'Roller Zoku' Captures the Rebellious Spirit of Japanese Rockabillies
Tokyo’s rock and roll subculture through the eyes of Alvin Kean Wong.
They say that rock and roll never dies, and there’s one ducktail-haired group in Tokyo that’s making sure of it. A mash-up of rock and roll and country, rockabilly stands as one of the lesser known fashion tribes of Japan, yet, visually, it’s hard to miss. Characterized by heavy leather, unabashed twisting and slicked back hair, thick with gel, the 1950s subculture, while niche, continues to romance the bygone era.
Photographer Alvin Kean Wong is bringing the rebellious, rockabilly spirit to New York’s Lower East Side for a special weekend-long exhibition. Staged at Café Studio, Roller Zoku: Journey into Tokyo’s Rock and Roll Tribe follows Wong’s intimate immersion into the subculture, offering an up-close account of a community frozen in the fantasies of mid-century Americana.
Born in Singapore, Wong first encountered the scene on a trip during his teenage years, where he witnessed the suave of The Strangers, Yoyogi Park’s iconic rockabilly group, firsthand. Drawn to the performers’ bold defiance of conventional Asian stereotypes, his camera not only served as a documentary lens, but an artistic aperture into narratives of identity, rebellion and community.
In 2019, Wong met ‘Johnny’ Daigo Yamashita – a prominent member of the scene – and has spent the last five years traveling with Johnny’s band, chronicling their mission to revive and pass on rockabilly’s legacy. Animated by their camaraderie, freedom and raw passion, Roller Zoku serves as a tribute to their resilience, offering a hope for a new generation, determined to keep the once-dying subculture alive.
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Roller Zoku: Journey into Tokyo’s Rock and Roll Tribe is now on view in New York through February 22, 2025. Head to the artist’s website for more information on the series and the photo book.
Cafe Studio NYC
#Unit 102W,
195 Chrystie Street,
New York, NY 10002
