091012 52 Posted May 2, 2020 1 hour ago, ghostpepper said: Yah Osaka is way stronger for sub culture in everything now. Some great bands have started recently there! Same. The whole prefecture of is sacred as far as I'm concerned haha. Pretty much everything I obsess over comes from Osaka. At first I thought it was just a coincidence and I was underexposed. But yeah, now I'll take three days going through new artists, come up with a few new bands out of 50 that take, and they're generally all formed there. 1 ghostpepper reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghostpepper 158 Posted May 2, 2020 1 hour ago, saiko said: Tell some names! Off the top of my head the one that impressed me the most is L'eveil en Roseraie 1 Nighttime Jae reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nighttime Jae 238 Posted May 2, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, saiko said: Tell some names! Off the top of my head: Clack inc., Doku, Clack inc., Lamiya, Clack inc., Micbam, Clack inc., Eluna, Clack inc., JE:NOVA, Clack inc., Ultimate Sonic, Clack inc., Visual Laboratory, Clack inc., Hueye, Clack inc., Astaroth, and last but not least... Clack inc. 😜 Oh, almost forgot, Clack inc. Marvelous Cruelty are from Osaka too! Edited May 2, 2020 by Nighttime Jae 1 2 monkeybanana4, porawantstodie and Miku70 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
saiko 429 Posted May 7, 2020 On 5/2/2020 at 11:13 AM, ghostpepper said: Even if you read the credits it would be falsely under a band members name. I will not name any active bands online Can you name the bands that you are sure they write their own stuff? 2 Miku70 and seys reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ikna 1225 Posted May 7, 2020 This discussion brings back some memories of the time the tokyo damage report about the inner workings of the VK industry was posted on the net and so many overseas fans were in total disbelief and denial. Most of us overseas fans never had been to a live in Japan and most of had no idea how the scene truly was in its home country. So it was really hard for many to stomach to hear that their beloved oh-so-perfect and "better than plastic, mass-produced 'murrican pop music" bands were just as fabricated by labels and couldn't write their own music or play their instruments. Even then many new VK bands were just talentless hacks who wanted to get their 15 mins of fame and easy access to pussy, and that was maybe 8-10 years ago? Around that same time LUNA SEA's Sugizo and Dir en grey Kyo commented on the then contemporary scene, that the newbies are not passionate about making art and music, but only care about attracting chicks. I remember how much hate and flack they both got then, with some fans accusing Sugizo to be jealous of the young bandomen, because they were hotter and got more girls, lol. How naive we gaijins were back then. Ofc we would also believe that there are no kusomen - our fav bandomen are all perfect, because they are hawt! It's good that the scene nowadays is more open about discussing what's going on inside and that we are not foaming at our mouths because someone "insulted" our fav bands by pointing out the obvious… like Kisaki's misdeeds. If that would have become public ten years ago I bet you there would have been at least a small army of people defending this guy. At least now most people see him for what he is. That said, VK always rubbed along with a bit of delinquency and depravity. Since the hosts entered the scene that got even more amplified, but that transition has taken place since a whole decade. I think we reached a point where almost none of the "original" spirit is left behind. Ofc you get the occasional band that's truly concerned about doing art, but for every honest group you get 10 forgettable ,mass-produced trash ones. 5 1 1 seys, avaritonista, ghostpepper and 4 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghostpepper 158 Posted May 7, 2020 5 hours ago, saiko said: Can you name the bands that you are sure they write their own stuff? of newer groups? I am not really into any new groups and honestly was surprised by one of the newer groups I saw my coworkers acquaintance had made demos for. Basically an easy way to know a band is really doing it 100% themselves is like how I said before, do they have a gradual buildup in their work? Demonstration singles etc. and do the members who are "writing" have previous band history with similar sound? Now talking about current VK is like talking about WWE wrestling, the stuff behind the scenes is more interesting than what is going on at face haha. these times are just a phase hopefully and will die out or VK will become some shitty menhera appeal idol johnnys fake rock thing mainly forever. 47 minutes ago, Ikna said: Since the hosts entered the scene that got even more amplified, but that transition has taken place since a whole decade. Hosts being in the scene has been going on since Yoshiki haha. But even Host culture has changed alot within the past decade. I had fun doing host work in the past but the whole "neo-host" wave is really bad @_@ ;; changed quite a bit in the environment. 1 Miku70 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
platy 3018 Posted May 7, 2020 33 minutes ago, ghostpepper said: "neo-host" define "neo-host" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghostpepper 158 Posted May 7, 2020 1 hour ago, platy said: define "neo-host" Haha oh god, to make it simple: non suit wearing i.e. regular clothes (shifuku) cute look? Like how vk bands have a more cute young makeup style if that makes sense, does not drink alcohol often, sells on face instead of talk abilities. Hard to explain all in english terms in detail. 2 Miku70 and platy reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
platy 3018 Posted May 7, 2020 36 minutes ago, ghostpepper said: Haha oh god, to make it simple: non suit wearing i.e. regular clothes (shifuku) cute look? Like how vk bands have a more cute young makeup style if that makes sense, does not drink alcohol often, sells on face instead of talk abilities. Hard to explain all in english terms in detail. Cute face, no substance. Going for a more youthful/innocent kinda thing? 1 ghostpepper reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghostpepper 158 Posted May 7, 2020 Just now, platy said: Cute face, no substance. Going for a more youthful/innocent kinda thing? Not innocence, most of those guys are A-holes but hey, that is what the girls pay for haha. 1 Miku70 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seys 139 Posted May 7, 2020 11 minutes ago, ghostpepper said: Not innocence, most of those guys are A-holes but hey, that is what the girls pay for haha. Like this video? 3 riyusama, ghostpepper and Miku70 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghostpepper 158 Posted May 7, 2020 (edited) 10 minutes ago, seys said: Like this video? That guy is a bit more oldschool in ways, overall top guys in kabuki are a bit different. One thing I can say is the image that the vice video and this video too give of the host industry is like a 10% view. Ive thought of doing a youtube video explaining what it is really like but kind of do not want to be mainly known for that if it blew up tbh. Now I do designs for host clubs in our group and help newer guys who come into our group so I still see it from behind the scenes everyday. Honestly lots of parallels to how vk guys do mitsu eigyou. Edited May 7, 2020 by ghostpepper 2 seys and Miku70 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
saiko 429 Posted May 7, 2020 (edited) 10 hours ago, Ikna said: It's good that the scene nowadays is more open about discussing what's going on inside and that we are not foaming at our mouths because someone "insulted" our fav bands by pointing out the obvious… like Kisaki's misdeeds. If that would have become public ten years ago I bet you there would have been at least a small army of people defending this guy. At least now most people see him for what he is. That said, VK always rubbed along with a bit of delinquency and depravity. Since the hosts entered the scene that got even more amplified, but that transition has taken place since a whole decade. I think we reached a point where almost none of the "original" spirit is left behind. Ofc you get the occasional band that's truly concerned about doing art, but for every honest group you get 10 forgettable ,mass-produced trash ones. I'm really interested in this topic of the lack ofart spirit within the scene. If it existed since always, I think it is patent that is reached whole new levels in the last ten years. During this time, which for me still is a time of much frustration over discovering good artists in this scene, I've been digging a lot older bands, and kinda started to understand some threads tied to its origins, differentiating key acts, waves into the scene, and also looking profoundly for an understanding of the many Western trends that inspired VK since its very proto-eras when even the "VK" label didn't existed. Unfortunately, English is not my mother tongue, so writing down all my thoughts over these matters could take me a very hard time in order to make things meaningful and not weird at all, lol! But perhaps I could try to do it in the near future! In the meanwhile, feel free to make posts about your thoughts over this stuff! I think many of the users here are interested in discussing much more things than liking A or B band's scheduled new release and PV... @ghostpepper I will definitely read an online "diary" of your work behind the curtains! Edited May 7, 2020 by saiko 3 platy, Miku70 and ghostpepper reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghostpepper 158 Posted May 7, 2020 15 minutes ago, saiko said: I will definitely read an online "diary" of your work behind the curtains! It is always a question of how far I can go without pissing some key figures off. Recently I tweeted in Japanese about these feelings towards the current seen and got around 600 likes, had lots of people DMing me saying they feel the same, but one person who does ghostwriter work got angry, can understand, we all gotta make a living. 4 1 riyusama, saiko, Miku70 and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
091012 52 Posted May 7, 2020 6 hours ago, ghostpepper said: Not innocence, most of those guys are A-holes but hey, that is what the girls pay for haha. That particular club looks like one of the more loud/obnoxious atmospheres, I heard they have themes based on different districts? I'm from Las Vegas, so Japan host clubs come off as really clean in comparison...despite having little to no substance. I lost my sh*t when she asked him, "what do women do if they love you but can't afford you?" and he's all, "well typically they get a higher paying job." Our atmospheres here are trashy and the people have zero iq, most are hellbent on stripping/demeaning women and objectifying people. It's a completely different mindset. Japan is one of the few places I've seen the nightlife promote actual intellectual interaction. Anywhere you go there will always be a nightlife/sex industry. It's the level of control society manages to hold and the etiquette they employ that ends up defining the culture. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghostpepper 158 Posted May 7, 2020 1 hour ago, lei0418 said: That particular club looks like one of the more loud/obnoxious atmospheres, I heard they have themes based on different districts? I'm from Las Vegas, so Japan host clubs come off as really clean in comparison...despite having little to no substance. I lost my sh*t when she asked him, "what do women do if they love you but can't afford you?" and he's all, "well typically they get a higher paying job." Our atmospheres here are trashy and the people have zero iq, most are hellbent on stripping/demeaning women and objectifying people. It's a completely different mindset. Japan is one of the few places I've seen the nightlife promote actual intellectual interaction. Anywhere you go there will always be a nightlife/sex industry. It's the level of control society manages to hold and the etiquette they employ that ends up defining the culture. You have to use your brain when dealing with customers but there is nothing intellectual about the host or kyaba industry here tbh. The talking aspect is different to strip etc. In the west but honestly in ways that makes more sense in ways compared to the masochist nature of money spending for a fake relationship with lots of bs talk in between or just wanting to show off. Clubs here are not really themed but the feel of minami (osaka) compared to kabuki (tokyo) is different and same for countryside too. 1 Nighttime Jae reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nighttime Jae 238 Posted May 7, 2020 (edited) 52 minutes ago, ghostpepper said: You have to use your brain when dealing with customers but there is nothing intellectual about the host or kyaba industry here tbh. The talking aspect is different to strip etc. In the west but honestly in ways that makes more sense in ways compared to the masochist nature of money spending for a fake relationship with lots of bs talk in between or just wanting to show off. Clubs here are not really themed but the feel of minami (osaka) compared to kabuki (tokyo) is different and same for countryside too. (also, pretty sure actual strip clubs exist in Japan, not to mention soaplands etc. Kyaba and host clubs are just a thing of their own, there's a whole different culture about it, and I'm sure there are some sleazy behind the scenes in that environment as well) Edited May 7, 2020 by Nighttime Jae Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrenGun 2261 Posted May 7, 2020 (edited) Well ghost writing should happen a lot, since so many bands sound the same, as if one person would write all the songs. But, we all know that most of bandman are bandman because they want attention... and woman love to pay for getting love. ( *・ω・)ノ Even if you get hurt afterwards anyway. Edited May 7, 2020 by BrenGun 2 Miku70 and ghostpepper reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
091012 52 Posted May 7, 2020 2 hours ago, ghostpepper said: You have to use your brain when dealing with customers but there is nothing intellectual about the host or kyaba industry here tbh. The talking aspect is different to strip etc. In the west but honestly in ways that makes more sense in ways compared to the masochist nature of money spending for a fake relationship with lots of bs talk in between or just wanting to show off. Clubs here are not really themed but the feel of minami (osaka) compared to kabuki (tokyo) is different and same for countryside too. I think it's more rational. It's what people do anyway. This way, they tax it 😂 1 ghostpepper reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghostpepper 158 Posted May 8, 2020 1 hour ago, lei0418 said: I think it's more rational. It's what people do anyway. This way, they tax it 😂 Yah, really all things should be legally regulated and taxed. Booty shakin, drinkin too. I would be surprised if all clubs honestly pay all their taxes though tbh. 😂✊🎶 1 Miku70 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
091012 52 Posted May 8, 2020 17 hours ago, ghostpepper said: Yah, really all things should be legally regulated and taxed. Booty shakin, drinkin too. I would be surprised if all clubs honestly pay all their taxes though tbh. 😂✊🎶 Pretty sure I can think of better ways to throw around okane than to pay some random ho to get sloshed. But hey, all in the name of entertainment~ 2 ghostpepper and Miku70 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anadentone 478 Posted May 8, 2020 I'm curious now about bandomen in BPRecords. Whose the biggest meanie poopie head in each band.... also, any news on Jin Machine? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karma’s Hat 3107 Posted May 9, 2020 On 5/7/2020 at 12:40 PM, ghostpepper said: Now talking about current VK is like talking about WWE wrestling, the stuff behind the scenes is more interesting than what is going on at face haha. A bunch of McGeneric Nameron vanilla midgets overhyped by internet virgins having 20 minute technical workrate matches to ever-dwindling interest without drawing a buck is actually eerily similar to what's going on in vk 1 2 1 ghostpepper, suji, Insomniac Dozer and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghostpepper 158 Posted May 10, 2020 4 hours ago, Disposable said: A bunch of McGeneric Nameron vanilla midgets overhyped by internet virgins having 20 minute technical workrate matches to ever-dwindling interest without drawing a buck is actually eerily similar to what's going on in vk Hahahaha. I served and you dunked that sh#+. ('(゚∀゚∩ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
091012 52 Posted May 10, 2020 I'm going to have to interject and insist on usage of the politically correct term, "small people." "Although the persona of the bandomen appeared largely dynamic online, they were in fact, small people." 1 suji reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites