Shintaro Sakamoto, frontman of the legendary psych rock outfit Yura Yura Teikoku, released his debut solo album How To Live With A Phantom Mood in Japan late last year. Other Music Recording released the album on CD/Vinyl/digital in the US on July 17. You can pick up all three at Amazon or their Other Music’s distro site.
Sawagi scores another point for the instrumental/post rock scene this month. “Kyakkya” brings Sawagi’s Korgs to outer space but it all sounds more like a trip to Disneyland in the end.
Hailing from Chiba is the charming four person indie pop group the tote. They formed in January 2011 as a trio. Their first single “Everyday” was released in February and their second “Reason Reason” will be released in August. Let me know if you find either of them!
Saritote; is an alternative/ambient/dance/math band from Osaka. The band formed in 2008 with the lineup of Kubo (guitar, singer), Masaharu (bass) and Teccha (drums). Masaharu split and Gavin took over bass in 2010. Sakippe is their current bassist. Nevertheless, they released their self-titled album in 2011. You can download it now at Amazon. Their new single “Faith” is a free download at SoundCloud.
On his first album, oono yuuki got tired of singing folk music and invited his friends over for a jam session. The resulting tracks were far and away the highlights of that album. He does the same on the first single off Tempestas, recruiting 8 of the brightest minds in Japan for this epic collaboration. If Yuuki would drop the solo act and form a real band with these guys they’d be a major force in the indie scene.
The Cat Loves Strawberries is the new project from Hiro, the lead singer of ketchup mania. The band formed in the fall of 2009 after ketchup mania announced their disbandment. Joining Hiro is AKA (bass) and AI (guitar) of Rocket K, George (guitar) from fine lines and Akira (drums). In ketchup mania, Hiro provided her cute girl vocals to fast pop punk. Strawberries is much the same but a notch less heavy.
Eat Me is the debut album from The Cat Loves Strawberries and you can get it in August from CD Japan
Cathy lost one’s apricot yesterday is a four-piece indie band from Tokyo. The band formed in 2008 with the current lineup starting in December 2009. They produced three demo CDs that entered disc union’s Top 10 indie chart. Their first mini-album ミエナイミライ was released in 2011 and produced by Art School’s Kenji Todaka. Tower Records Japan has it.
Hard rockers FACT will be spending the rest of the year and next touring the world in support of their latest albumBurundanga. This July and August, FACT will be touring America with bands like I Set My Friends On Fire and The Color Morale. UK and Europe tour dates for 2013 are not available at this time.
2012.07.13(FRI) @Goodtime Charlies(TUPELO, MS)
open 18:30 / start 19:00
adv 10.00USD / door 12.00USD
2012.07.14(SAT) @Cypress(METAIRIE, LA)
open 17:00 / start 17:30
adv 12.00USD / door 14.00USD
2012.07.15(SUN) @Warehouse Live Studio(HOUSTON, TX)
open 18:00 / start 18:30
adv 12.00USD / door 14.00USD
2012.07.17(TUE) @El Rey Theatre(MCALLEN, TX)
open 17:30 / start 18:00
adv 12.00USD / door 15.00USD
2012.07.18(WED) @White Rabbit(SAN ANTONIO, TX)
open 18:00 / start 18:30
adv 12.00USD / door 14.00USD
2012.07.19(THU) @Tom Cats West(FT.WORTH, TX)
open 17:30 / start 18:00
adv 15.00USD / door 15.00USD
2012.07.20(FRI) @Conservatory(OKC, OK)
open 18:00 / start 18:30
adv 12.00USD / door 14.00USD
2012.07.21(SAT) @Sceneary(WICHITA, KS)
open 18:30 / start 18:45
adv 12.50USD / door 15.50USD
2012.07.22(SUN) @Marquis Theatre(DENVER, CO)
open 19:00 / start 19:30
adv 12.00USD / door 12.00USD
2012.07.24(TUE) @Station 4(ST.PAUL, MN)
open 17:00 / start 17:30
adv 12.00USD / door 14.00USD
2012.07.26(THU) @House Cafe(DEKALB, IL)
open 18:00 / start 19:00
adv 12.00USD / door 14.00USD
2012.07.27(FRI) @Mac’s Bar(LANSING, MI)
open 17:00 / start 17:30
adv 11.00USD / door 13.00USD
2012.07.28(SAT) @Rock Star Pro Area(DAYTON, OH)
open 17:30 / start 18:00
adv 10.00USD / door 12.00USD
2012.07.29(SUN) @Cafe Under at Crocodile Rock(ALLENTOWN, PA)
open 16:30 / start 17:00
adv 12.00USD / door 15.00USD
2012.07.30(MON) @Harmony Grange(WILMINGTON, DE)
open 17:30 / start 18:00
adv 12.00USD / door 15.00USD
2012.07.31(TUE) @Stanhope House(STANHOPE, NJ)
open 17:30 / start 18:00
adv 12.00USD / door 15.00USD
2012.08.01(WED) @Shakas(VIRGINIA BEACH, VA)
open 17:30 / start 18:00
adv 10.00USD / door 12.00USD
J-Rock Explosion 