Ra:IN Rock Ueno Blasting Off Japan Tour 2011

Despite the official delay of an hour (and not to mention a year of time between onemans) the unconcerned crowd waiting for Ra:IN at Ueno Brash killed another hour inside the live house along with beers and nostalgic Linkin Park album, Meteora. It really goes to show how much respect fans have for Ra:IN when their eventual entrance was met with neither cajoling nor sounds of relief, but cheers of appreciation.

Recently, Ra:IN have played most heavily overseas and despite a few events like the December performance at MIX LEMONed JELLY presents “hide Birthday Party!! 2010,” the crowd were eager for a good few hours of Ra:IN’s time. “Hello, Tokyo,” said michiaki, a backlit shadow against blue neons. The first chord of “Circle” saw the band illuminated at last, the song heralding a strong, deep beginning to the set. As michiaki and DIE jammed together, PATA focused solely on the world between strings and fingers until the bassist crossed into his territory for a set of strong riffs. Dramatic tones progressed from minor to major then rooted deeply in rock, accelerating into metal until a grinning michiaki flashed a peace sign at the crowd. The powerful, rhythmic drive of “Free” allowed PATA to explore a loose but heavy tune while the crowd sunk into the music. “Yay. It’s been a whole year. We’ve grown beards,” michiaki said while the band continued to vamp. Cries of “PATA!” filled the house at the mention of beards, but michiaki shushed the crowd. “You’re missing the point. We’ve grown beards,” he repeated three times. “The guitarist’s grew too long,” he then added with a laugh. Naturally, PATA resolved to shut him up by ripping out a solo while DIE watched languidly with a cigarette to his lips and the bassist drank on. PATA held the crowd transfixed, executing a long run down the frets that ended in cheers and applause. With all instruments on deck, the number built heavily towards the finish, a long riff suddenly giving way to a positively reinforced major rendition of the original theme.

A radioed voice-over half drowned out by trippy effects presaged the sick guitar line of “METAL BOX,” PATA looking thoroughly pleased as he worked the strings (or perhaps that was an illusion of the beard?). The number was smooth like a good hard liquor.. Much of the same could be said for “Under The Technopolis,” all hard riffs and smooth, sexy tones, moving and addictive. While the crowd’s hands beat the air, michiaki kept up a playful attitude, closing in on PATA before pulling away with a laugh. “It’s our first live in a year, right Mr. Beard Man?” the bassist teased. “Hello?” Despite PATA’s stubborn decision to ignore him, michiaki persisted for a while before finally moving on.

Tetsu, at least, replied with an “Oh yeah!” He then took the mic. “We’re all catching colds. This always happens on tour but we’re not on tour now and even though we haven’t seen each other, we all managed to catch colds and the same time.”

DIE gave the crowd an inside perspective. “For our first rehearsal, two of the four didn’t show up. Who do you think it was? …Yes, I was one of them. Us two blondes.” Teasing the crowd for a bit, he then showed a little compassion. “Sorry to be an hour and a half late. These guys definitely won’t apologize, so I will.”

Tetsu also made a confession. “We… haven’t recorded a thing. Haven’t proceeded at all. michiaki arranged a meeting a while back to discuss our next move, but of the four of us… not one showed. That’s what Ra:IN’s come to!” He laughed.

“It’s totally fine,” michiaki chimed in. “After all, next year is our tenth anniversary. Ten years is short for a normal band but we, Ra:IN, have a long history. Right, gramps? …Beard Man?”

Finally PATA responded: “Was there really ten years? What happened?” he asked as if having just woken up with a niggling hangover. michiaki reminded him of the vast number of concerts. “Oh yeah. In our first year there was one hundred. That’s how we used to be.”

Impatient to get back into the music, Tetsu suggested to move onto the next song. However,all of a sudden, there was no michiaki: “Ah. Boss disappeared,” came the lament. “Actually, Tetsu and I got all excited and recorded two songs together,” DIE announced. “But the others won’t come. michiaki’s been really busy but things seem to have calmed down at last. I think next year we’ll be able to make a new release.” That announcement pleased the crowd to no end and with michiaki’s return, the timing was ripe for “Psychogenic.”

The positive mood solidified with DIE on modified vocals. Alternating between ambience and metal, the number came to a close with a hearty piano courtesy of the keyboardist. The classical sound was nicely augmented by guitar, drums, and bass. “Yeah! Yeah! DIE! DIE! Yeah, Dai-Chan!” cheered michiaki. Electronic and trippy to begin with, “Happy” turned heavy as hell as drums and bass kicked in. Over that heavy mix rang out another brilliant solo via PATA, just one highlight in a thoroughly epic, eternally memorable number. Musically powerful but with a dreamy feel to michiaki’s vocals, the real drama of “Your Wonderland” actually came from DIE’s keyboard. Fingers busy but eyes on the crowd, PATA kept up a guitar line that bound the various tunes and rhythms together into a song. DIE wrung sound effects from the keys and then segued with a lonely, Spanish flair into a piano solo accompanied lightly by PATA. The two created a very simple but natural blend that rolled a snare unintentionally set off by the soundwaves as further accompaniment. Having subtly taken his leave once again, michiaki wandered back in as DIE wound things up and “Ballroom in Spaceship” took off with a sweet, almost gentle opening–all swinging drums, piano chords and basic bass, and guitar. Then the story escalated as PATA kicked things up a notch, bass and drums following along to whip up a metal symphony. A piercing whistle of appreciation greeted the end of the number.

“This is our first live in a year so it should be a oneman, right?” michiaki thought aloud. The crowd’s response, however, amused DIE.

“Wow, you guys are really desperate. Sorry. We’re languidly looking back on the past as we play.” The conversation then side-tracked back to Budapest in Hungary. “After we fought and made up, boss said to me ‘You’ve become a member at last.’” DIE went on to tell of PATA’s moment of schoolboy excitement. “We were drinking with some foreigners and PATA was very apathetic until he recognized the guitarist from an American band. In that moment, he suddenly changed, asking ‘Let’s take photos! Let’s take photos!’” And so on and so forth the stories rolled out, a little slapstick thrown in as michiaki took a dive. Eventually, DIE said, “Today’s no important live or anything, so feel free to bitch on 2chan or whatever.” The almost enthusiastic statement had the crowd laughing along.

“We’ll be counting on you next year,” michiaki announced, seeming to bypass 2011 for the promising prospects of 2012 and on that note, “Puzzle” came in hot and heavy. The speedy central section gave way to a laid back feel, michiaki raising his bass to scratch the roof as the melody weaved its magic over the crowd. “Indicator to the Future” followed with a long drum riff that PATA joined in on. DIE, looming tall over his keyboard, showed his love of the music, head popping to the wicked beat as he kept his eyes on michiaki and PATA. The bassist waved his hand about, demanding more from the crowd. The number took a detour, suspiciously mimicking “Doubt” as DIE yelled the word over and over, michiaki re-wrapping the scarf about his neck with a regal air. Silently, he continued to expertly rile the crowd and at his signal, the band struck up a new theme. The number progressed with a fun, festive feel under colored, strobing lights. Then, after returning to its heavy origins, michiaki worked his bass out from under the low stage roof to hang over the heads of the crowd even as he continued to play.

A long, reluctant lead-out and a cheer brought the number to an end and heralded an emcee that scaled through the members, Tetsu promising that they would rehearse properly for the next live at Shibuya Chelsea Hotel. Then michiaki once more discussed the band’s upcoming tenth anniversary. “For the moment, shouldn’t we be congratulating each other just for living ten years?” PATA suggested blandly. “Wish” proved to be a strong final number, the band well up in the crowd’s faces. The music seemed to contain elements of the set from start to finish and the staging took on a whole new level, DIE moving about on portable keyboard and PATA uncharacteristically enthusiastic while michiaki loosely added vocals. “DIE! PATA! Tetsu!” he cried.

Having waited ever so patiently for the live to begin, the crowd were awarded an encore without much fuss. Tetsu promised upon re-entry that a signing would be held after the live for those who purchased goods. “Exclamation mark. Oh. I didn’t need to say that.” Impatient, the drummer started without the rest, PATA soon pitching in as he made his way back onstage and then DIE wandered in followed by michiaki with a fresh drink. With a real movie soundtrack, classic rock feel, “Revival” headed up the encore. Then the gentle intro to “Thrillin’ High” gave the crowd a breather before michiaki’s raised arm dialled up the speed and wound back the clock to an even more retro rock. The homey melody came to an unfortunate end with a “Thank you,” and the members walked off without a further word or glance. However, the fans’ loyalty was well rewarded. PATA was the first to respond to the persistent encore demand, accompanied by thrilled cries of his name. “Sorry for the wait,” he said in impeccably prim and proper Japanese. After announcing the upcoming events, michiaki got down to business. “Now let’s go full steam ahead with PATA. This’ll be the end.”

“Summer of Love” had the crowd clapping along, aptly named with a fresh sun, sand and surf feel, followed by the cheerful rising piano chords of “WITHIN YOU” that featured michiaki and DIE singing in duet in a “The Beetles-meets -ABBA-meets-The Rolling Stones,” number, which wrapped up the night in spectacular fashion. the bassist grinning insatiably as he pointed out faces in the crowd and exchanged grins with his fellow members. Total musical chaos ensued in a clamour of instruments to the finish, Tetsu, DIE, and PATA then taking off almost instantly with a wave for the crowd “Thank you. Shibuya. Let’s rock,” michiaki said simply before he disappeared from the stage.

As promised, those who purchased merchandise were treated to a signing. Almost everyone forked out the dough before heading home, perhaps much later than originally planned, but certainly with a sense of satisfaction.

Set List

1. Circle
2. Free
3. METAL BOX
4. Under The Technopolis
5. Psychogenic
6. Happy
7. Your Wonderland
8. Ballroom in Spaceship
9. Puzzle
10. Indicator To The Future
11. Wish

Encore 1

1. Revival
2. Thrillin’ High

Encore 2

1. Summer of Love
2. WITHIN YOU

There are 33 photos in this visual kei exclusive.

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