Tag - j-rock

 
 

J ROCK

Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 4, 2016
Just say Yes to a new generation of prog rockers
Few rock bands from the 1960s are still going strong today, and fewer still have been as musically adventurous as prog rockers Yes. Formed in London in 1968, the outfit has survived numerous lineup changes, but the death last year of bassist Chris Squire left an especially large hole in the group after 47 years of his punchy, melodic basslines.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Nov 27, 2016
Alabama Shakes take a risk that pays off in 'Sound & Color'
With their blended appearance and a sound steeped in soul yet born of the millennial rock scene, Alabama Shakes could symbolize a post-racial dream that, as the recent U.S. election shows, remains a work in progress.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / STRANGE BOUTIQUE
Nov 27, 2016
A reading list for Japan's music scene
Sometime in the spring of 2014, a friend of mine who works for a small publishing company asked if I would write a book about the Japanese music scene for him.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Nov 20, 2016
Ogre You Asshole flirts with tension on latest album
The members of Ogre You Asshole are bracing for something. At least, that's what the title of their seventh album, "Handoru o Hanasu Mae Ni" ("Before Letting Go of the Handle") suggests. (The album's official English title is the less tense "Everythingsomethingnothing.")
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 7, 2016
Hard Rock betting Japan will OK casinos, plans 'major investment'
Hard Rock Cafe International Inc. is prepared to make a "major investment" in Japan as lawmakers propose to renew the debate on legalizing casinos in the country.
CULTURE / Music / STRANGE BOUTIQUE
Oct 30, 2016
Mama's Tattoo event pushes women to write new narratives
Deep in Tokyo's indie music hub of Shimokitazawa, the twin venues of Three and Basement Bar often play host to some of the most diverse and offbeat expressions of Japan's underground music culture.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 17, 2016
Dylan surpassed Whitman as the American poet
Bob Dylan has surpassed Walt Whitman as the defining American artist, celebrating the capacity for self-invention as the highest form of freedom.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 9, 2016
Crypt City turns into the alt-rock supergroup we didn't see coming
Despite what his mammoth bass guitar sound may suggest, rock band Crypt City bassist Kentaro Nakao is comically self-deprecating at times.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 14, 2016
Dinosaur Jr. to bring Tokyo a glimpse of life in 'ear-bleeding country'
Lou Barlow is looking forward to his trip back to Japan. It's the cuisine, more than anything that has him anticipating his return to the country, but it's not what you might think.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 5, 2016
Bombon fuses equal rights themes and a surf rock sound
A bit of Southern California cool hits Tokyo this week when Bombon — an all-female surf rock outfit comprised of guitarist Angela Ramos, bassist Paloma Banuelos and drummer Jerico Campbell — arrives in Japan for its first overseas tour.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 2, 2016
From Tokyo to Fuji Rock to Ulaanbaatar, every crowd is different for Roth Bart Baron
When the power cut out during Roth Bart Baron's debut Fuji Rock performance last month, its members knew exactly how to improvise.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 31, 2016
The fun we had at Fuji Rock 2016
One of Japan's oldest large-scale rock festivals celebrated 20 years of operation this July. Here's a curated collection of the fun that was had in the mountains of Niigata.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 29, 2016
Babymetal, Beck and Boredoms bring strong sets to Fuji Rock's 20th birthday bash
"This is Fuji Rock No. 20," said Beck Hansen, lounging against the drum kit at the end of his hit-laden Saturday night set at this year's Fuji Rock Festival. "Twenty years goes in the blink of an eye, so I think we need to just take a moment here to appreciate ... take this in."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 23, 2016
20th Fuji Rock kicks off with a bang
Day one of Fuji Rock Festival 2016 is finished. The weather was great, and so were the two main acts on the Green Stage, Sigur Ros and James Blake. Beck and Wilco play tonight and it looks like clear skies again. Follow the Japan Times’ live blog at jtfuji.tumblr.com and on Instagram, and read about the history of Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 21, 2016
Fuji Rock Festival celebrates 20 years
Who doesn't love an anniversary? For couples it's about rekindling moments of first love, for many nations it's about marking a significant moment in history. Anniversaries are, for the most part, true celebrations.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 17, 2016
Babymetal is having a really good year
In the run-up to Fuji Rock Festival, the event's digital team will post video messages on YouTube from performers that are slated to play at the three-day gathering in the mountains of Niigata Prefecture. They tend to get, on average, around 1,000 views. This fact has held true for this year's batch of clips, which find domestic staples such as Denki Groove (1,923 views) and non-Japanese headliners such as Sigur Ros (548 views) wishing the festival all the best on its 20th anniversary.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 17, 2016
With more than 220 acts at Fuji Rock, planning your schedule in advance is crucial
There will be 223 acts performing at this year's Fuji Rock Festival. Planning out your schedule in advance is recommended, traveling to and from the stages can eat up precious time. Here's the route that I'm considering.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 17, 2016
Slot Machine plans to show Fuji fans how Thailand rocks
Thailand has been a destination for Asian artists looking to expand their markets. From J-rock to K-pop, fans in Bangkok have been able to listen to their fill. Rock band Slot Machine wants this to be a two-way conversation and the members say they'll begin it this year by being the first Thai band to play a major stage at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 10, 2016
Bo Ningen: 'We're Japanese, but a London band'
Though seasoned music festival veterans overseas, the four members of British rock band Bo Ningen had never been to a Japanese event until Fuji Rock in 2013.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 10, 2016
Fuji Rock's green thumb is here for good
Anyone who makes the trek out to the mountains of Naeba for the annual Fuji Rock Festival will tell you two things, apart from that they had a great time: It rains, and it's clean for an event of such enormous scale. But it's not completely sterile.

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