Picking Up The PIECES~

Hey all~
So this post is a little out of the ordinary for me, I'm just so overwhelmed and excited right now, I have to share this excitement! I've been adding/updating things here, so it's kind of turned into a bio/intro post as well as a fangirling post.

As you may or may not know, one of my absolute favourite bands in the world is PIECE. They are so special to me and very dear to my heart. Unfortunately, despite being active as PIECE since 2009 (prior to that they were all together as LHAPLUS), they haven't had anywhere near the attention and recognition that they deserve. I've always worried about them because of this, and they've never exactly been the kind of band to spew out release after release. Then when their record label, Dear Dolce, closed down last year, I was terrified. A number of the bands signed with Dear Dolce went on hiatus or disbanded following the label closing down. However, PIECE pulled through and signed on with a new label, AKA-ON. Now, I may be wrong, as information on PIECE is quite hard for a non-Japanese fan to find, but from what I understand, they've only put out one release with AKA-ON, one single. So I actually still worried about them, despite having a new label. Reading poorly translated blog entries from the members didn't help either.

However, it looks like I didn't need to worry! This year has brought a lot of good things with PIECE. They've totally revamped their entire style. A new OHP, a new look, a new mini album and a PV preview! So go check out all their new goodies, kids! Finally my boys are going to get the love they deserve, I just know it!
[UPDATE] Ok so they're actually changing their band name too, their new name is 超時空アンドロイド-PIECE- (roughly translated using Google it means Super Dimension Android -PIECE-) I think it will still be ok to call them PIECE for short though, cause hell that's a long band name, and on their new band logo PIECE appears to be the dominant element of the name. It's up to you to decide what you want to call them, I'm gonna stick with PIECE ^^b

OHP - http://www.piece-official.net/

Here's their new individual pics/info (translated poorly by Google)

Vo. Nanami - Super Dimension Atomic Voice

Date of Manufacture: 3/18 rollout

Oil Type: O

Maximum Output: 5w

Power Source: Banana 2pcs

Blog: 『しょにっくのワンダーランド☆』

Twitter: @piece_nanami

Gt. Tsukihi - Super Dimension Space Guitar

Date of Manufacture: 2/25 rollout

Oil Type: B

Maximum Output: BPM5

Power Source: Parascience Smog

Blog: 『痛快活劇浪漫非行』

Twitter: @piece_tsukihi

Gt. Ayumu - Super Dimension Fairy Tale Guitar

Date of Manufacture: 9/13 rollout

Oil Type: AB

Maximum Output: Bari 5 

Power Source: Lunar base station delusional outbound propagation (?)

Blog: 『でんぱとつきとおーじさま』

Twitter: @piece_ayumu

Ba. Takiru - Super Dimension Hero Bass

Date of Manufacture: 10/31 rollout

Oil Type: O

Maximum Output: 5LOVE

Power Source: Wave of Love

Blog: 「輝け！！GOGOヒーロー大作戦！！」

Twitter: @piece_takiru

Dr. Ryo - Super Dimension Diru Drum (?)

Date of Manufacture: 01/24 rollout

Oil Type: B

Maximum Output: 5 Tissue (?)

Power Source: Adrenaline Secretion Drug (?)

Blog: 『性的な意味の「×××」』

Twitter: @piece_ryo69

PV Preview forアトミックビーム (Atomic Beam) 

New Mini Album

『SATELLITE CUBE』

2013.06.05 RELEASE / ¥2,625 (Tax in)

Tracklist

1."planetary gear"　

2.アトミックビーム　

3.HIGH×DRIVE　

4.PAPER MOON　

5.ヒーロードールTV　

6.ANGEL DUST

(DVD)

1.アトミックビーム(PV)

This is all info you can find on their OHP/JPOPASIA, just all in English and all in one place, basically. As for where to buy the mini, I've been checking CDJapan regularly (and the usual Japanese record stores sites) for it to be listed, but so far nothing. So I'll keep my eyes open for where/how overseas fans can buy the mini!

[UPDATE] Ok so I just checked some Japanese sites again, and now Like an Edison and ZEALLINK have it listed!
Unfortunately, from what I remember, neither store does overseas shipping, so you'll need a shopping service. However, if they have it listed, then I imagine that other stores (hopefully ones that ship internationally) will also have it up soon. I'll keep checking!
As for shopping services, I highly recommend using Tenso (which I have blogged about before here)
Personally I wouldn't go with CDJapan's Special Request Service. Their fees aren't as good as Tenso. I've also heard that Japonica Market is pretty good too!
[UPDATE] Ok so the other day I tweeted to CDJapan asking if they are planning on listing the mini, and they replied today (today's date is 05.29) saying "Hi. We still haven't received any details about it. So, we don't know at this point"
Sooo, for the moment it looks like they don't have plans to list it. Don't worry just yet, though! They do have PIECE's first full album listed, so there's still a chance that they'll get it later. I'll keep you updated!
[UPDATE 06.03] CDJapan have listed SATELLITE CUBE! It's listed under the new band name, Chojiku Android -PIECE-. I just ordered my copy, so GO GO GO GET YOURS! ^^

If anyone has any further info, then please do let me know and I'll be sure to include it/credit you!

That's all for now. Please, give PIECE  a fair go, ok! And watch out for them, they're stepping it up! They've worked so hard and are really something special! Also, sorry this post is a little messy and all over the place. I'm working on it OTL

Now Playing - SHINING WORLD by PIECE

Two Brave Samurai~

Whaddup~
I haven't written a personal post in a little while, huh. Guess it's about time I did, seeing as I have nothing else to do. Actually, I never have anything else to do. But you knew that already.

Actually, some things have happened since my last post. Good, bad, neutral. But I don't really want to talk about the bad. Because it's too depressing. Seriously, Called≠Plan disbanding? That's just not okay. And I'm not okay with it. So I'm afraid I can't talk about it right now. I just can't.
Lalala anyway, what happened that was good, then? Well, I guess my 18th birthday is pretty good, right! Yeah well sort of. Because my birthday fell on a Sunday this year, I had to go to work. Work on my 18th birthday. Such fun. I didn't actually mind too much, because I didn't really want to do anything in particular for my birthday, so at least I got to do something. I'm just not really fussed about making a big deal of birthdays, you know. And it turned out alright, anyway, because in the evening I went out with my family to this amazing little Japanese restaurant called Kura. When we made the reservation, my parents told them it was my birthday, so two of the waiters (one of which was realllly cute) came and sang me happy birthday. It was so adorable. And then they gave me green tea ice cream with a little birthday candle in it, to which my mum added more candles that she bought with her. It was fun! Actually, we'd been to this restaurant before, and I'd always planned to have my first taste of sake there on my 18th birthday. Me and my friend thought that it would be appropriate for us to try the one called 'Two Brave Samurai', but 'Young Beautiful Boy' was also a contender. Seriously they had the most hilarious names for their sake. But, when we got there we both realized that we had forgotten our IDs. So we stuck with cola. It wasn't too disappointing though, because I don't really care for alcohol anyway, and the cola was much cheaper. It was a nice night, with good food and good company! Then when we got home I watched Howl's Moving Castle, which in case you weren't aware, is my favourite movie. Of all time. Ever. In the history of forever. So yeah, it was a good end to the day. I'm no legally an adult LOL WHAT I'M GOING TO BE IMMATURE FOREVER.

We ordered some sashimi for starters. I didn't actually take any other photos of our food, because we were all really hungry and just wanted to eat. Sorry not sorry.

Birthday ice cream! It was really nice of them to do that~

Another good thing that happened was the day before my birthday, when me and my friend went to get our nails done! I've wanted to have my nails done Japanese style for a long time, but I'd never been able to find anywhere here that does that kind of nail art. But then one day I stumbled across a sign for a little nail place in Auckland city called S's Nail, which is owned by a lovely Japanese lady called Satomi. So, I went and picked up a business flyer, and a couple of weeks before my birthday, I made an appointment. I actually emailed her some pictures of styles that I liked first, asking if she could do something similar. She replied saying she could, and gave me estimates of how much each design would cost. And I was pleasantly surprised, as her prices are extremely reasonable! So we turned up for our appointments, mine being first at 1 pm, and my friend at 2.30 pm. Our appointments went a little over time, though, so we were there until about 4.30. It's understandable though, it was a lot of work for one person. But it was so fun, and she was so nice that it didn't feel like that long at all. I'm really happy with how they came out, and I can't wait to go back to her for a new style in about a months time~ 

These are my nails, the photo is from her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ssnailgelnail?ref=ts&fref=ts). The little bows/hearts and things are actually 3D art, made out of acrylic on top of the base gel, and then covered by clear gel. I have so many layers of paint/gel on my nails, I lost count. It was about $135 NZD for mine, which I though was pretty good, considering it took her about 2 hours. 

And of course, there's the compulsory mirror photo. I haven't really felt like wearing wigs lately, so that's my real hair, curled. I quite like it.

I guess I'd better wrap up this post soon, so the last good thing I'll talk about is the music I've recieved recently~ 

Golden Bomber's The Past Masters Vol. 1 (Types A+B) These albums were so cheap, and I couldn't decided which type I wanted the most, so I just went for both types. And I regret nothing. 

Also with this order was ALSDEAD's Separator, which I've already posted about (sort of). And you all know how much I fucking LOVE this band and this album. 

Then it was MEJIBRAY's mini MESSIAH.bat and LOST ASH's THE REAL. As for MESSIAH.bat, it's really good, and I'm really digging it right now. But I can't help that feel that Silvers.exe was better. But that's just my opinion. I've also already posted about THE REAL, so you should know already that I also fucking LOVE this album, this band is growing on me more and more every day. 

And lastly, Kameleo's Now! I adore Kameleo, these guys are really amazing. So fun and so unique. They're really fun to watch. And they're all such cool guys. The music is generally very positive and upbeat, but this album also showcases their softer, more sentimental side, in a way. And they manage to touch on some very serious issues without making it too in-your-face serious, which is admirable. I urge you to give them a go, really.

Actually, there is one more good thing that's happened. After five years of waiting, I finally got my lip pierced! It's a labret piercing, i.e. the one in the middle of the bottom lip. Am I visual kei yet?

The day after my 18th birthday I went and got it done. Here, you have to be 16 with parental permission, or 18 to get piercings other than nose/ears/belly button. My parents have always been against me getting it done, so I waited until I was 18, out of respect for them. But I talked it through with them, and explained that when I got it done, it wasn't an act of rebellion or out of disrespect for them, it was just something I've wanted for a long time and I was finally able to get it. They still don't agree with it, but they at least understood my position. Which is nice, because I really do respect my parents, and I don't want to make them unhappy. I don't have any photos with it yet, but hopefully next time!

Until then, children~

Now Playing - FLASH BACK by ALSDEAD

ALSDEAD - Separator [Album] [2013.04.24]

What's up (again)~

So I said that I would upload ALSDEAD's album if it hadn't come up by today, and it hasn't, and people seem to be getting impatient (understandable because it's a fucking great album but still just calm down). So I decided I'd go ahead and upload it.

As usual, my copy of the album = my upload. Credit where credit is due, please.
Also as usual, if you like this album, then please BUY IT IF YOU CAN. Support the artist. Seriously, don't get all shitty when nobody has uploaded it yet. It's actually a really cheap album, comparatively speaking. And it's well worth the money.
Also also as usual, if the link is broken or something is wrong, politely let me know and I'll work to fix it.

I forgot to say this about LOST ASH's album, but all my uploads are in .m4a format. Sorry if that's a problem for you.

I feel like I should say something about how all rights belong to ALSDEAD and any other rightful owners. Or something. You know, all that copyright stuff.

Alright, here you go~

Tracklist

01. Pandemic

02. FLASH BACK

03. Rebellion

04. カトレア

05. Puzzle

06. Separator

07. フライト

08. Heaven

09. Hackticvism

10. スワローテイル

11. BLINK

Download Link

http://www.mediafire.com/?40xxpecz60020ed

LOST ASH - THE REAL [Album] [2013.05.01]

What's up~

So this is just a quick post to share LOST ASH's new album, THE REAL. I just got my copy this morning, so I haven't even listened to it that much, but so far it's really kick-ass! As all their music is.
I'm also thinking of sharing ALSDEAD's new album Separator, so if that hasn't been uploaded by tomorrow then I'll do that too. But today it's LOST ASH!

As I said, I bought a physical copy of this album, and this is my upload. Feel free to listen and share, just be sure to credit, please. Or at least don't claim it as yours. That's not cool.
I'm a total technology idiot, so if it doesn't work please just politely let me know. I'll do my best to make it work.
Also, if you like it, and if you can, be sure to buy the album yourself! I know it's not always possible to get the music you want, but if you can then please do!

Actually, just one more note about the album itself. The official track listing (from the LOST ASH OHP) only lists up to track 10 - THE CHARMS. However, when I put the CD in my laptop, my iTunes came up with a total of 15 tracks. So I'll add those in the track listing of this post, but I don't really understand these extra tracks myself... at least from tracks 11-14. Idk, have a see for yourselves. It's weird.

Anyway, here it is. Enjoy!

Tracklist

1. RISK MY LIFE

2. Deadly444

3. Gimme a break!

4. SP!T !T OUT!!

5. THIS MY PRIDE

6. SUMMER

7. twilight

8. MASK

9. LOVEDIVER

10. THE CHARMS

11. L

12. O

13. V

14. E

15. -setsuna- piano.ver

Download Link

http://www.mediafire.com/?c1f073e7i1fzc3h