There were Mods, rockabillies, psychobillies, surf punks, indie rockers, metalheadz and Uniqlo/Gap kids. There were 12-year-old girls, 40-year-old salarymen, 18-year-old boys, young couples with toddlers and at least one very pregnant woman.
Such is the draw of Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, who were kicking off the first show of their "Rodeo Tandem Beat Specter" tour Saturday at Tokyo's Akasaka Blitz.
For the past 10 years, this mongrel of a band has stood at the junction of all things "rock" -- a very busy crossroads, with a direct connection to the mainstream -- and there they have posted signs: "Route Sham 69/This Exit," "5 km to MC5."