Number Girl

Yeah, totally get what you mean. But just as a quick side thought: if you ever are interested in other bands that play music like Versailles, always keep in mind that America aint the only alternative for non-Japanese music. Europe has some great stuff too. Can't forget about all those Norwegian and Swedish bands!

Posted this already on the old TW, but won't hurt to do it again. . . I'm a fan of the band Number Girl and CIBICCO??ん is one of my favorite songs by them. Didn't feel like typing a Japanese character everytime I logged on, hence the romanization.

Now, I don't see anything wrong with preferring them over other bands with the same genre or liking them because you have been following the members and the scene and you just were naturally drawn to them, etc. And tbh, nothing is wrong with liking them because they just look absolutely freaking amazing in those outfits -which they do (it's visual kei, why not?) I don't think it is a matter of needing to get into the other bands/hating Versailles now, it is just a matter of being a bit educated and acknowledging they aren't the only ones is what we're getting at. Case in point, just so you aren't going around declaring "white people can NEVER shred like this *cites Versailles*" over and over again and pissing people off and making yourself look foolish.

Agreed with the above. The only reason Versailles is really "special" to my knowledge when compared with others that play similar music is that they . . . wear $10,000 dresses. =/ Them being Japanese doesn't (surprisingly) seem to be a factor, considering that there are tons of Japanese symphonic bands (non-vk) that play the exact same stuff/better stuff and Versailles fans don't even bat an eye lash towards them.

Sorry for butting in as the thread has obviously moved on to a different discussion, but I just had to inquire: Alright, so what is the criteria for being a true successful band? Understandably, Dir en grey have made some decent achievements, but personally I don't see how a band (like 'em or hate 'em) who are the first Asian rock band to be honored on the Hollywood Rock Walk, notable for selling out massive stadiums within consecutive days/weeks, performed/recorded/collaborated with globally renowned guitarists and drummers, has a guitarist who is the first Asian to have their own Gibson Les Paul signature model, had 43 #1 singles, and 23 #1 albums are somehow FAR from being successful by any means when compared to what a band like Dir en grey has done.

Oh geez . . . I want to go so bad, but there's just no way for me right now. I barely have the means to travel outside my state, lol. But, regardless I'm still thrilled that they are choosing to stop by the U.S. for their tour. A few years ago I would have doubted that would even be possible. ^^

Yes, many people are familiar with it.

I think Herpes was just referring to the fact they were incredibly successful -which they are, their sales have set records in Japan. (Far more than Dir en grey can probably ever hope for). Of course, that's not saying they are the only ones. I'm sure plenty of people hate/dislike them; go to Keikaku (and some select visual kei boards) and try to start a B'z topic. They'll whip up a storm.

Flyer featuring the picture for the new album cover! Not at all what I would expect from them . . . now I'm even more curious about this. And their website has a link to something about . . . ringtones? Can anyone who knows Japanese clarify this? http://recochoku.jp/vola

Why did God put me in on the freaking East Coast? T_T Excuse me while I sink into a spiraling depression. . .

THISSome of his stuff is kinda soothing/nice to hear, etc. but some of his stuff, I don't see how it gets such grand reviews consistantly. You really get that much of a kick out of EVERY SINGLE washing machine/chicken recording? C'mon people. . .

The AN CAFE FANBOY is laughing, unbelievable.

Probably impossible/illogical but . . . Vocalist: Dynamite Tommy (Color) Drummer: Ahito Inazawa (Number Girl) Bassist: Naoto Shibata (Anthem) Guitarist: Ichiro Agata (Melt-Banana) Guitarist 2: Wata (Boris)

Because 5 is more than enough to make them overvalued The fact they even have a Last.FM page is enough, lol.

http://www.v-music.ch/special/special/masters/100805.html This posted on Twitter.

Seconded; I think D'espairsRay recieve an equivalent of what they are worth. Not many people (even their huge fans) really give them any kind of unwarranted legendary status or anything remotely similar, but obviously they aren't too far back in the realm of obscurity and plenty of people do appreciate what they make. I think they get enough honest, decent criticism to not be considered "overvalued" at all.

^ You are joking with that last part, because you would know that it is MIKU who sings, lol. xD

@ Thursday: Agreed, and I think that can apply to a lot of "famous" artist's solo/side projects. Even some of the artists I like, I admit probably would not have earned a dime if their name (or the name of their previous band) wasn't already very familiar to me or others. And I have to concur with Champ's point about Neophilia - it is weird how visual kei people just arbitrarily jump from "favorite band" to "favorite band." Never quite understood why.

I guess you have to just form your own basis for what is "overvalued" since the thread doesn't really narrow down anything. The same discussion was in the "undervalued" thread. I think most people here are basing their opinions on non-Japanese internet popularity, though.

THIS!Along with Nirvana

Miyavi - mentioned this in the other hate thread; this guy is treated like a pious saint (and an AMAZING guitarist) when he's the exact opposite D - also mentioned this in the other hate thread; Asagi's voice is irritating as hell, nowhere near being "unique" or "beautiful" Malice Mizer - Despite the pedestal they are so frequently placed upon, I find them remarkably boring. Honorable mentions: The Piass, Pierrot, BLOOD, Phantasmagoria, Blam Honey, Concerto Moon, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, and VAMPS.

Today I learned that I really don't like VII-Sense. Yikes. (Lol, I believe the "good VK" timeline should lie between 1985-2000, but I digress).

Inoran has written some great songs, he shouldn't be ignored. He is also just a great performer in general; I can't remember if it was "Inside You" or another song, but when he played it it was mind blowing. He and Sugizo both have a great presence. I believe J is my favorite member out of all of them, if I had to pick. Sugizo comes right behind him and then Shinya. I'd say Shinya is also pretty underrated to an extent (people only seem to like the Dir en grey Shinya, haha). His drumming is actually pretty good.

As for me and their solo projects - the only ones I have bothered with are Sugizo's, although I wouldn't say I followed it all that closely. Not too big into jazz-type music though he does have some amazing songs. I have also tried a bit of J's stuff; I really enjoy his voice.

^ LOL And lulz for Tokage as well. ^^