ROKKYUU Magazine » Taka

Editor’s Pick: defspiral – Reply (hide Cover CD)

Leela McMullen — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:19:42 +0000

defspiral's Reply makes for a proud hide tribute!

Break the Silence, From Intesity to Fairytale

Leela McMullen — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:55:47 +0000

Break the Silence defies tradition in the musical sense.

defspiral: PROGRESS Tour Final at Harajuku Astro Hall

Leela McMullen — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:09:14 +0000

Winding up their PROGRESS tour, defspiral really showcased just how far they’ve come. Their Harajuku Astro Hall oneman on December 9 was musical entertainment at its best with none of the gimmicks or rambling chatter you often see in visual kei acts.

hide Birthday Party 2011 Celebrating a Subculture Legend

Leela McMullen — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:00:09 +0000

The live show was over but not the main event! The feature, hide FILM ALIVE started at 9:00 p.m. on the dot. The film ran not only on the lateral screens but also above the main stage, completely encompassing the audience in hide’s performance.

Making PROGRESS: defspiral Review and Interview

Leela McMullen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:57:29 +0000

With the release of their first full album, defspiral have consolidated a string of solid first steps and are well on their way. Read about the album itself and about the band's thoughts and more:

Check out the other articles in this series:

Talking PROGRESS with defspiral (日本語あり)

Leela McMullen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:54:09 +0000

In commemoration of defspiral's first album release, ROKKYUU met with them to discuss their activities so far. With over ten years behind them as a unit, they're passionate about everything they do and the future looks exciting!

Talking PROGRESS with defspiral (日本語あり) is part of a interview series called Making PROGRESS: defspiral Review and Interview. Check out the other articles in this series:

Defspiral Makes PROGRESS with Solid First Album

Leela McMullen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:51:39 +0000

PROGRESS is in all a solid and comfortable first album from defspiral, wrapping up some of their sounds from past incarnations. The band proves to be exciting yet reliably consistent just as Transtic Nerv once was. PROGRESS begins with “SALVAGE,” a confident sign of things to come with pacey grunge rock and snarling vocals

Defspiral Makes PROGRESS with Solid First Album is part of a interview series called Making PROGRESS: defspiral Review and Interview. Check out the other articles in this series:

defspiral present Melody/Story at Ikebukuro Black Hole

Leela McMullen — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 10:39:58 +0000

"It's hot", TAKA commented briefly. "But welcome to defspiral’s one-man live here at 'Black Hole'. We hope you'll enjoy this to the very end. We are doing this together with you, so, are you ready?" Of course there was no denying in the crowd and after these few words "69" began. We love this song. Powerfully melodious bass-lines heated up the sexy, danceable number and the fans knew exactly when it was appropriate to jump.

Chemical Pictures Peek Out From Under the Radar

Leela McMullen — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 04:19:28 +0000

A lot of visual bands start out with a concept to match their name, but few put much thought or effort into it beyond the initial impact. Chemical Pictures, however, used that concept to set the mood for their live without any drama or cheesiness. The opening film reel which announced their upcoming single release and tour crackled like an old film, blue ink bleeding into the title. That ink then took on the form of photographic negatives of parts of each member’s face in different colors, making for a creative introduction. Then, flashing a blinding red, the screen was pulled aside to reveal the band who launched into a heavy jam that immediately worked the crowd up to a high level of energy and excitement.

Melody/Story Single Release Appropriately Titled by defspiral

Leela McMullen — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 07:59:45 +0000

Of the four tracks on the Melody/Story single, there are only actually two songs. In other words, the second half of the single is composed of instrumental recordings of tracks one and two: “Melody” and “Story.” As smooth, sexy and solid as TAKA’s voice is known to be, the instrumental track of “Story” is highly entertaining all by itself!