In the 1980s, the Checkers rocked the country with their mash-up of rock 'n' roll and outlandish New Romantic fashions, anticipating the wild antics of visual kei and modern-day J-pop. On beloved hits like "I Love you, SAYONARA", the group translated new wave and jazzy sophisti-pop in a distinctly original kayokyoku-era voice. Their passion for American culture gleams through "Jim & Jane の伝説" and, of course, "Song for U.S.A." "ギザギザハートの子守唄" bubbles with the energy of post-war Japanese pop.