Archive for the ‘myspace band of the week’ Category

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Suck a Stew Dry

June 29, 2011

myspace band of the week

Suck a Stew Dry is an unsigned band from Tokyo. They formed in 2009 and started to play shows May 2010. So far they’ve released two demo CDs and have been featured on the RO69JACK 2010 compilation.

The three songs on their myspace come from their second demo. “二時二分” unfolds like a 9mm Parabellum Bullet song; the singer’s voice is pretty similar too.  “人間遊び” slows it down a little and has somewhat of a shoegazey vibe. Things get weird with “Payment.” The chorus is a bit awkward, but it’s nice to hear them experiment with English. All three are very different songs, it will be interesting to see what direction they go in.

http://www.myspace.com/suckastewdry

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Lidery

June 21, 2011

myspace band of the week

Lidery is a female fronted shoegaze band from Tokyo. The band formed in early 2009 and recorded their first album One that summer. These songs were written by Matsueri. “See the Light” was the first song they wrote as a band. In 2011, Kozo Hibi (violin, piano) joined Lidery making them a six piece.

Their new single “Grandbleu” chimes in with a music box, guitar and vocals gradually added in. Matsueri’s vocals are  pretty, a nice song to wake up to in the morning. “Afterthat..” feels more like a transitional song and abruptly ends. The  preview of  “ソラノキミ ” is short but feels like a standard pop song. “See the Light” starts with a Gregorian-like chant but quickly turns into a shoegazer track. This is the only track in English and the vocals are fairly inspirational. It’s a little longer than it needs to be but is a nice contrast to the more pop oriented “Grandbleau.”

Download “Grandbleu” at CD Baby or the sixty one (free if you register).

http://www.myspace.com/1004388959

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The Midnight Blanket

June 15, 2011

myspace band of the week

The Midnight Blanket (真夜中ブランケット) is an unsigned trio from Tokyo. They formed under the name 大和三鬼人 in 2003 in Sapporo. After a hiatus they reformed as The Midnight Blanket in 2009 and relocated to Tokyo. Their first demo CD Giraffe was released last year.

“I HATE YOU” chugs along nicely building tension but never devolves into a scream fest. “Time Keeper” keeps the same structure but bumps up the masculinity a notch in the chorus. “二人は” and “second world” takes a more laid back approach that covers you like a blanket to rest.

http://www.myspace.com/themidnightblanket/

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moools

June 9, 2011

myspace band of the week

The band known as moools formed in 1997 in Tokyo. The trio has released five albums through 7 e.p. and opened for Modest Mouse three times in Japan. They developed a close relationship with K Records and toured America with Mount Eerie in 2003 and 2007. In 2010 they opened for Wolf Parade on their North America tour. When they’re not playing together, moools have separate projects going on. Uchino is the drummer for toddle while Ariizumi and Sakai formed the instrumental band Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi.

Moools’ sound is similar to the indie bands they’ve toured with. “Iru Iranai” reminds me a bit of Ogre You Asshole. “Ad Balloon” is kinda funky. “Zippo” has some great guitar work. And “Tournament” is a nice chill out track.

moools albums are available on US iTunes. You can also find their CDs on K Record’s website.

http://www.myspace.com/moools

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Unshin

June 1, 2011

myspace band of the week

Unshin is a six-piece band currently based in London. The band is fronted by singer/songwriter Megumi Miyoshi who moved to the UK from Sendai when she was 12. She met future band members at Summerhill School, who came from such diverse places as Korea and Thailand. They’ve been recording their debut album Waltz for Broken Dolls on and off for years and it will finally see release this summer. The concept album tells the story a of young girl who finds her own path under the strict rules of Japanese society.

Despite being based in the UK, all of Unshin’s lyrics are in Japanese. As an accomplished koto player, Miyoshi brings  traditional Japanese flavor to  “Memories and Tears” while the strings in “Water Knife” are equally classy. Some of their songs are just plain J-Rock, though, like their newest single “Running” and the ska influenced “Evidence.”

Waltz for Broken Dolls will be released July 16. Two singles are available to download now on Amazon.com and iTunes.

http://www.myspace.com/unshinmusic

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FUZZASS

May 25, 2011

myspace band of the week

FUZZASS is a female fronted psychedelic rock band backed by triple guitars and drums (no bass!). The band formed in 2005 with a rap top. In 2006 they accompanied The Soundscapes on their east coast US tour, but have stayed in Japan since. Their debut EP Larva was released last year. It was mastered by John Golden who did Sonic Youth and Primus among others.

With their fuzzy rock and distorted guitars, FUZZASS chose an appropriate name for themselves. “Larva,” their homage to The Doors, is an engrossing moody song. Yuko’s “whisper voice” does tend to blend in to the noise but is allowed to wander in songs like “Ulight.” If you’re into experimental music you’ll find some delight in this.

Pick up Larva at CD Baby.

http://www.myspace.com/intofuzzass

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He Luck Door

May 18, 2011

myspace band of the week

He Luck Door (ひらくドア) is an indie rock band from Tokyo that formed around 2007. The band was founded by vocalist Takayuki Kato with Hirohisa Kato (guitar), Takahiro  Mizunara (Mr. Tambourine Man), Yes Teranaka (bass), and E.MURAYAMA (drums). Their psychedelic pop is inspired by The Beatles, Spitz, The Velvet Underground, My Bloody Valentine, and Deerhoof. They dropped their debut album He Luck Door in 2010.

Most of the songs on myspace come from their self-titled album. Some of their songs are light and fluffy while others are abrasive and psychedelic. My favorites are the ones with boy-girl vocals like “I Think About You.”

Download their new EP Omoiode (Memory) free here.

http://www.myspace.com/takayukikato

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kowloon

May 10, 2011

myspace band of the week

Kowloon is not just a city in Hong Kong. It is also the name of an instrumental band formed by Keisaku Nakamura who has worked with toe and Kimura Kaela.

The trio formed in 2005. Kowloon is led by Teppei Takahashi on bass and guitar, Keisaku Nakamura on synthesizer, rhodes, and piano, and Umeki Taichi on drums. They released their first EP the fever in 2006 and first album infection in 2007. Their newest album metallic, exotic will be released later this May. It was recorded and mastered by Takaki Mino of toe with guest musicians Ryo Iwamoto (we are time), Yoshida Ichirou (Zazen  Boys), and Mariko Yamamoto.

Kowloon’s style of instrumental rock blends together post rock, jazz, and funk. Their math rock sound on songs like “Jetblack” calls to mind toe while the jazzy piano textures have a mouse on the keys feel. Then there’s songs like “Kokoro to Kokoro” and “New Town” that are similar to the the instrumental funkiness of 9dw. Kowloon can rock hard and then slow down like a lover.

Pick up metallic, exotic on May 25.

http://www.myspace.com/kxwlxxn

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Your Last Chicken

May 3, 2011

myspace band of the week

Your Last Chicken is a folk rock trio from Tokyo that formed in the summer of 2009. Originally a solo project of Makito Chikatsu who wrote and recorded these songs at home, he was later joined by guitarist/vocalist Cayske Hinami and percussionist Yumi Kudo. Their first EP Your Last Chicken was released April 2011 by CGCG.

Musically they are similar to the coffee house stylings of Predawn and the more folky songs of Turntable Films. Makito’s English is very clear, it’s easy to forget you’re listening to a Japanese band. Your Last Chicken comes off as a bit Americanized but a solid folk band all around.

Pick up Your Last Chicken at Jet Set Records.

http://www.myspace.com/yourlastchicken

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SHO ~Shokun Hellharmonic Orchestra~

April 27, 2011

myspace band of the week

Slipknot meets classic? Not two words you expect to hear in the same sentence. But the fine folks of Shokun Hellharmic Orchestra (SHO) have  successfully fused metal and hip hop to the world of classical music.

Very little can be found out about SHO online. Who makes up the orchestra? Who is the conductor? Despite the mystery SHO has released two internationally available albums, Overture and Symphony No. 0, filled with metal covers of the classics. Their myspace includes renditions of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Pachelbel, Rachmaninoff, and Mendelssohn. It’s filled with heavy guitars and DJ sampling, but the violins and orchestra still make the pieces classy.

Download SHO MP3s at CD Baby.

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