seikun

Ar e talking about the old band? I'm not a fan of the band, but I have seen there are many who like it.

I didn't know the band was still active officially. It's better to leave Raphael's essence as it was in the past, but revivals are OK.

What about Sendai Kamotsu then?

I remember him. His looks were very reminiscent of Miyavi during the 2000's but with better singing voice.

Kokoro ni mo my favourite song by Vogus Image.

20th anniversary? But didn't they started in 2000/2001? What happened to any of the members?

I have only listened to Karate and The One, I liked The One a bit more. I kind of thought it would eventually come to pass that, given the huge exposure and attention the band has received world wide, the English language would sneak into their music more evidently. And this is the natural fear that such thing brings along, the fear that the band might lose its Japanese identity by trying to satisfy the ears of westerners, more specifically, English-speaking people. Japanese is a beautiful and melodic language; it should always be in first place in their music because that's part of their identity as a band and people must learn to appreciate music sung in other languages.

This must be some kind of joke...

Is that really Misaruka? (Floride Umbra) It sounds better produced than many of their other songs. I mean, I don't know if it is the label or the band, but their music tends to sound a bit like karaoke music, and that's sad because their music could sound much better than that.

A friend of mine had the opportunity to go to a Rice live here in my country. I think it was last year... Well, the thing is that by the end of the live people were asking them to play Raphael songs. People insisted a lot, but my friend said that Yuki looked kind of sad or uncomfortable. He said it was probably because their contracts or clauses don't allow them to play Raphael songs while performing as Rice... But I bet it gave them a rewarding impression to find out people in the West remember Raphael to the point of demanding that they played a few songs.

I see it is omitted that he was the vocal in METRONOME, a band many still remember dearly. I guess there is room for his music in the west in the circles this kind of music is played.

Loyal to their style. I kind of like it. In fact, I like Japanese bands that combine rock with traditional Japanese music. Now, I would be thankful if they could tone down the synth a little bit in favour of the guitars and bass. It would help the music sound a little less plastic. I know them from last decade and liked their music, but I feel they can't continue to fill the air with synths and all that stuff. They must rely on guitars, bass and drums if they aspire to some degree of success.

I like the thickness of KISAKI's hair. And scientists say Asians have less hair than people of other ethnicities... O.o

I had the impression before, but now I confirm. Worthless discussion. South Korea is in the middle of two strong world influences when it comes to pop culture: the US and Japan. I said before, you have a huge iconography of Japan's Jrock scene that you can revise and compare.

Second guy on the left with straight hair very similar to Aiji's (Pierrot), guy in the middle with a Super Siyajin hairstyle, guy at bottom left wearing makeup. Most this guys with a rather androgynous appearance. That pic of Nick doesn't work. You chose it because you thought it resembles an anime-inspired hairtyle so as to create a connection with the haisrtyles that are evidently inspired by Visual Kei/anime and that way refute the fact that they were inspired by Visual Kei and anime. It feels ridiculous arguing like a childish fan girl over these matters. The fact is that Japan has influenced South Korea and many countries. Influence doesn't mean stealing.

You want evidence? Have a look at 90's Visual kei bands. Have a look at anime from the 80's and 90's. There's the proof that you need. Unless you can prove to me that Visual Kei and anime started in South Korea you won't convince me otherwise. That last pic you posted with those boys wearing anime-inspired hairstyles. Look at the guy in the middle with the Super Saiyajin hairstyle. I don't recall any 90's boy band from the US with such look. Some of those boys even cultivate an androgynous appearance, something that US boy bands didn't because the premise was to evoke masculinity. Kpop as we know it today is an amalgamation of influences from the west and Japan. From Japan, especially at the end of last decade it was mainly the looks. It still retain some anime-inspired appearancer and androgyny. Musically it is very western. Producers took what seemed more appealing from both worlds. Suddenly, I recalled a Kpop band and they are dressed like the Shohoku team from Slam Dunk, the anime. I will repeat one last time because I think this discussion is worthless. There are some Kpop fans who think it was Kpop that came up with all those androgynous looks and hairstyles. I said I think it is because Kpop is their first exposure to Asian pop culture so they think every other band is doing it after Kpop. No one is accusing South Korea of copying Visual Kei or appropriating Japanese pop culture, but I think you are intepreting it that way.

I don't like to be rude or sarcastic but I see you seem unable to tell the difference between influence and copying/appropriating. Your posts have that defensive tone and I speculate it may because you feel that stating that Kpop has been influenced by the Japanese sense of fashion undermines Kpop. Can we deny that Japan has been a potence in terms of pop culture? You post pics of South Korean pop groups with clear Visual-Kei-ish and anime-like looks. You are trying to either attribute all influence to the US or that South Koreans magically came up with Visual Kei-ish/anime-inspired looks. As I said before, there is a confusion with some Kpop fans who think Visual Kei and other Jrock bands copy the looks of Kpop bands or that they are influenced by Kpop when the fact is that it's the other way round. This is most likely because Kpop has been their only or first exposure to pop culture from Asia so they eventually think South Korea did it first and judge the rest from that assumption.

PIERROT was one of the first Visual Kei bands whose aethetics was influenced by anime. This during the 90's. I think you are trying to downplay the influence that Japanese pop culture has had on South Korea and the rest of Asia when the fact is that Japan has been very influential. I don't think anybody is trying to accuse South Korea of copying Japan; what's is being pointed out is that many Kpop fans assume it is South Korea that came up with all this looks and styles because Kpop is their first exposure to Asian pop culture and haven't been exposed to older expressions that influenced Asian countries..

Japan did it first. In fact, the Visual Kei look since the late 90's was heavily influenced by anime and that's why many hairstyles in Visual Kei look so anime-like. And being Japan the most influential country in Asia when it comes to pop culture and being South Korea right next to Japan it obviously has exerted great influence on South Korea.

I always thought that Dir en grey tried to disassociate themselves from Visual Kei, especially during the mid 2000's because they were trying to find acceptance in the West and in the circles where they were likely to find western fans bands that care about aesthetics are not well received so they kind of picked up this mentality to assimilate the culture that most likely would have accepted them. But now that they are older and they don't have to prove anything to anybody they feel confident enough to get back so some of their old Visual Kei habits such as putting on some makeup again and dramatise their performances similar to what they did in the past.

The band succumbed to today's Visual Kei. I was never a huge Chariots' fan but I like their older style.

No one is denying that J-music also takes from or is inspired by mainstream/western music, however, be it subconsciously or deliberately, J-music also is influenced by traditional Japanese music and some way or another it defines/models its sound. Japanese people make music for their ears so it is natural that sounds that best suit their taste will prevail. Kpop, on the other hand, makes music for as many people as possible.

Kpop sounds westernized because they want to appeal to the western audience. It has no roots in traditional Korean music; it is totally western-like. VK and Japanese music in general, well, he explains better the difference with Kpop.

I wonder if there are any videos available so as to know what they sound like...

I would like Insanity Injection to cover Virgin Mary.