Archive for April, 2012

High Teen Boogie Interview

Monday, April 30th, 2012

Post your comments about our High Teen Boogie Interview and let us know what you thought of them.

“I think life is endless R&R. Music is what I do.” – Nonlee

When three Japanese punk gals take to the stage throughout New York and jump into their high spirited songs you know you’re in for a night of fun. Inspired by name and attitude from 80’s rebel teen movies, High Teen Boogie have the look and feel of a hard driving rock and roll group. With a new album LOVE MAGICK now available, what better time to hear the story of the group who proclaim: “Stop your complain, feeling boogie tonight.”

On April 29, 2012 the members of High Teen Boogie were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. High Teen Boogie Interview.

Salia to release solo album “TRUST IN ME”

Monday, April 30th, 2012

Good news for Salia fans from Toramaru Promotions:

“SALIA of Japanese Pop Rock Group, Unicorn Table, Announces Debut Bilingual Solo Pop Album and U.S. Appearances Trend setting Front-Lady Salia, of the popular Japanese pop rock group Unicorn Table, breaks out on her own with her dynamic bi-lingual debut pop album “TRUST IN ME.”

Toramaru Entertainment is proud to announce the upcoming solo debut album release from stylish Japanese singer/ songwriter, Salia. The energetic front lady of Japan based pop-rock group Unicorn Table, will be releasing her debut solo album “TRUST IN ME” to U.S. audiences in June 2012 with an exclusive CD release at the Japanese pop culture event Anime Mid-Atlantic the weekend of June 15-17 2012.

True to her progressive unique style, wide range of musical influences, and unmatched vocal prowess; Salia’s new album will feature a bold, dynamic blend of up-beat pop, electronica, funk, hip hop and rock fused grooves.

Salia is known globally for classics such as the theme anthem “Cutie Honey Flash,” “Trust” from the animated show Vandread, and “Healing You” from the Japanese live- action hero series Gao Ranger. Once teamed with guitar strapped producer shin-go to form Unicorn Table, Salia penned some of the duo’s biggest hits like “Fly Away,” from the animated show Jinki;Extend, “Amai Yume” from School Rumble from their debut album uncountable and more recently, “Heaven’s Door” and “Yawarakana Mirai (You Make The Future)” from their 2010 independently inspired second smash album INTO THE FUTURE.

In 2006 Salia made her U.S. debut which has since sparked numerous international appearances in countries such as Brazil, England, Spain and Switzerland. Salia’s debut album “TRUST IN ME” will feature a variety of songs written and performed by Salia herself. It is set to be released in June 2012, led by a funky, symphonic rock driven lead single of the same title dropping in the early weeks of May. Both the album and the single will be made available worldwide on all digital outlets including itunes and Amazon and will have limited CD releases. In addition, Salia will embark on a U.S. and international promotional tour that includes appearances at Anime Mid-Atalantic in Virginia, Jafax in Michigan and other TBA promotional stops and media visits to mark the release of her debut solo album.

For her new U.S. solo debut, Salia is working with U.S.-based Music Director and Executive Producer DJ Asu Rock, a leading promoter of Asian pop music within the United States. Salia’s album will be produced primarily by U.S. based urban, pop and electronica Producer Anom the Phenom with additional tracks provided by Agent9 of Agent9 Productions, and TrakFormer, from the U.S. based Electro-progressive hip hop group RapQuest. Salia’s album is filled with solid clever production that takes elements from both hemispheres to appeal to her core fans, as well as a new wider mainstream pop audience.

Links
Salia Rocks
Toramaru Entertainment
J-Pop World News and Comments Homepage
J-Pop World Homepage

Shonen Knife New Album “Pop Tune” and Tour

Friday, April 20th, 2012

Good news for Shonen Knife fans from Good Charamel Records:

“SHONEN KNIFE Announces New Studio Album “Pop Tune” (Out June 6)

And Upcoming North American Tour

Check Out the Tour Video at

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBL7VdmAmpY

Osaka Japan’s legendary Pop/Punk Pioneers “Shonen Knife” continue their 30th Anniversary Celebration with 30 newly announced shows in the US/Canada as well as the release of a brand new studio album called “Pop Tune”!!!!

“Pop Tune” was recorded in Osaka in early 2012 after the bands wildly successful “Osaka Ramones” World Tour in 2011.


Pop Tune

“Pop Tune” will be released World Wide on June 6th (on Good Charamel Records in North America) and their 2012 North American tour will begin in Philadelphia this July (dates listed below).

Check out the tour video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBL7VdmAmpY.

7-19 Philadelphia, PA- Johnny Brenda’s*
7-20 Asbury Park, NJ -Asbury Lanes*
7-21 Brooklyn, NY- The Bell House*
7-22 Hoboken, NJ- Maxwells*
7-24 Providence, RI- Providence Social Club*
7-25 Portland, ME – Space Gallery*
7-26 Allston, MA- Great Scotts*
7-27 Rochester, NY – Bug Jar*
7-28 Long Lake, NY – Mt. Sabattis Pavillion*
7-29 Bethlehem, PA- Levitt Pavillion Steelstacks*
7-30 Detroit, MI- Lager House -*
7-31 Great Rapids, MI- The Pyramid Scheme*
8-2 Chicago, IL- Empty Bottle*
8-3 TBA
8-4 Minneapolis, MN-The Entry
8-5 Fargo, ND- The Aquarium
8-8 Seattle, WA- Tractor Tavern
8-9 Portland, OR- Dante’s
8-10 San Francisco, Ca- Bottom of the Hill
8-11 San Jose, CA- Blank Club
8-12 So Cal. – TBD
8-13 So Cal – TBD
8-14 Tucson, AZ- Club Congress
8-16 Austin, TX- Red 7 -
8-17 Dallas, TX- Club Dada
8-18 Little Rock, AR- Stickyz Rock’n'Roll Chicken
8-19 Nashville, TN- Exit / In*
8-20 Cincinnati, OH- Taft Theatre*
8-21 Cleveland, OH- Beachland Ballroom*
8-22 Toronto, ON- The Quadrangle / Hart House
* w/ opening band White Mystery”

Links
Shonen Knife Interview at J-Pop World
Good Charamel Records
J-Pop World News and Comments Homepage
J-Pop World Homepage

www.goodcharamel.com <>

Kalafina single “to the beginning”

Thursday, April 19th, 2012


Kalafina single “to the beginning”

Kalafina has released a new two track single, featuring the intro theme to the anime series “Fate/Zero (2nd Season)” and a second song called “Manten”. Release Date: 4/18/2012 by Sony Music Entertainment

Links
Kalafina Interview at J-Pop World
J-Pop World News and Comments Homepage
J-Pop World Homepage

Man With a Mission to play at France’s Japan Expo 2012

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

News update from SYNC MUSIC NEWS:

“A headline-making band of wolves “MAN WITH A MISSION” is coming to JAPAN EXPO 2012!!!

With their first single released on 4/4/2012 ranking #6 (as of 4/16) on Oricon’s Weekly Single Chart and their first nationwide one-man live tour going sold-out immediately, MAN WITH A MISSION, a 5-piece rock band of wolves, are rocking away at full speed and expanding their horizons as far as Europe! MAN WITH A MISSION will participate in JAPAN EXPO 2012, a world-famous Japanese cultural event taking place in France.

MAN WITH A MISSION Profile:
Tokyo Tanaka (Vocal)
Jean-Ken Johnny (Guitar, Vocal, Raps)
Kamikaze Boy (Bass, Chorus)
Spear Rib (Drums)
DJ Santa Monica (Djs, Sampling)

MAN WITH A MISSION is a 5-piece rock band of wolves whose members are Tokyo Tanaka (Vocal), Jean-Ken Johnny (Guitar, Vocal , Rap), Kamikaze Boy (Bass, Chorus), Spear Rib (Drums) and DJ Santa Monica (DJ, Sampling). They are mutant creatures with wolf heads and human bodies. The members claim to be “the extreme creatures” who have surpassed the boundaries of many types and shapes of creatures on earth.

They have performed at various music festivals and events in Japan even before their debut. They also appeared on TV and attracted much attention among those who can recognize real rock sounds.

After carefully but surely paving the way, MAN WITH A MISSION finally made their major debut in June 2011 with their first release going sold-out at many different CD shops all around Japan. Through power-plays on radio and tie-ups with TV programs, they received a tremendous amount of attention as their music was featured on 28 different channels nationwide. Tickets for their first one-man live held in July 2011 were sold-out only in 10 minutes after the ticketing began. Only in 2 months after their debut, they performed at “SUMMER SONIC 2011,” Japan’s biggest summer music festival, in front of an audience of about 10,000. They also participated in big-scaled events such as CDJ11/12 and RADIOCRAZY, thus attracting so much attention from rock fans.

JAPAN EXPO’s scale and number of participating guest artists from Japan kept on growing ever since their very first event back in 2000. With the main theme of introducing Japanese pop culture, JAPAN EXPO is a grand-scale event where everyone can experience what’s happening “in Japan now” at first hand.

MAN WITH A MISSION may come off as a comical band at your first glance, but here is why they were capable of mesmerizing the audience of Japan. Their heavy sounds in a moderate mix of danceable tunes and heart-touching melodies are a sure thing to impress any audience they perform for. That’s why they will be on their way to France for JAPAN EXPO this coming July.

JAPAN EXPO Statistics:
Number of visitors & List of guest artists from Japan
1st 6/2000 3,200 visitors
2nd 12/2000 8,000 visitors
3rd 7/2001 12,000 visitors
4th 7/2002 21,000 visitors
5th 7/4-7/6/2003 29,000 visitors
6th 7/2-7/4/2004 41,000 visitors
7th 7/7-7/9/2006 56,000 visitors?
8th 7/6-7/8/2007 81,000 visitors
10th 7/2-7/5/2009 164,000 visitors
12th 6/30-7/3/2011 192,000 visitors?
http://www.japan-expo.com

MAN WITH A MISSION
Official website: http://mwamjapan.info
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/mwaminfo029
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MWAMjapan

DISCOGRAPHY OF “ MAN WITH A MISSION”
1st limited debut mini ALBUM????
“WELCOME TO THE NEW WORLD”
2010.11 .3 RELEASE? FYTD-1001 1,000 yen (tax in)

limited indies SINGLE
“NEVER FXXKIN’ MIND THE RULES“
2011.4.6 RELEASE FYTD-1003 777 yen (tax in) limited production of 2029 CDs

Major 1st Full ALBUM
“MAN WITH A MISSION”

2011.6.8 RELEASE? CRCP-40295 2,200 yen (tax in)
2nd mini ALBUM

“Trick or Treat e.p.”
2011.10.5 RELEASE? CRCP-40302 1,500 yen (tax in)

Major 1st SINGLE
“distance”

2012.4.4 RELEASE
CD + DVD CRCP-10273 / 1,700 yen (tax in.)
CD CRCP-10274 / 1,200 yen (tax in.)”

Links

J-Pop World News and Comments Homepage
J-Pop World Homepage

Molice release new album “Neugravity”

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

Good news from Good Charamel Records for Molice fans:

“Molice Release Their 3rd Album Neugravity April 17 on Good Charamel Records

Label Also Set to Re-Release Band’s Debut Effort Doctor Ray

Check out their new Music Video for “Please, Please, Pris” at: http://tinyurl.com/77g4ajr

Band Also Appears on I Love J-Rock 2 Compilation Out Today!!

On April 17 Japanese Sci Fi /Alt-Rockers MOLICE release their 3rd album Neugravity and re-release their debut effort Doctor Ray, via Good Charamel Records in North America. The band also contributes two songs to Good Charamel’s just-released I Love J-Rock 2 compilation, where they appear alongside some of Japan’s best female fronted rock bands, such as Shonen Knife, TsuShiMaMiRe, LAZYgunsBRISKY and the label’s latest signing, tricot. I Love J-Rock 2 is out today, April 10.

MOLICE’s Neugravity retains the band’s raw rock sound punctuated by clever hooks, and lyrically goes deeper into sci-fi. Blade Runner in particular seems to have been an influence, demonstrated by songs titled “Rachel”, “Please Please Pris” and “Tomei Mamire” (Wiped Clean). Rambunctious rock, robots and romance? Welcome to the wonderful world of MOLICE.

MOLICE are a modern Japanese band who draw inspiration from 70’s punk’s DIY spirit, 80’s new wave and power pop as well as 90’s unchained indies guitar rock. While many Japanese bands are the product of management hired producers and stylists, MOLICE have gone their own indie way, and created their own sound from a wide and unlikely combination of influences. Music writers have scrambled to find comparisons, with the Pixies and the Pretenders coming up most often.

The band was formed in 2007 by the charismatic female singer/rhythm guitarist Rinko, high tension guitarist Yuzuru Takeda, and rock solid drummer Takeshi Koyama. Just months after coming they were invited to play Summer Sonic, one of Japan’s biggest festivals.

After a year of polishing their material playing Tokyo’s numerous rock venues, the band made their recorded debut in November 2008 with their album ‘Doctor Ray’. The album quickly drew attention amongst Japanese rock fans, and surprisingly, substantial acclaim from abroad. The singles “White Vertigo”, “Ms. Panic” and “Headphone” found their way into rotation on numerous US college radio stations. Good Charamel Records proudly re-releases this classic album in North America on April 17.”

Links
Molice Interview at J-Pop World
Good Charamel Records
J-Pop World News and Comments Homepage
J-Pop World Homepage

KAZHA, BRATHZO, ICARUS KID, LUCID, MOMOTAMA COMING TO AM2 SUMMER FESTIVAL

Monday, April 16th, 2012

BRATHZO, ICARUS KID, KAZHA, LUCID, MOMOTAMA AND MORE JOIN THE MUSICAL LINE UP AT THE AM2 SUMMER FESTIVAL STAGE THIS JUNE 15-17, 2012 IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA

Local and International Musical Acts Perform at this Summer’s Most Anticipated Anime, Manga and Music Convention this June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim Hilton! Get your Passports Today and Experience the Difference!

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (April 6, 2012) ­ Attendees will have the time of their life as AM2 (June 15-17, 2012; Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim Hilton) announces the 1st wave of Summer Festival musical acts at this year¹s highly anticipated event. A diverse slate of Japanese, and Japanese-Inspired, musical acts ranging from pop to visual kei will grace the Matsuri Stage to the delight of attendees and fans. More info and attendee registration can be found at www.am2con.org

There is something for everyone at AM2,² states Summer Festival/Matsuri Festival Programming Representative Mr. Sal Ortiz, ³from a diverse slate of musical acts on the Summer Festival stage to exclusive screenings, fashion shows, exhibit hall, anime, arcade, console game rooms, dances and more! Get your Passports today and join in on the fun!²

Summer Festival/Matsuri Stage acts currently include:

Brathzo. In late 2010, six people met and combined their passion for music and anime, giving creative birth to the band called Midnight Shinigami (Gods of Death). Hailing from different parts of the world, Midnight Shinigami’s members are just as diverse as their musical influences and playing styles. Among the top talent fronting this band are the megami MANDY MEFFORD (2005 & 2007 AX Idol) and BRATHZOKARANOVIC, former guitarist from MAKENAI. From soft ballads to hard-driving metal, they’re sure to have something in their repertoire that’ll make anyone drop dead in pure aural bliss.

THE ICARUS KID. The Icarus Kid blasts familiar NES melodies and has been featured with the acclaimed orchestral show ³Video Games Live, won first place in the Seattle Laptop Battle, and his 8-bit roots have been turning heads in the video game composition industry. The music is often compared with Daft Punk, Crystal Castles, and Aphex Twin.

KAZHA. Kazha is a rock band from Japan. After their release of the first album “Overture”, they’ve been touring North America and South America, and keep spreading their music to the world.

Their music combines the softness of a falling feather with the heaviness of a hurricane.

LuCiD. LuCiD first formed with the drummer/ leader Rui, and lead guitarist Yuto. Bassist Ku then joined, followed by the vocalist Ryu and are currently searching for a rhythm guitarist. LuCiD has played shows mainly around Los Angeles, performing original hard JRock songs. While creating a gloomy, melancholy atmosphere, they bring immense energy to the stage with twisted, cynical lyrics. Although they may sing in a different language, anyone who experiences LuCiD’s music would feel the emotions through every instrument.

Momotama. Momotama is comprised of guitarist Tama and vocalist/ keyboardist Momo. This project came to fruition because of the passion for anime songs that these two otakus from Japan have.

Guitarist Tama was seventeen years old when he first started playing the guitar. His heart was captured by the beauty of Bossa Nova when he first heard Evangelion¹s version of ³Fly Me To The Moon.² Since then he has performed in various sessions as a Bossanovista as well as participated in other sessions involving Samba and West African music.

Vocalist Momo (aka cosplayer Mikarin) hasn’t stopped singing since she was four years old and singing children¹s songs to her bed-ridden grandmother. In fact her main reason for coming to the USA was to study vocalization techniques. Eventually her heart turned back to her country and she realized the beauty and joy that exists in Anime songs as well as cosplay.

About AM2. Located in Anaheim, California ­ AM2, established in 2010, is a multi-day (3 days) 24 hour event with no general attendance/badge purchase requirement and is aspiring to be a key meeting place for fans that share a common interest in Asian music, Animation/Anime, and Comics/Manga. Nominal fees are charged for certain activities that attendees choose to participate in. AM2 will be held on June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center in sunny Anaheim, California. More information can be found at www.am2con.org

Links
Kazha Interview at J-Pop World
J-Pop World News and Comments Homepage
J-Pop World Homepage

The Rubies Interview Comments

Monday, April 16th, 2012

Post your comments about our The Rubies Interview and let us know what you thought of them.

“Last year was a difficult time for everyone in Japan and many countries helped us get back on our feet. So, as a representative of the Japanese people, we said “Thank you” so many times from the bottom of our hearts.” – Kazuya

One of our favorite old school rock groups of 2008 was the three man group The Emeralds. Four years later the new reincarnation of the group, now called The Rubies, is still reviving the sounds of classic rock and roll. With Kazuya and Osuke leading the way and new band mates Daisuke and Taro adding their style, the ever colorful band is hard at work on a new album.

So re-summon that ghost of Elvis that resides in all our hearts and find out what’s new in the rocking Japanese world of The Rubies.

On April 9, 2012 the members of The Rubies were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. The Rubies Interview.