Top Ten Visual Kei vocalists.

Granted, my Visual Kei interest might be dwindling and my favorite artists are either now leaving or disbanding. But who knows, maybe I'll find another band someday. I'm just a little swamped with work/babysitting and other things.

So this is just a top ten of vocalist I liked throughout the years. Some, I might not even like anymore, but at the time I liked them for what they were.

10. Miku-An Cafe

I can't believe I'm even mentioning Miku, but back in my High School days I actually really liked his voice. For what it was, it was really good and I liked the upbeat in his tone. Oshare Kei really wasn't my thing, but it was a nice change of pace for what I usually listened to. As a person, I don't know if I can say I actually like Miku-but maybe he's changed since I've known about him.

 

 9. Jun-Spiv States

When Phantasmagoria disbanded and Jun created Spiv States with Iori I was a little shocked. Especially after hearing that Jun would also be vocalist. But after hearing their first two singles, I was pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately I didn't really keep up with them after Iori left due to health reasons, so one day I will sit down and listen to the entire discography. 

8. Maru-BIS

Unfortunately not a lot of my friends remember or knew who BIS was. They were sort of like Alice Nine I would say, and they did used to be an indie band under PSC until they left and eventually disbanded. Maru had a good voice, when I first heard the song DAYS I was almost obsessed with his voice. I didn't follow him after their disbandment, and I'm unsure if he's even active in the VK scene anymore.

7.Keiyu-Kra

 Granted, I didn't really give the band a shot when I first got into Visual Kei. I honestly didn't even know that Kra was considered Oshare Kei, unless they're not and I'm being a total noob. Honestly I can't really comment on his voice, at least to make myself seem like I know what I'm talking about. I just like it. [I'm being sloppy, I'm sorry.] 

 

6. Yomi-Nightmare

 

Yomi surprisingly has a low voice, which I like. I recently got acquainted with their music again, only to find out that the band is on hiatus. I hope for a return, because I'm interested where they can go from there. 

 

5. Riku-Chariots

 

Riku was one of the only reasons I listened to Phantasmagoria, for all I know he sort of carried the band in a way. [Okay I know that's rude to say, sorry.] I lost touch with his music, but when I heard Chariots was active again I started to listen to them again. I really like his voice honestly.

 

4. Maya-LM.C

 

I don't know how to describe what I liked about Maya's voice either, maybe it was the upbeat music that surrounded it. I think the song 88 really displays what Maya can do with his vocals, but unfortunately I fell away from them after Punky Heart. 

 

3. Satoshi-Girugamesh

 

The first couple of albums of Girugamesh were the best to me, but the latest albums up to their disbandment never did anything for me. Despite that, I really enjoyed Satoshi's vocals. I think he had a unique way of going about things, and as a plus I did like him as a person. I want to support him in his new endeavors, whatever they might be.

 

2. Ruki-the GazettE

 

As far as Vocalists that are still active in the scene, Ruki is still my favorite vocalist. Don't get me wrong about that. I had a hard time debating with myself even putting him at number two, but when I get to the number one pick you'll find out why. The thing I've always liked about him as a musician, is his intuition and his desire to grow. Some vocalists might just stay the same, but he's constantly trying new things and improving his vocals. Hearing him sing live was an experience, and I can't honestly wait to experience it again.

 

As a person, I do like him too! I wish him well with his own endeavors, whether with the band or his new line of clothing and perfume. I know he'll do well with it.

 

1. Isshi-Kagrra,

Kagrra, was my introduction to Visual Kei. Everything that VK is to me, is because of them. Isshi had even been my first bias, having fallen for him and his voice when I saw the MV for Satsuki. I owe a lot to him, and some days it's hard to come to terms that he's not with us anymore. I had been so excited to see what he could do with his new project, but alas we will never know the full potential.

I don't think there will ever be a vocalist that could ever take my heart. As I said, even though Ruki is my favorite vocalist-Isshi will always be my first. If that made sense at all.

--

With that said, despite it being sloppy and even confusing-I hope you enjoyed it anyway.

  

 

Visual Kei is fine.

I was originally going to talk about how people are freaking out about how VK is "dying", but I believe what's been said has been said and I'd be beating a dead horse right about now. I'm still going to talk about it a little, but not to the extent that I was going to.

Visual Kei has obviously been around for more than 20 years, I have a document somewhere on my computer actually which talks about the founding fathers. We already know X-Japan, but I'm not here to talk about the history either. Well, kinda-but not really. I don't really want to go on a tangent about Yoshiki and how he sort of creeps me out.

So this is sort of a personal post, because it pertains to my own personal experiences within the fandom and how it sort of molded me into the person I am today. Granted, I don't really listen to any of the newer material. I basically listen to anything that predates 2012, and even then I only listen to the GazettE, Kagrra, LM.C, Girugamesh, Nightmare, and a few others. A lot of those I listed, are either on hiatus or disbanded.

Apart of the reason why I believe that some people believe that the scene is dying, is that the bands are constantly doing this. Auncia made a habit out of it, oh wait it's NIA now. Or is it Ansia?

Nevermind.

Sometimes band members don't mesh well together, sometimes the music that they're playing just doesn't bode well with one member and they move on. Sometimes they want to try new things on their own. When Kagrra, disbanded it was initially because Isshi wanted to try a solo project, so I believe.

And even when this band goes on hiatus, or their band disbands-they are most likely going to try a new band or at least stay active in the scene. Naoki [the bassist of Kagrra,] is constantly giving his talent to those in the scene, he even played for Gotcharocka at one point. Jui started Gotcharocka a little after Vidoll disbanded, and they're still around to this day.

[Those are poor examples, but they're what I know.]

Even Jun, after Phantasmagoria disbanded he started a new band with Iori. [Unfortunately Iori had to quit because of health reasons.] Whatever the reason though for leaving, most musicians stay in the scene-they're just doing different things. [I mean Kisaki said he was going to retire how many times now?]

I know it's a normal reaction to be upset when your band goes on hiatus or they disband, but always keep an eye out for new projects. Support them too! Support them as much as you can, because that's what they need too. [Where am I even going with this? Orz]

Your favorite band disbanding|going on hiatus does not equate to Visual Kei dying, it's not even a big scene in Japan to begin with.

Right now there aren't many bands who have their own sound either, they're going to take what they know from a veteran band and impliment that in their music. You have to fish through the pool to find a band you like sometimes, but they are there-they're forming almost all the time.

Visual Kei has changed so much since I got into it, and that's only been since 2006. It's not popular to begin with, I have yet to meet a Japanese person [outside of the GazettE fandom and who has lived in Japan before] who even knows what it is. My mom would talk to our neighbors exchange student who would just look at her like "Who the hell is this GazettE you're talking about?"

Ten years from now, people will still be saying it's a dying scene and that it needs to be saved. It's always been a topic, even back in the day. I believe it stems from "A band I love is disbanding/going on hiatus-it must be dying!" BUT your favorites are probably planning on doing MORE things on their own time.

I feel hypocritical talking about this, because I do only really listen to what I listened to back when I was in High School.

The scene has changed, as far as the fandom goes-but it's still there and it's still thriving even if it doesn't seem that big.

It doesn't need to be saved, if you think so then maybe start supporting your artist by buying their merch and buying their albums.

If you can, go to their concerts.

Find a new band.

Annnnnnd last thing....

I don't know, just stop saying it needs to be saved I guess. I guess I did beat the dead horse, sorry guys.

lmao I don't know how to end this so bye.

40 Things about myself

I sort of wanted to do this in the beginning, but I figured later it better than never. And I originally was going to do a "What band is your favorite?|What is your favorite color?" sort of questionnaire, but I found this a little more interesting and sort of will go into depth of who I am as a person and maybe some of the stuff I personally would like to work on.

So with that said, I'm going to go ahead and get started.

40 Personal Things About Me

 

1. What’s your philosophy in life?

I don't know if I have one, other than I really would like it if people just treated each other with decency. I think the world gets so wrapped up in their own beliefs and personal lives to really look at another human and not label them as what they think. And even if a person is of a different sexuality, race, gender, or religion I doubt it's any of your business. Though as a human we have a flaw to be curious, which is something I need to work on myself when it comes to dealing with others. 

2. What’s the one thing you would like to change about yourself?

My thought process, I suppose you can say and how I handle my negative emotions. I tend to bottle things up to the point where they explode. And I have somewhat of a low self-esteem, but I try to hide it like I'm confident in myself if that made sense. Like I try to build myself up, but in reality I don't think I'm that great of a person I just don't really want people to know that. And in return, I believe it makes me come off as arrogant and it's hard for me to keep some friends for this reason.

 

3. Are you religious or spiritual?

 I'm not religious, but I don't think you could call me spiritual either. I do believe in some sort of higher being, but I don't really delve into that if that makes any sense. I sort of just go with the flow with my own personal belief system, and I try to make a living based off that. I know it's not the most conventional way, but I have a hard time with people telling me what I should believe in the beginning. I'd sort of like to sort that out for myself.

4. Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?

Depends on who I'm with. If I'm surrounded by people I don't know, and am not comfortable around [or sometimes that I do know, depends on my mood too] I'm more of an introvert. I like to quietly stay off to the side and observe things, even when I'm dealing within my own family at a holiday gathering. Though I'm more active when I'm one on one with someone, or something that I'm really close with. Online I'm more of an extrovert, I do go out of my way to talk to a few people. 

 

5. Which parent are you closer to and why?

I honestly feel I have a good relationship with both of my parents. I suppose you can say I open up more about certain things with my dad, but I do the same with my mom. So I can't really say I favor one over the other.

 

6. What was the best phase in your life?

I don't know if I have one quite yet, I have had good parts during certain parts of the year. 

 

7. What was the worst phase in your life?

Honestly between 2009 and 2013 is sort of a hazy period for me. The only thing that was good about that time period is my nephew was born. Late 2013 I met Matt, so things started to get a little better.

 

8. Is what you’re doing now what you always wanted to do growing up?

No, I don't think anyone dreams of being a cashier at a grocery store.

 

9. What makes you feel accomplished?
Honestly when I make good conversation with a friend, or even make someone laugh. Or I make someone feel good about themselves. I have a habit of even telling customers that I like their outfit, I genuinely do a lot of the times-but the smile they give me when I say it makes it worth it. It's pretty small accomplishments, but eh.

10. What’s your favorite book/movie of all time and why did it speak to you so much?
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. I don't know why it jumped out at me, but it was such a beautifully written book.

11. What is a relationship deal breaker for you?
Cheating.

12. Are you more into looks or brains?
More of personality.

13. Would you ever take back someone who cheated?
No, I don't think I could trust someone again after being betrayed like that.

14. How do you feel about sharing your password with your partner?
I don't know, depends on what it is I guess. But I trust Matt, and I'm pretty sure he trusts me so there's no need to share passwords.

15. When do you think a person is ready for marriage?
When they truly think they're ready, I believe people should be able to make their own decisions regarding their love life.

16. What kind of parent do you think you will be?
I'm not having kids.

17. What would you do if your parents didn’t like your partner?
Honestly I would ask them why, but my parents like Matt so I don't have to worry about that.

18. Who is that one person you can talk to about just anything?
Matt and Reida are two people I have learned I can tell anything. I don't trust a lot of people with my emotions anymore.

19. Do you usually stay friends with your exes?
I tried to. I do talk to one sporadically.

20. Have you ever lost someone close to you?
My Grandparents.

21. If you are in a bad mood, do you prefer to be left alone or have someone to cheer you up?
Depends on how bad of a mood I'm in. I prefer to be left alone when I'm really upset, because I can get kind of mean when I don't mean to be. So it ends up worse. I get super frustrated too, which is a result of me bottling things up. But sometimes I'll be in a bad mood and I'll get a super random text or picture from Matt with some weird caption and then I'll just giggle at it for like ten minutes.

22. What’s an ideal weekend for you?
Spending it with Matt, which I usually do.

23. What do you think of best friends of the opposite sex?
Great.

24. Do you judge a book by its cover?
I don't usually do, you can't really judge someone based on their looks or race.

25. Are you confrontational?
Depends.

26. When was the last time you broke someone’s heart?
I guess 2013.

27. Would you relocate for love?
Depends on if it worked out.

28. Did you ever write a journal?
I used to, but stopped when I was in seventh grade.

29. What are you most thankful for?
My parents.

30. Do you believe in second chances?
Yeah, but I don't believe in third.

31. What’s the one thing that people always misunderstand about you?
I don't know, I guess that I don't care? I sometimes don't know how to react to other people's problems, I don't think. I care, I just don't know how to convey that.

32. What is your idea of a perfect vacation?
Japan or Seattle, one of the two. I don't care, as long as I'm with someone I care about.

33. What did your past relationship teach you?
That sometimes it's better off just being friends or not friends at all.

34. What are your thoughts on online dating or tinder?
I think it depends, if you find the right person-but do your research before going any further. There's sites now that you can find if it's a catfish or not.

35. What’s on your bucket list this year?
I don't really have one for this year, I'm just going to take it easy. Next year maybe visit Japan. I say that a lot though.

36. When have you felt your biggest adrenaline rush?
Getting on an airplane.

37. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done and would you do it again?
Nah I'm boring.

38. If a genie granted you 3 wishes right now, what would you wish for?
For my nephews to have enough to live with for a comfortable life, to put my parents in a home they can grow old in, and for my dog to never die.

39. What’s your biggest regret in life?
I personally would rather not answer this one.

40. What do you think about when you’re by yourself?
I don't want to say what I think about, I overthink and I get depressed and get anxious. When I'm with someone it's not as bad.

Washington Trip

In my head I can't really wrap my head around the fact that it's been two weeks since I was in Washington, but I will try to remember certain things that happened during the trip. Unlike my very first trip/vacation where I flew, Matt and I drove to Washington. We drove through Idaho [really boring] and Oregon [not along the coast, so kind of boring].

This is the first trip, at least out of state, that I have taken with Matt and the first time we spent more than a week together. I don't want to get into personal feelings, so I'll just leave it at that.

We left on the 9th of April, but didn't have to be to our hotel in Kelso until the 10th. The reason we left a day early, despite only taking 12 hours to get to Washington from where we were at; is because I can't drive and Matt would be the sole driver. I was worried about him getting tired, so after six hours of driving and getting out of Idaho we stopped in Ontario, Oregon.

I can't really say much about the city, other than it was sort of a shithole and we were sort of glad to get out of there. We only stayed in our hotel for the rest of the night, so it wasn't eventful really.

Driving through Oregon was slightly better, there were a lot of pretty sites to see and we went through a mountain. Though with Mountain drives I tend to get nervous.

We arrived in Washington I want to say about......12:00? I have absolutely not recollection of when we actually arrived to be completely honest, but I remember the instant we got into the state it was like it turned....green. It was beautiful, honestly I can say I like the state better than the ones I've been to before. [California being one of them. I don't really like desert states, despite technically being from one...]

[I can also note this now, next time I'm going to Washington-I'm flying.]

Kelso, Washingon|Mt. St Helens

I'm really sad to say however, to start this off-Mt. St. Helens....well it was sort of a bust. I felt bad because we only had one night in Kelso, before we had to leave for Seattle. [And as a side note, my phone said Kelso was FOUR hours away from Seattle when it was only one. Stupid phone.] Matt really wanted to go though, since he's gone before.....so next time we'll make sure it's open to the public or we find another way there. I don't even know why the road was closed.

Despite the setback, we did get this view-to which Matt told me that the last time he was there, it didn't look like this. So it was sort of cool to see the area looking better from when Mt. St. Helens blew up, and I still technically got to see a volcano. Just not as close as I would like, and it wasn't Mt. St Helens, but Mt. Rainer [?].

We didn't do much after that, went to Target and a Mall nearby our hotel. The Mall was dead, only had like ten stores and we got boxed wine from Target. I apparently got a little too drunk, but I don't really want to say what I supposedly did.

The only thing about Kelso is that I didn't get good reception there.

Seattle|Birthday at the Space Needle+Pier

Our hotel was right by the airport, in Seatac [I didn't even know that city existed, but I guess it makes sense to me now] but the location worked out for us in the end. Our hotel was a little fancier than the other two hotels we stayed in, and when we checked in they gave us both cookies. [Matt was funny, he was upset when they didn't give us one when we checked out.]

We went to the Space Needle after we arrived, but looking back I feel like we should have at night. But the next time we go, Matt says that we should go back and do just that.

I don't remember much about the Space Needle, aside from a few things. First things first, I'm terrified of heights and was actually holding onto Matt as we were on the Elevator. [I was fine going down, in which he made fun of me for.] We met a couple from Holland, and Matt talked to them for a bit.

I was going to eat up there, but I felt a little sick and I didn't want to throw up.

After that we went to the pier, we went to a restaurant called the Crab Pot and ate there. I ended up eating Salmon and Chips, while Matt got something else. I think he got a Salmon burger, which I wish I had gotten instead.

We walked around for a while, saw a cool little curiosity shop and just looked around there. I wished I had bought something while I was there, but there wasn't really anything that caught my eye. Well, anything I would want to bring home to my parents. [A shark in a bottle? Don't think they'd really appreciate that.]

Second day|Round 1 w/Reida+Kassidy

 

 We met up with Reida and Kassidy at the mall, but before we met up with them Matt was laughing to himself about an old video that I posted where my nephew was laughing at the name Ruki. And meeting them only intensified this, so I hear 'Ruuukiiii' a lot now.

Moving on...ruuuukiiiiii

 Also might I add, that Matt thought that they wouldn't like him for whatever reason. 

 We met inside Sears, and I don't know why that's relevant-but I felt the need to inform you all of that. [Because at least it wasn't outside, where I could run into traffic.....] It was my second time meeting Reida in person, and my first time meeting Kassidy. 

[Also, I am a really awkward person irl so I apologize to both of them. And Matt is too tbh, but he was doing his own thing.]

Before Round 1, we went to Kizuki [?] and that's when Reida and I exchanged gifts. She already knew some of what I was getting her, because I'm a terrible person and tell people sometimes what I'm getting or got them. But a few of them were surprises. And she gave me my birthday gifts, to which I have them displayed about my room. [Except for the chocolates of course...I ate those.] 

The Rilakkuma's name is Reita and Matt keeps trying to steal him.

Looking back, I felt a little bad for Matt. I think I was so focused on meeting Reida and Kassidy again, that he felt like a third wheel of some sort. I think he had fun. When we arrived at Round 1, we took Purikura and then Kassidy challenged me to the dancing game. [I don't remember the name lol] I totally sucked at it though. 

Also while we were at Round 1, we played that game where you basically spin for tickets [?] and I thought I landed on the line where it said 4 tickets. But the thing kept going and that's when I realized I won the jackpot. [And since then Matt's like 'let's go to Vegas'] I ended up spending my tickets on this rocket ship magnet thing, wasn't for me-so gave it to my future brother in law.

It was really fun to meet Kassidy, and to see Reida again and to just hang out.They had to leave, but I would end up seeing Reida that night.

After they left, Matt and I wandered the mall. Due to unfortunate circumstances we had to hurry back to the hotel, but once that was fixed we went back to the mall. I knew we were meeting Reida after she got off school for dinner, but I really wanted to try Jollibee at least once before I left.

I got the halo halo, and their hot dog. Halo Halo I knew I would like, as I had it before. My mom says she never liked the ube in it, but it reminded me of an ice cream flavor we have here in Utah called play dough. The only thing that got me was the texture of this one, but I think they put more beans than the restaurant over here did.

The hot dog was also good, though a little more sweet than I would have thought. It didn't fill me up either, so that was good considering we were getting food a little later.So before we met up with Reida again, we just went to target [though got lost despite it being across the fucking street]. 

Met up with Reida at Applebees and got to hang out with her before we left. I got grilled chicken and potatoes, with Mozarella sticks to share. After dinner we parted, and Matt and I went back to the hotel. [We went to Bevmo before we did, I bought my sister some wine.] 

Last Day|Pike Market Place+Uwajimaya+Fuji Bakery

After checking out, Matt and I went to Pike Market Place to get my dad his salmon. I told my dad before we left that we would get him one, despite it possibly costing me almost 100 dollars. The cheapest Salmon I could get was a King Salmon [medium sized] that was 80 bucks. Fortunately for me, they packed it in a 48 hour container so we didn't have to hurry home.

I didn't get any pictures really, other than a picture of the baseball field but eh. 

After Pike, and walking around there, we went to a little restaurant called Sushi Bella. For what it cost, the sushi was really good. I know compared to Utah, it would be considering the fish is fresher-but I was really impressed by how good it was. 

Before leaving the city though Matt wanted to visit Uwajimaya, which fortunate for me was close to Fuji Bakery where Reida recommended I go before I leave. The store was fun, I ended up going into the book store that was connected and buying myself some black butler related things. [Yes, Reida, I'm a weeb.] 

After that, we walked to Fuji Bakery to grab some things for the road. I ended up getting the apple pie pastry, and another one with strawberry on it. [Both were so gooooood.] 

And after that, it was time for us to go. :C

I really don't know how to end this, so I'll just end it with a "I will definitely be back."

[I got really sloppy at the end, I'm sorry ;A;]

Misterwives with Panic! at the Disco at UCCU, Orem, Utah.

This is a couple of days after the concert, so I'm not going to remember much. Honestly I was only going to see Panic! because they were playing with Misterwives. Otherwise I might not have gone, though I went with a couple of coworkers.

The day started off fine, I hung out with my coworker before we were to leave. Orem is further than where I live, about an hour and a half drive. However, when we went to pick up my brothers-her car broke down in the church parking lot across the street from my house. We thought it was bad luck, but was also lucky that it didn't break down on our way down.

So I'm not going to talk about the day leading to the live, I'm just going to talk about the actual Venue and my experiences there before and during the show. The venue itself wasn't bad, it was a reasonable size even for a band like Panic! though my friends and I were surprised they didn't play the bigger arena which is Vivint arena. [Where the Utah Jazz play.]

They sold out too, so it was crowded as hell. And when we got in, we were confused as to where to go at first. So we found our seats and we could see the stage pretty well. They also had a screen so we could see the artists. They came with Saint Hotel, so before they played I told my friend I wanted to get merch.

That was a horrible idea.

The line was huge! And the merch table we saw? Wasn't even the table where our line was headed, it was on the other side of the event center. We still had another hour wait at the most, and we were already waiting like...forty minutes by the time we figured this out. We missed Saint Hotel's set because of this! And the staff members were SO rude.

[Also this girl was taking selfies in line and getting pissed that we were 'photobombing' it? like bitch, move the camera another way or stop taking selfies because you're in a crowded space....anyways.]

I told my brother, who wanted to stay in line, that I was leaving. I came for Misterwives, a measely shirt was not worth missing them for. I could always go online and buy something there. [My brother is the real MVP though, he stayed in line-got his shirt but he also got me a Misterwive shirt because he wanted me to go home with a memento.]

So we came just as Saint Motel was taking their stuff down.

Our view of the stage.

 So Misterwives set up, and then they started their set. They started playing Gene Wilder's song "Wild Imagination" [?] and I instantly knew the song they were going to start with. And sure enough, their song Imagination Infatuation started to play. When Mandy Lee Duffy came out, I admit it-I screamed a little.

Baby is so amazing live, she has this energy that I don't think I've seen any singer have. She was dancing the entire set, smiling a lot-and her voice is incredible live. She can really hit those high notes, and honestly I couldn't keep my eyes off her. She was wearing a black blouse, with this mesh material covering her chest area. She also had her hair up a little, in a little bun-though most of her hair was down.

The next song was definitely Reflections, but after that it gets a little messy. I know they played Vagabond, but they combined the song with their other song Same Drugs. Then they introduced their new song off their new album called Machines.

Mandy talked to the crowd a lot, but I could tell they were really just there to see Panic!. She talked about how music brought us all together, no matter your sexuality, race, gender, or religion. Then she introduced their last song, which was Our Own House. While I only recorded some parts of their other songs, I wished I had with this one.

They brought up three drums [?] and during the bridge Mandy, the guitarists and pianist [?] started to play the drums to the beat while dancing. It was an amazing experience, but I nearly died when they stopped and people clapped thinking they were over...and then Mandy starts singing again.

They really did put on a good show, I'm so happy to have seen them. I really wish I could meet them someday, I want to tell Mandy how insanely talented she is....

So onto Panic.....

So I didn't get a picture of it, but they put a counter on the screen as a ten minute warning. So people cheered whenever the clock changed.

When they did come out, I was actually in shock at the light show, and the screen. I haven't been to a big concert since Linkin Park, and even then they didn't do something quite like this. [Though Linkin Park had a pretty bad ass set up.] So because I'm lazy, I screenshot the setlist because quite honestly I'm not big into Panic! so I didn't know half the songs.

So just a couple of quick notes on Panic! Brendon really is talented, and they put on a pretty good show. I was impressed with the light show, the atmosphere, and honestly they got me dancing even if I didn't know the songs. So it was a fun concert overall. A few things I remember, but they're out of order and I don't remember some of the songs it happened during.

• During This is Gospel, he sang on a platform away from the stage and closer to us. I mean, right by where the sound tech is. He was playing it on the piano, and as he sang the platform [which was round by the way] rose up and petals/confetti fell from the ceiling.  After this, he ran into the crowd to get back to the stage while singing 'Death of a Bachelor'. 
• They played a segment on screen where Brendon is seemingly kidnapped and Pete Wentz popped up on screen saying "Brendon, you got to wake up!" or something like that. I don't remember. 
• He did a backflip off the third step on stage.
• He also talked about how he loved Journey, Billy Joel, and Phil Collins as a kid and that's when he started singing "Movin' Out". 
• During Nine in the Afternoon, the Piano slid out with him on it from under the drums.
• I think during Let's Kill Tonight, the other members left for a moment and he ran to play guitar, then to play the drums. 
• He talked about how the band has been together for 13 years, then joked about playing a new song from their new album only to play "I Write Sins Not Tragedies." 
• I remember him saying "I love you guys, so god damn much" before playing Victorous.
• During Girls/Girls/Boys they played pro-LGBQT stuff on screen while everyone held colored hearts to their phone's flashlights. [I didn't get to, I didn't know that was a thing :C]
• He hit a lot of high notes. To which the crowd tried to hit higher notes. 
• I know during Ballad of Mona Lisa, every single person was singing it. Even me.

 That's all I remember, and honestly after the concert I was so tired that I didn't think to write of a live report. The parking lot was horrible to get out of.

Overall the concert experience was great, the actual show I mean. It's just that staff seemed unorganized, and unwilling to help those who needed help. Plus those around me sort of annoyed me, but Panic! brings a lot of teenagers.

Anyway, I'd probably see them again. I give them a 10/10.

My favorite GazettE PV's part 1.

With the GazettE's 15th anniversary already come and gone, I would like to make a list of my personal favorite PV's from them. They certainly had their fair share of interesting ones, but these are just a few of my favorites.

Because of Youtube's ban, some of them I will have to lead you to their VEVO account.

Guren

Of course when I first saw Guren, I was a tiny bit confused....as I usually am when it comes to the GazettE PV's. But I still liked the music video, I sort of liked interpreting what the meaning was and why was this girl painting the room white? A fan explained it on a forum, but I can't find the post right now [well, I'm just too lazy right now] so I'll try to explain it to the best of my ability.

Now this is a fan's interpretation, but considering what Guren is supposedly about it makes sense.

So the tap, is sort of like...the penis. So it's obvious what the white stuff is, right? This is where it got a little confusing to me, but I'll try my best to explain. So the girl represents the fetus, when she is in her red dress and when the room is still red-she is moving. Meaning she is alive. However there are different parts of the video, particularly when the band members are playing-she is wearing a white dress and the walls are painted white.

So fan theory is, which again might not be a theory at all and what it means is that....well when she is red and moving...she [the fetus] is alive. However, when the room is white and she is wearing white-she isn't moving. Which might indicate that she is dead, that the mother who is pregnant either had an abortion or a miscarriage.

Considering that Guren is written in the mother's point of view, the first thing Ruki sings is "Gomen ne" so the mother feels regret of this baby dying. 

[Correction: The girl might be the embryo, though I'm not sure if there's a specific term they wanted to use for the girl.] 

Taion

So Taion is still an enigma to me, meaning that I don't really fully understand it. Which is why I find myself watching it over and over again to see if I can figure it out myself. If someone knows the meaning to the PV, I would love to hear it. But whenever I look it up, it comes up with the theory that the song was written specifically about Junko Furata.

However, it was later proven that Ruki did not write the song about her. It's just a rumor that flew around, and was stated as fact so much that fans take that it as just that. He stated that the song is just about something that shocked both him and Reita, and he did not specify exactly what it was. There could be a possibility he saw the story of Junko Furata, but as far as I know he never confirmed this.

Due to the nature of the music video, I am certain that it has to do with some sort of kidnapping or killing of a young child. [It might not even be a girl, but who knows?]

One thing that stuck out to me was the butterfly, and I don't know why. Could do something to do with innocence, and it being taken away from the victim. 

I really like this PV however, honestly it's one of my top favorites from them.

Chizuru

I might be a little bias when it comes this, because Chizuru is one of my favorite songs from the GazettE And off STACKED RUBBISH. The music video doesn't seem to be hard to interpret, I really liked the feel of it and honestly if I can be so.....fangirly [? is that a word? idk] I really think that the boys really looked good in this music video.

It seems to be a song about losing someone, wanting to be together but knowing that you can't. "Two people can't be together." My friend once translated this for me, but I've long since lost the translation so I can't really say.

I don't know what else to say about this PV, so I'll just move on to the next.

UGLY

UGLY is one of my favorites out of their heavier songs, whenever I'm feeling in a bad mood I go and listen to this song to get all my anger out. And honestly out of their newer PV's, I do think that I like UGLY the best. 

It's sort of obvious what the people in the PV represent, though I could be wrong about a few of them. The girl in the beginning who is smoking is PRIDE, the nun looking lady and the shirtless guy are LUST, the two-headed people are SLOTH, the guy shoving his face in the bowl GLUTTONY, the lady with the mirror was obviously ENVY, then there was GREED, and the guy who throws Pride is WRATH. 

The seven deadly sins, which I found interesting. I was always waiting for Ruki to touch up on that subject, because I felt it was something he would do. And I'm glad he did it in this way.

--

That's it for part 1 of my favorite PV's, I'm sure I'll make a longer list but it's late and I need to go to bed.

So what are some of your favorite PV's of theirs?

Western music vs Japanese music.

I can understand why some music is important to people, whether or not I like that genre of music or not. I can also understand that some people just like to listen to music to have a good time, that it doesn't have to have a deep meaning behind it for them to enjoy it. It's just a means of entertainment that we all use after a long stressful day or week. 

We live in a culture where we all love to go to concerts with friends, and family. Whether it be big named musicians or even local artists, it doesn't matter. 

Which is why I never understood the J-rock fandom, and their need to criticize every little aspect of other genres of music out there. I'm sure that we have our fair share of those in other genres, even in the K-pop fandom [don't get me started there]-but since I'm not as active there I want to concentrate on what I'm familiar with.

I said before how long I've been a fan, so I don't want to delve into how long I've been in this fandom and how often I would see it. I admit it when I was in High School, I was a little obnoxious about it-but when you grow up you mature and I've certainly grew out of this phase. But I see it in youtube comments, sometimes on tumblr. 

J-rock fans love their bands, I can understand that. I certainly have my favorites, would love to see them all and adore what they can do. Despite some language barriers, I can enjoy the music because if I want to know what they're saying I can either look up translations or learn Japanese myself. [I'm a little lazy, so I do the former.] 

Yet I've never wanted to say I outright hated Western music either. Because they're not necessarily bad either. I mean I have my fair share of English-based bands that I love, have seen in concert and would see them again if I ever had a chance. [Case in point: Linkin Park]. I just recently discovered Disturbed's lead singer has a spectacular voice. 

It doesn't matter what nationality or where you're from, there are talented musicians out there if you're willing to search for them. Of course you're not going to like them all, by no means do I like any of Justin Beiber's music. But there's no denying that little snot has a little bit of talent, that some people do find hope in his music or simply enjoy it for what it is. 

That's fine with me, if that's their music preference than who am I to criticize them?

And that's where I get to my point.

It's not necessarily that some J-rock fans tend to put down the Western musicians, it's that they tend to act superior to those who listen to them. We talk about how we're all made fun of for listening to Japanese music, that we're all so bullied and hated and alone. But then some turn around and do the same thing to those who listen to Western music.

Listening to Japanese music, I'm going to sound rude-it doesn't make you special. It means you have a special interest in these things, and that's fine and dandy. But you're no better than the person sitting at home jamming out to Paramore or All Time Low. You're no better than the girl who just spent her entire paycheck on a ticket to see Justin Beiber or any other famous musician.

We all have our interests, we all have that one genre or band that we all love. Some of us just love about everything, and that is fine. That's what makes the world go round. If you're leaving comments like "Ugh, why can't every band be like this one?!" how boring would that be? If everyone made music like the GazettE, wouldn't you get sick of them?

Most of us had a favorite English based band before we discovered J-rock. Being a fan of music is not a contest of who has the best taste in music, because music is subjective in a way. We're not all going to love the same things.

And that's completely fine.