Monday, June 28th, 2010 by Sarah
ZAMZA may take its name from the existentialist novella Metamorphosis, but don’t let that lull you into thinking this band has any similarities to your stuffy modern lit teacher. Taking members from the legendary pop-rock band JUDY AND MARY and the equally influential ECHOES, ZAMZA has played their distinctly high-octane shows across Europe and North America.
On the verge of the release of their latest album, Tsukizoku (Tribe of the Moon), guitarist Hiroki, drummer KOHTA, and keyboardist Toshimichi Isoe found some time to sit down with purple SKY.
pSKY: First, I’m not quite sure about your name. I’ve seen it written ZAMZA and ZAMZA N’ BANSHEE, so what is the difference between the two?
Hiroki: When we perform overseas, if we use the posthumous name ZAMZA N’ BANSHEE, no one will recognize it by just looking at it. It was too long for when we went overseas. That’s why we write it as ZAMZA. (more…)
Tags: anime, Avril Lavigne, Banshee, Disney, ECHOES, folk, Hiroki, j-pop, j-rock, judy and mary, kanye west, KOHTA, Linkin Park, loud rock, madonna, Manga, rolling stones, Toshimichi Isoe, Tsukizoku, ZAMZA, ZAMZA N' BANSHEE, Zinc
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Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 by Kathy Chee
Article by Sarah Dworken
Unassuming in their independent music spirit, rock band Dazzle Vision is finding their way onto North American shores for the first time in their seven year career. 1990’s prog-rock mixed with glam metal and a splash of Avril Lavigne for good measure, Dazzle Vision will be performing at Seattle’s Sakura-Con on April 3 as the opening act for High and Mighty Color. Unlike the con’s headliner, J-music and anime fans might not be terribly familiar with Dazzle Vision. But if their most recent releases are any indication of what’s to come, they’re a worthy contender for the audience’s attention.
The band started out in the traditional indies music fashion. A group of friends, including a pair of siblings as represented by the vocalist and bassist, decided to take elements from previous projects and create music that they wanted to do. Gaining popularity on the indies circuit, they moved on the release works on JapanFiles in order to reach the ever so difficult to tap overseas market.
Before they head off to the US for their first concert on the other side of the Pacific, the band sat down with me for a no-frills chat about their music and what exactly is – dare I say? – dazzling about Dazzle Vision. (more…)
Tags: Avril Lavigne, Dazzle Vision, Deep Purple, Goofy Style, Haru, j-rock, Maiko, progressive rock, sakura con, Seattle, shibuya, Story of the Year, Takuro, Tokyo
Posted in indie, interview, rock | No Comments »
