MERRY CRASSMAS

I don't like Christmas. I'm not anti Christmas, but I just feel like I have nothing to celebrate. Also this period of the year is dark and cold, very depressing. I read somewhere that this is the time of the year where the suicide rate is the highest. I can relate to that...

Christmas in Japan is weird too. Very different than where I come from. It's more a time for couples, for dating, a little bit like Valentine for European. That, on the other hand, is a thing I can't relate to.

So every year, it's a huge drag. I'm bored at home, not knowing what to do. So this year I decided to try something different. I had a nice and quiet party with few friends on the 23rd. The theme was Oden and Distro. Oden is so easy to prepare and delicious. I also put the distro boxes that I usually bring to shows in the living room, so my friends could check what they want, and give it a spin on the turntable. That was cool. We ate a lot, had some nice talks and ended up reading some mangas and checking some old flyers.

On the 24th, I cleaned the house and baked some cakes for some friends. The plan was to go to see a "pop idols" show in town. The pop idol trend is very different than what we had back in the days. Here in Japan it's basically some super young girls dressing all sexy, acting cute and dumb, singing some shitty songs with crappy dances. Short version, this the botom of the barrel when it comes to music, but it seems it works pretty well, considering the number of "bands".

Anyway, that night was some local idols and to my surprise they were younger than what I thought. Most of them were high school students, and seeing those children acting and dancing in front of a bunch of grown up men suddenly became a little bit disturbing, Even more for the after show with the photo session. Disturbing, but not outrageous, and in the end it was kind of fun to watch. My friend Yoko works as a bar tender there so I  had a nice talk with her, we ate cakes, and I even got a Christmas present, so I can't complain.

The show finished super early, probably because most of the girls had school the next day. So I just hung around in town on my bike, watching the Christmas illumination, then went back home.

The 25th, I just spent the whole day in pajama, watching animes and eating sweets, like the gross animal that I am. It felt so wrong, but it felt so right. That is probably one of the best Christmas I have ever had. Can't wait for next one!

MYTH AND REALITY

Has it really been that long? Oh well...

Last weekend, my good friends from END OF POLLUTION organised a nice gig where they asked me to bring my distro. I even baked some vegan cookies for the occasion, that I "sold" at the distro (1 cookie = 1 hug).

It was a kind of a release party for the new NEMESIS 7". It was cool, the members were super happy with the record, and they did a good show. There were few technical problems so it wasn't their best show, but it was cool.

END OF POLLUTION too were great. That time it wasn't all messy, and we could hear the songs very well. I'm enjoying more and more their noisy and tribal euro crust when they do it well.

AVFALL from Tokyo played as a 3-piece because their bass player couldn't make it. It's been two years since the GASMASK TERROR Japan tour, and there have been a lot of changes in the line up. Anyway, it was great to see them again, we were all very happy to hug and talk, and I was glad to see that despite the fact they became older, they are still pretty dumb. And I mean that in a good way. I just love them the way there are.

Their set was just brutal! Raw and primitive (not in a shitty way), the drumming was fast and tight, the guitar and the vocals were nasty and punk as fuck. Like if someone was kicking you the teeth repeatedly. Brilliant.

I think I missed some other bands...and UNARM (also from Tokyo) played. I've been a huge fan for a long time, and we are in contact since the GASMASK TERROR tour too. Everytime we see each other it is very intense. A lot of interesting talks, about politics, music and life. There is a strong conection between us, a real friendship. We had a good time at a restaurant before the show. A lot of laughter and sweet conversations.

And live they were just devastating. Still amazingly noisy and violent, but really genuine. It was fast, loud, and very political. Somewhere between GLOOM, LIFE and ELECTRO HIPPIES if that make any sense? They also talked a lot about what happens in Fukushima, and this is always interesting to have bands taking the time to talk between their songs. Really one of my favourite band in Tokyo. They will have their first LP out at the end of the month on HARDCORE SURVIVES. Do yourself a favour and check it out.

As I said before, it was the release party for the new NEMESIS 7", that I released with my two partners in crime Luc and Dennis. It will be available in Japan/Asia/Oceania from next week. Hopefully in the same time in Europe through RATBONE RECORDS and in the US through SOLAR FUNERAL.

 ネメシス : 暁鐘 7" - NEMESIS : Gyoushou

Introducing the 2nd E.P. from the voice of a new generation of Kyushu hardcore punk. This 4 track record attempts to capture the destructive live energy that has forced Japan to turn its head and take notice. On this new E.P., you can expect the same style of catchy, powerful songwriting built from burly bass riffs, intense pounding drums, piercing guitars and desperate shouts from the throat. This is pure, Japanese hardcore in the Selfish/Bloodsucker tradition.
Split release by Flower Of Carnage, Ratbone & Solar Funeral. Comes with an extra insert with English translations and a download code. 1,000 copies.

VESPERA

I've been in Tokyo just before new year's eve in order to spend some times with my good friend Yoshi and also to go records hunting! Also, after the falafel party we did at home, i wanted to go to check this new falafel restaurant called Vespera. This restaurant has been opened in Nogata, in the Nakano area, a year ago or something, and is run by Eiji, who was the drummer of D.S.B., HAZARD and who play these days in a band who has the same name than the restaurant, VESPERA.

It was great to see Eiji and to watch him cook. He's doing absolutely everything!! His humus, pita, falafel of course, but also his sauces, vegan mayonaise, etc... We ordered some take away falafels with Yoshi, but i have to admit that was maybe not the best idea. Not very confortable to eat, and i wish we had more time to sit there and eat quietly (although there isn't so much space to sit there). Anyway for all of you who visit Tokyo, be sure to pay a visit to Eiji. He's a very nice guy and his falafels were great! And on the top of that, this is fucking cheap!

 

Another place i recommend, that Yoshi made me discover, is a bar called October. Not drinking acohol for almost 12 years now made me a not too keen to go in a bar kind of person. But being with a friend in Tokyo, i said fuck it! and really don't regret it. The bar is not very big and is super dark. The first thing that caught my eyes is that there are records everywhere! The owner is a very sweet man, and we can ask him anything and he will play some records to us. So i asked him if he had some French singers, and the guy pulled out a beautiful japanese press of a Jacques Brel LP (with gatefold tip-on jacket, obi strip, etc...). I had a shiver down my spine when i heard the first notes of Jaures. Great moment. 

 

But, the guy warned us quickly. It is forbidden to touch the records. There is no organisation at all, but he knows the place of each records, so he doesn't want us to mess with that. This is just insane. We had a great time talking and listening to some great music, such as JUNE OF 44, DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, ENGINE DOWN, NO KNIFE, JAWBOX, NEIL YOUNG, JOY DIVISION, and so on. A lot of rock'n'roll, indie rock, oldschool emo. That was fantastic!

Came back to Yoshi's place super late, ate instant noodles and smoked a cigar while listening to SHOTMAKER. Boy that felt good! I went to bed and fell asleep, dreaming like a teenager about this Yamaguchi Momoe photo that was on Yoshi's wall.

More records hunting the next day with Yoshi, despite the shitty weather. Then i went back home. Taking the train on new year's eve was probably the worst idea i had in 2012. Five hours standing up in a train, surrounded by irritating people, with their i-pad and their i-phone, sunglasses on a rainy day, atrocious perfume that smell like shit! This trip back home was a nightmare. But i don't regret it, as i really spent a tremendous time in Tokyo. And i wish to go back there soon, in order to visit those places again!

IF TOMORROW...

It's been a long time without posting anything. I wasn't joking when i said 2012 would be an autistic year. And 2013 will probably be the same. Being away from the internet is delightful. More time to read books, see friends or bake vegan cookies. Attend a lot of shows too, as there are some really good local bands recently and i'm thrilled to work on some projects with some of them.

Finally on holydays, we celebrated by doing an awesome falafel party at home. It's been years i didn't eat a falafel, and the last ones i ate were back when i was in Lyon, France, and boy, they tasted awful. I had nothing to do except let my friends take care of that, and also bake some vegan cupcakes. We had a tremendous time eating like pigs and listening to good music. My friend Kimika and i celebrated the entire EVANCE and LIBERATE discographies among other good japanese hardcore. A lot of UK 70's punk records have been played too. Seriously the food was unbelievable and i would never thank Toshi and Kimika enough for cooking such a delicious meal.

 
 
 

The plan was to play football together the next morning, just before hiting my favourite tenpura restaurant in town. We did play football a little  bit, but it was so cold that we had to stop sooner than what we thought. And also let's face it, we're not 21 years old anymore. Of course we did eat tenpura, like if we didn't eat enough the day before. I just can't believe how much food we swallowed. We just ate like if tomorrow don't comes.

Still, it always amazes me to see how easy, cheap and healthy it is to eat vegan food here in Japan. A big fuck off to all those fuckers telling you that it is impossible to be vegan/vegetarian on a long term, and that it is even dangerous. I wish i could ask Joe Pesci to pay you all a visit and tell you to go fuck your mother!

 

Anyway, that was great and i hope we'll do that again soon. A lot of exciting things are going to happen before the end of the year. More personal and useless shit to come!

LIBERATION OF OUR MINDS

END OF POLLUTION / AKKA / DISTURD / PEOPLE at AT HALL in Oita, July 14th 2012

Despite the heavy rain that was hitting Kyushu island, i decided to do a two days trip by train, and go to see some shows. Maybe not the brightest idea, as most of the trains and buses were delayed. It was quite a mess, but that was fun. I just wanted to go to new places, search for local Udon restaurant, sit in a quiet place with a good book and a coffee. And of course, see some friends and bands i didn't see for a long time.

So, saturday, i took the train to Oita, My good friends from AKKA were playing there. It is the first time they play in Kyushu, and i didn't see them since the GASMASK TERROR tour, so i was really excited to see them.
For that show, END OF POLLUTION from Fukuoka was also playing. But because of the rain they arrived super late. They arrived and they played, so that was not their best show. Their bass player left the band so they have a new one. But she only knows half of the songs so the first part of the show was only guitar and drums. Weird.

AKKA were great. Good sound, good energy. I love this 90's euro anarcho crust sound mixed with COLLAPSE SOCIETY or something like this. Live, it is noisy but not messy. The songs are very memorable, there is a lot of passion. Absolutely delightful. One of my favorite band these days in Japan for sure! And such good people. Their debut EP on Hardcore Survives is really good. Sad but true, probably the only record worth buying from this label recently (along with the great THINK AGAIN/SOTATILA EP).

There were some local bands playing after that. Some really bad NYHC/moshing metal shit, with kung fu dance and that kind of dumb things. That was time for me to have a walk.
I was curious to see DISTURD from Kobe. Some friends of mine told me their EPs were great, and even though i can't understand why they chose such a band name, i wanted to see them. Well that was good, but i wasn't blown away. This is somewhere between AGE and HELLSHOCK, if that makes any sense? Most of the time i thought something was missing. Then i realize that the drums were kind of weak, especially on the slower part, which gave no impact at all. When they played some faster parts, that was kind of cool, although i am not a big fan of the vocals. So i'd say it was good, i will see them in two weeks so i hope it will be better. I got their two EPs which are good, especially the first one. But i'd take any AGE records any days!

PEOPLE, from Oita, who organized the show that night, played last. I could talk with some members of the band before, they were very nice, but i can't get into this band. It is really sloppy/fuzzy punk, very chaotic, in the vein of the SWANKYS, or probably more recently, something similar to Australia's VAGINORS? I like few songs, but after a while i am bored. It was good because people there seemed to enjoy. They were all dancing and smiling as it was fun. But it didn't do it for me. It was also too long in my humble opinion. I guess i am a bitter man who can't relax and have some fun.  

Spent the rest of the night talking to some friends, and when the bands decided to go to some restaurant for the after party, i knew it was time for me to leave and have some time alone in an internet cafe. I wanted to take some rest and get up early as i had to take the train for Fukuoka, and i was worrying about the weather. 

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CONTROL / URBAN HEAD RAW / LIFE at JAJA in Fukuoka, July 15th 2012

So the next day i take the train to Fukuoka. Surprisingly the weather is better, but it's hot as hell. I arrive early in Fukuoka so i have time to walk around, drink coffee, see the familly.

Once to the club, i am happy to see my friend Nori who plays in LIFE and SCREWITHIN. I am in contact with him since last year's earthquake and tsunami. He's very active with Human Recovery Project or Valley Of The Storm. Basically he goes almost every week in the most damaged areas of Fukushima's prefecture and brings help to the local people. We regulary send money, clothes, flower seeds or anything they need, so they can bring some hope and joy to the people there. Sadly, we live very far and we are very busy with our jobs, so we think it is great that there are some people who can make a link between us and the people in need. Anyway, it was great to meet, talk, laugh...it really made my day and brought me strenght.

That night CONTROL was playing. Well, you can't do more CONFUSE influenced than this band. Live, it was very fuzzy and noisy, very pogo punk. But Dear Lord that singer was awful to watch! He didn't move one single inch, didn't show any signs of passion. I really didn't feel the love. Ha! But that wasn't as bad as i expected. It was ok.
There was another band i don't remember the name. It was their first show and there were some ex-HARMONY (Fukuoka hardcore band). I didn't really like this band, especially the female vocals, super high. Also the music wasn't my cup of tea. Reminded me the band MON DRAGON from France, which is not really good in my book. Not at all.
URBAN HEAD RAW did a good show, as usual. I don't understand why this band is so underrated.

LIFE played last. That was great, despite some bass and guitar amps problems, that ruined the rhythm. But except that, it was super tight, fast and loud. Some metal riffs sometimes here and there, in the middle of this noisy crust punk. Works fine. Super political and super angry, it is great to see a band that keeps this anger burning after almost 20 years! And so much passion and energy on stage! Every member is jumping, moshing, yelling or whatever. Totally astonishing! People got really crazy, in a good way, and it was an excellent show, minus the technical problems.
I will probably see them again in August, i can't wait!

I didn't stay very long after that. I had to go back home by night bus. So i had to hurry up to cacth the last one. Just the time to say goodbye to some friends, and i was gone.
Also, i don't know what i did with my camera, but i must have touched something, and i have problems doing videos. So i couldn't shot some videos that weekend, sorry. I'll try to figure this out for the next time.

LAMENTATION

I didn't attend a single show in months. Too busy taking care of the label, or re-organizing my LPs and EPs and watching animal documentaries. 2012 will be an autistic year for sure.

Still, i need to spread some infos about the new FLOWER OF CARNAGE releases, so here we go. First of all, the GASMASK TERROR Like Daggers 7" has been repressed on clear gold vinyl just on time for the band's French tour last March. This time, our good friend from SOLAR FUNERAL joined us for the 2nd press, which is über cool. If you live in the US, please contact him, if you live in Europe contact RATBONE RECORDS. Only 300 copies have been repressed, so act fast!

Talking about repress, the ネメシス : 慟哭 7" (NEMESIS : Dou Koku)  has been repressed too, on opaque blue vinyl, just on time for their mini Japan tour this May. If you live in the US, please contact SOLAR FUNERAL, if you live in Europe contact RATBONE RECORDS. Only 300 copies have been repressed so, again, act fast!
Here are the tour dates :

05/02 Hiroshima - w/ Origin Of M, Nightmare, Asphalt, Heaven's Gates, Rapes

05/12 Nagoya - w/ Acrostix, Reality Crisis, System Fucker, D-Clone

05/13 Tokyo (Burning Spirits) - w/ Forward, Warhead, Zone, Akutare, The Slowmotions

05/15 TBA

05/16 Yokohama - w/ Think Again, Rydeen, Anarchy Condoms

05/17 Shizuoka - w/ 902, The Scooterz, Dildos, Texas Holydays

05/19 Osaka - w/ Nightmare, Organism, マサカリ, Anti Spectacle

05/20 Fukuoka - w/ TBA 

In other news for FLOWER OF CARNAGE, the VEUVE SS Visceres 1 sided 12" has just been released. And the LAST CHAOS Kill Dick Control 7" is ready to be shipped and should be available in May. Just check all the informations below.

VEUVE SS : Visceres 1 sided 12"

VEUVE SS is a new hardcore punk band from Lyon, France, with member of 12XU, MOMS ON METH and ex-OVERMARS, ex-THE FLYING WORKERS. They play ugly and nasty hardcore in the vein of bands like SEX/VID, CULT RITUAL, NAZI DUST, but they are also paying tribute to 80's hardcore like DIE KREUZEN, NEGATIVE FX, SS DECONTROL and other weird shit. 6 songs of brutal and creepy hardcore punk with disgusted vocals, heavy and powerful recording, with minimalist artwork and silkscreen on B side. Only 350 copies have been made and it's a split release with my good friends from ECHO CANYON. Please contact them if you live in Europe.

LAST CHAOS : Kill Dick Control 7"

LAST CHAOS is a new raw punk hardcore band from Australia with members of TEARGAS. Raging and intense, they take influences from Finnish punk, like TERVEET KADET, VARAUS, etc... but also from some japanese punk sound, like early CROW. Total killer and powerful bass and drums, vocals are very memorable and has huge reverb effect, that brings modern influences to mind, such as DESTINO FINAL or KRIEGSHOG. Mastering has been done by Jack Control (WORLD BURNS TO DEATH), and here you are with 4 songs of raw punk attack from Australia!!
This is a split release with HARDCORE VICTIM (Yeap's label, ex-PISSCHRIST, KROMOSOM vocalist) and NUCLEAR BLOOD (Murdoch's label, LAST CHAOS bass player and awesome punk artist).

FLOWER OF CARNAGE website is dead, as well as the email address that went with it. No plans to come back on the internet. As i said, autistic year.
Oldschool rules, you suck!

TRAGIC END

First show of the year, and this is already one of my favourite! Totally killer! We were very excited as our friends from END OF POLLUTION did things very well. Distro space, after party with handmade curry and rice, and of course great bands all night!

I admit i didn't like so much GEEIGNORANT. Very noisy crust punk whatever. That was so sloppy that i didn't understand what they were doing.

TOLIVE from Kumamoto were good. It was good d-beat noisy crust as fuck punk that was very well executed.

But i think the local bands did a good job that night. I felt END OF POLLUTION were great. I was very impressed because for the first time i felt that they were really doing songs. I mean with some structures, not just noise. It worked well and i really enjoyed their show. But for me the good surprise was DISOBLIGE. I heard this band on several local compilations or split, but never had the opportunity to see them live, shame on me. That was just great! Probably not the most popular style these days, but i liked it. Super fast hardcore in the vein of LOS CRUDOS, E-150, and even some moments that reminded me MK ULTRA or CHARLES BRONSON...intense, fast and really catchy! They became one of my favourite new local band!

I seriously didn't know what to expect from PERSEVERE. I don't think i have ever really listened properly to their record before this show. But i was blown away by their live performance!! That was straight and in your face hardcore punk! Super tight and angry. I love the fact that you can feel tons of influences from the 80's Finnish punk to the UK 82 punk too, but they don't try to sound like them. They have their own sound, pure primitive punk. Songs are simple as fuck, full of energy, and the guys are just too nice to be true!

PERSEVERE VIDEO

When i saw LAST SENTENCE last year in May, that was a brutal ear punishment! This time of course, that was still ultra noisy but i could hear the songs well. I think this place is great and that the guys taking care of the sound are doing a great job too. However, the show was terrific! Super catchy and powerful raw noise attack that reminds of course GLOOM. People enjoyed a lot and it seems the band too. A better show than last time i saw them. Really curious to see them again and to hear new recording with their new line up.

LAST SENTENCE VIDEO

All in all that was a great night. That was cool to see Jessee again even if that was short. We could also got some good money for the Fukushima victims from the second hand record boxes. I know there weren't many killer records but people were curious and they helped a lot, buying some of them. We have to do that again! Thanks to everyone. That was one of the best show of 2012 for sure!