Author: Ali Watson
Dir en grey in Rock Band
2012. Some time following the Jrock in Rock Band poll on JrockRevolution.com in 2010, Harmonix asked if we could link them to any of the top ten bands as part of a special invitation to be included in the fairly new Rock Band Network. As the site was not set up as a broker for bands to opportunities, it was not possible. Working outside of JrockRevolution.com, however, I approached a select number of established contacts to gauge interest in this epic opportunity. With many ups and downs, bands and artists interested yet unable to follow through due to a number of situations, time was running out. The limited invitation had a finite window and with some good luck, Dir en grey agreed to be in the video game. Dir en grey submitted Dozing Green (English) and Hageshisa to, Kono Mune no Naka de Karamitsuita Shakunetsu no Yami (Japanese) for conversion into the game. Once the process started, Harmonix underwent numerous changes and I was instrumental in maintaining open communication throughout those changes as well as following the tracks in …
Yoshiki Foundation
March 2011. A small, but significant opportunity for me. I was asked for a design following the Tohoku earthquake and submitted the design “LOVE FOR JAPAN” with the country behind it. It was on the Yoshiki Foundation (yoshikifoundation.org) website for some time. A t-shirt of the design was autographed by Johnny Depp and up for auction in one of the foundation’s first auctions. It was an honor to have made a small contribution to a great cause.
Bento Beat Box: Episode 6
JrockRevolution.com’s cable television program “Bento Beat Box” aired On Demand on Anime Network. It was available for many major cable companies across the country as well as through their website On Demand. While I’ve had the pleasure to work with the creators for press release and sharing the videos after broadcast through the JrockRevolution.com Youtube channel and posting through social media, I did not have the opportunity to write for the series up to that point. In Episode 6, I had the chance to write the script for the Cure Media USA portion and was appreciative that it was adhered to almost in entirety. Please enjoy this episode of Bento Beat Box. Jrockevolution.com Anime Network
X JAPAN – X Perience package at Lollapalooza
July 2010. One of the coolest experiences I’ve had being with JrockRevolution.com is designing the bulk of the official X JAPAN X Perience fan package for their August 2010 debut performance at Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL. There are 5 elements of the package – t-shirt, ‘thundersticks’, tote bag , bracelet and photo. While some very talented designers put in some great designs, ultimately we were informed simple was better. I submitted an idea and not only designed most of the package, but I also designed the print flyers and some of the web graphics. The images here are courtesy of our merchandise site at GoMerch, which you can find here.
Live report – B’z in New York City
October 2012. “You know what time it is New York? It’s time to SCREAM!” In the middle of the show, Inaba Koshi’s proclamation was met with roaring approval and enough noise to become a collective scream. Those standing moved in waves of excitement and despite the warmth of the standing room only area, the crowd pressed closer to the stage. On September 30th, the New York City show for B’z marked the 6th show on a 7-stop tour. With only one more performance on their docket, one might have expected to see energy waning, yet B’z treated the show as though it could have been their first. High energy performances are the forte of this well experienced duo. In their career, they’ve become the best selling artists of all time in Japan. Watching their lives, it’s easy to see the passion they have for their art as well as their fans. In fact, their fanbase ranges from the very young to those in their 40s and higher. One toddler sitting on the shoulders of his …
Live report – Dir en grey
January 2012. It’s relatively easy to say 99 percent of the people in the audience knew Dir en grey‘s music: from newer fans, to seasoned veterans or friends dragged along because “you have to see this band.” Once the lights dimmed, the crowd’s deafening greeting proved its dedication. With the surge of people toward the stage, one had to wonder if the few security guards would be enough to keep the masses back. Fortunately, fans seemed to keep themselves in check just fine when the band entered the stage at the last three stops of their North American tour. Dir en grey consists of Kyo on vocals, Kaoru and Die on guitars, Toshiya on bass and Shinya on drums. From their inception, the lineup has remained true, as has their penchant for giving an intensely moving live performance. To date, they’re one of the few bands from Japan who have made a strong, consistent effort to reach their international fans. Having recently come off a Japan tour and one through Europe early in the year, Dir …
Interview – GACKT
September 2011. Some interview questions were also obtained by various staff at the time. JrockRevolution.com recently asked GACKT some questions about various topics. Read up on his insightful responses! Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Many people, yourself included, assisted in earthquake relief—do you feel you have accomplished your goal of showing people’s hearts and bringing a smile to the people of Japan? Japan is hardly close from recovery. My country needs all the help it can get and I will not stop supporting the victims of the East Japan Earthquake through YFC and my solo career as GACKT. What activities are you currently involved with for post-earthquake/tsunami relief? Through “SHOW THE HEART”, we have raised donations and shipped necessity supplies to the victims. SHOW YOUR HEART will continue to expand outside of Japan to support the children all over the world in need of help. Tour in Europe For the second time, you are touring in Europe, do you have any expectations for this tour compared to your last? It was the second time, but the band members …
Interview – LOUDNESS
July 2011. From the beginning of May to early June of this year, LOUDNESS toured the U.S. Accounts of the Los Angeles show described an eclectic mix of metal, rock and punk as well as curious new fans for a packed house.In Denver, the venue was heavier in rock with long time fans in concentrated numbers wearing band shirts displaying not only LOUDNESS, but also Metallica, Slayer, Alice in Chains and more. While at the Denver stop, we had the opportunity to chat with Minoru Niihara — vocalist of this legendary metal band — on the past, present and future. Enjoy the interview and look for their new album hopefully being released this fall! Is this your first time in Denver? I don’t think so. We’ve been here before, but it’s been a long time. We played at Red Rocks, opening for Motley Crue in 1986? Something like that. That’s in Denver, right? Yes, Red Rocks is right outside Denver [in Morrison]. Okay, so yes, we’ve been here once before. This would be the second …
Live Report – B’z San Francisco
July 2011. Anywhere in the world, it’s an accomplishment for any artist to have over 80 million albums sold with 17 studio albums and 49 singles – over 40 of those topping the best seller Oricon chart at #1. In their native Japan, it has marked B’z as the best selling band of all time. Taking chances and breaking records has become their forte. Though their U.S. performance was eight years ago, the wait seemed well worth it to a sold out audience at the San Francisco Fillmore on Friday, July 22nd. The line started queuing sometime in the morning of July 22nd for the show, tickets to which had sold out almost immediately. Many fans made the journey from Japan to see this legendary band play a venue as intimate as the Fillmore, a legend in and of itself. Other fans we spoke to came from as far as Singapore, domestically from New York City, local areas and even from Los Angeles despite the fact that B’z will play there on July 24th. The …