[Apple Pro Underwear]

I know a lot of folks here reside in Japan or happen to know a lot...

So after watching Kill Bill, I was slightly impressed by the "5,6,7, 8s". They sounded really fun. I have noticed that i often like the pop rock soundtracks on Anime I rented from Netflix. What makes them different for me is that in America, a band has to have no baggage of being "commercial" or "selling out" and appealing to "teenie boppers" before people like them. I myself have found it very limiting and kind of tiring trying to find decent artists.

The Japanese appear to not worry about it as much. It appears they focus on sound and having fun rather than their image.

So please reccomend me some bands and how to purchase them. I am looking for bands that are not "hard", no screaming, rapping, or really pushing the envelope of japanese rock. I am looking for a fun, guitar based, catchy, well-crafted album.

[I suppose I would want a commercial hit rather than indie, because since I dont know the language a commercial artist would better suit me]

THANKS!!!

[bubblewrap]

Shonen Knife.

[Apple Pro Underwear]

Originally posted by bubblewrap:
Shonen Knife.

they did the powerpuff girls theme right?

[Scifience]

Originally posted by bubblewrap:
Shonen Knife.

I've never liked their stuff that much, though I do know someone who was associated with them for a while.

You might want to listen to internet radio for a bit and see what you like. http://www.japanaradio.com/ is decent.

As far as where to purchase, Amazon.co.jp works, but you have to be able to read and write (er, type) the language. Their prices are usually good compared to buying it from American-based sites. Expect to pay around $18-20 for 3-Day shipping, or around $7-10 for surface (4-6 weeks) shipping, so big orders are better than small ones if you want to save on shipping costs.

You can try eBay, but you're likely to find more bootlegs than anything else.

If you feel like paying through the roof, but getting an authentic CD, you can try the regular Amazon.com. $60-70 vs. $15-40 for a CD, but at least you'll qualify for "Free Suepr Saver Shipping!"

Another interesting fact about Japanese CDs is that they often include a DVD with music videos, etc. This will, of course, invariably be a region 2 DVD, and will require a hacked or region free DVD player.

In any case, have fun, and PM me if you want samples of some stuff. I've got a 350GB collection.

[Scifience]

Originally posted by Apple Pro Underwear:
they did the powerpuff girls theme right?

Yep. Some of their English stuff is on iTunes, in fact.

[d4nth3m4n]

DMBQ. no idea where to find it.

[Cubeoid]

Originally posted by Apple Pro Underwear:
I am looking for bands that are not "hard", no screaming, rapping, or really pushing the envelope of japanese rock. I am looking for a fun, guitar based, catchy, well-crafted album.

I was all ready to reccomend my favorite J-rock band to you, than I read the no screaming bit, which all about ranks out "Michelle Gun Elephant". These guys enjoy screaming and they kick ass at it too, especially the lead singer Chiba Yuuske. I'm not a big fan of Rock, most of my life I've been glued to hip-hop, but when I heard these guys, the rock lover in me awoke. They rock, even if you can't understand what they sing about you can't helped being moved, the music is amazing, beautiful melodies. You should still check em out.

I have one more which is probably right up your alley. I borrowed this CD from my friend while living in Tokyo because I liked the cover. Had no idea what the music was, but as soon as I spun it, I couldn't stop for the next few days. Very beautiful music, with beautiful words, nice and mellow, yet powerful. But get this, I don't even know their name. I couldn't read the characters on the cover. I found the album on Amazon JP, I hope you enjoy it.

http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/...750852-7636224

I hope dear wataru the kanji lord can help us out with the band name

[paully dub]

The only thing japanese i have is some cheesy enka although I love, love Kitajima Saburo. That guy has some pipes, and his stuff has a lovely James Bond theme song kinda vibe going. I usually blast Yosaku and his wobbling voice shakes the windows.

But yeah, I could use some good recent stuff too as it's been a few years since I was over there.

[wataru]

The band Cubeoid posted is Magokoro Brothers. I've never heard of them.

I highly recommend The Brilliant Green and Do As Infinity. If you can take a little hip hop, try m-flo and Halcali.

Also good are Shiina Ringo (now in the group Tokyo Jihen) and Cocco (not to be confused with Coco). Orange Range is a rap/rock group that's popular (but I think they're overrated). With a little stretching of the imagination, Hamasaki Ayumi could be considered rock. Zard is good old-school '80s rock.

[Scifience]

Originally posted by Cubeoid:
I hope dear wataru the kanji lord can help us out with the band name

If I'm reading it right, it roughly means "Sincerity Brothers." I'm not an expert in kanji, though.

I hadn't heard of them, I might pick up the CD and see how it is.

[forkies]

my co-workers are CrAzY about orange range. pm me & i can send you a dl link...

[macroy]

A&E has this musical program on sunday mornings.... and they had these two brothers that really rock... while playing traditional japanese..uh the guitar lookings. Have no idea who they are.... but I hear they're really big in Japan. Maybe someone can clue me in on them?

[wataru]

The Yoshida Brothers play the shamisen in more modern musical styles.

[forkies]

Originally posted by wataru:
The Yoshida Brothers play the shamisen in more modern musical styles.

hey, that ****'s pretty good, thanks! i'll rent it at tsutaya next time i'm there

[macroy]

Originally posted by wataru:
The Yoshida Brothers play the shamisen in more modern musical styles.

Ah yes. That's it. They were pretty awsome. Thanks wataru.

[Millennium]

The Japanese appear to not worry about it as much. It appears they focus on sound and having fun rather than their image.

The Japanese music industry is even more screwed up than the American one, particularly where image is concerned. It's just that going "commercial" isn't seen as negative. Several rather impressive anime have been made about this, in fact, because many voice-actors in Japan also sing. Graviatation and Zetsuai/Bronze are particularly good examples, though should be aware that the former is shounen-ai and the latter is outright yaoi. In other words, Gravitation features male/male relationships, and Zetsuai/Bronze gets explicit about it.

So please reccomend me some bands and how to purchase them.

Two particularly popular bands right now are Two-Mix and Asian Kung-Fu Generation. Two-Mix does a lot of music for the Gundam anime series, particularly Gundam Wing. Asian Kung-Fu Generation has recently done openings for Fullmetal Alchemist and Naruto (the fourth and second openings, respectively). I don't know of any dealers who sell their music in the US, but you can find legitimate CDs for sale at http://www.cdjapan.co.jp.

Another popular group from the past is L'Arc-en-Ciel. They recently got back together and did the second opening for Fullmetal Alchemist. They've actually released an album in the US, entitled Smile; it is released through Tofu Records. If you want to get into J-pop, this is probably the easiest CD to get a hold of.

I am looking for bands that are not "hard", no screaming, rapping, or really pushing the envelope of japanese rock. I am looking for a fun, guitar based, catchy, well-crafted album.

Asian Kung-Fu Generation does do a little screaming and rapping, but this isn't the focus of their music. Give them a shot anyway; I think you'd like them.

[wataru]

A friend of mine more familiar with L'arc says that actually they're not popular anymore at all; that's why they've been doing anime conventions in America--only American anime nerds can stand them.

[BasketofPuppies]

The Pillows (The punk band responsible for most of the music in Fooly Cooly.)

Geneon Anime Music picked up the North American distribution rights to its albums. The first one, Penalty Life, will be available on May 3.

Until then, there are two Fooly Cooly soundtracks available in this part of the world. Most of the vocals are missing and many of the songs are shortened, but it should tide you over until May.

Either that or pay ridiculous prices for Japanese import Pillows albums.

[Apple Pro Underwear]

Originally posted by Millennium:
The Japanese music industry is even more screwed up than the American one, particularly where image is concerned. It's just that going "commercial" isn't seen as negative.

that may be true...

but it's not my drama. i won't ever question my taste in music by wondering... "is this cool?.

i am tired of this ****. i listened to the Killers album and i loved it from the first song. the next day i'm asking my friends and co-workers for background info to see if they are cool. i am tired of this american shyt.

[Apple Pro Underwear]

so far, scifience has hooked me up with some tracks...

i like puffy ami yumi the best out of his sampler.

they seem to be available on amazon too!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...c&n=507846