Category: Music

Wind up Geek’s Cool Japan: Ghostbusters Music Vid Offers Best of Old and New

GhostbustersJapanBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

If Fall Out Boy‘s version of the Ghostbusters theme song is not for you, then stop your crying and dry your eyes because Japan has something a little more retro to offer (and sweeter on the ears).

Japanese comics Tomochika (Why Don’t You Play In Hell?), Oniyakko Tsubaki (Miss Kurosawa Film), Naomi Watanabe (Tug of War!) and Shizuyo Yamasaki (Maniac Hero) star in this homage to the original Ray Parker Jr. music video, complete with neon lights. While the music video was shot on a soundstage, the reason behind such a move may have been to give it a retro feel. But the reboot still retains a presence throughout, the female Ghostbusters are all donned in the latest uniforms and carry the 2016 edition Proton Packs. One the director’s instructions may have been to “have fun” because the female cast (and the ghostly dancers) have taken it to heart.


 

Source(s): Polygon.

Video Source(s): Ghostbuster News.

Punk Rock’s Legacy is Defined with The Damned, A Documentary Review

thedamnedposter
now available for purchase on AmazonThe Damned

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)
To be published in an upcoming issue of Absolute Underground Magazine 

The Damned: Don’t You Wish That We Were Dead is a fascinating documentary that looks at the rise, decline and resurrection of the United Kingdom’s seminary lords of the punk rock scene. They helped give rise to it mid to late 70’s, and the people they influenced included Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders — who played with The Damned albeit briefly before finding her own road to success.

Although I would have liked to hear more from her brief stint, many well-known names were interviewed about the influence this band had back then. They were very introspective. Appearances from Billy Idol, Lemmy, Son Letts, Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, Mick Jones of The Clash and Clem Burke of Blondie are just some of the names who lend their insights to what this group represented. Although they never attained the global success that bands like the Sex Pistols attained, that may be in part to the image the founding members — Dave Vanian, Brian James, Captain Sensible and Rat Scabies — wanted to project. They seemed rather schizophrenic early in their inception.

Continue reading “Punk Rock’s Legacy is Defined with The Damned, A Documentary Review”

The Jem and the Holograms and Josie and the Pussycats Aren’t Terrible Films

The new Jem and the Holograms movie is not a terrible movie; it’s a misunderstood movie much like how fans reacted to Josie and the Pussycats.

Jem and the Holograms

The new Jem and the Holograms movie is not a terrible movie; it’s a misunderstood movie much like how fans reacted to Josie and the Pussycats. At least with Josie, not everyone got the joke upon its initial release that the story is a satire of consumerism and the music industry at large. These manufactured bands should say something about how the 2015 Jem movie was developed. It looks at how studios control the music instead of the musicians. The story in this re-imagining focussed on keeping a family together instead of being an outright comedy of errors.

Many people have forgotten the video Jon Chu created stating his intentions. He wanted to modernize the story and put it in the context of today’s obsession with YouTube and Social Media culture. MySpace hardly exists in this world, as it was so last year—pardon the vernacular.

A small seed from the ‘toon remains but this reveal does not take place until mid-way into the film. Many can argue that this movie is a precursor to where the cartoon started, especially in the fact The Misfits were introduced at the end of the movie, signaling the rivalry the animation constantly dwelled in.

Continue reading “The Jem and the Holograms and Josie and the Pussycats Aren’t Terrible Films”

Babymetal Battles Evil Spirits in New Music Video ‘Karate’

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Babymetal2Japanese metal/J-pop fusion group Babymetal have released the second track in video form from their upcoming album ‘Metal Resistance’. ‘Karate’ sees the teenage trio in a martial arts showdown to the death against three skull-masked adversaries. In order to defeat their foes the girls have to first fight the spirits of deceased warriors that are called up to protect their mistresses. In a battle that can only be compared to a Dragon Ball Z episode, Babymetal almost tastes defeat from the encounter. It is only after picking themselves up off the ground they call upon the power of the Fox god. With a new force flowing through them each girl uses a unique power to dispatch their enemies,

“Karate” has a very heavy and dark feel and it’s reinforced with grinding guitar riffs that will have you banging your head along to the music. The release of ‘Metal Resistance’ will be followed by a World tour to kick off at the Tokyo Dome on what Babymetal has called “Fox Day” (April 1st). April 2nd will see the group perform at the SSE Arena, Wembley in London, England followed by a New York concert at the PlayStation Theater on May 4th.

‘Metal Resistance’ can be purchased in advance at Babymetal’s Official Merchandise Store.


 
Babymetal was formed in 2010 and includes members Suzuka Nakamoto (Su-metal), Yui Mizuno (Yuimetal), and Moa Kikuchi (Moametal). Babymetal and it’s band are managed by Amuse, Inc.

2016 the Year of Babymetal: New Album and World Tour

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Babymetal2J-pop-metal music trio Babymetal has confirmed their second album will be released through earMUSIC on April 1 of next year. The day of release has been branded ‘Fox Day’ and is normally seen in Japan as a day for renewal. The Japanese Government begins their fiscal year on April 1st and that is a date many corporations form or merge. It is also the time children start their school year.

Babymetal will be backing their latest release with a world tour that will include a concert in London‘s SSE Arena, Wembley on April 2nd and a headline show at Tokyo Dome in Japan — with dates to be confirmed in the new year.

Continue reading “2016 the Year of Babymetal: New Album and World Tour”

Metalheads Rejoice! Wacken 3D is coming Oct 29th, 2015 – A Preview

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

wacken3dPlease check local listings for which Cineplex Theatre or Landmark Cinema is playing this film near you.

Opening for a one week run
at Mayfair Theatre – Ottawa

Wacken 3D is a very nicely made and introspective look at one of the biggest heavy metal open air festivals held in Europe. The story is told from the point of view of visitors from outside of Europe (from America to Thailand to India) and it’s getting a special Cineplex-wide and selected Landmark Cinema appearance in a limited engagement on Thursday, October 29, 2015.

Continue reading “Metalheads Rejoice! Wacken 3D is coming Oct 29th, 2015 – A Preview”