May 22nd, 2012 9:41
Posted by Takuro
「A change of pace & other things」
Changing from the acoustic to the good old electric guitar, I’m getting ready for our show with KING BROTHERS. The rehearsals for Unplugged are really fun, too, but… I just can’t help but say that distortion really is wonderful! Playing in a rock band is fun, guys.
I tried playing the Navigator again after a long time. I’m currently pondering whether to use it at the show, too. Also, I’m considering having two amp racks.
I recommend this CD. It’s a compilation series by the title of “LateNightTales” and has different artists select all the tracks on the disc. So, this isn’t Belle & Sebastian’s new album but rather songs selected by them (their second in the series). Others featured in the series include Fatboy Slim, AIR (the French one), Jamiroquai and — possibly a good one for the 9mm fans — Arctic Monkeys, etc, so there’s a big back catalog. You’ll probably only be able to get imports of these.
Listening to a compilation made by someone else, thus having music that you didn’t choose playing in the background as you go about your life (mostly if you live in the city)… it was quite weird, actually. Not to say it’s a bad thing or anything.
May 22nd, 2012 9:39
Posted by Takuro
「After GW」
After Arabaki (which was a full house — thanks also to the people who were even watching from outside!) and Golden Week, we’re now working hard on the arrangements for MTV Unplugged. Yesterday we played through all the songs we’re planning on performing and were able to come up with rough arrangements for all of them. Though there might still be some changes to be made, the only thing left is for us four to just play them again and again and again.
There are new shows that are being announced as well as a number of other things I’d like to talk about, but as my head’s not really in proper working order (possibly because it can’t get used to the acoustic arrangements), I’ll be gradually talking about them when I can.
April 30th, 2012 23:59
Posted by Chihiro
「Just spreading some propaganda.」
Hello all you morbid boys and girls. Far from being just an “ally of justice”, I am justice itself. This is Chihiro. Everyday it’s all justice, justice!
Tomorrow’s the release date of my much loved avengers in scif-fi’s new album “Disc 4 The Seasons”, you know. Man, it’s so good, it’s already sure to be an item placed in a World Heritage Site. Even though I wasn’t asked by avens, I’ll be reviewing all songs just for my own self-satisfaction. Even though I didn’t even advertise our own act 4, right?! Aren’t I just a complete ungrateful, condescending hypocrite?! Aaaahhh, I don’t even know, kyahahaha!
1. Yang 2: A killer tune with a B-melody that’s way too pretty. From the very first listen, your excitedness as well as various bodily fluids start to overflow.
2. Psycho Monday: The pleasant delay will put you under its spell. It makes you go crazy with the “tekumakumayaron“¹-like chanting!
3. Two Lone Swallows: The harmonies by Taro and Inami are like thieves of love. Teacher, you make all the young girls fall for you.²
4. Stairway To The Sun.I: Just hearing the E-D#-B, E-D#-B in the chorus is enough to make me feel glad to be alive.
5. Stairway To The Sun.II: Hey, this sounds like a foreign band.
6. Sonic Fireworks: Isn’t this just way too good? Every time I hear that intro, I can’t help but smile broadly.
7. Skywalker: There’s the feeling of a universe characteristic of Avens here. I will again make you my prisoner tonight… come then, let’s begin our night of sin…
8. Pearl Pool: The way they use accents, the subtractions and extractions… stylish as always. I don’t know what to say… though they are my rivals, these guys are pretty splendid.
9. Lady Organa: Starts off with a tribe-like approach and scatters off from there. My brains are in this state of insane festivities… and something’s leaking out.
10. Wish Upon The Diamond Dust: Taro’s guitar makes you feel so good, even its legality is questionable. His fingers are luring me into romance…
11. The Planet Hope: I surrender myself to the beat, so just let me enjoy this moment even for an instant, brother. Avens are so cool that pretty much the only freedom left to us anymore is to pick boogers out of our noses…
Verdict… while you can expect to get really fired up when listening to this, it’s at the level where there are no adverse health effects! Please have a peace of mind and go buy this. I’ll buy it, too. Let’s listen to it together!
¹ Catchphrase of Akko from Himitsu no Akko-chan.
² …don’t ask me.
April 30th, 2012 23:58
Posted by staff
「Kazuhiko Nakamura’s 28th birthday!!」
After the Osaka campaign, we all had dinner together.
Naturally, there was a surprise celebration seeing as 4/24 is Kazuhiko Nakamura’s 28th birthday! With the assistance of the Osaka staff, we were able to celebrate both the release of “act 4” & Kazuhiko’s birthday at the same time!
We had a wonderful cake prepared for us.
Congratulations, Kazuhiko! ☆
Not only is this cake huge, but all the text is written with a chocolate pen, and they even used the same font as the 9mm logo!
The cake left a huge impression on the members!
Thank you very much.
The fact that the surprise was spoiled by the fact that we could hear the sound of the candles being lit in the other room… we’ll keep that a secret, okay? (laughs)
April 30th, 2012 23:57
Posted by staff
「Osaka campaign! The other three edition!」
Following that, the three of them arrived at FM802 to do an acoustic session!
After recording their comment, here they are in rehearsal!
A commemorative picture after successfully getting through their performance.
The Osaka campaign ended a success!!
Thank you!
Bonus picture.
April 30th, 2012 23:56
Posted by staff
「Osaka campaign! Kamijo edition」
Next, the members split up into two teams!
First up, the Kamijo edition.
At Tower Records Namba.
At Tower Records Umeda NU Chayamachi.
At Tower Records Umeda Osaka Marubiru.
Thanks to everyone at these stores!
We’re hoping for your continued support with “act 4”.
To be continued…
April 30th, 2012 23:55
Posted by staff
「Osaka campaign!」
We’re in Osaka to do promotion for “act 4”!!
We’re on a really hectic schedule!
Introducing Munck Kamijo! (laughs)
Firstly, appearing on radio with the four of them!
FM OSAKA 「Realize!」
Commemorative picture with DJ Mori ( ´ ▽ ` )
Next…
Recording a comment.
Looking so harmonious…
To be continued…
April 30th, 2012 23:54
Posted by staff
「act4 PR」
We’ll be doing promotion for the live DVD “act4” that went on sale 4/18 (Wed)!
Today! There’s going to be another live performance!!
4/23 (Mon)
FM802 「ROCK KIDS 802」 (21:00～23:48 )
DJ Masao Nomura (21:00～23:48)
We’ll be reporting on more media coverage regularly.
Also, the “act4” special site has been opened!
Did everyone have a look yet?
There are things you’ll only be able to see and obtain from there, so it’s a must-see!
http://9mm.jp/act4/
April 30th, 2012 23:53
Posted by staff
「Acoustic live @ School of Lock」
The live DVD “act4” went on sale with a bang on 4/18 (Wed), and yesterday 9mm appeared on TFM’s School of Lock for a live appearance & performance!
The acoustic live performance was broadcasted simultaneously on Ustream.
Only the performance part was broadcast on Ustream, so during the down-time…
This blackboard was used! It’s Takuro Sugawara’s own handwriting.
The man himself:
A picture to commemorate the successful live performance!
Another one with the principal and vice principal. ☆
April 30th, 2012 23:52
Posted by staff
「act 4 is on sale! 9mm, the professors of technique, will be doing a live performance lesson!」
“act 4” has safely gone on sale, and today 9mm will be appearing on TFM’s “SCHOOL OF LOCK” to give a lecture on technique in the form of an acoustic live performance. You’ll be able to see the acoustic live part on Ust, so definitely check that out!!
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/emi-9mm
You can watch the Ust acoustic live while listening to School of Lock!! We realize everyone’s very busy, but there’s no doubt that this is going to be something fun, so definitely do join us please! ☆
The members of 9mm are all fired up, too!
Thanks to the strawberries they received, they’re getting in high spirits! (laughs)
