ASTERISM with Support Dr.Capital Kyoto MOJO: 2025/10/10

 

First time for me to visit Kyoto MOJO Live House and bar.  

But I first set out to visit O.C. Burrito for dinner, only 2 minutes away from the venue. A S Chicken Burrito, my first and I think the M would have been better. Pricey at 1,100yen.  Then went to the venue around 6:30PM and all still locked up and no one around, so went to HOLLIES CAFE a few doors away for a Mango Yogurt Parfait to fill in time, and make up for the too small Burrito I had.  HOLLIIES is huge. So many seats, which is nice to find.

Went back to MOJO 6:50PM and there was a que of ~20 people lined up along the footpath. A much older crowd than I expected. Most 45~50 and older I would think. Many in ASTERISM t-shirts and long time fans. The guy that would talk to me, after I tried making chit chat with those in the que around me, had been following them since they were in school and 17years old. Drummer now is 25.  ASTERISM are all at least 10 years younger than my own 3 adult kids! 😮 

I thought I might have been really out of place age wise for an ASTERISM gig, but not at all.  

We had all reserved our tickets on the TIGET website and waited for the MOJO staff to call our number where he then tapped the button on the phone ticket, and we then went down the spiral staircase to the bar, paid our 4,600 yen and picked up our drink. A bottle of chilled water for me. Then thru a door to the hall:

Guessing it holds around 100 without being too crowded. Last night I counted 45 in the audience when it actually started.

A small place, so you are close to the performers without even being at the front of the stage.

Dr. Capital was up first and did a "Halloween themed" set, THRILLER, GHOST BUSTERS, Metallica's UNFORGIVEN with a few of his own songs. His explanation of his song SHOES ARE TOO TIGHT lasted longer than the song did. Not sure if I am joking there.  Then there was that bit about song writers lyrics may actually be fictional for entertainment, and not reflect the singers actual experiences. 

He plays and sings wonderfully, he just isn't METAL. Really an Acoustic Bossa nova guy, as he described himself last night. I think of him as that JPOP Music Education YouTube Channel, but have read he is moving into that RADIO/TV/GAIJIN-TALENTO thing.  He played for about 45 minutes though.  He played to backing tracks. Maybe from a loop pedal? I have no problem at all with backing tracks. I think the crowd appreciated his show, even if most were there for ASTERISM.

His mike stand had an iPad (I am guessing) on it, and it kind of looked as if he was reading the music and lyrics much/some of the time.  He did say he hadn't really played these songs much... 

Dr. Capital's  last YouTube video is another visit to the Shibuya Roland Shop, seeing their new quiet V-Drum set. I knew a thing or two about that company at one time, but left 24 years ago, and a lot has changed since then.

Then ASTERSIM hit the stage. Boy, they have impact and that they have been doing this for years really shows!  Been playing a few of their playlists in the lasts weeks, and did recognize a few songs. 

I have set out to get more of their albums now for next time, as everyone else there knew their material and pumped their fists as required. Their DECIDE CD says they want their music to be MASS METAL, and it is this interesting mix of METAL and what could be JPOP/ANIME ENDING THEME songs. They are on SONY.

ASTERISM's gig had a couple of small incidents. Part way into their new release BLINK OF RAY, a poor cord connection to the bass, resulted in just a loud hum, so they stopped and MOJO staff fixed the problem, giggled the cord at the bass, and they restarted the song from the start.  

During the last song, the low 7th string on the bass became very loose, like the machine head tuner broke, and he had to hold that out of they way and continue playing. Shows how much energy he puts into playing that 7 string monster.

The final 3, or was that 4 songs, was Dr. Capital and ASTERISM together.  The last of the evening being Ozzy's BARK AT THE MOON.  

I used ALPINE Ear Protection lowest filter. The last 4 songs were much louder, but I managed.  

The only merchandise I bought was the ASTERISM 2023 release DECIDE CD.  The girl selling Dr. Capitals stuff was disappointed.  

On leaving, given the 2026 Jan/Feb ASTERISM concert gig dates for LiveTour2026.

I left as soon as the gig was over at 9:40PM or so, to catch the 3 trains to get home. Don't know if they had a sign-kai. 

This morning I ordered ASTERISM PLANET OF METAL book/CD and their ASTERISM Crescendo (完全生産限定盤) (特典なし) CD.  

Only the third "live house" I have been too so far since moving back to Japan. All been wonderful. It is a pity all the equivalent places that did have live music in decades past in Australia have now all been converted to POKER MACHINE HALLS!   

I hope to go to something else at Kyoto MOJO sometime, and catch ASTERISM again too. Probably after asking myself "WHAT WILL  I DO TODAY?" and seeing something cool on. 

And look at that, teamLAB near Kyoto JR Station, has just opened with 50 digital "art" installations... 

We can be found at ArtAndTechnology  KYOTO JAPAN