L~Lotus~ is a five-piece band comprising of three ex. as milk members – 蓮華 (Renka) on vocals, saki and Takayuki on guitars, masato on bass, and YUJI on drums. They officially began their activities on March 6th and have released three digital singles to date: 「worry」 on May 19th, 「snow」 on May 26th, and 「tree」 on June 2nd. The members of L~Lotus~ sat down with us to answer a couple of questions, so give it a read to get to know them better! We’d like to thank JapanFiles... Read→
-LEON- is a five-piece band from Gunma comprising of Yuji on vocals, Shin and Koya on guitars, Yamato on bass, and Masashi on drums. Mixing Asian cultural influences with visual rock, -LEON- has a heavy, modern sound with a distinct, ethereal flavor. On December 13th, the band released their first three track mini-album, 「REGULUS」 along with a PV for their song, 「Kokou ni Tou Tsuioku no Kagen no Tsuki」. The members of -LEON- took time to answer a few of our questions, so take a read through... Read→
GLACIER is a five-member group from Okinawa, comprising of Makoto on vocals, Nao on lead guitar, Koujirou on rhythm guitar, Aki on bass, and Yuuki on drums. The band formed in July 2007 and made their major debut a year later on July 23rd. They have released a full album and six singles to date with their seventh single, 「愛の降る街」 (Ai no Furu Machi) which is the third installment of a 7-month digital release project, coming out on June 30th through JapanFiles and on iTunes. The members... Read→
O-PARTS is a two-man unit that started in June of 2009, formed by vocalist sho-ka (ex. Vogus Image) and bassist Jun (GaGaaalinG, ex. WAIVE). On August 20th, they released their first maxi-single entitled 「向日葵」 (Himawari) which included four tracks, all of which made it into the top ten of the Oricon Indies ranking. On May 26th, their second maxi-single, 「煌[kou]」 was released and will be available through JapanFiles from June 6th. Both sho-ka and Jun took time out of their busy schedules... Read→
In 2002, Kaya made his vocal debut in the Mana produced two-man unit, Schwarz Stein. In 2004, Schwarz Stein disbanded, and departing from the label the band was signed to, Kaya became a free singer. Using “aesthetics” as his main theme, Kaya conducts his activities with the goals of “the revolution of the aesthetic senses” and the “liberation of sexuality” in mind, and manages his own lyrics, CD jacket designs, make-up and costume designs as well as the organization... Read→
born is a five member band that began together under RENNY AMY, which was active from August 2005, until December 31st, 2006. Shortly after, the same five members created D&L, and eventually changed their name to ‘born’ on April 9th, 2008 with the sponsored event at Takadanobaba AREA called “born presents 「bug scremo vol.01」”. About a week later, they released their first demonstration single, entitled 「Dust pain」, which was followed by the tour, 「Abnormal skin’s」. Since... Read→
砂月-Satsuki- began his solo career on February 14th, 2009, after spending seven years as the vocalist for RENTRER EN SOI. His first solo release, 「AWAKE」 came out via his online shop on May 9th, and that month he also started his 「AWAKENING TO MOONLIGHT」 tour, which even made a stop in Los Angeles, California. His next release, 「CRYSTAL」 was out on August 21st, which was followed by his 「PEER INTO YOUR CRYSTAL HEART」 tour, where he preformed in both Tokyo and Las Vegas, Nevada. ... Read→
Its that time again, time for the random fact of the day. Big Ern here and today’s random fact comes from Tatsurou of LuLu. It also involves special skills…something I know all about. You know, because I have tons of special skills. Anyways, Tatsurou says his special skills are hair-cutting and people watching.
Okay ST readers, what are some of your special skills?
Got this in the mail, our readers should check it out.
Tokyo, Japan- HearJapan is excited to announce the worldwide exclusive digital-only release of DuelJewel’s newest single “against” in high-quality DRM-Free mp3 format. The new single will not be sold in CD format. The band desired to share this single with its large international fan base and turned to HearJapan to make this happen. After being one of the first j-rock bands to make the plunge and do extensive international tours, the band thought it would only be fitting to enable the fans to legally obtain their music. Beyond their newest single “against” the band also decided to make their previous 7 releases available through HearJapan, as well as their highly anticipated upcoming album, “GLASSFIA”. The single can be downloaded starting at midnight in Japan (that’s only in a few more hours). Fans who purchase the single before midnight will be treated with a special 10% discount!
About “against”:
This release will be the single version of “against” which will also appear on the album as an album version. “against”, written by Shun, is a powerful track which touches all the right nerves. Some of the tracks highlights include a melodic chorus before a heavy buildup and furious screams along with deep and intricately crafted bass lines.
Download it here:
http://www.hearjapan.com/store/album_info/against
Download other DuelJewel albums:
http://www.hearjapan.com/store/group/Duel_Jewel
Maru Music announced that Versailles will be releasing Noble to fans in America. The new version will have the original 12 tracks with added Prince track that you could have downloaded from the Maru Music site. The “Aristocrat’s Symphoney” pv will also be included. You can get this release on October 21, at Hot Topic, MaruMusic.com, Amazon and AAA Anime.
Source: Versailles LJ Comm, MaruMusic
According to the member’s blogs, サディ(Sadie) will be releasing a new maxi-single entitled 「Ice Romancer」. It is set to release on December 17th! It looks like it will come in two types, looking at the prices. One type will cost 2310 yen and the other type will cost 1890 yen. There is no other information on what will be included such as tracklistings or PVs as of yet.
Source: Sadie Member Blogs
With the recently newly created band; Toshi with T-Earth, we’re now able to hear their previews of their newly added songs. It has been added a while ago, so this would give people a chance to get to hear their songs [if you haven't heard about this]. Check out their tracks in their myspace!
http://www.myspace.com/toshiwithtearth
And Hi everyone, I’m the new staff chosen months ago ^-^ I just made my first post here as I came back from vacation weeks ago and struggled with the wordpress with my IE.
レンガ (Renga) has updated their OHP with a free download of their self-titled song 「恋歌～れんが～」 (Renga) which will only be available for a limited time.
To check it out, go to their OHP and click on information. Then click on こちらよりご利用ください (well, click on the こちら part) to get the MP3.
Source OHP
Take a listen and let us know what you think. Personally, Azami is a little bit hard for me to listen to. But, go hear them and make your own opinion.
Jelly has announced that on November 27th at Sendai Hook they will be disbanding.
The members have posted comments on the OHP, but no one really offers any explanation behind their descision. However, they do say they will be positive and do their best until the end and thank all the fans and those connected to the band for their support.
Source: OHP, vkdb
xTRiPx has added a new bassist to their ranks as former bassist, Yukine, left earlier this month.
Their new bassist’s name is ruchi, and you can find his blog here: http://ameblo.jp/ruchi-butterfly/.
Source: OHP, xTRiPx LJ Community
Vidoll will be having their last indies oneman live on December 19th at C.C. Lemon Hall in Shibuya.
Tickets cost 4500 yen and go on sale November 1st.
So it looks like these boys too are going to go major come 2009! Bands going major seems to go in chunks kind of, doesn’t it?
Source: Grassthread, Jui’s Blog
Along with giving to charity, Nightmare has kept busy and will be releasing a new single on December 3rd!
The sngle is called “Naked Love” and t’s coming out in three types. They say it’s their Nightmare stytled ultimate theme song of love, which they’re sending to us this winter of 2008. YOMI also has written the lyrics of the single. “Naked Love” will also be used as the ending theme for the Nihon Terebi-Kei anime, 「魍魎の匣」 (Mouryou no Hako). The favour for the release is a ticket to the lottery for a chance to go to the “Nightmare Special Premium Live”.
So more about the types.
Type A is 1500 yen and is the single plus the DVD that contains the PV for “Naked Love”.
Type B also costs 1500 yen and comes with the single plus a DVD with the PV for “MAD BLACK MACHINE”.
Finally, Type C is 1200 yen and is the CD only.
The singles are already up for pre-ordering at CD Japan: Type A, Type B, Type C, so reserve your copy now!
Source: BMA, TowerRecords, CDJapan
Its that time again, time for the random fact of the day. I’m big Ern and today’s random fact is from koki of Aluminous. When asked what three things he’d wish for if given the chance, koki from Aluminous said that his first wish would be to travel the future, his second would be to go to the moon, and his third which is the most interesting of them all, would be to live with a white tiger cub that never ages.
Three things I’d wish for….I’d wish for more wishes. Three things is just not enough. Then I would proceed to wish for everything needed in my world domination.
A new poll has been posted, please take a moment to vote on it. Now on to last week’s poll results:
When following a band, I find the record label they are signed to
extremely important – 15
slightly important – 68
not important – 62
isn’t a factor – 95Total Votes – 240
You know the routine at this point. Now is the time to comment and tell us what you voted for and why.
RED universe has announced that their bassist, カイシロー (Kaishirou) will be leaving the band after their performance on October 18th at HOLIDAY SHINJUKU.
The reason for his departure is his poor physical health. He has been undergoing medical treatment in hopes that he would be cured, however, he now needs a surgical operation and therefore feels that it is in his best interest to leave the band.
He thanks everyone for the support they have given him and apologizes. He wishes that everyone can support him until the end.
Source: RED universe OHP
On September 23rd gylian had their last performance and disbanded. They thank all those who have been cheering them on and say that the member’s will each follow their own path from hereon in.
The members will be participating in a session band called ルード (Rude) on October 19th.
Source: OHP
Personally, I think it’s nice when fans of a specific band join together to make a project to send to the member’s.
So on that note, I’m urging all SCREW fans to participate in the SCREW Fan Project that’s being put together by 46chuu on LJ! It’s a project where anything goes — just show the band that you support them! Entries include but are not limited to:
o1 ★ Drawings (it’s up to you, only sketch or in colour -manual or with programs etc-)
o2 ★ Sign pics
o3 ★ Your art pics (shirt, dolls, keychains, anything)
o4 ★ Cosplay pics
o5 ★ Voice records (singing or everything ^^)
o6 ★ Fan video
Or anything you can come up with on your own. The deadline is October 15th so get working!
For details on the project and on how to submit please visit http://46chuu.livejournal.com/105486.html
In August we posted about MUCC and how they’re with the TASTE OF CHAOS tour that’s hitting Japan this November.
Well, the band will be performing three days and is allowing fans to choose the songs on their setlist for each performance!
Fans can vote for up to three songs for each day so if you’re interested in being a deciding factor in their setlists, make sure you check out the following [ridiculously long] link: https://www.atmarkit.co.jp/cgi-bin/enq/enq_log3.cgi?survey_id=0809barks_mucc&apply=action
Source: Barks.jp
So, YOSHIKI created somewhat of a little scene the other day.
On the 28th YOSHIKI attended a professional sumo wrestling match held in Tokyo. Eight time overall champion Hakuhou Shou won the match, and YOSHIKI took part in the photo to commemorate Hakuhou’s victory.
Now here’s where YOSHIKI committed his faux pas — with his boots on, he walked on the tatami mats in the dressing room causing the manager of the Kiriyamabeya (which is a ‘sumo stable’) to yell at him.
For a note to those who don’t know, walking on tatami mats in your shoes is (quite obviously) a big no-no.
So it seems like he’s being criticized a bit for his actions, but YOSHIKI himself explained that he didn’t see the mats and people were telling him to hurry up and run so that he would be in the photo. He didn’t even stop to think that there would be tatami mats, and instead seemed more focused on getting through the crowd of reporters.
It seems like he’s pretty annoyed with the way they chose to deal with it — you know, blatantly yell at him. He also said that if he had known that the area was separated by tatami mats, he’d have taken off his shoes. You can hopefully see both sides to the story. What he did was rude but at the same time I guess he felt like there shouldn’t have been such attention drawn to it. He also commented on the way the association treated their guests. (As in, isn’t it strange they dealt with it like that?)
Afterwards when he was eating with Hakuhou, the champion did apologize to YOSHIKI on behalf of the association.
Source: BMA, Mainichi.jp
Okay, so I think it was more or less an honest mistake and they pretty much made it into something it didn’t have to be. I mean, I can understand people were offended and that it was rude, but at the same time the man has said that he didn’t do it on purpose and he does in general know better. Seems like it’s a bit of an overraction to me… I mean, at least he didn’t choke a girl [that we know of].
And while we’re talking about YOSHIKI let’s have a bit of gossip. I’m not going to spectulate anything because it’s pointless, but Hirotaka (from R-Shitei) mentioned in his blog that while he was waiting in line, he saw YOSHIKI coming out of the legal advisors office the other day. Kind of a random thing to mention in his blog, don’t you think?
UNDER CODE PRODUCTION is throwing a birthday event for former Phantasmagoria member, JUN!
It’s appropriately called 「JUN Birthday Party～兵庫県神戸市生まれ魂でジュ～ンとして行こうべ～」 (～Hyogo Kobe-shi Umare Tama de JU~N toshite Ikoube～) and takes place at Shinsaibashi FANJ-twice on November 17th.
Listed as participating thus far are:
クジラ船長 (Kujira Senchou) featureing JUN on vocals and guitar, and Iori on guitar (plus others)
chariots
JILL CHRIST
Plus a large session band and more
The show opens at 6:00 starts at 7:00 and costs 3000 yen for a ticket.
Source: Kisaki’s Blog
Back in June we talked about how the boys of Nightmare were rasing money for the Miyagi prefecture due to the earthquake that struck on June 14th.
Well, on the 26th of this month at ZEPP Sendai the band held a charity live. At that live YOMI said “Thanks to everyone’s cooperation, we were able to raise more than 2000000 yen! I want to express my utmost gratitude to all the fans. Thank you!”
There was a large applause and cheering heard throughout the livehouse, and with a delighted smile on his face YOMI continued, “I think there were probably some people who thought, ‘oh won’t they just be taking that money and putting it in their wallets?’, but so that there’s no misunderstanding…” and at this point, they welcomed onto the stage Yoshihiko Sugawara, Miyagi prefecture’s Chief of the Crisis Counter-Plan Division. As Sugawara was representing the Miyaki prefecture, YOMI said, “As Nightmare’s fans, members and staff have raised this money, please use it for the sake of the Miyagi Prefecture!” and personally delivered the funds.
Sugawara promised that they would use the donation to help the prefecture and to aid those who were affected by the earthquake. He also said he was extremely delighted that the band would contribute their services to the money.
YOMI also said “Even though it’s only a small amount, we’re glad that everyone’s cooperation we were able to contribute to our home area”. Both he and Sakito expressed how grateful they were for the support.
Source: BMA, Barks.jp
I think that’s really awesome of them and I’m glad there was a follow-up of how much they were able to raise! Congratulations to Nightmare and all the fans at doing an awesome job. Just as a note, 2000000 yen is approximately $19,000 USD.
NoGod has started up an official fanclub called 「神無信者組」 (Kami Mushinjagumi). The fanclub official starts up on December 1st and they will be taking reservations to join starting next month.
Those who join early (before November 11th) receive a special original radio CD, “GoD5″ as a present, as well as a special member’s badge.
Joining gets you the following:
Member publications
An enrollment souvenir
A bulletin that comes out four times a year
Acess to fanclub only events
Priority tickets to instore events and lives
A newsletter via e-mail
An opportunity to buy original goods
Membership to the FC only website
And they’re currently also planning more projects to incorporate!
Membership costs 5250 yen (the initiation fee is 1050 and the annual fee is 4200).
Source: NoGod Mail magazine
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