Category: jrock
Brand New Idol Society to Reform?
My contact touring Tokyo sent me a message saying word on the underground idol scene is that Brand New idol Society are reforming!
For those unfamiliar with them, BiS managed to tread a fine line between idol pop/rock and alt.rock really well. Basically, BiS just didn’t give a flying fuck what anyone thought about them and from watching a few shows on the interwebs I realise how nuts they were as a live act too:
But this needs verified. Does anyone have any further news on this? Get commenting or hook me up on Twitter.
Necronomidol Have A New Song, Apparently
Necronoma – as they are also styled – crossed my radar last year on the back of their super weird single Atai no Tsumeato and they’ve been lurking in the back of my mind ever since. Yes, I agree, the band are a very niche proposition and certainly a work in progress.
Kai Kobayashi – I Don’t Know Where This Is Going…
(A shorter version of this article appeared in the Huffington Post)
The 3 girls of Babymetal look as if they are en route to a friend’s fancy dress party. All frills and red and black and silver. This is what I am looking at just before they go on stage to deliver, some 2 hours and 15 minutes later, one of the best concerts I can remember. Never have stage persona and real person been so mutually exclusive.
Maximum The Hormone: It’s My Shit
Miyavi – Don’t Get Inked Too Much!
Miyavi is probably most famous over here for his role as the sadistic prison guard Mutsuhiro Watanabe in Angelina Jolie’s film Unbroken. But he is a killer guitarist with a most unusual style. Miyavi has toured over 250 shows across 30 countries and even opened for the magnificent Lenny Kravitz. I was lucky enough to catch up with him to talk about tattoos, headbanging children and his role in Unbroken.
Miyavi’s responses unless otherwise stated.
Sigure – A Most Enigmatic Live Act
Ling Tosite Sigure (AKA Sigure) returned to the UK to play London’s Inigo at the O2 on Saturday July 11.
“Hi everyone, we are Ling Tosite Sigure. Please enjoy our crazy Japanese sound. Thank you” announces lead guitarist and singer Toru ‘TK’ Kitajima, just before the band embarks on 45 minutes of one of the most compelling live shows I have seen recently.
VAMPS: Rock n Roll Isn’t Supposed to be Healthy
Not be confused with the British band of the same name, this Japanese rock act have been making quite an impression internationally with their brand of hard rock and unique image.
I was fortunate to catch up with them online and asked founding members HYDE and K.A.Z their thoughts on vampires, time travel and, erm, internet marketing. Continue reading
Najinsan!!!!!!!!! 