Calendar 2010 - Vamps - World Tour

Oct 1 - Nov 6
Vamos
World Tour

Sep 26 - TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall, Taipei, Taiwan
Oct 01 - AVALON HOLLYWOOD - LOS ANGELES, California, US
Oct 03 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, California, US
Oct 09 - ROSELAND BALLROOM - NEW YORK CITY, New York, US
Oct 12 - Sala Apolo - Barcelona, ES
Oct 16 - ESPACE GRANDE ARCHE - PARIS, FR
Oct 23 - SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL GYMNASTICS CENTER - SHANGHAI, CN
Oct 24 - SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL GYMNASTICS CENTER - SHANGHAI, CN
Nov 06 - Teatro Caupolican - Santiago, CHILE

Source: MySpace

Otaku USA Magazine - October 2009 - Exclusive Kanon Wakeshima Interview

It's time again for another look into the only otaku magazine that counts, Otaku USA Magazine!

In the October 2009 issue (which should be in stores now) I've got an exclusive interview with Kanon Wakeshima. I had the chance to talk with her before her appearance at Otakon this year. She talks a bit about he various musical and artistic inspirations, what it's like working with Mana and various other aspects of her seemingly storybook life. You can also read my review if her album Shinshoku Dolce on the website. And speaking of reviews, I take a look at the new Vamps album in the new issue.

Aside from my contributions, there's the usual amazing work from the usual cast of characters. Check out the awesome cover story on the first Evangelion movie from a few of the OUSA crew. There are also dozens of manga reviews, some hot looking video game stuff and some pretty great cosplay.

I hope you get a chance to check out the new issue and spread the otaku love!

September 09 Calendar - Vamps - Hawaii Show

September 13th
Vamps
Honolulu, Hawaii (On board the USS Missouri!)

Source: MySpace

July/August Calendar - Vamps - US Tour

July 11 - August 1
Vamps
US Tour

July 11th - Fillmore at Irving Plaza - New York, NY
July 12th - Warped Tour - Hartford, CT
July 14th - Warped Tour - Columbia, MD
July 16th - Sonar - Baltimore, MD
July 19th - Showbox at The Market - Seattle, WA
July 20th - Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR
July 25th - Grand Ballroom at the Regency Center - San Francisco, CA
July 27th - Wasted Space at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Las Vegas, NV
July 29th - Soma - San Diego, CA
August 1st - Wiltern Theater - Los Angeles, CA 90010

Source: MySpace

Vamps

Vamps is a new side project from L'Arc-en-Ciel front-man Hyde and Oblivion Dust guitarist K.A.Z.

K.A.Z. has flitted around many other outside projects in his time, both before and after Oblivion Dust's break up, and now once again during the band's recent re-formation. He's worked with the band Hide with Speed Beaver, with singer Anna Tsuchiya in her Spin Aqua band, with L'Arc bassist Tetsuo in TETSU69, as well on Hyde's own solo material.

Hyde himself is certainly no newcomer to the whole rockin' vampire shtick. He starred as a vampire alongside Gackt, another occasionally goth pretty boy, in the film Moon Child. Of course here it would seem more likely that the band is shooting for the slightly kitschy interpretation of "vamp," aiming for a dark and sexy femme fatale mood.

As a band, Vamps are still extremely young. In fact, as of this writing they have yet to release their first two song single for "Love Addict." The songs on the single sounds exactly like your typical up-tempo L'Arc track, perhaps a bit looser and bluesy. Hyde's vocal delivery isn't any different from his other efforts and the overall feel and production is the same. The music is still hard edged pop rock, with lavish production full of up-front guitars and Hyde's bold and syrupy vocals. The same air of elegant style and a commercial/glam fashion sense are just as prominent as they are in L'Arc.

It feels like Vamps are simply a place holder for L'Arc while they take their thee year hiatus. At any rate, this is certainly good news for L'Arc fans, as they will have plenty of new music to listen to in the meantime.

Love Addict

Buy Vamps releases here!


Official Site
MySpace

Members:
Hyde - Vocals
K.A.Z. - Guitar

Releases:
Vamps - 2009

Time Goes By