Live Music 2025, So Far...

So this music + comic tells the story in 60 seconds. Been to more live shows this year than have in the last decades. Been very good.

Being in Japan has a lot to do with that though, where there are lots of LIVE HOUSES all over the place. Very different from Sydney Australia now. But in the 1970s, all the pubs had live bands a few days a week. A pity all those stages were eventually all replaced by Poker Machines, and live music pretty much died.

Know of a few shows that I wouldn't mind attending in the rest of the year too, but will see.  I don't have the energy I had in the 1970s and need to pace myself.  I wonder what next year will bring, and expect, as I now follow the local venues, I will get to more earlier next year. I just want to be familiar with a bands music before I see them live.

I feel privileged to have gotten to see the bands I have this year. Getting Freak Kitchen to Japan for a show was dedication from an "amateur promoter". Urasawa Naoki is a Comic Creator, with this serious music "hobby", and he put a band together and toured, without any big promoter behind him. ASTERISM is on SONY, but that they still play in small venues like Kyoto MOJO is something I don't understand, but thankful for.  HAL-CA of ASTERISM is a extra ordinary guitarist, but the whole band is technically awesome.

The 60 second, 150 BPM music in this is me trying to be a bit more old school metal riff, while still having sequenced synths and a simple interesting melody, that rocks.  A longer piece edited down to this length.  

Last week was very busy for us. Needed to visit the Australian Consulate, get the Cat Trimmed on the other side of the city, select our "final resting places" and get a vaccine booster.  Much more than a normal week for us. 

I have no idea how I ever had a full time job AND did all that I had too, back in the day. 

AND have learnt of the music of SLEEP TOKEN in the last few days via YouTube suggestions. Seemed to come out of nowhere to me, but been around since 2016. Watched a few song breakdowns and listened to their most popular tracks playlist. Great voice where the lyrics are so important (even if mostly sad school boy), the rhythms, the word play, then the drums, then heavy guitars (down tuned 6 semi tones?) and production. Very start stop/ high energy/ pop/funk/jazz/ hip-hop/ black metal/ weird time signatures. One could say unnecessarily so.  What has stuck me most is the voice and wordy lyrics, then "anything goes" for the backing. 

I have stopped looking at MASTODON, and have pretty much stopped posting on Bluesky at the moment. There didn't seem to be any point posting anything on them for some time, so now just on X and Facebook again, with some of my music + comics posted on YouTube as well. 

Our website has had no enquires for the last 6 months and I put that down to Google now being completely useless.  Get so much spam though, flogging AI site views.  Seems our site is now constantly having Wordpress login attempts in various directories, and feel lucky my site doesn't use Wordpress at all.  

Oh, look at that. I have to go renew my drivers license. Maybe next week.

We can be found at ArtAndTechnology  KYOTO JAPAN

1 Minute Music

 

60 second music is what I have been mostly playing with in the last few years. Something for X, YouTube Shorts and X. Anything longer than that becomes a YouTube standard video or Bandcamp track where almost no one will hear it. 60 seconds or under will get at least 2 digit views, which is a triumphant success for me.  Even if I do it just for myself anyway.

Everything starts as an adlibbed recording that is much longer than that though. Sometimes I set out to make a new piece of music, but somedays what I do isn't worth keeping. It just doesn't have that something I need to finish it.  If I do manage to record something I like, that forms the basic musical structure.  Making no more than 60 seconds isn't easy. 

In the above image the music to the left of the selected bits are the early version of a complete track, and is about 90 seconds.  Has the heavy guitar and synth feeling I am after.

It is an interesting exercise to make something very short. It is also interesting to make a 3 ~4 minute song too, for my own entertainment.

It is about all I use my gear for now, and that is fine.  

I also put it in the Assorted Bits 2 album on Bandcamp.

It will now be a few days before I need to do it all again with a new theme... and at the moment, I have no idea what that would be.  I will be doing something like walking around in the Supermarket, or in the shower, and get an idea about something.

That is not just a variation of an previous music + comic:

Concert Thoughts

The audience hall and stage of the live house Kyoto MOJO is probably the smallest I have ever been too.  Then I see pictures of the Osaka Smashing Pumpkins gig and the huge hall there, and I am glad there are smaller venues like MOJO or even the larger CLUB QUATTRO Umeda.  Makes for a much more intimate concert, where you can see the performers close up.  

We can be found at ArtAndTechnology  KYOTO JAPAN

Mid October 2025 Update

 

So did this 60 second guitar and synths piece, CRYSTALS. I animated some bits from this poster I did for my comic. All very Moebius Crystals, clouds and vast sky...

I guess it is interesting enough for one 60 second viewing...

Today is Windows 10 end of support.  My Win10 PC is a Netflix/PRIME player attached to a TV at the moment, but see how long that lasts, before I just connect this Win11 PC instead and clear up some room space. 

Been reflecting on the events I attended this year, art shows, music concerts, and a music + art concert. The most I have ever done. Hadn't attended a concert for some 30 years before this year. Not including our daughters piano recitals, or a Kabuki Dance thing attended at the Kyoto Noh Theater a few year ago, or Mattias's guitar clinic at Music Bar M last year. 

I intend to keep going to the things that interest me for as long as I can physically go. It is what I like to do. Not interested in a world cruise or something like that. Traveled enough during my working life. It is getting harder though. Just don't have the energy to keep going all day.  Need a grandad nap most days and have to pace myself. Like when I went to Shinjuku this year, after travelling there from Kyoto and attending the exhibition, I could do nothing but rest in my hotel room till the evening.  I could have met up with a few people I know from X, but just didn't have the energy, so didn't even try.   

Spent the last 4 days getting and listening to ASTERISM albums. Very impressive. The book that is part of PLANET OF METAL is a bright and colorful on good paper. Illustrations ANIME styled fare. Just maybe the story fragments could have had a little more thought involved in the writing? Seems all too simplistic. The groups playing though is incredible.

Out and about, listening to music with earbuds, I really enjoy Urasawa Naoki's lyrics. He takes care that you can understand what he is singing. I find that important. Mattias Eklundh also has lyrics to listen too.

Saw that TESTAMENT has a new album, a Thrash Metal group I had never heard the music of, and so had a bit of a listen. Unfortunately, like THE HAUNTED, they have METAL GROWL vocals, and that isn't my thing at all. Both of these bands do the way Ola Englund does metal riffs. Seems to be the modern way, but they seem more important for their rhythmic aspect than the notes they use. I guess I prefer old style metal riffs.  

AND, next week, the awesome Mattias IA Eklundh releases his other band's album, RESIST THE CORROSION. He has put a couple of tracks on YouTube, but it is all too free jazz for me, unfortunately. At least so far.  Being online shopping CC challenged, it isn't something I can just order from his store anyway, but maybe for later when available to purchase locally.  That is what I had to do to buy his EVERYBODY GETS BLOODY CD.    

Boring things are also part of life still.  Have to verify who we are to our Australian Bank for an account we have had for some 30+ years. As we are now living overseas means a visit to the Consulate General to certify documents to mail to them. And the wait time for our Consulate appointment is weeks longer than the deadline the bank gave us 😂.    

We can be found at ArtAndTechnology  KYOTO JAPAN

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

Coming Up Kyoto MOJO Live House and Thoughts

The great thing about being retired for me: 

This is a 16bar sequenced synth part under heavy guitars. But is it "my style" or am I just making almost the same bit of music over and over again?  Can't tell, and as just an old grandfather amateur entertaining myself, it really doesn't matter either. It isn't a job (the way electronics and firmware were!) and that makes it fun. 

This Reaper Project shot shows the 59sec bit used in this on the time line, but I record much more and it is really a longer piece. I have no idea if anyone but me has the sound on when watching my music+comics anyway.

ASTERISM

On X I saw ASTERISM and DR. CAPITAL are having a gig at Kyoto live house KYOTO MOJO that is practically in my own backyard.  Not that I have been there before. I booked my ticket the day after it was announced. 

AND close by O.C.Burito , that has food that is something of a novelty to me as I am not an AMERICAN, and haven't even tried the Burrito yet. Been there twice, and a third time sounds good, it is in a B1 food court, OPEN 11:00~22:00(L.O 21:00).

Been aware of ASTERISM for some time. The guitar chops of HAL-CA, the guitarist are something else, and the brothers bass MIYU and drums MIO match her.  Skill and technique, but not sure what  "voice" they have though, even after playing their Spotify Playlists.  

A 2024 LA gig somewhat like this is what I am expecting, except a very different crowd... 

Part of the PLANET OF METAL tour, where they did an illustrated 7 track Album with a Japanese  Illustrator known as Acky Bright.  Acky Bright illustrations show ASTERISM members battling numerous monsters with the album songs based on the illustrations.

A double gig with YouTuber and academic  Dr.Captial. He can sure play and sing, but not sure what kind of show he will do, as 95% of what he seems to do is JPOP covers, and teaching about the songs. 

Calling himself Dr.Metal for this gig.  Probably a good thing. Expect anything he plays will be very well done, what ever it is.

First I learned about him was on the often weeaboo UNPACKING JAPAN YouTube channel, and found him interesting.  Seen some of his channel, but his interactions with Marty Freidman on ROCK FUJIYAMA and his passion and technique for  Brazilian Acoustic guitar was what really caught my attention.   He can play 3 independent parts simultaneously, and discuss it all. 

The gig is 5 days away now.  I expect to be the oldest person there by a wide margin, even though I don't look it.  On NHK this Sunday morning there was a news item on a city in some prefecture I don't remember, putting on a music performance/show for "over 65 seniors".   That is me, but it wasn't the kind of show I would want to go to!

The First Lady Prime Minister of Japan

And big local news is Japan will have her first female Prime Minister.  She beat the nepotism that was trying to install the idiot son of a former Prime Minister, of the same party, and the same party that has been in charge for decades here. A follower of the recently assassinated Abe. She is the one my wife and own kids barracked for with her "don't let the foreigners in Japan take advantage of us" views.  

If I mention "that may have a bad impact on me too, you know...", she says "they don't mean good foreigners like you".  Time will tell. I am a self funded retiree, so don't get any pension or such government money and pay for my own health insurance, so guess any regulation changes she makes to stop the "reported" foreigner abuses (from the Chinese and Turkish?) will not impact me at all.  

Right Wing propaganda everywhere says undeserving foreigners coming in are get big payouts that local citizens don't. This stuff is always untrue, but don't know about the Japanese case, but expect it too is untrue.  

Dreaming Japanese

Almost through Marty Friedmans book. Mmm.  Can't say the first  half is a "fun" read...  probably more "I really didn't need to know that", even if his remarkable talent as a guitarist came out then. Worries a lot about his hair and image.  There is a YouTube episode of The Captain Meets Marty Friedman on Andertons UK music channel where The Captain is surprised he loved a very lowbrow crude UK cartoon.  Even had the cartoon character on the back of his guitar pics.

It picks up after that though. His getting to Japan and making a living is a very different journey than my own (I came here as a degree holding electronics design engineer with a Japanese wife and son, and industry cred). 

My sister in law is a big fan of Marty, but she didn't even know he was a musician. Just an interesting テレビ外人芸能人  ,which for many of them, is like having a talking dog as a cast member of the TV show.  Marty is very aware of this but also knows that is how he makes his real living now, and funds his music career, he gets to dip into regularly with his own band.  I have never seen any of his TV appearances. But I also don't watch any Japanese variety TV,  remember clearly the low opinion of it the other Japanese Engineers I worked with had of it.

I have just seen some of his later YouTube Rock Fujiyama episodes.    

He is passionate for JPOP and other Japanese music, and that helped him a lot in his music career in Japan. He says his TV talent life has forced him to grow as a person and that could only be a good thing. 

I think having a skill and passion that has commercial application in Japan is the key for non Japanese living and working in Japan, along with language ability. Any Japanese kid from school does Japanese.

We can be found at ArtAndTechnology