Okay, the Hunger Games gag didn’t bring in any new readers so I’ll drop the act for now. I think Bertoia won?

ar- “Akasaka Nice Day”

Looks like ar added a guitarist…and autotune? since the last time we saw them. Not the kind of band I expected to turn to dance rock but it’s growing on me.

mmm- “Mudai”

The adorable mmm is back with 100% more jazz and horns. I was kind of looking forward to another depressing album (I guess she’s saving it for Maria Hato), but this happy side of mmm is good too.

Higan- “darkness c(h)ord”

Don’t worry guys, I think he just wants to give her a haircut.

Sukippara ni Sake- 正常な脳

Ba ba ba bada. Drink enough sake and you’ll end up eating brains like Sukippara.

Angry Penguin Robo- “Urban Zombie”

Yep, APR is fronted by a Johnny Rzeznik looking white dude. There’s also a sexy pole dancer. Win.

FoZZtone- “Love”

Happy birthday from FoZZtone. They’ll glad you came to their parade

The Cigavettes- “We Rolled Again”

The Cigavettes sound a little less like a Beatles tribute band this time around. Must be the booze!

The Collectors- “The Love Song That Is Second To None”

The Collectors look swank in their Sgt. Pepper uniforms. Take less time talking about your CD in the middle of your video next time!

Kishidan- “Nipponjin”

Kishidan take their pompadours and Japan nationalism to New Delhi. Even the Indian kids are waving Japanese flags! Now I want to read some yankee manga.

FUNKIST- “Shine”

FUNKIST takes the funk to outer space and plays the flute in the intergalactic fields. They ran out of fuel and had to finish back on earth, though.

So many tears- “Amazing Melodies”

Enjoy a slow jog with So many tears, featuring two members of the iconic Fishmans.

Pop Chocolat- “differ”

Another sweet diddy from the Pop Chocolat girls produced by Sawao Yamanaka of the pillows.

Arakajime Kimerareta Koibito Tachi e- 「翌日」

Epic 17-minute post rock tune from Arakajime. Looks like someone’s trying to upstage Mono!

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Band Links:

Angry Penguin Robo: web

ar: CD Japan

Arakajime Kimerareta Koibito Tachi e: web, CD Japan

The Cigavettes: web, CD Japan

The Collectors: web, CD Japan

FoZZtone: web, CD Japan

FUNKIST: web, CD Japan

Higan: web, CD Japan

Kishidan: web, CD Japan, Play-Asia

mmm: web, CD Japan

Pop Chocolat: web, CD Japan, Play-Asia

So many tears: web, CD Japan

Sukippara ni Sake: web, CD Japan

See new video daily at J-Rock Explosion’s Tumblr!