http://keikaku.net/ Keikaku provides information about Japanese indie music to an English language audience. Copyright 2005 Keikaku.net Tue, 15 May 2012 00:42:03 -0700 en http://keikaku.net/features/100 http://keikaku.net/features/100 Tue, 15 May 2012 00:42:03 -0700 CanCan Balkan, Charan-Po-Rantan's already potent stage performance is exalted to an awe-inspiring level. Canada's premiere Japan underground music tour; Next Music From TOKYO will return again this May for its fourth showcase - Featuring Charan-Po-Rantan and their support band CanCan Balkan. I talked to world class and prize winning accordion player Koharu of Charan-Po-Rantan about the duo's upcoming Canadian tour, and musical backgrounds.]]> http://keikaku.net/features/99 http://keikaku.net/features/99 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:43:25 -0700 Galactica Magnum changed their name to Aeronauts in 2003. Rooted in hard rock, emo, alternative and new wave Aeronauts‘ rock style is defined by both a smooth and unrefined garage-rock sound. Aeronauts‘ contrasting musical style may seem to be a contradiction in terms, but these contrasts are what sets this band apart and inspires fans to describe Aeronauts‘ music as defining the word indie. Aeronauts have the distinction of being the only band I have ever recommended twice - Once in 2005, and again in 2011. The band has released 4 singles and 4 albums to date, with all four albums I AM O.K. (2011), ReadyMade (2009 ), RIDE (2006) and WASH (2004) available at bandcamp. I recently had the pleasure to interview vocalist and guitar player Gendai Matsuyama, guitarist Tomowo Morikawa, drummer Ieyasu Kitade and bass player Arata Ikemoto about Aeronauts' origins and changes in recording music.]]> http://keikaku.net/reviews/191 http://keikaku.net/reviews/191 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:23:07 -0700 The Pillows at some point and probably really liked them, even if you do not anymore. Personally, they were the band that got me interested in Japanese music in the first place and they will ...]]> http://keikaku.net/profiles/58 http://keikaku.net/profiles/58 Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:00:33 -0700 http://keikaku.net/profiles/58 http://keikaku.net/profiles/58 Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:00:23 -0700 http://keikaku.net/features/98 http://keikaku.net/features/98 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:19:45 -0700 The Mootekkis' rock-ethic has more bells and whistles than a video game and could well send fans into anaphylactic shock. Formed in 2008, this international rock-brotherhood consists of vocalist Mike Hannah, guitar player Jude Conlon, drummer Masafumi Sugiyama, guitarist Koji Iwata and bassist Tomoaki Sekiwa. I recently talked to The Mootekkis' Mike Hannah about the band's first EP and their bare-bones approach to rock.]]> http://keikaku.net/features/97 http://keikaku.net/features/97 Sun, 15 May 2011 14:11:11 -0700 Hunting Pigeons' is a straightforward indie rock four-piece from Kobe, Japan. Along with bass player and former bandmate Kuniaki Kakusei (25m Floater), guitarist Noriaki Takagi, and drummer Kozo Nakamura -- Hunting Pigeons is the latest offering from former 25m Floater frontman Isseki Shirai. Hunting Pigeons will be releasing their self-produced debut album Honeycomb Jukebox on July 6, 2011. While, Isseki Shirai's label will release an EP by Sentinels, and his solo album later this year. I talked to Isseki about the new album and the history of the band.]]> http://keikaku.net/features/97 http://keikaku.net/features/97 Sun, 15 May 2011 14:11:10 -0700 Hunting Pigeons' is a straightforward indie rock four-piece from Kobe, Japan. Along with bass player and former bandmate Kuniaki Kakusei (25m Floater), guitarist Noriaki Takagi, and drummer Kozo Nakamura -- Hunting Pigeons is the latest offering from former 25m Floater frontman Isseki Shirai. Hunting Pigeons will be releasing their self-produced debut album Honeycomb Jukebox on July 6, 2011. While, Isseki Shirai's label will release an EP by Sentinels, and his solo album later this year. I talked to Isseki about the new album and the history of the band.]]> http://keikaku.net/features/97 http://keikaku.net/features/97 Sun, 15 May 2011 14:10:13 -0700 Hunting Pigeons' is a straightforward indie rock four-piece from Kobe, Japan. Along with bass player and former bandmate Kuniaki Kakusei (25m Floater), guitarist Noriaki Takagi, and drummer Kozo Nakamura -- Hunting Pigeons is the latest offering from former 25m Floater frontman Isseki Shirai. Hunting Pigeons will be releasing their self-produced debut album Honeycomb Jukebox on July 6, 2011. While, Isseki Shirai's label will release an EP by Sentinels, and his solo album later this year. I talked to Isseki about the new album and the history of the band.]]> http://keikaku.net/features/96 http://keikaku.net/features/96 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:33:31 -0700 Guitar Wolf is a garage punk power trio founded in Nagasaki, in 1987. The band coined the phrase Jet Rock 'n' Roll to describe their musical style; a conglomeration of punk, traditional rock, heavy distortion, feedback, and screamed vocals. In March 2005, bassist and founding member Billy, also known as Bass Wolf, died of a heart attack at the age of 38. His replacement in the band bassist U.G. has become a permanent member of Guitar Wolf and now rounds out the trio which currently consist of band members Seiji (Guitar Wolf), U.G. (Bass Wolf), and Toru (Drum Wolf). After a 5 year US tour hiatus, returned to North America for limited tour. Guitar Wolf returns May 9, 2011 for a nationwide tour (schedule).]]>