The musical collective drawing4-5 formed in 1999 and is based in Tokyo. The band is lead by Hamada Satoshi aka mcatm with an average of 5-7 members performing live, although over a dozen members participated in their latest release Thorn. Their songs are usually improvised live and chopped together with samples on the computer. Ranging from lo-fi rock to folk to ambient noise, you never know what you’re going to get with drawing4-5. You can find all of their albums at their bandcamp page.

http://www.myspace.com/magicnumberingarchestra

Envy is celebrating their 20th anniversary with the release of Invariable Will, Recurring Ebbs and Flows, a massive career spanning 14 LP boxset. To be released on July 16 by Temporary Residence, the boxset will include all of their albums, EPs and b-sides for a total of 95 songs. In addition, it will also include a 100-page coffee table book and two DVDs. The boxset is limited to 1000 copies, including two color varients, and is available for preorder here with a special 20% off discount until June 1.

385- “Koi Ga Wakaranai”

The hardcore jazz trio 385 finally released their first album earlier this month and it’s as crazy as its lead single. Don’t let the slow piano intro fool you!

sloppy joe- “Once and For All”

It’s hard to tell what’s going on in this video with all the washed out colors, but that’s not going to matter when euphoria strikes after the trumpet hits its stride.

Momo Kazuhiro- “Rock’n'roll Heart (Is Here To Stay)”

Mo’some Tonebender’s fearless leader is once again on the road in support of his second solo album. This extra long single has plenty of rock’n'roll staples, such as the never ending do-do-do’s.

VDX- “New Year”

VDX punks don’t need a reason to celebrate the new year in the middle of May. Just don’t say goodbye and we’ll be all right.

Puffyshoes- “Heatwave”

Soon and very soon the summer heat will be unbearable and my job will be a real bitch. Until then, watch this cute Puffyshoes video about a missing cat person.

Hinomari- “Metalzone”

It’s a kaleidoscope of math rock in this new instrumental single of Hinomari’s. They do have singing songs, but it’s cool seeing them jam together in a tight studio space.

Senkawos- “Songbird”

Another instrumental band jamming in the studio, although much less in your face. “Songbird” is a light, airy song that you can picture a bird flying to.

Za Ningen- “Jinrui

Attack of the eyepatch girl! Check that off the anime fetish come to life list.

The Face- “Train Song”

Are you ready? Are you ready? The train’s a coming boys and girls. The Face has the classic rock’n'roll look going on. Slicked back hair. Suits. Class in a trainyard.

Hey-Smith- “Living In My Skin”

Back in the studio, Hey-Smith has a fun ska punk song with a positive message. Write for yourself! You can’t be happy if you’re expecting a hit.

mitsume- “Entotsu”

A quiet nighttime drive through the rainy city will lead you to a brilliant country sunrise.

Smellman- “Corona”

Maybe it’s just because I’m in love with Pitch Perfect, but a Japanese a capella group singing about corona is just too awesome.

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Band Links

385: web, CD Japan

The Face: CD Japan

Hey-Smith: web, CD Japan

Hinomari: web, CD Japan

mitsume: web, CD Japan

Momo Kazuhiro: web, CD Japan

Puffyshoes: web, buy 

Senkawos: web, CD Japan

sloppy joe: web, Jet Set Records

Smellman: web

Za Ningen: web, CD Japan

VDX: web, CD Japan

Hey now

Curlys (カーリーズ) is an all girl pop band from Nagoya. Tommy (guitar/vocals), Mayu (guitar/vocals), Manamin (bass) and Curly (drums) formed the band in the spring of 2009 after meeting in an American studies group at Nanzan University. Their first album Etiquette was produced by Akihiro Sugiyama from Doimoi and released in 2012. They announced their hiatus on March 15 before the release of their new 7″ single Baby Blue. You can grab their album at Jet Set Records.

http://www.myspace.com/bobandcurlys

PBS will premiere Life on Four Strings, a documentary about Japanese-American ukelele master Jake Shimabukuro, tonight. Following Shimabukuro’s tour from New York to LA to Japan, the documentary reflects on the loneliness of life on the road and his newfound fame. The film is directed by Tadashi Nakamura and is a production of the Center for Asian American Media and Pacific Islanders in Communications in association with Paliku Documentary Films.

http://www.lifeonfourstrings.com/

Squeezemen (スクイズメン) is an indie pop band from Hyogo that formed in 1998. The current lineup is Atsushi Inoue (vocals, guitar), Kei Miyoshi (keyboards), Kei Konno (bass) and Naoyuki Kageyama (drums). The original lineup, which included Inoue and Miyoshi who met as Kobe City University students, released three EPs and their first album La Pyramid on Shining April Records. After member changes and a hiatus, they released their second album Emeraldrum in 2011. This year they have released two singles, Alice and Forrest Bump. You can find their old albums at CD Japan and their new material at Jet Set Records.

http://www.myspace.com/squizmen

The Novembers- “Dogma”

“Dogma” is one of The Novembers most hard rocking singles and they invited the scariest looking dudes to pose for the PV. Are they in the mafia or do they just hate smiling? I wouldn’t want to cross them either way!

FoZZtone- “Go Way Go Way~No Way No Way”

A two part video from FoZZtone! “Go Way Go Way” is the new ED to Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal and is as fun as any other anime theme. “No Way No Way” is the darker of the two singles and gets a little weird in the middle.

CreepHyp- “Yu, Sansan”

Hey, mister. Thanks for putting the making of segment at the end instead of the middle of the video this time. Here we have a pregnant woman with an abusive boyfriend. Instead of fighting back, she takes it out on CreepHyp’s singer. Productive.

unkie- “Run Sheep Run”

Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and ran into the instrumental rock trio unkie in the woods with mouth agape. Don’t be shocked but I ate lamb for the first time at the Outback a few weeks ago and it was delicious.

broken little sister- “A To Fade In”

An Adorable cover by shoegaze trio broken little sister shot while they were on tour in Hong Kong last month. It’s one of a few songs from Japanese artists available on volume 28 of Darla’s Little Darla Has A Treat For You compilation series.

Liaroid Cinema- “Emotional Building”

Tons of raw emotion builds up in Liaroid Cinema’s new single, which makes this simple black and white performance vid worth watching.

Gagaga SP- “Tomo Yo”

There comes a time in every man’s life when he has to put on a suit and tie. That doesn’t mean you can’t go to a punk rock show after work and join the mosh pit, though!

Cantoy- “Ranka”

Filmed during their first US tour at the Hard Rock Cafe and Tekkoshocon anime convention in Pittsburgh, Cantoy cuts down their audience with an alcohol-fueled performance.

The Rouges- “My Sweet R&R”

Girl group The Rouges profess their love for sweet rock’n'roll. An energetic rooftop performance preceded by a hilarious minute of bored stares.

Old Lacy Bed- “Little Girl”

A cute video of the girls throwing candy and chips in the air and stomping on glasses. Another fine indie pop group from the Dead Funny crew.

cinema staff- “Bokyo”

“Bokyo” starts off slow, but gains momentum as a live video performance of cinema staff is projected across the city on screens and makeshift flat surfaces.

Happle- 『涙をみせて』

What happens when your lead singer gets stinko? You play pranks on him! The girls of Happle humorously pop up and disappear throughout the video and even run over him with a bike…four times. It’s going to hurt when he wakes up!

Suneohair- “Game Over Death”

Suneohair has a bunch of old school video games among his guitars and foot pedals. Don’t expect any chiptune, but the fuzzy guitars and chimes more than make up for it.

Keiichi Sokabe Band- “Love Streams”

Bye, bye, bye! Eight minutes of hand waving seems like eight minutes too much but I did start to tear up at the end. Such a beautiful song!

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Band Links:

broken little sister: myspace, Darla

Cantoy: web, CD Japan

cinema staff: web, CD Japan

CreepHyp: web, CD Japan

FoZZtone: web, CD Japan

Gagaga SP: web, CD Japan

Happle: web, CD Japan

Keiichi Sokabe Band: web, CD Japan

Liaroid Cinema: web

The Novembers: web, CD Japan

Old Lacy Bed: Soundcloud, CD Japan

The Rouges: web, CD Japan

Suneohair: web, CD Japan

unkie: web, CD Japan

The Tumblr of Tumblrs.

Shotgun Runners is a rock and roll band from Ishikawa. Formed in 1999 by rhythm and blues enthusiasts Kemmy Mojoworker (vocals, guitar) and Terry Shotgun (drums), Shotgun Runners infuses 60s British rock with Chicago blues and soul. After several member changes, Johnny Go joined the Runners on bass. In 2005, Majestic Sound Records released Shotgun Runners’ first album I Love You Rock’n'Roll. The label also released their second album Dedicated To the Rock’n'Roll Boy in 2011 and will release their third album The Two Face of Children’s Boogie on May 22. Preorder the album now at CD Japan.

http://www.myspace.com/shotgunrunners

4/03 Biidoro- Mata Ashita ne (CD Japan/Video)

4/03 [Champagne]- Forever Young (CD Japan/Video)

4/03 Three Lights Down Kings- Brain Washing (CD Japan/Video)

4/03 Dir en grey- The Unraveling (CD Japan)

4/03 DIV- Taste of Life (CD Japan/Video)

4/03 In 197666- (No) My Destiny (Video)

4/03 The Love Ningen- Songs (CD Japan/Video)

4/03 phatmans after school- Media Literacy (CD Japan/Video)

4/03 The SALOVERS- Yuka ni wa Kimi no Cardigan (CD Japan/Video)

4/03 Sei with Master of Ram- A Sheep (CD Japan/Video)

4/03 SiM- EViLS (Video)

4/03 Scars Borough- Nineteen Percent (CD Japan/Video)

4/03 SiM- EViLS (CD Japan/Video)

4/03 Super Beaver- Sekai ga Me wo Samasunonara (CD Japan/Video)

4/03 Tamaki Roy- Lucky (CD Japan/Video)

4/03 uhnellys- Screamer EP (CD Japan/Video)

4/03 Vibedred- Ark (CD Japan/Video 1, Video 2)

4/05 Gellers- 咲きっぽ

4/10 amazarashi- Ne Mama Anata no Iutori (CD Japan)

4/10 Balloon88- Connect (CD Japan/Video)

4/10 Duff- Master Peace (CD Japan/Video)

4/10 Ego Wrappin- Steal A Person’s Heart (CD Japan/Video)

4/10 Enth- Get Started Together (CD Japan/Video)

4/10 Etsuko Yakushimaru- Radio Onsen Eutopia (CD Japan/Video)

4/10 Hot Dog- Kicks (CD Japan/Video)

4/10 Kiyoshi Sugo- All in Black (CD Japan/Video)

4/10 Ling Tosite Sigure- i’mperfect (CD Japan)

4/10 The Local Art- Ningen Shikkaku (CD Japan)

4/10 Lost In Time- Trust Over Thirty (CD Japan/Video)

4/10 meme- Acqua Alta (CD Japan/Video)

4/10 Sebastian X- Hibari Opera (CD Japan/Video)

4/10 Silent Riren- Start (CD Japan/Video)

4/10 The Starbems- Future Primitive EP (CD Japan/Video)

4/10 Unist- One Day (CD Japan/Video)

4/10 Yellow Gang- Change the Regret to Bread (CD Japan/Video)

4/13 Lady Flash- Tsuyokute New Game (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 Buddha Slave- Quarter Men (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 coldrain- The Revelation (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 Country Yard- Quark (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 D.I.D.- The Point of No Return (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 frAgile- Fushidara Spider (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 The Gelpins- Iinoyo Betsu ni (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 The Midnight TV Programs- Yeah (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 Orange Range- Oboro na Ageha / Moshimo (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 Pirokalpin- Rock Star to Maho no Lamp (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 Quinka, with a Yawn- Sayonara Tristesse (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 The Radiocassettes- Manma! (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 Sakanamon- Signal Man (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 the telephones- Laugh, Cry, Sing…And Dance!!! (CD Japan/Video)

4/17 TWO-nothing- Save Us Regions (Video)

4/18 Egg Brain- Push (CD Japan/Video)

4/20 Gotch (Asian Kung-Fu Generation)- The Long Goodbye 7″ (Jet Set/Video)

4/20 Ska Freaks- Spit It Out (Video)

4/21 Within The Last Wish- Still Talk About a Dream (Video)

4/24 Alsdead- Separator (CD Japan/Video)

4/24 the band apart- Machi no 14kei (CD Japan/Video)

4/24 Before My Life Fails- (For) Lorn (CD Japan/Video)

4/24 Caucus- Colors (CD Japan/Video)

4/24 Clutcho- Battle Spirits Sword Eyes (CD Japan/Video)

4/24 Dohatsuten- (CD Japan/Video)

4/24 a flood of circle- Dancing Zombiez (CD Japan/Video)

4/24 Grapevine- Orokana Mono no Kataru Koto (CD Japan/Video)

4/24 HeavensDust- The Ashes Still Warm (CD Japan/Video)

4/24 Kana-Boon- Boku ga CD wo Dashitara (CD Japan/Video)

4/24 kuh- Musik Anatomia (CD Japan/Video)

4/24 NICO Touches the Walls- Shout to the Wall! (CD Japan)

4/24 Ska Ska Club- New Hope (CD Japan/Video)

4/24 Toshi Record- Road to You (CD Japan/Video)

4/24 tricot- 99.974℃ (CD Japan/Vide0)

4/25 Veronica Veronico- Amaryllis (CD Japan)

4/27 Madegg- Kiko (CD Japan/Video)

Within the last wish is a hardcore band from Yokohama. They formed in 2005 after the breakup of IRRIVALY and the current lineup is Ken (vocals), Hatano (guitar), Lin (guitar), Umehara (bass) and Yu-Ichi (drums). Their first mini-album The World Is Painted Out was released in April 2009 by Theory & Practice Records. In 2010 they released a split EP with screamo band IZP. Their new 4-track EP Still Talk About A Dream is due out sometime this month. Watch the lyric video for the title-track below.

http://www.myspace.com/withinthelastwish