US-JP Underground Alliance

625 Thrashcore (US) - Youth Enrage, 324, DxRxY, Curtanrail, Lie, Jellyroll Rockheads, Breakfast, Real Reggae, Exclaim, Spitfire (japanese), Totsugeki Sensya, Fudge, Complain, Freaks

Alliance Trax (JP) - endzweck, loyal to the grave, state craft*

Bad News Records (JP) - Qururi, Hang on the Box, Spoozys

Blurred Records (JP) - Senseless Apocalypse, Slight Slappers, Niceview

Catune (JP) - Nine Days Wonder, Nanomachine, Up &Coming, Toe, Sequence Pulse, the Shuwa*

Dim Mak Records (US) - Nine Days Wonder, Envy, There is a Light That Never Goes Out *

Dot Line Circle Productions (JP) - Come Back My Daughters, Sequence Pulse, 3cmtour, Tiala

Endless/Nameless Records (JP) - Gauge Means Nothing

Forty-4 Records (JP) - Mono, Midoriyama, left. dsco

Gods Child Music (HK) - Nitro Mega Prayer, FC Five, Five Kinds Square

Goodlife Recordings (Belgium) - Naiad, Endzweck*

Hate City Records (JP) - Snore, Deep Slauter

HG Fact (JP) - Envy, Slight Slappers, Forward (many, many others) *

Howling Bull Records (JP) - Garlic Boys, Hellchild, Zeni Geva, No Choice in This Matter, Abnormals, Power Germanys, Yellow Machinegun, Pulling Teeth

Imomushi Records (JP) - high-hopes, BUTCH, 1000travels of jawaharlal, Minoritybluesband

Impak Muzik (JP) - Numb, Community Trust, TJ Maxx

Imperium Recordings (JP) - Ever Last, Loyal to the Grave, No Choice in This Matter *

Inoxia Records (JP) - Boris, Gaji, Thermo, Keiji Haino

Ipecac Recordings (US) - Ruins, eX-Girl*

I've Come For Your Children (US) - Gauge Means Nothing, Dipleg, Tiala, Utarid*

King Records (JP) - The Pillows, Foul, Eastern Youth *

Lastrum Corporation (JP) - Bandwagon, Buddhiston, Beat Crusaders, 54-71

Matador Records (US) - Pizzicato Five, Cornelius, Guitar Wolf *

MCR Company (JP) - Shikabane, The Futures, Real Reggae, Swarrrm

Not Superstitious (JP) - Rainover, 07:47

Out Ta Bomb Records (JP) - Endzweck, HolyKeeper, Elements 4 Upward, FC Five, Sorrow of Tranquility, Wiz Own Bliss *

RIP Label (JP) - Start of the Day, First Day Action, Five Kinds Square, Karma Stench*

Salvation (FR) - Black Film Dance, Orb, Beirut5*

Shining April Records (JP) - Creep, Karma Stench, S_Quizmen, 25mFloater, Dig a Hole*

Shinkai Records (JP) - Kangaroo Paw

Sister Records(JP) - Mummy the Peepshow, Petty Booka, Lolita No. 18, Mika Bomb

Skin Graft Records (US) - Melt Banana, Ruins, Zeni Geva, UFO or Die, Space Streakings *

Slap A Ham Records (US) - Fuck on the Beach, Melt Banana, Slight Slappers

Sonzai Records (JP) - Envy, The Sun

Sound Pollution (US) - Exclaim, Vivisick, Slight Slappers, Romantic Gorilla, Gaia

Southern Lord Records (US) - Boris, Church of Misery

Squealer Records (US) - High Rise, Acid Mothers Temple

Stiff Slack (JP) - Balloons, First Day Action

Stiffeen (JP) - Kiwiroll

Straight-Up Records (JP) - Youth Enrage, Cowpers, Exclaim, Naht, Bonescratch*

Theory and Practice (JP) - Fact, Start of the Day, Nature Living*

Toy's Factory (JP) - Husking Bee, Eastern Youth, Bump of Chicken, Naht, Brahman, Cocobat *

Tzadik (US) - Rovo, Ruins, Otomo Yoshihide, Hoahio, Merzbow, Melt Banana, Mono

Waiting for an Angel (FR) - Kulara, There is a Light That Never Goes Out, Envy, Fugue, Posthand*

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Misc.

In Dog, We Trust - collection of pictures taken of japanese hardcore bands, good resource

The Cute J-Underground (english) - great collection of links and articles concerning many grind and heavier japanese bands. highly recommended.

Japan Show Photos (english) - this guy was in the osaka area in 1999 and took pictures of lots of shows.

Indies Front Line - site that has addresses and web links for livehouses all over japan. valuable resource.

Kansai Live Communication - live info and links to livehouses in the kansai area.

Indies' Sound Fist - collection of mp3s from various japanese artists.

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Livehouses

Osaka Area:

Fandango - Juso

Bears - Namba

Rockets - Namba

Bahama

Kyoto Area:

Tokyo Area:

Antiknock - Shinjuku

Era - Shimokitazawa

Warp - Kichijoji

Loft - Shinjuku

Milk

Rips

Shelter - Shimokitazawa

Urga - Shinjuku

Wall

Others:

Bass1 - Tsu City

Chicken George - Kobe

Huck Finn - Nagoya

Soul of Ja-Ja - Fukuoka

Pepperland - Okayama

Tokuzo - Nagoya

Huckleberry - Shiga

StarClub - Kobe

B flat - Shiga

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FastCounter by bCentral

US-ASIA Underground Alliance

US-EU Underground Alliance

March 07, 2005 - hello children. i bring the good news:

- 24-peji has released a new album entitled, "Nido arukoto ha?" (What about the second time?). They were also included on a compilation from Qururi's own Noise McCartney Records. Oooh, i'm so glad they're doing good for themselves. I still remember when i first saw them in a basement club that could only fit 15 people. It was such an awesome show.

- Blass Two Licks (do they mean to say Brass?) changed their name to Apollo 1300. They have some songs up on their site, and they're really great. Soothing instrumental indie, that is also a little groovy. Try it!

- Asana has released a new concept remix album of their first release "kupu kupu." It's called "ini-apa?," and it's out on the label Thanksgiving. Their "kupu kupu" album came out on Stiff Slack.

- Buddhiston has released a split with Hong Kong's Whence He Came entitled "This is Where We Rise." I haven't heard it yet, but both of those bands are awesome, so i'll bet it'll be good. Lastrum Corporation released it.

- Climb the Mind released a new cdep (not sure when this happened). i haven't heard it. just thought you'd like to know it came out.

- Eastern Youth released a new album, "Don Quijote." It's allright, but i think they've long since passed their best days.

- Endzweck released a split DVD with Birthplace on a new label, Militia Inc. The cover artwork looks awesome, haven't seen it, though.

- Envy just finished their first USA tour. If you got to see them, i hate you. I didn't have enough money to drive to Columbus to see them.

- Fact and Nature Living released a split album on Theory & Practice Records.

- Lostage released a new ep, "P.S. I Miss You." It's sooooo incredible!! Seriously! You have to check it out, it's awesome. Dark indie rock, full of emotion.

- Minority Blues Band broke up after playing together for 6 years. Too bad, they were a good band.

- Mono is on their third American tour. They also released a new album, "Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined." It's really awesome. If you like Mogwai, Godspeed, any of those band, Mono will knock you on your ass. amazing.

- Nitro Mega Prayer is preparing to release their next ep. Ponchi, from Gauge Means Nothing, has joined the band and they also have a new drummer. Their new stuff is even better than their last album. You can hear demo tracks of all the stuff on their Purevolume site.

- Catune is releasing a 2 song EP series. The first one is Sequence Pulse. Up and Coming released the second one. Also, As Meias (Ex-Bluebeard, There is a Light That Never Goes Out, Kulara) released their first EP on Catune. It sounds like a little bit noiser Bluebeard.

November 28th, 2004 - here's a long needed update:

- 16reasons released a new mini album from God's Child Music entitled, "My aplogies....your flower will never be withered." It's available from a few distributors in the US.

- Fact released a new minialbum on Theory and Practice Records entitled, "The Fine Day Never Last." I freaking love this cd. It's like Thursday vs. Nofx, and while i like neither of those bands, somehow i love Fact.

- Osaka indie-rock band Dig A Hole broke up after being together for 11 years. They released lots of different releases and played like there was no tomorrow... a sad ending.

- Downy released their fourth untitled album. it's great, as usual, but when're they gonna title something??

- Endzweck released a discography CD on Goodlife Recordings. I'm not sure what tracks are on this, but i'm sure it's great, because endzweck is great!

- First Day Action released their first full-length on Stiff Slack, entitled, "Detour." Tokyo-style emo that's hard to resist.

- Flash Light Experience released their first ep "Alpha" on CH Records. Featuring members of Creep (who i miss dearly) you need to check out this band!

- Kiwi Roll has a new album coming out in December called "4count." check it!

- Mono's next epic album comes out in America. "Walking Cloud And Deep Red Sky,Flag Fluttered And The Sun Shined."

- Catune has released a slew of great new Japanese emo bands. This label is run by Kensuke (who's a jerk, but puts out good music) from Nine Days Wonder. The most recent release is the first ep from the band As Meias, featuring ex-members of There is a Light That Never Goes Out, Kulara, Bluebeard. This band sounds like a toned down Bluebeard, very nice, smooth indie rock. Also, they released Journal Spy Effort and The Shuwa's first ep's. Both of these bands formed from the ashes of Wound Third Picture. JSE play more straight forward Tokyo-emo (like No Knife), The Shuwa plays more dancy emo.

- Dip Leg released their first full-length cd "The Sympathy without Love" from Satire Records (Japan), Papakerma Records (Malaysia), and I've Come For Your Children (USA). They really are the next big thing. envy should be looking over their shoulders pretty soon.

- And last, but certainly not least, I've Come For Your Children (my label) has set up a webstore with Paypal, so you can now buy Japanese and International hardcore with your credit card. Check it out!!!!

March 08th, 2004 - Holey Moley! It's been forever since an update! Well, I'll see if I can get through all the stuff that's happened.

- Gauge Means Nothing and I've Come For Your Children both celebrated their first release by touring Malaysia and Singapore in December of 2003. You can get Gauge Means Nothing's first EP on CD or 12" Vinyl from I've Come For Your Children. Screamy, emotional hardcore that's fast and crazy. This will get your blood pumping.

- Two great indie rock bands released their debut full-lengths during the winter of 2003. First is Bandwagon, who play strong music full of melody. Lastrum Corporation put their first full-length CD out. Next is Balloons who are instrumental and sound more like Tristeza or American Football. This was released by Stiff Slack.

- 3cmtour and After Forever released a split cd in February of 2004. This sees two of Tokyo's best hardcore bands meeting on one cd. Expect to be shaken to the core if you can get your hands on this. This split will be released in America on I've Come For Your Children.

- Kiwiroll released their first full-length and it was good! Huge guitars and wailing vocals, this was one of 2003's best releases.

October 12th, 2003 - Catune has just released the first ep by Kyoto-based Up and Coming. Highly recommended if you enjoy bands like No Knife or Jimmy Eat World. It's great to see Japan's new indie rock scene growing like this!

- I've Come For Your Children is growing as the US's best place to get cd's from Japan. Currently they are preparing to release their first 12" from Tokyo's Gauge Means Nothing. Other new releases in the distro are 24 pe-ji's "kotonakarenohibi", and many envy cd's.

September 01st, 2003 - The new Envy is out! At least in America (Level-Plane Records). In Europe, the vinyl is out (Nova Records), but the cd won't be out until September (Rock Action Records). Buy this and die!!!!! Many reviews are calling it the album of the year. I won't disagree. Here are some links to some reviews:

http://www.barefootandpregnantzine.com/reviewsseptember.html
http://www.inkdrinker.net/reviews.php?id=426
http://www.rockreview.org/envy.htm
http://www.stylusmagazine.com/musicreviews/envy-a_dead_sinking_story.shtml

The new album is available for online purchase at these places: RevHQ, Mordam

- Sonzai Records has just announced two incredible releases that will probably be out in Sept. First, the three way split between Envy, Yaphet Kotto, and This Machine Kills will finally be released. Also, they will release a 2xCD Yage discography, which is just incredible. Envy's touring very soon with Yage in Japan, and i so wish i could be there.

- 24-peji (page 24) have just released a new cd. 7 tracks of electro-pop. It's very, very good, and this band needs to be heard by all! You can check out a sample on their site.

- Nitro Mega Prayer is releasing their brand new full-length in September. Their sound has evolved a lot from their earlier releases. Expect a much more emotional delivery. Their melodies are so interesting, and it's really hard to compare them to someone, because their sound is so original. This will be distributed by I've Come For Your Children in the US.

- Catune is releasing two brand new CD's this month. The first is a new Sequence Pulse full-length album. If you never heard their last one, it was definitely a relaxing album. I remember many nights that i went to sleep to them. Pick this up if you like beautiful, indie rock. The second new release is a new Toe CD. This compile's tracks from a split with Pele, a compilation, and some remixes. These songs are really incredible, and the remixes are so good, you can enjoy them even if you've already worn out their last EP. Glad to see some growth from this awesome label!

- 3cmtour and Umbra released a split last month. 3cmtour is an incredible band, with very technical indie rock mixed with screaming. Umbra is more rocking, with screaming and singing. Both bands are young in the Tokyo scene, but well worth checking out.

June 17th, 2003 - The day grows closer for the new Envy! It will now also be released on vinyl in Europe by Nova Records. In other envy news, there's an interview of them done by billy of Hot Cross, here.

- After Forever has a new mp3 clip up on their site that will be included on the upcoming Light Your Way zine compilation, which is co-edited by Minoru from Five Kinds Square. It's really good!

- Melt Banana is finishing up the last of their USA tour, supporting their newest release, Cell-Scape, on A-Zap Records. You can check out the dates on their booking agency's site

- Mono is also planning a fall US tour, following their newest stateside release on Arena Rock. You can check the tentative dates here.

June 3rd, 2003 - 1000 Travels of Jawaharlal's new album, Owari ha konai, is out! In Europe, it's available through Day After Records, in Japan Imomushi Records, in America nowhere! Doesn't that suck.

- the new Envy will be out August 18th on Level-Plane in America. Buy!!! And, it is going to be released from Rock Action in Europe.

- Nanomachine just released their first full-lenth on Catune Records. This CD is awesome; atmospheric, noisy, it reminds me of radiohead at times, torico at others. it's also available from Salvation in Europe.

- Fugue just released a split with France's Overmars on Waiting for an Angel.

April 21st, 2003 - Envy's A Dead Sinking Story will be released on CD and 2xLP in the U.S. by Level-Plane Records. I've heard it's going to be distributed in Europe by Rock Action, but that isn't for sure.

- Gauge Means Nothing will be releasing their new EP in June of this year. It'll contain four tracks, clocking in at over half an hour! These songs are catchy, emotional, and destructive. This will be distributed by I've Come For Your Children in the US.

- Salvation out of France, has tons of new info. The Org full-length has been postponed again. This should be out sometime around the end of summer, but Jerome swears it'll be worth the wait. Waiting for an Angel is releasing the vinyl version of this album. Org plays emotional rock and features one of the guitarists from Envy! This is going to be a very exciting release to look forward to.

- In July, expect a compilation of Japanese and American hardcore from Falling Leaves Records. Bands on the comp. will be: Evylock (Sapporo) Saving Throw (New York) The Sun (Sapporo) Endall (Sapporo) Gauge Means Nothing (Tokyo) Words Now Heard (Florida) Farewell to Fashion (Florida) NextSeason (Florida) My Own Sky (Florida) Endzweck (Tokyo)

April 11th, 2003 - So, this is a new thing i'm gonna try out for a while. I'm gonna try and find out all the info i can about all these japanese bands i love and talk about so much, because i don't see anybody else doing anything like this. so stick with me for the first few weeks/months, cause i'm still new at this. thanks!

- Envy will release their newest full-length on April 25th, from singer Tetsu's label, Sonzai Records. Entitled, "A Dead Sinking Story," it clocks in at approximately one hour and two minutes, stretched out over 9 songs, with the finale being an epic 12 and a half minute masterpiece. I heard that Level Plane is going to be releasing the 2xLP, but i can't say for sure. If they do that, they'll probably also be distro-ing the cd in America. I heard this cd, and it's so incredible. I don't know how it fares against "all the footprints…" because I haven't had time for it to sink in, but it's at least as good. More on this later…

- In august, 1000 travels of jawaharlal are making a run through Europe with VA's light the fuse and run. Also, 1000 travels's new full-length album will be released in April, in Japan with Imomushi Records, and in May, for Europe/world with Day After Records. The title is "Owari ha konai," translated as, "the end doesn't come."

- There is a light that never goes out did break up. Their last show was towards the end of 2002. Apparently, though, they have already started a new band with most, if not all, of the old members. I'm not sure about the new name or what they sound like.

- Sort of old news, but The Sun released their first ep on Sonzai Records. The Sun has ex-members of Black Film Dance and The Carnival of Dark-Split, seeing as how both those bands are now defunct. The Sun carries on in a direction that is split between both of the aforementioned bands, but taking it in a more creative direction.

- Bump of Chicken just put out a new single, as of March. The two song titles are "Sailing Day" and "Lost Man." I would assume "Sailing Day" has something to do with the anime show, One Piece, because the cover of the single is of One Piece characters. Maybe a theme song, or something (the anime is about pirates, after all).

Black Film Dance - John's LP - cd

Creep - A Self Portrait - cd

Earwax - Remove the Wax - cdep

El Nudo - E.N.L.L.E.P. - cdep

Iscariote/Envy - splitcd

Kulara - a naked landscape - cd

MinorityBluesBand/1000 Travels of Jawaharlal - splitcd

Staple - A Peace of the Puzzle - cdep

The Carnival of Dark-Split / Black Film Dance - splitcd