Popularity of Jrock in Europe/Western World - Up to us, or them?
- Thread starter Yokan
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #127
http://rapidshare.de/files/9119488/jrock_collection.zip.html As the link says. 
i think that is what songs which would become very popular in britian if promoted. Jame isn't very helpful, it only like describes 2 bands almost. O_O
i think that is what songs which would become very popular in britian if promoted. Jame isn't very helpful, it only like describes 2 bands almost. O_O
Kinsao
Horizon Rider
- 8 May 2005
- 8,515
- 143
Check out this guy's MySpace:
Featured Content on Myspace
He's a musician who takes influences from western and Japanese bands.
"I would describe my style as an interesting mixture between Jrock and English rock."
I think there will become more musicians like that, as J-rock becomes more well known via the net. There will be many bad 'fan bands', but also good ones too. (I don't know what his music sounds like - I sent him a message so if he replies, I will ask whether he can send to me a sample, maybe. 
) And... music draws people in... maybe some people just start off with playing guitar or something because it seems cool, but then... it's an addiction... 
(omg... I was doomed from the start... right from the moment I was lying in hospital in the baby cot and my proud Daddy looked and said "ah! Good guitaring fingers!" 
:nuts: )
Featured Content on Myspace
He's a musician who takes influences from western and Japanese bands.
"I would describe my style as an interesting mixture between Jrock and English rock."
I think there will become more musicians like that, as J-rock becomes more well known via the net.
There will be many bad 'fan bands', but also good ones too. (I don't know what his music sounds like - I sent him a message so if he replies, I will ask whether he can send to me a sample, maybe. ) And... music draws people in... maybe some people just start off with playing guitar or something because it seems cool, but then... it's an addiction... (omg... I was doomed from the start... right from the moment I was lying in hospital in the baby cot and my proud Daddy looked and said "ah! Good guitaring fingers!" :nuts: )
myyyy moooneeyy...
Kinsao
Horizon Rider
- 8 May 2005
- 8,515
- 143
I'm resurrecting this thread because of an interesting discussion on Batsu. Some of you might have already read it. It's called "Do you think there can be a VK scene outside of Japan?" The link is here if you want to read it.
http://batsu.org/viewtopic.php?t=10767&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
It's interesting that the OP used the term "VK scene" instead of "jrock", which indicates that he or she was thinking about the visual aspect more than the music - so in my "summary" (if I may grace it with the name ><) I've kept more to that aspect.
On reading that, I wondered what people here think.
Here are some of the points people put forward.
For the VK scene possibility in other countries:
-- There have already been similar bands who do visual, such as Alice Cooper, Kiss, New York Dolls and others, so the concept of costumes and performance isn't totally new.
-- The VK scene in Japan isn't actually as big as people tend to think it is, neither.
-- There can be fans of a particular type of music and/or style anywhere!
-- It's a very marketable type of fashion.
-- Music-wise, there are bound to be rock bands outside of Japan that get influenced by jrock, music is like that...
-- ... and if bands are good and play well, chances are, people will like them. If on top of that, they can put on a good visual show, that will add to the attraction.
-- VK might take off more easily in smaller countries like the UK, as opposed to the US, because the "scene" operates under similar conditions to Japan (higher population density etc.).
-- It's a natural consequence that fans will dress up like their fave bands, so if jrock becomes more popular, the VK scene will too.
-- People want to see "strange and new" things.
Against the VK scene possibility in other countries:
-- Other countries are bigger and have larger populations - this makes touring, especially for smaller bands, more difficult and expensive.
-- There is a prejudice against non-Asian people "doing VK".
-- There is a different media set-up outside of Japan. For example, major radio stations don't really play indies music.
-- There is a different venue set-up.
-- There is no pre-existing set-up (e.g. in Japan there are labels that sign VK bands already).
-- There are different views on masculinity. Also, Japanese people have a smaller bone structure and find it easier to look "feminine", which is a part of the VK "look".
-- VK would be labelled "gay".
-- The West is too "grimy and realistic".
-- VK style elsewhere would just be a "cheesy knockoff".
Do you agree and/or disagree with some of the points? (Not my points btw - various issues raised by debators on Batsu, you can see who they are if you visit the site, and I apologise if I've inadvertently quoted anyone who doesn't want to be quoted or feels their views have been misrepresented. ><)
Have you things to add?
Your thoughts...?
http://batsu.org/viewtopic.php?t=10767&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
It's interesting that the OP used the term "VK scene" instead of "jrock", which indicates that he or she was thinking about the visual aspect more than the music - so in my "summary" (if I may grace it with the name ><) I've kept more to that aspect.
On reading that, I wondered what people here think.
Here are some of the points people put forward.
For the VK scene possibility in other countries:
-- There have already been similar bands who do visual, such as Alice Cooper, Kiss, New York Dolls and others, so the concept of costumes and performance isn't totally new.
-- The VK scene in Japan isn't actually as big as people tend to think it is, neither.
-- There can be fans of a particular type of music and/or style anywhere!
-- It's a very marketable type of fashion.
-- Music-wise, there are bound to be rock bands outside of Japan that get influenced by jrock, music is like that...
-- ... and if bands are good and play well, chances are, people will like them. If on top of that, they can put on a good visual show, that will add to the attraction.
-- VK might take off more easily in smaller countries like the UK, as opposed to the US, because the "scene" operates under similar conditions to Japan (higher population density etc.).
-- It's a natural consequence that fans will dress up like their fave bands, so if jrock becomes more popular, the VK scene will too.
-- People want to see "strange and new" things.
Against the VK scene possibility in other countries:
-- Other countries are bigger and have larger populations - this makes touring, especially for smaller bands, more difficult and expensive.
-- There is a prejudice against non-Asian people "doing VK".
-- There is a different media set-up outside of Japan. For example, major radio stations don't really play indies music.
-- There is a different venue set-up.
-- There is no pre-existing set-up (e.g. in Japan there are labels that sign VK bands already).
-- There are different views on masculinity. Also, Japanese people have a smaller bone structure and find it easier to look "feminine", which is a part of the VK "look".
-- VK would be labelled "gay".
-- The West is too "grimy and realistic".
-- VK style elsewhere would just be a "cheesy knockoff".
Do you agree and/or disagree with some of the points? (Not my points btw - various issues raised by debators on Batsu, you can see who they are if you visit the site, and I apologise if I've inadvertently quoted anyone who doesn't want to be quoted or feels their views have been misrepresented. ><)
Have you things to add?
Your thoughts...?
Honey Vanity
後輩
- 29 Jan 2006
- 1,462
- 3
While I think VK is a very marketable thing here in the states (and else where for that matter) I dont think non Japanese bands could really call themselves vk. I mean there are plenty of artists over here that fit the discription yet they're still not VK. I think its just something that is very distinctivly japanese. Not that I feel bands in other places shouldnt go for that look if they want, but rather that we should awknowledge them as their own seperate thing. Like Gwen Stephani and her Harajuku girls...
I know I'm probably I bit late on this subject but:
I believe the popularity of Jrock in western world depends entirely on each country's music industry.
The bands themselves and the fans can try as hard as they can but unless the music industry in the western countries become more open to non-western bands, japanese bands will have a hard time getting in and having their cd's stocked/sold in local music stores.
The music industry won't change unless it thinks the music will sell. Lets face it, no matter how much word of mouth the fans do, we can't create that many other fans, at least not enough to make records company say "hmmm.. Maybe this WILL sell". And considering how hard it is to get cd's. Many people will most likely just say "I like this band but I don't have money or time to go through with all the online ordering. There are plenty of western bands I already like so I'll just listen to them instead".
Then there's the problem with bands that really don't offer anything spectacular to westerners. For example, lets say there's a japanese punk band, there is probably a western equivalent that sounds similar. And westerners are most likely going to buy western equivalent's album because at least they can understand that one. The only time where this doesn't come into play is when the band's sound is so unlike anything here in the west that there just isn't anything like it. But a downside to this is if a band is too different people might be turned off and think "what the hell is this". Songs that are too "different" usually take a little while to grow on you. I think sometimes those of us who listen to Jrock forget that the average music listener isn't as open minded. If the first impression is "eh? what?" then that will probably be the last impression.
...but this is just a personal opinion. I guess a quick summary of what I said would be
A) You'd need to convince the music industry/records that Jrock will sell.
B) You'd need to choose your bands wisely. Nothing too generic or "western" sounding otherwise people would probably just go buy "western" music instead of imported western music.
3) Nothing too weird sounding though.
D) I am fully aware that I jumped from B to 3. I.. I meant to do that.
☝
By the way I disagree with however said
Mind you I grew up during the gansta rap movement. So I was bombarded with "*****, youse bout to get shot" in song form and the infamous "cop killer" song nearly everyday. I have yet to kill any cops nor do I know anyone who has, And I'm miraculously free of bullet holes.
I believe the popularity of Jrock in western world depends entirely on each country's music industry.
The bands themselves and the fans can try as hard as they can but unless the music industry in the western countries become more open to non-western bands, japanese bands will have a hard time getting in and having their cd's stocked/sold in local music stores.
The music industry won't change unless it thinks the music will sell. Lets face it, no matter how much word of mouth the fans do, we can't create that many other fans, at least not enough to make records company say "hmmm.. Maybe this WILL sell". And considering how hard it is to get cd's. Many people will most likely just say "I like this band but I don't have money or time to go through with all the online ordering. There are plenty of western bands I already like so I'll just listen to them instead".
Then there's the problem with bands that really don't offer anything spectacular to westerners. For example, lets say there's a japanese punk band, there is probably a western equivalent that sounds similar. And westerners are most likely going to buy western equivalent's album because at least they can understand that one. The only time where this doesn't come into play is when the band's sound is so unlike anything here in the west that there just isn't anything like it. But a downside to this is if a band is too different people might be turned off and think "what the hell is this". Songs that are too "different" usually take a little while to grow on you. I think sometimes those of us who listen to Jrock forget that the average music listener isn't as open minded. If the first impression is "eh? what?" then that will probably be the last impression.
...but this is just a personal opinion. I guess a quick summary of what I said would be
A) You'd need to convince the music industry/records that Jrock will sell.
B) You'd need to choose your bands wisely. Nothing too generic or "western" sounding otherwise people would probably just go buy "western" music instead of imported western music.
3) Nothing too weird sounding though.
D) I am fully aware that I jumped from B to 3. I.. I meant to do that.
☝
By the way I disagree with however said
on the first page. As far as I'm concerned the music isn't to blame. Music cannot make someone do something bad, they choose to do it themselves. If rap wasn't around the kids would still be bad, they'd just be bad while listening to different music and while wearing different clothes. I've been around rap ever since I was wee little girl and so has every person I've ever grown up with. Not one of us is a "gangster". What makes us different than the little kids who became "gangsters" because 50cent told them it was cool?
Mind you I grew up during the gansta rap movement. So I was bombarded with "*****, youse bout to get shot" in song form and the infamous "cop killer" song nearly everyday. I have yet to kill any cops nor do I know anyone who has, And I'm miraculously free of bullet holes.
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