SHOW YOUR HEART – Japan Needs You!

With many staff based in Tokyo, Japan, ROKKYUU Magazine has re-launched in an untimely fashion. Instead of waiting for a calmer climate, we now endeavor to bring peace of mind and important information to visual kei fans all over the world.

Just what kind of backward people support a world where men wear make-up, dress as women and for the most part completely ignore all the conventions of musical genre and composition? A world where fans spend hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars following one band everywhere they go; sending them presents from the mundane to the outrageously expensive; buying up to fifty copies of an album just for photos or handshakes or signatures…

A world of people who have proven to be among the most compassionate communities of the day!

SHOW YOUR HEART, Charity organization

Hours after the 2011 Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake struck, bands and their staff were following up reassurances of their own safety with blogs and tweets full of information and helpful advice. Soon after, reports of canceled concerts began to circulate. In record time, tweets were rampant, distributing far and wide the information that Gackt had begun a charity called SHOW YOUR HEART. In the days following the disaster, countless bands have gotten behind this charity including LUNA SEA, Nightmare, DuelJewel, BUCK-TICK, Moran, Versailles, D’espairs Ray, Acid Black Cherry, DaizyStripper, Blood, and many, many more. In fact, it’s not only bands, but also labels such as Starwave Records (& Darkest Labyrinth), celebrity editors, producers, and even visual kei fashion designer, h.NAOTO who have contributed to this charity so far. Of course, SHOW YOUR HEART is not limited only to the visual kei community. There are many, many celebrities and artists involved so far.

• Here is an English guide to donating to SHOW YOUR HEART.

Alternatively, you could purchase visual kei goods from Starwave Records & Darkest Labyrinth as partial profits will be donated to SHOW YOUR HEART.

What else can the visual kei community do to help?

For one, livehouses are offering shelter and comfort. Shinjuku Loft opened their bar the night of the disaster for those stuck with nowhere to go. Shinkiba Studio Coast was converted into an evacuation center. Sendai MACANA have offered all kinds of services since the tragedy, ranging from distributing water to charging cell phones to pumping up car tires to lending the use of their computer.

Concerts all over Japan have been canceled to conserve power. Meanwhile, pachinko parlors and leisure facilities continue to squander much needed electricity that could be better used to aid those in trouble. Many fans are concerned and disappointed, wanting nothing more than to forget the tragedy for a short while in the company of their peers and to be soothed and comforted by music. Why must their place of comfort and safety be forsaken when they have already returned to work, fighting to keep Japan’s economy on the move?

The answer is compassion. Yes, music is an integral force in calming fears and restoring mental peace. However, those trapped in disaster-ridden areas are suffering far greater physical and mental trauma. They need food and water… and they need electricity to keep warm, safe and calm.

In response to this need, many bands (and livehouses) have canceled everything—putting a complete halt to their livelihood and refunding tickets—in order to contribute the one thing they can offer to those in need: Electricity.

Why not perform an acoustic live?

With this in mind, a primarily acoustic live “party” was held on Tuesday, March 15 at Ikebukuro Chop with zero stage lighting, utilizing only a microphone and acoustic guitar etc. The bar was open for patronage and while no entrance fee was charged, a collection box was passed around—all proceeds intended for donation towards the disaster. The announcement even—rightfully—went so far as to suggest that aside from being less lonely in a group, the electricity used by one group all together would in fact be less than that used by scattered people alone in their rooms. The event featured visual kei artists such as aie (god and the death stars, ex-The Studs, ex-deadman) and Sasabuchi Hiroshi (cuckoo, ex-Plastic Tree).

Sadie have rescheduled their concert at Osaka, Nanba Hatch on March 18 for July 22 at the same venue with a charity event—details pending.

A taste of appeals from the visual kei community

“Congratulations to the Tokyo Electric Company. They’ve already started blacking out affected areas. Meanwhile, pachinko parlours and pleasure centres are continuing to run without restriction. Shouldn’t that come first?”—TERU, Versailles.

“To those who were looking forward to our lives, we’re very sorry, but all I want is to be able to help just one more person—just one more.”—Kohsuke, heidi.

“I received this mail: ‘I pray that tonight, all 300,000 people in the metropolitan area will work together by shutting off their electricity for the sake of those suffering from the destruction. That is the very best we can do for them.’ We shouldn’t be sitting in front of the television but rather making an effort to do something. That is the first step, starting tonight.”—Mikaru, Black Line (Former Dio Distraught Overlord).

“Dear bandmen: The whole country needs to save electricity. Holding a concert uses vast amounts of power. ‘It’s because of this situation that music should continue’ is certainly not a false statement. However, the reality is that there is not enough power. Please put your concerts on hold.”—maya0716_A (retweeted by Jun, 404NOTFOUND and Mizuki, Sadie.)

How can we help?

While there are very real tragedies and threats facing localized areas, English language media have blown the national crisis out of proportion. ROKKYUU asks you not to panic. Fear cannot help anyone, but compassion can.

Spread the word. If you cannot afford to donate to SHOW YOUR HEART, perhaps you know someone who can. Inform your friends and family in Japan that people are risking their livelihoods in order to spare electricity to those who need it. Ask those who are in a position to do so to conserve electricity.

Let’s show the world what this world is capable of!