Hazimaza (HAZIKETEMAZARE) which in English translates to something like, “Let’s go wild and mix it up!”
Two days, 25 bands, and a collision of Japanese punk, melodic hardcore, ska-punk, and festival-sized rock energy. HEY-SMITH's OSAKA HAZIKETEMAZARE FESTIVAL 2026 brought together established Japanese heavyweights, influential ska-punk veterans from overseas, and a deep roster of homegrown punk and alternative bands. The festival ran on October 24 and 25 at Izumiotsu Phoenix, with HEY-SMITH playing both days.
American Socks was there with our booth and a HAZIMAZA collab sock sold exclusively at the festival. We fought off winds and rain from the strongest typhoon this year. It was a muddy mess but we provided the savior socks.
The heart of the festival
HEY-SMITH: the 2 day headliner heart of the festival.
Tusk, drummer from HEY-SMITH, at our booth
Ska-punk roots
Less Than Jake: international ska-punk pros and one of the biggest influences of HEY-SMITH. They took to the main stage on day 1. Their appearance was especially timely following the announcement of Unity, a split release with HEY-SMITH.
Voodoo Glow Skulls: another influential band for HEY-SMITH. They took the sub-stage to a different level on day 1.
SNAIL RAMP: an incredible comeback appearance. A band with deep roots in Japanese ska-punk. After returning to live activity in 2025 following a ten-year gap, their inclusion gave the lineup an extra dose of scene history, truly deepening the festival’s roots of ska-punk culture.
The heavyweight hitters of the Japanese band scene
- MAXIMUM THE HORMONE · Heavy Alternative Metal
- 10-FEET · Melodic Punk Rock
- MAN WITH A MISSION · Alternative Rock
Absolute legends of the music scene and well known for their work in the Japanese music scene as well as overseas, especially MAN WITH A MISSION and MAXIMUM THE HORMONE.
10-FEET also host their own festival, “Kyoto-Daisakusen”, that will hold its 20th anniversary next year. This band’s importance to the national music scene is not to be forgotten.
Same generation, same impact
Slightly younger generation but roughly the same age as HEY-SMITH with just as much impact. Not to mention they’re all really close friends.
- coldrain · Post-Hardcore
- THE ORAL CIGARETTES · Modern Japanese Rock
- MONGOL800 · Japanese Melodic Punk
The punk and hardcore backbone
ROTTENGRAFFTY, SHANK, dustbox, locofrank, Age Factory, 04 Limited Sazabys, KUJIRA and SKAFULL KING.
Yokoshin, drummer from locofrank
Ogata Ryūta (Ogaryu), guitarist of 04 Limited Sazabys. It was his birthday! 🎂
New to the event but not the scene
An incredible addition to the festival: HUMPBACK, FOMARE, Maki, SHADOWS, RAZORS EDGE and YAMAARASHI.
HUMPBACK: female-fronted Japanese rock with a raw, emotionally direct punk spirit. Plus all of them are mothers! How cool is that?
YAMAARASHI: honestly the MVP of the festival for me personally. Their performance was IN-SANE.
Kai, manipulator from YAMAARASHI
Extras
R Fujimoto: the comedian known for his Vegeta (Dragon Ball) impersonation who MC’d the event.
GOOD SKATES: they brought a skate ramp as well as their youngest skaters, including 15 year old Sorachi Kawasaki, 2026 ASU world champion and gold medalist. She’s been a huge fan of American Socks since she performed at FISE. For the past 2 years she and her parents come to the booth and buy socks. We provided her with some clothing that she wore during her skate sets the 2 days.
Sorachi Kawasaki, 15, World Champion 2026 ASU (gold medalist)
Friends at the booth
Satoji (guitar of Fuck You Heroes and No Guard Okey) and Yuto (drummer of GUMX and No Guard Okey). They performed at the after party.
Manabu (vocalist of HARUKAMIRAI) and Kenya Koie, aka Koi-chan (vocalist of Crossfaith and AFTERVOID).
The crew
Big note: all involved in the festival were friends of HEY-SMITH. The bands, the food stalls, the brands, even the staff. There were hundreds of student volunteers learning how to do stage work to help the next generation of music makers and the people who create the stage magic.
