Instore report

We weren't as nervous as we were for the Shinjuku event, so the talk went a lot smoother than last time. I still hate going first in a round of questions; I like time to think. Maybe it's just because the Shinjuku Zeal Link is in Marui One, but it's so much nicer than the one in Shibuya, which is in an older building. The white background just seemed a bit lonely, and it was dark and I couldn't see the back of the room, where my manager was standing, as well as the dude reading the questions! I have a hard time following along if I can't see the speaker's face. :(

That said, it went well, I think. Lots of new faces, lots of regulars we recognized... wanna give a shout-out to my California girls, who have already commented on the older entry, and the seriously cool-looking, really nice French dude who was the lone male in the crowd. There was one Japanese guy in the audience at the Shinjuku event, too, so that's neat.

The picture part of the event took a long time, and quite a few of the girls bought another ticket so they could go through two or three times, so it was quite tiring, but it was neat to be able to do that, and to see just how devoted these wonderful people are to these three silly guys. O_o

Looking forward to the 1-Day Alice and the Pirates Employee day!

st

off to the studio!

instore in da booya

Haven't had much to say lately.

I met Mr. Nishikawa and saw an ABS show. I can't express just how amazing they are. He really has the best voice. Fantastic sound all around. Haven't enjoyed a show like that in a long time. Bassist was terrific! Ikuo?

Go see 'em if you can, no matter what you think of their records.

On 11/22, Chemical Pictures will be working at the Alice and the Pirates boutique in Harajuku Laforet! We'll be manning the registers, helping shoppers, taking pictures with customers... awesome. Haha.

Whee〜ちっす♪

Rittai

On 9/23 at Rokumeikan, we actually shot a video.

In 3-D.

Some sort of newfangled Blu-Ray thing, with sturdy plastic glasses. Still, I've had a thing for 3-D movies since Captain Eo as a kid. Kitschy novelty, but still neat, right?

This hasn't been used by a lot of musicians. In the entire world, at this point in time, the only artists who have done this kind of 3D concert filming are Michael Jackson, U2, Yumi Matsutoya aka Yuming, and Chemical Pictures.

At this point the company is using it sort of as a tech demo...the technology has practical uses but they wanted to show us off too to give an idea of entertainment options that aren't movies.

...and such and so forth

neat :D

TOE-MAY-HAN

1/16＠Nagoya HeartLandStudio
open16:30/start17:00
adv 3200/door 3700
with/SEX-ANDROID、Hana Shounen Baddies、NoGoD、Sandwich de 120ppun?、Tokyo Heroes

1/24＠ESAKA MUSE
open16:30/start17:00
adv 3200/door 3700
with/SEX-ANDROID、Hana Shounen Baddies、NoGoD、Guruguru Eigakan、Jully

1/31＠Omotesando FAB
open16:30/start17:00
adv 3200/door 3700
with/SEX-ANDROID、Hana Shounen Baddies、NoGoD、Tokyo Heroes、Jully

tourin' with mah dawgs nogod again awwright

What I Am Listening To Way Too Much These Days and it's All Joe's Fault

Perfume. Tons of Perfume. Shh, I will not be embarrassed by this! It's my commuter music. It has the ability to genuinely brighten my day without being cloyingly sweet and annoying, despite the fact that it makes no attempt to claim that it is anything more than it is. Members, songs, lyrics, and choreography alike are planted firmly in the 'refreshingly sweet' category without being that special brand of sickeningly Japanese "cute" nor erotic sexiness without a purpose.

Love The World, One Room Disco, of course Polyrhythm make the journey with me along with Twinkle Twinkle Powder Snow, Chocolate Disco, Secret Secret, and it makes me feel like things are going to be okay. No need for angry music as a cathartic tool, as even thinking anger out is enough to turn it into a habit; no need to force myself into a smile with comedy albums I've heard dozens of times by now; just some plain, fun electro dance music does the trick.
The ladies themselves are sort of known over here as being not exactly the prettiest of pop acts, and while Joe bucks that trend and adores them all, I fell instantly for the short-haired one after I saw the Nocchi-only version of Macaroni. Very, very much in love with the old home movie vibe of that one. (Hey, now that Kaela's dating Eita, I've gotta find some other celebrity crush now don't I?)



The other is The Reign of Kindo, a jazz-indie-rock band from New York. Some niggling element of their sound almost reminds me of The Pax Cecilia, that NY band that would send their album to you for free via post anywhere in the world (I got one :3), though not nearly as stark, dense, or despairing. It also reminds me a bit of The Deer Hunter in its lushness and the earnestness of the singer, but the crispness of the production and the musicianship on display here is amazing. It occupies a comfortable seat at the edge of accessible, as the loose, flowing jazz brush paints with strokes of pop and rock. I also do not hear individuals on the songs; I hear an ensemble, even with the singer involved. Emo-jazz? I dunno, it's just what I need right now.

I don't typically like linking to myspace, but all the songs I would have recommended are on that playlist. Leave it on in the background or be absorbed into the mix, whatever you like. Call me a blasphemer but I find that their cover of "Do You Realize" is far, far preferable to the original Flaming Lips'.


More examples of my questionable taste in music at a later date.

Already comin' back

Chemical Pictures is playing the Undercode New Year's countdown event at Shinjuku no not there why would i say that dont ever listen to me Kinema Club.
And then the Osaka-Nagoya-Tokyo tour in January.

p. much awesome

Shinjuku in-store

My first one, but fun and interesting.

Oh, we're going on tour in January. ;)

goooo

ready for instore〜

1st present

Madness.

A koala eating money.

Madness!

From Joe♪

brief bday report

I couldn't have asked for a better, more unorthodox birthday.

Steve announced it was my birthday before the 1st encore, which was neat. At the uchiage afterward, they had a cake ready for me, and I was really moved. And there were two hardcore CP fans at the Steve show with presents for me! That really got me.

Joe and Tenten came to the show as well and really enjoyed themselves immensely; they and the Steve band got along great, and Steve was so kind to them.

And then, all the amazing messages from you and from Japanese fans... I really am stunned into silence even now. I have nothing to say but thank you, thank you, thank you.

Images, then Words

It's difficult to express just how amazing this whole tour experience was. I am completely exhausted right now, but at no point was it ever difficult. It was pure fun the whole time.

And a lot of that had to do with how well the management and tour staff worked with us, how easy it is to work with Steve, and how JJ brought the band together.

I'm sure there are dozens of other way more amazing bassists to be had, so I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity.

oh

There's a gear feature interview with yours truly in the new issue of Askew Magazine, which can be downloaded for free, so go check that out!

i talk a lot

HB

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEEEEEEE

BIRTHDAAAAAAAY

uh-oh someone found out about an event we are supposedly going to be at before the time we said we'd come back as cp, oops （●ω●）

Picture Spam 2

Lots of travelling and lots of sammiches, none of which have been as good as the one I made in Osaka.

They say Nagoya girls aren't known for their beauty, but I still managed to fall in love every few minutes. And I am a needlessly and undeservedly picky boy.

Typhoon's comin' in.

Also coming in tomorrow is MY BIRTHDAY I will be 2X years old (・ω・)

picture spam 1

Shoulda brought my laptop along (does anyone even say laptop anymore?), since these days there's free Wi-Fi EVERYWHERE, even backstage at live houses!

really?

In Osaka... made a kickin' sammich. Quattro is cooool.

Haha look who came.

omotesandwich

Today was...wild. In an almost-flying-off-the-rails-but-still-good way.

I'll be home at midnight or so, then off to Osaka at 7 in the morning, so I'll write more on the Shinkansen. Otsukare!

Fabulous

Today is Omotesando FAB with Inugami Circus Dan and others and also comedians.

Shiun is playing with us, and it's Schwarz's final show.

Off to the office!

st

Studio w/Steve, JJ, Toma, and new drum. Ryo's currently on Miyavi's world tour so he can't be with us.

Setlist has changed 4 times in 24 hrs.

Whee〜

drummm

Our drummer for tomorrow will be Shiun, formerly of Scissor. Great guy. :)