Thursday nights at 11 pm (Japan time) on Niconico Douga is “Ninja Slayer from Animation” featuring the program we create, “The TV Show!” Tomorrow night, May 14, 2015 will be the 5th episode of the show.
Here is the direct link for the show so you can go directly to the correct URL and watch it live tomorrow night. Try either link!
The second week, we featured the Grindcore artist known the world over as Melt Banana! This was another very special show as these guys rarely appear on TV.
Taro and Mina with Melt Banana
Melt Banana is some very hard core and radical stuff. Don’t believe me. Check it for yourself!
At Robot55 we make video productions for businesses and services and products, but we also pride ourselves on making videos for art and music. Our starting price is ¥70,000 and we are sure we can work out something that fits your budget. Oh, and we love making band videos too! Contact us! contact@robot55.jp
Welcome back to Top 3 Videos. The Top New Artist Videos for the week of May 11, 2015. And do I ever have some hot videos for you guys and girls today!
First up today, or should I say, “First OFF! today”? Is a rock band from Los Angeles that’s been around since 2009. Wikipedia says,
“Off! was formed in Los Angeles, California in late 2009 by Circle Jerks/Black Flag singer Keith Morris, Burning Brides frontman Dimitri Coats, Redd Kross bassist Steven Shane McDonald, and Rocket From The Crypt/Hot Snakes drummer Mario Rubalcaba.”
The Circle Jerks were a seminal punk band from the late 1970s Los Angeles punk boom. So you know these guys aren’t youngsters. My band, the Rotters, played with them a few times. The first time was at Brendan Mullen’s “The Masque.” I think it was the Germs and the Circle Jerks headlining. We were one of the very first opening bands – you know, the cool bands start at 7 pm – we were on at 5 pm or something – and the only people there at that time were the cleaning ladies and the guys sweeping the parking lot.
This video is hilarious. It is the birthday celebration for lead singer Keith Morris’ 59th birthday. For that birthday, he wants the band to go sky diving. Jack Black stars as a hardcore deranged skydiving coach who takes the guys up in the plane. The trip takes a horrifying, gory and very bloody turn when the LSD kicks in.
Next up is a new “Garage punk power pop Rockn’Roll” group named Titty Twister from Fukuoka in Kyushu, Japan. Titty Twister are: Howlin’ Kimiko on guitar and vocals, Dee Dee Kyoko on guitar, Maddaddy Shu on drums and Akichang on bass. Here’s their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Titty-Twister/187768281258674?fref=ts
And, next up today is a “Punk/Rock/Stuff” band from Beaumont, Texas that we’ve featured before. Their name is Purple. They feaure; Taylor Busby (guitar/vocals), Hanna Brewer (drums/vocals), Joe “Prankster” Cannariato (bass guitar). Here’s their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/purpletexasmusic
Finally, today’s freebie. Here’s a delightful band from Tokyo, Japan named the Watanabes but with a twist! This is what Wikipedia says:
“The Watanabes are a Tokyo based indie pop rock band with members from the UK and Japan. Their jangly alt pop sound has drawn comparisons to melody driven indie acts such as Belle and Sebastian, Teenage Fan Club, Crowded House and 1980’s Liverpool band The Pale Fountains, while their lyrics often touch upon their experiences in Japan… their soft acoustic melodies make an easier comparison to other British bands such as The Beatles or The Kooks… The band are fronted by British brothers Duncan and Selwyn Walsh on vocals and guitar.”
ARTISTS! HELP! SEND US YOUR VIDEOS (Links on Youtube!)
Also these Top 3 Video posts are sometimes getting tens of thousands of hits per week. Need proof? Do a Google Search for “Top 3 Videos” or “Top New Artists Videos” and you’ll see Robot55 on page one blowing away MTV, Billboard Magazine, Billboard, Niconico Douga and all the rest.
Help us reach a bigger audience!Surely, this sort of Internet based countdown is the future of reaching a mass audience. Need more proof? Please refer to: Data on Young People in Japan Show Extremely Difficult Times Coming for Old Media (robot55.jp/blog/data-on-young-people-in-japan-show-extremely-difficult-times-coming-for-old-media/)
At Robot55 we make video productions for businesses and services and products, but we also pride ourselves on making videos for art and music. Our starting price is ¥70,000 and we are sure we can work out something that fits your budget. Oh, and we love making band videos too! Contact us! contact@robot55.jp
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Kadokawa, once of Japan’s biggest publishers has sent out a press release. They are extremely pleased to announce that more than one million people in Japan watched the debut show of “Ninja Slayer From Animation” and “The TV Show in the first week. “The TV Show” is the program that introduces the rock artists who perform the opening and ending themes for the animation. It is the show that we produce and that I created along with Ken Nishikawa and Motoyoshi Tai. The show is hosted by Furukawa Taro and Mina Shirakawa.
I thank the staff and everyone involved and especially the fans for the support. Thank you all so very much!
At Robot55 we make video productions for businesses and services and products, but we also pride ourselves on making videos for art and music. Our starting price is ¥70,000 and we are sure we can work out something that fits your budget. Oh, and we love making band videos too! Contact us! contact@robot55.jp
(Top image: This wonderful image of a man resides on the side of a dilapidated building in Sangenjyaya. As you can see, the wood the image is painted upon is falling apart. At least I was able to take one photo. This is marvelous! What a waste that it isn’t being preserved.)
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I walk around Tokyo all the time (Duh! I live here). I always carry my smart phone or a video camera. I take photos of interesting things I see.
It’s almost Japan’s Golden Week vacation so I thought I’d share my photo’s on my semi-annual “Photo Dump of Cool Stuff Around Tokyo!” If you are looking for photos of Tokyo Tower or Asakusa or the usual Tokyo fun spots, you won’t find them here. This is a photo dump from some of the back streets and alleys around town.
I’ve posted some photos here with my comments. Hope you enjoy them! I think these things are cool and they actually have another message for people who visit; just like the vending machines that are everywhere in Tokyo and yet no one breaks them or steals them…
This is an E.T. that is standing outside a small restaurant in Motosumiyoshi on the Toyoko Line.
Is it a bike or a car? I don’t know but it’s cool and was parked right by the train station where I live.
This girl was walking along in Setagaya-Ku and I saw her coat in the early morning. It says, “I can act to bad girl.” The longer explanation was even more convoluted.
“Adult Convenience”? I guess it’s kind of like a 7-11 convenience store. I also guess that the only thing really in common with a convenience store is that this place, besides daily goods, also sells batteries.
This was at my favorite sushi place. I guess one of the young staff who aspires to be a manga artist drew this at work. Not bad, but pretty typical, I guess…. Look who’s talking! Much better than I could do!
Kevin Riley, Alpha Geek from Osaka, says, “The dude with the antlers is Sento-kun. He’s the symbol of Nara. (This is the renewal version with shinto priest’s gear.)
The fattest cat in Japan. Maneki Neko is what they call these. They sit at the front of restaurants and establishments beckoning customers to come in and spend money. This is, by far, the fattest one I’ve ever seen. I guess that means he is REALLY lucky!
This guy was standing out in front of an eyeglass shop called, “Megane Drug.” I guess it’s like a drug store (like the previous convenience store – it has everything to do with eye glasses.)
Finally, here’s a statue of a nice old butler that resides outside of a small coffee shop near Hanzomon station. This statue is standing there outside everyday, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in downtown Tokyo and no one vandalizes it or steals it. It’s been there for at least 15 years… Probably much longer. The first time I saw the nice old guy, was in 2000 when working close by. I remember because I went to that coffee shop that day.
He is still there and doing well!
It’s nice that he is too… It is just one more things that reminds that Tokyo is still the world’s safest city.
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At Robot55 we make video productions for businesses and services and products, but we also pride ourselves on making videos for art and music. Our starting price is ¥70,000 and we are sure we can work out something that fits your budget. Oh, and we love making band videos too! Contact us! contact@robot55.jp
Top photo: Left to right: Me (Mike Rogers – drunkard), Ken Nishikawa (fabulous cameraman), Tatsuji Nobuhara (Lead singer of The Privates)
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Today, I’d like to write a bit on the beauty of doing things yourself. The so-called, “DIY” philosophy.
I like DIY for several reasons. Firstly, whatever one does, when they do it themselves, it truly is a reflection of themselves and their heart and soul. Secondly, it is not some concoction that was made by some professional who makes things for people in an office far away; it is “Real.” Thirdly, because it was made by the people who really do have a vested interest in their product or service, it is much cheaper. Fourthly, making something for someone – whether it be dinner, a birthday or Christmas present shows true love.
Making things DIY takes heart, a dream, sweat and practice. Is this any different from starting your own business, club, restaurant, band, music or any other project? When you do it DIY it is true love and shows your sincerity much better than anything one could buy at any store!
Staff poses for photo after DIY event in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2015. That event holds the record for attendance at that club. Tatsuji Nobuhara is standing in the back with the aqua blue T-shirt. Immediately behind him is Ken Nishikawa. Mr. Pan is the guy standing in the back with the brown hat. I’m wearing the stupid Dodgers baseball cap. There are several other famous rock stars in the photo including the 50 Kaitenz. Can you spot them all? (Photo by Osamu Arai).
I have a few good friends that always do D.I.Y. and that really impresses me. Today I’d like to tell you about them.
Two of my good friends have been doing their rock bands as independent artists for decades. One is named “Mr. Pan,” he is the leader of the band, “The Neatbeats.” They’ve been doing the DIY thing for more than twenty years and are very successful at it. They are big in Europe. And why not? They are the easily described as “The Japanese Beatles!” Watch this video and see what I mean. These guys are hot. Of course, this is a DIY video:
One other friend, who will also be in the movie, is a guy named Tatsuji Nobuhara. “Nobu” is what everyone calls him. Nobu has been the lead singer and heart and soul of a rock band named “The Privates” who have been around for more than thirty years. How do I describe The Privates for a foreign audience? Perhaps a “Japanese Buzzcocks”? It’s a healthy comparison. See for yourself:
Thirty years of doing things independently and making a good living at it; it’s the true “Rock and Roll” dream – and everything they do is DIY. They manage themselves and do all their own booking. Not only do they have their Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday schedules booked up with performances around Japan, The Privates and the Neatbeats tour the world too!
I think these two bands are an inspiration to us all! Really. Can there be any better way to really live the true “Rock and Roll Dream”?
The Privates 2015 Tour poster test
Yesterday, we had a meeting about the Japanese Rock and Roll Ghost Story movie we are making. After the meeting was over, I asked Nobu what his plans were for the evening. He told me that he was going to some office and was going to design his posters and T-shirts.
This morning, he sent me some photos of the stuff he is making.
The Privates 2015 Japan tour T-shirt
Wow! I am impressed! This stuff is so cool!
And, like I said, it is “Real” and it is him. His idea, his sweat and his efforts. He is creating a legacy for himself that will last long after he has died and left this earth.
Isn’t that what it’s all about, my friends?
Don’t we all want to make something to leave a legacy for our children and our children’s children? I know I do.
How about you?
If you are running a business or club, why don’t you start making all your promotional posters and logos and designs yourself? And how about making a video for Youtube to promote your business? Hate to sound like I am a salesman, so I’m giving you free professional advice on how to do so below.
“But, Mike! I am not good at design and art!” That’s OK. Then, when you do ask a professional to make your work, instead of just handing it off to them to make for you? Why don’t you ask that they, instead, help you and give you guidance? Or, you make the poster or art and then give it to them and ask them to polish it up for you? Then when the finished work is given to you, you really can say, “I designed this.”
It will be a reflection of you and who you are.
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At Robot55, we make videos for businesses and services. We can help you to create something that is the real you. This is why we always try to make the proprietors of every business to be in their own videos! People no longer want to see an actor or actress (who doesn’t use your product or service or isn’t your ‘fan’) telling them how great something is; it’s not “Real.” But you being in the video, now that “Real” and it’s sincere. Here’s one we made (it’s in Japanese) and we insisted the shop owner tell his own story. This is fabulous! The owners tell us that their business is booming!
If you want to make your own video, do it. Here’s some free advice from me on how you can make a great video for your project for absolutely free!
If you need any help, you know where to reach us. We gladly give out free advice…. But we mostly want to help you to create your dream. Contact me! contact@robot55.jp
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At Robot55 we make video productions for businesses and services and products, but we also pride ourselves on making videos for art and music. Our starting price is ¥70,000 and we are sure we can work out something that fits your budget. Oh, and we love making band videos too! Contact us! contact@robot55.jp
Time once again for this week’s Top 3 New Artist Videos for the week of April 27, 2015. This week I want to show you my fave videos for the week. And, guess what? It’s ladies day at the Starlight Ballroom! So all three videos are from girl’s groups or bands with lead vocals.
But enough of my yappin’! Let’s rock!
Danny from the 50 Kaitenz sent me this first band and he recommends them highly. One listen and so do I! This is a new girls group from Kobe and all 4 of these girls are in their senior year at university! They are hot!
Next up is another new artist and her name is Colleen Green. She is considered is an American “indie pop” musician and she is from Los Angeles, California. She is currently signed to a cool label with a great name: Hardly Art records.
Next up is one of my favorite groups in the entire world! Their name is Taffy and they are great! I haven’t heard music that I like this much since the British Pop movement of the early nineties and bands like The Primitives and Transvision Vamp.
“Tokyo based four-piece taffy are something of a unique entity in being possibly the only Japanese band this past ten years to stir up any kind of interest in western territories. As sad a state of affairs as that may be, considering the wealth of talent that does exist in that part of the world, the main component of Taffy’s sound that sets them apart is their seemingly unparalleled love affair with British underground pop.” Read more: drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4144840-a-lot-of-japanese-bands-seem-to-be-obsessed-with-being-the-new-beatles-or-nirvana—dis-meets-taffy
Here they are with their latest song that is making heads turn.
At Robot55 we make video productions for businesses and services and products, but we also pride ourselves on making videos for art and music. Our starting price is ¥70,000 and we are sure we can work out something that fits your budget. Oh, and we love making band videos too! Contact us! contact@robot55.jp