Mikeru On Japanese Music Today

Tomohisa Yamashita (山下 智久, Yamashita Tomohisa?, born April 9, 1985) is a Japanese idol, singer-songwriter and actor. He has been a member and the leader of the popular J-pop group NEWS since 2003 and has also achieved success as part of the unit Shuuji to Akira and as a solo artist. Yamashita graduated in September 2008 from Meiji University's faculty of commerce with a degree in marketing.

Tomohisa Yamashita
山下 智久
Born April 9, 1985 (1985-04-09) (age 24)
Origin Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
Genres J-pop
Years active 1996 (groups)
2006 (solo)
2007–present (groups)
Associated acts NEWS
Shuuji to Akira
Kitty GYM
No Border
4TOPS
B.I.G

Famous rock singer Kiyoharu has announced that both Kuroyume and SADS, his popular bands between the '90s and the '00s, are having revivals this year.

Kuroyume, formed in 1991, was one of the major forces in the early visual kei scene, influencing most prominent bands today including DIR EN GREY. SADS, which began activities in 1999, the same year that Kuroyume disbanded, shared the same success of the previous band, but with the vocalist emitting a different style and attitude.

It has been reported that Kuroyume, which already had a revival live last year at Nippon Budokan, is now recording a new album and that their official fan club, "DARKROOM", is set to be opened on February 9th. A new website, as well as an official MySpace page, have been opened.

SADS, on the other hand, have booked a new concert, which will also take place at Nippon Budokan on May 1st. A new album is scheduled to come out in July, and their official fan club "VIP", is starting on the same day as Kuroyume's, on February 9th.

Bump of Chicken (バンプ・オブ・チキン Banpu Obu Chikin) is a rock group from Sakura, Chiba, Japan. Their members are Fujiwara Motoo, Masukawa Hiroaki, Naoi Yoshifumi, and Masu Hideo. Since their inception in 1994, they have released fourteen singles and five albums. They are a popular group in Japan; every release since their third single, Tentai Kansoku, has charted in the top ten on the Oricon Weekly Charts. Their music has been used in various video games and as theme songs for movies and television shows in Japan.

Motoo Fujiwara （藤原基央）
Motoo Fujiwara is the composer, lyricist, guitar, and main vocalist of the group, also acting as the leader of the band. He has written most of the music, and has also drawn the artwork for their albums 'The Living Dead' and 'Yggdrasil'. He was born April 12, 1979 with blood type O. He enjoys doing laundry, cannot eat spicy foods, has poor eyesight, and enjoys playing the harmonica, which he bought for 300 yen. He also wants to be an unworldly man. In March 2006, he released a solo album titled "Song for Tales of the Abyss," which included "Karma" and instrumental versions of songs from the game Tales of the Abyss. Uses Gibson 1960 Les Paul Special Single Cutaway, Sonic fender, Gibson J-45.

Hiroaki Masukawa （増川弘明）
Hiroaki Masukawa is the guitarist of the group, and also writes most of the hidden joke tracks for albums. He was born December 20, 1979 with blood type A, and is left-handed. He is referred to as the shy member of the group, and calls himself pessimistic. His hobbies are largely anime and games. His nicknames within the band are "Hiro," "Hose," (meaning "very thin"), and "Nikke". Uses Gibson Les Paul Standard, Fender Stratocaster.

Yoshifumi Naoi （直井由文）
Yoshifumi Naoi is the bassist of the group, and is referred to as the "crowd pleaser". He was born October 9, 1979 with blood type A, and jokes that he "falls ill exactly four times a year." He also calls himself an anime and game otaku, and a "rare genius". His hobbies are photography and drawing; he has released an artbook containing his works, and helped with some of the album artwork. His nickname within the band is "Chama," a play on the Japanese phrase "Obotchama" referring to a rich family's son. Uses Sonic Bass, Fender Jazz Bass 65.

Hideo Masu （升秀夫）
Hideo Masu is the drummer for the band. He was born August 10, 1979 with blood type A, and describes himself as an introvert. He also mentions that he has good eyesight, cannot write kanji well, likes to go outdoors, and often gets headaches. Uses Canopus Maple Shell.

Mikeru On Japanese Music Today

Present : Teriyaki Boyz collection photo ^^

T.M.Revolution is the J-Pop solo project of Takanori Nishikawa. It began in 1996 with producer Daisuke Asakura.

T.M.Revolution stands for Takanori Makes Revolution, Takanori debuted as a solo artist with the release of the single "Dokusai -monopolize-" on May 13, 1996. It reached #28 on the Oricon charts. The single, "Heso Shukujo -venus-" was released two months later, and the debut album, "Makes Revolution" was released a month after that.

T.M.Revolution
Genres J-Pop, J-Rock
Labels Tofu Records
Epic Records

NTV has confirmed that popular group Arashi will have a new prime time show starting this spring. Tentatively titled "Arashi ni Shiyagare," the show will occupy the Saturday 10:00pm time slot left open by "Enta no Kamisama," which is ending in March.

The program is described as an improvised entertainment variety show. Each episode will feature a guest celebrity, but the members of Arashi will not be told in advance who the guest is nor what the guest will be doing on the show.

It appears that the main segment of the show will have a different guest each week to teach the Arashi members an entertainment skill in various fields, including comedy, rakugo, and kabuki. Called "The Set," this segment will take place on various "sets," such as a theater or kabuki stage.

"Arashi ni Shiyagare" premieres in April. Arashi already hosts two other shows during prime time.

Do As Infinity is a popular Japanese band which debuted on September 29, 1999 with the release of their first single, "Tangerine Dream". Their name is sometimes abbreviated as D.A.I., revealing that Do As Infinity was named after the band's guitarist and composer, Dai Nagao. With the release of their A-side compilation album Do the A-side, Do As Infinity disbanded on September 29, 2005, after a career which spanned six years, six albums, twenty singles, seven compilation albums and eight live DVDs. The band reformed on September 29, 2008, and had their first new single release, "∞1" in June 2009.

Van Tomiko
Birth name Van Tomiko (伴 都美子, Ban Tomiko?)
Also known as Ban-chan
Born January 9, 1979 (1979-01-09) (age 31)
Origin Yamato, Kumamoto, Japan
Genres J-pop, Rock, Jazz
Occupations Singer-songwriter

Ryo Owatari
(大渡 亮, Ōwatari Ryō??)
is a Japanese guitarist
born April 4, 1972
in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

Dai Nagao
(長尾 大?)
Birth name 長尾 大 (Nagao Dai)
Also known as D・A・I
Born March 28, 1971 (1971-03-28) (age 38)
Origin Chiba, Japan
Genres J-Pop

Wow, what a promotional event. To promote Wii game Samurai Warriors 3, Koei is pulling out all the stops. We already knew that Japanese superstar GACKT was involved. He ended up doing some voice acting for the title, but more importantly, he recorded both the theme song and the ending song for Samurai Warriors 3. Both songs were released as a single last month, and now the artist will be showing up at this festival to perform those songs live.

The two-day event, scheduled to take place on March 6 and 7 in Saitama, will be set as a scene from the Sengoku period (15th to 17th century Japan) to celebrate the country's history and culture, as well as the setting of the game. I've been to some pretty big promotional events for games, but 80k people and a concert by one of Japan's most popular musicians? Wow, Koei!

Alice Nine (アリス九號.?, or alicenine.) is a visual kei rock band from Japan. It was formed in 2004 and originally signed to PS Company, a sub-division of Free-Will. As of 2007, the band is signed to both PS Company and King Records in Japan, as well as to German label CLJ Records in Europe and has released three full-length records, along with several EPs, singles and DVDs.

favorite brand store : DIET BUTCHER SLIM SKIN、UNDER COVER、And A、Vivienne Westwood
favorite music : LUNASEA、KORN、Atari Teenage Riot、The Used、MUSE
blood type: O
Birth date : Jul.5th
height : 177cm
weight : 58kg
foot size : actual size is 26 but usually wear 27.
fragrance : BVLGARI black
my　phrase : WAKARUYoo (I feel that.)
Hobby : TV Game/shop for secondhand clothing ,and Coffee
strong point : long part
weak point : short part
something will never give up on. : sleeping hours
my boom : going to take a walk
my future enthusiasm : want to be the effective artist in nice way to the fans. I..ll work hard for that.

favorite brand store : effect, addidas
favorite music : post rock, something HOT
blood type: O
Birth date : May4th
height : 166cm
weight : 51Kg
foot size : 26cm
fragrance : None
my　phrase : IKERUDARO (Can you GO!?)
Hobby : go around to see the sight in Japan, photoes
strong point : never lie. easily get hot.
weak point : never lie. easily get hot.
something will never give up on. : my belief and Guiter.
my boom : skateboard ,collecting shoes
my future enthusiasm : I..ll go toward to the scene I..d never seen.

favorite brand store : GUCCI
favorite music : korn
blood type: O
Birth date : Sep.17th
height : 182cm
weight : 70kg
foot size : 26cm
fragrance : Burberry
my　phrase : MENDOKUSeeI (means bothersome..)
Hobby : skateboard/BMX
strong point : its secret
weak point : its secret
something will never give up on. : my beliefs
my boom : 長州小力(cho-shu-koriki)
my future enthusiasm :make 2008 the Alice Nine Year.

favorite brand store : NCYHAIT/abx
favorite music : UNDERWORLD/downy/NUMBER GIRL/and the music with a hot & a floaty sound.
blood type: AB
Birth date : Jun.24th
height : 175cm
weight : 55kg
foot size : 27.0cm
fragrance : DOLCE&GABBANA
my phrase : OKUSAN!(Maam !)
Hobby : walk with a dog.
strong point : bearable on pain. very patient.
weak point : my weirdness
something will never give up on. : something I proud of.
my boom : clothing
my future enthusiasm : go over my limit. view things widely

favorite brand store : PATRICK COX、RUPERT
favorite music : alternative music
blood type: A
Birth date : Jul.31st
height : 170cm
weight : 53Kg
foot size : 26.0cm
fragrance : BVLGARI BLACK、BVLGARI BLUE
my phrase : wa-ka-ru-(I know, understand)
Hobby : HIKIKOMORI
strong point : my strong point could be my weak pointﾉ
weak point : and those my weak points could be my strong pointsﾉ
something will never give up on. : my　time in HIKIKOMORI
my boom : Onii-kei　（mature looking)
my future enthusiasm : I..ll go crazy untill I almost choked with my ardency !

Mikeru On Japanese Music Today

Present : Ai Otsuka collection photo ^^

Natsumi Abe (安倍 なつみ, Abe Natsumi?), born August 10, 1981 in Muroran, Hokkaidō, Japan, is a Japanese singer and actress, and a former member of Morning Musume.

Natsumi Abe
安倍 なつみ
Also known as Nacchi
Born August 10, 1981 (1981-08-10) (age 28)
Origin Muroran, Hokkaidō, Japan
Genres Japanese pop
Occupations Singer

アイドルユニット「ＡＫＢ48」が、シルク・ドゥ・ソレイユ「ＺＥＤ（ゼッド）」を鑑賞後、演目に挑戦した。学割チケット「学チケ」の発売を記念したもので、バトンを機敏にコントロールする“バトン”、ラッソロープと呼ばれる投げ縄を巧みに操る“ラッソ”の2つに果敢に挑んだ。プロデューサー秋元康氏が見守る中、ゼッドのアーティストに指導されながら臨んだメンバーだったが、一朝一夕でクリアできるわけもなく四苦八苦。あらためてアーティストのパフォーマンスのすごさ、努力を実感したメンバーは、「私たちも感動を届けられるステージを作らなきゃ」と奮起していた。 出席者：ＡＫＢ48（秋元才加、板野友美、大島優子、小嶋陽菜、高橋みなみ、宮澤佐江　ほか）、秋元康 【動画はこちら】（2010/01/28）

LM.C (or Lovely-Mocochang.com in long-form) is a Japanese visual kei band, playing a hybrid of rock and electronic pop (branded New Century Electrock by the band), that consists of two members.

Mikeru On Japanese Music Today

Present :  High and Mighty Color collection photo ^^

3nin Matsuri (三人祭?) is the Hello! Project 2001 shuffle group consisting of Rika Ishikawa and Ai Kago of Morning Musume, along with Aya Matsuura. The name 3nin Matsuri literally translates to "3-person Festival".

Rika Ishikawa
石川 梨華
Also known as Rika-chan, Rikacchi, Charmy
Born January 19, 1985 (1985-01-19) (age 25)
Origin Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
Genres Japanese pop
Occupations Singer, actress

Ai Kago
加護 亜依
Also known as Aibon, Kago-chan
Born February 7, 1988 (1988-02-07) (age 21)
Origin Yamatotakada, Nara, Japan
Genres J-pop
Occupations Singer, actress, author

Aya Matsuura
松浦 亜弥
Also known as Ayaya
Born June 25, 1986 (1986-06-25) (age 23)
Origin Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
Genres Japanese pop
Occupations Singer, actress, model

Pop singer Ai Otsuka will release footage from her sixth anniversary celebrations on DVD and Blu-ray, due to be out on March 17.

Tentatively titled as [LOVE IS BORN] ~6th Anniversary 2009~＋Documentary, the DVD will include all the nineteen songs and approximately 170 minutes of live footage from Otsuka's birthday concert held at Hibiya Yagaidai Ongakudou on August 12th, 2009.

A second disc is also planned to be included in the release, featuring Ai Otsuka's first documentary, which covers three whole months of her activities, and also extra scenes that have not yet been unveiled, with a total of about 90 minutes of footage. The first press of the release will also come with a special package and a booklet in the form of a poster.

Takayuki Ishikawa (石川貴之 born June 4, 1975), also known as dj TAKA, is a Japanese musician, best known for his contribution to Konami's Bemani series.[ he began to work as composer for Namco in the early 1990's, then, he was hired by Konami. His productions are mainly trance music. He has worked with other Bemani artists, such as Taku Sakakibara and Jun Wakita, using the aliases OutPhase and iconoclasm, respectively.[citation needed] His other aliases include TAKA, Lion MUSASHI (used in House songs), D.J.Setup (used in Psychedelic songs), Risk Junk (used in Happy Hardcore songs), and D.J. Amuro (used in "A", "AA", and 冥).

Takayuki Ishikawa
Also known as dj Taka, TAKA, Lion MUSASHI, D.J.Setup, Risk Junk, D.J. Amuro
Origin Japan
Genres Trance, Progressive Electronic

Visual kei band the Underneath, formerly known as Transtic Nerve, have broken the news that they will be disbanding in March.

In an announcement on their official website, the Underneath thanked their fans for all their support over the last 13 years and to show their gratitude will be performing one final tour called THE UNDERNEATH LAST LIVE TOUR 2010 " LAST SCENE ". The last live will be at Shibuya O-West on May 3rd.

In addition to the final tour, the band will release one final single, Diamond, on March 17th.

Ami Suzuki (鈴木亜美, Suzuki Ami?, born February 9, 1982) is a female singer, songwriter, actress and dancer from Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

Having been discovered at a Sony Music Entertainment Japan audition, Suzuki was one of the most popular female singers as an idol in the late 1990s. However, in 2000 Suzuki faced legal problems with her management company. In 2005, she signed onto Avex Trax and released "Delightful", a dance song that reached No. 3 on the Japanese Oricon charts. Her current style of music, similar to electronic, is vastly different from when she first became a musician.

Ami Suzuki
鈴木 亜美
Birth name Suzuki Ami
鈴木 亜美
(surname, Suzuki)
Also known as Ami-Go (あみ～ゴ?)
Born February 9, 1982 (1982-02-09) (age 27)
Origin Zama, Kanagawa, Japan
Genres J-Pop, Trance, Eurodance, Electronica, Eurobeat, Dance-pop, Electronic dance music
Occupations singer-songwriter, actress, dancer, model
Instruments Vocals, guitar, piano

Mikeru On Japanese Music Today

Present : Yui collection photo ^^