Lady Flash is an indie band from Osaka, not the 70s soul group. The members Nico Flash (vocals, guitars), Nobu Flash (bass), Matsuda Flash (snyth) and DJ Kankisen (drums) formed in 2008. They released a deluxe edition of their debut album LADYFLASH vs. NET POWER on October 8. This edition has a bonus disc that features an old EP and live recordings.

LADYFLASH vs. NET POWER is available at Jet Set Records for 800 yen (cheap!) . You can download some demos at Lady Flash’s Soundcloud and a concert here.

http://www.myspace.com/ladyflashnobu

Hunting Pigeons is a four-piece indie rock band from Kobe. Frontman Isseki Shirai was the lead singer of 25m Floater until their breakup in 2005. Isseki then started a solo project, which was later renamed Hunting Pigeons when he stole the rhythm section from his friend’s band. This lineup quit after the recording of the Honeycomb Jukebox album. Joining Isseki now is 25m Floater bandmate Kuniaki Kakusei (bass), Noriaki Takagi (guitar) and Kozo Nakamura (drums).

Honeycomb Jukebox was released on July 6 and is a throwback to 90s college rock. It was entirely self-produced and released on Hunting Pigeons’ self-run label Home Recording Is Killing Music. This label will also release Isseki’s solo project and Sentinels’ new EP later this year. You can pick up Honeycomb Jukebox at CD Japan and all digital outlets.

http://www.myspace.com/huntingpigeons/

Awai is an experimental noise/doom band from Kagoshima. The band members are Mei Ryuu (guitar, vocals), Setsuko Yuuto (guitar), Daisuki Hachiro (guitar), the one (vocals), Atsuko Ai (keyboard), ‘uno’ gillis (drums), and Habiki Natsumi (cello, french horn). They like to think of themselves as a small cult rather than a band, which just adds to the mystery.

Illinois based label Fahra Recordings released both of Awai’s EPs as a single album this October. You can download Electric Blanket / Past, Present, Funeral at Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes, etc.

http://www.myspace.com/awai666

Aureole is a dreamy post rock band from Tokyo. They formed in 2007 and released their debut album Nostaldom in 2009. In 2010 they released their second album Imaginary Truth featuring guest vocals by calu of matryoshka. The album was released through kilk records, which is run by Aureole’s vocalist/guitarist Daichi Mori.

Samples from both albums are on myspace. Aureole blends together a variety of genres including electronic, alternative, folk, psychedelic, ambient, jazz and more. Whereas some of their songs are lullaby worthy others are sweeping flute driven post rock epics.

Imaginary Truth is available at CD Japan and for download at iTunes and Bandcamp.

http://www.myspace.com/aureolemusic

Go green is not an environmental group or eco addict. Just a solo rock act. Go green formed in 1995 as a three- piece led by Kenji. However, over the years it became Kenji’s solo project. Kenji records almost all of go green’s songs in his small Tokyo apartment. In 2008, Kenji started doing live go green shows with acoustic/electric guitars with self-recorded back tracks on iPods.

The original go green lineup released the album From Apple To Pepper in 2002. Floating on the Edge released in 2010 was go green’s first album as a solo project. In July go green released Close To You, Close To Me, a free digital single inspired by the earthquake and tsunami disasters in Japan.

Go green MP3s are available at iTunes, Amazon and directly from the artist. CD Baby has Floating on the Edge on CD.

http://www.myspace.com/gogreenmusic

The Valves is a new garage rock band from Tokyo. The band members are Takeshi Kaji (vocals, guitar), Jean (guitar), Junichi Ishida (bass) and Takashi Kanda (drums). Takeshi Kaji is the lead vocalist/guitarist of The Rodeo Carburettor most known for the end theme “Speed of Flow” from the Gintama anime series. From the looks of it, The Rodeo Carburettor may have broken up some time ago. The Valves released their first album Feed Back Club May 28 despite only forming earlier this year.

Feed Back Club is available at iTunes and Amazon. Samples are available at myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/thevalvesjapan

Uzumibi (埋火) is a 3-piece folk rock band from Tokyo. The band members are Mai Mishio(vocal/guitar), Kanako Shiga (drums) and Keizo Suhara (bass). They formed in 2001 in Fukuoka and the current lineup was solidified when Keizo joined in 2006. Their first mini-album Koi ni Kansuru Ikutsuka no Film was released in 2005 when the band still had 5 members. They have released two albums Watashi no Fune in 2008 and Diorama in 2011.

There are two tracks on Uzumibi’s myspace, “Letter” from Watashi no Fune and the “mono” version of 溺れる魚 from their new album Diorama. “Letter” is sweet little pop diddy while 溺れる魚 is on another level. There is something very nostalgic about it that keeps making me hit replay (watch the album version PV below!).

Uzumibi CDs are available at CD Japan.

http://www.myspace.com/uzumibi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qmNKbw7p_4

October marks the return of legendary thrash band BBQ Chickens. The original lineup consisted of Hatano (drums), Hongolian (vocals), Iso (bass) and Ken Yokoyama (guitar) who were buddies since childhood. The band formed in 2000 after Yokoyama announced the hiatus of Hi-Standard. They released three albums and won two Space Shower awards for “Sick Guy/Stupid Magazines” and “Pizza of Death’s Theme/Fat Boy.”  BBQ Chickens themselves went on somewhat of a hiatus after their 2003 cover album Fine Songs Playing Sucks, presumably so Yokoyama could focus on his more successful solo career.

BBQ Chickens officially got back together last year. Hatano left to focus on his own band. Their new drummer is Andrew from Rise and Fuck You Heroes. Crossover and Over, which was released today, is BBQ Chickens’ first album in 8 years. Their new video for “Raised Up In Hell/Xie Xie” is classic Chickens. Older songs can be heard on myspace.

Crossover and Over is available at CD Japan.

http://www.myspace.com/bbqfuckincheckens/

The mysterious Hysteric Picnic formed earlier this April in Tokyo. According to the band’s bio (written in…German), the duo spent some time in New York prior to forming. They are influenced by post punk and 80s new wave. Their self-titled EP was released in August.

“Tonight” is a lo-fi pop song that chugs along at a slow pace. The do-do’s are sometimes washed out by the droning guitar but they’re there.

“Merry Go Round” takes Hysteric Picnic to more psychedelic grounds. The beat is a little creepy and the wailing and screaming in the latter half only intensifies that feeling.

Hysteric Picnic’s EP is available at Jet Set Records. Download “Tonight” for free at bandcamp.

http://www.myspace.com/thehystericpicnic

The_AIU is a “mysterious multinational rock band” from Tokyo that formed in October 2010. Leading The_AIU is Indonesian pop singer Aiu Ratna, who released a covers EP in Japan last year. Rounding out the band is Sohichi (The JETZEJOHNSON) on guitar and Jessie (Noise & Treatment) on electronics. A distinguishing characteristic of their music is the lack of a drummer, although it appears they have a support drummer live. Their debut mini-album Minority was released today. They also did a remix for Genki Rockets’ second album released earlier this month.

The four tracks on The_AIU’s myspace are labeled “Ver.0.” These demo tracks are a bit raw on the instrumentation side but there’s a lot of promise here. Aiu Ratna does sound a little diva-like on “Gothictro” and “Loser” hopefully she doesn’t sing this high on all their songs. All four tracks and “CPU,” which kicks a lot of ass, are available on Minority.

Minority is available at Amazon (MP3) and CD Japan.

http://www.myspace.com/theaiu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0CQaCmEwsE

At first glance Ohshu (王舟) looks like the Broken Social Scene of Japan, a collective of musicians centered around singer-songwriter Ohshu. Notable musicians that perform and record regularly with Ohshu include Hara Kazutoshi (ex Gellers), mmm, muffin and oono yuuki. Ohshu has released two CD-Rs in 2010,  賛成 and THAILAND. A digital single was released in June through Tonofon, with all proceeds donated to the victims of the Tohoku earthquake.

Most of Ohshu’s songs are acoustic based with piano, trumpet and flute filling the orchestra. Title track “Thailand” is a nice love song, sung in English. Throughout the song we get lovely flute by mmm (hear more of mmm’s flutework on Ogre You Asshole’s new album) and everyone goes all out on the ending.

賛成 and THAILAND are available at Jet Set Records.

http://www.myspace.com/ohshu

Purple Bloom is a female fronted shoegaze band from Tokyo formed by Linden (vocals) and Tsuyoshi (guitar). Their first album purple bloom, self-produced and recorded in their tatami room, was intended for March release but was pushed back due to the earthquake. The album will see worldwide release September 13. Their song “Kisses Bloomed” was featured on Patetico Recordings’ Rock Back for Japan Vol. 1, a compilation series benefiting disaster relief.

As typical of shoegaze bands, purple bloom blends noisey guitar with Linden’s high-pitched whispered vocals. “Kisses Bloomed” happens to be the one with most distortion while songs like “Hyades” and “Star Is Mine” bring the sunshine.

Pre-order purple bloom at Darla Records.

http://www.myspace.com/purplebloomroom

One of the more exciting up and coming bands I haven’t featured on this column yet is Miila and the Geeks. Miila was originally the solo project of guitarist/bassist/vocalist Moe Wadaka, who is also a member of Twee Grrrls Club and the duo Love and Hates with HNC’s Yuppa. The project was expanded to a band in 2007 with the addition of drummer Kaoru Ajima and Ryota Komori on screaming sax. Their first 7″ EP 6 Songs was released in December 2010 and sold out in a few days as did their second EP 3 Songs earlier this summer. Their debut album New Age was released by Niw! Records last week.

Miila and the Geeks is associated with the “riot grrrl” movement of the 1990s. They list PJ Harvey, Bikini Kill and Kim Gordon among their influences. “Want,” “Cigarette & Water” and “Super Hero” are simple, yet aggressive punk songs punctuated by some crazy awesome saxophone. The sax is back in “Trouble,” which isn’t as fast but is still catchy with it’s one-line lyric.

New Age is available from Jet Set Records.

http://www.myspace.com/miilamiilamiila

Wolfgang McCartney is a Hiroshima based duo comprised of brothers Eiji and Kazuki Suehiro. They formed under the name London in 2004 and changed their name to Wolfgang McCartney in February 2010. The Beatles and The Monkees, who they cover regularly on their YouTube channel, are a major influence on their music. Wolfgang McCartney has self-released two albums and several singles.

Their new single “I Don’t Care” is the most rocking song on their myspace. The rest of their songs seem to be more pop based with a lot of synthesized instruments. I don’t much care for “Magic Tree,” which sounds like it was recorded at the Renaissance Faire. “Bye Bye Rain” and “Chance Again” manage to be decent pop songs if a little off key.

Download Wolfgang McCartney songs Amazon and iTunes.

http://www.myspace.com/wolfgangmccartney

Nekocats is a female fronted pop rock band from Tokyo. Guitarist Seigo Minegishi put the band together in the summer of 2010. Vocalist Erina Kawamoto was the first to join followed by Ernesto Salinas, a Puerto Rican drummer. Katsutoshi Tsunoda is their new bassist. The band’s name comes from Erina’s love for cats. They didn’t know whether to choose an English or Japanese name so they just wrote it both ways (“neko” is Japanese for cat).

GeeDes records released Nekocats’ first single She Loves You (no relation to The Beatles) in June. “She Loves You” is a fun pop song with a catchy chorus. It’s b-side “Utsusemi” isn’t up on myspace but they have a few more demo tracks up there. “Stray Cat” has the same amount of energy but has more of a bluesy feel. Meanwhile 鼓動 and 世界go for the cute factor.

Download She Loves You at Amazon or CD Baby. Physical copy is available from CD Japan.

http://www.myspace.com/nekocats

ANYO (あんよ- “footsie”) is a female fronted post rock/shoegaze band from Osaka. The band consists of 4ho (vocals), Yamashita (guitar), Teppei (bass) and Tama (drums). They have released two EPs, O in 2008 and iro in 2010. Musically they have been compared to bands like downy or Mogwai.

“A to Z,” 水鏡 and  白い夜 come from their second EP iro. “A to Z” and 水鏡 are massive tracks that get a little shoegazey in the middle but are still ferocious. Meanwhile  白い夜 is quieter and focuses on 4ho’s vocals. 声from their first EP starts out slow but builds into something as powerful as “A to Z.”

http://www.myspace.com/anyospace

Hi-KING BEAR is a melodic punk band from Yokosuka. The band formed in 2003 and their first live was held in 2004. Their first single MAISON DE CARPILLON was released in 2009 and their second single この素晴らしき日々の中で  was released in July 2011.

All of the songs on myspace come from their first single and demos. Highlights include “Take A Walk With You,” a fun punk song with some flute and their female drummer contributing vocals in the second half. パリ☆パリ (“Paris Paris”) and “Big Boy” are equally fun summertime pop songs. Unfortunately, I can’t find their two singles for sale anywhere so this is the only way to get your fix for now.

http://www.myspace.com/hikingbearband

Chuck G. & The Napkins is a R&B/soul band from Tokyo that formed in March 2010. They named their band after Booker T. & The MG’s, the house band of Stax Records in the ’60s. The band consists of Chuck Goto on vocals, Yusuke Mori on guitar, Takehiro Mikami on bass and Hideaki Baba on AKAI MPC sampler. Yusuke Mori is also a member of Plastic Soy Sauce, a Chicago based band formed by four Japanese students at Columbia College. Chuck G. & The Napkins released their second EP in June.

There’s not a whole lot going on on Chuck G. & The Napkins’ myspace page (time to drop myspace from this column’s title?) except for some bandcamp links. Their demo EP has more of a standard indie rock/pop feel while their newest lays down the funk. You can buy their music at  bandcamp or CD Baby. The first EP is free!

http://www.myspace.com/chuckgandthenapkins/

“I am a bucket. As yet I have no name. I’ve no idea where I was born.
All I remember is that I was miaowing in a dampish dark place when,
for the first time, I saw a human being.”

Super Cool Bucket Relay (スーパークールバケツリレー) combines video game chaos with anime cuteness. Kind of like Shinsei Kamattechan but with chibi mascots. The band originally formed in 2003 but dissolved in 2007. Original members Mukikofu and Tatsuya put the band back together in 2009. They are currently a three-piece and drumless.

Download Noを探す旅 and Ninja for Nothing at CD Baby.

http://www.myspace.com/super-cool-bucket-relay

Hemlock is the type of band that left a few comments on my profile but whose advances I largely ignored. Until they decided to make a Durarara!! MAD (now airing on adult swim!!).  Hemlock formed in October 2009 around Shimokitazawa. Naturally their band name comes from the poison Socrates was sentenced to drink in prison. Their first mini-album Shinokosho came out in June.

The song used in the Durarara!! MAD, ” ブルーローズ (Blue Rose),” is a nice aggressive rock tune. The rest of the songs on myspace are samples from Shinokosho. Although “Blue Rose” is absent from that mini-album, the songs here are in the same vain. “メコノプシス・ホリドゥラ” is especially rocking, while “君と宇宙と愚かな僕と” and “君と宇宙と愚かな僕と” are slow numbers. I would like to see Ms. Tomiki do more vocals but I’m okay with her being eye candy for now.

Buy Shinokosho at CD Japan. Download “Blue Rose” here.

http://www.myspace.com/hemlock6969

Ashley Scared The Sky is a hardcore band from Tokyo that formed in June 2010. Julian (6strings) comes from America and Kentaro (screams), Moo (4strings) and Nori (drums) round out the band.  Their first release The Prayer EP was released via Garimpeiro Records last week.

Their myspace includes samples of all four tracks from The Prayer EP. “The Ark Sailing Through Truth” sounds like your typical screamo song with some cool electronics thrown in the last third of the track. “Separation Anxiety Will Never End” sounds like a real raver and the rest of the songs follow suit. Pretty similar to Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas or even Blood Stain Child with the heavy electronic parts. They remind me of the days when I used to freak out every time Tooth and Nail/Solid State signed a new hardcore band. If you need another reason to check out their new EP, Hiro from FACT calls it “perfect.”

http://www.myspace.com/ashleyscaredthesky

Suck a Stew Dry is an unsigned band from Tokyo. They formed in 2009 and started to play shows May 2010. So far they’ve released two demo CDs and have been featured on the RO69JACK 2010 compilation.

The three songs on their myspace come from their second demo. “二時二分” unfolds like a 9mm Parabellum Bullet song; the singer’s voice is pretty similar too.  “人間遊び” slows it down a little and has somewhat of a shoegazey vibe. Things get weird with “Payment.” The chorus is a bit awkward, but it’s nice to hear them experiment with English. All three are very different songs, it will be interesting to see what direction they go in.

http://www.myspace.com/suckastewdry

Lidery is a female fronted shoegaze band from Tokyo. The band formed in early 2009 and recorded their first album One that summer. These songs were written by Matsueri. “See the Light” was the first song they wrote as a band. In 2011, Kozo Hibi (violin, piano) joined Lidery making them a six piece.

Their new single “Grandbleu” chimes in with a music box, guitar and vocals gradually added in. Matsueri’s vocals are  pretty, a nice song to wake up to in the morning. “Afterthat..” feels more like a transitional song and abruptly ends. The  preview of  “ソラノキミ ” is short but feels like a standard pop song. “See the Light” starts with a Gregorian-like chant but quickly turns into a shoegazer track. This is the only track in English and the vocals are fairly inspirational. It’s a little longer than it needs to be but is a nice contrast to the more pop oriented “Grandbleau.”

Download “Grandbleu” at CD Baby or the sixty one (free if you register).

http://www.myspace.com/1004388959

The Midnight Blanket (真夜中ブランケット) is an unsigned trio from Tokyo. They formed under the name 大和三鬼人 in 2003 in Sapporo. After a hiatus they reformed as The Midnight Blanket in 2009 and relocated to Tokyo. Their first demo CD Giraffe was released last year.

“I HATE YOU” chugs along nicely building tension but never devolves into a scream fest. “Time Keeper” keeps the same structure but bumps up the masculinity a notch in the chorus. “二人は” and “second world” takes a more laid back approach that covers you like a blanket to rest.

http://www.myspace.com/themidnightblanket/

The band known as moools formed in 1997 in Tokyo. The trio has released five albums through 7 e.p. and opened for Modest Mouse three times in Japan. They developed a close relationship with K Records and toured America with Mount Eerie in 2003 and 2007. In 2010 they opened for Wolf Parade on their North America tour. When they’re not playing together, moools have separate projects going on. Uchino is the drummer for toddle while Ariizumi and Sakai formed the instrumental band Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi.

Moools’ sound is similar to the indie bands they’ve toured with. “Iru Iranai” reminds me a bit of Ogre You Asshole. “Ad Balloon” is kinda funky. “Zippo” has some great guitar work. And “Tournament” is a nice chill out track.

moools albums are available on US iTunes. You can also find their CDs on K Record’s website.

http://www.myspace.com/moools