Today Captured Tracks announces a comprehensive catalog reissue of Japan’s OXZ, a band at the forefront of the country’s female punk music in the 1980s. Along Ago: 1981-1989 collects the band’s entire catalog – three EPs and a single – alongside unearthed, unreleased demos (out March 13, 2020). Along with the reissue announcement, watch a lyric video for single “Boy Boy” packed full of live concert footage, gig posters and rare film photos of the band.

Formed in 1982, OXZ (pronounced ox-zed) were an all-female Japanese trio from the Kansai region who made moody dark post-punk ahead of their time. While the 80s were an exciting time for music in Japan, it was also a time when women’s rights, though a topic of conversation, were not widely visible in the real world and there were very few women in the underground music scene. Cue Hikko, Mika, and Emiko, aka OXZ, dressed like punks, dyed hair and all, outwardly declaring independence from the usual rules. Needless to say, they were intentionally shocking.

The reissue LP is pressed on lavender vinyl in an edition of 1500 copies and includes a full color 12-page booklet. Order here: http://oxz.ffm.to/alongago