April 10-12, 2009
m.o.v.e.
Kamikazecon - Houston, TX
Source: Japanator [thanks to sesshu for the tip!]
April Calendar - m.o.v.e. - Kamikazecon 2009
June Calendar - Fake? - Anime Next 2009
June 12-14
Fake?
Anime Next - Somerset, New Jersey
Source: Japanator
April 09 Calendar
April is finally here (or just about), so it's time to take a long hard look at the upcoming events!
This month, it's all about the anime cons. Sakura-Con, Anime Matsuri and Kawaii Kon are all taking place at the same time, April 10-12th. Even better, they are all chocked full of great musical guests.
First, there's Detroit7, who are actually ending the US leg of their tour, then jumping off to the rest of the world through April.
Then there are the cons, all taking place April 10th through the 12th. You've got both girugamesh and Hangry & Angry at Sakura Con in Seattle. There's Miyavi and DJ Takuya Angel at Anime Matsuri. Then there's the total rock and roll show at Kawaii Kon, featuring both The Emeralds and Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re.
Oh, and there's also An Cafe, who will be ending their world tour with three shows in California on the 11th, 12th and 14th.
Obviously, it's going to be a crazy month for both anime and Japanese music fans. Will you be getting out to any of these shows? See something missing? Just say so in the comments.
Now get out there and have a good time!
Otaku USA Magazine #11
It's time again for another fantastic issue of Otaku USA Magazine to stomp its way into better magazine sellers everywhere!
This time around, I've got a nice interview with my heroes Polysics. I managed to catch them in the phone just before they kicked off their latest US tour.
There are also album reviews of Saitone, Boom Boom Satellites and 9mm Parabellum Bullet for your merit debating pleasure.
Of course, that's just my own personal neck of the woods. There's a ass-ton of the usual great content, from games reviews, interviews, manga and anime talk, figures and much more. Plus, in case you didn't notice last time, the cover price is almost half of what it used to be! You can't lose. I hope you get a chance to pick it up soon. There's much more to come, so stay strong, true believers!
Japanator Radio 81
Yes! Again! Non-stop! It's another Japanator Radio!
This weeks we've got a heaping helping of NEW from Saori@destiny, Eufonius and Buck-Tick, with a look at a few April live shows in the Artist Spotlight. There's a lot going on out there, so I hope you've booked your trip!
Get to work downloding the show. There might be a test later! No, no there won't!
DOWNLOAD EPISODE 81 AT JAPANATOR!
Random updates via Twitter.
Track-list and links after the jump!
00:00 OP: Shiina Ringo x Saito Neko - Gamble (Inst.) - Heisei Fuuzoku [BUY]
01:14 Toshihiko Takamizawa - Tsukihime - Single [BUY]
06:45 Sex Machineguns - Demaedo Icchokusen - Heavy Metal Thunder [BUY]
10:55 Maximum the Hormone - Bikini Sports Ponchin - Buiikikaesu [BUY]
14:52 Break: No More Heroes OST [BUY]
15:33 Vidoll - Cherry - Esoteric Romance [BUY at HearJapan]
18:41 Buck-Tick - Umbrella - Memento Mori [BUY]
22:57 Gackt - Oasis (Gladiator Special Edition) - Gladiator [BUY]
27:28 Break: No More Heroes OST [BUY]
Artist Spotlight: April Calendar
28:41 Miyavi - Sakihokoru hana no you ni -Neo Vizualizm- - THIS IZ THE JAPANESE KABUKI ROCK [BUY]
33:09 An Cafe - Kawaiyu's Rock - Harajuku Dance Rock [BUY]
36:12 girugamesh - BreakDown - MUSIC [BUY at JapanFiles.com]
39:36 Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re - Tes Time Ska - Pregnant Fantasy [BUY at JapanFiles.com]
44:42 Break: No More Heroes OST [BUY]
46:25 Saori@destiny - Stainless Starlight - WOW WAR TECHNO [BUY]
50:41 Ayumi Hamasaki - Sparkle - Next Level [BUY]
55:06 Eufonius - Kono Koe ga Todoitara - Single [BUY]
59:32 ED: Shiina Ringo x Saito Neko - Sakuran (Terra ver.) (Inst.) - Heisei Fuuzoku [BUY]
April Calendar - The Emeralds / Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re - Kawaii Kon 09
April 10-12
The Emeralds / Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re
Kawaii Kon 2009
Hawaii Convention Center
Source: Kawaii Kon (Thanks to Anonymous for the tip!)
May Calendar - m.o.v.e. - Anime Central 09
May 8-10, 2009
m.o.v.e.
Anime Central - Rosemont, IL
Source: Anime Central
Artists m.o.v.e. to Appear at Anime Central, May 8-10th 2009
Prospect Heights, IL (March 23, 2009) –The Midwest Animation Promotion Society (MAPS) and Anime Central (ACEN) are proud to announce the special appearance of Avex artists m.o.v.e. at the 12th annual Anime Central convention, May 8-10th 2009.
Few Japanese artists have been as much part of the global anime boom as m.o.v.e. With anime soundtracks increasingly being used as a vehicle to launch Japanese artists overseas, the dance-pop group has been involved in several anime tie-ins, the most high-profile of which have been the theme songs to the series Initial D and the movie of the same name. With the rising international popularity of Japanese animation, move's work in "Initial D", "Final Fantasy: Unlimited", "Ikki Tousen", and "Monkey Robot" (Asobot Senki GOKU), have made them a name known to fans across the globe.
m.o.v.e's Yuri and Motsu will be bringing the group's unique musical blend of rock, rap, electronica, and metal to the ACEN stage. In addition to performing, the group will be holding autograph signings and panels during the three-day event. m.o.v.e. released their 9th original album, Humanizer, on January 21st, 2009, a followup to the band's 2008 10th-anniversary release, Mega Best. For more information on the band visit their webpage www.electropica.com.
About Anime Central:
Anime Central is celebrating its twelfth anniversary in 2009. With over 13,000 attendees, ACEN is Chicago's largest anime, manga, and Japanese popular culture convention. The convention is currently held in Rosemont, IL which is less than 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. The convention location is less than five minutes from O'Hare International Airport, and only 35 minutes from Midway International Airport. Anime Central will be held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and the Donald E Stephens convention center May 8th-10th 2009. Early pre-registration for the convention is $50.00 until April 1st, 2009; after which registration will be available for $55.00 until April 15th, 2009. For additional information on Anime Central visit www.acen.org.
Media Contact
Vic Walter
press@acen.org
(224) 676-0003
Fax: (847)789-9300
Japanator Radio 80
Late, but not too late, it's another Japanator Radio!
Before we get to the goods, a quick reminder: the Japan Nite tour is in full swing! Go here for the details. Also of note, the first 50 people to get to the gigs will get a free Japan Nite sampler CD! Win/win! The shows sound totally awesome, so make sure to get out there and see it if you can.
OK, so this week on the show, new stuff from Gackt (squee!) Midori (super squee!) and Polysics (ZOMG!), and another look at a few of the Japan Nite acts in the Artist Spotlight.
Go! Go! GO!
DOWNLOAD EPISODE 80 AT JAPANATOR!
Random updates via Twitter.
Track-list and links after the jump!
00:00 OP: Shiina Ringo x Saito Neko - Gamble (Inst.) - Heisei Fuuzoku [BUY]
01:13 Polysics - Shout Aloud! - Single [BUY]
04:08 Midori - Akan!! - Swing (Single) [BUY]
07:40 Stance Punks - Please Die Tonight - Peace & Destroy [BUY]
10:48 Break - Street Fighter IV OST [BUY]
11:49 Rejuvenated Half-Face - Cause & Effect - Ccmmgr [BUY]
15:54 Eastern Youth - Boiling Point 36℃ - Blowing from the Other Side of the Earth [BUY]
19:40 The Novembers - Dnim - Paraphilia [BUY]
23:53 Break - Street Fighter IV OST [BUY]
Artist Spotlight: Japan Nite
25:11 The Emeralds - Time Traveling Rock n Roll - Love is Rolling [BUY]
29:30 Flip - Haha Kara Umareta Hinekure no Uta - Haha Kara Umareta Hinekure no Uta [BUY]
32:44 Grapevine - Come On - Single [BUY]
37:35 Omodaka - Hanagasa Ondo - Cantata No. 147 [BUY]
41:30 Break - Street Fighter IV OST [BUY]
42:44 Gackt - Journey Through the decade - Single [BUY]
47:13 School Food Punishment - Brand New Wave Upper Ground - Judy & Mary 15th Anniversary Tribute Album [BUY]
51:37 Ryuichi Sakamoto - Hwit - Out of Noise [BUY]
57:49 ED: Shiina Ringo x Saito Neko - Sakuran (Terra ver.) (Inst.) - Heisei Fuuzoku [BUY]
Japanator Radio 79
Yes, again, another unrelenting edition of Japanator Radio!
This week we take a look at new stuff from Perfume and Base Ball Bear, some old stuff from Polysics and a swipe at a few of the acts on the Japan Nite tour that kicks off at SXSW this week.
So much music! So little time! Do not wait another second! Download it now!
DOWNLOAD EPISODE 79 AT JAPANATOR
Random updates via Twitter.
Track-list and links after the jump!
00:00 OP: Shiina Ringo x Saito Neko - Gamble (Inst.) - Heisei Fuuzoku [BUY]
01:28 Tomoyasu Hotei - Science Killed the Future - Guitarhythm V [BUY]
05:49 Base Ball Bear - Kamigami Looks You - Single [BUY]
10:35 Lost in Time - Hello Yello - Ashita ga Kikoeru [BUY]
14:44 Break - Street Fighter IV OST [BUY]
16:06 Polysics - Social Fools (Devo cover) - 1st P/A.D.S.R.M.! [BUY]
18:43 Susumu Hirasawa - Tenko Suru Wakusei [BUY]
23:38 Pupa - At Dawn - Floating Pupa [BUY]
28:13 Break - Street Fighter IV OST [BUY]
Artist Spotlight: Japan Nite
29:59 Special Thanks - Mr. Donut - Seven Colors [BUY at JapanFiles.com]
33:18 Honey Sac - I Can Not Help It [BUY | Also, get a free track at HearJapan.com]
37:05 Detroit7 - Mr. Kato on the Road - Detroit7 [BUY] (Read the full album review here)
40:17 Asakusa Jinta - Tokyo Sabaku de Jidanda - Asakusa Jinta [BUY | Also, get a free track at HearJapan.com]
44:44 Break - Street Fighter IV OST [BUY]
45:54 Naivepop or Petitfool - Bicycle Race (Plus Tech Squeeze Box Remix) - 1 2 3 Darts [BUY at JapanFiles.com]
48:46 Perfume - One Room Disco - Single [BUY]
53:45 Ram Rider - Mirror Ball (Far East RecordingRemix) - Portable Disco 8bit Edition [BUY]
57:51 ED: Shiina Ringo x Saito Neko - Sakuran (Terra ver.) (Inst.) - Heisei Fuuzoku [BUY]
Album Review: Detroit7 Detroit7
The hard rockin' trio that is Detroit7 will be embarking on a world tour this month, hitting up SXSW and the Japan Nite tour in American, then stomping over to the rest of the world in April. Their appearance in the States is being heralded with the release of their self-titled album on the Daruma label.
Along with a host of mini albums and EPs, it's the band's third full-length album and shows the band in top form. They blast through their 10 songs in 30 minutes. From the starting shot of "In the Sunshine" to the head thumping closer "Lovers Fight," it's a solid block of swaggering guitars, raw drumming and Tomomi Nabana's signature smokey, gruff and non-nonsense vocal assault. While she's got the delivery of a biker-chick looking for a fight, she also sounds like she's smiling the entire time.
That's not to say they are an abrasive, middle-finger-wagging punk band. They've got a heart the pumps the blues, filtering it through their fuzzed out amps. The do take a breather on both "Down Beat" and "Torch Song," though it's a bit relative. They still bring their wall of sonic mayhem along, but they manage to keep it in check, at least for a few minutes. "Zelda" ramps things back up, providing the fuel for a long distance road trip through a sweltering desert.
For anyone looking for a handy tool to explode a massive sound system through sheer rock and roll mayhem, they need look to further than Detroit7. Look for it at their shows, buy it at Amazon, or at any record shop with an ounce of credibility and common sense.
Check out some videos of their previous US tour after the jump.
Base Ball Bear (ベースボールベアー)
Formed, like so many other bands, in high school and as something of a one-off lark, the band that would eventually become Base Ball Bear managed to stick together and become one of the more prominent bands in the modern Japanese music scene.
They say they were influenced strongly by Supercar, and Base Ball Bear's warm, upbeat and slightly nostalgic rock does echo that of Supercar at times. It helps that they also have a female bass player who contributes occasional back-up vocals and harmonies just as Supercar did. Yet while Supercar could be a bit abrasive and experimental at times, Base Ball Bear sticks more toward the straight-up pop/dance rock style. They do have a slight indie-rock vibe from time to time, but they are decidedly more mainstream than their now-defunct progenitors.
Their pop mentality only strengthened once they signed to a major label. While their early work is a bit angular and brash, their newer material is predictably refined and focused, both sonically and melodically. Their disco/dance beats also gained prominence, holding precedence over their earlier rock approach. Their songs are still just as catchy and upbeat as ever, if not more so. If you find bands like Vola and the Oriental Machine to be a little too intense, or Ogre You Asshole to be a little to twee and indie, then Base Ball Bear might be the perfect fit.
Aishiteru
Official Site
Members:
Yūsuke Koide - Guitar, Vocals
Shiori Sekine - Bass, Vocals
Shohei Yuasa - Guitar
Daisuke Horinouchi - Drums
Albums:
Jūnanasai 2007
C 2006
Band B ni Tsuite 2005
High Color Times 2005
Yūgata Generation 2003
Changes
Dakishimetai
Dramatic
17sai
Matsuri no Ato
Girlfriend
9mm Parabellum Bullet
9mm Parabellum Bullet not only has a rather unique (aka typically Japanese) name, but their music is also a unique mix of straight up rock and totally twisted post punk. Formed around 2004, they very quickly rose to be a force to be reckoned with in the indie rock scene.
All of their guitar playing is extremely tight and usually frenetic, yet the songs are very melodic and almost listener friendly. On the one hand, their more melodic and tune-full slant may put them into Asian Kung-fu Generation territory, yet their spastic playing, crazy drumming and singing pushed to the bleeding edge is much more like Number Girl. There are even a few heavy metal riffs from time to time which show of their technical prowess. It's all presented at blinding speed ("Mr. Suicide" for example), so you'll need to listen to them many times to actually hear everything that's going on. Some of their most intense tracks would even give power metal band Dragonforce a run for their money.
The band has matured ever so slightly over the years, reigning in their more confrontational tendencies more often than not. This doesn't mean that their songs lack any of their trademark intensity, just that the band doesn't throw themselves face first into every song. They manage to separate the more intense moments from the more melodic, crafting songs that are better at luring in the listener, setting them up for the next blast of pummeling staccato riffs. Sugawara Takuro vocals have always been a bit shaky, easily the band's weakest link, but his rough and sometimes strained delivery fits just fine with the general air of down and dirty rebellion that surrounds the band like a warm glow.
Supernova
Official Site
Members:
Sugawara Takuro - Vocals, Guitar
Taki Yoshimitsu - Guitar
Nakamura Kazuhiko - Bass
Kamijo Chihiro - Drums
Releases:
Gjallarhorn - 2005
Phantomime - 2006
The World EP - 2007
Termination - 2007
Vampire - 2008
Mr. Suicide
The World
Heat Island - Live
Termination
Punishment
Teenage Disaster - Live
Japanator Radio 78
Hi there. Japanator Radio 78 is GO!
This week, new stuff from Nirgilis, Puffy, Ogre You Asshole, some Hatsune Miku goodness and something special in the Artist Spotlight. What could it be? Well, you'll never know if you don't listen. Or, you know, hit the jump.
Wow, too much to just sit here and blab about. Get the show now!
DOWNLOAD EPISODE 78 AT JAPANATOR!
Random updates via Twitter.
Track-list and links after the jump!
00:00 OP: Shiina Ringo x Saito Neko - Gamble (Inst.) - Heisei Fuuzoku [BUY]
01:02 Chatmonchy - Umi Karada ta Sakana - Kokuhaku [BUY]
05:33 Ogre You Asshole - Pinhole - Single [BUY]
08:53 Pasteboard - Squall - Glitter [BUY - CD | JAPANFILES | HEARJAPAN]
12:21 Break - Street Fighter IV OST [BUY]
13:38 Mai Kadowaki - Search and Destroy (Iggy & The Stooges) - PANKORE -voice actresses' legendary punk songs collection [BUY]
17:09 Scandal - Sakura Goodbye - Single [BUY]
21:02 Puffy - Hiyorihime - Single [BUY]
24:03 Break - Street Fighter IV OST [BUY]
Artist Spotlight - Tokyo Solisten
25:42 Tokyo Solisten - Day Triper - Yesterday On Baroque ~ Lennon & McCartney ~ [BUY]
29:26 Tokyo Solisten - Eleanor Rigby - Yesterday On Baroque ~ Lennon & McCartney ~ [BUY]
32:44 Tokyo Solisten - Yesterday - Yesterday On Baroque ~ Lennon & McCartney ~ [BUY]
37:08 Tokyo Solisten - Ticket to Ride - Yesterday On Baroque ~ Lennon & McCartney ~ [BUY]
39:46 Break - Street Fighter IV OST [BUY]
41:04 Ryo - Liar Parade - Supercell [BUY]
44:54 Nirgilis - Kiseki - Single [BUY]
49:11 Kalafina - Love Come Down - Seventh Heaven [BUY]
53:55 ED: Shiina Ringo x Saito Neko - Sakuran (Terra ver.) (Inst.) - Heisei Fuuzoku [BUY]
Pasteboard
Pasteboard was a very short lived shoegaze duo. Formed around 2001, Makoto Igarashi and Mihoko Tanoue stuck together for a few years before the release of what was to be their only album, Glitter, in 2005.
Yet the real story is that the band never really broke up. Not exactly. Both Makoto and Mihoko were actually working together as Roly Poly Rag Bear for a while before they released their Pasteboard material. Since they are still releasing material under the RPRB banner, it would seem as though Pasteboard was only a sort of side project. The material on Glitter seems to prove this theory, as most of its nine songs are very short, almost unfinished at times, mere sketches of songs that never really came to fruition. On the other hand, songs like "Shoegazer," "Slowdive" and "Squall" are truly great, blurry pop gems.
In a way, it's a shame that the duo doesn't continue to peruse the more rock-oriented sound of Pasteboard in lieu of the more stylish, though no less muzzy bossa/Shibuya-kei style of RPRB. That project is a bit less unique and precious, instead being slight more run of the mill and bland overall. Not that Pasteboard is groundbreaking in any way, but in that case the songs have a stronger presence and a more earnest feel. Of course we can still hope that the duo takes the time to release another batch of hazy, dreamy rock some time down the road.
Slowdive
Official Site
MySpace
Members:
Makoto Igarashi
Mihoko Tanoue
Releases:
Glitter 2005
March 09 Calendar - Grapevine - US Gigs
March 20-24
Grapevine
US Gigs
20 - SXSW/Japan Nite - Austin TX
22 - Japan Nite - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
24 - Public Assembly - Brooklyn, NY
May 09 Calendar - Kalafina - Anime Boston 2009
May 22-24
Kalafina
Anime Boston
Hynes Convention Center, Boston MA
Source: PR (see below)
Kalafina x Yuki Kajiura @ Anime Boston 2009!! May 22-24th at the Hynes Convention Center, Boston MA
Kalafina Bio
Kalafina is a songstress project that started from female vocalist auditions held by hit maker/composer, Yuki Kajiura.
During the auditions, the singers with voices that met with Kajiura’s high expectations, performed each of the songs composed by Yuki Kajiura, and the best vocalists were selected forming the style of this group. Surely as each song differs, the charming music from these singers will begin to take shape.
Kalafina; Wakana, Keiko, and Hikaru, made their debut in January 2008, with their single “oblivious”, which reached #8 on the Oricon (equivalent to Billboard) weekly chart.
Their second single “sprinter/ARIA”, and third single “fairytale” have also made the top 10 in the Oricon chart.
Kalafina is greatly featured for the theme song of the famous anime film series, “The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai)”, which their DVD has sold more than 500,000 copies total.
On March 4th 2009, they will simultaneously release their first album “Seventh Heaven” and 4th single “Lacrimosa”, which is the ending theme of another popular anime series, “Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji).
-Kalafina Official Website-
www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Info/kalafina
Yuki Kajiura Bio
Yuki Kajiura is a multi-music composer who handles lyric, music arrangement. She has extensive music production experience games, musicals, and television.
As a member of her own group called “See-Saw”, she produced datta noni” (Although We Were Always Together) for the ending “Mobile Suit Gundam SEED”, which became a big hit.
Since 2007, Kajiura has been in charge of the music for all 7 of “The Garden of Sinners” (Kara no Kyoukai) film adaptations, and in addition started the music project she put together, Kalafina. In 2008, Kajiura held her first solo live performance, and she’s also held a collaboration live show with “Revo” of Sound Horizon in Kobe, Yokohama, and Tokyo which brought together over 10,000 people.
Other recent projects Kajiura has involved with, includes being the music director for the film “Akiresu to Kame” (Achilles and the Tortoise) directed by the internationally renowned movie director / actor / comedian, Takeshi “Beat” Kitano, and she continues to pursue the Kajiura world.
-Yuki Kajiura Official Website-
www.fictionjunction.com/index2.html
Japanator Radio 77
Well, what do you know? A week without any major technical malfunctions or deathly illnesses. The show is on time without any sort of herculean efforts. Mark your calendars!
This week, new goodness from Strawberry Machine, Abingdon Boys School, an awesome remix by YMCK of an Ayumi Hamasaki track, and the epic instrumentality of Mono in the Artist Spotlight. Oh, and so much more.
Grab the show and get comfy, 'cause it's a long one. Win/win.
DOWNLOAD EPISODE 77 AT JAPANATOR!
Random updates via my Twitter.
Track-list and links after the jump!
00:00 OP: Shiina Ringo x Saito Neko - Gamble (Inst.) - Heisei Fuuzoku [BUY]
0:01:03 D - Colosses - Genetic World [BUY]
0:06:23 Midori - Gokui de Samba - Live!! [BUY]
0:09:19 Zazen Boys - Daruma - I Don't Wanna Be With You (Single) [BUY] (Check them out in New York this week!)
0:14:24 Break - Street Fighter IV OST [BUY]
0:15:54 JAM Project with Nice Girl μ - Space Roller Coaster GO GO! - Single [BUY]
0:19:44 Ai Otsuka - Bye Bye - Single [BUY]
0:24:02 Abingdon Boys School - Strength - Single [BUY]
0:28:31 Break - Street Fighter IV OST [BUY]
Artist Spotlight - Mono
0:29:35 Mono - Ashes in the Snow - Hymn to the Immortal World [BUY]
0:40:41 Mono - Error #9 - Under the Pipal Tree [BUY]
0:51:15 Mono and World's End Girlfriend - 2 - Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain [BUY]
1:03:29 Mono - Burial at Sea - Hymn to the Immortal World [BUY]
1:14:07 Break - Street Fighter IV OST [BUY]
1:15:17 Ayumi Hamasaki - Days (8-bits of Tears YMCK Remix) - Rule/Sparkle Single [BUY]
1:19:31 Strawberry Machine - Where's My Dress? - Girl Friend [BUY at JAPANFILES.COM]
1:21:33 Susumu Hirasawa - Astro-Ho! Kikan - Tenko Suru Wakusei [BUY]
1:25:28 ED: Shiina Ringo x Saito Neko - Sakuran (Terra ver.) (Inst.) - Heisei Fuuzoku [BUY]
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