Since then the duo has released five albums, their latest being "PRMX", a remix album featuring collaborations with Pizzicato Five's Yasuharu Konishi, Andy Sturmer of Jellyfish, Velvet Crush and songs remixed by the Freddy Fresh, Malcolm McLaren and Fantastic Plastic Machine. In addition to their music, PUFFY has been seen on many television commercials. They also host their own TV show titled "Pa Pa Pa PUFFY" and are the inspiration behind lines of PUFFY dolls, footwear, fashions, posters and toys that are in demand all across Asia. The popularity of the duo is not only felt in Japan, but throughout the world. In 1998, a Hong Kong version of "Kore ga watashi no ikiru michi" was created due to their growing popularity in Asia and fans could be heard singing their songs at karaoke centers all around the world. Now, fans have the opportunity to watch the artists perform live in Texas. "I think it's really cool that such a well-known Japanese group is coming to Texas. I've seen reports before of Japanese groups going to places like New York and California, but never around here. It's going to be quite an experience seeing them live. Something
I thought I'd never be able to do in the US. I'm really excited about it," Mike Duncan said. Many fans are hoping that PUFFY's performance will be the catalyst in bringing more popular Japanese music artists to the United States. "I'm very excited because this is my first concert ever, much less one by Japanese artists. I hope this concert is successful enough that Sony will bring over more artists next year," Michelle Mutuc said.
The people involved in bringing the duo and the other Japanese artists to Texas are amazed about the positive response worldwide. "Not only is PUFFY being recognized but a number of talented Japanese artists are getting recognized worldwide. Being involved firsthand in expanding their
fan base, I'm really feeling this tremendous wave of acceptance," Sony Japan's Kurt Annen said. "It's on a grassroots level right now, but perhaps this new generation of Japanese artists will have a more profound international impact than anyone could ever have imagined." page 1 page 3 |