Why do you think that J-rock never really broke through in the west?

[desparejo86 160]

It's impossible to assess because Dir en Grey was the only Japanese band that made a legitimate run, and it was an uphill battle the whole way. They were trying to establish themselves as credible artists alongside their western contemporaries, notably avoiding the anime con angle like the plague, but they still had people coming to their shows in kimonos and Naruto headbands and shit. Harsh as it is, they were never going to get any respect from the press or be seen as dangerous/cool if they drew awkward, antisocial weaboos en mass to their gigs..... which they did.

 

I'm just keeping it real here. 

 

Bands like L'arc, B'z, X Japan have played a few gigs stateside, filmed 'em, and sold DVDs back in Japan playing up the "Live from the USA!!" angle. It was just marketing for Japanese consumers. Oblivion Dust did a US tour or two early in their career and were like "Fuck this shit."