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In the past year, the j-rock fandom has been growing tremendously, especially with the help of j-rock bands coming here, performing, and/or releasing work. There's Polysics, Duel Jewel, Psycho le Cemu, 54 Nude Honeys, Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, most recently L'Arc~en~Ciel, etc. How do you feel about this?

I have mixed feelings. I'm all for j-rock becoming popular and more people getting into it, it's not like I want to keep the bands I like to myself (sharing is caring :p). What I don't like are these 'convention bands'. It's like they're making it seem that all j-rock has to do with anime, which it obviously doesn't. Not only that, but it seems that they're mostly focusing on the visual kei bands. Sure, Camino performed at a few cons, but would you say there's more talk about them then Duel Jewel?

But then there are those bands who perform at venues that are completely cut off from cons, and those are the bands who's decisions I support. Actually, those are also the bands who's CDs are easier to find in the States then the con bands, so hooray for their management as well. Polysics have a decent-sized following in the US, and they never needed a convention for that. So I don't understand why L'Arc did what they did (but whatever~).

But yes. What are your opinions on this?

Well, I also have mixed feelings. I think you also missed a band that played here in Virginia -- BLOOD.

About two years ago, no one around here heard of j-rock. No one but me, and my best friend who didn't like it all that much in the first place. Now when I wear my Dir en Grey shirt to the arcade, I get little 11-year-olds coming up, screaming and yelling, "OH MY GOD KYO IS SOOOO HOT." Then I realized -- the j-rock American revolution has begun.

I think some lesser known bands should play at conventions because the large majority of anime fans are j-rock or j-pop fans, and it would be a good taste of something new. But if a popular band... [besides the ones already played in the US,] such as Dir en Grey or Moi Dix Mois played -- they would suddenly be exposed to all of these fangirls and such, more than they already are and would be FLOODED. I think 'popular' j-rock groups should play at regular concerts [yeah, right whee I can dream.] Their managers are out to make more money -- while the band probably just wants more fan base. It's also the same with anime, but that's another story.


I remember when there were rumors flying around that Dir en Grey and The Muderdolls were coming in concert here... -sigh-

Kaidan brings up a good point. I mentioned this on another message board, but what Utada is doing with her US single is just horrible for jmusic in America, I think. With lyrics like 'you're easy breezy and I'm Japanesey', it looks like her main selling point is going to be the fact that she's Japanese, not that she can sign and s**t. What we need here is not visual kei bands or people like Utada, we need serious musicians who's main focus is going to be the music that they produce, not what kind of people they are.

Rofl... I can't believe that's a lyric. *Goes to downlod* The quality of her music sure has gone down since Kingdom Hearts came out sad

J-rock coming out in comventions isn't too bad... The way I look at it it's the only chance I have to go to a live without going to Japan. I don't have a lot of money, so it's easier for me.

It is sad that more don't tour or anything, and hopefully more will in future.... I just hope I can catch a few good bands at some point... XD

I just want to be able to go somewhere and listen to good music surrounded by tons of other fans... If it has to be a con, I'm okay with it. I like anime too..... xp

It's because the bands that do independent tours, apart from anything anime-related, aren't part of the visual kei wave that's currently invading the InterWeb in America.

It's sad that a lot of Japanese music will only be seen as some extention of the growing anime craze in america.... and like so many other fads will pass with time. :/

I'm kind of on the line about whether Jrock bands should come to America or not. Playing at conventions is fine and all...But, chances are that the people that go to the "concerts" at conventions are only interested in seeing "the hott japanese bois". And I would rather they be appreciated for their music rather then their looks. Plus, there is always the chance that Jrock bands won't do so well in America. Like when Plastic Tree opened for Marilyn Manson and got booed off the stage ((This is information from a website, so don't go yelling at me if it's wrong, please ^^)). I think that the whole jrock experience would be cheapened by them coming to America. Of course I would go to see a band if I had the chance, since I'm probably not going to get a chance to go to Japan anytime soon. Plus, the bands might be a great hit at first, and everyone will like them. But, eventually, the craze will die off as soon as the "fangirls" get something pretty to look at. If the music is appreciated, then, by all means they should come here. If not, then it's not really worth it, is it?

(Kaidan-san, thank you for the news section, it's great ^^, I'm glad that deadman ((<3)) and Vidoll are releasing new albums and singles ^_^)