Nov 18, 2011

The Intense Christmas Legend


"Godzilla, Radioactivity, Hikashu ... The Intense Christmas Legend"
December 25, 2011 (Sunday)
@ Daikanyama UNIT
Tokyo
open 17:00 - start 18:00
adv 4,000 yen
Ticket be available on November 19, 2011
via Ticket Pia (154-397), Ticket Lawson (78667), e+, Gamban
For inquiries, call SMASH at 03-3444-6751 SMASH website


Appearance:

Hikashu with Inoue Makoto
Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin, cornet), Mita Freeman (guitar, vocal), Sakaide Masami (bass), Shimizu Kazuto (piano, bass-clarinet), Sato Masaharu (drums), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer)

Godzilla Legend
Inoue Makoto (synthesizer), Makigami Koichi (vocal), Mita Freeman (guitar), Sakaide Masami (bass), Shimizu Kazuto (piano), Sato Masaharu (drums), Fuwa Daisuke (bass), Yoshigaki Yasuhiro (drums), Tatsumi Mitsuhide (trumpet), Yoshida Ryuichi (baritone saxophone), Koharu (accordion, vocal), Momo (vocal)

Special Session
Yoshigaki Yasuhiro [Vincent Atomics, Orquesta Nudge! Nudge!, ROVO etc.) wikipedia
Fuwa Daisuke [Shibusashirazu Orchestra] wikipedia
Mukai Shutoku [Zazen Boys] wikipedia
Tabu Zombie [Soil & "Pimp" Sessions] wikipedia

Charan-Po-Rantan
Koharu (accordion, vocal), Momo (vocal)

Semba Yuki


Since 2008, the year-end concert with guest artists has been an annual event for Hikashu, and as always, this year the roster is pretty impressive. Hikashu will be augmented with Inoue Makoto, an original member. Godzilla Legend, led by Inoue, will be also an extended line-up, with female choruses and all. Special Session with the members from the internationally-known bands is the first time performance, and it'll probably never be united again, an only-for-this-time formation. Charan-Po-Rantan is a bright singer-accodionist unit by real sisters, and Semba Yuki is that lady, graced the front cover of the "Hanauta Hajime" album.

Without a doubt, this will be an incredible night. The ticket will be on sale tomorrow. Be sure not to miss!


Daikanyama UNIT, Tokyo

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Nov 3, 2011

Currents: Winter 2011

Here's some updates about Hikashu.

The November Concert in Kichijoji: On November 15, Hikashu will perform at Star Pine's Cafe in Kichijoji, Tokyo. Although the band did a few gigs in October, it will be the first full-set concert since the Russia Siberia tour. So naturally we can expect their reminiscences about the tour, plus some tunes from the forthcoming album. A must-see for any fans.

November 15, 2011
"Hikashu's Autumn, 2011"
@ Star Pine's Cafe
Kichijoji, Tokyo
adv 3,600 yen - at door 4,000 yen
(one drink order minimum)
Ticket now available via eplus or SPC office


Star Pine's Cafe

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The Reissue Project Continues: This winter it is planned that three albums of Hikashu from 1990s get reissued.




"Kawatteru," a 1996 effort, has already released on October 10 and available now. It is the sort of the best album - the band picked up some tunes from their repertoire, got them rearranged and rerecorded.

Maybe it sounds horrible, but do not misunderstand. It's not a hacked job, like ones done only for an A&R man's favor. The album is not like that at all. Yes, it's a commissioned work from the record company, but Hikashu gave remarkable treatment for their older songs. You'll be surprised that the familiar tunes of the band are radically, and successfully, changed. It's also an important work for being the sole full album by the late 1990s formation of the band, so-called "the Niida-Yoshimori period." And even the cover artwork is redone for the reissue. Get while it's hot. Available worldwide via HMV Japan here.

The other two albums, "Teicho Na Omotenashi" (1990), and "Hanauta Hajime" (1991) will be released on December 1, 2011. HMV Japan already lists them too. See here and here.


And the New One: Then you might ask, "what about the new one?" Yes, we have announced here some months ago that the new album is near. We are sorry to say that, to begin from the conclusion, we cannot say anything concrete about it at this stage. We don't know any release plan or which songs will be in it. No information except "it will be out soon."

The recording for the album is completed. They have spent some time in studio since last summer, and in March this year, they recorded some tunes (and improvisations) at EastSide Sound Studio of New York City with Marc Urselli, the Grammy-awarded engineer, and the session for the new album is finished with that. Now they have enough recorded material to fill an album. So we assume that they are being in the process of selecting material.

The band knows we're anxiously awaiting and they're working on it. Give them some more time and see what happens. It will be surely great one.


The Christmas Concert: The year's end concert, a regular annual event of the band, is planned for this year and just officially announced. It will be held at Daikanyama UNIT in Tokyo on December 25, 2011. The precendent concerts were all featured some guest artists and the same goes for this year. And lots of them, including the extended Inoue Makoto's Godzilla Legend Ensemble, with female vocalist and all. This will be definitely an once for all event so be sure not to miss it. More on this later.


The Kyushu Tour 2012: It's likely that the band will tour the Kyushu Islands in January next year. Right now only two dates are informed - January 28 and 29 in Fukuoka, the largest city of the islands. The venue is unknown and maybe some more dates will be added. We'll let you know when more info is available so stay tuned.