The Misfts’ John Cafiero and Jerry Only, the Ramones’ Marky Ramone, Black Flag’s Dez Cadena and Richard Hell and the Voidoids’ Ivan Julian have completed their long-in-the-works debut as Osaka Popstar. The self-titled CD/DVD will be released May 23 via Misfits Records/Rykodisc.
First single “Wicked World” was penned by underground rock legend Daniel Johnston. The artist also sings on a cover of the traditional bluegrass tune “Man of Constant Sorrow.”
“Marky’s really in top form,” Cafiero told Billboard.com in August 2004. “He’s always been a phenomenal drummer, but I’ve got to say that he only continues to get better. Now, 20-25 years later, he’s really at the top of his game.”
The accompanying DVD will feature videos for “Wicked World” and “Insects,” the latter directed by Joel Veitch. Among the artists who have contributed to the album’s design are “Garbage Pail Kids” creator John Pound, Dalek and Butch Lukic.
In addition, artist Nick Reid Tragnark is working with Cafiero to develop an animated series based on the Osaka Popstar song “Shaolin Monkeys.”
