For the first three months of 2005, Remioromen has three new releases lined up. On Jan. 12, the band releases “Moratorium”, its first new single in 8 months. Another single, titled “Minamikaze”, follows at the beginning of February, and the band’s second album rounds out the trio of new material in March. In 2004, Remioromen embarked on a nationwide tour and performed at a number of music festivals, giving the band momentum to rush its new releases in early 2005.
Spitz releases its 11th album, titled Souvenir, on Jan. 12. The album will be the first collection of new material since Mikatzuki Rock, which came out more than two years ago. The band once again worked with producer Seiji Kameda, bassist for Shiina Ringo’s band Tokyo Jihen. In March 2004, Spitz released Iroirogoromi, a collection of previously released and rare material.
Rap-metal band RIZE ends a five-month hiatus with a performance on Dec. 9. Each member of the group wrote messages on the band’s web site regarding what they called a “time out”. RIZE performs at Shibuya O-West as part of the “Peace Vol. 3” showcase.
Sasagawa Miwa releases her second album, titled amata, on Jan. 19, 2005. The album includes the pre-release singles “Anata Atashi” and “Tomenaide/Utsukushii Kage”. It’s been one year since Sasagawa released her debut album Jijitsu, and the reissued single, “Warai/Kinmokusei”, became a big hit.
Straightener releases its second album, Title, on Jan. 26, 2005. The 13-track album includes the singles “Killer Tune”, “Tender” and “Reminder”, which originally appeared on the mini-album Rock End Roll. Title arrives a year after the band’s debut album, Lost World’s Anthology.
Pop singer Hitoto You will release a live DVD, titled Hitoto You Live Tour 2004 ~Tetoshan~, on Dec. 1. The DVD documents Hitoto’s April 11 performance at Tokyo NHK Hall and features 19 of her songs, including the singles “Morai Naki”, “Kingyo Sukui” and “Edo Polka”. On the same day, a limited edition pressing of her second album, Hitomoi, hits stores. A live DVD with eight songs accompanies the limited edition album, which will be available only until Jan. 31, 2005.
Remioromen will release a new single, titled “Moratorium”, on Jan. 12, 2005. The three-track single includes the coupling songs “Haru Keshiki” and “Bokura wa”. The band is also scheduled to perform at the Countdown Japan 04/05 Festival at the end of the year, and a longer nation-wide tour is expected to begin in 2005.
Fukuoka-based Panic Smile will release a new album, titled Miniature, on Dec. 17. The album is a follow-up to Grasshopper Sun, which was released two years ago. Members of Panic Smile include Kikuchi Seikou and Jason from Date Course Pentagon Royal Garden. Panic Smile also performed with Number Girl, and Mukai Shuutoku collaborated with the band before forming Zazen Boys.
meister, the solo project of the brilliant green’s guitarist Matsui Ryo, will release a new single featuring Bonnie Pink on vocals. Titled “Above the Clouds”, the single hits stores on Nov. 26, about a month after the Oct. 27 release of the guitarist’s debut album, I Met the Music. A coupling track, “My World Down”, features Mark Gardner of the shoegazer band Ride on vocals.
Drummer Christopher Maguire is leaving Quruli at the end of October, the band announced on its web site. Main songwriter Kishida Shigeru, writing in his online journal, cited creative differences as the reason for Maguire’s departure. Percussionist Dai Taroo, who supported Quruli in 2002 and on its first American tour, takes over as a support musician.