The BAND-MAID thread v.Po!!

[TAC]

I don't get it. Men dressed as maids?

There are certain types of potential fans who are always going to struggle with visual gimmicks, whether it's KISS, Twisted Sister, Behemoth, Slipknot, Ad Infinitum, etc.  I think I myself have a tendency to write off bands due to it, so it's something I've had to wrestle with. 

I don't think it's a real detriment if you're a really big fan of the music. And I can certainly look past it in some cases. I mean Band Maid's music certainly stands on it's own. As did Twisted Sister's (for the 1st three albums anyway), and Kiss has tons of great music.

I personally think it's ridiculous to have two guys dressed up as Ace and Peter. It's basically half Beatlemania at that point. I had no problem with Kiss in the 80's, but they want to make a buck selling this "show" so all the power to them.

[lonestar]

Great quote from the Rolling Stone review of their performance yesterday...

They lured curious onlookers into the fold when highlights like “Domination” and “Don’t You Tell Me” got huge reactions from the crowd, but it was the bass solo-versus-guitar solo duels mid-song that got the biggest cheers. This is what those guys in Guitar Center think their ridiculous riffing sounds like. Turns out it’s done best, and most effortlessly, by women in black-and-white maid dresses and frilly hair-pieces as they smile ear to ear. –N.C.

In answer to Tim's struggle with their Maid outfits, they shoot for that contrast... That they can be adorably cute women in maid outfits and still kick ass.

[TAC]

They have a new video released on Thursday?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf0mQOiu8J8


Do they have a new album coming out?

[lonestar]

They have a new video released on Thursday?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf0mQOiu8J8


Do they have a new album coming out?

Yeah, I posted that in the OP... Killer song.


No clue as to an album, Japanese bands just drop singles at random all the time lol

[TAC]

They have a new video released on Thursday?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf0mQOiu8J8


Do they have a new album coming out?

Yeah, I posted that in the OP...

 

[Jamesman42]

I don't want to dig deeper into them right now with the roulette going, but since you sent me Thrill (which I LOVE), about how much of their stuff is on that level?

[TAC]

Personally I think it might be the best song I've heard from them, and I really like Domination.

[lonestar]

I don't want to dig deeper into them right now with the roulette going, but since you sent me Thrill (which I LOVE), about how much of their stuff is on that level?

I'd personally say about 20% of their work hits at that level, that full frontal hard rock approach, though Thrill along with Domination, Warning, Don't You Tell Me, Play, Puzzle, Hate?, and Warning stand a bit above the rest for me.. When you get to it, just hit their recently released Best Of dual CD's, most of their best stuff is on their. Also, I can send you the playlist I made Tim as well.

[TAC]

One thing I have a problem with, generally for these Japanese bands, are the vocals. Not sure it's just reserved for female fronted bands either. After a while, my ears get fatigued with it.

I have felt that while trying to take in full albums by Band Maid, and even Lovebites, a band which musically, I like more. But I do have to say that I prefer the singer from Band Maid to Lovebites.


Speaking of that, I just did a dedicated run through of Maid In Japan, their first album. Musically, it's more basic when compared to their later works, which makes sense. In a way, it's very consistent in a way that in some very rudimentary listens, their later works could benefit from. In the end, that may not be a totally fair assessment based on the dedication of the listens, but I do plan to go through each album.
The other thing about the first album is how consistent the vocals are. She has a really good voice, and there aren't the weird inflections present that many Japanese vocalists, male and female, have.

Musically, it reminded me of very early Blondie, and....that's a good thing.

Really liked Evergreen and Bye My Tears.

[lonestar]

Also, this thread isn't complete without this...Hitler defends his love of BAND-MAID...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZF40-lJrf4

[TAC]

Don't worry, Rush will go to hell with us.

[lonestar]

Don't worry, Rush will go to hell with us.

 


That page has about 8 Hitler/Band Maid videos, they're frikkin hilarious.

[TAC]

That Hitler template is a classic.

[lonestar]

One thing I have a problem with, generally for these Japanese bands, are the vocals. Not sure it's just reserved for female fronted bands either. After a while, my ears get fatigued with it.

I have felt that while trying to take in full albums by Band Maid, and even Lovebites, a band which musically, I like more. But I do have to say that I prefer the singer from Band Maid to Lovebites.


Speaking of that, I just did a dedicated run through of Maid In Japan, their first album. Musically, it's more basic when compared to their later works, which makes sense. In a way, it's very consistent in a way that in some very rudimentary listens, their later works could benefit from. In the end, that may not be a totally fair assessment based on the dedication of the listens, but I do plan to go through each album.
The other thing about the first album is how consistent the vocals are. She has a really good voice, and there aren't the weird inflections present that many Japanese vocalists, male and female, have.

Musically, it reminded me of very early Blondie, and....that's a good thing.

Really liked Evergreen and Bye My Tears.

I'm the same way with the vocals from Lovebites, and to a lesser extent Mary's Blood, they just don't click with me, they almost sound like they're always trying to oversing everything if that makes sense. Saiki (Band Maid) has just a natural, pure voice. The main reason Nemophila is my favorite is Mayu's vocals, it's just such a unique sounding voice that really stands out among the crowd.

It's funny you make that comment about their first album, they were shooting for a pop rock approach. It was on the second album, Brand New Maid, of which Thrill is the lead single, that they settled for the hard rock sound. The music video for Thrill went viral, garnering 1.5 million views in a few days, and the rest is history so they say.

[Jamesman42]

I don't want to dig deeper into them right now with the roulette going, but since you sent me Thrill (which I LOVE), about how much of their stuff is on that level?

I'd personally say about 20% of their work hits at that level, that full frontal hard rock approach, though Thrill along with Domination, Warning, Don't You Tell Me, Play, Puzzle, Hate?, and Warning stand a bit above the rest for me.. When you get to it, just hit their recently released Best Of dual CD's, most of their best stuff is on their. Also, I can send you the playlist I made Tim as well.

Send me that playlist and I will also look out for the Best Of.

[lonestar]

I don't want to dig deeper into them right now with the roulette going, but since you sent me Thrill (which I LOVE), about how much of their stuff is on that level?

I'd personally say about 20% of their work hits at that level, that full frontal hard rock approach, though Thrill along with Domination, Warning, Don't You Tell Me, Play, Puzzle, Hate?, and Warning stand a bit above the rest for me.. When you get to it, just hit their recently released Best Of dual CD's, most of their best stuff is on their. Also, I can send you the playlist I made Tim as well.

Send me that playlist and I will also look out for the Best Of.

Here's the playlist...the Best Of albums are linked in the OP...

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37mEkha35vv1SMAGx3tZd4?si=b058922a3b894623

[lonestar]

I seriously cannot stop watching this bit...talk about announcing your presence with authority. The girls knew how big this performance was for them, and man did they fucking deliver.

https://youtu.be/sb0c-TcZC-s?t=2704


That crazed look when Kanami goes into full Mincho-mode...damn...


This show is gonna kick so much ass.

[lonestar]

Little kid shows up at the Salt Lake City show dressed like Miku... This is just too adorable...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bandmaidfanscafe/permalink/3171065549869424/?mibextid=2JQ9oc

Actually found a yt link... Around the 2 minute mark...

https://youtu.be/65SjBhgyOKM

[Ben_Jamin]

I wish they would come here....

[Anguyen92]

Tickets for their Anaheim show is starting to come down in price and get to the point of me considering purchasing one.  I may pull the trigger.  Never thought I would have the chance to see two weird gimmicky, but extremely talented, Japanese bands, this year, but here we are.

[lonestar]

Tickets for their Anaheim show is starting to come down in price and get to the point of me considering purchasing one.  I may pull the trigger.  Never thought I would have the chance to see two weird gimmicky, but extremely talented, Japanese bands, this year, but here we are.

Just do it, they're totally worth it.

Who was the other?

[Anguyen92]

^^ Man With a Mission.  These guys.  Saw them last May.

[lonestar]

dude....


How do you not love the Japanese?


I still think Ironbunny is my favorite of the gimmick costumes though...

[Ben_Jamin]

It's off topic but....

SharkSuit

[lonestar]

 



So I just saw a post in the fan group where the opener Starcrawler at the Denver show was disparaging the BM fans...telling the Starcrawler fans to push their way past the 'creepy old dudes' and that the BM fans needed to 'turn their hearing aides up'...

I'm thinking, if you're performing for a crowd where 99% of them are not your fans, you may want to try a little kindness as opposed to fucking insulting them. Fucking stupid.

[TAC]

So I just saw a post in the fan group where the opener Starcrawler at the Denver show was disparaging the BM fans...telling the Starcrawler fans to push their way past the 'creepy old dudes' and that the BM fans needed to 'turn their hearing aides up'...

I'm thinking, if you're performing for a crowd where 99% of them are not your fans, you may want to try a little kindness as opposed to fucking insulting them. Fucking stupid.

Starcrawler.....Courtney Love reincarnated..

https://youtube.com/shorts/SQD_-4njlqg?feature=share



Yeah, makes the dudes with the dog heads seem OK.

[lonestar]

So I just saw a post in the fan group where the opener Starcrawler at the Denver show was disparaging the BM fans...telling the Starcrawler fans to push their way past the 'creepy old dudes' and that the BM fans needed to 'turn their hearing aides up'...

I'm thinking, if you're performing for a crowd where 99% of them are not your fans, you may want to try a little kindness as opposed to fucking insulting them. Fucking stupid.

Starcrawler.....Courtney Love reincarnated..

https://youtube.com/shorts/SQD_-4njlqg?feature=share



Yeah, makes the dudes with the dog heads seem OK.

Jesus fuck whoever thought they'd be a good opener for BM was clueless on the fan base. This has Livenation decision written all over it...thank god they'll be off the tour by the time my show comes around.

[Anguyen92]

So I just saw a post in the fan group where the opener Starcrawler at the Denver show was disparaging the BM fans...telling the Starcrawler fans to push their way past the 'creepy old dudes' and that the BM fans needed to 'turn their hearing aides up'...

I'm thinking, if you're performing for a crowd where 99% of them are not your fans, you may want to try a little kindness as opposed to fucking insulting them. Fucking stupid.

OH GOD.  They were opening for Band-Maid?  I saw them open for Bush last January.  They were terrible.  This was one of these times where after the set was over, everyone had that feeling of, "WTF was that?"  and not in a good sense.  I don't want to endure that again in Anaheim.

[lonestar]

So I just saw a post in the fan group where the opener Starcrawler at the Denver show was disparaging the BM fans...telling the Starcrawler fans to push their way past the 'creepy old dudes' and that the BM fans needed to 'turn their hearing aides up'...

I'm thinking, if you're performing for a crowd where 99% of them are not your fans, you may want to try a little kindness as opposed to fucking insulting them. Fucking stupid.

OH GOD.  They were opening for Band-Maid?  I saw them open for Bush last January.  They were terrible.  This was one of these times where after the set was over, everyone had that feeling of, "WTF was that?"  and not in a good sense.  I don't want to endure that again in Anaheim.

They won't be at any of the California shows thankfully

[lonestar]

So KFC is huge in Japan, like that's the traditional Christmas dinner is to order KFC, and they have to order it weeks in advance.


Miku in Salt Lake City, when she finds out KFC started there.... (I checked, the first KFC was in fact in SLC)

https://www.facebook.com/100002177316627/videos/124738170705090?idorvanity=131703054031682

I'm fucking dying...

[TAC]

Are you in line yet?

[lonestar]

Are you in line yet?

My buddy is getting in line at 4am Monday.

I'll probably jump in around 9, I didn't get the UVIP so I'm going in behind all them anyways.

There's already guys eyeballing the Seattle venue for tomorrow's show. They're so fucking hardcore 

[lonestar]

Outstanding performance, the girls make a strong case for being one of the best live bands around.

[lonestar]

Ok...some longer thoughts now that I've gotten some sleep...

Arrived at the venue at 9am, and there were already about 40 people in line, BM fans are obsessive that way, they even have their own merch for the Dawn Patrol. 10 hours in 100 degree Sacramento sun isn't ideal, but we survived with a shit ton of water and the parking lot being right next to us so we could chill in our cars at times. Got into the venue and the show started promptly. And the girls jumped into four ripper tracks right out of the gates, with Domination leading off and the ever amazing Play as well. A brief hello from Miku and they blasted through four more tracks. Another longer MC from the other girls, a quick q&a session and some minor shenanigans all to take a brake and give Miku's voice a rest. Next were six tracks, including some of their more mellow stuff in the middle where the crowd surprised the band by all having glowsticks and made a sea of multi-colored lights. It was obvious Saiki was really touched by this and was a very cool moment. This part ended with the ripper duo of Dice and Hate?, with the now infamous duel between Misa and Mincho. Then came the long MC period where Miku does Omajinai time, this is a traditional part of the show and is always hilarious in how the other girls troll the shit out her during it, it was about 20 minutes, and led right into the final six songs finishing off with the live debut of their latest single Shambles.

The girls are easily one of the tightest sounding live bands out there, not a note is missed, and Saiki's leads are absolutely massive, she's a true force of nature. I managed to score a Miku pick, and a fantastic time all around. Definitely in contention for show of the year.

Here's the interchange and ending of Dont You Tell Me- https://youtu.be/wvhTv8VXcYk

[Anguyen92]

For anyone interested in seeing Band-Maid in Anaheim today, TickPick has tickets as low as $22.00 all GA, as of right now.  I suggest if you are on the fence, and in the OC or LA area, I say go ahead and nab it.  I pulled the trigger a little too early yesterday.  I could have saved $20.00 if I bought it today.  Could have used that money for parking.....  Nonetheless, I'm excited for this.