SparkPlugged » experimental http://sparkplugged.net Plugging the best of Japanese indie, rock and alternative music Thu, 24 May 2012 12:55:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4-beta3 te’ – “te-夢とは現実という平凡なものに付ける美しさに” http://sparkplugged.net/2008/12/te-%e5%a4%a2%e3%81%a8%e3%81%af%e7%8f%be%e5%ae%9f%e3%81%a8%e3%81%84%e3%81%86%e5%b9%b3%e5%87%a1%e3%81%aa%e3%82%82%e3%81%ae%e3%81%ab%e4%bb%98%e3%81%91%e3%82%8b%e7%be%8e%e3%81%97%e3%81%95%e3%81%ab/ http://sparkplugged.net/2008/12/te-%e5%a4%a2%e3%81%a8%e3%81%af%e7%8f%be%e5%ae%9f%e3%81%a8%e3%81%84%e3%81%86%e5%b9%b3%e5%87%a1%e3%81%aa%e3%82%82%e3%81%ae%e3%81%ab%e4%bb%98%e3%81%91%e3%82%8b%e7%be%8e%e3%81%97%e3%81%95%e3%81%ab/#comments Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:05:57 +0000 Jimi http://sparkplugged.net/?p=2962

From everyone’s favorite Japanese instrumental rock band!…

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From everyone’s favorite Japanese instrumental rock band!

]]> http://sparkplugged.net/2008/12/te-%e5%a4%a2%e3%81%a8%e3%81%af%e7%8f%be%e5%ae%9f%e3%81%a8%e3%81%84%e3%81%86%e5%b9%b3%e5%87%a1%e3%81%aa%e3%82%82%e3%81%ae%e3%81%ab%e4%bb%98%e3%81%91%e3%82%8b%e7%be%8e%e3%81%97%e3%81%95%e3%81%ab/feed/ 1 The “SCIENCE ROCK” of avengers in sci-fi http://sparkplugged.net/2008/10/the-science-rock-of-avengers-in-sci-fi/ http://sparkplugged.net/2008/10/the-science-rock-of-avengers-in-sci-fi/#comments Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:01:00 +0000 Shay http://sparkplugged.net/?p=2127 avengers in sci-fi bring the bright and loud future to the rock music of the present. Their latest single and PV, titled “Homosapiens Experience” and their upcoming second album are aural treats with some astro flair.

The latest single precedes the November 5th release of SCIENCE ROCK, the second album from the spacey rockers with a penchant for effects pedals and synthesizers.

The evolution-themed “Homosapiens Experience” begins, sounding like something from the “future” imagined in 60s sci-fi flicks. The metallic voice modulation quickly melts in with a chorus of vocals and a high-flying synth. The backing and building drum fill quickly transitions into a pulsating quarter-note pound as the “experience” launches.

Once the “Homosapiens Experience” winds up, it plateaus and doesn’t relent until the end. The entire song is sung in unison by vocalist/guitarist Taro Kohata (木幡太郎, コハタタロウ) and vocalist/bassist Yoshihiko Inami (稲見喜彦, イナミヨシヒコ). Drummer Masanori Hasegawa’s (長川正法, ハセガワマサノリ) keeps up the song’s frenetic beat until the end and even finds time to embellish with different fills and rhythm.

At just over 2:30 minutes, “Homosapiens Experience” is an odd composition sure to please rockers, futurists, and anyone in between.

The wonderful and wacky future-vibe should continue throughout avengers in sci-fi’s upcoming album SCIENCE ROCK. Another track on SCIENCE ROCK, “Beats For Jealous Pluto” is just as spacey as “Homosapiens Experience” yet considerably more erratic.The cosmic cacophony extends to the farthest reaches of the solar system.

The exhilarating “electric plus rock” played by avengers in sci-fi is without boundaries. The trio from Tokyo pledge to “continue to absorb, assimilate, evolve, and transmit the music flowing around the world”.

avengers in sci-fi formed in 2002. They released their debut, self-titled EP in ’04 and their first album, avenger strikes back, in ’06. The band performed at the Fuji Rock Festival in 2007.

Watch the PV for “Homosapiens Experience” by avengers in sci-fi:

Buy SCIENCE ROCK by avengers in sci-fi

Visit avengers in sci-fi’s offcial site

]]> http://sparkplugged.net/2008/10/the-science-rock-of-avengers-in-sci-fi/feed/ 6 Kaisatsuko – an experimental fiddle-like instrument http://sparkplugged.net/2008/05/kaisatsuko-an-experimental-fiddle-like-instrument/ http://sparkplugged.net/2008/05/kaisatsuko-an-experimental-fiddle-like-instrument/#comments Tue, 27 May 2008 06:37:07 +0000 Shay http://sparkplugged.net/?p=1491 Continuing down the experimental path, why not take it a step further with an instrument?

The Kaisatsuko (回擦胡, wheel-bowed fiddle) was invented by Onoue Yuichi (尾上祐一). The experimental instrument is a electric, two-string upright fiddle operated by a small crank. It is played by turning the crank — thus bowing the strings — and fingering the strings on the fretless neck. The concept of the Kaisatsuko is similar to that of a hurdy gurdy as is the sound of the droning strings.

It’s quite a clever instrument, a hybrid between an erhu and hurdy gurdy that sounds Indian. On his webiste’s intro, Onoue says:

I produce a little bit strange and odd music by means of various musical instruments (which include some handmade instruments) and computer programming and recording machine. I like both composing and improvising.

Watch Onoue perform “Within You Wihout You” by The Beatles on the Kaisatsuko:

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Visit Onoue’s official site
The Kaisatsuko on Oddmusic.com

]]> http://sparkplugged.net/2008/05/kaisatsuko-an-experimental-fiddle-like-instrument/feed/ 2 10 great experimental rock bands from Japan http://sparkplugged.net/2008/05/10-great-experimental-rock-bands-from-japan/ http://sparkplugged.net/2008/05/10-great-experimental-rock-bands-from-japan/#comments Mon, 26 May 2008 03:31:36 +0000 Shay http://sparkplugged.net/?p=1468 The experimental rock genre is a place where the possibilities are almost limitless. Thanks to the universal language of the mostly instrumental music, bands jam across the globe and in Japan, there is an exceptionally vibrant scene.

Here’s a list of 10 great experimental rock bands from Japan, in no particular order. Whilst all can be classified under the ‘experimental’ umbrella, most play post-rock or math rock to varying degrees.

miaou

miaou is the trio of Tatsuki Hamasaki and sisters Mayumi and Hiromi Hasegawa. They formed in 1999. Their use of guitars, synths, Rhodes piano, and computers provide for their distinct and melodic sound.
Official Website
Official MySpace

toe

toe is a dynamic quartet that’s music often delves into the realm of math rock. Thanks to releases like the book about my idle plot on a vague anxiety, toe stands as one of Japan’s most acclaimed instrumental groups.
Official Website
Official MySpace

mono

mono are a Tokyo-based post-rock group that have found popularity on an international stage. Despite their name, their music is incredibly deep, consisting of layered guitars, strings, and more.
Official Website
Official MySpace

Sequence Pulse

Sequence Pulse are an experimental quartet with a lush, laidback sound where smooth synths often accompanying crisp guitars and more. They have released three full-length albums to date.
Official Website
Official MySpace

World’s End Girlfriend

World’s End Girlfriend is the work of one Katsuhiko Maeda. Maeda has experimented with all types of music since he was a child and although now more focused, World’s End Girlfriend is like his one big experiment.
Official Website
Official MySpace

té

Since their formation in 2004, té (pronounced ‘tay’) has made quite an impact in the world of post-rock. Their highly-anticipated debut album released in ’05 placed 10th on the Tower Record Japan charts.
Official Website
Official MySpace

LITE

LITE is a math rock quartet formed in Tokyo in 2003. A couple of their albums including their debut filmlets have been distributed in Europe and they toured in the UK in late 2007.
Official Website
Official MySpace

sleepy.ab

sleepy.ab are a shoegaze/dream pop band originally from Hokkaido. The “ab” in their name fittingly stands for “abstract”. Their standard use of vocals helps set them apart from those above.
Official Website
Official MySpace

eksperimentoj

eksperimentoj is a band that first got together in 2000. Their “sound art”, as they call it, is a unique synthesis of genres and influences. “eksperimentoj” means “experiments” in Esperanto.
Official Website
Official MySpace

downy

downy is a dynamic group that have since disbanded. That being said, their experimental sound continue to have an impact. Former guitarist/vocalist Robin Aoki formed Dhal with Eugene Wakamikoto (of eksperimentoj) in 2003.
Unofficial MySpace

Got any favorites? If so, please share.

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