violetchain

It might be different in some parts of the world, but the general trend of the visual kei and j-rock search stats looks about right for where I live. It definitely matches what's been happening at my local convention. I started going around 2006, and there used to be a bunch of J-rock/VK panels, but within the last few years it dropped to two (usually Dir en Grey and the Gazette), and then none at all. There were at least 10 K-pop panels this year. Interest from the anime crowd definitely doesn't seem to be anywhere near what it used to, and I'm sure that's where many of the more casual fans in the mid-00's came from.

Randomly found this on my computer while I was looking through a folder of icons.
 

 
I miss watching Jun Kasai's matches. He always looks like he's having so much fun.

"I freak in my bed" 
 

Maybe lecca?
 

^Maybe some of MO'SOME TONEBENDER's older stuff? Doubt it qualifies as grunge, but some of their songs definitely have an angsty 90s vibe.

 

I've always just used them interchangeably...?

I've always just used them interchangeably...?

Was a little nervous about the new Yellow Studs album, since I didn't really like the tracks they released for download, but almost all of the other songs in the trailer sound good, so my hopes are back up.
 

 
Also, I was going through some music videos I have on my computer and came across folca's PV for "3:04", so I thought I'd give them a mention here.
 
I'm just going from what I've seen on Youtube, since I can't find any of their stuff, legally or illegally, but the thing that interested me about them is that most of their videos seem to be along the same line as this:

 
But then they suddenly came out with this:

 
I'm a sucker for variety, and I thought it was refreshing to see a band that seems to have a sort of serious, emotional image trying to mix it up and get sexy.

DDT is officially my favourite wrestling company ever. So much blatant, vaguely hilarious fanservice.

Getting back to the Adore Delano song: The vocals feel a little generic - I wouldn't be able to tell who it was if I heard the song on the radio next to a bunch of pop artists - but I don't dislike them, and the rap-ish bits were kind of cute too, so I'll say 7/10.
 

6/10. Most of it is okay, but the way he sings the louder and higher parts (mostly the yeahs) just sounds ugly to my ears.
 

-DIR EN GREY - THE ROSE TRIMS AGAIN
-MIYAVI - Neo Tokyo Samurai Black World Tour - June 24, 2010 @ The Sound Academy
-X JAPAN @ Massey Hall
-HITT + the fool @ Anime North 2011
-RIZE + fade - March 2012 @ The Tattoo Rock Parlour
-ADAPTER。, marlee + lix @ Anime North 2012
-B'z - Live Gym 2012 -Into Free- Sept. 26, 2012 @ The Sound Academy
-MONKEY MAJIK x Yoshida Brothers - Nov. 18, 2012 @ The Mod Club
-Japan Nite: Pirates Canoe, Josy, Jake Stone Garage, Chihiro Yamazaki + Route 14 Band - March 20, 2013 @ Clinton's Tavern
-Next Music from TOKYO vol. 5: harafromhell, CHI-NA, Kinoko Teikoku and Mouse on the Keys - May 17, 2013 @ The Rivoli
-Next Music from Tokyo vol. 6: Kinoko Teikoku, nayuta, Uchu Conbini and Happy!Mari - May 16, 2014 @ the Rivoli
-Rose Noire @ Anime North - May 24, 2014
-umbrella + UCHUSENTAI:NOIZ @ Anime North - May 23, 2015
-Next Music from Tokyo vol. 7: mothercoat, otori (missed the other three due to transit-related issues ) - June 12, 2015 @ Soybomb
 
I'm only a casual fan of theirs, but the best was definitely X JAPAN. They were great, the venue was great, and everyone was just so happy to see them from the very first moment they got on the stage. It was really moving to see so many older couples holding hands and singing along to Endless Rain beside all the younger fans.
 
The worst was the fool, by far. I'll usually give most bands that come to my local convention a fair shot and stay until the end because it's free and I have nothing to lose, but they sucked so much that I couldn't wait to leave. Unfortunately, my friend wanted to buy something from HITT, so we were stuck there.

Hello,
 
These are some of my favorite sketches that I always keep around for motivation / inspiration. I don`t set out to draw anything anime / manga styled, but this is how I see things and how things come out when I just draw people. I have studied realistic styles, and anatomy when I was young, but now I like to play around and make things different, like different faces, wide shoulders, slim waists, etc... None of these are `finished` drawings, I just sketch for five minutes or less until I get the outline of what I want.
 
I have not drawn much in a while because I have many other things to do, hopefully posting these motivates me to get back to doing another thing I love.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
But most of all I just hope you enjoy looking, I share because I see many great creators here and enjoy seeing your stuff as well.

I'm still not sure whether these lyrics for WHITE ASH's "Would You Be My Valentine?" are actually correct or not--that's how incomprehensible their singer is.
 
Lyrics: http://petitlyrics.com/lyrics/923906
 

 
It's a shame, since he has a lovely voice.

It's great if they can, but personally, I don't believe that a singer has to be able to write lyrics. The thing that matters to me is whether or not the singer connects with the emotion of the song.
 
I think if you can't write (good) lyrics, it's perfectly okay to let someone else help you. Some people struggle to express themselves with words, and IMO it's better to let another band member or outside writer take care of it than it is to ruin good songs with awful, half-assed lyrics.

These two always remind me of how much I miss my dad. They're not my favourite songs or anything, but they really hit home for me emotionally.
GLAY - Father and Son
X JAPAN - Tears
 
And L'Arc~en~Ciel's "Blurry Eyes" will always be a special one for me because it was the first Japanese song I learned the words to. Plus I have a weird soft spot for DNA2.

So, most of these vocalists are no longer in visual kei or in bands not considered to be visual by many, but I couldn't think of five current VK vocalists that I like anywhere near as much as these guys.
 
Also, mine is based more on performance style than technical skill, since that's usually what makes a great vocalist for me.
 
1. Teru - GLAY
 
I like that his voice isn't perfect. Sometimes it cracks and shakes, sometimes he struggles a bit, but I think that just adds to the sincerity of the song, and sometimes he'll just get this sudden boost of power and take the performance to another level.
 
2. Sakurai Atsushi - BUCK-TICK
 
Similar sort of reasoning, really. I like that he makes such a big effort to perform each song differently based on the story or atmosphere.
 
3. Kiyoharu - KUROYUME
 
Love it or hate it, Kiyoharu has a distinctive voice, and he can do so many different styles of music so well.
 
4. Kajinaga Daishi - Psycho le Cemu
 
I like the boyishness of his voice. I think it fit PLC perfectly, and the contrast between the cute, innocent style of PLC and his bratty wannabe yankee side is a big part of the charm of the band for me.
 
5. Toshi - X JAPAN
 
Sometimes his voice gets a bit grating, but he really puts a lot of heart into those ballads, and after seeing them live my respect for Toshi went up a lot. He has so much stage presence.

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all?
 
I buy stuff if I can't find it online or I really, really want it. I wouldn't buy more than one version of a release, but I will buy a limited edition instead of regular if the bonus sounds good enough (a long live DVD from a band that doesn't have a lot of live footage, for example) and the price isn't ridiculous. Then again, recently I've just been buying stuff off iTunes since the shipping tends to triple the price, and as much as I like album artwork and lyrics, I am also incredibly cheap. 
 
2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?
 
I usually buy T-shirts, I have a towel, and I wouldn't be opposed to stuff like keychains or buttons and stuff, if that counts. I have bought some used VK magazines at anime conventions for the pictures and in the hope that I would be able to read them at some point, but I would never spend money on something like cheki.
 
3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?
 
I usually keep track of one or two bands I'm really into at the time and just sort of skim through the rest of my Twitter feed. Ameblo is kind of annoying because you can't just scroll through it and get a quick idea of what they're up to, so I don't bother with it very often. I prefer to follow bands on Facebook (well, the few that have one and use it frequently), since they usually update it in English and tend to keep it restricted to more important stuff than "I ate these cute snacks today, they were delicious. Here are three pictures of them."
 
4: Would you follow them on the street?
 
I'll say "Oh, it's __" to my friend and watch them do whatever for a minute or so from where I am, but it kind of bothers me when people actually follow bands around town because while they're at the venue, convention, etc. they're working, and they should be allowed to go get a sandwich or whatever in peace. Everyone needs a break.
 
5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)
 
Absolutely not. I don't understand that mindset at all.
 
6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?
 
I took a Japanese class in university as one of my electives partially because I like the music so much and wanted to be able to understand the lyrics, and I've met a lot of people because of it, so there has definitely been some effect. I don't think there's been any visible effect on my style, though. 
 
7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?
 
Visit, yes. No desire to move to Japan.
 
8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?
 
Sometimes. I have a weak spot for funny rumours and gossip about bands I like. It's more for entertainment value than anything, though.
 
9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)
 
No, not really.
 
10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?
 
Nope.
 
The main fangirl thing I do is translate lyrics (poorly) from bands I love that I don't think will get translated otherwise. (Usually meaning non-VK rock bands) I figure at least that way I can use all the obsessive energy for something relatively useful. Plus I've picked up lots of interesting new words from doing it.

BALZAC's "Nowhere No. 13" is definitely one of the best examples I've ever seen of how to do a good low budget PV. Granted, the fact that they're a punk band is a big part of why it works.

I gave myself a little too much to work with by going with all Chiba's bands instead of just picking one, so I have more than one song for a few artists. It's so hard to narrow it down.
 
Chiba Yusuke Tribute Album
 
THE BEATMOTORS - Baby You Can (The Birthday) – they’re good at slower, sort of laidback rock songs, and I think they would put enough attitude behind it.
 
Yellow Studs – Namida ga Koboresou (The Birthday) or 19:40 (SNAKE ON THE BEACH) – Would like to see them shorten 19:40 somehow, since it's a little too long to listen to regularly.
 
Nothing’s Carved In Stone – Hoshi no Melody (ROSSO) – This is my favourite ROSSO song, and I think Taku would nail the emotion near the end
 
THE BACK HORN - Piano (The Birthday). It’s a sad song, with a slightly dark/sinister feel, and I think that’s where they’re strongest
 
04 Limited Sazabys - Muddy Cat Blues (The Birthday) – I’d like to hear a lighter version of this one by someone with a childish voice, since the lyrics are so cute.
 
Jeepta - NIGHT LINE (The Birthday) or Carnival (The Birthday)
 
ZIGZO - I was walkin’ and sleepin’ (TMGE)
 
BALZAC - GILDA (The Birthday) or Revolver Junkies (TMGE)
 
KUROYUME - Sharon (ROSSO)
 
Drop's - Ano Ko no Suitcase (The Birthday) - Would be cool to hear a female take on this song, and their singer has such a great rock voice

I gave myself a little too much to work with by going with all Chiba's bands instead of just picking one, so I have more than one song for a few artists. It's so hard to narrow it down.
 
Chiba Yusuke Tribute Album
 
THE BEATMOTORS - Baby You Can (The Birthday) – they’re good at slower, sort of laidback rock songs, and I think they would put enough attitude behind it.
 
Yellow Studs – Namida ga Koboresou (The Birthday) or 19:40 (SNAKE ON THE BEACH) – Would like to see them shorten 19:40 somehow, since it's a little too long to listen to regularly.
 
Nothing’s Carved In Stone – Hoshi no Melody (ROSSO) – This is my favourite ROSSO song, and I think Taku would nail the emotion near the end
 
THE BACK HORN - Piano (The Birthday). It’s a sad song, with a slightly dark/sinister feel, and I think that’s where they’re strongest
 
04 Limited Sazabys - Muddy Cat Blues (The Birthday) – I’d like to hear a lighter version of this one by someone with a childish voice, since the lyrics are so cute.
 
Jeepta - NIGHT LINE (The Birthday) or Carnival (The Birthday)
 
ZIGZO - I was walkin’ and sleepin’ (TMGE)
 
BALZAC - GILDA (The Birthday) or Revolver Junkies (TMGE)
 
KUROYUME - Sharon (ROSSO)
 
Drop's - Ano Ko no Suitcase (The Birthday) - Would be cool to hear a female take on this song, and their singer has such a great rock voice

I gave myself a little too much to work with by going with all Chiba's bands instead of just picking one, so I have more than one song for a few artists. It's so hard to narrow it down.
 
Chiba Yusuke Tribute Album
 
THE BEATMOTORS - Baby You Can (The Birthday) – they’re good at slower, sort of laidback rock songs, and I think they would put enough attitude behind it.
 
Yellow Studs – Namida ga Koboresou (The Birthday) or 19:40 (SNAKE ON THE BEACH) – Would like to see them shorten 19:40 somehow, since it's a little too long to listen to regularly.
 
Nothing’s Carved In Stone – Hoshi no Melody (ROSSO) – This is my favourite ROSSO song, and I think Taku would nail the emotion near the end
 
THE BACK HORN - Piano (The Birthday). It’s a sad song, with a slightly dark/sinister feel, and I think that’s where they’re strongest
 
04 Limited Sazabys - Muddy Cat Blues (The Birthday) – I’d like to hear a lighter version of this one by someone with a childish voice, since the lyrics are so cute.
 
Jeepta - NIGHT LINE (The Birthday) or Carnival (The Birthday)
 
ZIGZO - I was walkin’ and sleepin’ (TMGE)
 
BALZAC - GILDA (The Birthday) or Revolver Junkies (TMGE)
 
KUROYUME - Sharon (ROSSO)
 
Drop's - Ano Ko no Suitcase (The Birthday) - Would be cool to hear a female take on this song, and their singer has such a great rock voice

No particular order after the first three.
 
1. The Birthday
2. Dragon Ash
3. Nothing's Carved In Stone
4. MO'SOME TONEBENDER
5. Jeepta
6. BALZAC
7. ZIGZO
8. thee michelle gun elephant
9. andymori
10. POSSIBILITY
 
GLAY would be #1, but I already wrote them in the visual thread, so I guess that's cheating.
 
Could be in top ten on another day:
BOOWY, ELLEGARDEN, SBK, the pillows, ABSTRACT MASH, Yellow Studs, Suck a Stew Dry...

Are DEAD END considered visual kei? Because if so, I'll trade Calmando Qual for them on my list. I've been listening to ZERO a lot recently.

Forgot to mention the pillows' "Wake up! Dodo" PV. The story is adorable.