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[press release] Maki Nomiya to Release Self-Cover Album to Celebrate Her 30th Anniversary

Thursday, February 16th, 2012 by Kathy Chee

Celebrating her 30th anniversary, Maki Nomiya will be releasing her self-cover album including songs from Pizzicato Five, Portable Rock, and her solo career, added with a brand new song “The Me Whom I Don’t Know” produced by Towa Tei. Other producers in the album features various prominent artists including Cornelius, Yukihiro Takahashi (YMO), MIYAVI, and many more.

This album “30 ‾Greatest Self Covers & More!!!‾” will be available worldwide through iTunes and Amazon on February 17, 2012.

Maki Nomiya 30 ~Greatest Self Cover & More!!!~

1. History of Miss.Maki/ Produced by REKISHI

2. The Night Is Still Young / Produced by DJ FUMIYA (RIP SLYME)

3. The Me Whom I Don’t Know / Produced by TOWA TEI

4. Baby Portable Rock / Produced by HYADAIN

5. Superstar / Produced by MIYAVI

6. Sweet Soul Revue / Produced by DAISHI DANCE

7. Magic Carpet Ride / Produced by CORNELIUS

8. Twiggy Twiggy / Produced by □□□ (Kuchiroro)

9. They All Laughed / Produced by Yukihiro Takahashi

10. Me And A Rabbit / Produced by Keiichi Suzuki & Keiichi Sokabe

11. Triste / Produced by ohashiTrio

12. A Message Song / Produced by Hideki Kaji

13. On The Sunny Side Of The Street / Produced by YOUR SONG IS GOOD

14. Ambition Of Miss.Maki / Produced by Rekishi

-Bonus Track-
15. Sweet Renaissance / Performed by Portable Rock

*Countries available in: USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Russia, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Peru

I’m really happy that this year, 2012, marks the 30th anniversary of my debut. Persistence pays off, and I received a very special gift commemorating the occasion–the upcoming 30th anniversary album “30”.

On this album, I sang songs from my debut album “Pink Heart” as well as Pizzicato Five tunes, and also a brand-new track. They are new, creative arrangements of songs I have sung over the years. Many of the artists who contributed I worked with for the first time, and the recording was a truly refreshing experience. My sincerest appreciation goes to all the artists who created the new brilliant arrangements.

And I re-realized that the songs I have been singing were very beautiful. Beautiful songs never fade no matter how many years pass, and never lose their shine regardless of the craftsman. I am so fortunate to be able to sing these special songs again. It’s like the “Me then” came to visit the “Me now,” and it was a remarkable and emotional experience.

I hope this album reaches each and every one of your hearts.

Maki Nomiya

Official Website –  http://www.missmakinomiya.com/
30th Official Website –  http://www.nomiyamaki.com/
Official Blog –  http://fatale.honeyee.com/blog/mnomiya/

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Posted in pop, rock | No Comments »

[live report] the GazettE–A Live for the GazettE Virgins

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 by Sarah

I may remember January 14, 2012 as the day I discovered the soft, gooey, gross affection I have for the GazettE. That’s right folks, a live performance made me like a band I had never really heard before. All signs pointed to disliking this band simply for the fact that they’re a new school, post-Dir en grey scream fest. But damn it, they’re a good new school, post-Dir en grey scream fest. Intentionally or not, the band proved that certain J-rock aficionadas (me) need to stop reading fansites that shun bands for being heavily influenced by certain, more seasoned groups, and start embracing them for who they are.

The Live Tour 11-12 Venomous Cell – Final – Omega’s set started out strong, with songs from their latest album, Toxic, heralding in the grimy theme of the show. Songs like “VENOMOUS SPIDER’S WEB” are quick in tempo, but the texture of the guitar riffs and synth give the melody a slightly sticky feeling, as if your mind is caught on a giant, musical sheet of fly paper. The autotune in “VORTEX,” despite the fact that it’s the dreaded autotune, adds to this to make it sound like Ruki’s voice is being filtered through poisonous tree sap.

From the nasally barks to the dueling guitars, these songs speak to that angst-ridden demonic filth that lurks deep within all of our souls, whether we admit it exists or not. I don’t think I’m the only one who hears a variation of the drums from Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People” when Kai starts thumping away on “MY DEVIL IN THE BED.” And that was not the only thing that harkens back to the late-90s’ king of cybergoth’s disturbing sexuality; the chorus of pre-recorded female voices proudly taunted, “Let’s have sex in the darkness!” amongst less PG-13 musings from Ruki.

These numbers that fluctuated between dirty to pervy to downright nasty were obviously well put together in the composition and production phases, and equally well done in the performance that evening. But every once in a while, a song would sneak in that sounded out of place in terms of sincere grossness factor. The band decided to toss in tunes like “CLEVER MONKEY” that lacked the texture and attitude they had originally sold me on. Upon post-concert research (read: talking to a the GazettE fan), I discovered these were their older tunes. While they were performed with the same approach as the newer ones, it’s quite obvious these were from a time when the band had not yet found their footing on the mountain of musical goo they were trying to scale.

And this is why I was glad I heard the band’s music in this stage of their career and not before. Approaching this show as a the GazettE virgin, I was prepared to have my ears violated maliciously, but was surprised to find I liked having my preconceived notions violated like that. A few of the tunes may be thinly veiled homages to a couple older artists who have been doing the grime and slime for years, but hey, I like those acts too.The diehards can cherish the older tracks on their own while I keep my pervy eyes and ears peeled for newer material.

Official the GazettE website – http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/SR/gazette/

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[press release] SoundWitch to Perform at Tekkoshocon 2012

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 by Kathy Chee

February 4, 2012 – Osaka based gothic-metal/rock band SoundWitch will make their American live performance debut at Tekkoshocon 2012. The band will perform a live concert and attend autograph and Q&A sessions for fans during Tekkoshocon’s four-day event in Pittsburgh, PA from March 22 – 25, 2012.

Tekkoshocon information and pre-registration at: http://www.tekkoshocon.com

SoundWitch PROFILE
SoundWitch was formed in Osaka, Japan in 2005 and performing in the Kansai area. In 2007 and 2008, they released three demo single CDs, and in July 2008 performed at the female vocalist festival, “ADDICT XX”.

Maintaining their momentum, they moved into production of their first album and in April of 2009, “WICCAHOLIC” was released. For this release, they set out on a Japan-wide tour and released their first promotional music video, ”WITHOUT”. SoundWitch ended their tour in January 2010 with their first solo “one-man” live show in Osaka, performing 8 news songs which signalled the start of production on their 2nd album.

In 2009 and 2010, SoundWitch performed at several Japanese music festivals, including “FAR EAST RAMPAGE” and taking the headlining spot on the sub-stage of “ADDICT XX”, followed by the release of their second album ”GROTESCA” in October 2010. After the release, they began the “GROTESCA SHOW” tour country-wide, finishing the tour in November 2010 with a ”two-man” show with their 413 Tracks label mates and friends “6ft. down”. In March of 2011, the “KISS ME KILL ME” 2011 JAPAN TOUR CHAPTER ONE was announced.

SoundWitch members are: Twin (vocals), May (guitar, programming), Sack (drums), Matsubai (bass), Drug-on (guitar).

SoundWitch official website: http://www.soundwitch.jp/
SoundWitch on JapanFiles: http://www.japanfiles.com/soundwitch

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Posted in Press Release, indie, rock | 1 Comment »

[review] By My Side – Hemenway

Thursday, January 26th, 2012 by Kathy Chee

“By My Side” starts out as a very generic pop-rock song.   While it’s catchy,  you kinda cruise through the first 2 minutes of the new NARUTO Shippuden end theme by Hemenway.  But there’s a little hint of something great in the chorus, a sweet falsetto at the end.  And then you get to the end and fall into a whole lot of awesome; a 30 second high signaled by cymbals crashing  and Isaac’s lovely falsetto on refrain.

There’s surprising range on the other two tracks, “Dust” and “Dear Junior,” including a deeper vocal tone that is completely missing from “By My Side.”  The intro to “Dear Junior” is funky and cool.  That plodding word-pause-word-pause bit may be hokey at first, but it gets better.  The guitar bits come alive in contrast and there’s even a shreddy guitar solo, some dueling, and counterpoint going on.

Hemenway could be more than just another street in Boston.  There’s great songwriting potential, a good vocalist and some interesting genre mixing.   And don’t skip the instrumental version of “By My Side,” because that guitar really does fly.

Official Hemenway website – http://www.hemenway.jp/

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[live report] ViViD – When Good Looks Come in Handy

Friday, January 13th, 2012 by Sarah

Some bands have the skills. Some bands have the attitude. Some bands have the drive. Other bands are just plain nice to look at.

I’m not saying a band like ViViD doesn’t have the talent or enthusiasm to make a great concert. I am saying, however, that in front of the steady vocals and melodic metal guitar solos, there’s a band that caused thousands of hormonal teenage girls and boys, in Tokyo’s Nippon Budoukan on January 7, to nearly hurl themselves at the stage with dangerously manicured grabby hands.

When I first saw ViViD in May of last year, I compared their stage presence to that of Elvis: white suits, smoldering glances, and herds of girls transforming into jelly at the wiggle of a hip. Things haven’t changed much in that department, though the venue showed them in a whole different light. Budoukan is something of a milestone for most bands,considering it hostedsome of the most prominent acts from Japan and abroad. Between songs, the band repeatedly mentioned how honored and bewildered they were to be performing there. There were even some beleaguered tears.

But words and stage-crying are cheap. Did their reverence for the spirits of bands that once stood in the very spot they were blubbering in reflect in their music?

On one hand, yes, ViViD did Budoukan justice. My biggest complaint about them last time was how easily the band seemed to tire. This time around, guitarists Ryouga and Reno kept the energy up, giving us a few tight but not overly complicated guitar solos. “Natsu Hana” even brought out the acoustic guitar souls in them, showing off a sweet and simple side to the band. On drums, Ko-ki did something far more experienced men and women have shied away from: a drum solo. Just like the guitars, it wasn’t too busy or distracting from the rest of the set; it was modest and got the crowd up and cheering after two somber songs.

Now the not-so-good bits. While Shin lasted a bit longer this time, he still seemed to lose his spark about halfway through the set. Clear and controlled at the beginning, his voice felt strained by the encore. It didn’t help that there were a few things working against him on top of that. Many of the tunes felt over-produced with excessive synthesizers, sometimes pushing Shin’s voice into the background. The acoustics in Budoukan are also a bit inconsistent with the vocals bouncing off the back wall and hitting my ears a couple milliseconds late. I’m not sure if that was just from where I was sitting, but it was distracting at times.

Still, I want to give ViViDthe benefit of the doubt. They’re a young band that only just got together in 2009, and Budoukan is not an easy prom queen to woo. But this is a band that forces even the most cynical snarker (me) to forget all her misgivings with a single, pearly grin. That sparkly, shiny, over-produced-but-who-carescharisma makes me want to forget their shortcomings, go back in time to when I was in high school, paste pictures of each member on the inside of my locker, and join the rest of the screaming masses of furitsukeing-fangirls.

ViViD Official website – http://www.pscompany.co.jp/vivid/

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[interview] YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz Won’t Forget

Thursday, December 15th, 2011 by Sarah

Pop quiz: What are YELLOW FRIED CHICKENZ?

a) The Colonel’s new yet somehow original recipe.
b) Mega-triple threat GACKT’s slightly satirical project.
c) A surprisingly sensitive band that just wants to instill some charitable thoughts in their audience’s brains.

If you answered b) and c), you’re correct. When I sat down with GACKT and the gang on October 23, 2011 during V-ROCK FESTIVAL, I expected a conversation to match the  showy live performance I had seen just an hour earlier. I was wrong. After a slightly rocky start, YFC opened their hearts to talk about an experience they hope their whole audience can learn from.

pS: First of all, what’s the origin of your band name?

GACKT: We were really moved by Kentucky Fried Chicken. It appealed to us, so we thought, “Let’s give it the name YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz.” That’s it. We’re YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz.

pS: But why “yellow”? Where I come from, it kind of has a bad meaning.

Jon: Discriminatory?

pS: Right, discriminatory meaning.

GACKT: The reason for that is our confidence is yellow. It’s a sense of pride. I’m proud of us. So I can say, “We are yellow.”

pS: But what about Jon? Haha!

Jon: I don’t know! I’m kind of an egg. Just my outside is white. I don’t know if that’s accurate.

GACKT: What I meant about the band name is we started this project as my solo last year. I found new ideas in this style, so I tried to make a new band. I called Jon and Shinya, U-zo. We started this band to make a man-band.

Jon: A more manly band.

GACKT: Also we are performing for a much different audience.

Jon: Yeah, like the victims of the earthquake and tidal waves. So a big part of our mission and message is to help, but also so that people don’t forget what’s going on there, what happened there. And not just what happened, but what’s still going on there. Recently, we had the great honor to go to Sendai on our tour and before we played two days at Zepp Sendai, we went to Ground Zero. One of the places all along the coast that was just destroyed by the tidal wave. And it was just an incredible experience.  We got to meet the people there, talk with the people there, and see what the current situation was. And that’s why a big part of our message is, “It will not be forgotten.” because it’s six months after the fact, but it’s still leveled. The whole city is gone. All of it is garbage now. So for us, it was a really amazing experience. We actually went back again to a different area to see what the difference was, like is it the same, etc. You know, it’s going to take years and years and years for that area to return to any approximation of what it used to be. And it’s going to take a lot of people’s concentrated effort to make that happen. And not just locals, but everywhere in Japan. Hopefully around the world too. We’re trying to spread our message, not so much in a soap box kind of way. (more…)

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Posted in interview, rock, visual kei | 5 Comments »

[press release] exist†trace 2012 USA Tour – New York and Philadelphia dates announced!

Friday, December 9th, 2011 by Kathy Chee

December 8, 2011 – All-female Japanese visual kei band exist†trace announced tour dates today for their first USA East Coast appearance! exist†trace will perform their indie hits plus songs from their major-label releases “TRUE” and “THE LAST DAYBREAK.” General admission and VIP tickets go on sale December 14.

Sunday, March 18 – New York, NY @ Hiro Ballroom
Tuesday, March 20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Starlight Ballroom

Official ticket and tour information can be found here:
http://www.japanfiles.com/existtrace-america-tour-2012.html

As part of their USA tour, exist†trace will make a special appearance at Japanese culture and anime event Tekkoshocon 2012. The band will perform a live concert and attend special autograph and Q&A sessions for fans during Tekkoshocon’s four-day event in Pittsburgh, PA from March 22 – 25, 2012.

Tekkoshocon information and pre-registration at: http://www.tekkoshocon.com

exist†trace 2012 America tour is presented by JapanFiles, Monsters Inc., Tekkoshocon, and JhouseRock Entertainment.

exist trace USA Tour information:
http://www.japanfiles.com/existtrace-america-tour-2012.html

exist†trace PROFILE

exist†trace is one of Japan’s first all-female Visual Kei rock bands. Formed in 2003, the members of exist†trace are Jyou (vocals), Miko (guitar), Mally (drums), Naoto (bass), Omi (guitar).

Along with multiple tours of Japan , exist†trace has performed twice in Europe, making appearances in Berlin, Helsinki, Moscow, Paris, London, and Barcelona. In 2009, the band performed at the 2-day V-ROCK FESTIVAL in Chiba, Japan. In November 2010, exist†trace released their album “TWIN GATE” in Japan, followed by an American release from JapanFiles. In June, 2011, they made their major-label debut with the “TRUE” EP on Tokuma Japan, and released a second 5-song EP “THE LAST DAYBREAK” in October 2011.

LINKS!

exist†trace official website: http://www.exist-trace.com

exist†trace on JapanFiles: http://www.japanfiles.com/existtrace.html

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Posted in Upcoming Events, indie, rock, visual kei | No Comments »

[review] THE LAST DAYBREAK by exist†trace

Friday, October 28th, 2011 by Jen Wang

THE LAST DAYBREAK opens with a primal call from Jyou, but instead of singing in her trademark growling alto, she keeps her voice light and clear in “Daybreak ~Jyusan gatsu no shikisai.”  Unexpected moves like these are the highlight of exist†trace’s new album.  Guitarists Miko and Omi still grind out heavy riffs that complement Naoto’s rumbling bass, but over them they layer soaring melodies and hazy reverb.

“Little Mary to Utsukushiki Nikushimi no Danube”  shows off the band’s whimsical side with a synthesized waltz and Miko’s girlish voice in the intro.  Mally continues a three-count beat while Jyou and Miko provide a conversation between experience versus youth.  The fairy tale does not end happily, however, as the guitars and violin plunge the song into a dissonant nightmare.  Exist†trace unveil their vulnerable side in “Kimi no masshiro na hane.”   Omi’s guitar cries along with Jyou, who is not afraid to let her voice tremble in the last few notes.  It is a quiet but potent end to THE LAST DAYBREAK.

The album title indicates a beginning of an end, but on the cover, the band members are firmly rooted in their determined poses.  With an upcoming U.S. tour and a new album that shows off their growth as songwriters, it is safe to say that exist†trace are not close to being finished.

exist†trace Official Website – http://www.exist-trace.com/
exist†trace on JapanFiles – http://www.japanfiles.com/existtrace.html

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Posted in review, rock, visual kei | 2 Comments »

[interview] BORN to Rock Nekocon 2011

Monday, October 24th, 2011 by Kathy Chee

Almost three years after they first performed at Onicon in Texas, BORN is back in North America for Virginia’s Nekocon. With a new single, “Psycho Diva,” BORN continues to mix up pop choruses with thrashy metal riffs and growling counter vocals. Nekocon 2011 will take place on November 4th-6th at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Virginia.

pSKY: It’s been two years since you last performed in America, how have you grown since then?

RYOGA: Our music has gained more depth and our live performances are significantly crazier than two years ago.
K: Each member has a definitive role in the band now.
Ray: A single mind.
KIFUMI: The atmosphere surrounding us is stronger.
TOMO: We are more closely united.

pSKY: You just released an album in June and a new single in September. Are you working on a new album already? Can you give us some insight on what we can expect from a new album?

RYOGA: Yes, we’re working on a new album already. It will be BORN`s hard music, more evolved from the last one.
K: you can expect a keen music sense of BORN. Ray: It is hard to explain in the words. You’ll just have to listen and feel.
KIFUMI: Don`t think, just listen to my bass.
TOMO: Our range will be wider.

pSKY: When do you have time to relax? What do you do with your free time (if you have any free time at all)?

RYOGA: I sleep or go out for a walk.
K: I watch movies.
Ray: Shopping!
KIFUMI: I go out and look for excitement.
TOMO: Watch movies.

pSKY: What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage?

RYOGA: Plum liquor or beer.
K: Shochu.
Ray: Beer.
KIFUMI: Cocktail.
TOMO: Red wine.

pSKY: You’re performing at an anime convention. How do you think your music ties into anime?

RYOGA: I think there is a great similarity between the fantastic world that animation creates and the unreal world which visual kei lives in.
K: The gorgeous look and style.
Ray: They both have created their own world.
KIFUMI: The amazing characteristics an anime character has can be similar to what a band player has to create on stage and in the music.
TOMO: Both have a story.

PSKY: Do you have a favorite anime/manga?

RYOGA:　DRAGONBALL
K:　SLAM DUNK.
Ray:　SAINT SEIYA (聖闘士星矢).
KIFUMI: YU YU HAKUSHO (幽遊白書).
TOMO: ONE PIECE.

pSKY: You’ll be sharing a stage with some big name acts at V-rock Festival 2011. Have you performed at festivals before? Do you hang around to listen to the other acts? If yes, who are you most perform?

RYOGA: We’ve never performed for a stage like V-rock Festival before. I listen to other artists. I’m excited to see ALI PROJECT.
K: Yes, I’m excited to see SOPHIA.
Ray: I’m excited to see MUCC.
KIFUMI: BLACK VEIL BRIDES.
TOMO: I’m excited to see YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz.

PSKY: Who are some of your musical influences?

RYOGA: Marilyn Manson, Rammstein.
K: LUNA SEA, Guns N’ Roses.
Ray: LUNA SEA, BUCK-TICK.
KIFUMI: L’Arc～en～Ciel.
TOMO: LUNA SEA, Nirvana, Slipknot, and Marilyn Manson.

PSKY: What can fans expect from your upcoming performance? Will you be performing your new single, “Psycho Diva?”

RYOGA: You can expect BORN to give the most aggressive performance of any band from Japan. Whether we’ll perform “Psycho Diva”, I don`t know. You’ll have to come and see.
K: Our performance will be powerful.
Ray: We will show you our performance, it`s one and only.
KIFUMI: Come see BORN at the venue!
TOMO: Come experience our US performance.

pSKY: Do you have any pre-performance rituals?

RYOGA: We become fussy and make noise.
K: I breathe deeply and put spirit into myself.
Ray: I go off alone and listen to music.
KIFUMI: we tease each other.
TOMO: I just smoke cigarettes.

pSKY: Leave a message for your fans.

RYOGA: This time we’re coming to see you, so next time you come to Japan for us too!
K: Listen to our CD and enjoy the LIVE performance.
Ray: I want to keep exceeding fan expectations.
KIFUMI: I love you!
TOMO: Please keep your eye on BORN.

Nekocon Website – http://www.nekocon.com/
Tainted Reality Website – http://www.taintedreality.net/
Official BORN Website – http://www.indie-psc.com/born/

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Posted in indie, interview, rock, visual kei | 2 Comments »

[press release] exist†trace Announces 2012 America tour

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 by Kathy Chee

Japanese all-female visual kei band exist†trace will tour America in March 2012, performing live concerts in:

Boston, MA
New York, NY
Philadelphia, PA

Dates, venues, and ticket information to be announced soon.

Their latest CD release, “THE LAST DAYBREAK,” went on sale in Japan today. The 5-track EP is their second release from major label TOKUMA JAPAN.

Last month, exist†trace announced a special appearance as a special guest at Japanese culture and anime event Tekkoshocon 2012. The band will perform a live concert and attend special autograph and Q&A sessions for fans during Tekkoshocon’s four-day event in Pittsburgh, PA from March 22 – 25, 2012.

Tekkoshocon information and pre-registration at: http://www.tekkoshocon.com

exist†trace 2012 America tour is presented by JapanFiles, Monsters Inc., Tekkoshocon, and JhouseRock Entertainment.

exist trace USA information: http://www.japanfiles.com/existtrace.html

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