–Wow Rock will be putting out Art Cube’s The Complete Best on December 3 before Japan.
-Housekeeping: If you scroll to the left, I added a new link section named “Japanese Labels.” These are Japanese record labels that I enjoy. More will be added in time. Right now, my favorite J-record label is Theory&Practice.
-Nadehiko from texas pandaa is working on the soundtrack for his friend’s indie film. Listen to the first track “Our Big Crossing” here.
–Eastern Youth has an exclusive download for “Konomama Aki He” here.
–Luminous Orange will be putting out a best of album on November 4. It will be available for international order on their webstore.
–EN-X is back in the studio after losing two members.
-Part 1 of FACT’sComing To America documentary is available on Shockhound.
Hailing from Chiba, birdlakes formed in 2006. The band has released one mini-album and two singles since then. For fans of Sparta Locals and Ogre You Asshole.
In an attempt to make more regular columns on J-Rock Explosion, Random J-Rock Updates returns! I’ll probably be doing this every Wednesday from now on, starting the Wednesday after next Wednesday. I compile these mainly from myspace Activity Stream and bulletins, sometimes there’s nothing to report for days. I’ve also added a new feature to this column, Myspace Band of the Week. This is a band that randomly added me on myspace or vice versa and doesn’t suck. These are mostly small bands that don’t have any music videos for me to show off for J-Rock Fridays. There’s probably more words in this paragraph than the actual news, but go on…
–Asobi Seksu’s new album Rewolf will come out November 10 via Polyvinyl records. The album was one of the last recorded at the legendary Olympic Studios. Pre-order is available here.
-Muon has 4 new live tracks for free here. They are currently writing their new studio album.
Sometimes I feel like I report on the same bands, but that’s okay! In this segment, we have two new US releases announced for February and a Grammy nominee!
–Cornelius is nominated for “Best Surround Sound Album” for the 51st annual Grammy Awards.
–buddhistson’s new album SLOWDANCE -wisely and slow, they stumble that dance fast- will be released Januray 7 in Japan. A new song “Eyes in the Dark” is on their myspace.
–The Slants have a new remix of “Love Within My Sins” on myspace. It is from their new album Slants Slants Revolution, a remix album by DJ Ninja Gaijin and Justin Coope.
This is a very special segment of J-Rock Updates. Obviously, Dir en grey is the big news here but I didn’t want them to have the satisfaction of having their own post. Luckily, there’s three more bands that will be releasing albums in the US in the near future.
–Dir en grey’s new album Uroboros will be released through The End Records on November 11 in America, a day before Japan. In addition to the regular CD/vinyl/digital release, a deluxe CD version will be released with a bonus DVD. All that can be preordered here. More info including tracklisting is available on their blog.
Hey guys. I’m going to try to do these “news updates” more frequently. I just started writing This Month in J-Rock: August 2008 (I know! Late again!) and it should be done by Friday. I can tell you now that the column will include four album and six singles reviews. Much less than last time but it was a short release month to begin with.
–Electrico have two new songs on their myspace, “Soul Not Science” and “Hail To the Friends” from their new album We Satellites. WHEN WILL THIS COME OUT IN AMERICA.
–Bomb Factory’s new album Moshing Through Tokyo came out in Japan and the US on August 19! You can buy it off amazon or these other places.
-School starts on Monday. GAHHHHH.
–Tokyo no Records is coming back this September! They will release Thee 50’s High Teens’ Punch De Beat on September 9. A compilation called The Time Was Then Is Now will drop on the same date featuring tracks from the 50 Katienz, Mayuko Sakai and 7 other unnamed bands.
In this week’s random updates, you will find news about the pillows, new Vuzz Vegas Queen and Die!! Die!! Color!!! songs, HALCALI and Versailles interviews, and why I’m boycotting Tokyopop.
–Land of the Rising Sound volume 1 was released in the US on June 24th. The compilation features the best underground and punk music from Japan. It can be purchased from amazon.
1.Exciter – BOMB FACTORY
2.Surf 99 – UZUMAKI
3.Discord – BOMB FACTORY
4.N2O Collaboration – ZUMAKI, RAW, N8LOC
5.Kyou no Story – NO HIGH ROLLER
6.Smoothrider – SMORGAS
7.All The Way – BOMB FACTORY
8.Radio 8.15khz – UZUMAKI
9.Secret Admirer – DATURA
10.Revolution – NO HIGH ROLLER
11.Deadman – SMORGAS
12.Drifting Away – FADE
13.P.O.P – NO HIGH ROLLER
14.Beautiful (Live version) – FADE
15.Bonus Audio – N8LOC’S TOKYO STORIES
(Live Manga, Backstage, Shoutouts & More)
Total time: 62:24
–MaruMusic’s Visual Kei DVD VOL. 2 is now available to order here. The DVD is hosted by Miku of the band An Cafe and features interviews, profiles, and live clips of popular visual kei bands such as Moi Dix Mois, SaTaN, Chariots, etc.
J-Rock Explosion 