updated 01/22/06
Pierrot

Nippon Budokan
Jan. 4, 2005
This was the second day of the [The Evening of Undermining~after completion] and this would have been a great show to see but alas.. I didn't get in!!! Wow! I was late getting to the show and I didn't check the ticket place before coming thinking I could get them from the [Dafuya] Ticket Scalpers! However, the police were out front and this scared those guys away! So the tickets were slim pickings. However, I was glad to see that the fans really were out in numbers and the band has not lost any popularity! So if you get a chance to see them I would suggest it! Oh, the same day tickets were on sale for 6,300 yen. This is about a 2000 yen increase from two years ago! So as you can see, being a fan of Japanese Rock Music is not cheap!!! As for the set list.. I did sit outside and listen to about 5 or 6 songs before heading back home. They have a new album out called [Freeze] so the 2nd and 4th song's were new ones. However, they started out with [Follower] I think... Well I will put it up later. Anyway, what show will I see next?????????????????????
Electric Eel Shock and Panic Smile
Jan. 14, 2005 @ NHK Studio 505, Shibuya,(Tokyo) Japan.
NHK FM " Live Beat" Radio Program live tapeing!
Now I got a call from my buddy Jason from Panic Smile and he invited me to the show since he said I might like this Electric Eel Shock band. So I was in the area and decided to go. Now I didn't even catch the name when he was telling me but by the end of there one hour set, I knew there name. They did about 10 songs and they were all pretty solid and hard rocking. However, they say they are a Heavy Metal band that may be stretching it a bit but they love Heavy Metal! They are a 3 piece band with a drummer who plays naked!!! However, there were so many people standing in front of the stage that I really didn't realize it until someone said so at the end of the show. What I did notice is his unique playing the drums with four sticks!! Very cool! As for the singer/guitarist and bass player;beside being talented, they are both very active and funny. These guys seem to have a big following in the USA and in various countries in Europe! They are:Aki Morimoto - Guitar & Vo Kazuto Maekawa - Bass,Tomoharu 'Gian' Ito - Drums. Check out their sight for more info. Now Panic Smile is whole other breed of music. I have seen them about 3 times now and they are unlike any other band I have seen before. The are very high energy with with very quick and short songs. They are a mixture of Jazz, Rock, and Punk. They are hard to put into a category but that is one of reason why I like them. Now they are not for everyone since they are all excellent musicians and therefore, they change the pace, sound, and beats of a song. Therefore the it is hard to get into any rhythm and groove without and abrupt change. They are like a fine wine that has to sipped and then swirled around before swallowing.They played a good 12 song or so set but the funny thing was they were told play longer since this was a live recording to be air on the radio so they must play for a full hour. So they came back out for a another 90 second song and that was enough!!! Ha,ha. They must be seen. Members are : Vocals and Drums: Eiko Ishibashi, Vocals and Guitar Tadashi Yoshida, Lead Guitar Jason Shelton, and Bass Keniichi Yasuda Check out there web page.
2005.3.27(Sun) 下北沢CLUB251

SCREAMING SOUL HILL、鉄と鉛、GARI, minimal hugg

Okay, so this was not a show I knew much of anything about. I meet Kyoko from minimal hugg at a Halloween party and she said she was a singer and gave me a single cd. The song was pretty good so I wanted to check them out. To my surprise, they are a fun, energetic band that seems to have a good core of fans and Kyoko is an excellent front woman. The set had about 7 songs and although I could not get the names of them all, I would have to say that at least two, could be played on major radio stations with request for more and more. Now that being said, they need to figure out what type of band they are going to be! A Rock band, Pop band, Electro dance band, or just an unpredictable band! They can play many styles and maybe that is the future of music. One band and many styles to please the masses. Now the other bands had followings too. Gari came out first with their synthetic guitarist who seems to be doing most of the work. The vocalist was using some pitch modulator which made him sound like a real singer. However, he really can't sing very well that if it wasn't for technology, he was be out of luck. Oh, yes he has a nice look and the girls seem to dig him but.........minimal hugg was second and then 鉄と鉛 was third. These guys where obviously inspired by the Red Hot Chilly Peppers with the same sounding sounds and guitar play. Even the look with very few clothes on was shown. However, their vocalist seem like he should be in another band! He voice was strong and looks were good but he seemed out of place with the other guys. He looked more like a visual rocker type singer but maybe that is what they want. Screaming Soul Hill was the last band of the night at Club 251 which I must say was a pretty nice place. They have a great sound system with nice flat panel monitors all around and movie in between the bands was great(Stargate)! Now back to SSH, they are supposed to be the next big thing..... I guess. RIZE is suppose to be opening up for them at the next show in May. However, I just couldn't see it. They were loud and active but I didn't feel like I was seeing anything new! All in all it was a good night for music!

up soon
Merry

Shibuya Kokkiaido
March 31st, 2005
This was a show I had been looking forward to. I met up with the guys after the Buck Tick show last December and they said please come to this show. However, on the first look, the stage looked the same as the one they used last year at Hall show they did in Tokyo. However, the songs had changed and this is a band that can do many things. Gara on vocals has improved a lot with singing slower and mid tempo style songs. The set went for about 20 songs with a few surprised put in. The Nero drum solo was a little tamed down from the last time they play at the Kokkaido. However, he went with the Phantom of the Opera theme and it was cool. He had the mask and all and the solo was great. Of course, the mood of the place as a little strange. Until he announces that they will be signing a major label contract with Victor Entertainment! They will be making their major debut sometime this Fall! That was great to hear. They have been trying hard and holding out for the best deal possible. I am sure they got what they wanted. So let's hope that the new label doesn't try to tame them down. I foresee a Merry/Buck Tick show in my mirror ball! As for the fans, they are sticking by Merry and they have pretty much keep this guys a float! Keep on rocking Merry!!!

deadman

Liquid Room Ebisu
April 6th, 2005
Now what can I say but Wow!! I had been wanting to see these guys for a long time but I have could never seem to have the free time or something always came up. I knew this would be a good show since their long time bass player[Takamasa] was having his last gig with the band. Now I have never seen them live before and all I had seen was them on my old favorite Jee Jee Trap and Beautiful Fest 2003 television shows. From those show's I knew about 3 songs! However, we were witness to to a massive 2 hour and 20 min set of over 25 songs! They started out a with a slower type of song with a cool Appearance by vocalist 眞呼-Mako-. I assume he is the deadman with his makeup always like a pretty zombie of sorts. And would explain the standing Crypt that was on stage when the lights came on. He threw the door open and began to belt out the first song. Then, during this song he closed back the crypt door and then came out again with a hand full of balloons. He gave them away about 7 songs later! I mean these guys were non-stop! Song after song! The longest time they took off was about 3 minutes! The most exciting part of the show came at about 8:30pm. This was the beginning of their headbanging set! So I got to release some stress and shake it out with the rest of the crazy head banging girls! Then at the end, they went to one slow song which I knew and then one more for the road. Takamasa gave a nice little speech at the end and thanked all of the fans for their support of him and the band. He said that he will probably be hanging around here and there so if you see him, don't be shy but say hello. I wish him all the best and I enjoyed is nice and groovy bass playing.
Oh, I ran into Ben who is a nice American guy who has formed a few visual bands here in Tokyo.Alex is also nice guy from New Jersey who is helping indie bands back in the US to play in Japan. Good luck to him!The total foreigner count at this show was about 9 people! I grantee that these guys will be seeing more and more fans if they keep playing like that! I must say that 眞呼[Mako] really has a great stage presence and he really keeps things interesting with his various stage props(the crypt,balloons,halogen light on a long extension cord,one eyed giant paper bag mask) and his cool dancing and movements. Guitarist [Aie] has some real interesting songs and has a unique style of playing(not easy either). I will definitely but checking them out again as soon as I can!

Bat Cave Last Live

Shibuya Club Quttaro
April 10th, 2005
I must say this was a sad day for me. This is a great band that I guess could take the rigors of playing music. Although they all said that music is very important to them, I think the type of music they play, just doesn't bring in a lot of new fans. They played with 4 other bands who preceded them and the explanation was that the other bands wanted to play with them instead of them by themselves. I think I would have preferred a Bat Cave only night but it was okay. Bat Cave only played about 10 songs. And about 3 of them were covers! So I don't know what they were thinking but I guess they just wanted to have a good time playing together for the last time. All of the songs in my film were on display that night and I was happy to meet the guys before and after the show. Now Jibi, Wu-chy, Yusuke, and DJ KAZ are starting a new band called "Propagandaz" which is kind of Hip Hop/Nu Metal type of sound. They were giving out CD's to all customers before the show. However, the main song writer is Ponchi for Bat Cave and he said is just going to keep making songs and keep playing. I didn't really get to meet the the other guitarist(Ryosuke) but he played well. I asked the question if they would be playing in 50 years time and all of them said as long as they still could they would! So let's keep that in mind. The music will always be there!

Kagrra

Shibuya AX
April 14, 2005
Now this Kagrra show was one long affair with the band Alice Nine opening up for them. Alice Nine was like many bands in one(mixture of dir en grey,nightmare,and baroque). However, they did have a lot of energy and it got the fans into some serious head banging! Now Kagrra came out in style with the silhouette backdrop with the members's names being showed as they came out from behind the simulated Japanese traditional paper doors called Shogi. They then descended down the left side of the stage on a wooden staircase. Although some of them seemed a little apprehensive about being placed on the spot, they all looked good. They also avoided in pyro technics this time since the last show caused them the stop for over an hour. They stuck with the nice lighting effects and set a nice mood during the show. They play a range of material but mostly their latest stuff. It seems that they are going to be playing fewer and fewer older Kagrra as they try forge out the new image and sound. Isshi's vocals were really sounding great until the middle of the show. It seems he couldn't hear himself and was off key on about 3 songs. He was using the earpiece monitors for sound which he eventually took out and then he was all good again. No I must say, there are a lot of songs that I had not heard but they are good additions. Of course they are pushing their new singles and on that front, they will have a new album out in early July and then a live DVD of this nights show in August. I was able to meet the guys after the show and talked to each one. It has been a long time and they are looking forward to seeing the film. I hope that the film does well for them and brings in more fans from around the world!
Fanatic Crisis -last live-
May 14, 2005
Tokyo NK Ball Hall
Well I just got home from a packed Ball Hall and the show was pretty good. Now I must say that I am not the biggest FC fan but I do think they have a few good songs. Plus Mr. Ishitsuki has one of the best voices in Japanese rock. He is kind of a goofy guy on stage. I mean the way he dances is kind of what shall we say......Nerdish....Ha,ha. However, he is putting all of his effort into it and seems to enjoy what he is doing and that is the main thing! Now I knew only about 4 songs since I only have one CD of theirs. However, I did count about 23 songs after 2 hours and 20 minutes! Then it was time for the encore. They lasted about 5 songs for the first one and then another 5 songs for the second session. So the whole show was a good 3 hours and 20 minutes. So I got my 5000 yen worth!!!Some of the stand out songs came in the beginning and then they had a slow song set in the middle and then wrapped up with older and faster paced songs. Off of the EAS album: Behind, Be You, scratch 69,心に花を 心に刺を where all played. However, by the end of the night..... My favorite songEFECT LOVER COMPLEX was not played!!!!!!!!!!! That was the song that got me into this band! I wanted to let them know how angry I was but alas I am not an old fan so I guess I can't complain. I don't know if they played a lot of rare songs or not. However, another Highlight was "Memories in White". It was around the 12th song and we were all given these great pocket lights they we were suppose to use during that song. The great thing was the band themselves said they did not know what we were given so it was a surprise for them and we all loved it. I will be using that little light for a long time I think! At the the end of the show before the encore's Vocalist Ishitsuki had a nice little speech about the 13 years of the band and what they wanted to accomplish with there music. He said that one of the main things was that we are not alone and the music will always bring us together!!!Thanks to Fanatic Crisis for the good music and good luck in the future with whatever each member will do from now on.
May 30, 2005
Shinjuku Loft

minimal hugg

This was another smorgasbord of bands that I didn't see all of. However the stands out seemed to be Pepin, MEGANE,and mothercoat. Now the feature of the night seemed to be female bass players!! mothercoat and minimal hugg have one! Both of these girls can rock! However, "March" of minimal hugg has the better rocker image! Minimal hugg has a nice fan base and they were the last band of the night and did not disappoint! They play only 5 songs but is seemed like 10. Highlight were the "24/7 nights" which is a crowd participation song involving hand and arm movements! Kyoko on vocals was strong as ever and boy what a stage presence! This band will make it if they keep doing what they are doing! By the end of the set, they had the most applause of any band of the night!
Recent Show's seen:
minimal hugg: What can I say but I love Kyoko!!!! Keep of the great work!
despair: the worst band I have seen in a long time!

Anthem 20th Anniversary tour!

7/23(SAT)　KAWASAKI：CLUB CITTA
Well after an Earthquake the prolonged the start about an hour later....The show must go on!!!! And it was a great show with all of the former and current members on one stage! Of course they started it out with the current Anthem doing about a 10 song set of song from the last few releases. Then the fun started. Original Drummer Mad Oouchi came out and he still looks great and plays the same. On the other hand, Fukuda Hiroya on guitars seemed a little drunk when he came on stage. I seemed to remember him as an excellent player but it just wasn't there anymore. His guitars were old and the sound wasn't so clear. However, he seemed to be having a good time showing off his new tatoo's all over his body. They played about 4 classic songs and then it was time for Morikawa to take over for Eizo Sakamoto. I must say that Morikawa has one of the best voices in Japanese rock and he is really strong. So they did ● GYPSY WAYS,● CRYIN' HEART,● THE JUGGLER,● HUNTING TIME. Then a suprise guest!!! The one and only Hideaki Nakama!!!! Hiroya was out and this is the guy I first saw with Anthem in 1990. Although the album "No smoke without fire" was played on by Hiroya, Nakama did the tour and worked with the band for about a year. Anyway, ● SHADOW WALK and BLINDED PAIN where played and for me the show was complete at that point! Boy did Mr. Nakama sound good and he looks still like a young kid! Next was Akio Shimizu with Morikawa who was the one who found the talented young guitarist in the first place. Venon Strike was the last song for Morikawa and back in was Eizo Sakamoto and Hiro Honma. Two more songs and then it was Encore time. About 3 songs and then the final jam session with all of the members on stage! "Do you understand" and "Wild Anthem" ended up the night and it was a concert never to be repeated so I am glad I was there to see it! Long live Anthem!
Accept(German Metal at it's best)
July 30, Saturday: Shibuya Ax
Okay they are not Japanese but they were one of my favorite bands growing up and they are back in Japan for the first time since they broke up!
7/30
01.Starlight
02.Living For Tonight
03.London Leatherboys
04.Metal Heart
05.Up To The Limit
06.Winter Dreams
07.Flash Rockin' Man
08.Breaker
09.Peter Baltes bass solo～Head Over Heels
10.Neon Nights
11.Wolf Hoffmann guitar solo
　（Bolero/Sabre Dance/Hall Of The Mountain King/Pomp And Circumstance）
12.Restless And Wild～Son Of A Bitch
13.Turn Me On
14.TV War
15.Monsterman
16.Love Child
17.Fast As A Shark
Encore1
18.Princess Of The Dawn
19.Burning

Encore2
20.Balls To The Wall
Enough Said!

Eve of Destiny:secret show in Star Pine Cafe, Tokyo. July 30th: Pandemonium
Okay, I went to this Gothic/Fetish event and I didn't know these guys were even playing. I heard about them about 2 years ago from an Italian Goth Rocker who said they were popular in Europe! Well let me tell ya... They can stay in Europe! I have not heard anything that bad in a long time. Although I could see a little promise....Here's is the problem. Haruhiko Ash vocals is the from the band the Zolge. Kozi is the ex-Malice Mizer guitarist. The music is screaming for a bass and dummer! They have that programized drum and bass track that just takes away from the music. It is like lip sinking in a way. Now Kozi is very pretty and nice to look at but Haruhiko is like a Japanese vampire or something. Kinda of scary up close! I was standing right in the front and you may see me on the video they took of the event. Anyway, like most bands, they did have one decent song which was second to the last. Other than that, I don't see them making it big without a few changes.
Nightmare in Osaka
August 20, 2005 at Namba Hatch
Okay, now I have been wanting to see these guys for a while. The venue was very nice and pretty packed with mostly teen age girls. Now there was big competition in Osaka this night since L`arc~en~Ciel was playing at the Osaka Dome. They band even mentioned how the hope to be able to reach that kind of level to play at such a big place. After seeing this show, I doubt they will ever make it that big. The songs are fairly solid and they were very tight. However, I think they must choose a direction to go in. Go pop or try to be harder is the best way for them. Singer Yomi is small in stature but has a nice big voice that can really hang down the strech. They did a lot of songs and his voice was still there by the end of it all. He told of a nice story about him and Hituji(guitars) going to Universal Studios Japan to get enough energy to play for the night. They put in a good plug for USJ so I may want to go check it out the next time I am in Osaka. As for the set, I didn't really know any of the songs names nor songs for that matter but the 4 song was familiar and it sounded very nice! They all seem like happy campers's except for the drummer. Ruka on drums seemed as tougth this was the last place he wanted to be. There were no smiles or chit chat, just playing. He was is good drummer but he needs to have more fun or act like he is playing for 1200 pople!
Kagrra Tour Final
August 22, 2005 Hall Oneman Tour ～雲燦霧消 ～unsanmusyo～
Now it had been about 4 months since I saw them last. I must say that after the release of their 2nd major release[燦～san～] I was excited to see the new songs. They did not disappoint. I will not get into all of the songs but let's just say it was a just under 2 hour show with a great mix of new and old. I think this was the best I have seen them do in the past three years. The sound was mixed superbly.
Merry Sept. 10
This was an interesting show in that I wanted to see how many people they could get in that outdoor place. I have seen a lot of show their and some have been disappointing fan wise. However, they pretty much filled it up. They played a solid set with over 20 songs. The news songs sounded really good live and the fans were just going crazy for the guys. Now of course Nero was the only one talking but Gara did break out the Calligraphy again so he could say a few words to the fans. Oh, the Drum solo was also exciting again with the drum set on risers this time that went up in the air about 30 feet! I found out later that it cost him about 5000 bucks for that! It was a great first major show and I hope they will make a big splash in 2006! Set List as follows: SE.デジーノート
1. 迷彩ノ紳士
2. やさしさキッド
3. 頭がザクロ
4. ロストジェネレーション
5. 青春ノイローゼ
6. ニセモノ天国
7. R-246
8. 想ひでサンセット
9. 薔薇と片隅のブルース
～習字～
10. 首吊りロンド
11. 溺愛の水槽
12. 愛国弐～マスラオ～
～ネロリズム～
13. Ve-doro
14. ニヒリスティック
15. ジャパニーズモダニスト
16. 陽の当たらない場所
17. T.O.P
18. バイオレットハレンチ
19. イエローガール
20. 空っぽな歌
21. バイオレットハレンチ(replay)