Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
SEILEEN CD RELEASE PARTY AT DECADANCE BAR, CHRISTON CAFE. DJ SISEN, SELIA, ADRIEN OF TOKYO DECADANCE CLUB PARTY.
Let’s play Where’s Waldo. Can you spot the absinthe? Epicurean Bible? Cyber-gender-bending? Welcome to the Seileen CD release party at Decadance Bar, right above Christon Cafe Shinjuku.
I introduced the Australian crew to DJ SiSEN and Selia, and interviewed them for the travel TV show. The Aussies wanted to get Gothed up, so we drew crucifixes on their faces.
Here’s Tatsu of Gastunk and The Killing Red Addiction, with Mistress Maya (who DJ-ed a tremendous set that night). Do you like SiSEN’s new makeup? I’m envious of how much he can cinch his corset.
Adrien le Danois (organizer of the Tokyo Decadance party) and bartender Porco Porter (who you may recognize in white as Kengo).
Arr, I spot me pirates! The TV cameras captured Selia’s opera, which is like a flying dream.
There’s always a wide range of fashion at Decadance Bar: Gothic Lolita, Wa (Japan) meets Eyes Wide Shut, Kigurumi. I’m in a maid outfit because we were shooting since morning (at the Cosplay Festival).
My adorable friends Kenny Creation and Sophia, the new vocalist of Osaka metal-electro-industrial band Blood Stain Child.
Maya has seen absolutely everything… but I don’t think she’s ever been interviewed by Pikachu and Keroro!
Sweet Decora girls and sweet baby G-suS.
When it comes to fashion, there are no rules here — and that’s my kind of party. For more Decadance Bar info and photos from theme nights, please read this post.
Would you feel at home at an event like this? Thoughts on the eclecticism of Japanese underground fashion?
PS: I made it to the FINAL ROUND of the Canadian Weblog Awards! Can you please take 1 second to vote for La Carmina? The poll is here. Thank you — I really appreciate your support!
Japanese Word of the Day: Karoshi = Death by overwork
Song of the Day: 9Goats – Black Out
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VISUAL KEI GROUP DELUHI ANNOUNCES HIATUS. TRICK MONSTER, CYBER RAVE HAIR & CLOTHING STORE IN SHINSAIBASHI, OSAKA.
First Vidoll, then D’espairsRay… and now Deluhi. Yet another Visual Kei band is taking a temporary break from musical activities. Beginning December 1st, the band will be taking a pause so that the individual members can increase their skills and “musical power of expression.” Until Deluhi reaches their goal, there will be no lives or new releases.
Anyone want to take a stab at why so many young Visual Kei bands are taking hiatuses? A reaction to poor management and/or demanding record companies? An excuse, to cover something up? Such as frazzled vocal cords, due to improper care and growling? Or maybe it’s a curse: as soon as La Carmina watches a Visual Kei group perform live, it breaks up. (I saw Deluhi a few months ago; here is my concert review.)
On a brighter note… quite literally! Yukiro and I went shopping in Shinsaibashi, the alternative fashion district of Osaka. One of our favorite stores was Trick Monster, purveyors of cyber rave clothing and neon hairstyles.
Customers could purchase striped, rainbow hair extensions and have them fitted right then and there.
Here are some of the very creative dye-jobs from the Trick Monster hair salon. Shaved patterns, colorful streaks, and a tomato-head!
Rave revival. The store sold lunch boxes and grotesque-cute monster dolls.
If a Troll doll were bitten by a zombie…
“I was working in the lab late one night, when my eyes beheld an eerie sight. For my monster from his slab began to rise, and suddenly to my surprise… He did the mash. He did the monster mash. It was a graveyard smash.”
Set your TIVOs… Basil Farrow will be on Discovery Channel / Animal Planet on October 16th and 17th (check your local listings for the exact time). It’s a repeat of the Fat Cats episode; I’ll be posting a clip of his appearance in the next few days. You can see more of my fat-faced Scottish Fold cat on his blog, Facebook (friend him!) and YouTube.
I hope you get a chuckle out of my new CNNGo article, Asia’s 10 quirkiest theme cruises. Sail ho with Dan Rather, has-been celebrities and cattle! All my CNN articles are listed here; I’ll be filing reports from Tokyo in the next month.
Joseph Mallozzi, executive producer and co-showrunner on the Stargate television franchise, interviewed me for his blog spotlight on “individuals that make Tokyo so damn interesting.” How did my friends and family respond to my decision not to pursue a career in law? What makes the Japanese fashion scene so unique? Is there anything I’d never eat? My Q&A responses are here and after the jump.
What do you think of the cyber rave shop and hairstyles? Anyone have a theory as to why many Visual Kei bands recently announced they’re taking breaks?
Japanese Word of the Day: Toshiyori = Old people
Song of the Day: Deluhi – Two Hurt
LA CARMINA
