Category Archive for Nightcrawling
JAPANESE ZOMBIE GIRL ATTACKS! RESIDENT EVIL AFTERLIFE IN SHIBUYA TOKYO. UPCOMING TOKYO GOTH DANCE PARTIES, YUKIRO'S PERFORMANCE.
If you’re a fan of 3D zombies — and even if you aren’t — there’s a movie in theaters right now that you can’t miss. Resident Evil: Afterlife. The cameras nose-dive into the famous Shibuya street crossing, where a delicate Japanese girl (Mika Nakashima) is caught in the pouring rain. Her eyes latch onto an oncoming businessman… brace yourself for the first zombie girl attack!
Interesting quote from the star, Milla Jovovich: “In Japan, literally 95 percent of the viewers are girls that go see these movies, and in America it’s the opposite. Girls in Tokyo really, really need these strong role models, where I think women in America think the films are too violent.” (Source: Reuters).
Resident Evil: Afterlife has slick style (Milla’s holster and corset!), high-kicking female characters and an electronica soundtrack. The direction has an artsy feel that separates this movie from typical blow-up blockbusters. And the fight scene in the showers with an overgrown zombie wielding the world’s biggest axe? Bloody brilliant. Have you seen the film yet? Go! (Thank you to Alliance Films for the advance screening passes.)
Speaking of Japanese zombies… I thought you might enjoy these photos of undead DJs and dancers from the most recent Gothic Bar Heaven club night in Tokyo.
The Goth / Industrial music begins around midnight at Shibuya Club Crawl. (Maps, directions and detailed reports are found in my Japan clubbing guide.)
The girls mix up the styles. DJ Tetra (right) is as emo-boy-weak as ever. Love it.
Do you recognize DJ Chihiro, without the white facepaint? He often plays at this club night, run by D’s Valentine.
Can’t say I enjoyed the live show very much… The guitarist on right was cutting herself and licking the blood!
Here are some images from July’s Midnight Mess. It was when Yukiro’s first live musical performance took place! DJ SiSEN wore horns and magical makeup for the occasion.
Yukiro was a “fashion-forward killer bitch Evil Queen.” You can read more about his musical mission here.
Sad that you missed his performance? Above is a video of Dravarious performing a cover of Moi dix Mois – Dialogue Symphonie! Yukiro also played several of his original songs. Stay tuned for news about his next concert…
Quite a few of my friends are having parties and performances next weekend:
† TOKYO, September 17: Lunatic Sabbath. Japanese Steampunk master Kenny Creation is performing with his band “I am still in the haze.” In addition,Yukiro will be dancing on-stage, and Goth groups Despair and Vanished Empire will play. (I will post an interview with DJ Chihiro soon.) The Industrial / DarkPsyche / EBM party is at Yoyogi Labo and begins at midnight. 2500 yen with flyer, 2000 with dresscode.
† LOS ANGELES, September 16: Do you remember the Jpop Purikura party I hosted in the spring? Organizers Tune in Tokyo are having a Japanese school uniform dance party, sponsored by X Japan North American Tour 2010 and Jrock Revolution! More info and RSVP on Facebook. There will be J-rock and pop dance music, prizes, screening of a rare documentary about X Japan, and a chance to meet fellow fans of the band. LA friends, don’t miss out.
† LOS ANGELES, September 16-30: Horror artist Dienzo (who painted a vampire portrait of me and gave us a tour of Cartoon Network headquarters) has a new art exhibit opening at Hyaena Galley (remember when we visited?). “I’ve partnered with Eric Pigors to celebrate our love of spooky monsters and creepy chicks. Basically he does pen and ink drawings and colors then digitally, then I use that as inspiration to create my own versions of his characters in my style.” Check out the exhibit at Hyaena Gallery in Burbank, which runs September 16-30. There is an Artist Reception: September 18th, 8pm-Midnight.
Okay, let’s hear your thoughts on the new Resident Evil and Yukiro’s musical performance!
Japanese Word of the Day: Juyouu = Demand
Song of the Day: Dir en Grey – Vinushka (Anyone seeing or seen the band on tour in USA? A report is coming up on my blog!)
SHARE & COMMENT
GOTH LOLITA PUNK CLOTHING STORES IN TOKYO & OSAKA. GUIDE TO JAPAN ALTERNATIVE FASHION, BOUTIQUES MAPS.
Shiver me timbers! With much bloodshed and toil and Photoshop, I’ve over-hauled my Tokyo Gothic Lolita Visual Kei Punk Shopping Guide and Japan LGBT Goth Alternative Nightlife Guide. These sections have photos, videos, maps, directions and reports of pretty much EVERY Goth/Lolita/Alt boutique, bar, and club party in Tokyo (and soon, Osaka). Yo-ho-ho.
Here’s one of the many comprehensive Japan maps I’ve added. (Click it or go here to enlarge.) The rest are in the Clothing Store and Club guides.
La Carmina Blog has become a No-Face (from the anime film Spirited Away) — growing bigger by the moment, and chock full of stuff! More now than ever, maintaining it is a big responsibility, both to readers and collaborators in the J-rock/Goth universe.
In the Laos episode of No Reservations, Anthony Bourdain reflects on whether revealing a little-known destination on TV effectively destroys it. He comes to the conclusion that all he can do is try to live the experience, understand it and present it the best that he can.
Likewise, I’m going to keep working hard to bring you the best possible content. (There are over 50 blog posts on my to-do list!) I think that if readers have a genuine interest in Japan / dark culture / Visual Kei, they’ll be respectful when they visit the underground clubs and stores. And at the end of day, the vibrant scene remains very small. Many Goth parties only have 30-40 people in attendance. Anything I can do to get the word out for my friends, I will.
So I hope you enjoy the updated Tokyo and Osaka guides. It would make my day if you could share the links and tell your friends. I have much more ahead for you — including Osaka Gothic Lolita Punk store guides/maps and a compliation of Visual Kei / J-rock concert reports.
I don’t want to turn this into a subscription site (where you pay for access), or sell you an e-book. However, my Scottish Fold cat does get hungry…
So if you found my Harajuku / Tokyo Goth maps and photos helpful, please consider:
1) Buying one of my Jpop books here. My Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants book includes addresses, photos and stories about all of Tokyo’s best themed cafes.
2) Ordering a La Carmina x Basil Farrow t-shirt (this is your LAST CHANCE for a limited edition tee!)
† Pick up a Girls shirt here.
† Nab a Mens shirt here.
3) Leaving me a tip (click the donate button below). Even a few bucks for a spot of catnip is much appreciated.
Thanks everyone for your support — I will keep working hard for you! Please feel free to contact La Carmina if you’d like to work with me in any capacity (TV hosting, arranging, writing, etc.) You can also keep in touch via my social networks below. Domo arigato gozaimasu.
Ready to see the new, improved guides? Click the images below!
LA CARMINA
