Maldives Government Makes Underwater Splash

Via Youtube/Associated Press October 17, 2009

Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed and his cabinet met underwater to highlight the threat of global warming:

Rex Ray to Rob Pongi: "FU"

A couple weeks ago, as usual, I was "clowning around" inside David Bowie's site: Bowienet and somehow I inspired the world-renowned fine artist and graphic designer Rex Ray to create this:



And I think it all means "For You Pongi-san!!" But then again it could possibly mean something else entirely different?!?! Well, either way, its all good and just a kind of Bowienet "inside" joke.

To see more of Rex Ray's brilliant work, please visit his official site: Rex Ray

Uniqlo Japan Steel Guitar Techno Video

Filmed all over Japan, this fast-motion, tilt-shift Uniqlo Japan Steel Guitar Techno Video is just spectacular:

Uniqlo Japan 'Branches Out' To Paris

Here are some screen shots of some Japanese Uniqlo models totally 'branching out' to Paris:

Japan's Adult Toys Robot Nation

Via Current TV

Here is a really interesting documentary short film (100% Safe For Work - SFW) on how Japan continues to develop robot technology (i.e. "adult toys"), improve masturbation devices, ban immigration, and exacerbate the rapid decline of its own birth rate - all of which, combined, may ultimately decimate the entire Japanese population:

Funny Japanese TV Commercials for Softbank

Here are some funny Japanese TV commercials for Softbank. They're all in Japanese only with no English subtitles, but basically the dog is the "father" who, of course, is one of the most important members of any family. And, with Japan's current "dog boom" still showing no end in sight, the comic premise of these commercials includes a satirical stab at many Japanese dog owners who, believe it or not, consider canines as 'humans' and that dogs are more important than children:

Ha Ha Ha America by Jon Daniel Ligon

This is a short film produced in Shanghai and Wen Zhou China in 2006 by Jon Daniel Ligon entitled Ha Ha Ha America which features scenes of the amazing growth of China and, through the use of comic Engrish subtitles, also makes a very funny satirical laughing stock of the USA and the administration of former President George Bush.

Part 1:




Part 2:

'Headphone' Video by Molice

From their first album 'Doctor Ray' here is an all-new promo video called 'Headphone' by one of Japan's hottest alternative rock groups Molice:




Be sure to also check out their very cool first promo video Ms. Panic

To find out more about this quickly up and coming band, please visit the Molice Official Website

Funny Japanese TV: Foreigner in Japan Shop

Via Japan Probe

Here is a funny segment from the “Katakuri TV” show, in which a non-Japanese speaking foreigner buys some candy from some cute non-English speaking Japanese kids:

Electric Eel Shock 'Sugoi Indeed'

Electric Eel Shock stays metal, man


CHIAKI NOZU PHOTO


Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

By DANIEL ROBSON

Special to The Japan Times


'I am 'Metal Man,' " states Akihito Morimoto matter-of-factly. "I love heavy metal, and I also studied metal materials and die-cast manufacture at university. So all my life is about metal."

At the live shows of his band Electric Eel Shock, it shows. Coming on stage 150 times a year to their own twisted, tortured version of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man," guitar-vocalist Morimoto and chums Kazuto Maekawa (bass, gurning) and Tomoharu "Gian" Ito (drums, nudity) rock up a sweat, blasting out tight, powerful metal with a fistful of Osaka humor.

Over 10 years of almost constant touring, the band have become one of Japan's best-known musical exports, playing at venues and festivals all over the U.S. and Europe. It's not only their staggering stage show that has earned them a reputation — though watching Morimoto lurch around the stage with his Flying V guitar in his mouth before calling everyone in the audience "bastards" while Gian, wearing nothing but a strategically placed sock, whacks his kit with four sticks and Maekawa lurches into the crowd certainly has its charms. No, it is also the members' unfailing belief in the power of metal, which has seen their albums grow increasingly essential despite their low-budget recording.

Their sixth album, "Sugoi Indeed," is their best to date, a short but sweet bundle of power chords, guitar solos and fierce rhythms. Its songs feature lyrics in English (which Morimoto, with his limited vocabulary, describes as "difficult") and Japanese, and include the aforementioned "Metal Man" as well as garage-rocker "Out Of Control" ("The song's character thinks he loves his girlfriend, but really he just loves thinking of himself as a caring lover," explains Morimoto) and the dark "More," whose chorus contains a subtle warning against wasting food ( "More! More! More! It's gross!").


Continued...

Here is their latest release 'Out of Control' from "Sugoi Indeed":



Note: Having seen this band once before, I can't wait to get their new album. Also check out their awesome video: Electric Eel Shock - Rock & Roll Can Rescue The World

And be sure to visit their official website: Electric Eel Shock

Trailer: My Girlfriend is The President

Just released by Alcot, here is the official trailer for the upcoming Japanese video game: 幼なじみは大統領 "OSANANAJIMI HA DAITOURYOU" or "My Girlfriend is The President":



Well, I can "imagine" but I'm not exactly sure "how" this game is supposed to be played!?!?! Also, despite the fact that this video game will be sold "all over the universe" (i.e. in Japan only), somehow it appears as though some magical hero, a panda and some guy's young Japanese girlfriend will apparently save the world! YATTA!!!

CNN News Video: Marriage Hunting In Japan

September 8, 2009

Long work hours have many Japanese turning to "marriage hunting" agencies. CNN's Morgan Neill reports.



Via Breaking News Videos From CNN.com

David Bowie and Beezy Bailey: Art for Africa

Via Bowienet

On Monday, September 21, 2009, the first Art for Africa auction will be held at Sotheby's in London. And there will be many amazing works contributed by several contemporary artists with all of the proceeds going to orphaned and needy children in Africa. Among the artists participating will be David Bowie and Beezy Bailey with their painting "From Nahodka Westward by Train":




Via Art For Africa - David Bowie and Beezy Bailey

"Lot number: 4
Details: From Nahodka Westward by Train
Oil on canvas
Signed by both Artists
40.6 x 50.8 cm
16 x 20.8 in
Executed in 1994
Provenance: Donated by the Artists
Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000 "

Artists biography:

"David Bowie was born in London in 1947."

"In 1996, Bowie's wife, Iman, visited South Africa for a shoot with photographer Bruce Webber for American Vogue. David Bowie decided to check out the first Johannesburg Biennale. While in Cape Town he met Beezy Bailey who was also being photographed by Webber and subsequently did an interview with Bowie for Modern Painters Magazine. Beezy and David immediately got on and Beezy suggested painting together at the same time as doing the interview - to which Bowie agreed. The artists produced three paintings and drawings in Beezy's Cape Town studio which were later shown in David's exhibition in Cork Street, London."

"After their collaboration in South Africa, Beezy flew to New York while David was acting as Warhol in the Julian Schnabel film on Basquiat and putting together his 'Outside' album. During this time Beezy and David created some 50 canvasses working together in a creative process that was extraordinary and powerful."

"Only a few of these works have been available for public view at Gallery Thorens in Basel and only one of these paintings has been sold previously in the 'Art for Aids orphans' auction in Cape Town. The painting 'From Nahodka Westward by Train" was named as such by David as it reminded him of a particular train trip he took during a tour in the 1970's in Japan."

For more information, please visit the Art For Africa Home Page

Lego Big Morl 'Afureru' 溢れる

Just released on July 22, 2009, here is the new single 溢れる ('Afureru' or 'Overflow') by the Japanese indie rock group known as Lego Big Morl



Starting out in March 2006 in Osaka, Lego Big Morl has quickly become a pretty popular group and has often appeared on both local and national Japanese TV and radio shows. Current members are Kanata Takehiro (Vocals & Guitar), Tanaka Hiroki (Guitar), Shintaro Yamamoto (Bass) and Asakawa Hiroshi (Drums). They will appear live at the SkyJamboree '09 in Nagasaki on Sunday, August 23 2009. For more information about this band, please visit their Official Website You can also listen to some more samples of their upbeat and catchy tunes on their MySpace page

Japanese Pig Rodeo 2009 Video

The 26th Annual Japanese Pig Rodeo was recently held on Thursday, August 13, 2009 in Ehime Prefecture, which is Japan's pork production capital. There were 40 men and women who participated in this year's "Bacon Bronco" all going for the grand prize of 50,000 yen (about $520). All the pigs weighed about 100 kilograms and the attending audience just laughed and applauded the 'Pig Pokes' who were in the rodeo:




The original Japanese news story can be read on Asahi News

Live Video: Mass of the Fermenting Dregs

Recently released on YouTube, here is a very good, multi-camera shot video of Mass of The Fermenting Dregs live at the Daikanyama Unit in Tokyo on September 22, 2008. And having seen them just a couple months ago, I have to say that this video really captures the intensity of Mass Dore and their fans quite well. Of course, you want to turn up the volume all the way:



Related posts:

Mass of The Fermenting Dregs - ハイライト

Mass Of The Fermenting Dregs Tokyo Concert Review

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs Live Video

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs Promo Video

Boom Boom Satellites: 'Back On My Feet'

The Boom Boom Satellites are a Japanese electronic duo (Michiyuki Kawashima and Masayuki Nakano) that has been making some of the world's best electronic/jazz/rock music since 1995. Below is a truly incredible video for their newly released single entitled 'Back On My Feet':






Also they very recently released a live DVD "Metomorphose 08 Live Cuts" and they will appear at Shibuya On Air East on Tuesday, July 28th. But, unfortunately, that show is already sold out. But they will also play at Summer Sonic '09 on Saturday, August 8th in Osaka. And on Sunday, August 23rd they will perform live at SkyJamboree '09 in Nagasaki. For more information about this duo, please visit their official website: Boom Boom Satellites

Aria Asia Live: 'Morning Sunshine'

In the spring of 2008, Aria Asia started out by playing solo violin in the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo. She quickly became very popular and has since worked with Do As Infinity and Japan's "Empress of Pop" Ayumi Hamasaki. Also, she will tour later this year with the world famous Kitaro. The below video features Aria Asia and her rock band in a recent live performance of "Morning Sunshine" in Tokyo:




Aria Asia's current band is Aria(violin), D・A・I (guitar), Acchi(bass) and DUCCI(drums). This group will appear today (Friday, July 24th) at the Fuji Rock Festival in the Gypsy Avalon starting around 7:00 pm. To find out more please visit the Aria Asia Official Site