, hilarious stories about taking all of the money he made on Miami Vice and starting a record label (50 Skidillion Watts Records) just to release out-of-print Half Japanese albums. Obviously Half Japanese: The Band That Would Be King shouldn't be missed by any of the band's hard-core fans, but it's also the kind of rare, in-depth rockumentary that captures the essence of rock & roll and is a must-see for anyone interested in the medium. --Dave McCoy

Half Japanese - The Band That Would Be King
Average customer rating:

Dissapointing

Very Entertaining

fairly interesting documentary about ADHD

An okay documentary of a band that deserves so much more

For Indie Rock fans

Half Japanese - The Band That Would Be King
Starring: Maureen Tucker , Jad Fair , Penn Jillette , and David Fair
Director: Jeff Feuerzeig
Manufacturer: Vanguard Cinema
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00003IPFA
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Amazon.com

There's a moment in Jeff Feuerzeig's rockumentary Half Japanese: The Band That Would Be King in which Jad Fair--one half of the brother team that made up the avant-garde indie rock band Half Japanese--casually states that his only goal as a musician is to write the most popular song in the world. The statement gushes forth without irony or pretension, only admirable confidence and naiveté. Most of mainstream America probably hasn't a clue who Half Japanese is, and Feuerzeig's main agenda here is to enlighten all of us who let the band slip through the cracks of rock history. He does a pretty fine job. Along with performances by the band (whose lo-fi sound champions the Velvet Underground and whose goofy approach recalls the earnestly infantile Jonathan Richman), the film features interviews with the numerous lineups that have played with the Fair brothers, as well as gushing critics who seem like they've waited a lifetime to preach about Half Japanese ("Given the choice between Sgt. Pepper and Charmed Life [considered Half Japanese's masterpiece], it's a no-brainer: I'd take Charmed Life," blurts out one critic). Perhaps the finest hour belongs to Penn Jillette (one half of the comedy troupe Penn and Teller), who tells long, hilarious stories about taking all of the money he made on Miami Vice and starting a record label (50 Skidillion Watts Records) just to release out-of-print Half Japanese albums. Obviously Half Japanese: The Band That Would Be King shouldn't be missed by any of the band's hard-core fans, but it's also the kind of rare, in-depth rockumentary that captures the essence of rock & roll and is a must-see for anyone interested in the medium. --Dave McCoy

Customer Reviews:

Dissapointing.......2007-06-07

I started watching this DVD with wide eyed anticipation and an open mind.
And then I watched it..
This documentary just seems to drag on slowly, like trying to run over a five lane railroad track with chains and weights around your body; three trains barreling toward you in both directions. Not to mention a rabid rhino in there just to confuse you.
Save your money and buy something else.

Very Entertaining.......2007-03-21

I was totally enthralled by this DVD because I had never heard of this band and the whole time I was watching it I was thinking to myself that this is a mock-documentary and a genius one at that. Then it dawned on me that no one could have made this up even though the lead singer, I think his name was Rad, seemed to be sent from central casting to play the part of a sort of idiot savant, misunderstood genius, anti-hero, Peter Pan pop singer.
What I liked about this documentary is that they kept going back to the band performing songs. Which are hard to tell whether they are joke or genius.
We are still trying to figure out if "Half Japonese" is an urban myth.

The talking heads in this movie, expressing their bitterness over the fact that this band never made it big are also from central casting and really add the spice to this film.

fairly interesting documentary about ADHD.......2005-08-21

This is a documentary about ADHD-not Half Japanese. Most of the so-called critics can't remember a dambed thing except for how great they are for recognizing the greatness of Jad while continuously ranting about their major-label conspiracy theories. Penn Jillette even goes so far as to brag about how he conned a homeless person out of Jad's material and then threatened Jad with physical violence if he ever talked to the guy. If you're interested in mental illness and sleazy people like Penn Jillette stroking themselves then by all means watch this. If you're interested in a great American rock band then just buy the albums and listen.

An okay documentary of a band that deserves so much more.......2001-09-20

Please, before the rotten vegetables start flying, I'm in no way disparaging the brilliance of Half Japanese by low-balling this documentary. I just think there are glaring flaws abounding here. To start with, the film almost completely whitewashes over the music and era that really made the band unique. They talk at length about 1/2 Gentlemen/Not Beasts, but we hear none (or next to none) of the music!! We get a few seconds of "Calling All Girls" and some live versions of "Firecracker Firecracker," and then suddenly we're in Jad's indie-rock later period. All of Jad's "Zany" later songs about Walt Disney and his wholesome songs about dating Juanita and her red dress are emphasized, while his completely seminal work, which revealed a much greater fear of being hurt by women, is ignored. You're going to play "This Could Be The Night" but totally avoid "Nicole Told Me" or "I Know How It Feels...bad"??!?! It's this love/terror mix that makes Jad such a complex artistic figure. Nearly all the music covered is from the Charmed Life/Band That Would Be King era, which is apparently all the thing for certain 1/2 Jap fans, but c'mon, we don't ever hear word (or sound) one about the "Loud" album!

Finally, with the exception of Penn Jilliette, who's at his best here, the lesson we seem to learn from this film is that Half Japanese fans are professional feebs. I can't think of a worse triumvirate to shower praises on this great band than pucker-holes like Byron Coley, Phil Milstein, and the king of all that is wrong with independent music, Gerard Cosloy (No great music has been released on a major label? Warner Brothers put out the Gang of Four's "Entertainment!" Tell me, how's that new Matmos album coming, foolio?). Are there no decent people who like 1/2 Japanese? I mean apart from Penn and David Greenberger?

This is a must-see documentary in that 1/2 Japanese are a must-hear band, and Jad and David really are the best people to tell their own stories. And what great stories they are! Proceed with all due caution, but enjoy the beams of pure unrefracted kindness and sweetness that crack through the cynical hipster overcoat that's haphazardly thrown over the subject matter.

For Indie Rock fans.......2001-02-10

This is a very cute and amusing documentary on "Half Japanese". It seems really relavent to the rock music scene here in the U.S. in which " ... rock" groups like Korn and Limp Bizkit are the big sellers. If you're a big indie rock fan (like me) then this will definately tickle your fancy and give you hope that someone out there is in their garage making another breakthrough album.

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