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.
Right smack in the middle of their run with Nikki Sixx on SIXX:AM's Modern Vintage tour, VAMPS made a quick stop in Florida to perform in Monster Energy's Loudest Month series, rocking the stage during Ft. Rock in Ft. Meyers and Welcome to Rockville in Jacksonville. I caught up with Hyde and KAZ after their smoking set in Jacksonville on April 24 and, with the help of translator, Hiroki, chatted about touring with an American legend, performing in a foreign country and vampire evolution.
You guys have been playing a LOT lately. You’ve been very very busy. Do you do anything special to stay in shape, maintain your voice, anything like that?
H: We have kind of a hard time, of course. With the one man tour we get kind of tired, but everyday something new happens and it’s kind of refreshing.
Speaking of new things, Nikki Sixx recently played VAMPARK in Japan with you guys and now you are opening for him on his SIXX:AM Modern Vintage Tour. How did that come about?
H: Nikki knows that I’m a big fan of Motley Crue and Nikki Sixx. We recently had a big gig in Japan called VAMPARK Festival and we supported SIXX:AM and helped them get into the Japanese market. Now, we are with SIXX:AM because they are trying to give back for what we did for them.
Have you enjoyed our coverage so far? Want to see more shots of the action? Head over to our Facebook page and check out the album featuring tons of photos you won't see anywhere else. And, while you're at it, hit that Like button so you don't miss part two!
Check out all our photos from VAMPS Universal International / Delicious Deli Records at Welcome To Rockville!!Part 1...
The Welcome to Rockville experience was, as you may have already heard, full of ups and downs. Day one was fraught with inclement weather which saw the entire crowd of almost 70,000 people evacuated no less than twice. Everyone was ordered to either go back to their cars or huddle with the masses under a nearby overpass until the storm cleared. Chants of “rain or shine” could be heard throughout the crowd as social media blew up with complaints tagged #WelcometoRainville from people desperate to see their favorite bands and even demanding refunds. I personally experienced only the later of the two evacuations and, honestly, it was a bit frightening. Between the angry people and the ominous black clouds looming overhead, there were moments where I feared for our safety; but after about an hour, the storm passed and we were allowed back into the park which was, by now, more like a mud pit. The storm had whole areas washed out and moving from one part to the next required waders.
Band performance times were released today for the fifth annual Monster Energy Welcome To Rockville, April 25 & 26 at Jacksonville, Florida's scenic Metropolitan Park along the St. Johns River. The powerful rock lineup includes Slipknot, Korn, Godsmack, Marilyn Manson, Slayer, Ministry, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, Breaking Benjamin, Papa Roach, Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless, Of Mice & Men and many more.
General Admission and VIP tickets for Monster Energy Welcome To Rockville are on sale now at www.WelcomeToRockvilleFestival.com, with limited quantities available. A limited number of tickets are also available at select MetroPCS and Firehouse Subs locations with no service fees. A very limited number of Aloft hotel packages can still be purchased at www.WelcomeToRockvilleFestival.com. All other hotel packages are sold out.
Performance times for Monster Energy Welcome To Rockville are as follows (subject to change):
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.
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.
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.
Monster Energy is kicking of it's World's Loudest Month festival series with Welcome to Rockville in Jacksonville, Florida's Metropolitan Park on April 25-26. They will be hosting an all-star lineup of heavy rock acts including Slipknot, Korn, Godsmack, Marilyn Manson, Slayer, Ministry and many, many more. Beyond music, the festival features autograph signings, interactive experiences and a Monster Energy VIP area including beverage sampling and exclusive gourmet food options.
Speaking of unique experiences, Welcome to Rockville has added Tequila World to this year's festival. This area features a Mexican fiesta theme, serving a wide range of tequilas, margaritas and tacos, as well as performances from Metalachi, the world's first and only heavy metal mariachi band. Admission to this area is free to festival goers 21 and up.
All this is well and good, but this is a Jrock blog. Why do we care? Because, in addition to an already epic lineup, Japanese superstars VAMPS will be crossing the ocean to rock the stage! Hyde and KAZ will be bringing Sex, Blood and Rock and Roll to all three Monster events, Welcome to Rockville, Fort Rock and Rock on the Range. So, mark your calendars, Bloodsuckers. This is an opportunity you don't want to miss.
Tickets for all events are currently in presale and prices go up the closer we get to the event, so don't wait. Check the links below for details and ticketing information.
This week, it's all about the lives! Starting with Kamijo who announced a world tour including two US dates in LA and New York. The tour celebrates his 20th year making music and includes music from Versailles, Lareine, and New Sodmy as well as his solo work. Keep an eye on his homepage for dates and ticketing information.
Cool news for our friends in Tailand! ONE OK ROCK's new documentary FOOL COOL ROCK, releasing on November 12, will be playing on the big screen! For two days only, October 18-19, the documentary will be playing at Paragon Cineplex, Siam Paragon, Bangkok for two showings per day. This is a great opportunity to check it out before it releases, so don't miss it!
It's almost Halloween! So, guess what that means. It's VAMPS Halloween Party time again! This year's party, spanning over two weekends and five days, will include performances from DAIGO, Momoiro Clover Z, Kishidan, Tommy heavenly6, May J. SID, Nogizaka46, MUCC, Silent Siren, Golden Bomber and, of course, VAMPS. The first three days will be at Makuhari Messe Oct 17-19 and the final two days at Kobe World Hall Oct 25-26. The party will also feature performances by the special live band, Halloween Junky Orchestra, made up of performers of all participating groups. This is going to be VERY cool, so if you happen to be in the area, you should really check it out. If you need to purchase tickets from overseas, they are available at NEXUS Ticket Center.
