'Agrand collision of two Japanese subcultures -- anime and Japanese indie music," was one blogger's take on FanimeCon 2006, the biggest anime convention in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The indie bands were there because this year, among the 24-hour anime screenings, gaming and cosplay events and a panel offering advice on how to talk to girls, convention organizers were looking for a cheaper alternative to the visual-kei bands and J-pop acts usually found on anime film soundtracks and invited to perform at such events.

The push from inside Fanime for something different was welcome news to JapanFiles.com, a fast-growing Web site featuring downloads from alternative Japanese bands.