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Category: Interview

SEBASTIAN X

SEBASTIAN X

SEBASTIAN X was formed in February 2008, Tokyo, Japan. With their own brand of indie-alternative-pop songs SEBASTIAN X brings a fresh perspective to the underground music scene. While inspired by literary lyrics that are written in perspective of a New Generation — Their music can be could very well be described as a pop ride [...]

YEALLOW

YEALLOW

Yeallow is Fred C (vocal, guitar, keyboard), Pascal C (vocal, guitar, keyboard), Fred T (guitar, chorus), Bill O (bass) and Olivier “Piment” (drums, chorus). As a group of five, Yeallow creates rich and energetic songs with mature lyrics. This alternative style with no hang-ups about its rock influences, is a New pop-rock sound — As [...]

THEE TRIBUTE – Tribute event for Thee Michelle Gun Elephant

THEE TRIBUTE – Tribute event for Thee Michelle Gun Elephant

THEE TRIBUTE is the first American tribute event for Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, and will allow fans in the U.S. a chance to celebrate the legacy of the band. The event will include a mini-exhibition of the band, including bios, discography information, time-lines, and various memorabilia and photos. It will also feature the unofficial premiere [...]

Daniel Tidwell

Daniel Tidwell

No genre restrictions. One man. Many Instruments — Reads, Daniel Tidwell‘s myspace bio. Daniel Tidwell is an independent musician who wears many hats; artist, producer, promoter and record label. This instrumental guitarist’s first album does faithful but inventive covers of classic video game music. Daniel’s Versus Video Games is 14 tracks of high energy and [...]

Blind Guardian

Blind Guardian

BLIND GUARDIAN were founded in the mid 1980s in Krefeld, Germany as a speed/power metal band. Beginning with their third album “Tales from the Twilight World,” the band expanded their musical vocabulary and eventually created their very own style which is still rooted in speed/power metal, but is also very orchestral and epic in nature. [...]

Icon Girl Pistols

Icon Girl Pistols

With the following flights of fancy, Icon Girl Pistols intrigued me and fanned me from the first listen. Icon Girl Pistols formed in March 2008, when retired porn star Shinnosuke Shirakura (gt/pf/vo) discovered Ken Fukuda (dr) tapping chopsticks on tin cans in the alleyways of Tokyo. They spent their time jamming and writing… Interesting. …when [...]

POWERGLOVE

POWERGLOVE

“We are POWERGLOVE and we are here to fuck with your childhood!” proclaims the band at the beginning of its live shows. After finding success mining the brains of the A.D.D.-driven video game generation with songs like “Tetris”, POWERGLOVE has set its sights on the inner child in all of us. To this end, the [...]

DEWA

DEWA

Dewa Suwija is Manchester’s adopted guitar prophet, originally from Bali and raised in Manchester, UK. DEWA’s last album Time Is Master — fuses the roots of jazz, blues, rock, and ladens it with dark club beats and world reggae vibes. I talked with Dewa Suwija about his history, and DEWA’s newest album to be released [...]

James Scott Bullard

James Scott Bullard

“With a past steeped in love, loss, death, addiction, human suffering, torrid tales of flirting with the devil, the wrath of deep south religion, more southern-gothic lore than a Tennessee Williams play and a constant walk on a moral tightrope, James Scott Bullard’s songs reflect not just his own life, but real life. He has [...]

BUDDHISTSON

BUDDHISTSON

Formed in Kashiwa City, Japan, in the summer of 1999, BUDDHISTSON consists of Shima Takuya (Vocal, Guitar), Marcy (Drums), Yumi (Keyboard), Yas Uenuma (Bass), and Hiroshi Yoshii  (Guitar). Soft and lilting while being intense and focused at the same time BUDDHISTSON’s alternative rock sound is otherworldly and primal. While, the band’s melodies are emotionally charged [...]

Laurent Leemans

Laurent Leemans of Ceilí Moss

CEILÍ MOSS is an acoustic folk-rock band from Belgium founded in 1996. “The name came from Ceilí, Irish Gaelic for a party with traditional music, and Moss, the nickname of Alain Mossiat, boss of “L’éblouissant,” the pub in Namur where they learned to deal with stage fright.” Perhaps it is Genevieve Williams from Widdershins who [...]

Netlabel – Dystopiaq James Osborne

Netlabel – Dystopiaq James Osborne

Established in 2008, Dystopiaq is a netlabel that releases groundbreaking experimental and electronic music from artists around the world. Along with their own releases, this group of artists is currently working on the third installment of the labels signature compilation albums -  Dystopiaq 3. James Osborne elaborated; If I approach an artist to be part [...]

Living Colour

Living Colour

Ground breaking rock, funk, metal, virtuoso band Living Colour returns to Japan for the first time in 17 years. Living Colour, winner of 2 Grammy awards, an MTV Music Video Award and countless accolades as one of the most influential bands of the last 25 years will play 8 shows in Japan from May 21 [...]

THE RODEO CARBURETTOR

THE RODEO CARBURETTOR

The Rodeo Carburettor is a three-piece rock trio consisting of guitarist Takeshi Kaji, bassist Makoto Takizawa, and drummer Nobuya Sakai. The band released their first mini-album Moonlight Dance, in November 2004. Immediately followed by their Hello Baby Tour and a second mini-album, Pissed Off, released in March 2005.  Their latest album Vandalize, hit stores in [...]

Thornwill

Thornwill

In 2004, two friends driven by the love of metal music, Márton Szabó and Krisztián Ágoston founded Thornwill. The goal of the founding members was to create really hard, powerful, melodic metal music that touched people easily. Joined later, by bassist Tamás Paróczi, drummer András Balázs and vocalist Álmos Gábor, Thornwill was complete. Thornwill has [...]

Kulu Kulu Garden

Kulu Kulu Garden

Kulu Kulu Garden is a band that mixes whimsical vocals with hard-hitting rock. Powerful, noisy, serene and soothing — The term “kulu kulu” means “crazy” and fittingly describes this duo’s amazing music. “…Lately we’ve been doing these acoustic sets where we rearrange all our songs into these quiet versions. We also get to play songs [...]

The Beaches

The Beaches

Out of the disbandment of The Jerry Lee Phantom, THE BEACHES were formed in 2006. THE BEACHES’ sound is a genre-bending and eclectic-blending of Rock, Disco, New Wave, Reggae, Punk and Dance music. With each new release, THE BEACHES continue to polish their songs, while defying being pigeoned holed in their inspiration. Wanting to take [...]

Next Music From Tokyo

Next Music From Tokyo

Mark your calendars Canada! Next Music from Tokyo Tour: Vancouver May 22@the Biltmore Cabaret, Montreal May 25@ il Motore, Toronto May 28@ the Rivoli, Toronto (All-Ages!!) May 29@ Whipper Snapper Gallery, Tour finale in Tokyo, Japan July 9@ Shibuya O-nest!! A few weeks ago on a small Japanese music forum, I read a very interesting [...]

Kevin A. Smith

Kevin A. Smith

Finding time to compose the score for Cornerboys, an 11-minute film journey through a dark fairy tale written by Jamieson Ridenhour and illustrated by artist Ali LaRock, all while writing and recording The Seven’s newest album, CRUX. This musician, songwriter, composer, engineer, producer and sole member of the band The Seven, Kevin A. Smith is [...]

Ice Black Birds

Ice Black Birds

Catchy song hooks and an energy filled stage presence make Ice Black Birds a band to watch in 2010. Taking influence from 60s and 70s rock ‘n’ roll – Ice Black Birds infuse their music with a modern blues sound. Formed from the ashes of Old London, Sheffield and Scottish bands Ice Black Birds are [...]

Bill Lonero

Bill Lonero

In this world of musical labels and genres, none describes the capabilities of the true guitar musician than guitarcore. Based totally on talent, rhythm and melodies… “Guitarcore© is for all those people that love the guitar but hate the excessive soloing and arpeggios and constant time changes of typical instrumental rock….” “Music is about grabbing [...]

Chris Duarte

Chris Duarte

Austin-based guitarist, songwriter, and singer Chris Duarte is one of the top ten modern guitarists of our time. Often, compared to some of the greats. Duarte’s sound is all him. Drawing on elements of jazz, blues, and rock & roll, Chris is always pushing the envelope of his instrument and his talent. “I’m a musician [...]

Rustin Hiatt

Rustin Hiatt

Rustin Hiatt, up and coming guitar virtuoso and composer… Remember that partial sentence, because the music world is about ready to be turned upside down by Mr. Hiatt. …rocks us with Classical, Metal, Blues, Jazz and anything else Rustin Hiatt wants to throw into the mix. This teacher, composer, performer and all around musician’s eclectic [...]

犬式 [Inushiki] (a.k.a.Dogggystyle)

犬式 [Inushiki] (a.k.a.Dogggystyle)

The psychedelic reggae flavor of Inushiki (a.k.a.Dogggystyle)’s sound is high-energy rock at its best. Performing at Fuji Rock Festival ‘05, on July 31, the band released their first full album Life is Beatfull on May 11th. I talked with Inushiki members Miyake Youhei [Vocal, Guitar], Mine Seitarou [Guitar], Ishiguro Shoji [Bass] and Kakinuma Kazunari [Drums] [...]

Swinging Popsicle

Swinging Popsicle

Formed in Japan in 1995, Swinging Popsicle‘s pop style showcases catchy guitar work as well as Fujishima Mineko’s emotional vocals and writing talents. Swinging Popsicle members are Fujishima Mineko [vocals], Shimada Osamu [guitar] and Hirata Hironobu [bass]. In May 2006, the band played for the first time in the USA in San Jose, CA. I [...]

Anatakikou [あなたきこう]

Anatakikou [あなたきこう]

Anatakikou’s light rock sound is understated class. Bringing together three musicians that are not only talented but comfortable producing music both acoustically or electronically. I talked with Anatakikou members Houjoh Masaki [Vocal, Guitar], Matsuura Masaki [Vocal, Guitar] and Fujii Toshimitsu [Drums, Vocal] about their overseas fans and the album Gradation’12. First, could you please introduce [...]

The Aprils [エイプリルズ]

The Aprils [エイプリルズ]

Catchy pop hooks, electronic and instrumental talents blend together to The Aprils produce a unique electro-pop sound. The Aprils hold nothing back in creating music that entertains and keeps you coming back for more. The Aprils members are Kentaro Imai [vocal, guitar, and more], Miho Iguchi [vocal, synthesizer] and Yuhki Shotokuji [drums]. I talked with [...]

Steve Laity (Guitar Vader)

Steve Laity (Guitar Vader)

Have you ever thought that some dreams might be a impossibility? Dare to dream big my friends because sometimes even the seemingly impossible may be in your future. At no time was this more evident than when interviewing Steve Laity the newest member and keyboard player of the rock band Guitar Vader. Where are you [...]

Poets of the Fall

Poets of the Fall

Up and coming, and ready to take the world by rock storm Poets of the Fall are a rock band formed in Helsinki, Finland, in 2003. Known for their rock and rock-alternative style of music. Poets of the Fall are also known as a band with an eclectic member mix; a rock singer, a jazz [...]

The Seven

The Seven

The Seven is the brainchild of musician, songwriter and producer Kevin A. Smith. The Seven‘s eclectic sound takes inspiration from many artists who step outside of the box. Like them, Kevin Smith takes delight in all music, pushing at the boundaries of what is perceived to be possible. Breaking away from the expected, The Seven [...]

The Captains

The Captains

The Captains’ nostalgia-with-a-twist sound is always fresh and original. Inspired by The Spiders and The Dynamites, the band’s 60s ‘Group Sounds’ style is a dynamic force to be experienced both live and on CD. I talked with The Captains‘ Kizuhiko [Guitar, Vocals], Hizashi [Guitar], Ted [Bass] and Yosuke [Drums] about the band’s influences, and the [...]

Mothercoat

Mothercoat

Mothercoat‘s instrumental-driven arrangements give their melodic rock style a rich and varied range of sound. Mothercoat members are Hitokazu Giga [Guitar, Vocals], Makoto Myojo [Guitar Chorus], Toki Imada [Bass, Chorus], Tomo Naito [Drums, Chorus] and Junpei Sugihara [sound Engineer]. I talked with mothercoat’s bassist Toki Imada about the band’s new album, Mama Manner, and their [...]

Rustin Hiatt

Rustin Hiatt

Inspired by Classical, Metal, Blues, and Jazz, Rustin Hiatt has been influenced by a diverse group of artists. Gleaning inspiration from such players as Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Tak Matsumoto, Steve Vai, Akira Takasaki, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. I recently spoke to Rustin Hiatt, an up and coming guitar virtuoso and songwriter. About [...]

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