Ahh, Ayabie…. I don’t know what to expect from you any more. Their major-debut release was a lot like a boy band pop song. But with this single, we seem them going back to their roots in J-Rock! Lets see if they go all the way back…

Sayonara starts off this release. It begins with a short rock section with some piano and then goes into a quiet section while vocals come in. I think that the texture still is similar to their last single, Aitakute, but they definitely shifted closer to rock. Synthesized strings accompany ayabie for most of the song. And a little past the halfway point, there is a short guitar solo. For the most part, the band is not very prominent and they are basically used for rhythm and harmony. Only in a few places does guitar take the lead.

Next we have birthday Song. I was kind of expecting a very happy upbeat song. But rather than that, they do a sort of ballad with some soft acoustic guitar accompanying the vocals. The band doesn’t fully come in for a while and it retains it’s gentleness. Nothing hardcore here, but I like it. It’s very relaxed and makes it feel like it’s just floating along.

Awayuki is the final track on this single. It starts off with a guitar playing the theme of the rest of the song. I think that after this, it’s rather repetitive. Once again, the band is mainly used for rhythm and chords. Its rather disappointing. I would rather listen to their work while they were indie. It’s much more enjoyable in my opinion.

Overall: It’s an improvement from their previous single, but not really that unique.

Rating: 6.5/10

Tracklist:
1.) Sayonara (サヨナラ)
2.) birthday Song
3.) Awayuki (淡雪)
4.) Sayonara (Original Karaoke)
5.) birthday Song (Original Karaoke

-KWZ

Well the full PV for Ayabie’s upcoming single, Sayonara has now been released (and uploaded to Youtube XD) I’ve listened it through all the way, whilst recovering from whatever sickness i have right now, and i have to say…I like this song, maybe not quite as much as Natsu Monogatari, but it sounds more like the Ayabie (older Ayabie) we know. Aitakute was definitely (and sorry to say) the worst of the songs released so far. BUT. and thats a big BUT. The PV is so boring! I think the Major Label Ayabie are now with need to make the PV’s more interesting, Natsu Monogatari was okay, more colorful but nothing really goes on just the members walking around a lot. Aitakute was really boring T_T Well anyway, enough of me going on XD for those of you who DIDN’T see it yet; Here it is! The FULL Sayonara PV ~ Remember Sayonara will be released on 2nd December.

credit for PV: ChenChanN @ YT.com

Since joining there major label in Spring of this year, Ayabie have already released 3rd Maxi Singles with plans of a new Mini Album to be released in the new year. But what do the Ayabieru fans really think of their new sound? I myself have only been a fan of Ayabie since Yumehito had joined the band, before that i had never heard their music before, HOWEVER. I have listened to and enjoy some of the older songs performed with Ryouhei (ex.member of Ayabie, now member of Megamaso) So far, from the new music Ayabie has released, i have definitely realised that their, sound and even style has changed. I really didn’t enjoy Aitakute at all and personally i thought the PV was poor BUT, Natsu Monogatari was a hit for me (hence the name of my blog!) I thoroughly enjoyed the song and PV, but still love to listen to my older favorites, Tsukuyomi, TheMe and Cubic [L/R]ock. Moving on…lets give you the hoedown on the upcoming Maxi Single and mini-album to be released by our very own Ayabie!

Sayonara is the next Maxi single to be released by Ayabie and is set to be released on the 2nd December (previously set for the 18th November, but has been delayed). As before with the previous 2 Maxi Singles, Sayonara will be available in 3 different versions for fans to buy and collect; Type A (CD+DVD), Type B(CD+DVD) and Type C (Normal Single).

Type A (CD+DVD)

CD Tracklist:
1. Sayonara
2. birthday song
3. Sayonara (Original Karaoke)
4. birthday song (Original Karaoke)

DVD:
1. Sayonara PV and Making Of

available from: YESASIA, CD Japan

Type B (CD+DVD)

CD Tracklist:
1. Sayonara
2. birthday song
3. Sayonara (Original Karaoke)
4. birthday song (Original Karaoke)

DVD:
1. ayabie live tour「colorful rock party」 Backstage Scenes

available from: CD Japan, YES ASIA

Type C (CD Only)

Tracklist:
1. Sayonara
2. birthday song
3. Awayuki
+ 1 of 6 randomly picked postcards.

available from: CD Japan, YES ASIA

Pre-order your copy today!

The Preview of the PV for Sayonara is also now available!

credit for PV : xLiptonxsama

Kirakira Hoshi
Kirakira Hoshi is the first mini album to be released by Ayabieru since signing to their major label this Spring. There will be more information posted later on pre-order links for Global/Europe as they become available. For now the only information i know is the tracklist and that there will be 3 different versions of this mini-album released (A, B and C) B will include a DVD that has backstage footage from Ayabie’s tour at SHIBUYA-AX.

Tracklist:
1. aitakute
2. natsumonogatari
3. sayonara
4. kanaria
5. action
6. hoka , zen 10 kyoku + bo nasutorakku 2 kyokushuuroku

Credit for some information in this post: AYABIE.net, ♣ SЯ : JROCK UK UPDATER

Ayabie (彩冷える, アヤビエ, Ayabie), are a Japanese visual kei band currently signed to the label Tokuma Japan Communications. Their music consists of a wide variety of sounds and moods, ranging from catchy and upbeat to heavy and hard-edged punk songs. Many of the band’s costumes were designed by ID Japan or H. Naoto.

// <![CDATA[// Biography

Ayabie was formed in the early spring of 2004 by ex-Hinawana members Ryōhei, Takehito, and Intetsu with Aoi (ex-MASK, ex-Cynical Biscuit). On May 8th, 2004, Ayabie held their first solo concert at the Takadanobaba AREA. Their first single, Heien No Ato, Ame, was distributed at this live. Following this release was their next single, Romancer, which was limited to 1000 copies.

Ayabie's debut album was released on March 21, 2005, entitled Ayabie Sokukan Ongenshū. It includes a bonus DVD which contains their previously recorded PVs. The group, which started with only support drummers, finally had a permanent drummer when Kenzo joined later that year..

In June 2006, Ayabie toured Europe for the first time. In August, Ryōhei left the band permanently, due to his disagreement of the band's future. After his departure, he started his own new band, "Megamasso". Yumehito became the newest member of Ayabie 3 months later. The band adjusted to the change by splitting song writing duties among the band members, with Yumehito writing many of the band's lyrics.

In 2007, Ayabie returned to Europe again and released the mini-album Ecumenical along with many singles.

Ayabie is scheduled to tour in the US for the first time in June 2008, as part of their world tour

At the conclusion of their "Mikazuki no Kiseki" Tour on September 27, 2008, Ayabie announced that as of Spring 2009 they would be going major. Their debut major label release, the single "Aitakute", was issued on 27 May 2009. As saying goodbye to their Indies theme, they are releasing a DVD named "The 7th colour ~Indies last tour FINAL~" this indicates that they are now going major and going into their new major theme.

Members

• Aoi (葵), born April 1, is the vocalist. He was previously in the bands Mask and Cynical Biscuit.
• Takehito (タケヒト), born August 24, is one of Ayabie's guitarists. He was previously in the band Hinawana.
• Intetsu (インテツ), born February 1, is the band's Bassist. He was previously in the band Hinawana.
• Kenzo (ケンゾ) is the band's Drummer, born December 9, 1982 in Tokyo.
• Yumehito (夢人), the newest member, was born September 22nd, 1985 and plays the Guitar. He was previously in the band Soroban.

Former Members

• Ryōhei (涼平), born March 27, 1983, was the Leader for Ayabie, playing the guitar and writing most of the songs while he was in the band. He was previously in the band Hinawana, and is now in the band Megamasso. Left Ayabie in 2006.

Discography

Albums

Tetsu No Shima (2005)

• -01. Seaside circus to pastel shou
• -02. Kyoukai loop
• -03. Hai kono no mori, samayoi sakana
• -04. Chaos cream festival
• -05. Downer beautiful song
• -06. Neko yoru tei
• -07. Seshiri kuse

Equal Prayer 2 All (2005)

• -01. Da-gi-e
• -02. Psycho Circuit
• -03. Gimmick of Heavy Metal
• -04. ----- [Eve] Diver
• -05. Suiatsu

Ayabie Sokukan Ongenshū (アヤビエ 即完音源集) (March 21, 2005)

• -01. Shikosahoko
• -02. Mazochi – Sangatsu Ni Mita Yume No Saikousei
• -03. Aikagi
• -04. Misery In Zadasuku
• -05. Kei
• -06. Bittsu – Asshuku – Roll
• -07. Daikei
• -08. nankyoku
• -09. Tsueppeshi, Taberu
• -10. Gothic Party Speed Session

Virgin Snow Color (バージン スノー カラー) (November 15, 2006)

• -01. Virgin Snow Color
• -02. Shine
• -03. Lapis Lazuli
• -04. Koto no Hanoru
• -05. Hinata 06 Mefisshu no Uta, koi kara no suihou 07 0010
• -08. Az
• -09. ancient-tree
• -10. Hoshi furu ohanashi

Euro Best (August 9, 2006)

• -01. XT
• -02. Shikosahoko
• -03. MAZOCHI – Sangatsu ni mita yume no saikousei
• -04. Tseppeshi, taberu
• -05. Kiss me snow
• -06. Japanese Lo-rez carameltown
• -07. Atama ga okashii
• -08. da-gi-e
• -09. Gothic party speed session
• -10. mimizuku
• -11. Bittsu – asshuku – roll
• -12. Glitter Torou Pen

Ecumenical (2007)

• -01. Artifact
• -02. Senjou Cameraman to Saigo
• -03. Masquerade
• -04. Ms. Santa Claus
• -05. Honey Flavor
• -06. Nanairo no Sora no Octave

Rikkaboshi (2007)

• -01. Kirisame
• -02. Izayoi Kaze
• -03. Last note
• -04. Yuukyuu no Ame, Soshite?.
• -05. Hoshigaoka
• -06. Sleet Eve

EPs

• Tetsu no Shima (鉄の島) (January 1, 2005)
• Equal Prayer 2 All（限定盤) (October 26, 2005)
• Ecumenical (エキュメニカル) (March 7, 2007)
• Rikkaboshi (November 28, 2007)

Singles

• Heien No Ato, Ame (閉園の後、雨) (May 8, 2004)
• Romancer/Metamorph Last Page (ロマンサー／変態最終頁) (May 8, 2004)
• Metamorph Last Page/Romancer/Kagen Sakura (変態最終頁／ロマンサー／下弦櫻) (July 17, 2004)
• Ayabie no Orugōru Ongen Vol.1 (アヤビエのオルゴール音源vol.1) (July 30, 2004)
• Chōsui Sō Yori, San Rin (貯水槽より、三人) (September 15, 2004)
• Gothic Party (ゴシックパーティー) (October 15, 2004)
• Lovers Name (ラバーズネーム) (December 29, 2004)
• M (エム) (February 10, 2005)
• Melting Cinnamon (メルトインシナモン) (March 1, 2005)
• Kuroi Tsukasasa Guito Shinegai -Second Press- (クロイツカササグイトシネガイ -セカンドプレス-) (April 25, 2005)
• Taikanshiki Zenya (戴冠式前夜) (June 15, 2005)
• Tsuki Koi (月請い) (July 13, 2005)
• Kiss Me Snow (キスミイスノウ) (August 10, 2005)
• Lempicka (December 7, 2005)
• Mafuyu, Yonrenyasō (真冬、四連夜奏) (January 18, 2006)
• Japanese Low-Res Caramel Town (ジャパニーズ ロウレゾ キャラメルタウン) (February 15, 2006)
• Chō (蝶) (March 31, 2006)
• Faint/Topaz (Faint／トパーズ) (June 28, 2006)
• N.M. Gentei Ongen Shū (エヌエムゲンテイオンゲンシュウ) (August, 2006)
• Kimi no Koe to Yakusoku (君の声と約束) Type A and B (November 1, 2006)
• Garasuzaiku no Ohanashi (硝子細工のお話) (January 7, 2007)
• Browny (ブラウニー) (March 14 , 2007)
• -Ecumenicalimage- (April 8, 2007)
• Sakura Mau Kisetsu ni (桜舞う季節に) Type A and B (April 25, 2007)
• Cubic’「L/R」ock (June 27, 2007)
• Extreme Machine (エクストリーム・マシーン) (September 14, 2007)
• Yubisaki (September 26, 2007)
• Day Dream (October 6, 2007)
• Melt Away (March 19, 2008)
• Mikazuki no Kiseki (June 25, 2008)
• Aitakute (May 27, 2009)
• Natsu Monogatari (August 19, 2009)

DVDs

Daikei/Misery in the Dusk (台形／ミザリィインザダスク) (December 21, 2004)

• Daikei台形
• Misery in the Duskミザリィインザダスク
• Shikosahokoしこさほこ
• Gothic Party speed sessionゴシックパーティスピードセッション

1 Dan Tobi -2005.4.1 Shibuya O-East- (1段飛び ～2005.4.1 SHIBUYA O-EAST～) (August 20, 2005)

• Shikosahokoしこさほこ
• Hai kinoko no mori, samayoi sakana灰キノコの森、さまよい魚
• Mazochiマゾチ
• Kaeru to kubiwa蛙と首輪
• Kei景
• Digital Lolita demonstrationデジタルロリータデモンストレーション
• Gothic party speed sessionゴシックパーティスピードセッション
• Melting cinnamonメルトインシナモン
• Kyoukai pool教会プール
• Heien no ato, ame閉園の後、雨
• Tseppeshi, taberuツェッペ氏、食べる。
• Seshiri kuseセシリー癖
• Romancerロマンサー
• Daikei台形
• Nankyoku南極
• Chaos cream festivalカオス・クリーム・フェスティバル
• Bittsu-asshuku-rollビッツ-圧縮-ロール

Tokyo-Prayer (February 1, 2006)

• Suiatsu水圧
• gimmick of heavy metal
• LEMPICKA
• Psycho circuitサイコサーキット
• Kiss me snowキスミイスノウ
• Tsukigoi月請い
• Aikagi合鍵
• Atama ga okashii頭がおかしい
• Gothic party speed sessionゴシックパーティスピードセッション
• Hentai saishuu page変態最終頁
• Shikosahokoしこさほこ
• Chaos cream festivalカオス・クリーム・フェスティバル
• Kutoi tsuka sasagu itoshi negaiクロイツカササグイトシネガイ
• Da-gi-e
• Tseppeshi, taberuツェッペ氏、食べる。
• —–[eve] diver
• Heien no ato, ame閉園の後、雨
• Taikanshiki zenya戴冠式前夜
• Romancerロマンサー

Tokyo-Rock Show (May 24, 2006)

• Chou蝶
• Hai kinoko no mori, samayoi sakana灰キノコの森、さまよい魚
• Mazochiマゾチ
• Tseppeshi, taberuツェッペ氏、食べる。
• Kiss me snowキスミイスノウ
• Sukima no Hoshiスキマノホシ
• Nankyoku南極
• Koukai pool教会プール
• Kuroi tsuka sasagu itoshi negaiクロイツカササグイトシネガイ
• Da-gi-e
• Digital Lolita demonstrationデジタルロリータデモンストレーション
• LEMPICKA
• Daikei台形
• Mimizukuみみずく
• Shikosahokoしこさほこ
• Japanese Lo-rez carameltownジャパニーズロウレゾキャラメルタウン
• Taikanshiki zenya戴冠式前夜
• Glitter torou penグリッタートロウペン
• Downer beautiful songダウナービューティフルソング
• Gimmick of heavy metal変態最終頁
• Hentai saishuu page

Ayabie Sokukan Eizoushū (アヤビエ即完映像集) (July 19, 2006)

• Taikanshiki zenya戴冠式前夜
• Tsukigoi月請い
• Kiss me Snowキスミイスノウ
• Kuroi tsuka sasgu itoshi negaiクロイツカササグイトシネガイ
• Japanese Lo-rez carameltownジャパニーズロウレゾキャラメルタウン
• Glitter Torou Penグリッタートロウペン

Film Spiral (フィルムスパイラル) (February 13, 2008)

• Kimi no kore to yakusoku君の声と約束
• Sakura mau kisetsu ni桜舞う季節に
• Cubic L/R ock
• Yubisakiユビサキ
• Hoshigaoka星ヶ丘

The 7th Colour ~Indies last tour FINAL~(September 09, 2009)

• TheMe
• Cubic L/R ock
• Hare no Hiハレノヒ
• Tsukuyomiツクヨミ
• Kanariaカナリア
• Senjou Cameraman to saigo戦場カメラマンと最期
• I’m vogue
• Kirisameキリサメ
• Yubisakiユビサキ
• Masquerade
• Ari to kakuzatou蟻と角砂糖
• 0010
• Brownyブラウニー
• Sanbyou三秒
• Aitakute会いたくて
• Nanairo no sora no octave七色の空のオクターブ
• Sakura mau kisetsu ni桜舞う季節に
• Shine
• Electric moonlight
• Digital Lolita demonstrationデジタルロリータデモンストレーション
• Kimi no koe to yakusoku君の声と約束

SummerTour’07 「The Brilliant Parade」 Final at HIBIYA YAGAI DAIONGAKUDO(November 28, 2007)

• Cubic L/R ock
• Brownyブラウニー
• 0010
• Shine
• Sakura mau kisetsu ni桜舞う季節に
• Senjou Cameraman to saigo戦場カメラマンと最期
• -ecumenicalimage-
• Rokugatsu Youka 6月8日
• Sendan wa futaba yori kanbashi栴檀は双葉より芳し
• Yubisakiユビサキ
• Extreme machineエクストリーム・マシーン
• Masquerade
• Ms. Santa clausミスサンタクロース
• Ari to kakuzatou蟻と角砂糖
• Koto no hanoruコトノハノル
• Hoozuki鬼灯
• Hinataヒナタ
• Day dream
• Ai no utaアイノウタ
• Lapis lazuliラピスラズリ
• Nanairo no sora no octave七色の空のオクターブ
• Kimi no kore to yakusoku君の声と約束

spring tour’07 ecumenical image ～C.C.Lemon~(June 13, 2007)

-ecumenicalimage-

• Brownyブラウニー
• 0010
• Shine
• Sakura mau kisetsu ni桜舞う季節に
• Ancient tree
• Senjou cameraman to saigo戦場カメラマンと最期
• Honey flavourハニーフレーバー
• Masquerade
• Ms. Santa Clausミスサンタクロース
• Koto no hanoruコトノハノル
• B.L.C
• Nanairo no sora no octave七色の空のオクターブ
• Hoshi furu ohanashi星降るお話
• Sendan wa futaba yori kanbashi栴檀は双葉より芳し
• Lapis lazuliラピスラズリ
• Hinataヒナタ
• Mefisshu no uta, koi kara no suihouメーフィッシュのうた、恋柄の水泡
• Az
• Kimi no kore to yakusoku君の声と約束

Originally published at Oshare Curry. You can comment here or there.

A long standing relationship has been formed between the CEO’s and Oshare Curry as a mutual love for all things visual, and asian. A while ago we’d prepared a decent amount of questions for them, and tried to be as objective and across the board as we could. We adore the fact they’ve brought Jrock into Second Life, and continue to support them in any way possible that we can.

Reiko volunteers once in a while for them, and has just stepped up to the plate today to do some of the second life work that keeps the sim happy! (It’s called being a Dj and playing really good Japanese music!) We just wanted to promote this interview in a great light and tell you how great their site is!

On with the interview!

What made you decide on the name for Kanzen?

Henade: We had brainstormed for a while and I came up with some ideas and kanji relevant to the feeling and theme of Kanzen, and ‘Completely and totally Jrock’ seemed to fit. In the end, it’s all about what rocks you, whether it be Kitty gYm or X Japan, to us that is all that Kanzen is.

Pebbles: I voted yes on Kanzen ni Jrock because I felt it was the embodiment of what our vision for the company was.

We know of course, you guys regularly interact in the music scene, who have you met and who do you think is someone personally, you enjoyed the most?

Henade: I have met a lot of bands as a fan. As a fan, my favorite had to be Die of Dir en grey and Tatsuro of MUCC.

Working, my favorite would be Yumehito and Takehito of Ayabie. I interviewed them for our sister site Jpopexpress.com when they had a US tour last year. They are very friendly, down to earth and just regular guys. Yumehito’s Pokemon knowledge is impressive, to say the least and Takehito had a totally awesome fanboy moment over my story about meeting YOSHIKI for the first time. LOL It was a really fun interview!

Pebbles: I’ve met and worked with a lot of very wonderful artist over the years. I must say I enjoyed all of them.

What are the names of the bands you currently promote?

Henade: Currently, we promote Chronicle, F.size.free, Kaei, REIKON Rebirth and SAI.

Pebbles: REIKON Rebirth and SAI are two Visual Kei inspired bands. They really know how to take their love for Visual Kei and create their own unique versions. Their worth checking out especially if you’re a VK fan!

Henade, I noticed you’ve said before that Pebbles was your boss before Kanzen – what sort of line of work was that, another cool jrock business? ^__^

Henade: Pebbles recruited me as a writer for Jpopexpress.com. JPE is now our sister site and we still work together with them on many things. JPE is a news sight, covering all Asian culture interests. Pebbles and I ran the Jrock department there.

I just wanted to confirm, Henade.. You’re one of the “COOL PARENTS” – You have a “Chibi” and he goes with you to everything. (Unless suddenly someone feeds him mt. dew and chocolate cookies?)

Henade: Yes, Chibi goes with me everywhere. I want him to grow up with a love for the music and understand all the hard work that goes into it all, but also enjoy the end result of it all. Also helps so he is not upset when most of my time is taken up with work, because he knows that he’ll get to meet the artists and help me in the field when the time comes. He’s such a friendly kid that he loves meeting all the new people, whether it be fans, a roadie or the band themselves.

And anyone who gives him Mt. Dew and chocolate cookies, will have trouble from me LOL.

How long have you had a dream per se, to make something like this happen?

Henade: Every child at one point in their life wants to be a rock star, I never wanted to be one –I actually wanted to be an opera singer LOL. Though, I have always been fascinated with the music itself and the inner workings of it all. I am the type who likes to make others dreams come true, the excitement and exhilaration of seeing a live or seeing a band/artists CD out for the first time is something I want to help create.

Pebbles: I think since the minute I was born lol. My dad was a musician and played guitar in a session band. With music being a huge part of life and I being raised around it I begun to develop a fascination with how it was created and the artists who created it. I wanted to know who they were and how they did it. For awhile I had wanted to be a musician to but then I begun to realize what I really wanted was to work with the musicians instead to help make them known. Everyone loves to talk about their favorite bands to their friends and family, I wanted to take it one step further and promote them to the entire world to! Of course at the time I had no idea how I would do that but it was just a dream to be able to. Not until I was much older would I know how to turn my dream into reality.

Do you plan on doing this until you’re your mother’s age? (Lol, I can just hear the answers now!)

Henade: I want to be doing this until all the bands we work with now and in the future have all gone major or otherwise reached their dreams to their fullest potential. (I hope!) There will always be artists wanting our help, and always a new band to help achieve their dreams, so I guess that means forever!

Pebbles: Without a doubt. I want to die peacefully at a very old age after I just interviewed my one billionth band or completed yet another successful tour I put together lol.

How could you or pebbles deal with a parent, or parental figure telling you – out right “They’re all girls, and the music sucks”, but the child or adult in question, loves the music your band put out? (Yes, Reiko has personal experience lol)

Henade: LOL actually, this has happened to me with my own mother. She saw some pictures of one of our bands and asked why the girls were dressed as boys… So, I played a song for her and she said the singer sounded male. I told her they were all males, but the goal of VK was to create a pleasing visual image for the fans, and most VK fans are girls in Japan, so it is meant to catch their attention. VK is about the visual shock of the costumes, make up and then when you hear them or see them perform, you see that it is all just a companion to the music. A really GOOD band, will catch your interest with their visuals, then blow you away with their music and live performance, and make you a fan for life. This is what I told her. She still doesn’t get it, but she is willing to listen to the music now haha.

Pebbles: Even during the days of Elvis Presley parents were cringing at the sites and sounds of their children’s choice of music. As long as music exists this will always be a factor. If a parent were to approach me though I would tell them that I respect their opinion and although they dislike the music, flashy clothes and makeup they must remember that it is a form of freedom of expression. Just like an artist writes lyrics to express themselves.

Do either of you believe there’s a big calling to keep drilling visual kei, or even jrock period to other countries?  Even small ones such as New Zealand? (… Kozi was in Wellington in 2003..?)

Henade: Jrock fans are everywhere. We want to bring the music to you, where ever you are, and where ever the bands want to go!

Pebbles: Definitely.

Pebbles, you’re in New York.. is there a distinct difference in the culture of jrock on the east coast, compared to anywhere else in the US?

Pebbles: Not at all. Fans in New York are just as much interested in Jrock as fans in Middle America and the West Coast.

How long have you been involved in a music industry sort of perspective?

Henade: I have only been working professionally in the music industry about a year and a half. I started out as a staff writer, then worked promotions for a few Jrock tours and wrote many interviews. I still have a lot to learn, but between hands on and learning from Pebbles and my other mentors, I am gaining a lot of experience and knowledge quickly.

Pebbles: I’ve been involved since 1998. I worked in the American music industry as a web mistress and promoter for a pop singer. I got involved in the Japanese music industry in 2006 as a researcher and writer for a promotional company.

What brought you to this music, this culture?  (Either henade or pebbles, or both!)

Henade: I loved Japanese anime when I was a kid, though I didn’t know what it was until I was much older haha I also listened to DEAD END back in the 80’s when they were licensed in the US. They sang in English, so I didn’t know they were a Jrock band until last year when I helped Pebbles with an interview with Morrie of Creature Creature.

Pebbles: Hearing L’Arc~en~Ciels READY, STEADY, GO play after every episode of Full Metal Alchemist and wondering who these awesome rockin guys were. I had never heard Japanese rock music before so I was intrigued. I went online and YouTubed their name and from there I discovered Gackt, Miyavi, Nightmare and etc… And I’ve been hooked since.

If people are interested in helping out, what’s the biggest criteria besides a love of jrock?

Henade: You have to be able to set your fangirl/boi aside and do what needs to be done in a professional manner. Dedication, time, respect and maturity are also pluses. Experience is also good to have, but we are willing to give anyone a chance who has a genuine love and interest in helping.

Pebbles: What Henade said along with an understanding that this is not an easy job. It takes a lot of time, patience and knowledge.

Would Kanzen Ni Jrock attempt, per se to create concerts in future of bands they promote LIVE on second life? Either via video feed, or audio stream/avatars?

Henade: Yes! We already have a few of our artists moonlighting in SL and are working on getting them set up to meet and talk with the fans. First, we have to get them used to the game, of course. No matter how cool they are IRL, it’s not so cool to walk sideways into walls because you don’t have the hang of the controls yet in SL LOL.

Pebbles: It’s something I would really love to try. It would take a lot of planning and time but I think it could be done successfully.

Or would knj have a chance to think about tribute concerts, like making avatars of jrock stars and having parties of them? (Reiko works for Simplicity Productions, and if KnJ needed I’m sure SP could produce some stuff like this?)

Henade: We are working things like this also. We also want to find bands in SL to come perform live on the stage at the club and hold such live performances often in the future!

Pebbles: Definitely and again with a lot of planning and time this can be done.

Do you foresee a KnJ meet up, in real life between current and future staff?

Henade: Between staff members, yes of course! We would love to meet everyone who has been working so hard for the bands we promote!

Pebbles: Yes, I’d love to meet everyone who has helped build Kanzen up in these few short months to the future staff that will be there years from now.

Can you forgive me, for my lack of solid questions as my mind is still thinking about farm town on facebook, and if my grapes are to waste yet? XD

Henade: XD

Pebbles: Of course lol.

Do you believe Kanzen’s vision, fits under the Visual Asia umbrella?  Being that jrock is visual, whether it’s a dark visual, or bright sparkles.. Ice cream and Takeru doing cartwheels?

Henade: VK in any sense is a wide variety of things, in the end, it’s all about the music, and that is what we are about. I think Kanzen’s vision to spread the love and music across the world.

Pebbles: Yes. We have so many different styles of bands from different genres featured on our site.

And dorky question… last but NOT least

What do you feel, is the biggest thing you’ve contributed to the jrock or visual asian culture since Kanzen started?

Henade: I think being an enthusiastic fan with a huge love for the music is my biggest contribution LOL. I share music I like with everyone, even my parents! My neighbors know more about Jrock than anyone else in my town besides me now because I babble excitedly to them whenever they will listen haha.

Pebbles: I think we have helped bridge the gap a slight bit for the lesser known bands by helping them get a little more noticed. I find that when visitors come to our site to read an interview we did with a major artist it helps the more obscure bands get noticed to. I have seen fan bases begin to develop for them as a result .

A big thank you to Hentai and Pebbles, a long with other fans and staff of Kanzen

If you would like to help out Kanzen on Secondl ife, or in Real life just head over to their website:

http://kanzennijrock.net

And dorky question… last but NOT least

A Avex finalmente abriu suas portas para o visual-kei. Em um show realizado no dia 10 de setembro no Akasaka Blitz, a banda Megamasso anunciou a estreia major da banda em outubro sob o selo da Avex Trax. Eles são a primeira banda de visual-kei a assinar contrato com a Avex.

A banda foi formada em 2006 por Ryohei, ex-guitarrista do Ayabie. Seu primeiro mini-álbum, “Namida Neko” foi lançado no dia 06 de dezembro. No dia 16 de dezembro eles realizaram o primeiro show deles no Shibuya O-EAST, o qual foi filmado e posteriormente lançado em DVD intitulado “Mega-star Tokyo”. O show contou com músicas que não haviam sido lançadas, as quais estariam disponíveis no segundo mini-álbum deles, “Kai no Mokuto no Zokuryo”, lançado no dia 24 de janeiro de 2007.

O primeiro single deles como parte do selo Avex é intitulado “chimes”, que estará a venda no dia 07 de outubro.  O single conterá a faixa-título e sua versão instrumental e a b-side “Kanashimi no kyori”. O single terá três versões: a versão regular, incluindo uma faixa adicional chamada “Kings Down”; duas versões limitadas CD + DVD, uma tipo A incluindo um PV da música-título e uma tipo B, contendo o making-of do PV e também cenas do programa de TV da banda, “Megamasso Channel“.

As três versões estão disponíveis em pré-venda no CDJapan.

Para conferir uma prévia do clipe de “chimes” visitem o site oficial da banda na Avex: http://avexnet.or.jp/megamasso/index.html

Fonte: Tokyograph & JaME Brasil

Créditos: Jstation

This isn’t exactly new, but it is their latest single. In fact, it seems like many sites have yet to update and still list “Aitakute” as their latest single.

Natsu Monogatari

This song is pleasant to listen to.  Light and what’s that? Flowy. The vocals are awesome to listen to, and the song has the floaty feel to it. It’s also pretty catchy.

The PV is interesting, quirky and full of digital effects, Glass cubes and rainbows on a cream coloured set drop. This adds to the song’s already fun and light feel.

And not a hint of Visual Kei in this PV or song. This is all a sweet little love song that they deliver, after all, Natsu Monogatari means Summer story. And that’s exactly what the song feels like, a summer love story.

And the PV has pretty people. :3

8/10

Yubikiri

Right, Yubikiri sounds sorta like Natsu Monogatari. The two songs were probably based off the same theme; the sweet love song theme.

Yubikiri is that where they hook their little fingers to make a promise. You know? I didn’t.

Still, that’s the kind of emotions this song is giving off. For all you know, this could even be the bummer of Natsu Monogatari. Like when they were creating that song, the first draft or something became this.

But don’t get me wrong, you know. This song is interestingly pleasant to listen to. Anyway, 7.9/10

Secret Room

The final B-side of this single totally has the older Ayabie feel. It sounds to me like they were trying to incorporate a little jazz feel to the slower song in this single.

It sounds alright to me, but there aren’t any surprises here.

Not exactly my type of song though. 7.5/10

All in all, it was lovely listening to this song. Perhaps listening to Natsu Monogatari and Yubikiri brought out the slightly heavier vibe of Secret Room. Still, this single is definitely worth listening to. 8.1/10

If asked three years ago if I’d expect La’cryma Christi to make a comeback, I would have said, “Hell no!”

Well I was wrong; apparently the band will be reuniting for the V-Rock Festival on 10/24. Now that doesn’t mean they will continue activities. The reunion is only for the V-Rock Festival, depending on the fans reactions will determine whether or not they will continue after the event.

What is the V-Rock Festival? It’s a visual kei event sponsored by Sports Nippon. It is a two day event which will be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba.

Honestly with a line-up like this, I’m tempted to go just for the two days to see half of these bands. I honestly didn’t know that half of them were still around either.

If you want to go, you can get tickets via their website. They have an international page for people who don’t read Japanese. (V-Rock Festival)

The line up:
10.24 – Saturday
abingdon boys school
alice nine
ali project
Angelo
BOUNTY
BREAKERZ
D
D’ERLANGER
D’espairsRay
Doremi Dan
Irokui.
Jealkb
Kra
La’cryma Christi
Marilyn Manson
Moi dix Mois
Ninja Man Japan
PENICILLIN
Plastic Tree
SEX MACHINGUNS
SOHODOLLS
SuG
Tune Factory (SHOXX band)
Velbet
ViVid

10.25 – Sunday
And
Aoi
Ayabie
DaizyStripper
Doubt
Duel Jewel
exist trace
The GazettE
GRANRODEO
heidi.
Kagrra,
LM.C
LOVEX
Merry
NEGATIVE
-OZ-
Sadie
SCREW
Toshihiko Takamizawa (w/ band members: gt. Rook Takamura/ANCHANG/KOJI)
Anna Tsuchiya
The Underneath
[_Vani; lla]
Versailles
Vidoll

So i’m a little late in posting this up, it has been out a little while now, but i thought why not? XD Ayabie, is taking a totally different turn in their music career now, their look and sound has changed, but just from watching their recent interviews they are still the same Ayabie they were before, especially Yume-chun with his childish behavior XD which is cuute and really amusing to watch! Anyways, their newest and 2nd maxi single under the new major label they signed to is called ‘Natsu Monogatari’ which in English means ‘Summer Tales’. Personally i prefer this alot more to Aitakute! I think its pretty catchy and Yume and Takehito both look cuute in the PV.. Not too sure whats happening with Kenzo’s hair XD i dont really like it, and Aoi’s vocals are good, not forgetting Intetsu of course ^^

The single was released 19 August, with 4 different jackets.

Type A/Jacket A
1. Natsu Monogatari
2. Yubikiri
3. Natsu Monogatari (without Vocal)
4. Yubikiri (without Vocal)

Type B/Jacket B
1. Natsu Monogatari
2. Yubikiri
3. Natsu Monogatari (without Vocal)
4. Yubikiri (without Vocal)
DVD: Includes exclusive Ayabie produced PV for Natsu Monogatari and ‘making of’ the PV.

Type C/Jacket C
1. Natsu Monogatari
2. Yubikiri
3. Orion
32 Page Photo Booklet of Ayabie

Type D/Jacket D
1. Natsu Monogatari
2. Yubikiri
3. Secret Room

Light some black candles, Visualists, to commemorate the advent of a beautiful thing. October will bring to Japan (naturally– after all, it would be exceedingly unnatural for any VK to appear intl. god forbid.) V-Rock Festival ‘09 on the holy dates of October 24th & 25th, 2009.

Ali Project

The lineup currently includes Marilyn Manson, the GazettE, Ali Project, D, D’erlanger, Alice Nine, Angelo, Abingdon Boys School, Ayabie, LM.C, Kra….and everyone else you’ve been dying to see live. Complete lineup info available here…

Makuhari Messe was designed by Fumihiko Maki, constructed in 1989. The building was originally called “the Nippon Convention Center”. Over the next fifteen or so years, the center became the focal point around which a kind of city sprang up– schools, parks, stadiums, etc. This area was called “Makuhari New City”– and by 2005 the Nippon Convention Center changed it’s name to better fit in, to what we currently know it as– Makuhari Messe (the first part is obvious– for anyone still scratching their skulls over where the word ‘messe’ came from, no, it’s not Japanese. ‘Messe’ means ‘fair’ in German. Yup, they borrow from Deutsch too.)

Like what you read? Planning on going? Need someone to go with you who speaks pretty good Japanese and can easily navigate life in Japan? TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Makuhari Messe Official Website (Japanese)

V-Rock Festival ‘09 Official Website (Japanese, some English)

Yup, even you can go– English info on purchasing tickets intl.

Ayabie dibentuk pada musim semi tahun 2004, dengan personil band awalnya: Aoi (vokalis), Takehito (gitaris), Intetsu (Bassist) dan Ryohei (gitaris, ex member)
Pada waktu itu Ayabie belum punya drummer tetap dan dibantu oleh Towa dan Kenzo (yang sekarang menjadi personil ayabie).

Pada tahun 2004 ayabie, menjual single pertamanya, Kagen no Sakura Ame. Lalu meliris single selanjunya bernama Romancer yang dicetak bahkan sampai 3 kali. Lalu, pada tahun 2005 dimulai debut album berjudul Ayabie Sokukan Ogenshu, disertai bonus DVD yang berisi PV.
Ayabie sempat 2 kali tur di eropa, yaitu pada juni 2006, dan tahun 2007
Tahun 2006 Ayabie memiliki personil baru yaitu Yumehito yang awalnya hanya menjadi addtional gitaris.

Members:
Aoi (葵), Takehito (タケヒト), Intetsu (インテツ), Kenzo (ケンゾ) Yumehito (夢人)

Ex-Member:
Ryōhei (涼平)

Album:
Ayabie Sokukan Ongenshū (アヤビエ 即完音源集)
Virgin Snow Color (バージン スノー カラー)
Euro Best

Single:
SinHeien No Ato, Ame (閉園の後、雨)
Romancer/Metamorph Last Page (ロマンサー／変態最終頁)
Metamorph Last Page/Romancer/Kagen Sakura (変態最終頁／ロマンサー／下弦櫻)
Ayabie no Orugōru Ongen Vol.1 (アヤビエのオルゴール音源vol.1)
Chōsui Sō Yori, San Rin (貯水槽より、三人)
Gothic Party (ゴシックパーティー)
Lovers Name (ラバーズネーム)
M (エム)
Melting Cinnamon (メルトインシナモン)
Kuroi Tsukasasa Guito Shinegai -Second Press- (クロイツカササグイトシネガイ -セカンドプレス-)
Taikanshiki Zenya (戴冠式前夜)
Tsuki Koi (月請い)
Kiss Me Snow (キスミイスノウ)
Lempicka
Mafuyu, Yonrenyasō (真冬、四連夜奏)
Japanese Low-Res Caramel Town (ジャパニーズ ロウレゾ キャラメルタウン)
Chō (蝶)
Faint/Topaz (Faint／トパーズ)
N.M. Gentei Ongen Shū (エヌエムゲンテイオンゲンシュウ)
Kimi no Koe to Yakusoku (君の声と約束) Type A and B
Garasuzaiku no Ohanashi (硝子細工のお話)
Browny (ブラウニー)
-Ecumenicalimage-
Sakura Mau Kisetsu ni (桜舞う季節に) Type A and B
Cubic’「L/R」ock
Extreme Machine (エクストリーム・マシーン)
Yubisaki
Day Dream
Melt Away
Mikazuki no Kiseki
Aitakute
Kiraboshi

DVD:
Daikei/Misery in the Dusk (台形／ミザリィインザダスク)
1 Dan Tobi -2005.4.1 Shibuya O-East- (1段飛び ～2005.4.1 SHIBUYA O-EAST～)
Tokyo-Prayer
Tokyo-Rock Show
Ayabie Sokukan Eizoushū (アヤビエ即完映像集)
Film Spiral (フィルムスパイラル)

Eps:
Tetsu no Shima (鉄の島)
Equal Prayer 2 All（限定盤)
Ecumenical (エキュメニカル)
Rikkaboshi

Hace un par de meses hablé del lanzamiento del single Aitakute de esta banda, y ahora comento que desconozco completamente su discografía, pero el tema de su anterior single me llamó bastante la atención y desde entonces los he seguido un poco y el día 19 de agosto saldrá a la venta su nuevo maxi-single que se titula Natsu monogatari y un mes después saldrá a la venta el DVD de su concierto ‘Indies last tour The 7th color‘ grabado el 1 de Abril en el Shinkiba Studio Coast.

CD Tracklist
01.夏物語 (Natsu monogatari)
02.ゆびきり (Yubikiri)
03.secret room

CD Tracklist
01.夏物語 (Natsu monogatari)
02.ゆびきり (Yubikiri)
03.オリオン (Orion) (Limited Edition C Only)
04.夏物語 (Natsu monogatari) (Original Karaoke)
05.ゆびきり (Yubikiri) (Original Karaoke)

DVD Tracklist
01.夏物語 (Natsu monogatari) -Original Video- (Limited Edition A Only)
02.Making-of footage  (Limited Edition A Only)
03.夏物語 (Natsu monogatari) -Ayabie Ver- (Limited Edition B Only)
04.Making-of footage (Limited Edition B Only)

El single tendrá nada mas y nada menos que 4 ediciones diferentes, la edición regular incluye una pista extra “secret room”; la edición limitada tipo A incluye el tema principal del single, más el b-side Yubikiri e incluye un DVD con el pv y making of de Natsu monogatari; la edición limitada B incluye una versión alternativa del pv de Natsu monogatari; y la edición limitada C incluye el tema “Orion” y un photo book de 32 páginas.

ayabie- Natsu monogatari (PV)

El grupo visual nos presenta el día 19 de este mes, su nuevo trabajo titulado:Natsu monogatari.Aparecerá en versión regular+tres limitadas.

CD Regular:

01-Natsu monogatari

02-Yubikiri

03-secret room

Limitada A:

01-Natsu monogatari

02-Yubikiri

03-Natsu monogatari instrumental

04-Yubikiri instrumental

DVD:

Natsu monogatari PV (original version)

Making of de Natsu monogatari (original version)

Limitada B:

La limitada B lleva los mismos audios que la A

pero en el dvd hay unos cambios:

Natsu monogatari PV (Ayabie produce version)

Making of de Natsu monogatari 8Ayabie produce version)

Limitada C:

01-Natsu monogatari

02-Yubikiri

03-Orion

Cambia el track numero 3 conforme a la versión regular y no lleva dvd.

Y tanto hablar de Natsu monogatari aquí tenéis el PV:

The Merch Grrls (photo by Samantha Levin)

So what is a girl with a guitar and a few songs to do?  Why, she should start another band, of course (and by “start a band,” I mean “find a bass player”)! 

Fortunately, I just happened to know a bass player who was looking to start a band.  Char and I were already spending much time working together as merch girls for other bands, participating in local music video filmings,  and boozing in bars in and around the East Village that forming a band seemed like a natural progression.  More so, we had the same vision.

So in what little spare time having three jobs apiece afforded, we began to practice.  We would rehearse in Tompkins Square Park, in bar basements, in my livingroom, or anywhere.  For fun, we started covering “Honest” by the Long Winters and Mike Jordan’s “One More Whiskey and Water (link covered by Michael McDermott),” because we figured we could relate to the lyrics and they were somewhat easy to play…at least they were somewhat easy the way we played them.  

The band name, the Merch Grrls, came about pretty easily as well since that was what we were usually.  We sold merch for the Antagonist Art Movement’s art slams every Thursday night and other occasional openings.  We also sold merch for bands like the Duke Spirit and Ayabie.  Other people either loved the name or loathed it, but we thought it was suitable so we kept it.

Artist James Rubio had a housewarming party in Jersey City, and Schocholautte was playing.  He and comedian Julian Stockdale invited the Merch Grrls to open, and Char and I thought it would be amusing.  We had a handful of practices and learned a cover of Cinderella’s “Shelter Me” to add to our four song set.  There was just one thing I did not count on…stage fright.

Once all eyes were on me, all I could think about was how every single part of my body was jittery.  I was proud of my song and the way we performed the covers, but no matter how much I tried to convince myself that I was surrounded by friends and that everything was okay, I could not relax.  In retrospect, I think I was self conscious.  I was worried too much about what the audience thought, even though they were mostly friends and close acquaintances.  Perhaps it would have been better had I performed first in a room of complete strangers. 

I did everything one is not supposed to do.  I acknowledged my mistakes, and I started songs over.  I even apologized to the crowd.  I do not think I stopped sweating until about 20 minutes and two Red Stripes after we had finished.

Aitakute (May 27th 2009)
1. Aitakute
2. master piece
3. Soprano (CD A only)
4. Summer Chime (CD B only)

Starting off the single is Aitakute which begins immediately with it’s mid-tempo chorus. The song while not being too upbeat has a sort of relaxed feeling to it which especially expresses itself through Aoi’s soft and controlled vocals. The flow from the bridge to the chorus is nice while not necessarily making the chorus the “climax” of the song. I really like the repeated guitar rifts in the song, along with Aoi’s vocals. A very solid a-side.

The b-side included on both versions of the album is master piece. Ignoring it’s almost etheral like intro that leads into a fast paced and mellow song, I really enjoyed this song. It’s similar to the a-side in that it isn’t a full blown rock track that focuses on only the instrumental but instead has an awesome sounding synth line accompanied by Aoi’s once again quieter vocals. His vocals build up once the bridge kicks in and flow smoothy into that great chorus.

Featured only on the CD A version of the single is Soprano. I was surprised to find out that it was a full blown ballad with both strings and a marvelous piano melody. Actually, this would be my favorite song from the single simply because of how beautiful that piano is. Once the second verse kicks in, drums are added into the mix, makign the song just that more epic. Aoi’s vocals are fit for the song, although he clearly struggles to hit a lot of the notes, most specifically the higher ones. Eitherway, their not annoying enough to not allow me to enjoy this well crafted and beautiful piano ballad.

On the CD B version we have Summer Chime which easily takes the prize for most upbeat and bright track on the single. I thought it had a lot of potential based on it’s synth intro(which has almost zero relativity with the song itself) and even though it begins with an enjoyable chorus, I just couldn’t get over how horrible that instrumental leading into the first verse. You can hear a whistle and some circus sounding horn which totally turned me off. Apart from that huge mistake, the song itself is pretty fun with a great bridge, even though the chorus ain’t all that great.

Being my first ever Visual-Kei single, I was pleasently surprised by this group. I chose them because it’s their debut single on a major label and well, the covers were nice. I enjoyed every song on the album(minus Summer Chime) and really hope to hear another great ballad from them again. Soprano impacted me in a really good way, to be honest.

The world’s largest visual kei show called V-SHOCK Festival will take place in Tokyo on October 24th and 25th. More than 50 bands will be performing!

Here’s a current list of the bands expected to perform: the GazettE, D’espairsRay, Sadie, SuG, Moi dix Mois, PENICILLIN, Versailles -Philharmonic Quartet-, D, Merry, SCREW, DaizyStripper, Vidoll, DuelJewel, ViViD, heidi., Angelo, abingdon boys school, Kra, ALI PROJECT, Velbet, Doremidan, SEX MACHINEGUNS,【_Vani;lla】, ANCHANG,  ayabie,  exist†trace, Kagrra, and the Underneath! Just think more bands will be added soon! Wow, what a concert! Fangirl extravaganza anyone?

L’Arc~en~Ciel

An Cafe

Nee, minna-san…konnichi wa! Nah, pasti bagi kalian J-Rock mania udah nggak asing lagi mendengar istilah Visual Kei maupun Oshare Kei, aku pernah membahas beberapa Japan band Visual, tapi, mungkin apa itu sebenarnya Visual Kei dan Oshare Kei secara rinci belum ya? Hehehe…yup, inilah saatnya (kenapa nggak dibahas dari dulu sih?! Ha-ha-ha…lebih suka bahas band-bandnya dulu sih daripada rinciannya…^_^;) ooosshh!!! ok! let’s see…

Visual-Kei

Bagi yang masih penasaran apa itu Visual Kei (walaupun secara umum sudah tau mungkin, tapi keterangan lebih lanjutnya seperti ini…) kalo gitu langsung aja deh, beberapa sumber mengatakan, kalau ­Visual Kei itu salah satu jenis musik (genre) atau sub-genre dari musik J-Rock yang musiknnya memiliki ciri khas tersendiri, berhubungan erat dengan glam-rock, punk dan metal plus penekanan pada gaya pakaian dan make-up yang eksentrik. Dan uniknnya dalam genre ini, fashion dan gaya bermake up dianggap sama pentingnya dengan musik yang mereka usung.

Visual Kei juga sering digambarkan sebagai gerakan yang dilakukan beberapa musisi di Jepang yang dikategorikan berdasarkan penggunaan make-up yang unik dan image yang flamboyant. Hal ini juga dihubung-hubungkan dengan make-up tebal, gaya rambut yang nggak biasa dan kostum yang rumit, lekat dengan penampilan androgynous, Ahya! Ada juga yang bilang kalo sering banget member dari band jenis ini sulit dibedain gender-nya, hehehe… karena cowok-cowoknya cantik-cantik (bishonen) dan… cewek-ceweknya malah bersuara kayak cowok… ehehehe…

Musik dari band-band Visual Kei mayoritas dikenal luas di kalangan pendengar musik underground atau indie, tetapi ada juga beberapa band yang berhasil mencapai kesuksesan di jalur musik mainstream. Musik yang ditampilkan pun terdiri dari banyak jenis, tipe/genre, dari pop, heavy metal, hingga elektronika dan lain-lain.

Ceritanya sih begini, Visual Kei itu penggabungan dari kata Visual (bahasa Inggris), dan Kei (bahasa Jepang) yang artinya ‘gaya’. Visual Kei (ヴィジュアル系, bijuaru kei) mengacu pada sebuah gerakan dalam J-Rock yang populer pada sekitar tahun 1990-an. Gerakan ini ditandai dengan band yang mengenakan kostum dramatis dan imej visual untuk memperoleh perhatian. Visual Kei singkatnya Vkei itu pertama kali muncul pada era akhir tahun 80-an, dipelopori pertama kali oleh band X-Japan dan band-band seperti D’erlanger dan Color yang kini dianggap sebagai band-band yang mengilhami lahirnnya genre Visual Kei.

Seperti yang udah ku bilang tadi, anggota band Visual Kei itu, sering memakai make up yang mencolok, dengan gaya potongan rambut yang dramatis, yang mengingatkan pada “pita rambut” tahun 1980-an dan memakai kostum yang sangat rumit. Walaupun sebagian besar musisi adalah laki-laki. Anggota band sering bermake up dan memakai pakaian yang dapat dianggap sebagai feminin atau androgynous. Pada akhirnya sebagian band kembali pada image warna – warni dan fantastik yang populer sekitar 5 tahun lalu yang diinspirasi game RPG dan anime.

Band Visual Kei yang diartikan sebagai yang utama dari gaya visual, tidak mengacu pada jenis musik tertentu. Mereka sebagian memainkan musik rock, hard rock seperti Luna Sea, Dir en Grey, Penicillin, Due’le Quartz, Plastic Tree, musik gothic dan neoclassic seperti Malice Mizer, Moi Dix Mois, Rentrer en Soi, D’espairs Ray dan Phantasmagoria, Light Rock dan Pop seperti L’Arc~en~Ciel, Glay, Shazna dan musik heavy metal dan Ballad seperti X Japan, Loudness, Buck- Tick, Sex Machine Gun, selain itu musik industrial, punk, dan techno kadang – kadang juga masuk ke dalamnya. Dengan mengambil genre dalam arti yang luas, sebagian besar memutuskan memainkan beberapa jenis musik rock.

Genre ini mencapai puncak kejayaannya di pertengahan tahun 90-an, bahkan hingga ke negara-negara diluar Jepang, terutama Eropa. Tetapi popularitasnnya mendadak menurun, tepatnnya di akhir tahun 1999 waktu Luna Sea bubar, Laruku memutuskan untuk vakum dan meninggalnya gitaris X Japan Hideto Matsumoto (Hide).

Memasuki era 2000-an, banyak band-band Visual Kei yang mulai bereksplorasi dengan musik dan gaya penampilan mereka, Visual Kei yang sebelumnya lekat dengan penampilan yang dark/gothic dan musik yang cenderung suram, belakangan terbagi-bagi menjadi beberapa sub-genre dengan musik dan penampilan Visual yang juga beda. Jadi bisa dibilang juga kalo sekarang itu udah ada berbagai macam jenis Visual Kei. Ini dia ada beberapa diantaranya, yang selanjutnya akan dibahas di bawah ini (kayak pelajaran aja ^_^;)

X-Japan

Luna Sea

dir-en-grey

Due le Quartz - Sakito,Kazuki,Miyabi,Kikasa

malice_mizer

moi_dix_mois

L’Arc~en~Ciel

glay

shazna

Oshare-Kei

Nah, Sekarang ke topik berikutnya. Udah pada tau Oshare Kei? Kalau Oshare sendiri apa? Kalau secara harafiah, dalam bahasa Jepang Oshare berarti pesolek/peraga (o-share o suru), namun seiring perkembangan jaman, istilah oshare sedikit bergeser dan lebih sering digunakan untuk menunjukan sesuatu/seseorang yang stylish atau fashionable dan berhubungan erat sama hal-hal yang trendy.

Kalau Oshare Kei itu merupakan sub-genre dari visual kei yang muncul pertama kali di Jepang pada tahun 2001. Musik dari band Oshare Kei, pada umumnnya menyatukan sound yang dipengaruhi oleh modern pop punk tetapi tetap mempertahankan ‘visual sounds’ (sounds yang merupakan ciri khas band visual-kei) seperti screaming vocal, fast guitar playing dan drum beats yang gila-gila-an. Musiknnya cenderung up-beat dan ceria, liriknnya secara keseluruhan, lebih focus pada hal-hal yang positif dan bersifat optimis, sering kali menceritakan tentang Cinta dan persahabatan.

Dan sesuai dengan jenis musik mereka yang ceria, penampilan dari member band-band Oshare-kei ini pun cenderung ‘ceria’ dalam artian fashion yang bertema colorfull, cute dan youthful. Menggunakan kostum dengan warna-warna terang & Trendy, sejalan dengan gaya street style fashion anak-anak muda Harajuku. Dan band-band yang dapat dikategorikan sebagai Oshare-kei band, diantarannya: An cafe, SuG, Megamasso, Kra, Eimy, THE KIDDIE, v (NEU) dan masih banyak yang lainnya.

AnCafe

SuG

Megamasso

Kra

Eimy

The Kiddie

vNEU

Angura-Kei

Ada lagi nih, Angura-Kei (Underground Style) yang sering dikategorikan sebagai bagian dari Visual-kei, walaupun sebenarnnya Angura-kei/Underground Style ini sudah ada sejak era 60-an, jauh sebelum visual-kei itu ada. Kata Angura ini diambil dari penyingkatan kata “Andaruguraundo” atau pelafalan orang-orang Jepang untuk kata Underground… hehehe… [lucu kan… lidah orang Jepang kotak kali ya..? hehehe…^_^;]. Konsep dari genre ini pada pertama kali digunakan oleh perkumpulan teather-teather independent di Jepang yang berniat membuat sesuatu yang original dan bersifat “Japanese”.

Shibuya-Kei

Ada juga Shibuya Kei gerakan musik Shibuya Kei memadukan unsur musik jazz, fusion, dan musik tradisional Jepang.

Eroguro

Selain itu, masih ada jenis Vkei yang lain, Eroguro, yaitu band-band yang pada umumnya menggunakan shock visuals pada lirik, visual, serta pertunjukan LIVE-nya. Penampilan dari member band EroGuro juga tidak se-feminin member dari band-band visual-kei pada umumnya. Selain mengedepankan performance yang erotik dan mengejutkan ^_^;, band-band dari genre ini juga menggunakan humor sebagai nilai jual. Dan beberapa band yang bisa dikategorkan dalam genre EroGuro, diantarannya; Velvet Eden, Inugami Circus-dan, Rauya, Merry, MUCC, dll.

velvet eden

inugami circus

mucc

Ha-ha-ha itulah tadi sekilas info (sekilas?! ^_^;) tentang Visual-Kei, Oshare-Kei dan saudara-saudaranya. Tapi, sekarang juga sudah banyak lho band-band Oshare-Kei, wah, nanti tersaingi dong Visual-Kei band…walau begitu aku sendiri juga suka Visual-Kei dan Oshare-Kei, tapi masih lebih suka Visual-Kei berapaa perseen gitu… ha-ha-ha (berapa persen emangnya? Ehehehehe…(^_^)v) Kalau kalian? Suka yang mana?

_aruchieru_

]]> http://juliamoeba.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/ayabie-alice-nine/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:24:39 +0000 juliamoeba http://juliamoeba.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/ayabie-alice-nine/

Oi, does anyone else listen to Ayabie or Alice Nine? I recently found them, and they’re both awesome! (Aoi!) The Visual Kei thing is sometimes a little odd though!