VAMPS 2010 Updates (Jan to Mar)

The latest one is the funniest. I think it's the first time I hear Hyde talking in this kind of voice. I guess Kaz has a good effect on him. Glad that he's enjoying himself so much working in VAMPS.



Kind of serious video.



I like his hair here when he first cut it for his Bless video for L'Arc-en-Ciel.

L'Arc-en-Ciel (ラルク アン シエル), Bless

Need I say more? Bless PV & comments :) Too bad the winter Olympiads version is not available. It's way more touching.

ガゼット(the GazettE), DIM SCENE At Saitama TOUR 2009

The long awaited DIMSCENE Tour DVD was out on 26 December 2009 and it took me many months to decided if I should get it.

Finally, I've made up my mind to get it before it is out of print (like many other Limited Edition DVDs out there).

In fact, I regret not getting the Limited Edition of DIM SCENE album (which came with the bonus DVD). It was available in the first two small shops that I came across in Japan. The moment I decided to get it, it couldn't be found anymore. They were all sold out and totally out of print at the Online Websites. *Sob*

That kind of made the decision for me. Since I love this album so much, I might as well get the live DVD which contained the new songs.

A preview from youtube.

Vanish, New Band of 2010

Discovered a brand new band named Vanish. They look great and the music and vocalist sound great too! To read more about them go to http://neumania.net/?p=7498

Neumania is a new website I've discovered (from twitter) that's great for finding out the latest japanese music-related news. Their news are more VK-inclined but include others as well. The posts are more detailed and photos somehow look better than http://shattered-tranquility.net/ which was my only source of VK news previously.

The band members are:
Vocals: MAY (Unknown)
Guitar: サヨ (Sayo)(ex.ANUBIS)
Guitar: kenny (ex.BRANCH)
Bass: re-ji (Unknown)
Drums: – クロ (Kuro)(ex.VelBet)

Preview of their song.

THE KIDDIE

There are a few bands which have been more visible than some. I've heard of them but I was too preoccupied with my existing favourite bands.

Then one day, I decided to listen to others and I'm impressed that there are a few good ones. It's hard to find a band that sounds and looks good at the same time. The Kiddie is almost there. What's important is that I like their songs and the vocalist sounds good to me. So looks are secondary here but don't go thinking the worst. They are good looking in their own ways.

The band members are:
揺紗 (Yusa) (Vocal) そらお (Sorao) (Bass) 佑聖 (Yusei) (Guitar) 淳 (Jun) (Guitar) ユウダイ (Yuu Dai) (Drums)

Gazette, Posters at Shibuya (渋谷駅)

Wow, I'm going to try to snap every VK stuff I can find in Japan. Legally, of course. That's kinda limited right? haha.. Hope to see more posters around. Japan is Music Paradise!

Here's a look at Shibuya (渋谷駅)!



For more VK stuff, visit: http://musicjapanplus.jp/

ScReW, My New Interest

Finally, a change for me. Also, a new VK band quest! A band that has caught many people's attention but I've failed to see it till now. This video is what made me fall in love with them (actually, the two guys at the beginning of the video), especially, Byou, the vocalist (the blond one).

The band's name is SCREW!

SCREW is signed by PSC (Peace Smile Company aka Free-Will), the company which is famous for signing indie bands that has the potential to make it big like. The GazettE, Alice Nine, Dir en grey just to name a few. Miyavi was also previously with PSC til he started his own production company.

Okay, back to SCREW. The vocalist, Byou, is kinda like Ruki (vocalist, the GazettE), and Kazuki (the brunette guitarist of Screw) may kinda fit the mould of Uruha (lead guitarist, the GazettE) but his character is more like Kai (drummer, the GazettE).

Anyway, what made me went even more crazy about Screw is that little BL (Boys Love) scene that was censored at the beginning of the video. Somehow, I can't help but feel that it was all planned by Kazuki from the start. Try to catch that evil look he had on his face seconds before he picked up the green tea latte.

Also, remember what I said about the qualities of the vocalist that make/break the band? This fellow, Byou, has it all! Plus sex appeal oozing out of him!!

He looked even more handsome when he's in street wear. He's totally different! Skip to 3:22 of the video to get a look at what I mean. If I was a Japanese school gal, I would love to have my boyfriend dressed like that. Love that lanky body in that particular outfit!

Enjoy this informal video of the SCREW boys! It even includes the part where they were recording in the studio!

This is like my favourite video right now!

Aoi, Serious and Humorous

Aoi (Shiroyama Yuu (シロヤマ ユウ) ) is the gentleman I was talking about previously. He is the guitarist of The GazettE.

This is a video of his photo shoot for one of the Visual Kei music magazines, MusiQ.

He may look serious and truly is when he's working, but he's pretty humorous as well.

Cool combination!

ABGD (アビングドンボーイズスクール), Energized Performance

I always remember Abingdon Boys School's vocalist, Takanori Nishikawa (西川貴教), is like the energizer bunny. Full of energy! The vocalist either makes or breaks the whole band for indies groups. Well, for me anyway. Somehow I'm super turned off by vocalists who are without looks, stage presence, energy, good vocals or confidence!

The GazettE, Miyavi, Hirai Ken & HYDE are good examples of artists who can sustain the interest of the audience because it's just fun to watch them. Takanori Nishikawa (previously of T.M. Revolution) fits in that same category. He has all the things I've mentioned above, except for looks. However, his face, though not handsome, shows enough unique expressions to make it fun to look at!

This is the recently live performance in Europe which a fan has captured.
Do NOT expect good quality.



Next, a better video of their studio live performance.

HYDE, Another Acoustic

Another interesting video of HYDE. The vocalist who is part of L'Arc~en~Ciel(ラルク アン シエル) which actually is "The Rainbow" in French and also VAMPS which can mean either a guitar technique or short for vampires.

Part 1 video's audio isn't that clear but it shows behind the scenes clips.

Part 2 video can be heard clearly if you prefer to just listen to him sing.

I believe this is his solo's band members (includes Kaz).

Miyavi, Amazing Guitar Slapping

Miyavi's real name is Takamasa Ishihara(石原貴雅). He married this beautiful woman, Melody, and has a beautiful daughter now.

He's so great at guitar slapping that I can't help but to feature him again.

This is my favourite MV of him.

It's the most amazing guitar playing I've ever seen!