Vitne Eveille

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

In terms of the "elderly bandsman" mentioned above, I would imagine many artists have felt that way within various genres and subcultures.  I imagine Motley Crue looked at some of the up-and-coming bands in the very late 80s and cringed at the overly flamboyant and derivative style of the late glam-metal bands.  And oddly enough, it seems that when most people think of glam-metal, they think of that Poison "poodle" look, and not the Motley Crue "Shout at the Devil" look, which was actually toward the beginning.  I'd say not many think of early X Japan when thinking of VK, but rather more of a band like Royz, as an example.
 
Basically, it was just refreshing to hear this directly from Yoshiki, and I thought I would share that with you.  Personally, I don't believe you have to look like a manga character to be VK, but there should certainly be that "essence of Japan" that is noticeable (but you certainly can look like a manga character).  Just like to be glam-metal, you don't have to look or sound like Poison (as much as I like them), and you also don't have to be Steel Panther.
 
Thanks for all the open-minded replies!

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

I think anyone from any country can be VisualKei. Obviously, it's home will always been in Japan, but welcoming bands from other countries would allow the movement to progress much further.
I think VisualKei could also bring attention to Rock Music in some countries, where Rock Music isn't very popular, or used to be but is forgotten, like China and Korea. 
I think it can also challenge people to break norms in conformity obsessed societies, and even help people discover their identity. VisualKei personally inspired me to start crossdressing, wearing makeup and eventually made me realise I was trans.  My girlfriend has actually helped people discover they were bisexual after showing them Vkei. 
Of course, I'm biased because I plan to be a VisualKei musician in the future, me with my mediocre vocal skills. 
I sound like I go too deep into this, but I do care about VisualKei a lot. It can have it's really ehhhhhhhhhh moments, and honestly be a hotbed for shitty musicians, but it's also a unique subculture. An indie based rock movement with a very sizeable following. Among Japanese Music, it's a really good break from the boring idol music, and in my opinion, has sparked some new genres of rock music here and there. 
To say people in other countries can't/shouldn't be Vkei, is just closed off and elitist. Sure, not many bands have done it right, but I feel that there could be a band that will do it right in the future. The only foreign band I like mildly is Bataar, but even then, I know there could be much better. 
I have faith that if foreign Vkei is encouraged, one of these days, we'll get a really skilled band out there. 

I actually really like this post and I agree with Yoshiki but honestly it only goes as far as hearing it from someone that is also Japanese and has been in the game since the start!
 
The older guy that cringed at western vkei band and thought it made it look uncool, I'm not to sure why... If they were bad then ok but honestly vkei is always a work in progress even some of the most well-known artist have bad vocals and maybe would do better with some training but for me as long as a person is doing what they love and I like what they bring to the table I'll follow them. If it's not my cup of tea then I just find what I like somewhere else.

I'd like to take YOSHIKI's quote and add my own context.
 
This is the key. Visual kei was born out of Japan by those who felt like they didn't fit in anywhere in Japan. YOSHIKI isn't going to say that visual kei can't exist world wide because that's not good for his bottom line, but there's a very good reason why it hasn't taken off outside Japan. It has less to do with looks, singing capability, or chosen musical direction, and more to do with anti-conformity and rebelliousness within and against a homogeneous society. No other country faces the same mix of societal pressures and obligations the way the Japanese do, and as these pressures change over time visual kei changes over time too. This is in contrast to musicians from Western countries who want to emulate the style and look to their favorite and popular artists first. It's the difference between taking a picture, and taking a picture of that picture, and taking a picture of that picture. The farther away one gets away from the source and the conditions that cause that source, the less authentic the final product is.

 

I fully agree with this. So many bands follow trends because it's the thing to do, but at some point a trend started as a unique idea. Much as I expect musicians to look within themselves and put their feelings into music, I expect inspiring Western visual kei musicians to do the same thing with their looks. The looks are supposed to be an expression of how one feels, not a style of the decade to phone in and gain legitimacy.

I do think Western visual kei is a thing that can happen but the form it would assume would be so different we wouldn't even recognize it by looks alone. My ideal Western visual kei band would be identifiable with the sound alone. We would hear them and just know where those influences came from instead of the "lol i like visual kei and pocky" archetype that usually translates over first.

I'm done ranting.


 

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

The other day I met YOSHIKI.  I was at a showing of We Are X in Oslo, Norway.  Norway doesn't have a huge VK scene so I was happy he had come.  It turned out to be his first time in Norway.
 
I asked him "Can western bands be visual kei?"  -  He laughed and replied "Of course!"
 
So I followed up with "If a western band is to be visual kei, is there something they must adhere to, in terms of style or aesthetic?"
 
He explained VK is more of a mindset, born out of them feeling like they didn't really fit in anywhere.  As he said, they played "super heavy" and "super soft" music.  He also told me about a festival he hosted recently where the bands were everything from metal to pop, and there was even a band that didn't play music (that got some laughs around the room).  He summed everything up by saying it really isn't a genre, but more of a mindset allowing yourself to be as creative as you want.  And it also generally has makeup.
 
I am summing these things up from memory.
 
So here's my take on VK:
1.  You must be influenced by Japan/Japanese music (because after all, it originates from Japan). 
2.  Make creative use of makeup/visuals. 
3.  Be somewhat diverse in terms of style. 
4.  Be doing your own thing confidently (basically:  be true to yourself, because people and fans can see through you being a cookie-cutter).
 
So basically, no you don't have to have a lolita in the band.  One member doesn't have to wear a surgical facemask at all times.  You don't have to have death-metal growls in your music.  Some music fans within genres and subcultures get really elitist and that gets irritating, especially when people say that VK is only Japanese (so is glam-metal only truly American?  Can you not make Brazilian samba music if you aren't from Brazil?).  VK is unique in that it is vague but also has a meaning.  A band alone isn't just "visual kei" but "visual kei rock" would be a better indicator.  I think in that sense, the addition of the term "visual kei" before "rock" to me would indicate the above traits I listed, like being influenced by Japan, be somewhat "different" in terms of makeup/visuals and potentially have a diverse musical style.
 
I had a blast meeting YOSHIKI.  He's a funny and nice guy, and it was an honor having him in Norway.

Cool project!  I really like the "Lay To Rest" song, and also "Dystopia."  Especially "Dystopia."  Apparently we were on the Decadent Society Volume 2 together!
 
As for the singing, I like it!  I think you've got a cool gothic-y voice.  Don't let the haters get to you.  You are on key, good pitch.  I'm not much of a fan of most music with screaming, so I can't comment on the screaming, as that is just a personal preference.
 
I've released a number of things now, and my earlier stuff, some of it I now cringe at my vocals, but some people really loved those albums.  And some reviewers tore them apart.  Some reviews were so bad they made me laugh!  Whenever an absolutely awful review comes out for my music, I think of Motley Crue describing how all their albums up until Dr. Feelgood were just ripped apart by "professional" reviewers.  They said they usually wouldn't even read reviews of their albums, but they also said that bad ones were great publicity.  They said that they really didn't care what reviewers thought because it wasn't about them, it was about the fans.
 
Especially on my first two albums that I sang on, I got a good bit of criticism on my vocals.  I got a lot of "he's not using his range very well" and "he sounds bored".  Largely because of that feedback, I've worked more on my voice, as I have a generally low voice.  I've gotten much more confident over the years, so now there's not much criticism.  But every once in a while there is.  I try to take that criticism with a grain of salt, put it in my mind, and maybe work on that a little for the next song.  But like Motley, for me its not about reviewers, it's about the fans.  They are a much better judge of what you are doing.
 
I'm by no means a guru on any of this, but I find that it helps to listen to the criticism, laugh and say "man, fu¤% that guy," think about what they meant, and how it could potentially improve your sound.
 
Great work, keep doing what you are doing, keep pushing the envelope, and strive to get better at what you do every single time.  If you try something and it sounds like crud, analyze the situation and get back at it.
 
I'm gonna buy the album

Yeah!  Congratulations on 10 years!  I only discovered MH maybe 2-3 years ago?  I forget how, but it must have been searching something like "visual kei forum"
 
This forum is probably the most fun forum I've been a part of.  I'm also a member of a few other forums for other types of music, but none are really as welcoming and "not full of crap" as MH is.  That's a pretty amazing feat what with the abundance of trolls roaming around forums.  So excellent job on keeping everything relevant and generally pretty nice.
 
This forum has also been quite helpful and receptive to my questions and polls   As an artist there are things I wonder about people's listening and discovery habits and stuff, and many users of this forum have assisted me in my search for knowledge, at least on the VK/Jrock side of things.  MH has been far more helpful than other places.  I think it is the niche thing, because another forum (or FB group, really) has been quite good too, a glam metal group.  Again, a niche.
 
So thank you for the years, and keep up the awesome work! 

Literally all people not interested in Western VK need to do is not respond and the threads will die on their own.

"Legitimate"? As in a legitimate musician?
 
As long as the music is good tbh I wouldn't care if it was a full-on band or a soloist that dropped it.
 
Although for a soloist that had help producing the music, I would check the liner notes and see who the other producers are.

I'm asking this question out of curiousity.  I've come across numerous people in the past who have told me they pay significantly less attention to solo artists as opposed to bands.  But at the time I never asked why.
 
How do you feel about this?  In rock music, are solo artists just generally viewed as inferior to bands?
 
Note that I do NOT mean a full-on rock band vs a singer-songwriter (singer and acoustic guitar).  A good example of what I mean is a solo artist like Gackt vs a band like The Gazette.  Generally rock-band style instrumentation, both of them.
 
In some cases, I'm sure it is because that fan was a fan of that solo artist's band before they became a solo artist.  Or maybe they just think bands are more interesting, or somehow more legitimate? Assuming a band and a solo artist are in the same genre, does this "bands are cooler than solo artists" idea hold any weight whatsoever, or is it just some strange stigma?
 
I don't believe so, but I'm really interested to find out others' views.  For example I love Gackt, but I have little interest in Malice Mizer.  I love Motley Crue yet I also love Vince Neil's solo stuff.  I'm a Billy Idol fan, but I'm not so interested in Generation X.
 
Thanks for your insight!

Cool project!  I really like the "Lay To Rest" song, and also "Dystopia."  Especially "Dystopia."  Apparently we were on the Decadent Society Volume 2 together!
 
As for the singing, I like it!  I think you've got a cool gothic-y voice.  Don't let the haters get to you.  You are on key, good pitch.  I'm not much of a fan of most music with screaming, so I can't comment on the screaming, as that is just a personal preference.
 
I've released a number of things now, and my earlier stuff, some of it I now cringe at my vocals, but some people really loved those albums.  And some reviewers tore them apart.  Some reviews were so bad they made me laugh!  Whenever an absolutely awful review comes out for my music, I think of Motley Crue describing how all their albums up until Dr. Feelgood were just ripped apart by "professional" reviewers.  They said they usually wouldn't even read reviews of their albums, but they also said that bad ones were great publicity.  They said that they really didn't care what reviewers thought because it wasn't about them, it was about the fans.
 
Especially on my first two albums that I sang on, I got a good bit of criticism on my vocals.  I got a lot of "he's not using his range very well" and "he sounds bored".  Largely because of that feedback, I've worked more on my voice, as I have a generally low voice.  I've gotten much more confident over the years, so now there's not much criticism.  But every once in a while there is.  I try to take that criticism with a grain of salt, put it in my mind, and maybe work on that a little for the next song.  But like Motley, for me its not about reviewers, it's about the fans.  They are a much better judge of what you are doing.
 
I'm by no means a guru on any of this, but I find that it helps to listen to the criticism, laugh and say "man, fu¤% that guy," think about what they meant, and how it could potentially improve your sound.
 
Great work, keep doing what you are doing, keep pushing the envelope, and strive to get better at what you do every single time.  If you try something and it sounds like crud, analyze the situation and get back at it.
 
I'm gonna buy the album

Haha, rey mysterio.  I love the extremely vague description on the twitter account.  And it joined Twitter in September, and still nothing.  While I'd love to see Yoshiki and Gackt actually record something as a band (too bad SKIN never did anything other than that concert), I don't have my hopes up that this actually has anything to do with them.