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→
I got an email blast about new updates on ShockHound and guess who was featured on the site this week? Thats right, Yoshiki! Take a look at the interview – its all in English. You can also buy a couple of releases on the site.
What do you think?
Source: ShockHound
I’m guessing most of you guys already know about this but just in case – we’re posting it here for those who have missed it. Seems like Yoshiki is in a bit of trouble involving hide’s management company Headwax.
More details have emerged regarding the impending lawsuit between Japan Music Agency (the management office of X Japan’s Yoshiki) and Headwax Organization (the management office of X Japan’s late guitarist Hide). It was learned several days ago that Headwax plans to seek an injunction against X Japan’s use of Hide’s likeness unless they fulfill their contractual obligations, and now Yoshiki has declared that he may file a counter-suit if that happens.
X Japan has previously used images of Hide during their concerts. Most recently, X Japan performed two shows at Nissan Stadium on August 14-15.
Yoshiki informed the media on Thursday that Japan Music Agency (JMA) received a formal notice from Headwax on August 17. Headwax claims that the contract regarding the use of Hide’s likeness is invalid unless JMA completes its part of the arrangement. According to the statement, JMA owes 2 billion yen to Nexstar Corporation (X Japan’s former production company), while Nexstar owes 300 million yen to Headwax.
The situation is complicated by the fact that Yoshiki filed a lawsuit against Nexstar this past March, seeking roughly 375 million yen in unpaid revenue from 2008 and 2009. Sources say that the issue regarding Hide’s image started around that time, and that the matter picked up steam in early May, when an event for the 13th death anniversary of Hide was held.
Yoshiki and JMA publicly responded to Headwax’s notice, stating that if Headwax does follow through with a lawsuit, then there will likely be a counterclaim. Headwax said that their lawyer plans to release an official comment within the next few days.
Source: TokyoGraph
X Japan played in Chicago at Lollapalloza and now Yoshiki is everywhere in America. Did you catch ABC special that talked about X Japan? He is even featured in the LA Times!
The band has announced their North American tour dates, find tickets here:
- 9/25 – Los Angeles – The Wiltern
- 9/28 – Oakland- Fox Theater – Oakland
- 10/1 – Seattle
- 10/3 – Vancouver – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
- 10/6 – Chicago
- 10/7 – Toronto – Massey Hall
- 10/10 – New York – Roseland Ballroom
There is talk about the band touring in Europe next year but no official word yet.
OH and a preview of the Jade pv has been passed around on youtube. Have you seen it? What are your thoughts on the pv?
Sources: LA Times, Tokyo Graph
This year at Japan Expo in Paris: HITT, ViViD, Seikima-II, YOSHIKI and Toshi from X Japan will be participating along with other musicians!
The event goes on for 4 days starting on the 1st of July.
ViViD will be doing a signing sessions, performances and a conference during their stay on the 2nd and 3rd of July.
As for X Japan, they’ll only be performing on the 4th of July.
You can purchase your tickets from France Billet or Ticketnet (although it seems that they do not have their tickets for pre-sale yet).
So, how many residents in France do we have from S-T that are HITT, Seikima-II, ViViD or X Japan fans?
Source: Japan Expo OHP, ViViD OHP
As we’d mentioned here and here, there was talk about X Japan performing at the rock festival ‘Lollapalooza’ in Chicago on August 6-8, 2010. The Official Announcement of them taking part was made on 6th April, where they’ll be taking the main stage as the only Japanese band alongside other musicians such as The Strokes and Green Day.
It appears that aside from the Lollapalooza, X Japan have been recieving many other offers to appear in other events. Official News on their taking part in other events have yet to be announced, however.
Yoshiki comments on barks,
“We have been given a wonderful opportunity to able to perform at the Lollapalooza this year for our fans in America. We will also play our newest song(s).”
As Yoshiki quotes about “new songs”, apparently X Japan are currently in the process of recording a new album in the US which will consist of re-recording their old and new songs all in English. They started their recording in March and are aiming to finish it by the beginning of June. The release of the album is planned to be in the summer, and it would have been 14 years since the band have made a release since ‘DAHLIA’ in 1996.
How do you feel about X Japan’s new activities in the US?
Source: barks.jp
Yoshiki has been in the news alot these past few months. Sadly this isn’t really positive news.
X Japan leader Yoshiki has filed a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court against the music production company Nexstar Corporation, seeking approximately 375 million yen in damages. However, that figure could grow by another 600 million yen.
According to the lawsuit, after X Japan reunited, they entered a contract with Nexstar Corporation in January 2008, which included the use of some recordings. That initial deal was for the sum of 600 million yen in advance royalties and contract money, which has so far been entirely unpaid.
Between 2008 and 2009, the company also sponsored ten of the band’s concerts in Japan and other parts of Asia. About 320 million yen in performance fees and merchandise sales from those concerts is due to the band as well. In all, the total unpaid amount is more than 900 million yen.
Yoshiki’s side points out that the ticket and merchandise sales have earned more than 2.5 billion yen in revenue for Nexstar, making it unreasonable that the company still has not paid any of it. Although attempts were initially made to resolve the dispute between the two parties, a lack of progress led Yoshiki to take the matter to court.
The lawsuit is currently seeking only 375 million yen for the revenue earned from the concerts, but should the case go to trial, Yoshiki’s side plans to file an additional claim for the 600 million yen in the initial contract.
When reached for comment, Nexstar stated that they have not yet received the lawsuit. The company reportedly acknowledged that there is some unpaid money due to the band, but they said that the amount is different from Yoshiki’s claim.
Source: Tokyo Graph
Thanks to Kigan for sending this in!
According to Tokyo Graph, it seems that the band plans to move to Los Angeles:
Speaking at an event in Tokyo for his jewelry brand’s latest collection, X Japan leader Yoshiki made an unexpected announcement. When guitarist SUGIZO appeared on stage as a surprise guest, Yoshiki revealed that the band intends to base their activities in Los Angeles.
X Japan had aimed to expand their international presence during the early ’90s, but after some setbacks and the death of guitarist hide, the band broke up in 1997. Since their reunion in 2007, they have scheduled multiple overseas concerts, but most had to be postponed for various reasons.
At the end of last month, Yoshiki announced that the band is set to finally make their U.S. debut with a performance at rock festival Lollapalooza, being held in Chicago on August 6-8, 2010. However, at the event in Tokyo, Yoshiki hinted that their first U.S. performance might be sooner than that, saying that they are considering playing at a small live house in Los Angeles in the near future.
Of the band’s members, Yoshiki has already been living in Los Angeles for a while. Although he said that the rest of the members plan to move there in order to establish the city as their base, he did not give a specific timeline for the move.
What do you think about it then?
Source: Tokyo Graph
Just a quick greeting to say hello to everyone out there; I’m new to the wonderful Shattered Tranquility, and I look forward to bringing you all translations and news from the Visual scene as of today =)
There was updated news about YOSHIKI on Barks.jp about his appearing at the GRAMMYs, plus information about X JAPAN’s next gigs!
YOSHIKI announces X-JAPAN to take part in ‘Lollapalooza’ at the GRAMMY Awards
On 1st February (31st January in US), YOSHIKI made his apperance at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles.
YOSHIKI, who is also a voting member, last made his appearance at the Awards in 2008, and appeared again this year on the red carpet with a flamboyance. There is even a photograph of him displayed on the Official GRAMMY website.
On the red carpet, YOSHIKI confirmed to Press interviewers from around the world that X-JAPAN would be headlining the main stage at the ‘Lollapalooza’ Music Festival in Chicago, on August 6th to 8th.
This huge event, held at the Chicago Grand Park, had big names such as The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Kayne West, Queens of the Stone Age and Sonic Youth take part in 2009, with over 77,000 people attending the first day, resulting in a total of over 225,000 attending within 3 days.Having had a keen offer from sponsors of the event, it was decided that X-JAPAN would take the main stage. Official details of the event are not to be announced until the end of February, but following up from last year, we can expect another great lineup of Top Artists.
Although X JAPAN is the first Japanese Artist to take the main stage at the Lollapalooza, their popularity continues to spread rapidly not just within Japan but also throughout Asia and Europe, with clear signs of this beginning to happen in America. Evidence of this would be when X JAPAN were shooting their large-scale Music Video in Hollywood in January this year, as many fans arrived at the scene.
X-JAPAN’s appearance in the Lollapalooza festival can now be seen as a start towards resuming their World Tour. Having been about 6 months since YOSHIKI’s operation, surely these Monsters of Rock will be roaring on stage again.
You can check out the GRAMMYs Official Website here: http://www.grammy.com
Plus the Lollapalooza festival Official Website, although as stated, it has not yet updated this year’s lineup: http://www.lollapalooza.com
Source: barks.jp
We told you guys about about X Japan filming new pvs over in Hollywood back in December. Did anyone go?!! Already there have been videos and pictures floating around online and the event seemed pretty packed. Kigan actually emailed us an interesting article from LA Weekly you can read over here.
CURE Media USA also has posted pics of the event over on their facebook over here. Even Jrock Nation who first talked about the event and offered sign ups has posted production stills on their site.
Share with us any stories or adventures about the recording!
Source: LA Weekly
How is this to start off the new year? On January 9th, X Japan will be filming 4 pvs in Hollywood California! If you sign up for the event you can get a special invite to see the band and be part of the history.
Sign up over here to get the invite and special emails to let you know more about the event!
This is the first time the band has appeared together in the US so its pretty exciting, even though its not a live or concert it still will make alot of fans happy!
Who is going?
Source: Jrock Nation
At the end of last month, seems that Yoshiki underwent surgery for some neck problems he’s been having. This is the information taken from X JAPAN’s official myspace.
Drummer, pianist and X JAPAN band leader, Yoshiki, will undergo neck surgery on Monday, July 27, 2009 at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Beverly Hills, CA. Dr. Neel Anand, Director of the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center, will perform a cervical foraminotomy.
Due to his intense drumming style, Yoshiki developed a worsening of his neck pain and left hand numbness over the past month, affecting his music performance. His condition has been evaluated by doctors in the U.S. and Japan. Yoshiki underwent a spinal x-ray series, an MRI of the spine, and an EMG. After seeking second and third opinions on the diagnosis and treatment, he concluded that the foraminotomy was necessary for the cervical foraminal stenosis.
Yoshiki’s primary physician at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Tommy H. Tomizawa (UCLA Assistant Professor), states that he will need a few weeks to recover from the surgery and a month or more of rehabilitation. If his condition does not improve over the next several months, laminectomy, discectomy and spinal fusion would be considered. Artificial disc placement would be another treatment of choice.
Source: Myspace Blog, Mija
We all know that X Japan had their two day lives at Tokyo dome this weekend. We now see some amazing live photos taken from the lives here. It looks like it was an amazing event! ANNNNND look at that huge hide plushie – cute. Looks like they even performed a new song called JADE and performed over 6 encores on their second night! Their official myspace also states that on May 30th the band will be going to Taipei to perform at the Pan-Chiao Stadium.
Source: X Japan myspace
X JAPAN has recently announced that they have added none other than SUGIZO to their line up! Making them now a 6 member band. For those of you who may not know who SUGIZO is, he was LUNA SEA’s guitarist.
source: bma, ohp, sugizo’s blog
Ku sent an email pointing out some trouble Heath was having with his management.
Well it seems to be true, due to some issues with his management . HEATH will be leaving X Japan. The news was posted today on a local news site. Apparently these issues were one of the causes to the cancellation in Korea. After weeks of negotiation nothing was resolved and yet the tickets for Tokyo Dome still went on sale. Yoshiki has stated that the show will not be canceled and they will have a session bassist step in. Even though Yoshiki is at his home in USA, he will be returning to Japan to talk to HEATH in person.
{edit}Thanks to Shinta for showing this to me. Well now the news is that Heath proposed to leave the band, but the outcome seems that he will still stay with X Japan to finish up the reunion lives on May 2nd and 3rd. Yoshiki is also denying any talk of a session bassist/replacement. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.
Source: Sponichi.co.jp, Sanspro, Metal Banzai, Ku
As many readers already know, X JAPAN announced a couple days ago that they would have to postpone their performances in South Korea that were to take place on the 21st and 22nd, and postpone the ticket sales for their live at Tokyo Dome.
Bassist HEATH is having problems with his contract, and therefore has to temporarily stop activities. It has also been said that there is a good chance HEATH may be leaving the band before the tour is over. Although they originally wanted to come to a close with the original remaining members, it seems like it may not be possible.
Source: BMA, OHP
I saw this on X JAPAN’s OHP today, and it made me laugh. I don’t know how many other people have seen it before, so I figured it would be worthwhile to post.
Ever wondered, what would happen if Hello Kitty decided to be a member of X JAPAN? Well, now we know.
Gotta love the eye shadow. And the hair.
As it says on Barks.jp, this cute little Kitty goes by is “Yoshikitty”.
X Japan has added two more performances to their list!
There aren’t many details available quite yet, however, the first will be on May 2nd and the second on May 3rd. Both will be held at Tokyo Dome.
Source: BMA, OHP
They’re really making something of the X JAPAN countdown live, 『X JAPAN COUNTDOWN GIG ～初心に帰って～』 (Shoshin ni Kaette).
Okay, so there’s a few ways that fans are able to see it. They’ll be streaming it live on the 31st, and if buy your subscription before the event, it costs 3150 yen. Paying for it on the day of the broadcast costs 3650 yen.
Starting on January 1st for a period of 30 days, it will also be available for downloading, priced at 3150 yen.
For more on that, check out DMM.com
They’ll also be showing the performance live on two television stations; Fuji-TV 721 and Fuji-TV CSHD.
Oh yes, there’s more. They will showing the COUNTDOWN GIG in TOHO Cinemas around Japan! Participating theatres are as follows:
ＴＯＨＯ Cinemas Roppongi Hills (Tokyo)
ODaiba Cinema Mediage (Tokyo)
ＴＯＨＯ Cinemas Kawasaki （Kanagawa）
ＴＯＨＯ Cinemas Ebina （Kanagawa）
ＴＯＨＯ Cinemas LaLaPort Yokohama （Kanagawa）
ＴＯＨＯ Cinemas Hamamatsu （Shizuoka）
ＴＯＨＯ Cinemas Nagoya Bay City （Aichi）
ＴＯＨＯ Cinemas Namba （Osaka）
ＴＯＨＯ Cinemas Semboku （Osaka）
ＴＯＨＯ Cinemas Itami （Hyogo）
ＴＯＨＯ Cinemas Midorii （Hiroshima）
ＴＯＨＯ Cinemas TORIUS Hisayama （Fukuoka）
ＴＯＨＯ Cinemas Yojirou （Kagoshima）
Tickets cost 3000 yen for those who purchase in advance, or 3500 yen the day of. For more information on that, check out the TOHO website.
They’ve also started taking recruits for X JAPAN’s OFFICIAL STREET ARMY! Subscribing gets you announcements about their lives and world tour, access to a photo gallery, member’s only goods, and other good stuff.
Membership is… free.
Source: X JAPAN OHP
I thought this might be of some interest to VK fans~
Here’s the MySpace bulletin that was recently posted about JSHOXX’s hide celebration this Sat.
Our original and favorite Psyborg Guitar God hide would have turned 44 this coming Saturday Dec 13th. To show tribute to hide, we will be reserving this Saturday starting at 3:00pm PST hide day!! Cranking hide studio songs, live concert, and covers, as well as talking to fans about the Psyborg Guitar God. Hope you will tune in and pay tribute.
I think it’s a cool idea. ^^ Be sure to tune in, as JSHOXX is a free online radio station, and in my opinion, one of the best stations out there.
Source: JSHOXX MySpace, JSHOXX.com
X JAPAN has announced that they will be postponing their concerts that have been scheduled for November 22nd in Paris and the 24th and 25th in Sendai and will instead be kicking off their world tour in the new year.
The lives that are currently planned for Hong Kong, Bangkok, Taipei and Seoul will be held as planned:
January 17th @ ASIA WORLD EXPO, Hong Kong
January 31st @ Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok
February 14th @ Taipei World Trade Center, Taipei
March 21st @ Olympic Park – Daiichi Taiiku Kaikan, Seoul
They also say that they will be having a Japan country-wide tour in the spring of next year. Along with scheduling a new Paris date, they will also be adding performance sin Sweden, along with other European countries.
They deeply apologize to all the fans who were waiting for the Paris and Sendai concerts this time around, and ask that you please await the new schedule.
Source: OHP
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