It’s been six years since Maximum the Hormone’s last album, but the band is back with their usual brand of sonic metal fury sandwiched between J-pop verses. “Yoshu Fukushu” features some manga panels and sound effects, sneak peak at the 156 page manga that comes with the CD?
the HIATUS- “Horse Riding”
Watch Takeshi Hosomi’s silhouette play guitar as random scenery and newsreels pass in the background. A rather bland single but at least the HIATUS are past their emo phase.
BIGMAMA- “Alongside”
Set sail with BIGMAMA or just watch them rock out on the pier. The skies are grey, but the violin, which remains the band’s saving grace, will keep you cozy.
Aureole released a ton of videos for their new album Reincarnation, which was released last week. “Live Again” was easily my favorite, with its fluttering flutes and mystical sword warrior. But songs like “Pass the Past” and “Suicide” promises a seriously pretty album also.
Last year I asked you to vote for your favorite videos every (other) week on J-Rock Fridays. You didn’t do a very good job, but I did manage to compile a top 10 with your top voted videos and my own. So without further ado…
10. The Flickers- “White Heat”
The Flickers came out of nowhere with “White Heat.” It’s unfortunate they couldn’t keep up the flame on the rest of their mini-album, but I’ll hold this as promise.
9. 6eyes- “Big Saturday Night”
Hookers! “Big Saturday Night” has become my weekend anthem, even though I rarely go out on the weekend or at all really.
8. The_AIU- “CPU”
I bet most boys would love to have Ms. Ratna as their CPU. So sweet.
The HIATUS are back from their hiatus with this Where the Wild Thing Are inspired video. I’m actually surprised how much I like this song. Must be the underlying flutes.
ELLEGARDEN fans are going to have to wait a little longer for their comeback album. The first EP from the HIATUS titled Insomnia will come out in Japan tomorrow. It features three new songs. The songs are a little darker than what we heard on Trash We’d Love, and feature more violins and heavier piano. The video above is for “Antibiotic,” an unprecedented ambient/electronic track from the band. Looks like Takeshi Hosomi was listening to too much Radiohead this time around.
A year ago, ELLEGARDEN announced that the band is on indefinte hiatus. A year later, it appears all four members have settled into their new bands. Where are they now?
Takeshi Hosomi 細美武士 (vocals, guitar)
Takeshi is the singer/guitarist for the HIATUS, formerly Takeshi Hosomi Solo Project. He’s joined by members of toe, Radio Caroline, Neil & Iraiza, and FULLSCRATCH. Ironically, almost all of these bands are inactive. Perhaps they see the HIATUS as an actual hiatus from their respective bands? Or maybe there’s a future for the HIATUS? They already topped the Oricon charts with their debut major label album “Trash We’d Love,” beating out J-Pop idol Ken Hirai. Musically, the HIATUS is predictably similar to ELLEGARDEN, the only major difference being the addition of piano.
Shinichi formed Nothing’s Carved In Stone, featuring members of STRAIGHTENER, FULLARMOR, and vocals by Taku Muramatsu of Abstract Mash. The guitar sounds a bit like ELLEGARDEN, but the vocals are more mature making this a great alt rock band.
Hirotaka is the drummer for Scars Borough, a female fronted punk rock band. There’s very little traces of ELLEGARDEN’s sound in this band. They sound raw at times, but have a very fun, spunky sound. For fans of Ketchup Mania, noodles, etc.
Yuichi is the new bassist for MEANING, an unsigned hardcore band from Tokyo active since 2004. The band has no previously released albums or singles. MEANING is currently playing the Shake! Shake! Shake! Tour with with Scars Borough.
I think that there’s a future for the HIATUS and Nothing’s Carved In Stone. Both sound similar to ELLEGARDEN, it’s hard to think they could have split due to “creative differences.” Honestly, I don’t see Scars Borough making it big outside of the live house and MEANING will go nowhere until they decide to record a CD. Will ELLEGARDEN get ever get back together? Who knows. But at least they formed new bands that don’t suck, unlike blink 182.
J-Rock Explosion 