Sambomaster Live - Bleach TV Show - Scandal

Via Ichisv here is a rare live version of Sambomaster's big hit "Hikari No Rock":




"Hikari No Rock" is the theme song for the popular 2007 Japanese film Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion. But, Sambomaster continues releasing singles for the ongoing Bleach Manga hit TV series. And according to the Sambomaster Wikipedia Page their latest single "Kimi wo Mamotte, Kimi wo Aishite", which was the 19th ending theme song for the Bleach animated television show, was officially released yesterday (June 10, 2009) by Sony Music and is now on sale everywhere. Below is the actual 19th Bleach TV episode end roll that includes Sambomaster's "Kimi wo Mamotte, Kimi wo Aishite":



Also according to the live schedule on the Sambomaster Official Website they will appear together with Scandal in Shimokitazawa Garden on August 5th for a special live performance to celebrate the summer season break of the TV show's production. Scandal's 'SYOUJYO' was recently used as the opening theme song for an episode of the Bleach anime tv show.

For more information about these two popular Japanese rock bands, please visit the Sambomaster Official Website (Japanese) and the Scandal Official Website (Japanese, English, Chinese)

Shonen Knife and Rob Pongi on MTV Blog

In the above article, posted by MTV writer Samantha, she is referring to my earlier entry: Early Japanese Tentacle Sex TV Commercial, which I posted about a month ago. Also Samantha is right, and, yes indeed, I am crazy (these days, everywhere I look it seems like the latest "craze" ;O), and I am one of the web's pioneer video bloggers, but "fame" for this little blog? Well, I don't know about that but its very nice to know that at least someone is reading something here. Thank you very much, Samantha!

Samantha's funny MTV Blog article also features the Mass Communication Breakdown Video in which I appear with Shonen Knife.

1994 Japanese TV Video Release: Love Hotel Etiquette

This short but humorous and sexy Japanese TV video from 1994 demonstrates both bad and good love hotel etiquette when getting undressed together before having sex for the two-hour time limit. Edited by Rob Pongi. Used by legal permission and all rights reserved. Please very enjoy this Japanese TV Video:

Mass of The Fermenting Dregs - ハイライト

Yes, I have been posting often about "Masu Dore" lately, but, seriously, modern rock music does not get any better than that of the incredible Mass of The Fermenting Dregs. Here is a digital Youtube audio clip for their awesome ハイライト ("Highlight") single:




To hear more, check out their Myspace Page And also, be sure to visit the official website of Mass of The Fermenting Dregs

Who Are The Japanese Popstars?

Well, they're not Japanese and they don't even play 'pop' music, but the The Japanese Popstars are one of the most popular electronica/house DJ groups going these days. Check out this very cool video for their "Facemelter" single released earlier this year:



The Japanese Popstars are Decky Hedrock, Gary Curran, and Gareth Donoghue. This group will appear at the upcoming Fuji Rock Festival. You can find out more information and download about five hours of their music tracks for free at The Japanese Popstars Podcast

North Korean Beer Video: Taedonggang Beer

In apparent first, North Korea airs beer commercial on state TV

KWANG-TAE KIM, Associated Press Writer
July 3, 2009

Via Los Angles Times

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — In an apparent first, North Korea — a country that struggles to feed its 24 million people — has aired a beer commercial on state television.

The advertisement, which lasted nearly three minutes after a news program on Thursday, showed a grinning Korean man with sweat on his face holding a glass of beer, with a caption that read, "Taedong River Beer is the pride of Pyongyang."

The commercial said the beer relieves stress and improves health and longevity. It also showed images of a pub it said was in the capital of Pyongyang, filled with people drinking."

Continued...



HEY DPRK! LET'S PARTEEEYYYY!!!

Trailer Video for 'Robo-Geisha'

Inspired by the almighty News on Japan 3Yen.com I have added the below trailer video for Robo-Geisha:



And, yes, it is going to be a 'real' Japanese movie but, no, I have no idea WTF it is going to be about!?!?!?!

Mass Of The Fermenting Dregs Tokyo Concert Review

Above is the official set list of THE HOTTEST band in Japan now and probably within all of Asia as well: Mass Of The Fermenting Dregs This list is from their Thursday, June 11, 2009 sold-out show at the Shimokitazawa Shelter here in Tokyo.

And they wasted no time opening up fast with an explosive version of "She is inside, He is outside" and right when they hit the very first note, suddenly, from behind I felt a superhuman stampede of extreme excitement that just totally shoved me even closer towards the stage, and right into a whole new world! And that kind of sudden crowd surge, was really surprising as that usually does not happen at underground live shows here in polite Tokyo. But after thinking about it and their show overall, I now fully understand "why" the crowd reacted in that way. Basically, this band has generated a very intense and loyal group of followers all over Japan. And apparently, some of their most hard-core fans travel all over the nation and consistently go to all of their shows. Now, that's some pretty serious loyalty, especially for a group that has only released two CDs so far since they started together in 2002.

Well, indeed, Masu Dore (the band's nickname) has many emotional fans who become very extremely animated during their live shows! Much more so than other standard fare rock bands here. And, of course, I too was quite thrilled to see the band as well. But, much more than that, I was so totally overwhelmed by their exceptionally skillful and unique style of musical performance. Often they combined many fast and slow guitar, bass and drum tempos, asynchronous beats, key changes, time changes and much more in almost all of their songs and they also made it all look so easy! But Natsuko Miyamoto (vocals, bass) and Chiemi Ishimoto (vocals, guitar) have been playing and singing together since they were in high school and now they have fully developed an uncanny ability to stay completely synchronized with each other all the way while playing and singing their elaborate and very entertaining songs.

And for the fully activated audience, it was not always just another slam dance with Masu Dore. Sometimes the crowd rocked and jumped around to some very fast and heavy jams. But not always. Like when they did their sixth song なんなん　"Nan Nan" that totally stopped everyone dead still as that song is about a young runaway girl who has no job, no hope to advance in life and is very depressed. And that eerie slow-paced, minor-key song reflects a very harsh reality for so many young Japanese men and women these days. And when Natsuko sang the lead in that song she transformed into a completely different person altogether with a more younger and quite painful voice that also, literally, 'cries' while singing the chorus. Indeed, "Nan Nan" is not only quite relevant and emotional, but it also significantly displays this young band's wide range of composition skill, expressive style and overall humanity.

And then other times during their show, Masu Dore hypnotized the crowd into a kind of higher dream state through their excellent vocal harmonies and intricate double lead guitar playing. And then everyone felt very relaxed and swayed to Natsuko and Chiemi crooning in slow, ethereal hums and whines while rolling on a steady back beat. And I can't remember the last time seeing a band transform such a very spirited audience into a very mellowed mood as they did so very well. And that is mainly because both Natsuko and Chiemi can sing quite well and they both possess a very wide vocal range that are sometimes romantic and dreamy and other times frantic and screamy.

Obviously, there doesn't seem to be any limits to the Mass of the Fermented Dreg's very powerful abilities to express themselves through their music. They did perform one new untitled song and told the crowd that we can expect a new release very soon. And there are many people, myself included, who hope that this band can increase their production of more wonderful music for many years to come. Also, they have shown more maturity in their recent press interviews in the Japanese media world. And they are quite serious and very happy about what they are doing, I just hope that they don't get too famous too fast as then I'll be forced to pay much more for their concerts!!!

And, despite listening to their first two albums everyday for the past month or so, I have not quite figured it all out yet, and I may never be able to. But at the same time, for some reason, I just can't stop listening to their music. Indeed, they now possess my soul and many others as well and they may even get yours someday too! But, if they do, don't worry as it really is a very uplifting and refreshing feeling to see and hear such talented and passionate musicians take the stage then take the audience so far away on a wild and wonderful ride into their amazing, weird, beautiful and sometimes frightening and intense musical world.

And for their third year in a row, Masu Dore will appear at the Fuji Rock Festival on Sunday, July 26 in the Red Marquee. Be sure to visit their official website of Mass of the Fermenting Dregs and check out some of their songs on their official Myspace page.

Reported by Rob Pongi


Below is their original promo video for "If A Surfer" produced by Dave Fridmann @ Tarbox road studios:

a flood of circle promo video

Here is a recent release called "Buffalo Dance" by a flood of circle:



a flood of circle will appear at the Fuji Rock Festival. To find out more about this band, please visit their official website

Moon: A Real Space Oddity

Today the Japan Aerospace Agency (JAXA) and the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) released the final images and videos of the Japanese Lunar Explorer KAGUYA HDTV Shots

"KAGUYA (SELENE) Last shots captured by the HDTV

June 19, 2009 (JST)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) would like to release the final still images taken by the onboard High Definition Television (HDTV) of the lunar explorer "KAGUYA" just prior to its maneuvered falling to the Moon. The images are attached below. The KAGUYA was launched on September 14, 2007, and was controlled to be dropped to the Moon on June 11, 2009, as its mission was completed.

The series of continued shots was taken with an interval of about one minute by the HDTV (Teltephoto) while the KAGUYA was maneuvered to decrease its altitude toward the impact position (around GILL crater.)"

Here is the stunning high-definition 3D YouTube video:




And just within this past week, Duncan Jones' debut film Moon starring Sam Rockwell was released on a limited basis by Sony Pictures in the US and UK and has already received many very great reviews by several notable film critics.

Here is the official trailer of 'Moon':




Now here is the catch: Almost forty years ago, Duncan Jones' father, the legendary David Bowie, released his first hit single Space Oddity on July 11, 1969. And about a week or so later, Apollo 11 successfully landed on the moon. The BBC featured Space Oddity in its television coverage of the lunar landing.

Here is an excellent live performance video of Space Oddity by David Bowie in Japan at the Tokyo Dome:



What all this means, of course, is that the Moon is a real Space Oddity, indeed.

POLYSICS PROMO VIDEO Young Oh! Oh!

Just officially released TODAY, here is the Polysics PV "Young Oh! Oh!":



Polysics will appear at the upcoming Fuji Rock Festival To find out more about this band, please visit the Polysics Official Website

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs Live Video

In this live video, Mass of the Fermenting Dregs performs three songs: "I F A Surfer", "Highlight (ハイライト Hairaito)" and "Bears (ベアーズ Beaazu)" live in Tokyo sometime in 2008:



Mass of the Fermenting Dregs is about to go out on their "World is Yours" extended tour and will appear at Shimokitazawa Shelter on Thursday, June 11th. However, that show is, apparently, already sold out!"#$&#$! To find out more about their upcoming tour, check the official Japanese Mass of the Fermenting Dregs Live Schedule

Buffalo Daughter & Ami Suzuki: 'OK Funky God'

A couple years ago, in an somewhat unlikely matchup, the Japanese alternative rock/avant-pop group Buffalo Daughter of Grand Royal teamed up with Avex Trax pop singer/actor Ami Suzuki and released 'OK Funky God' on Suzuki's unsuccessful 2nd studio album entitled: 'Connetta' And, while the album did not succeed as a whole, the 'OK Funky God' track is, indeed, a winner! And the music video is truly stunning! Check it out right here:

Buffalo Daughter will appear with DE DE MOUSE on Friday, June 19th at the Shimokitazawa Townhall For more information, visit their official website: Buffalo Daughter

Ami Suzuki official website: 鈴木 亜美（すずき あみ）avex Official WebSite

Scandal: "SYOUJYO" - "Young Girl"

Here is a new single release entitled "SYOUJYO" or "Young Girl" by the Japanese power pop group from Osaka Scandal:



Scandal is Haruna Ono (vocals, guitar), Tomomi Ogawa (bass, vocals), Mami Sasazaki (guitar,vocals) and Rina Suzuki (drums,vocals). To see more about this band, visit the : Scandal Official Website

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs Promo Video

Released earlier this year, this is a very cool promo video entitled このスピードの先へ　(Kono Speed no Saki E) or "This Speed Ahead" by the Japanese alternative rock group Mass of the Fermenting Dregs:




To find out more about this up-and-coming band, visit their official website: Mass of the Fermenting Dregs Also you can hear more of their alternative rock music at their official MySpace page: Mass of the Fermenting Dregs on MySpace

Shonen Knife & Rob Pongi Back Together Again!

Well, seeing that I just mentioned the legendary Shonen Knife in my previous post, I decided to give them some equal time and started searching for a good video of theirs to blog here. Well, to my surprise, suddenly I found the below "Mass Communication Breakdown" video in which I make two cameo appearances:



WHOAH! And, I'll never forget that day: May 9th, 2003. For many years prior I was such a big Shonen Knife fan, so, before meeting them on that day, I was quite nervous, indeed. But both Naoko and Etsuko Yamano were so very nice and we got along really well! And the video turned out pretty good considering that we only had time for one take for every shot.

But how did this all happen?

Well, OK, one day I was out all day filming the Kichijoji Music Festival 2003, and I met a very nice Japanese video producer who was filming the same music festival and he told me that they were going to produce a new Shonen Knife music video in the following week. I told him that I was a big Shonen Knife fan and that I would like to meet them and he said that it might be possible, but he wasn't sure. So, we exchanged cards and shook hands after the festival and he said that he would call me.

And, a few days later, he did just that on the night before the shoot. And he asked me if I wanted to, not just meet Shonen Knife, but, actually, be a part of the new Shonen Knife music video they were shooting on the next day! He said that he had seen some of our old Roppongi party and variety videos on our Asian Tube site and he said he really enjoyed watching them. He also said that he really liked my "Rob Pongi" character and that Shonen Knife did too! And I almost went into a state of complete shock, as I just couldn't believe what I was hearing.

But that didn't happen and on the next day I met them all in Shinjuku and we filmed the above video together and had a wonderful time. Below is a picture of Naoko and Atsuko with yours truly wacky taken just after I met them on the morning of the video shoot:



LET'S KNIFE!

detroit7 Video: 'Louie Louie' Live in France

Here is a multi-camera filmed live video (which includes sound-board quality audio) of detroit7 performing a cover version of the old standard 'Louie Louie' live in France during their current Black and White World Tour:




And, for overall quality, this is one of the best live videos of detroit7 that I have recently seen from their current tour. But be sure to see more videos of detroit7 from this show on the ACAdapterGP YouTube Channel


detroit7 is now in the Japan leg of their tour and will appear tonight (05/30) with Shonen Knife in Chiba at the Kashiwa Palooza theatre along with Scandal and others in "PALOOZA Presents 'WICKED GIRLS' with Shonen Knife." WOW! It sounds like it will be one of those nights, indeed!

For more information on detroit7's upcoming shows in Japan, check out their official website's Live section.

Early Japanese Tentacle Sex TV Commercial

It is well known among today's Gaijin gods, and some goddesses, that Tentacle Sex was invented by manga artist Toshio Maeda.

However, today I just discovered an old 80's era Japanese TV commercial for Shin Piro Ace athete's foot ointment that, possibly, could have been an early influence on Maeda's work:



You can see two short interviews with the master himself, Toshio Maeda: Hentai Pioneer and Hentai Pioneer II. And be sure to see more at TokyoDV Video Log

China Rock & Roll Scene Video 2009

According to Wikipedia, Chinese Rock first started in Beijing in 1984 and mostly involved university students in small underground bars and hotels.

Since then Chinese rock has had its ups and downs and was severely hit hard by the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake. But now, finally, in 2009 the Chinese rock movement seems to be rolling along pretty well. The below video was released earlier this year in February by Tripfilms and it gives us a good view of the current emerging underground rock scene in China:

Watch more Beijing videos at Tripfilms.com

Eastern Youth - 365 Steps Blues Promo Video

In many countries around the world, Eastern Youth is a very well known and quite popular Japanese indie punk rock trio that sings in various complex styles. Their songs' Japanese lyrics express the helplessness of much of today's younger Japanese generation. This video is a newly released high quality promo version of Eastern Youth's "365 Step Blues" And below the video I have also included both the Japanese lyrics in ROMAJI on the left, and just next to that on the right is an excellent English translation that another Eastern Youth fan/Japanese friend of mine gave me last year. And I just really like Eastern Youth and, especially, this song too! Please enjoy!








You can see more about this very brilliant rock band at their Eastern Youth Official Japanese Website