I've been asleep...

...much like the music scene has been back home it seems.

Hmm I see that Papa Roach and Disturbed are still doing music. Boring! To be honest I have yet to fully listen to the new Guns n' Roses album. I know, I know I should have been all over that shit. An album 15 years in the making is definititely worth a listen whether you care about the band or not. I really admire the band (aka Axl) for sticking with the album title. You would think after 15 years you would get sick of hearing "Chinese Democracy" over and over again. Kudos to you Mr. Rose, kudos!

Another album I haven't had a chance to check out is AC/DC's Black Ice. Although I must note that I am downloading both as I type this.

Even though I recieve about 10 different music news e-mails each week I could care less about 80% of most of the content. The most recent Loudside newsletter introduced me to an interesting band though. In This Moment. Metal with a female vocalist. What I like the most is the intense screaming vocals Maria lets out. It sounds like her vocals chords are literally shredding. If they ever come through Tokyo and the price is right, I'll be there to see this chick rip shit up. I heart chicks that can rip shit up (Fuck The Facts, Kilbourne). The best part is Maria does it in pretty little dresses. Awesome! Check it out!



Fuck The Facts


My show attendance has been low lately because I've been so busy and exhausted from work but I was able to make it to the International Rockstar Taste of Chaos (why does everything have to be sponsored? It makes the names needlessly long.) Anyway here's some footage I put together from the show. Atreyu, who I was most excited for cancelled but Story of the Year were sick and As I Lay Dying killed!!!



Death Cab For Cutie are coming in February I do believe, Beck in March and Punkspring 09 is happening in April, so I'll be checkin' those out for sure. Check out the line-up for Punkspring, it's like my dream show except Anti-Flag is not on the roster.

Madina Lake
Oreskaband
Runner Runner
9mm Parabellum Bullet
The Blackout
The Damned
Mindless Self-Indulgence
**The Flatliners
**Sum 41
**Marky Ramone
**Misery Signals
**Bad Religion (fuck you fuckers who got to see them in Moncton ;)
**NOFX (fuck all you same fuckers)
**Less Than Jake (...and again)
**Rise Against (...and yet again)

Plus more that aren't listed. Fingers are crossed for Maximum The Hormone. SICK, SICK line-up!! The price isn't sick though. 90 bucks, but it's an all day thing so worth it? I suppose so but if this show were in Canada it would probably only be 60 bucks. Oh well, it's Tokyo, it can't be helped.

So that's that. Until next time, rock out with yer cock out! If I had one I would!

Banana

Oh Kanye...

I love Kanye West, he's a great artist which is why I can't understand why he has to synthesize the vocals on his new single "Love Lockdown". Why Kanye, why? Just sing, don't adjust anything. Stop trying to ruin a good thing.

Those were the days...

Not only am I listening to tons of sappy emo pop lately but because I'm currently reading "Fargo Rock City" by Chuck Klosterman I've been listening to tons of 80's metal. Oh yes, I'm bringing it ALL back, Skid Row, Cinderella, the Crue. Actually it's pretty fun listening to all the stuff that my cousins used to listen to which eventually made me crazy for music. The sad thing is that I still remember ALL of the lyrics.


But ya know what? Those metal/glam bands really had a way with words particularly when it came to love songs or ballads. Swooooon! How much heaving petting do you think was had with Motley Crues "Without You" as the soundtrack or Guns n' Roses' "November Rain"? I don't know exactly but I can guess that it was a lot. There's probably a million girls who can say that they lost their virginity while listening to "Every Rose Has It's Thorn". Hell, I'm sure half of that million lost it to Bret Michaels while listening to that song. I mean c'mon who could resist that <---

The more I look at these guys the more I'm reminded of 20 something Japanese guys. They have so many things in common with 80's hair metal rockers:

• Big complicated hair
• Tight pants
• Make-up
• Lots of accessories.
  

So the mystery has been solved once and for all, 20 something Japanese guys get all their fashion ideas/tips from washed up 80's hair metal rockers. Interesting. I guess Japan isn't as far into the future as we all thought.


Until next time, don't take fashion tips from washed up 80's hair metal rockers.

Banana-ator

I'm a Huge Sap...

Lately I've been a huge sucker for anything with an acoustic guitar or piano particularly accompanied by female vocals. I can't remember how I found her but a favorite of mine lately has been Missy Higgins. Raw, emotional just amazing.

And tonight as I was searching youtube for a video for Death Cab For Cutie's I Will Follow You Into The Dark I stumbled across Kina Grannis, an extremely talent young female with a voice so amazing it sends chills down my spine. It's girls like Kina and Missy (and Trez) that motivate me to pick up the guitar that's sitting in a corner in my apartment and inspire me to become a better singer and I thank them for it.


I know I'll never be in a hardcore band like one of my heros (above) but I will learn to write songs, become a better singer and maybe eventually grow big enough balls to perform said songs in public or at least at jam parties.

Thanks ladies!

Banana

At the stroke of midnight...

...I will be publicly hanged.

The shame, oh the shame. I'm embarrassed to even admit this but tonight I was unable to identify a band as... The Tragically Hip. Hit me with all you got! I deserve it! I should have my citizenship revoked. I should not be allowed to call myself Canadian.


To make up for it I'm going to listen to nothing but The Tragically Hip for the next 24 hours.

Wow Japan you've really done a number on me. Yes, I'm blaming my stupidity on living in Japan. There's no other logical explanation.

I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy.

The Tragically Pathetic Banana

Throw ya handz in da ai-ya!

I may not be a huge hip-hop fan but I still like some of it. I recently came across a great track by Canadian hip-hopper, Shad (aka Shadrach Kabango) who I've never heard of up to this point. What I like about Shad is the simplicity. He doesn't over complicate his songs with ridiculous beats, they're just simple and catchy.

Check him out.

Shad - The Old Prince Still Lives At Home

Home Town Rockstar

My friend Jonnie sent me the link to his bands video premiere the other day and I honestly felt like a proud mother. For as long as I've known Jonnie, making a career from music has been his soul purpose in life and he's finally well on his way with Age of Daze. I've been told that "Afflicted" is currently on light rotation on Much Music (Canada's music station) and of course the single has been heavily played on Fredericton's local rock radio 105.3 The Fox.

Official Afflicted Video


I just want to, once again, say congrats to my buddy. I <3 you!

Banana