Archive for November, 2012

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J-Rock Fridays Vol. 85

November 30, 2012

Raining down a new bunch of J-Rock videos. Just FYI, this is the time of year my part-time job becomes a full-time crap fest so don’t be too worried if I disappear for a while!

Shugo Tokumaru- “Decorate”

Finally! P-Vine has been region blocking this video for months, but now we have a viewable upload thanks to Polyvinyl announcing they’ll be releasing Shugo Tokumaru’s new album In Focus? in the states in January. “Decorate” continues what Tokumaru does best, bedroom pop with a mix of childlike wonder.

Magdala- “Memories”

If you’ve been missing mutyumu, hatis noit has a new project with Aureole frontman Daichi Mori. She drops the operatic voice for Magdala, substituting her universally beautiful voice. Sure I miss the random screaming in the background but this is pretty too.

LOST- “Christmas Eve (English Version)”

It’s Christmas time, again, and LOST recorded a non screamy cover of Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Christmas Eve.” You can find it on Santa Causes: It’s A Pop Rock Christmas, which I can only hope is a continuation of this awesome CD,  with a bunch of other mostly Japanese artists.

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Posted in itsue, J-Rock Fridays, LOST, Magdala, NINGEN OK, NOKIES!, Plastic Tree, Quattro, SEVENTEEN AGAiN, Shugo Tokumaru, sonodaband, sounddrug, The Paellas, Tricot | Leave a Comment »

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Stuff To Look Forward To, November 2012

November 29, 2012

11/07 Boom Boom Satellites- Remixed (CD Japan)

11/07 Czecho No Republic- Ivory (CD Japan)

11/07 flumpool- Answer (CD Japan)

11/07 Hawaiian6- The Grails (CD Japan)

11/07 Kagero- Kagero Zero (CD Japan)

11/07 KIDS- Kiseki no Kiseki (CD Japan)

11/07 LOKA- En Flame (CD Japan)

11/07 Monica Uranglass- INT/ACC intonation (CD Japan)

11/07 Monica Uranglass- INT/ACC accent (CD Japan)

11/07 Monobright- Moonwalk (CD Japan)

11/07 Natsuiro- Ano Natsuiro no Sora e to Tsuzuku (CD Japan)

11/07 The Novembers- Gift (CD Japan)

11/07 odd- Biotap (CD Japan)

11/07 OverTheDogs- Present (CD Japan)

11/07 People in the Box- Ave Materia (CD Japan)

11/07 SA- Kyokai Toppa no Rhapsody (CD Japan)

11/07 Shakalabbits- Brackish (CD Japan)

11/07 The Turquoise- Good Bye Sulky Days (CD Japan)

11/07 unchujin- Sango (CD Japan)

11/07 Yahchaika- Marchen (CD Japan)

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LIFESHOP

November 28, 2012

myspace band of the week

LIFESHOP is an alternative/grunge rock band from Tokyo. They formed in 2007 and played as a trio with Jun (vocals, guitar), ko-hei (bass) and a support drummer for a while. They upgraded to a foursome when Mew (drums) from Paranoid Box and ismi (guitar) joined earlier this year. Their first mini-album Forever Song For Last was released in 2010 and their newest People Always Praying was released in October. Pick it up at CD Japan.

http://www.myspace.com/lifeshop

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the no ear

November 21, 2012

myspace band of the week

THE NO EAR is a hardcore punk band founded in Yamanashi in 2002 while drinking beer. They are Tetsuya Sagawa (vocals), Kentaro Wada (guitar),  Yoshihiro Nakayama (guitar), Yoshiyuki Akiyama (bass) and Tetsuya Amemiya (drums). Their first album Eardrum Explosion Sentence was released in 2006 and re-released in 2009. Their second album 10 Years Revolution will be released in December. Celebrate their 10 year anniversary at CD Japan.

http://www.myspace.com/thenoear

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J-Rock Fridays Vol. 84

November 16, 2012

I have run out of ways to tell you it’s Friday. In any case here’s your usual assortment of Japanese indie rock and even some rap!

Jesse- “Access Violation”

We just heard from RIZE last month but busy frontman Jesse McFaddin has his own solo album that apparently came out this week. Jesse has worked with rap groups before and also in RIZE but it seems like he’s going all out rap on his solo project. “Access Violation” still has a BACK-ON rock edge though. Check out his duet with American Idol finalist Julissa Veloz at SoundCloud.

The Beatmoss- “Flippin’ Out”

Unlike Jesse, rapper MC ILMARI is taking his break from Rip Slyme and using it to front brand new rock band The Beatmoss. That doesn’t mean the flow stops though. Ilmari still raps in “Flippin’ Out” but there’s a good rock chorus.

indigo la End- 「白いマフラー」

Bouncy blue balls! Indigo la end really loves the color blue and four minutes of this color scheme really is making me feel blue. Nice indie rock anyways…

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Posted in Band A, Champagne, indigo la End, J-Rock Fridays, Jesse, Ken Yokoyama, Meaning, momo, Monica Uranglass, Nahavand, RIZE, The Beatmoss, uminote, Yahchaika | Leave a Comment »

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brelo

November 14, 2012

myspace band of the week

Brelo is an alternative/grunge band from Tokyo. Hiroshi Komatsu (guitar) and Kazzfumi Hotta (bass) met in 2003 after they both moved to the city to be in different bands. However, they decided to become a two man band since they were “too lazy to look for band members.” Yasuyuki Hattori (drums) joined soon after but disappeared once they started performing due to personal problems. The band reunited in 2005 and recorded their first demo Go to the Devil. Their first album Sunny LaLa was released in 2009 and their second mini-album I Am Jap was released this summer.

Feel the rhythm with brelo at CD Japan or Amazon.

http://www.myspace.com/buremakure

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Caucus

November 7, 2012

myspace band of the week

Caucus is an indie rock band from Tokyo that formed in 2005. Its members are K (vocals, guitar), Hiroko (guitar), Tatsuro (guitar), T2 (bass) and Donkey (drums). K and Hiroko are also support members of Luminous Orange. Caucus is influenced by shoegaze bands of the late 80s and are known for their roaring and driving guitar sounds. Their first album and EP were produced by Kramer who has produced albums by Daniel Johnston, Galaxie 500 and Low. In 2010 they performed in America at SXSW. Last year they released a 7″ in the US through Cloudberry Records.

Get together and download Caucus at Amazon or bandcamp.

http://www.myspace.com/caucus

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J-Rock Fridays Vol. 83

November 2, 2012

It’s here!

The Novembers- “Harem”

What better way to start the month of November than with a brand new PV from The Novembers? Another solid shoegazy track from the band and a cool video with a dancing gypsy while the boys admire and give their best Twilight poses in the woods.

Czecho No Republic- “Ivory”

CNR’s korg is set to accordion, which gives “Ivory” a cozy, wintery feel. They also have a new band member who shakes a tambourine and just stands around looking pretty. Eye candy!

Yutaka Furukawa- “Beast”

Doping Panda was epic dance rock, but now that they’re broken up frontman Yutaka Furukawa is rocking with multiple versions of himself. Because this sounds like just another fun Doping Panda single, we’re excited for his solo album due out next year.

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Posted in Czecho No Republic, Doping Panda, J-Rock Fridays, KiLLKiLLS, Love Me Tender, matryoshka, Oceanlane, Pay Money To my Pain, Shakalabbits, Swim Sweet Under Shallow, The Novembers, The Turquoise, Yutaka Furukawa | Leave a Comment »