The '70s were a time of economic and social upheaval in Japan, and punk rock, with its elemental sound and anti-establishment stance, struck a deep chord with the nation's youth. By decade's end, pioneering bands like THE STAR CLUB had created a homegrown version of the British punk sound, mixing mosh-tempo tunes with powerful melodies. Torch-bearers like Guitar Wolf kept the style alive in Japan through the '90s, and though 21st-century bands may add more noise (Afrirampo's "DoDoDoDo") or more ska (Kemuri's "P.M.A. [Positive Mental Attitude]"), the fundamentals remain the same: indelible songs played fast—and with plenty of attitude.