Eric Clapton to make 18th visit to Japan next February
Nov 12, 2008 Artist, Info, Music
Eric Clapton, 63, will be back in Japan for the first time in two and a half years, performing in Tokyo and Osaka next February. It will be his 18th visit to Japan. In celebration of the 35th anniversary of his first visit to Japan, event organizer Udo Artists Inc has designed various tickets for the upcoming concerts, and feature miniaturized versions of the posters used for Clapton concerts from his first visit to Japan to his 12th visit in 1999.
He will be performing at the Osaka Castle Hall on Feb 12 and 13, and at the Budokan in Tokyo on Feby 15, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 27. For those interested in purchasing tickets, the Tokyo number is 03–3402–5999. The Osaka number is 06–6341–4506.
JapanToday via Asianfanatics
Hangry & Angry to get simultaneous U.S. release
Nov 6, 2008 Artist, Ishikawa Rika, Music, Yoshizawa Hitomi
Last month, news broke that Morning Musume graduates Yoshizawa Hitomi and Ishikawa Rika are forming a new pop-punk unit called Hangry & Angry. It has now been officially revealed that the group’s first mini-album will be seeing a simultaneous release in the U.S.
Hangry & Angry is being represented by Up-Front Works, in collaboration with the Hangry & Angry clothing brand, which falls under the h.NAOTO umbrella. The brand’s characters, drawn by popular illustrator GASHICON, are two cats who have traveled through time and space to save the world.
The duo’s first mini-album, “Kill Me Kiss Me,” is being released under an indie label on November 19. In Japan, the CD will be available only through Tsutaya, WonderGOO, Sumiya, and Virgin Megastore. A limited edition special package will also be sold, with only 10,000 units available.
On the same day, a CD-only version will be released in the U.S. through the efforts of JapanFiles. The album will also be available for digital download.
Hangry & Angry will perform their first live show in Shibuya on November 28, with SHAZNA’s Izam taking on the role of their performance producer. In 2009, they are planning an international campaign in Japan, Europe, and the U.S.
Tokyograph
Charts: Porno Graffiti takes top two spots
Nov 5, 2008 Artist, Charts, Group, Kanjani8, Kobukuro, Music, Porno Graffiti, Remioromen, Tsuchiya Anna, WaT
Last week, Porno Graffiti simultaneously released two best albums, “PORNO GRAFFITI BEST ACE” and “PORNO GRAFFITI BEST JOKER.” They managed to achieve the remarkable feat of capturing the #1 and #2 spots on the album charts, with “ACE” slightly outselling “JOKER” (105,000 copies versus 103,000 copies).
This is the second time that Porno Graffiti has taken the top two spots - they previously did it in 2004 with another simultaneous best album release. They are one of 19 artists with that accomplishment, but they are only the second to have achieved it twice. TM NETWORK managed it over 15 years ago with chart toppers in 1992 and 1993.
Remioromen’s new album also did well, debuting at #3. Others in the top ten included Hata Motohiro (#7), BENNIE K (#9), and Tsuchiya Anna (#10).
On the singles chart, Kanjani8 scored their 5th consecutive #1 single with “Musekinin Hero” selling 348,000 copies, their best first-week sales numbers ever. Kobukuro’s “Toki no Ashioto” came in second at 136,000 copies, followed by the debut single by comedy unit Yajima Biyoshitsu, formed by DJ OZMA and Tunnels.
New releases by SID and WaT were 4th and 5th in line, while Milky Way, Sakamoto Maaya, and Tomatsu Haruka made the bottom three spots of the top ten.
Tokyograph
Arashi Whips Fans Into Frenzy
Nov 5, 2008 Arashi, Group, Music
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Popular Japanese pop group Arashi whipped thousands of Korean fans into a state of frenzy, as they staged four sold-out concerts in Seoul over the weekend.
It has been two years since Arashi performed in Seoul, but judging from the deafening screams at the Olympic Fencing Stadium, their fans are as crazy about them as ever. The group is in the middle of a three-city Asian tour, “Arashi Around Asia 2008.”
Masquerade party by HYDE, K.A.Z, Gackt at Halloween night
Nov 5, 2008 Artist, Daigo, Gackt, Music, Tsuchiya Anna
“NIGHTMARE OF HALLOWEEN”, Halloween event that VAMPS organized, hold for 2 days of October 30th and the 31st. Besides VAMPS and MONORAL performed at both days on the 30th and the 31st, Tommy heavenly6 and Acid Black Cherry participated as a guest on the 30th, and Tsuchiya Anna and BREAKERZ did on the 31st.
On the 31st, when DAIGO (BREAKERZ) served as the chairperson, VAMPS appeared in the stage at the last of the event. Based on the setting that the dead revived from the graveyard, HYDE and K.A.Z. did the live that HYDE was in a wedding dress that the bloodstain adheres and K.A.Z. impersonated to the hero of movie “THE CROW”.
At the Encore, a special session with all of the 31st’s musicians including yasu (Acid Black Cherry) that participated on the 30th was held. In addition, there was a surprise where Gackt of the service uniform appeared as a special guest at the end.
Gackt, appeared to the stage led by the announcement of DAIGO, hugged each other with HYDE to appeal the depth of their friendship. After that, HYDE took vocal, K.A.Z. took a guitar, and Gackt took a drum, then they played a cover of Motley Crue “SHOUT AT THE DEVIL” together.
Though Gackt had played a drum before he became a vocalist, it was the first time for him to play the drum in public appearances. The performance in cosplay and the surprise in each performer, the fan seemed enjoyed so much for the night. A gorgeous Halloween event only of the VAMPS sponsoring event ended with tremendous enthusiasm.
By the way, VAMPS will release the nationwide Zepp tour DVD “VAMPS LIVE 2008″ on January 7th, 2009, and will release 2nd single in Spring. And Gackt will release new single “Jesus” on December 3rd and starts nationwide tour “Gackt Live Tour 2008-2009 Requiem et Reminiscence II〜再生と邂逅～” after about three years interval.
Natalie
NHK Love Song 2008
Popular group TVXQ will be on the same stage as Japan’s top artists in this year’s NHK’s “Love Song 2008.”
TVXQ will attend NHK on the fourteenth for their live event “Love Song 2008.”
NHK’s annual broadcast concert “Love Song” is a stage where Japan’s top artists perform. On last year’s “2007 Love Song,” BoA’s performance attracted the eyes of many Korean fans. This time, TVXQ is appearing as the Hallyu star, testing their popularity in Japan.
TVXQ’s 24th single “Mirotic,” which released in October, placed #1 in the weekly Oricon charts again, marking the fourth time their single placed #1 in the weekly Oricon charts. TVXQ’s popularity cannot be denied.
According to a worker at SM Entertainment, “To prepare for the performance that day, TVXQ will fly to Japan on the 14th. To show everyone their best side, they are working hard in preparations.” “Love Song 2008,” in which TVXQ will be making their appearance, will broadcast for 80 minutes live at 10 PM on the 14th.
Translation: jae!fany @ Shinki! Forums (http://iscreamshinki.net)
Source: DNBN + DemonHome + Mr. TVXQ
Arashi Speaking Korean
Nov 3, 2008 Arashi, Group, Music
Arashi’s first Korea tour interview in 2006 and action on stage !
Footage of Arashi’s interview during the Asia Song Festival in 2006 and snippets of the concert during that time can be seen on Daum tv. Arashi is currently in Korea for their 2nd concert, with shows on the 1st and 2nd of November.
Arashi’s members, Ohno Satoshi, Sakurai Sho, Ninomiya Kazunari, Aiba Masaki and Matsumoto Jun are seen excitedly practising their Korean on the plane and it follows with a recording of the press conference.
The members greeted the media in simple Korean but Sakurai Sho proceeded to give a lengthy greeting in fluent Korean. His pronunciation was also admirable and was highly praised by the packed media in attendance. As expected, Sakurai puts in his utmost effort in everything, bravo ! With the concert this time round, he will probably polish up on his Korean further.
http://navicon.jp/news/830 via unleashthegeek
WaT Not too hot, not too cold
WaT, their relationship “Not too hot, not too cold”
To commemorate the release of their new single 36℃, vocal duo WaT held a handshake event on the 2nd of November, the first in about 3 years, shaking hands with about 9800 fans at Yomiuri Land in Tokyo. While the title of their new song indicates a love affair that has cooled down a little, the relationship between Eiji Wentz and Koike Teppei seems to be at 40℃. “Not too hot, not too cold,” according to Teppei. “It’s about the temperature of a good bath. It feels like one you can spend in for a long time,” said Wentz, revealing a comfortable relationship between the two.
unleashthegeek
KUROYUME holds one-night and never-afterword live at Budokan
KUROYUME (黒夢), which announced their band activity’s indefinite stop in 1999, will hold one-night stand in Nippon Budokan (日本武道館) on January 29th, 2009, and they will break away formally with this live.
KUROYUME had announced their band activity’s stop suddenly in January, 1999. After that, KUROYUME’s member Kiyoharu (清春, Vo.) and Hitoki (人時, B) have kept acting in solo and a new band.
This on-night stand ‘disbandment’ live was announced at Kiyoharu’s birthday live at Shibuya C.C.Lemmon Hall on October 30th. As part of the 15th debut anniversary of Kiyohal, the legendary band will revive.
At the live, at least Kiyoharu and Hitoki will be on stage, but other members have not been announced yet. Kiyoharu told about that, “We will show KUROYUME, 2009 version.” on TV, and Hitoki said on his blog that, “I heard ‘the sound’ after a long time, then I’m kinda surprised such hard bass play… Can I play like before? … ”
General sale of the ticket is undecided it for now. The Kiyoharu’s fan club member limited early reservation will be start on November 7th.
Natalie
Aoi Miyazaki in Dreams Come True video
Oct 30, 2008 Artist, Dreams Come True, Group, Miyazaki Aoi, Music
Miyazaki Aoi fans will be happy because they don’t have to wait for the release of her latest films “Children of the Dark” or “Shonen Meriken Sakku” to get a glimpse of her.
Dreams Come True’s new single “Tsuretette Tsuretette” goes on sale on November 12, and to help to promote it, the duo has recruited Miyazaki Aoi to star in the song’s music video. The last music video that Miyazaki appeared in was Kinmokusei’s “Fuyu no Jishaku” in 2005.
It was announced a couple weeks ago that mangaka Umino Chika was drawing the CD jacket and a manga-like insert booklet for the single. The manga’s motif was a fantasy love story between a young woman and a snowman, and that motif has been carried over into the video. Filming took place during the middle of this month.
Tokyograph, Sankei Sports, JFilmpowwow
