Artist News
- I shared this on my Facebook page, but An Cafe have reformed and will be touring Europe at the end of the year. They start in Russia on 03/11/2012 and coming to London on 07/11/2012. An Cafe was one of my early introductions to Japanese music, so I hope I can find a live buddy to go with!
- Dolly will go on hiatus at the end of this year to work on their solo careers.
- Dragon Ash bassist Ikuzo “IKÜZÖNE” Baba passed away on 21/04/2012.
- LAZYgunsBRISKY will disband after their final live at Shimokitazawa GARDEN in Tokyo on 12/05/2012.
Music News
- There will be a third volume of CRUSH! V-Rock cover albums covering tracks from 90’s visual kei artists. CRUSH!3-90’s V-Rock best hit cover LOVE songs- is available from 27/06/2012. Amongst many brilliant tracks/artists, I love the thought of Inugami Circus-dan covering X JAPAN‘s Rusty Nail, and the session band including members from Guild, -OZ- and D. They’d be great tracks to play in a Neo Kei DJ set.
- BOOM BOOM SATELLITES will be releasing BROKEN MIRROR, the theme song for Mobile Suits Gundam UC episode 5, on 06/06/2012.
- BUCK-TICK have another tribute album due for release, this time fo their 25th anniversary. PARADE II -RESPECTIVE TRACKS OF BUCK -TICK is available from 04/07/2012 and will feature artists such as Acid Black Cherry, MUCC and MERRY.
- New wave group The Flickers will release their second mini-album WAVEMENT on 09/05/2012. Japanese New Wave? I like the sound of that!
- Golden Bomber will release their best of album The Golden Best internationally on 18/06/2012.
- LUNA SEA’s guitarist INORAN has his new album Dive youth, Sonik dive out on 27/06/2012.
- LM.C‘s newest album STRONG POP will be released in Europe on 04/05/2012.
- MIYAVI will release his new single on 11/07/2012. It’s tentative title is SAMURAI SESSION WORLD SERIES vol.2 – MIYAVI vs YUKSEK “DAY ONE” .
- Having toured the UK last year, jazz group mouse on the keys will release an unnamed mini-album on 18/07/2012.
- Amuro Namie has a new untitled album due on 27/06/2012.
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Johnny’s Entertainment band NEWS let their fans vote on the tracklisting for their best-of album, which closed on 30/04/2012. Further details about album title or release yet.
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Another anniversary now, as part of Plastic Tree‘s fifteenth anniversary they will release the single Kuchizuke will be out on 20/06/2012.
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Even with the news about Raphael’s revival, ex-members Yuki and Kazuhiro will release their new single Acacia under their duo name rice on 06/06/2012.
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The latest single from SCANDAL has been produced by ORANGE RANGE’s NAOTO. Taiyou Scandalous” is available from 11/07/2012.
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On 02/05/2012, SiM released their newest mini-album LiFE and DEATH. The special edition CD features artwork from manga artist Kaneko Atsushi.
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The first album from ViViD will be released on 27/06/2012. No news on the title yet, but it will feature all the singles since their major debut.
Live News
- Jazz singer Jazz singer JUJU performed on MTV Unplugged in New York’s Time Square, the first Japanese woman to have the honour (Ken Hirai was the first singer).
Neo Kei 