More Genius leaks out of Yoshiki

I know I was just gushing over the ridiculous amount of awesome that oozes out of Yoshiki..... Well, I think he heard me, because he's been on his little ol' facebook page a ton recently posting updates like crazy.   As you know, Yoshiki is once again set to orchestrate the theme for the Golden Glove awards.

X Japan drummer and songwriter Yoshiki composed the theme for the upcoming Golden Globe awards, and we all will have the pleasure of hearing all about it from the man himself.  Let's all say a big HELL YES, and check out this video:

Yoshiki chats away about about how he came up with the part-classical, part rock ‘n roll Golden Globe Theme — including the time organizers told him it was “too beautiful.”   (JUST LIKE EVERYTHING THIS MAN DOES!!)

Look out for the Golden Globe Awards — and the theme music — on January 13!  ....which happens to be my birthday (and Megadeth's James LoMenzo's).  Coincidence?  I think not.  Thanks for the bday gift, Yoshi.

I want one!!!!!!!

One of my sick obsessions - Yoshiki of X Japan - now has his own CREDIT CARD!   How amazing is this man!!!  I totally want one.

I'm amazed by this man.... If I made a cartoon of the word "epic" and put it in an adorable human body form, you'd be left with Yoshiki.

His comment about releasing this picture of the credit card: 

"...YES, this is the " YOSHIKI VISA CARD"
but people who have this, please don't post it on the internet haha!"

In remembrance of HIDE

Whether you know him as 'HIDE' (his X Japan years), 'hide' (his solo years), or don't know him at all- today seems like the right day to remember this Japanese guitar playin' and songwriting genius.  Born 49 years ago today, Hide only made it to 33 after committing suicide post a night out drinking.  But Hide shouldn't be remembered for the booze/drugs - although he certainly had his issues - just watch the live footage below and you will see how truly awesome this guy was.  Incredible stage performance.   Hell, I can't even understand a word he's saying (minus the small bits of English), and I can tell the lyrics are brilliant.  And that's why I have no choice but to make him this weeks Band Of The Week.
  

Hide is most closely associated with his 10 year career as lead guitarist in X Japan, but his fame went much greater.  His solo career was massive, and his following was beyond cult-like.  The video below shows him with X (amazing solo/guitar-work here).  Don't miss Yoshiki kickin' ass behind the kit, too.

RIP, HIDE.

New Band Of The Week - X Japan!

It seems only fitting that this week X Japan would take the title for Band of the Week.  After an amazing and completely sold out NYC show, appearance at Comic Con, and a triumphant splash on to US soil in general, I feel like its time to bow our heads to these Japanese giants and give them some good old fashioned American hospitality.
As far as X's presence in the United States it's hit or miss.  I know genuine rock and metal fans who couldn't tell you a damn thing about them, and then their others who go apeshit just by the sound of their name.
I'll get more into dishing on them during my review of their show last night as Roseland Ballroom, but till then enjoy this playlist, which is their set list from the show.

NYC Concert Update!

Lots of new shows popping up along with the colder weather.  Shows in bold are recommended by yours truly.
At this point it seems that everyone seems fairly aware of Triptykon, but for those who don't - this is Tom Gabriel Fischer Warrior (longest name in metal) from Celtic Frost's new band.  It's definitely worth seeing him whenever he hits US soil.  1349 supports, which is a perfect fit seeing as their latest (and one of their best) album was produced by the Warrior himself.
Also, the show on the 10th with Bonded by Blood will feature their new vocalist.
And lastly, the show on the 9th featuring Vamps @ Roseland may not ring a bell, but Vamps are made up of Hyde of legendary Japanese visual kei band Larc-en~ciel and K.A.Z who was in Oblivion Dust with former X Japan member, Hide.   Speaking of X Japan, you can see them the next night at Roseland.  Its a weekend chock full of some legendary J-rock.  To compare X Japan to the Japanese version of Nirvana is an understatement.  They have their own damn museum in Tokyo- this show should not be missed.

OCTOBER

-10/03 - last performance of American Idiot on broadway featuring Billie Joe Armstrong.  3 and 730 pm
-10/03 - Serj Tankien with @ Hammerstein Ballroom (Manhattan)
-10/03 - Doro Pesch and Ray West @ The Crazy Donkey (Farmingdale, Long Island)
-10/04 - Wovenhand @ Knitting Factory (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
-10/05 - Godsmack @ Hammerstein Ballroom (Manhattan)
-10/05 - Four Year Strong @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-10/06 - Triptykon with 1349 and YAkuza @ Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)
-10/07 - Krallice, Infernal Strongehold, and Concussion @ Shea Stadium Bar (Brooklyn)
-10/08 - Hellbastard, Attake, Mutilation Rites and Warfear @ Europa (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
-10/08 - Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax @ Nassau Coliseum (Uniondale, Long Island)
-10/08 - Semi Precious Weapons @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-10/08 - Swans with Baby Dee @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple (Fort Greene, Brooklyn)
-10/09 - Swans with Baby Dee @ Bowery Ballroom (Manhattan)
-10/09 Sevendust @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)
-10/09 - LA Guns [Phil Lewis version, not Traci Guns version] @ The Studio in Webster Hall (Manhattan)
-10/09 - Nuclear Assault @ Santos Party House (Manhattan)
-10/09 - Vamps @ Roseland Ballroom (Manhattan)
-10/10 - X Japan with Vampires Everywhere! @ Roseland Ballroom (Manhattan)
-10/10 - Early Man, Evile, and Bonded By Blood @ Europa (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
-10/10 - Corrision Of Conformity [reunion of the Animosity album lineup] @ Highline Ballroom (Manhattan)
-10/11 - [BOOK SIGNING] Rob Zombie to sign at Forbidden Planet (Manhattan)  Details here.
-10/13 - Stick To Your Guns @ The Crazy Donkey (Farmingdale, Long Island)
-10/15 - Dead Kennedys @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-10/16 - Rasputina @ Knitting Factory (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
-10/16 - Agnostic Front @ Santos Party House (Downtown, Manhattan)
-10/16 - Pure Hell, TV Tramps @ Europa (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
-10/16 - Suffocation @ Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)
-10/16 - The Sword @ The Grand Ballroom in Webster Hall (Manhattan)
-10/17 - Cattle Decapitation and Devourment @ The Crazy Donkey (Farmingdale, Long Island)
-10/17 - Suicide Silence @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)
-10/18 - Cattle Decapitation @ Santos Party House (Manhattan)
-10/18 - Black Veil Brides @ Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)
-10/19 - Nevermore @ Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)
-10/20 - Bad Religion - @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-10/20 - A Life Once Lost, Baptized In Blood, and Carbomb @ Europa (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
-10/22 - Bad Religion @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)
-10/23 - Muse with Metric @ Nassau Coliseum (Long Island)
-10/23 - Helmet @ Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)
-10/24 - Muse with Metric @ Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)
-10/24 - High On Fire with Torche @ The Grand Ballroom in Webster Hall (Manhattan)
-10/25 Disturbd @ Roseland Ballroom (Manhattan)
-10/26 - Bad Religion @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-10/27 - Bad Religion @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-10/28 - Misfits (Halloween Bash) @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-10/28 - Devin Townsend @ Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)
-10/29 The Misfits @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)
-10/30 - Randy Jackson of Zebra @ The Crazy Donkey (Farmingdale, Long Island)
-10/30 - The Cult @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)
-10/30 - [early show] A.G.E., Hellshock, Atakke @ Knitting Factory (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
-10/30 - [late show] Krieg and Woe @ Knitting Factory (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
-10/31 - Black Crowes @ Nokia (now called Best Buy) Theater (Times Square, Manhattan)

NOVEMBER

-11/02 - Black Crowes @ Nokia (now called Best Buy) Theater (Times Square, Manhattan)
-11/03 - Everytime I Die, Trap Them and Howl @ The Studio in Webster Hall (Manhattan)
-11/03 - Nile, Keep Of Kalessin, Ex-Deo @ The Crazy Donkey (Farmingdale, Long Island)
-11/04- Black Crowes @ Nokia (now called Best Buy) Theater (Times Square, Manhattan)
-11/06 - Mad Sin @ The Studio in Webster Hall (Manhattan)
-11/06 - Atreyu @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)
-11/07 - Powerman 5000 @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)
-11/08- Jason Bonham @ Nokia (now called Best Buy) Theater (Times Square, Manhattan)
-11/08 - Dimmu Borgir @ Nokia (now called Best Buy) Theater (Times Square, Manhattan)
-11/10 - Powerman 5000, Killcode and Dead Superstar @ The Crazy Donkey (Farmingdale, Long Island)
-11/11 - Ian Hunter [former Mott The Hoople] @ Highline Ballroom (Manhattan)
-11/12 - Oceano, Chelsea Grim @ The Crazy Donkey (Farmingdale, Long Island)
-11/13 - Darkest Hour @ Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)
-11/19 - Epica @ Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)
-11/19 - Cannibal Corpse with Dying Fetus and Vital Remains @ Santos Party House (Manhattan)
-11/20 - Overkill, Forbidden, Evile, Bonded By Blood @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)
-11/20 - Blind Guardian @ Nokia (now called Best Buy) Theater (Times Square, Manhattan)
-11/24 - Bring Me The Horizon and August Burns Red @ Nokia Theater (Times Square, Manhattan)
-11/26 - Bring Me The Horizon, August Brings Red @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)

DECEMBER

-12/01 - Ozzy @ MSG (Penn Station, Manhattan)
-12/02 - Watain and Black Anvil @ Santos Party House (Manhattan)
-12/03 - Nonpoint and In This Moment @ Santos Party House (Manhattan)
-12/03 - Ozzy @ MSG (Penn Station, Manhattan)
-12/03 - Killing Joke @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-12/11 - Kix @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)
-12/13 - Joe Satriani @ Nokia (now called Best Buy) Theater (Times Square, Manhattan)
-12/14 - Joe Satriani @ Nokia (now called Best Buy) Theater (Times Square, Manhattan)
-12/17 - Trans Siberian Orchestra @ Nassau Coliseum (Uniondale, Long Island)

JANUARY

-01/28 - Gamma Ray @ Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)

FEBUARY

-02/02 - Death Angel @ The Crazy Donkey (Farmingdale, Long Island)

-02/21 - Deicide @ Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)

-02/26 - Finntroll and Enisferum @ Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)

-02/27 - DRI @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)

RIP Hide

Wow, it's already been 12 years since Hide of X Japan fame died after hanging himself in his apartment in Toyko.  This guy was MASSIVE in Japan, and shortly after  his death there were 3 copy cat suicides.  Really sad stuff.