Blog - Aprils release party
Aprils release party
On Saturday was the release party of the Aprils' latest album, "Space Dream Bathroom" 
. Shibuya O-Nest was truly packed!
Hazel Nuts Chocolate
My friend Miwa and I got there half-an-hour after the event's start, but just in time to catch Hazel Nuts Chocolate. Yuppa-chan was very cute and sang songs from her first album and also a few from her upcoming album, "Cute", which she announced will be out on September 14. She was accompanied by guitar, keyboard and drums. It was the first time I saw a full live set of hers, and I really enjoyed it, what a fun and lively personality!
She also talked a bit about her recent trip to Taiwan with Aprils's Imai-kun, to perform at the Grass Festival. William went and wrote his thoughts.
To me she seems to have quite a bit in common with Mizumori Ado, as she sings happy, sometimes childish songs, and she also draws. Her voice also maybe sounds somewhat similar. While singing one song, she performed live drawing which she then said she'd sell for ¥200 (the price she paid for the board).
By the way the set had 6 monitors (3 pairs of sync'd dual-screens), and she said the second from the right was her TV from home. :)
YMCK
YMCK also played a full set including two new songs, which I'm pretty sure were different than those played at KDDI Designing Studio two months ago. They should have a new mini-album out this fall!
I've seen YMCK live several times, but this time was the first time that I could clearly hear their live vocals, though sung over the backtrack that includes the recorded vocals. Also, it was the first time that I saw them doing live solos! Nakamura seemed to be using some kind of sampler, while Yokemura used some small controller-like device that played sort of arpeggios. The sound reminded me of some electronics thing my dad had built into a broken radio when I was little, though it was in no way controllable like Yokemura's was.
Well I'm still not too fond of him, while I still enjoy the visuals and the live bass. Even though I'm not a fan and have only ever heard his songs live, this was the third time I saw him and I'm getting to know his songs. This time I thought he did look better than the previous times, as he wore nerdy glasses which I preferred to his usual looks. He took them off in the end though.
Interesting stats: Putting the tag "nerd" on this picture in Flickr, so far it's got over 6 times the hits of my other pictures from this show!
Aprils
Before the band got on stage, "Space Dream Bathroom"'s opening theme (feat. YMCK) was played. Then Aprils got on stage, and front members Imai Kentarō and Iguchi Miho picked up their phaser guns from the two monitors above their head, a hilarious stunt.
I was glad to see Toku at the drums again. Last time I saw Aprils, at YMCK's album release party, he was being replaced by another drummer, but he really isn't a replaceable part of the band.
They proceeded to play most songs from the great new album, and also a few of their previous hits, such as "Astro", and "Lum no Love Song" feat. Henachoco's Yuppa-chan. My favorite new songs are maybe "ki-re-me-ki Moon Diver", "sekai o koete" (feat. tetrapletrap-F) and also "Time After Time".
For the encore, their huge Gloomy Panda (designed by Mori Chack) got up on the small stage! What a surprise! Of course he couldn't manage not to hit the monitor above his head. The first time everyone went "ahhhhh!!!!" as the monitor went spinning, but after it had survived once, people just laughed when it got smacked again.
Last played was the great "Time After Time", its video is included on the album's limited edition.
When the show was over and the band had disappeared, the album's ending theme played as credits showed up on the screens. Then was played a short flashback clip of each song, which I really liked as it reminded of all of the show's good moments.
Oh, btw [William], at the end of this month, it will be Aprils and YMCK's turn to head to Taiwan for a festival.
Posted on July 11, 2005 at 22:30 | Tweet
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The Hazel Nut set with Advantage Lucy at the O-nest was lovely! I almost bought the album, but I thought, but I can't understand a word of Japanese... I'm still kicking myself for not getting it.
Posted by alan on July 12, 2005 at 08:41
Patrick, I notice that you take a lot of pictures at live concerts but I've never been to any where they allow that and they often check for cameras. Are you doing it against the rules!?
Posted by Roy on July 12, 2005 at 10:14
Most concerts I go to are indies stuff or clubs, where they usually don't care. I never take pictures in large venues where they do the camera check thing or where they clearly say it's not allowed.
When unsure, my chicken-ish rule of thumb is to wait until others take pictures. :)
At the Chromeo live last weekend, some security guy was warning some people, but I had the feeling it was because they were holding their camera up for a long time, which could have meant they were taking video.
I did get warned once (http://www.chipple.net/mt/2004/07/04_000983.php), but otherwise I've never had any trouble.
Posted by Patrick on July 12, 2005 at 10:37
Alan:
It doesn't really matter whether you understand Japanese or not (unless you're only in it for the lyrics). For now you can at least enjoy the music and voice, just as you did live.
Actually, listening to music sung in Japanese helps me a lot with my learning. Even back when I had no clue about the language, I effortlessly memorized lines from songs I liked, and later when learning phrases or vocabulary I could often pinpoint in what song I had heard it before. Doing so also helped me to put the new word into context.
This still happens to me often.
Posted by Patrick on July 12, 2005 at 11:19
great report patrick! i hope the hazel nuts chocolate had a good time when they were here.
and do you know what festival the aprils are playing at? it's funny cause as i was reading your report i thought "i wish the aprils would come here" and there it was.
Posted by william on July 13, 2005 at 13:16
It seems Henachoco had a very good time!
I don't yet know what festival they're playing at, but they said it's a big one. It should be around the very end of the month. If I get more details I'll let you know of course!
Posted by Patrick on July 13, 2005 at 13:28
i'm glad she had a good time when she was here. they seemed to be quite popular judging by the crowd.
oh, and i found out that they'll be playing on the electronica stage at the formoz festival. i want to go, but we'll see if i make it or not. thanks for the heads up though. :)
Posted by william on July 13, 2005 at 15:10
Cool!! :)
I find summer festivals quite tiring myself, and I make it a point to avoid all of those around here. But it may be your only chance to catch them for a while, unless you plan a trip to Tokyo where they play every month or two. :)
Posted by Patrick on July 13, 2005 at 16:05
Ah crap! I totally forgot about this! I really wanted to go...I was looking forward to seeing Hazel Nuts Chocolate...I suppose Yuppa will be playing in support of the new album, maybe I can catch her then.
Posted by Brad on July 13, 2005 at 17:31
Your next chance may be Usagi-chang Night Fever vol.0003 on August 27. Henachoco only does a mini live though, but plenty of other great bands are showing up too!
http://www.usagi-chang.com/#Anchor2911527
Posted by Patrick on July 14, 2005 at 09:46