[OTAKON] The Underneath, Marbell, Daizy Stripper to invade Otakon 2008!
July 24, 2008 by KNDY · Leave a Comment
JROCKers The Underneath, Marbell and Daizy Stripper are coming all the way from Japan to invade the 15th annual Otakon 2008, August 8th, 9th and 10th in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Underneath, fresh off their heels from their North American tour with the Rockstar Taste of Chaos and meeting up again with fellow tour mates for a Tokyo based, “American Syndrome”, reunion tour. With a high level of musicianship and a mysterious charisma, the Underneath are rapidly shaking up live houses throughout Japan with an aesthetic explosion of sound. As the moral support and backbone of the band, drummer MASAKI provides a rhythm that is at once heavy and danceable, working together with a strong electro beat. The partner to the rhythm section is bassist RYO, a man of great wisdom in everything from programming to recording engineering. The most aggressively provocative on stage is guitarist TAL. More the technical type, guitarist MASATO is a talented individual with skills from web design to graphic art. And with a vocal range exceeding three octaves and a beguiling, androgynous performance, frontman vocalist TAKA’s character molds the image of this band. They are a band that can be called the Visual Band of the New Era, with every member involved in composing the music, and the ability to freely command two sides to their act—the creative group of the digital age, with each member’s ability to manipulate ProTools to their will, and the physical rock band that rampages through their live performances. Thrilling and sexy with electro style and raw group fusion, and possessing two opposing shades with their blend of heaviness and romanticism, the Underneath are the new and powerful rock band that represents the next generation of Japan.
Also in attendance for Otakon 2008, visual band MarBell has been steadily accumulating fans and critical goodwill since they formed in 2006. They’ve been described as “gothic shoegaze”, earnest, dark, edgy, and melodic, with a musical style that recalls punk sensibilities and heartfelt ballads — more or less in equal measure. While the goth fashion may catch your eye, it’s the surprising range and charisma that will keep you coming back for more. Guitarist TSUNODA and vocalist MAR met while Tsunoda was a DJ during the summer of 2006; she was the only girl there, she had a sad expression, and she was dressed in black. She told him that she wanted to sing, and he crafted lyrics that expressed her feelings.
When Mar was young, she’d invented a big sister who was her constant companion. She had two older brothers who’d left, and the one who aimed to be a racer was the person who understood her the most. Recording progressed bit by bit and her brother looked forward to its completion more than anyone. Before she knew it, that relationship with her brother had made the existence of a big sister unnecessary. But in the midst of recording the first album, her brother left and didn’t return. Her desire to sing, the loneliness that made her need a big sister, the loss of her brother. She still hasn’t found suitable words to explain all of these things. Mar carved her brother’s name into her body, and sang out everything in the songs on her first album. Watching her sing while thinking of the brother whose short lifetime had ended, the DJ Tsunoda pictured again his own musical roots. Removing the needle from the turntables, he picked up his guitar and formed MarBell with her.
Though MarBell formed originally with Mar and Tsunoda who is also the producer and arranger, they’ve now been joined by bassist AZUSA and drummer yu-ya. Their first full album, Sister, was released in May this year. Four of the songs from the album were performed by the band at the hide Memorial Summit in early May, which was not only an amazing opportunity for MarBell to play for a huge audience, but also to commemorate hide who has so greatly inspired Tsunoda. The band has made a video for the song Miss All Birthday, which aired on the television shows “GIRLS WAVE” and “MUSIC FIGHTER,” and in April and May Mar appeared in visual kei magazine Cure. More than willing to pay their dues, the band has been performing at live events all over Tokyo this summer.
And the last minute addition to the bill for Otakon 2008, Daizy Stripper who formed in March 2007. They starting performing as DaizyStripper on Tuesday, June 5. After a series of performances at various events, they announced the release of their 1st single + DVD “Dandelion” at 4 stores and sold out at pre-order. Rushed to go into 2nd press and released on April 16, again they sold out completely, resulting in the 1 slot in the Oricon Indies Chart. Now, with their fame throughout the country, the band participated on the main stage of “Hide memorial summit @ Ajinomoto Stadium”on May 3. Although the band performed only 3 songs, they reached the hearts of 30,000 audience members. The band’s first anniversary “one-man concert” at the Shibuya BOXX on June 6 had a sold out crowd, with fans hanging outside the venue. More than 40 press outlets showed up to cover the event, which proved the high level of expectation towards DaizyStripper, to be more than just another “visual-kei” band.
Band Links:
http://www.myspace.com/underneathjapan
http://www.myspace.com/marbelljapan
http://www.marbell.jp
http://www.myspace.com/daizystripper
Come on out to Otakon 2008 and see all three bands perform live Sunday afternoon, August 10th and experience these three acts, guaranteed to be a show like you’ve never seen before.
