AND – Eccentric Agent; Interactive Promo for First Album

& (アンド) - & (AND)

& aka AND, in anticipation of the November 11 release of their first full album, Eccentric Agent, have dived head-first into the theme. So deep, in fact, that it seems that a new band going by the name Eccentric Agent is scheduled to appear at Takadanobaba Area on October 31 for a special Halloween Live. Meanwhile, the band’s website has been spectacularly outfitted with secret agent paraphernalia in every corner.

As for the release itself, Eccentric Agent will be distributed in two versions: EAR-01 2 will feature a DVD, while Ear-01 2B is CD-only. Likely the lack of a DVD dropped the price from 3,800 yen to 3,150 yen.

AND has also announced their first Tokyo/Nagoya/Osaka oneman tour. Following the album release, the band will be kicking off the tour in Nagoya on December 3, heading to Osaka on December 6, and wrapping it up in Shibuya, Tokyo on January 3, 2010. What a way to start the New Year!

AND’s approach to promotion is highly interactive. In addition to the usual in-store events that commemorate the new album, the band is carrying out a “stamp rally.” Fans who want to participate are required to acquire a stamp card at either the Skull Rose event on November 8, Shinjuku Zeal Link on November 23, or from the merchandisers or staff wearing armbands with the characters 特務 (“tokumu,” or “special duty”) at concerts. The goal is two collect two stamps from in-store events, then fill in the card with one’s name, phone number, and postal address. What’s the payoff? Participants who play AND’s stamp game will receive a handwritten New Year’s card from the band for 2010!