VISUAL KEI LABELS DARKEST LABYRINTH & STARWAVE RECORDS JOIN HEARJAPAN. DAISUKE, VOCALIST OF THE STUDS & KAGEROU, HAS DIED.
Excellent news for you Visual Kei headbangers! Digital music label HearJapan has teamed up with Visual Kei / Japanese Goth music labels, Darkest Labyrinth and Starwave Records. Which means you can now get your hands on releases from bands such as Luzmelt, Suicide Ali, Calmando Qual, GPKISM, Seileen (SiSEN and Selia), Takuya Angel… has your head exploded yet? Come check out the compilation CDs and digital downloads on HearJapan!
HearJapan generously gave us passes to see the darkest and glammest of these bands perform at Meguro Rockmaykan in Tokyo. We were allowed to shoot videos of the performances — and boy, were they ever bloody. Check back tomorrow for a video of GPKISM, SaTaN, Lix, Calmando Qual, Omega Tripp and more.
Before the concert, Yukiro caused scandal and drama in the convenience store. He’s wearing the ridiculously short dress he got at the ridiculous Ridiculous store in Osaka.
The floppy hat is DIY-decorated with flowers and ribbons. Yukiro’s claws are always ready to scratch young boys.
Lolita dress: Moi-meme-Moitie… in my dreams! It’s Metamorphose temps de fille; got it for great price at Closet Child Harajuku. You may recall that this was on my Classical Lolita wishlist.
Jacket with trailing sleeves: Marble, from Marui One Shinjuku
Gyaru “bunny ears” headband: from Odakaya in Shinjuku. You see these “ears” all over Tokyo.
Tights: Vivienne Westwood, from Marui Shinjuku
Epic boots are epic: Alice and the Pirates, from Closet Child Harajuku
Makeup is simple because we had to rush out the door… blue eyeliner, false eyelashes on top, nude lipstick, a gem at the corner of the eye.
But there’s always time to pose for photos! In the next post, we’ll bring you inside the Satanic concert with quality videos and a review.
14-year-old Amy sent me the gorgeous fanart on the right. It’s inspired by the Gothic Lolita outfit I wore on the CNN International shoot. I love the hime hair and kawaii eyes — you’re all so talented! If you’d like to see your Carmina/Basil artwork up here, send me an email.
Reiko Arashi also sent me a personalized trading card for Oshare Curry, her Visual Kei / Jpop social networking community. You can redeem it if you set up a profile on the site.
Have you ever been… Xperienced? (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) JrockRevolution presents a new webpage dedicated to X JAPAN’s performance at Lollapalooza. Come read the latest news, share stories on the forums, and plan meet-ups at the concert. You can also purchase an exclusive fan package with a T-shirt, thundersticks, DVD and more.
Finally, some sad news… Daisuke, vocalist of Visual Kei band The Studs and Kagerou, was laid to rest today. The cause of death has not been released. You may leave condolences on the band’s website.
Stay tuned for videos of Gothic Prince Ken and SaTaN dressed as Alice in Wonderland. Which are your favorite Starwave/Darkest Labyrinth bands?
Japanese Word of the Day: Maou = Satan
Song of the Day: GPKISM – Atheos (you can buy the single on HearJapan)
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MY CAT'S CATIO: ENCLOSED BALCONY, OUTDOOR PRIVATE PATIO FOR CATS. BUILDING A SAFE, OUTDOOR PETS ENCLOSURE.
Wahhh! My spoiled Scottish Fold, Basil Farrow, now has a Catio — a cat patio, like the ones featured in the New York Times article! Need I say that he adores it?
When it was ready to use, Basil very carefully approached the catio with his sideway-feet.
He sniffed the screen door, and felt the straw mat…
… and gazed through the plastic fencing at the yard.
“Wahhh!” he said, proudly sniffing the fresh air. “I’m an outdoor cat now!”
Well, sort of. Basil Farrow is too precious to brave the elements… so he’s only allowed on a hyper-clean, protected balcony with parental supervision!
Basil’s grandpa closed up the two “open” sides of the balcony with a staple gun and sturdy plastic netting (don’t use chicken wire, which has sharp edges, or splintered wood). He put an old Body Shop beach mat on the ground.
The staircase is closed off with a plastic baby gate, locked with a string and hook. Oh Basil Farrow — he keeps pawing at the door and trying to escape!
The baby gate cleverly slides into a plastic magazine rack, so Basil can’t pull the corner open and squeeze through. He rests his head on his Japanese mouse-mouse pillow, hoping and waiting…
Basil Farrow loves watching the birds and squirrels, and lying down in the sun. It’s a great compromise: your housecat stays safe, while getting a taste of the outdoors.
Have you ever seen a Catio, or considered building one for your cat(s)? What are your thoughts on indoors vs. outdoor cats?
PS: Anyone going to see D’espairs Ray on their US and Canada concert tour in August? Here are the dates.
PPS: Dir En Grey announced a North American concert tour with Apocalyptica, August to September 2010. Dates here. WHO’S GOING?
Japanese Word of the Day: Karesansui = Japanese rock garden (literally, “dry landscape”)
Song of the Day: The Cure – Lovecats (maoo!)
LA CARMINA
