Looking to beef up your J-rock Collection with some BRAND NEW releases??? Well J-rock is more popular than ever now here in the US... & to prove it, there is a bunch of exceptionally priced brand new J-rock US Print cd's sure to shine in your collections!! These are just like the Japanese releases with identical booklets art & more!!
Fan-favorites & awesome new bands, sure to become favorites, have all become reasonably priced to own!!
No more import prices on some of your favorite J-rock, you can now fill gaps in your collection with ease!!
I have links, samples & more...
-Chris
Check it out!!...
***JUST RELEASED***
-Visual Rock-
VERSAILLES : Noble CD + DVD (Hot Topic exclusive) $11.99
...if you like speedy symphonic rock like X Japan or Moi Dix Mois you'll want this cd!! Chris & Brian rave about them!! (features Kamijo (ex-Lareine) on vocals, & Hizaki (Hizaki Grace Project)on guitar!!
-J-Rock- JAM PROJECT: World Flight 2008 Best SelectionCD (cd was available on their world tour, & in the USA @ Otakon as an exclusive, now available for a limited time online domestically!!) Available @ Image Anime online for $15 http://www.imageanime.com/jamprwofl20b.html PISTOL VALVE: Tsunamic Girls From Tokyo (US only CD)
DIR EN GREY: Uroboros (2008 album) Limited Edition w/ Live EP + Regular release (CD only) + LP (record version) USrelease 11.11.08 (Newbury Comics, Hot Topic, Bestbuy, FYE, etc.)
MUCC: Shion (2008 album) US release11.18.08 (Newbury Comics, + online @ Amazon, Circuit City, Bestbuy)
GIRUGAMESH:Music (2008 album) US release11.25.08 (Hot Topic exclusive)
PS: Do not go to the Auburn Mall Hot Topic for any of the Hot Topic exclusives, they are to small a store to carry them. The Natick & Emerald Square Hot Topic are guaranteed!!
Otakon announced the 3 following Visual Rock acts will be playing Sunday Aug 10th!! THE UNDERNEATH (headliner):
MARBELL (opener 2):
DAIZYSTRIPPER (opener 1):
This is an incredable line-up of new bands on the visual rock scene & sure to be an event you won't want to miss!! For the record. Otakon has more performing musical guests this year for their 15th Anniversary than any other year!! It's almost like a mini-hide summit right here on the east coast!! I can't wait to see what these new bands have to offer live as their debut musical releases have been incredable!!
My friends & I are BIG Rentrer En Soi fans, as I introduced them to the band last year shortly before their epic album "The Bottom Of Chaos" dropped & we haven't looked back since... we were all looking forward to seeing the band as part of the "Clash Against Commercialism" show that was unfortuantely cancelled earlier this year, & were disappointed that we may have lost our one chance to see them as they were the #1 band for us at that show... Luckily AnimeNEXT came to our rescue & worked with he band's management comapny "Free-Will" to have them as their musical act for the June 20th convention. We were stoked, & when learning of the special VIP passes offered, I bought one for my brother Brain (+membership) for a belated b-day present, & invited my pal Mike to join me... It was a few months wait but June finally arrived & we embarked on a trip to New Haven CT at 4am to beat the rush & get to the Con early for registration... It took a litte learning on our parts to manage the subway & Port Authority bus trip, but AnimeNext welcomed CT residents & did a pretty good job in getting us there. The location is nice in New Jeresey with a small convention center (Meadowlands) & plenty of shops/resteraunts & hotels right on site... It's a quiet place & nothing like the mass hysteria we are used to with the 20,000+ people at Otakon... This con had less than a 3rd of that. The con itself is unimpressive by Otakon standards of excellence that we are used to, but it had a quiet charm... & the weather was PERFECT... with solem streets & a pleasant outdoor atmosphere... Cosplay was in heavy numbers, & the Staff seemed fairly knowledgable... complaints were far & few between, but I don't know how people would spend 3 days there other than really hanging out with there friends, BUT short lines, & timely delivery has it's pluses too... ^_- We spent most of Friday just waffleing about waiting for the show.... we got our VIP passes from the Dealers Room when in openned from Free Will's table & scored as much Rentrer loot as we could which included CD's & a T-Shirt that would entitle you to an autograph &/or photo opportunity if you bought both!! We are suckers for such things & love to tell the war stories of our cherished jrock star autographs & photos, but being such a big fan of the band, it really was a no brainer... RES is easily one of the best jrock bands on the scene today, with a unique progression to their sound, & a theatrical despair to their vocals, they really have a unique voice in the visual market... After eating & more wasting time we gathered to the half of the arena that what was reserved for the concert... VIP members were told to wait in a group (about 100+ of us) on the arena bleachers untill they were ready to organize us an half hour-ish ahead (the VIP's were 98% girls btw & some interesting flavors at that)... we even signed a form to get Girugamesh to play there next year... The organization was based heavily on the attendees own honesty & luckily they were as the staff checked us after words, I was positioned as #80 (Brian #81, & MK #82) & squeezed between some nice looking girls & we were ready for action, much to our surprise, they let us in & we found set up in front was a PIT just for the VIP's to rock out in... @_@ the stage was just a few feet away & beefy staff was placed in front ready to calm the crowd... the rest of the room filled in & Rentrer PV's played in the meantime while sound & lights were finalized, the show started in epic porportions as "En Soi" was played as in the S.E. intro & the band errupted into one of my favorite RES songs "Just Mad Pain". This was followed by "Amongst Follish Enemies", the fan favorite new single "Stigmata" & a destructive force of "Bottom Of Choas" tracks that hit the crowd HARD. They played a unreleased new song called "Unending Sanctuary" & my all time classic favorite "Taiyou no Todokanai Basho"!! I couldn't have picked a better setlist myself... @_@ The band 's technique was flawless, & Satsuki's vocals soared, particularly on ballads like "Shinwa"... the epic set ended off with another personal fave "I Hate Myself & Want To Die..." After a short break the band came back for their 1st encore... And blew away audiences with some classic numbers like "Protoplasm".... did a few more heavy hitters, & returned for a SECOND encore with more classics like "Re-Birth" & "Fuuya Tsuiso"... the crowd LOVED IT... The band ebnded off with throwing drumsticks, picks, & water at the audience & my brother Brian was LUCKY enough to score a drumstick (1 of 2) for himself after some struggle & get that badboy autographed by RES' drummer later. ^_- HAWT!!
RENTRER EN SOI "JUST MAD PAIN" AnimeNEXT 2008 Live Bootleg
RENTRER EN SOI "STIGMATA" AnimeNEXT 2008 Live Bootleg
After the show we headed back to CT to stay at our pals Jeff & Erik's for the night... woke up the next morning after a litttle sleep & added company to make a mad dash BACK to the con, (I don't think we ever moved do fast...weaving thru Subway & Bus passages like trained professionals) & made it to AnimeNEXT about 15 minutes before the scheduled PhotoShoot with the band @ 3pm... the area was moved to line up downstairs were we has about 70 people ahead of us in the Con Gallows... our worries were over for being to late as the line got sprung upstairs from the dungeon & moved very quickly to a what was seen in glimpses by the fans before us as a very unique & personal photo op where you were the star placed with band in almost a "family-style" photo session... taken with your own camera by what seemed to be a professional photog, my pals & I couldn't have been happier with the results as this was a very nice close session that was a true credit to the band & their fandom as I would never think Japanese fans would have such an opportunity... "Hey Guys..."
Rentrer en Soi & Chris 6.21.08
In order to get an autograph, you had to rejoin the photo line (if you had both, or wait for all the photos to end if you were only there for the autograph) ...& again the line moved VERY quickly & this time we had a chance to say a few words, get the autograph & shake hands with each of the members, it is truly a rare experience to get both opportunities at a Con, as usually there are too many attendees to have a chance of a photo, never mind a candid one, usually concert tours are the only place for such unique moments for us... I made sure to compliment each member & thank them for the autograph... it was truly a unique & friendly expereience, one I would GLADLY do again if AnimeNEXT gives me a shot. Rentrer is one of my favorite current bands & this was something I will never forget, so I can' thank them, Free Will & Anime NEXT enough for giving us what they did... it was fantastic!!... ^_-
Rentre En Soi "The Bottom Of Chaos" CD band autograph 6.21.08
Thank you always for your continued support for X JAPAN.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have decided to postpone the X JAPAN concerts previously announced to take place on July 5th at NORD VILLEPINTE EXHIBITION CENTRE, Paris, France, August 2nd at World Trace Center, Taipei, Taiwan, and September 13th at Madison Square Garden, New York, USA.
We are terribly sorry about this disappointing news for all the X JAPAN fans who have been looking forward to the concerts, but we hope to be able to announce a new plan and detailed schedule in the near future. Your patience will be much appreciated.
From Jrock Revolution: Unprecedented first X JAPAN press conference without YOSHIKI: In a brief ten minute press conference today, the first from X JAPAN without YOSHIKI present, TOSHI, flanked by PATA and HEATH, officially announced the postponement of X JAPAN's planned three lives in Paris, Taipei and New York. However, all members in their individual greetings put great emphasis on "postponed, not canceled" and their intention to perform in those and possibly more locations at a later time. Regarding YOSHIKI's health, TOSHI explained that YOSHIKI currently is undergoing treatment in his home in Los Angeles and that he himself as well as the other members look forward to YOSHIKI's recovery and their renewed activities. He added that fortunately YOSHIKI'S condition will not affect his everyday life, but that he will have to be careful not to put too much stress on his neck. X JAPAN also issued official apologies to their fans in Japanese, English, French, Korean and Chinese.
In a point of positive news, TOSHI, during the X JAPAN members' final greeting after the photo session at the end of the interview, mentioned the possibility that, pending the approval of YOSHIKI's doctors, YOSHIKI might make an appearance at the JAPAN EXPO in Paris, July 3rd to 6th, and possibly with all of X JAPAN's members.
After being blown away in 2007 by Japan Nite, my friends & I were hoping to have a similar experience in 2008. So Mike, Brian, Jeff, Jamie, David & I made the trek on a very cold March 16th to the "Knitting Factory" & were actually surprisingly the 1st to arrive. @_@ We knew the lineup was not as mass appealing as '07's, but we were there mostly to see Ketchup Mania, & maybe make some new favorites. After seeing there was no line at the Knit, we decided to hit the local McDonalds for some cheap food & hang out where there was heat. I can admit that this is the 1st time that my brother & I have ever had to RUN from a exploding TOILET... it was like a horror movie with the dank lighting & questionable cleanliness. lol We ventured back to the Knitting factory & saw that a line had just started about an hour before the show. After a short while, the kind staff were convinced to let us in because of the cold. Some of the merch table was setup already & I picked up myself a Japan Nite '08 shirt, & was convinced to buy the Scandal pack ("Space Ranger" single/Scandal anime 4 shirt/& Scandal anime 4 x 3 pins) for a low low price by the dealer & was glad I did. ^_- Although the crowd was meager by comparison than '07, & not as Japanese as the previous years, we were hopeful to hear some great music & made our way right to the front... and by the end of it... literally, this was about the best $12 I ever spent. ^_^
SCANDAL: The show kicked off on the right foot with the indie all-girl quartet "Scandal." Having their Japanese girlschool uniforms, adorable faces & chubby legs, they were an instant hit, & we were so close to them that I took some amazing photos of this rocking 4-pack. This was the 1st time we had seen what this band actually looked like as they hid behind their anime alter-ego's online in promos, & the band was beyond cute with their catchy hooks, endless enthusiasm, & good looks, everyone warmed up to them immediately as the stomped through their songs with a ferocity more seasoned musicians sometimes lack. They got down, & had the crowd captivatedthru their whole set, & were so infectious, you couldn't help but love them... At the end of the show lead guitarist Mami HANDED me her guitar pick for all the pics I took of them & for being a good fan, (she did not through it out & I just happened to catch it), she actually HANDED it to me, & it will remain one of my many jrock treasures & a favorite memory of mine from this show. I clicked about half of my Japan Nite '08 pictures just of them!!
^I got Mami's guitar pick!! ^_^
THE EMERALDS: Long time Japan Nite heroes "The Emeralds" where up next. They started off with a thud as their signature song "Juliet" was plagued with sound issues, so bad in fact that they stopped the show. Left the stage, had the sound corrected, & reappeared triumphantly in sunglasses & coats, covering their previously seen trademark apparel, & brought the crowd back to a high point with style & laughs. They did not re-perform "Juliet" as to not cut into the other following band's stage time, & performed some new material with their trademark speedy vocals & some of their other catchy numbers. They had 1 crowd participation song that was really sweet, & the drummer did a lot more MC this round as compared to the previous year's. The sweat was flying off the lead singer under those hot lights, some may have landed on Brian...lol. They were actually much better & more commercial than when I saw them in 2007...
PETTY BOOKA: There is always a band that people don't quite get in the Japan Nite lineup's that I've seen & it seems it is usually the one that is the most distant from the alternative rock bands usually presented on this tour. In '07 it was Pistol Valve that suffered the most from this to a lesser degree, & this year it was much more evident by Petty Booka. The Japanese cover novelty act where so cute you could pinch them as they went through their traditionally flavored US cover songs. Their Japanese mandolin player was exceptional, best I have ever seen, & they also had another US guitarist playing acoustic as they strummed their ukulele'sthru a passive set. This was the 2 new female members 1st time out, & they received heavy promotion through their record label that sponsored the night, through flyers, CD's & adverts. This band almost seemed like an intermission, & brought the crowd to a calm, though they seemed somewhat un-entertained at times, most stayed respectful. Definitely a unique band that I could see appealing to the older crowd in Japan.
"In The Summer Time"
KETCHUP MANIA: The band we had been waiting for, Ketchup Mania came out next, & the relaxed crowd got tight again as their adrenaline returned... this band was the best known by the concert house fandom & it showed. The 3 musicians set up & started right in with an unlikely set from their blistering US fan-fave CD release"Greetings From Tokyo" with the song "Girl's Mind" as singer Hiro bursted on stage. The band ripped through a speedy barrage of their punk anthems as the crowd just bounces around & eats it up!! They performed my all time Ketchup fave "Namida Vacuum Sound" right in the GFT order & I couldn't have been happier. Wani is one of my all time fave drummers, & he slammed through those songs with such an intense speed as Dai shredded on his guitar. They were AWESOME!! Worth every memorable second. They also performed their newest single at the time "Bad Bad Bad" which rang well with the audience. As I was clicking pics singer Hiro actually grabbed my camera & shook it in a playful way, that super awesome!! They changed some unfamiliar people mind's that day about being a powerful musical force inspired by the likes of J-alternative greats like Judy & Mary, for such an amazingly young band, they show tons of promise. This band & Scandal were my top 2 for the night. And to think I was interested in them about only a year previous because I liked their fun name, & here I am a year later seeing them live 2 feet in front of me... How cool is that?? DETROIT7: After Ketchup left the stage, alot of the audience cleared out... & Detroit7, being one of the better known bands in the lineup, reved up & pulled the crowd right back in. South paw female singer Tomomi's gruff voice is surely unique. She played like she was possessed, & looked like she came from "The Grudge" film while performing with her eyes rolled back & devil horns. She was awesome, & would get right in the crowds faces. Bassist Nobuaki was not afraid to attack the crowd either as he thumped thru the 60-70's flavored j-rock. But perhaps the most impressive was drummer Myoko, which was literally the best female drummer I have ever seen, she was INSANE beating the living daylights out of those drums. With fan favorites like a "Beautiful Song", & playing the crowd with the anime cover of "Mahoutsukai Sally" & another handful of loud & monstrous songs, D7 proved to be one of the BEST of the night. setlist: 1. Love & Confused 2. This Love Sucks 3. Mahoutsukai Sally 4. Beautiful Song 5. Kiss The moon 6. Buzz Off 7. In The Sunshine 8. OwariWaHajimari
possessed!!
"Beautiful Song"
THE BEACHES: The final act "The Beaches" looked to have the oldest members this evening but had a fun factor that seemed similar to their namesake. With a trance like beach anthems the band rocked the remainder of the crowd (that had not cleared out for good after D7) with a set of psychedelic songs that had the j-rockers dancing, a couple of us retired to the balcony after being slaughtered by D7, to enjoy the band from above & away from the crowd as they definitelyhad a unique, noisy, experimental, & fun appeal. This is the only band I have not seen any music available online & would be interested to hear how their excitable live sound translates in the studio... They closed the night well after a very solid lineup of very different bands.... The show ended very timely & earlier than the previous year so there was enough time to snag more merch now that it had all been set up & get autographs. Scandal did their autographs at the end of their set, as I guess their management would not let them hangout after the show like most of the other bands, & I guess this reoccurred at every Japan Nite '08 show, I was hoping to score a Scandal autograph, but maybe some other time. I think the "pick giving experience" more than qualifies as my personal prize of that band. ^_- Petty Booka was also not there, but had lots of merch for sale, more than any other band. And The Emeralds were right in the thick of it with the crowd, posing for photos, selling their new CD & were overally available to everyone, as well as all the members of Ketchup Mania, who if you tracked them down could get an autograph on their US CD release "Greetings from Tokyo" now being sold at the 2nd merch table & photo op if asked. Hiro was behind the merch desk, & Bri, MK, & I scored a KETCHUP AUTOGRAPH from all the members & photo with guitarist Die. I told Wani he was one of my favorite drummers of all-time, which seemed to make his day. Bassist Yousei showed up last & introduced himself when signing. It was all very sweet. The Beaches hung out by the bar, & D7 was by the exit. It was one of the most amazing shows as well as one of the most rewarding J-rock experiences I have ever had. It was a great time for me & my friends, both seasoned vets, & the newcomers alike...A stellar lineup made me a fan of all of them, & now I can't wait untill 2009!!
After the unfortunate cancelation of C.A.C earlier this year... RENTRER EN SOI strike back with a vengence & give the Eastcoast what they want... A CONCERT!! ^_^ Jhouse-Rock ENT and AnimeNEXT are pleased to announce RENTRER EN SOI live in concert at the 2008 AnimeNEXT convention! This powerhouse of Japanese rock has been busy touring to sold out audiences throughout Japan. However, Japan is no longer enough. They wish to come back to the US for their first ever east coast concert at AnimeNEXT. So come watch RENTRER EN SOI in an unforgettable Friday night concert and experience the raw joy and despair that has made RENTRER EN SOI so popular. Then on Saturday you will be able to catch the band members at various convention events through the day including signing and photo opportunities. -------------------------- CONCERT: Take part in RENTRER EN SOI's first ever East coast concert. Jhouse-Rock is offering special premium VIP concert tickets which will allow the holder access to a special seating section right in front of the stage. VIP tickets are very limited and will be sold on a first come first served basis.
All VIP ticket holders also get a limited edition memorabilia gift item with each ticket. (while supplies last)
This is an AnimeNEXT event so entry is free with your convention pass. General admission will be seated behind the VIP ticket holders.
VIP Tickets (on-sale 5/1) BACKSTAGE Passes: Enter for your chance to go backstage and visit with the band before their Friday night performance. This will be a raffle style drawing so the more raffle tickets you buy the better your chances are to go backstage.
Each ticket will give you the chance to win the following
* - Intimate one on one meeting with the band. * - Clearance to restricted areas backstage. * - Have your photo taken with the band while they are in their stage outfits. * - See their pre-concert activities and warm-up. * - Ask them questions and get to know the band in a way no one else can. * - and receive an exclusive signed photo from RENTRER EN SOI.
Three winners will be chosen at random on June 13, one week before the concert date. Be sure to buy your tickets before then.
Backstage Raffle Tickets (on-sale 5/1)
SATURDAY 06/21/2008
Q&A SESSION: Join the band for a special Q&A session. Find out more about RENTRER EN SOI, ask a question or perhaps you just want to tell them how much you enjoy their music. Either way this will be your chance to do just that. Please check with your convention program guide for location and even time. This is a free event for all convention goes. (no cameras or recording devices allowed)
PHOTO & AUTOGRAPH: Come have your picture taken with the band and/or get them to autograph your RENTRER EN SOI merchandise. These are FREE event with the purchase of various RENTRER EN SOI items that will be available at the convention*. Make sure to bring your camera for the photo.
*Please see the Jpop/Jhouse-Rock booth for complete details. When you purchase a RENTRER EN SOI item at the booth you will also be rewarded with either a Photo or Autograph ticket which you can then redeem during this event on Saturday.
DINNER with RENTRER EN SOI: Buy a raffle ticket and you can win one of 3 spots to have dinner with the members of RENTRER EN SOI.
Each ticket enters you to win the following.
* - Once in a lifetime opportunity to sit with the band over dinner. * - See their true personalities without all of the concert pressures. * - Have your photo taken with the band. * - Talk and ask questions at leisure. * - and receive an exclusive signed photo from RENTRER EN SOI.
This will be a raffle style drawing so the more raffle tickets you buy the better your chances are to win. Three winners will be chosen at random on June 13, one week before the concert date. So make sure you buy your tickets before then. -------------------------- It's the Eastcoast 2nd chance at one of the BEST Visual Bands today with their 1st concert in our area... In what promises to be an unforgettable show, autographs, pictures, merch, & more... you can bet I'll be there. ^_-
The best musical news in the WORLD (thanx Katrin) was dropped on me this morning!! During the X Japan press conference which was also broadcasted on MySpace, YOSHIKI confirmed an upcoming World Tour of X Japan with the following US DATE!!
- New York City, September 13th, Madison Square Garden!! ^_^
This will be the reunited X Japan's 1st USA show & the J-rock event of the year... I can not believe the East Coast will be getting this amazing opportunity & I am hoping every one will be there for this incredable opportunity!!
It's X-FXXKING-JAPAN!! IN THE USA!!
YOSHIKI/TOSHI/PATA/HEATH... I have waited 13 years for this moment & I am hoping all of their fans will join me in welcoming the most legendary Asain rock band of all-time to the USA!
I am beyond words for how x-citied I am to report this US event...
X will also be playing Paris France on July 5th...
JAM PROJECT is set to perform at OTAKON in Baltimore MD on 08.08.08!! Otakon's 1st musical announcement promises to be EPIC with the vocal talents of anime masters Kageyama Hironobu (from DBZ/Transformers Japan/Zenki), Masami Okui (Tekkaman Blade 2/Utena/Ray the Animaition), Yoshiki Fukuyama (Fire Bomber/Hummingbird), Rica Matsumoto (Pokemon), Masaaki Endoh (GaoGaiGar, Power Rangers Japan, Daigunder) & Hiroshi Kitadani (One Piece).... I will be an incredable show that maybe feature some solo songs from each artists as well as Jam Project's epic disography from such hits as Soul Taker, Ex-Driver, Gravion, Machine Robo Rescue, & Super Robot Wars!! This will be a rare opportunity to see this band, who 1st gave us clues on Halloween 2007 that they would be starting a world tour & now our kicking that off with the East Coast's most amazing Japanese culture convention Otakon in the 1st Mariner Arena(perhaps Otakon's last time with this venue) in Baltimore, a true "Once in a LIVEtime chance" to see these legendary singers!! This is a particular treat for me being a longtime fan of Fukuyama (over 12 years) & sticking with him all these years with Fire Bomber, Hummingbird, & solo... plus veteran music gods Kageyama, & Masami, I will be there for sure enjoying their amazing performances!!
2008 continues to be the year of J-rock with amazing acts you don't wanna miss!!
*****CANCELLED***** statement from C.A.C myspace: NEW YORK, NY (March 28, 2008) – For reasons beyond their control, rock fest Clash Against Commercialism set for April 6, 2R008 at New York City’s Nokia Theatre Times Square has been cancelled. A delay in securing visas for members of the featured Japanese bands, combined with scheduling conflicts, has promoters unable to reconfirm a new date as of today. Organizers would like to thank all those who helped build the event, as well as all the fans who purchased tickets. Refunds will be available at point of purchase.
...that sux. ;_;
HERE'S SOME NEWS ABOUT FREE-WILL'S UPCOMING "CLASH AGAINST COMMERCIALISM" VISUAL ROCK FESTIVAL IN NYC THIS APRIL!! Taken from C.A.C official myspace & jame:
MEET-AND-GREET Your Favorite Band!!
This may be the only chance you will bear witness to this incredible line-up at a music festival! (RENTRER EN SOI / 12012 / THE STUDS / ANTI-FEMINISM) On top of that, we offer you a special treat --- a chance to meet your favorite band, in flesh!! Stay tuned for more details, soon!!
UPDATE: New instore event at Kinokuniya!!
In addition to the concert Sunday night, RENTRER EN SOI will be having in-store events on Saturday April 5th at Kinokuniya Bookstore, located at 1073 Avenue of the Americas, arranged by Manga Cafe/Animefood Magazine and Kinokuniya Bookstore. A Meet and Greet will take place at 2:00 P.M. EST (eastern standard time), followed by a press conference at 3:45 P.M. EST (eastern standard time).
NEW BAND ADDED:
Boogieman is making its official start! With a lineup consisting of Yuana (ex-kagerou), Akira and Bansaku (ex-baroque), Yuichiro (ex-metronome) and Junno (ex-beaU), the band performed behind a curtain, revealing only silhouettes at an event at C.C. Lemon Hall in December, but are now making themselves known. Not only is the band officially starting activities, but they are also participating in Clash Against Commercialism in New York on April 6th.
* The following lyrics may not be 100% accurate, but are an online attempt (by another source) untill the official lyrics are published...
TOSHI: Needles are piercing through my skin I'll tell you the feeling what it's like Is life just all about deception?
Please don't be a part of a fairy tale, but you're so young to play with thy own will Should I trade the breath of my life for freedom?
(In the rain) I'm calling you, dear (Find the way) Can't you see me standing right here? (Feel my pain) Life's bleeding from fear (Find its place) I will give it straight from my vein
YOSHIKI (whispered) : Needles are piercing through my skin I don't fear the f**king life
This never meant I can't sit by They say as if it takes me somewhere Just let me swallow the faith by injection Life better be rushing to my head, my love
I've played with this game before to find a piece of my true self! I'm lost within!
(In the rain) I'm calling you, dear (Find the way) Can't you see me standing right here? (Feel my pain) Life's bleeding from fear (Find its place) I will give it straight from my vein
band solo:
I'm feeling my pain Do you feel where it's been Can you cope with history of the world, when it's sad part of life? Can set the shadows fade, forever fade away
I'm calling you, dear. Can't you see me standing right here? Life's bleeding from fear. I'll give it straight from my vein.
(In the rain) I'm calling you, dear (Find the way) Can't you see me standing right here? (Feel my pain) Life's bleeding from fear (Find its place) I will give it straight from my vein...
HOW DID I MISS THIS??? Oh, prolly cause Chie Kajiura hasn't been on the music scene since 1998, that's how... Yes, it's been 10 years since the breathy idol's FIRE BOMBER & solo work has graced our ears & appearantly she is back with a "Tribute EP" (like Yoshiki Fukuyama did in 2005 with his AWESOME "Fukuyama Fire" release) to the role that made her famous, MACROSS 7's own pink fire cracker Mylene Jenius!! This time reworking her Fire Bomber classics (+ 1 new song) with a more industrial/goth sound...check it out!! CD JAPAN link: http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=GNCA-7109 "LOVE SONG (Mylene version)" 2007 PV: http://www.veoh.com/videos/v1670250mR6cQzdQ?searchId=3485782956695218047&rank=0
Now if they would only release 1 of the 2007 sold out Fire Bomber tribute concert's Fukuyama & Kajiura did on DVD... ~_~
All three of X JAPAN's reunion concerts at Tokyo Dome have sold out! Due to the high demand for tickets for March 28th and 30th, another date was added to the I.V. ~towards destruction~ concerts. This concert, scheduled for March 29th, has also sold out !! My good friend Katrin has scored tix for a show of a lifetime!! Let's wish her the best!! ALSO 2 of X JAPAN's signature albums will be remastered and re-released.BLUE BLOOD and JEALOUSY will go on sale on March 19th but will only be available until May 31st... ***note: These 2008 reissues do not contain the bonus instrumental discs from 2007***
~DETROIT METAL CITY TRIBUTE ALBUM~ Detroit Metal City Tribute Album ~Ikenie metal mix is a various artist CD that will be released on March 28th. It will feature artists MUCC, YUKI (ex-Judy & Mary), Electric Eel Shock, BEAT CRUSADERS, Tommy february6, Kahimi Karie, monobright, King Giddra, WAGDUG FUTURISTIC UNITY, ANA, Midori and Kaela Kimur!!
T.M. Revolution, will be performing at the New York Comic Con which will take place in New York City from April 18th to the 20th!!
The exact date of his performance and any other details are still unknown. General information about the convention and ticket information can be found on the New York Comic Con's website.
Last year T.M.Revolution focused on his band abingdon boys school, but with this performance in the USA, he wishes to return to his roots and plans to make this concert a new personal start. ---------------------- the pillows have been confirmed as guests for the March convention Anime Boston!! The convention will play host to the band on March 21st and 22nd and will feature a concert by the rock-punk trio. More information about this event can be found at Anime Boston's site. JEFF / CHRIS UPDATE: The Pillows & Noodles are also playing at the Blender Theater in NYC on Friday @ 7pm on 3.21.08!! ---------------------- Jrock Revolution and JaME, the two most prominent media and promotional organizations serving overseas interests in the Japanese rock and popular music scene, announced today the formation of a strategic alliance to benefit overseas fans of Japanese rock. JaME (Japanese Music Entertainment) has established itself as a mainstay in Europe, with branches all over the world to serve international Japanese rock fans with up-to-date, local information about their favorite artists in eighteen different languages. Based in America, Jrock Revolution (JRR) exploded onto the scene in 2007 as the premiere official destination for Japanese rock music fans worldwide, providing media coverage and exclusives at www.jrockrevolution.com. Both organizations share a common goal of spreading the popularity and outreach of Japanese rock artists to every corner of the earth, and providing Jrock fans with superior online portals for news, feature, media, and profile content on Jrock artists and all aspects of the music scene. JRR and JaME will take their shared mission of serving the international Jrock community to the next level by uniting their resources for unprecedented future efforts. By bringing both organizations together, uniting the expansive resources of their web portals, and delivering multilingual information to their massive readerships, JRR and JaME will effectively double their outreach to the international fan community. As dominant forces in their homebase locales, they will also be able to tailor outreach to different national and international markets. While details of the specific efforts to come from the allied organizations are still undisclosed, the ultimate goal of the strategic alliance is to best serve overseas fans of Jrock. ---------------------- Jrock Revolution (JRR) and Japanese Music Entertainment (JaME) announced today an unprecedented international ticket sale for the upcoming X JAPAN reunion concerts, "X JAPAN ATTACKS AGAIN 2008 I.V. ~Towards Destruction~", which will take place at the Tokyo Dome on March 28th and 30th. JRR and JaME, which announced a strategic alliance February 8th, have secured a limited pool of international tickets for this event. The tickets will be sold through a lottery system from which ticket holders will be selected at random to complete the sale. The lottery will begin on Monday, February 11th, 19:00 Paris Time (10:00AM PST/1:00PM EST) on JRR's and JaME's respective websites.
ue to overwhelming demand, X Japan has scheduled one more concert. It will take place on March 29th, between the two previously scheduled dates. The current efforts to provide international fans with the opportunity to see the band perform will not be affected by this news as the ticket pool does not include this newly added date. X Japan's Tokyo Dome performances are now as follows:
3/28 - ~Night of Destruction~ 3/29 - ~Night of Reckless~ 3/30 - ~Night of Creation~
Again, to enter the lottery for a chance at tickets to see X Japan perform live, please check Jrock Revolution. The complete FAQ about the lottery, can be found here. JRock Revolution is currently working on a special tour package which will help fans to easily plan their trip. Details about the tour package will be forthcoming soon.
EINSOF Marketing Group announced today an international ticket sale for the exclusive March 29th show of the upcoming X JAPAN reunion concerts, X JAPAN TO RESUME ITS ATTACK 2008 I.V. ~Towards Destruction~, which will take place at the Tokyo Dome on March 28th, 29th, and 30th.
EINSOF Marketing Group's international ticket sale presents an extremely rare opportunity for global access to X JAPAN's concerts. The exclusive sale for the March 29th concert will begin this weekend on Tix.com.
More information about the March 29th ticket sale will be forthcoming later today at EINSOF Marketing Group's website. ---------------------- J-ROCK US CD RELEASES: D'espairsRay and THE UNDERNEATH will both have music released in the US in the coming months. THE UNDERNEATH's debut album, MOON FLOWER, will feature a powerful electro-rock fusion and will be available from J-SHOCK RECORDS on March 18th. Also being released on March 18th from J-SHOCK RECORDS is D'espairsRay's latest album, MIRROR. In addition to the album, their SPIRAL STAIRCASE #15 will also see a stateside release!!
Happy B-day to the most well-known birthday girl of all the stars in the current J-music World...Tomoko Kawase (Okuda)!! Our beloved J-pop/rock Princess TOMMY turns 33 today!! Known to fans as a split persionality solo artist Tommy February6 & Tommy Heavenly6 as well as the lead singer to the classic J-rock band The Brilliant Green... I personally have been a long-time fan of Tommy's & to help celebrate her b-day, check out the awesome NEW op theme to the anime Gundam 00 by her original band The Brilliant Green!!
Free-Will, the US branch behind Dir en grey's domestic releases/tours,has announced its first rock concert event in the USA!! Scheduled to take place @ the Nokia Theatre Times Square in New York City on April 6th, the line-up will include the awesome visual kei acts12012,RENTRER EN SOI, ANTI FEMINISM, and the studs. Tickets, information are available @ TICKETMASTER & went on sale January 25th. More information can be found at the event's official myspace page. And you can buy tix here through ticketmaster.com (Tix are about $40 plus service charges) http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00004038CBE0F63A?artistid=1191604&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=200
According to Comcast, the channel attracted about 13.9 million viewers, which was lower than expected, and the audience was not increasing. The channel also had difficulty securing advertising. Comcast launched AZN in 2005 after acquiring Liberty Media's International Channel, which also frequently broadcasted anime series and films & suchmusic variety shows as HEY HEY HEY MUSIC CHAMP & Tofu Records POP JAPAN TV... Comcast had already laid off many of the senior staffers in late 2005, but the remaining 15 employees, who are based in Denver, will be offered jobs in other areas of the company. I think we've seen this coming for a while... IN was better, but AZN was better than nothing. -_-
