SciFi Japan

    Music

    Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Special Thanks to Jim Yeager and Roberta Silverman Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, will present the U.S. concert debut of the anime-inspired heavy metal band, ANIMETAL USA, when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012. ANIMETAL USA promises to take AX by storm with its furious combination of classic and original anime music, metallic riffs, solos, powerful vocals and futuristic make-up and costumes. As Official Guests of Honor, the band will also participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and a focus panel. The phrase "metal super group" was custom-made for ANIMETAL USA whose members include singer Mike Vescera (Obsession/ex-Loudness), bassist Rudy Sarzo (Blue Öyster

    Music

    Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Official Site: am2con.org Special Thanks to Chase Wang ­The Right Stuf/Nozomi brings additional screenings to this year¹s highly anticipated summer event, AM², that will be held in sunny Anaheim, California from June 15-17, 2012. Screening titles include REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA, DIRTY PAIR: The Original TV Series, RENTAL MAGICA and SOUND OF THE SKY. In addition, Bay Area active live anime & vocaloid singer, performer, and lyricist Yukie Dong to perform on the Summer Festival stage! More info and convention registration can be found at am2con.org. "There is something for everyone at June 15-17, 2012," states Convention Representative Chase Wang, "Get your Passports today and join the fun!" Screening titles include: REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA (??????? Shojo Kakumei

    Music

    Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Official Site: am2con.org Special Thanks to Chase Wang Fans of Japanese music are fully aware of the amazing musical groups that was brought to the U.S. by the most anticipated anime, manga and music Summer convention, AM², and will flock to purchase 3-Day Passports for the upcoming 2012 event held June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Hilton as random attendees will be awarded two (2) tickets for one of the upcoming STEREOPONY U.S. Tour concerts! More info can be found at am2con.org. STEREOPONY is a Japanese all-girl rock band that formed in Okinawa in 2007 and will be attending their first Sakura-Con. Consisting of AIMI (Vocal/Guitar), NOHANA (Bass), and SHIHO (Drums) the band gained their first opportunity on the Japanese rock radio program SCHOOL OF LOCK!

    The Japanese rock band L`Arc~en~Ciel has released their new album, BUTTERFLY. © Maverick D.C.

    Music

    Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Official Site: LArc-en-Ciel.com Special Thanks to Chase Wang BUTTERFLY, the long-awaited new album from one of the most celebrated Japanese rock bands, L`Arc~en~Ciel, has been released in North America (U.S.), Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico via iTunes. Described by Kerrang! as "The biggest band you`ve never heard of", L`Arc~en~Ciel has sold over 40 million records and will also return to the U.S. in 2012, for the 2nd time in 20 years, on March 25th with a historic performance at New York`s legendary Madison Square Garden. BUTTERFLY will include the band`s 20th L`Anniversary single "X X X" (Kiss, Kiss, Kiss) and "CHASE", all six singles since 2008`s including "DRINK IT DOWN" as well as three new songs. The album also includes hit song "GOOD LUCK MY WAY" as featured in the movie version of the iconic and highly

    Music

    World’s First Virtual Pop Idol Will Be Featured in a Special One-Night-Only Event Source: MediaLab press release Special Thanks to Erik Jansen Live Viewing Japan, a distribution company focused on bringing Japanese entertainment media to an international audience, has announced that it will stage a very special one-night-only Hatsune Miku event simultaneously in nine major U.S. cities on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 7:00pm (local time). Hatsune Miku Live Party 2011 39`s LIVE in SAPPORO (originally organized by 5bp Inc. in August, 2011) will screen a live concert performance of Hatsune Miku in movie theaters in select markets. More information about this exclusive one-night-only event is available at liveviewing.jp/009_mikupa.html. The cities that will host the Hatsune Miku event include:

    A woman discovers that an old love has been reincarnated as a Kappa in UNDERWATER LOVE- A PINK MUSICAL. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2011 Rapid Eye Movies

    Music

    Sex, Music, and Monsters in Zany New German/Japanese Movie Source: Third Window Films press release Official Movie Site: facebook.com/pinkmusical, thirdwindowfilms.com/underwater-love (UK) Special Thanks to Claire Marty On October 16th, British label Third Window Films will be hosting the UK premiere party for UNDERWATER LOVE- A PINK MUSICAL (??????, Onna no Kappa, 2011). Produced by Germany’s Rapid Eye Movies and Japan’s Kokuei Company, the film is a zany and whimsical tale of the romance between a woman and a sea creature. UNDERWATER LOVE was directed by pink-film veteran Shinji Imaoka (LUNCH BOX, FROG SONG), shot by Christopher Doyle – the famed cinematographer behind HERO and countless films by Wong Kar Wai – and was shot in 5 ½ days, one take only. It features an original score (in Japanese!) by the new wave/synth pop/punk rock/lo-fi, multi-lingual French-German duo Stereo Total. The movie promises to

    The hot new Japanese indie group, Galileo Galilei. © 2011 SME Records Inc.

    Music

    CONTROL TOWER Inspired by and Named After Song by Indie Teenage Sensation Galileo Galilei Source: Twisted PR press release Official Movie Site: galileogalilei.jp/eiga (Japan) Special Thanks to Tom Smith Hokkaido’s hottest new talent, Galileo Galilei, prepares for success in Britain as a film inspired by their music gets its European premier at London’s Raindance Film Festival 2011 on 9 October. The four-piece indie-rock group blasted into the mainstream after dominating Japan’s ‘Senkou Riot’ teenage talent festival. Since then, their debut single has surpassed one million download sales and their first major label album gained top five success in the country’s Weekly Oricon Album chart. Now, a film named after the first song they ever wrote, CONTROL TOWER (???, Kanseitou, 2011), sets to capture the emotion behind the chords and translate the lyrics’ message in a medium that transcends the language barrier. Upon first

    Cover art for SEKIRANUN GRAFFITI. Image courtesy of MediaLab. © 2011 Supercell/ Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Inc.

    Music

    Brand New EP SEKIRANUN GRAFFITI Now Available from Sony Music Direct on iTunes and Amazon Source: MediaLab press release Official Site: facebook.com/supercell.JPN Special Thanks to Erik Jansen Following up the release of its first full-length record in the U.S., Sony Music Direct (Japan), Inc., a division of Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Inc., has announced the U.S. release of a brand new EP by the Japanese pop artist/group, Ryo (Supercell). The new release, SEKIRANUN GRAFFITI, is available now exclusively on iTunes and Amazon and features vocals from Hatsune Miku, the world’s first virtual pop diva. The EP’s title track, “SEKIRANUN GRAFFITI” (SEKIRANUN means Thundercloud), is also the theme music to the latest Hatsune Miku PROJECT DIVA arcade console game and video game for the PSP, which will be released in Japan this fall. The release also contains the new single, “Fallin` Fallin` Fallin’,” which was composed by

    Yuji Koseki`s soundtrack to the original MOTHRA is being re-issued in a new 2 CD collection. © 1961 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Music

    Classic Toho Soundtrack Re-mastered in a Deluxe Edition Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Source: Toho Music Store Special Thanks to Mike Temple and Ed Godziszewski Over the last two years, Toho Music has begun reissuing some of their non-Godzilla related special effects film scores in deluxe packaging with re-mastered sound. Joining the already re-released soundtracks to THE THREE TREAURES (Nippon Tanjo, 1959) and THE MYSTERIANS/BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE (Chikyu Boeigun, 1957/Uchu Daisenso, 1959) is Yuji Koseki’s score to MOTHRA (Mosura, 1961), released as a dual disc set at the end of July. Fan response to the reissues has been very positive with most noting upgrades in sound quality. The last time MOTHRA was issued on CD was in 1995 (SLCS-5064). This new edition will no doubt benefit from fifteen years of advancement in sound preservation technology, with the first disc containing a reissue of

    A framed set of Godzilla movie pin badges is just one of several new Toho-themed collectibles being promoted by former FX director Koichi Kawakita. © 2010 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Music

    Author: Ed Godziszewski Official Site: KK DeAgostini Japan Although retired from filmmaking, Koichi Kawakita (FX director of the Godzilla series from 1989-1995) has managed to find a new way to stay in the public eye these days, promoting a series of products related to Toho special effects films. In January he appeared at Super Festival, introducing two new books concerning the Godzilla films, the DVD of ZERO FIGHTER (Ozora no Samurai, 1976), and some miscellaneous goods. Then in February he was at Wonder Festival promoting a garage kit replica of the Oxygen Destroyer from GODZILLA (Gojira, 1954). And since late last year, he has been doing interviews in the booklets for each of DeAgostini`s DVD book releases of Toho special effects films. In Volume 18 of this Toho SFX DVD Collection series (DESTROY ALL MONSTERS), issued during May, Kawakita appears promoting even more

    Advertisement for the GODZILLA SOUNDTRACK PERFECT COLLECTION, including the newly released sixth and final volume. © 2010 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Music

    The Final Box Set in the Series is Released Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Source: Toho Music Store Official Website: Toho Music Back in 2004, during Godzilla’s 50th Anniversary, Toho Music Announced they would be reissuing all the Godzilla soundtracks remastered in a series of box sets, each limited to 1,954 pressings of each (to commemorate the year of the original Godzilla). What fans didn’t know was just how long it would take for them to be released. The first set went on sale September 20th, 2004 and was highly regarded for its improved sonics, especially on the 1954 disc. Box 2 came a short few months later in December, during the release of GODZILLA FINAL WARS. Box 3 followed in April of 2005, around the same time as the release of the GODZILLA FINAL BOX which contained all 28 movies on DVD. What followed then was

    Music

    Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press releases Official Site: anime-expo.org Special Thanks to Kimberly Groomes Anime Expo, the nation’s largest anime/manga convention, begins tomorrow and runs through July 4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. Check out the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan for full details on AX 2010, and enjoy these final updates regarding expo guests and events... GUESTS OF HONOR Musical group RSP comes to Anime Expo to celebrate their involvement with the popular anime, BLEACH, and is scheduled to perform live in Nokia Plaza L.A. Live on July 1 at 1:00 p.m. RSP, or Real Street Performance, is a Japanese pop group made of members Ai and Saki. The group has released several fan-favorite singles, including "A Street

    Music

    Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press releases Official Site: anime-expo.org Material Compiled by Kyle Byrd Special Thanks to Kimberly Groomes Located in Los Angeles, CA, Anime Expo is the nation’s largest anime/manga convention. The event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2010 will be held July 1 – July 4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. Attendees, Press and Industry Members are invited to view the video coverage site of the 2009 convention at AXBackstage.org and to register for the 2010 convention at anime-expo.org. This year`s Anime Expo is offering several interesting

    La La Land Records` GODZILLA 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION SOUNDTRACK CD is going out of print this month. Photo courtesy of La La Land Records. © 1954 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Music

    Fantastic Release from 2004 about to be Deleted from Catalog Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Source: La La Land Records Special Thanks to Mark Banning La La Land Records has made the announcement on their website that their great 2004 release of Akira Ifukube’s career defining score for GODZILLA (Gojira aka; Godzilla, King of the Monsters, 1954) is going out of print on March 31st. There are reportedly less than 120 copies left in their inventory so fans who missed out on this when it initially came out would do well to act fast. Another great incentive to purchase this CD is that it’s price has been reduced to $4.98! La La Land’s release boasts a significant upgrade in sound quality and is a no-brainer alternative for fans who cannot afford to track down a rather expensive copy imported from Japan. The only Japanese import still in

    Cover for the new soundtrack CD ZATOICHI – THE BEST CUTS (1967- 1973). Cover design © 2009 La La Land Records. © Katsu Productions

    Music

    Music from the Classic Blind Swordsman Films from Toho and Daiei Source: La La Land Records press release Special thanks to Philip Garnecki ZATOICHI – THE BEST CUTS (1967-1973): LIMITED EDITION Music by Shigeru Ikeno, Akira Ifukube, Isao Tomita and Kunihiko Murai Limited Edition of 1500 Units NOW SHIPPING RETAIL PRICE: $19.98 LLLCD 1102 Presenting the original soundtrack music from Toho`s legendary "blind swordsman" series of ZATOICHI feature films. Famed GODZILLA composer Akira Ifukube, along with Shigeru Ikeno, Isao Tomita and Kunihiko Murai, provide the influential music on ZATOCHI – THE BEST CUTS (1967-1973): LIMITED EDITION, a compilation of dynamic original recordings from the ZATOCIHI films released between 1967-1973. This compilation was assembled from remastered elements from the Toho Studios` vaults. In-depth liner notes by Randall Larson take you behind the scenes of The Blind Swordsman and his musical legacy. A Limited Edition of 1500 Units.

    Music

    Japanese Version of Website Launched; MORNING MUSUME Announced as First Official Guests of Honor Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press releases Official Site: anime-expo.org Special Thanks to Chase Wang Located in Los Angeles, CA, Anime Expo is the nation’s largest anime/manga convention. The event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2009 will be held July 2 – July 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. Attendees, Press and Industry Members are invited to view the video coverage site of the 2008 convention at AXBackstage.org and to register for the 2009 convention at anime-expo.org. In addition, the

    Our demon on wheels, Speed Racer! ©2008 Tatsunoko Productions and Speed Racer Enterprises.

    Music

    The Music of SPEED RACER, Then and Now Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Special Thanks to Bob Johnson Nobuyoshi Koshibe interview translated by Shino Sumida Contents: THE MUSIC OF SPEED RACER THEN INTERVIEW: COMPOSER NOBUYOSHI KOSHIBE THE MUSIC OF SPEED RACER NOW If you were to ask any number of people, be they fans or non-fans, what they know and remember about SPEED RACER the most, chances are they will recall the great theme song which started each episode. In fact, the jingle has become so famous that to have anything Speed Racer related without it would be like having James Bond without the famous John Barry theme. Famous for its whirling beginning representative of a speed engine and catchy lyrics, the song is a recognizable and enjoyable piece of pop-culture. Here we will take a closer look at

    GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II © 1993 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Music

    Latest news on the next Godzilla CD collection Author: James Ballard Official Website: Toho Music Following the release of the GODZILLA SOUNDTRACK PERFECT COLLECTION BOX 4 in October 2006, Toho Music have at long last decided that the release date for GODZILLA SOUNDTRACK PERFECT COLLECTION BOX 5 will be January 31st 2008. Altogether there will be 9 CDs in the set, with a list price of 10,500 Yen (approx US$90.) Pre-orders will begin early in the new year. The CD set will cover the music from the films GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II (Gojira tai Mekagojira, 1993), GODZILLA VS. SPACEGODZILLA (Gojira tai Supeesugojira, 1994), GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH (Gojira tai Desutoroia, 1995) and GODZILLA 2000 (Gojira Ni-Sen Mireniamu, 1999). Also included is the first performance of the "SF Symphonic Fantasia" (1983) and "Ostinato", both re-issues of discs previously released by King Record. GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II - DISC

    CD cover art for THE MONSTER PROJECT. © 2006 The Monster Project

    Music

    Eclectic Rock Arrangements of Classic Godzilla and Monster Themes Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Source: The Monster Project Special Thanks to Bob Johnson Well now this is something that you certainly don’t hear very much. THE MONSTER PROJECT is a collection of rock arrangements of classic monster music, most of which is dedicated to the music of Godzilla. According to the group’s website, The Monster Project is a progressive rock outfit of seven people from New York City and presents faithful arrangements of classic monster movie scores. The group apparently had a short life, only performing between 2005 and 2006 before dissolving. Somewhere in that timeline, they managed to record this 65 minute album of material they had performed. So just what does THE MONSTER PROJECT offer? Well that certainly depends on your taste and if you can accept eclectic rock arrangements of the music you know and

    Front and back cover art for La-La Land Records` GODZILLA: LIMITED EDITION 2 CD Set. © 1998 TriStar Pictures/ Toho Co., Ltd.

    Music

    La-La Land Records Brings the Long Unreleased Score to Disc Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Official Site: La-La Land Records, David Arnold.com Special Thanks to Robert Saint John In the history of Godzilla fandom, there are few events that had as much of an impact on the image and perception of Godzilla globally than the release of TriStar’s “remake” in 1998. Before the movie was released, it seemed everyone wanted a piece of Godzilla. His name was in high demand…books, newly released DVDs, VHS, toys…the licensing rights to the name GODZILLA were being sought after by everyone. Memorial Day that year came and went and all that changed. Instead of giving the fans something to be proud of and the general public something worth their $6.50 (my how the times have changed in nine years), what we got was a virtual master class in how not to make

    Page 4 of 5

    SciFi Japan
    Copyright © 2024 | SCIFI JAPAN
    © 2024 Your Company. All Rights Reserved. Designed By JoomShaper