FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 4, 2015 – Japanese trauma-pop group URBANGARDE has released a provocative new music video for “Kuchibiru Democracy”, the lead song from their upcoming CD Showa 90. The video’s strong message of “Don’t Kill The Words” is emphasized in trademark URBANGARDE style with dark, thought-provoking images of an atomic blast, militaristic uniformed […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEKAI NO OWARI, SCANDAL, OLDCODEX Wow Fans at TIMM 2015 Japanese Pop, Rock, and Anisong Showcase Held at Zepp DiverCity November 1, 2015 — The 12th annual Tokyo International Music Market (TIMM) was held October 20-22 at Grand Pacific le Daiba in Tokyo, boasting record attendance from international music labels, journalists, promoters, […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2015 – Temma Matsunaga, the lead male vocal of Japanese rock band URBANGARDE, has announced the release of his first book Jisatsushatachi (“Selfie People”) on October 22. The book is a compilation of short stories, essays, and poems following the prolific writer’s three favorite themes: shojo (girls), toshi (metropolitan city […]
“The number of humans who, in their heart, genuinely believe in fairies is dwindling. The Empire is faltering and faces destruction.” Link: http://www.femmemetalwebzine.net/2015/10/06/yui-yousei-teikoku/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 28, 2015 – Japanese trauma techno-pop band URBANGARDE announced their new album Showa 90 at their concert showcase event on September 5. URBANGARDE hosted UTSU Fes (“Depression Fes”) with performances by PASSPO☆, NO GOD, and 15 other bands in the 2-day festival at Tsutaya O-East in Shibuya. Showa 90 will be […]
“URBANGARDE itself is a piece of art. It’s all together for us. It’s one package. The music videos, the CDs, the live shows, it’s all built to go together, like a crazy, mixed up Disneyland.” Link: http://jrock247.com/2015/09/urbangarde-interview-2015-pt-1/ http://jrock247.com/2015/09/urbangarde-interview-2015-pt-2/
“SHADOW CORPS[e] represents an exciting new step for a band that’s always on the move. From the deliciously horrifying ‘Shirogane Bara Kitan’ to the dramatic instrumental stylings of ‘ancient moonlit battleground’, SHADOW CORPS[e] is a masterclass in how to create a unique sound without alienating long-time listeners.” JaME: http://www.jame-world.com/us/articles-117425-yousei-teikoku-shadow-corps-e-.html “SHADOW CORPS[e] is undeniably epic, starting […]
“With no limitations as to theme or song length, we were able to more freely experiment with certain things we wanted to try ourselves.” Link: http://www.jame-world.com/us/articles-117329-interview-with-empress-yui-of-yousei-teikoku.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 31, 2015 – Members of Japanese rock band URBANGARDE accepted the invitation of a Nagano hospital to perform for patients in the psychiatric ward and nursing home on August 21. Vocalist Yoko Hamasaki and keyboardist Kei Ohkubo performed songs requested by the patients plus some of URBANGARDE’s original songs. One of […]
“I think artists should be hustlers,” Temma explains. “I think artists should lie.” http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/08/26/antimony-talking-to-urbangarde-about-their-vision-music-and-lying-to-fans/
“For us, kimono cosplay is like a battle uniform. When we wear them, we are ready to perform as Yanakiku. The kimono costumes also evoke a strong feeling and impact for the audience.” http://www.fafafoom.com/yanakiku-interview-performance-j-pop-summit-2015/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 19, 2015 – Japanese vocal/dance unit YANAKIKU made their triumphant return to San Francisco’s J-Pop Summit during the August 8-9 weekend, returning to the spot of their American debut last year. YANAKIKU presided over the event’s Cosplay Masquerade and J-Pop Idol Contests with laughter and smiles and welcomed visitors to the […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 27, 2015 — Japanese mascot Ossan returns to the U.S just a few weeks after his American debut at Anime Expo. This time around, he’s bringing fellow “Go-Torch” (or “Yuru-Kyara”) characters Sanasenabona (idols from Sasebo) and Koakkuma & Akkuma (twin bears from Hokkaido) to San Francisco’s J-Pop Summit on August 8 […]
“What would you say to someone who told you girls can’t play metal music? Akane: Crush that prejudice. Just crush it.” Link: http://jrock247.com/2015/07/band-maid-interview-2015/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE YANAKIKU ADDS LIVE CONCERT TO J-POP SUMMIT APPEARANCE Japanese Pop Duo will host POP Travel Area and share stage with FEMM and Ken Ishii at J-POP LIVE NIGHT II. July 23, 2015 – J-Pop Summit has announced the details of their second night of Japanese music performances, including live concerts from kimono […]
“In Japan, the guy who rubs my head gets a nice car and nice girlfriend, a fancy life. Or usually people say I have an ordinary life, but that is happiness for me, so thank you for the happiness I already have! But then I ask, what does that have to do with me!?” http://nekopop.com/2015/07/ossan-interview-2015/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE VAMPS to perform 2 shows in L.A. and San Francisco after Latin America Tour July 20, 2015 – Japanese rock band VAMPS will perform two hard-rocking shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco this October. VAMPS recently joined Sixx:A.M. on the “Modern Vintage” tour in April 2015 for 12 U.S. concerts in […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE YOUSEI TEIKOKU releases new MV and track list for SHADOW CORPS[e] Heavy metal band’s new album includes song from Revolutionary Girl Utena anime July 19, 2015 – Japanese hard rock band YOUSEI TEIKOKU has released their new music video for “SHADOW CORPS” along with the full track list for the new album, […]
All-girl band to team with hot visual kei and J-Rock artists for series of 3-man shows FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 12, 2015 — Japanese girls rock band exist†trace has announced their guest lineup for this fall’s “My Existence” trio of 3-man live shows in Tokyo.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 9, 2015 — Japanese mascot Ossan made his successful American debut at Anime Expo in Los Angeles July 2-5, 2015. The popular “Go Torch” (also known as “yuru-kyara”) appeared as a Guest of Honor at the convention and spent four days giving photo opportunities and prizes in the “#FoundOssan” social media […]
BAND-MAID “definitely rocks” – Metal Injection Link: http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/band-maid-is-a-japanese-all-girl-rock-band-who-dress-like-maids-for-real
“They’re called Band-Maid, they rock pretty convincingly—and play their own instruments!” Link: http://www.guitarworld.com/thrill-sounds-japanese-girl-band-band-maid-video
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2015 – Japanese rock band URBANGARDE made their USA debut at A-Kon 2016 in Dallas, Texas, earlier this month, performing for an audience of 2000 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. Fans welcomed the group to the stage by waving a mass of flags showing URBANGARDE’s signature bleeding polka dot design […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE YANAKIKU RETURNS TO J-POP SUMMIT 2015 Japanese Pop Duo Became Fan Favorites at Last Year’s Festival Music Video Features New Fashion Outfits and Comedy Guest Star June 22, 2015 – After their celebrated performance at 2014’s J-Pop Summit, Japanese pop duo YANAKIKU will return to San Francisco this summer. This year, YANA […]
“I try to make the lyrics meaningful for the people who don’t know the game or anime, and but for those who know the work, I want the lyrics to add an even deeper emotional connection.” http://selective-hearing.com/interview-with-kanako-ito
JAPANESE MASCOT OSSAN TO APPEAR AS GUEST OF HONOR AT ANIME EXPO Comical character will present Japanese culture and comedy routines FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2015 – Japanese mascot Ossan will make his American debut at Anime Expo in Los Angeles, July 2-5, 2015. The popular “Go Torch” (also known as “yuru-kyara”) character will […]
“It’s like cigarettes and alcohol. As a kid you fantasize about them because you’re not supposed to go near them. I don’t want to be a band that forgets all that and all of a sudden puts on a clean image and sings about how everything is going to be OK tomorrow, you know? That […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 2, 2015 – Nagoya-based New-Wave band Budo Grape has released 2 more digital singles on iTunes this month, continuing the streak they began in March building up to their new album later this year. “Hakase ni Soudan” and “Kyou no kare Ashita no watashi” are available now on iTunes worldwide.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2015 – J-Pop indies band Swinging Popsicle performed a special double-anniversary live show with longtime friends advantage Lucy on April 29, 2015 at Club Que in Tokyo. The band treated fans to popular hits from their extensive catalog, including tracks “Joy of Living” from their debut Sony album and “(a) […]
