The end of ShaQ ? (gasp)

[Mandylion]

ShaQ, the producer behind the such acts as Morning Musume, all the Morning Musume spin-offs, and a few other acts I can't be bothered to remember, seems to be on his final legs, according to a report released today from the research department comprised of my kitchen table and those who gather 'round it.

I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but with the last series of ubercute, J-pop idol music groups, those in the ShaQ corner seem to be running low in the creativity dept. I am in no way quanitfying that anything ShaQ has produced could be considered as creative, rather recently there has been a great drout of apparent creativity.

According to the Head of Archives, Section Chief, my wife, all of ShaQ's production company new releases have been bad covers of old songs. While perhaps not a unbiased opinion, it does seem to indicate ShaQ is spinning his wheels at best and washed out at least. Lets face it, it is hard to be creative when your targeted demographic cries only for cute, repetivive, easy to sing pop version of simple carbs (which we all know are very fattening) that come dressed in shades of pastel and maybe a flashy bit or two. Not putting down those who like the stuff, just it is not for me (hope you can take all this in the spirit of good natured ribbing as it is intended).

So what gives, shall JREF announce to the world that the J-pop machine that is/was that funny little man with the male symbol in his name a has-been? Discuss...

 

[Twisted]

I thought Tsunku was the producer of all this music? Or is his production company perhaps called ShaQ? The band he is/was vocalist in is/was in fact called Sharam Q.

Creative or not, all his productions are pretty much in the same corner. Not just the Zetima stuff, but also the music he did with Sharam Q.

 

[Keiichi]

I think it's going fine. For older fans, it'll start to get repetitive and get boring as older members graduate. Then there will be newer generations and new fans. But Tsunku's not done yet, that's for sure.

 

[Mandylion]

Twisted, yes, his name is Tsun-kun, but I know him as ShaQ and thought most would know who I was talking about if I stuck to his old, more recognizable associations. Sorry for the confusion

 

[Philosoranter]

He may not be the star he once was, but Tsunku [male symbol] is still extremely rich, outstripping the earnings of anyone in his artist stable by at least sevenfold. SharanQ (SharamQ) is decidedly dead, and has been for some time. The original audition to find a new vocalist for the group after Tsunku left (which was the also beginning of Morning Musume, back in 1997) produced Michiyo Heike, who fell out of the spotlight sometime around 2001-2002. The other members of SharanQ have also assumed less showy positions in the music industry, producing such acts as Cubic Cross and EE Jump.

Tsunku himself released an CD recently, Take One (link goes to a screencap of Ai Kago holding the CD). On it were several original songs, as well as songs which he had written for other performers, such as his Ayumi Hamasaki and his own Morning Musume. Included in the CD was a small photo collection, the pictures in which may be frightening to small children.

Or is his production company perhaps called ShaQ?

The collective name for all the groups he produces is the Hello! Project. The record company most of them are on (with the exception of Maki Goto, Natsumi Abe, Sonim, and a few others) is Zetima, inc. The talent agency that they are all (save Sonim) a part of is the Up-Front Agency. The Hello! Project is wholly under Tsunku, while the other organizations have independent management.

 

[Twisted]

You're a fan, aren't you?

 

[Philosoranter]

You're a fan, aren't you?

Li'l bit... I don't suspect you get many Hello! Project fans here - most of the posters I see are wild for the guy groups. To each his/her own, I suppose.

 

[Keiichi]

Hey, I'm a fan. Kinda.
Hey Philosoranter. You joined up here, huh? Welcome!
(Do you even know who I am? )

 

[Philosoranter]

Hey, I'm a fan. Kinda.
Hey Philosoranter. You joined up here, huh? Welcome!
(Do you even know who I am? )

'Course I do.

A friend led me here, but I don't think she knows I'm a member yet. She'll see the name soon enough, I think.

Update: SharanQ may be long gone, but it's certainly not forgotten. July 14th, Radon City released an album with SharanQ covers. Tsunku's comment: 新鮮なアプローチで俺も思わずノリノリになってしまう仕上がりになってたよ。(Source: www.tsunku.net)

EDIT: fixed the date

 

[Meiji Lythtis]

Maki's GOLD SAINT

Li'l bit... I don't suspect you get many Hello! Project fans here - most of the posters I see are wild for the guy groups. To each his/her own, I suppose.

Only Keiichi and me I guess, I haven't found many others, first welcome over here Philosoranter... ... with you we are now three H!P fans in this forum.


and Mandylion, actually your topic has been debated several times, I can say I agree in some things you point out. I'm an old generations' fan, I like some of the newest stuffs, but I hardly like newest members. But I also agree in something Keiichi said, new generations is for new fans, I've seen several people that have known Morning Musume just recently, and they like it.

I wouldn't say Tsunku seems to be on his final legs, he's only adapting new music for new members, experimenting with music... getting a new style, I don't know. I guess he will last a bit more while Morning Musume and Hello! Project remain.

:::Maki Itadakimasu:::