The Weekly Quickie: the Dice, Zonbi, SAKURA, Kuroyuri to Kage, HOLLOWGRAM, Anime Expo, The Mortal

Lineup changes everywhere!  Is it in the water?

It seems lineup changes are the thing this summer and we have another one for The Dice.  At their show earlier this month, vocalist MISS was conspicuously absent.  It has since been announced that he has officially left the group effective immediately.  The band will continue until August 21 with a support vocalist, after which they will take an activity pause.

The Weekly Quickie: LEZARD, Litchi Hikari Club, Nihilizm, GazettE, MIYAVI, VAMPS, BLITZ, Escapism, DECAYS

 It's Quickie time again!  Check out all those releases!

At their one-man live at Akasaka BLITZ, LEZARD announced the release of their first full length album, Tokagetchu, on July 15.  The album consists of six brand new tracks written exclusively for this album and will release in two versions:  Iiko version and Waruiko version.  Iiko version comes with a DVD with the PV, offshot, and 9 caligraphy videos while the Waruiko version comes with two additional original songs plus 5 bonus tracks of previously released singles. 

The Weekly Quickie: MORAN, Crimson Shiva, JILKA, WHITE JUDAS, ViX, Alice 9

I'm late, I know!  A-kon happened!  Better late than never, eh?  Well, sort of.  Looks like I'll be starting off with a stream of sucks, so hold on tight.

The first just announced yesterday and hit like an anvil.  Moran has announced their disbandment following their live on September 21.  After member losses and a planned hiatus, I guess it doesn't come as too big of a surprise, but it still hurts.  The band still has a one-man tour coming up, so make sure to support them until the end.

The Weekly Quickie: SEKAI NO OWARI, SuG, Zin, Slinger, BLITZ, SCREW, DRAFT KING

 Movies, conventions, and triumphant returns!  Oh my!

SEKAI NO OWARI have announced they will be supplying the theme song for both Attack on Titan live action films.  The first installment hits theatres August 1 and features the band's newest song, ANTI-HERO.  The song will release on the single of the same name on July 29.  The second movie, titled ATTACK ON TITAN End of the World, releases September 19.  No word yet on which song will grace the opening credits of this one, but I'm sure it will be killer.

The Weekly Quickie: Alice Nine, R-Shitei, My Bacteria Heat Island, Magromance, Kamijo, Vanikill, Kiyoharu, RE/V

Before I get started, today is Memorial Day here in the US, and I'd like to take a moment to thank all the soldiers and their families for their service to our country.  Your strength and sacrifice is deeply appreciated.



Starting this Quickie off with happy news!  Alice Nine has announced their official comeback with their 11th Anniversary live, Re:Birth, at Toyosu PIT on August 23.  What this means for their independent incarnation, A9, I'm not really sure, but it's exciting nonetheless.  Check out the announcement trailer and try not to squeal.

The Weekly Quickie: Momoiro Clover Z, MAN WITH A MISSION, LUNATIC FEST, GOLDEN BOMBER, MEJIBRAY, YETI

 Check it out!  One with no sucks!  ^^

Hold onto your pants, folks.  I've got a cool one for ya.  Just announced, Momoiro Clover Z will be performing at Anime Expo in LA July 2-5.  Not only that, Paul Stanley of KISS will be making a special guest appearance during the show.  You may remember, Momoiro Clover Z collaborated with KISS on their last single.  This is an event not to be missed.

The Weekly Quickie: Shibuya ga Taihen, RADWIMPS, Dir en grey, BREAKERZ, PLUS MAGIC, DIAWOLF, GUTS AND DEATH

 Tours, new releases and comebacks, oh my!

This week heralds the return of visual kei circuit event, Shibuya ga Taihen.  For those that aren't familiar, Shibuya ga Taihen is an annual music circuit that took place from 2009-2011.  This year's even will take place August 10 and span across five clubs:  Tsutaya O-EAST, Tsutaya O-WEST, Tsutaya O-NEST, Tsutaya O-CREST, and Shibuya MUSIC EXCHANGE.  Thought the lineup has not yet been announced, it promises over 50 visual kei bands, so there's bound to be a few you want to see.

The Weekly Quickie: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, BORN, Codomo Dragon, Jupiter, FACT, Dazzle Vision, Reno, More

Hey, guys!  I know I skipped a week, but....Welcome to Rockville happened ^^.  I'm going to try not to beat you over the head with old news and just stick to the good stuff.  There were TONS of new releases announced the last couple of weeks, so make sure to check that release calendar in the sidebar for updates.  Here we go!

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas have announced an overseas show along with the worldwide release of their music via iTunes.  The band will play Heart-Town Festival 2015 in Taiwan, which takes place August 7-9.  iTunes sales start April 29 and will include all 7 of their releases to date.  They also have a new limited single, titled 'Starburst,' releasing May 13 in two types.

The Weekly Quickie: Sadie, sads, BABYMETAL, moumoon, Tsukasa, Yousei Teikoku, DADAROMA, Shonen Knife

It's Monday, which means it's Quickie time!  What do you want first, the good news or the bad news?  Let's go with the bad news and get it out of the way, shall we?

This one's a real bummer.  Sadie has announced they will be going on hiatus following their live at Zepp Tokyo on September 21.  They have one last release and a tour before they go.  Voyage releases on May 27 and their tour, Never Ending Voyage -we never say good bye-, starts June 6 and will run through July 28. 

The Weekly Quickie: BREAKERZ, GACHARIC SPIN, G.L.A.M.S., Kerbera, VIVRA VIVRA, MICRO HEAD4NS, Liplich

It's another week, which means another quickie.  I've got some exciting stuff for you.

BREAKERZ announced their comeback not too long ago, and to sweeten the deal, they've made their comeback live completely free!  The live will take place on May 20 to coincide with their comeback single release, WE GO, but venue and further details have not yet been announced.

The Weekly Quickie: LUNA SEA, AN CAFE, ViViD, Yoshiki, Oneness, REALies, Acid Black Cherry, CELL

Spring is here and summer is rapidly approaching which means SUMMER FESTIVALS!  Visual kei veterans, LUNA SEA, have announced they will be taking part in their very own festival, Lunatic Fest, June 27-28 at Makuhari Messe.  No other acts have been announced as of yet, but you know it's going to be great.  Planning a summer vacation in Japan and want to attend?  No problem!  Tickets are available for purchase from overseas through their special ticketing system until April 20.

The Weekly Quickie: the Lotus, ViViD, VAMPS, Hizaki, Sukekiyo, nue

Yo, dude!  Check out my banner!  It's a pretty cool banner.  How much do you love it?

Okay, enough goofing off.  Down to business.  Good ol' PSC, the company we both love and love to hate.  They've brought us great bands like The Gazette, ViViD, Kagrra, and Miyavi just to name a few.  Now, they have created a new label together with Bellwood Records titled "Nouveau Parfum."  The concept is creating a 'new scent' within the scene of visual kei.  The first release, or rather releases, on this label will be LOTUS' three month "Providence" series.  Providence of Bionic releases April 8, Providence of Jesus May 13 and an as yet unnamed mini-album (I'm betting it has 'providence' in the title) in June.  I'm curious to see what exactly this new scent entails.  I'm thinking....lavender and hairspray.

The Weekly Quickie: Blood Stain Child, Golden Bomber, Plastic Tree, AvelCain, UNiTE, DaizyStripper, VAMPS, Lill

Blood Stain Child has been announced as the first musical guest for Oni-Con XII!  Oni-Con takes place at Galveston Island Convention Center on October 30-November 1.  It's only $35 for a weekend pass until April 1, so hurry up and pre-register. 

The Weekly Quickie: JILLED RAY, Kenji Furuya, Bar DraganoV, KAZHA, Shonen Knife, Perfume, Nocturnal Bloodlust, ALSDEAD, Dir en grey

Japan Visual TV will be hosting an appearance by the members of JILLED RAY on March 24.  Japan Visual TV streams live on YouTube and hosts a wide range of appearances and performances, so be sure to subscribe to their channel so you don't miss out.  The March 24 broadcast will include an appearance by the members of JILLED RAY as well as live footage from their one-man at Ikebukuro EDGE on March 6 so keep an eye on that countdown clock so you don't miss it.

The Weekly Quickie: Lycaon, Serah, SPELL BOX, AvelCain, Memento Mori, DIV, 5572320

Prepare yourselves, folks.  This was a week of sucks.  We'll start with the one that hit me the hardest, the disbandment of Lycaon.  This is a band that seemed like it was in it for the long haul.  They've been together seven years and seemed only on their way up, but they've decided they will disband after their live at Akasaka BLITZ on November 7.  The reasoning they've given is rather vague, saying simply 'this and that,' but they will work hard until the end and look forward to your support for their final one-man tour.

The Weekly Quickie: Royz, Glam Grammar, RevelZ, SuG, Black Gene for the Next Scene, A9, DIAWOLF

It seems Royz will be busy busy bees this year, starting with an Asian tour in April that will take them to South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.  Following the tour, they've announced the release of a new maxi-single, THE BEGINNING, on May 6 followed by a one-man 47 prefectures tour, 47th Beginners, starting May 11 through September 22.  In addition to the tour, they will hold a 6th Anniversary one-man at Namba Hatch on September 28.  Whew!  I'm exhausted just writing about it!

The Weekly Quickie: VAMPS, Cradle, Destrose, The 3rd Birthday, Greiva, Scapegoat, Kerbera

As if we didn't have enough to look forward to from VAMPS, they recently announced at their VAMPARK FEST performance that they will be joining Nikki Sixx as support for his SIXX:AM Modern Vintage Tour.  The tour will consist of 12 stops starting in April and will take them all over the US.  We've already got the dates and ticketing information up on our Events calendar, so go check them out.  They have also announced that their latest album, BLOODSUCKERS, will get an international release this March.  It releases March 23 in the UK and March 24 in the US and Japan.  The digital release goes up March 25 and preorders have already started, so make sure to get yours.

The Weekly Quickie: L'arc en ciel, EXILE, Fatima, Zonbi, GYZE, GARNiDELiA, Liplich

Legendary J-rock band L'arc en ciel have announced a live viewing opportunity for their documentary, Over The L'Arc-en-Ciel: DOCUMENTARY FILMS ~WORLD TOUR 2012~, in New York City.  The documentary follows their 14 stop, 20th anniversary tour from March 3 to May 31, 2012.  The viewing will be held March 1 at 3pm at Anthology Film Archives in New York City.  This is one showing only and seating is limited.  They will also be giving away a special gift to the first 50 guests, so show up early!

The Weekly Quickie: Hide, Vistlip, NoGod, amber gris, NOCTSCURE, xaa-xaa, HERO

 Legendary guitarist Hide turns 50 this year and, to celebrate, we will be treated with a documentary of his life.  Releasing this summer, 『JUNK STORY』will follow Hide's life and music as well as his continuing influence on music today.  In addition, a special 2015 edition of Hide Alive the Movie, originally released in 2013, will be showing in theaters throughout Japan.  The new version contains exclusive footage never seen before, so be sure to check that out.  Check the homepage for venues and showtimes.

The Weekly Quickie: Sukekiyo, Perfume, ViViD, Crossfaith, X-Japan, Yeti, ONE OK ROCK

Super group Sukekiyo will be holding a one-man performance in Shanghai, China.  The show is part of their national tour, The Unified Field, commemorating the release of their first mini-album, Vitium, and will take place on March 15.