As mentioned on this site in a posting on January 24, Ging Nang BOYZ are going to be previewing their new live DVD, “Boku-tachi wa Sekai wo Kaeru koto ga Dekinai,” at the Bausu Theater (Baus Theater) in Kichijoji from 3/24 to 4/6. All screenings are once a day from 8:45 pm until 11 pm. Tickets are 1300 yen each through Ticket Pia only. As a bonus, the band will be appearing at the 3/24 screening to have a discussion about the movie and talk with fans.

While the DVD goes on sale on 4/11, those people who are lucky enough to get tickets will be able to purchase the DVD early (though you can only purchase the DVD on the day that you have a ticket for). The band will also be selling some other assorted goods related to the DVD release during the screening period.

For those of you who are in Kansai, the band hasn’t forgotten about you! On 4/10 there will be a single screening of the movie at the Kyoto Minami Kaikan. Tickets are 1300 yen in advance or 1500 yen at the door (as if there will be any tickets left!)

I tried to get tickets to the 3/24 screening but was shut out. However, my 2nd choice came through and I’ll be headed out to Kichijoji on 3/30 to catch the show and buy the DVD (and any other related goods they may have left!) For those of you who may be thinking of going, all weekend and Friday shows are already sold-out, though a small amount of tickets are still available for the shows between 4/2 and 4/5. Tickets can be purchased at convenience stores that have a Pia Kiosk and the reservation number/P-Code is 552-911. Good luck, and see you at the show!

Technorati Tags: DVD, Ging Nang BOYZ, Koenji, Kyoto, 銀杏BOYZ

In recent years, the number of Japanese acts touring abroad has continued to increase dramatically. The Blue Hearts toured the States back in the day, and the yearly South by Southwest music festival continues to draw a large crowd with its Japan Night presentation, often featuring artists which are decently popular here in Japan. Smaller tours by up-and-coming bands in Japan are also on the rise, such as the tours undertaken by Red Bacteria Vacuum, Amppez, and Last Target over the last couple of years.

The newest member to the Touring Club is Akiakane. After Akiakane hit up Taiwan for their yearly (?) show (appearing at the “Spirit of Taiwan” event going held on 2/28 at Chun Shan Soccer Stadium), it turns out that the girls have been hitting up Europe for some dates as well. Tentative dates and venues are as follows:

March
UK shows
16th - Underworld (London)
17th - Rigger (Stoke)
18th - Daenaer Bar (Sheffield)
21st - Daddy Cools (Knaresborough)
22nd - Cavern Club (Exter)

Netherlands shows
23rd - Parkhof (Alkmaar)

Germany shows
24th - Juzi (Gottingen)
25th - Wild at Heart (Berlin)
26th - Hafenklang (Hamburg)
27th - EAC (Freiburgh)
28th - Gladhouse (Cottbus)
29th - Sonic Ballroom (Cologne)
30th - Magnapop (Krefeld)

Belgium shows
31st - Pit’s (Kortrijk)

April
UK shows
1st - TBA
2nd - TBA

I’m not really sure how a European crowd will react to a Japanese girl punk band singing in Japanese and Japanese-accented English, but I wish the girls the best!

While this is Akiakane’s first tour outside of Asia (though Moe toured the U.S. a bit back in 1999 while a member of Softball), Gito Gito Hustler have been making their 6th (7th?) appearance on American shores. The girls put on a great live show and appear to be quite well loved in the States. And playing 24 shows across the U.S. in 29 days gets my respect. More than half of the tour is already over, but if you’ve got a chance to check them out, go! Supporting artists who go abroad is the only way that we’ll get more to come over. And really, isn’t that the best for everyone?
March
1st - High Five (Columbus, OH)
2nd - 31st Street Pub (Pittsburgh, PA)
3rd - Subterranean (Chicago, IL)
6th - Bender’s Tavern (Denver, CO)
7th - Burt’s Tiki Lounge (Salt Lake City, UT)
8th - Double Down Saloon (Las Vegas, NV)
10th - Alex Bar (Long Beach, CA)
11th - The Doll Hut (Anaheim, CA)
12th - Scolari’s Office (San Diego, CA)
13th - Gearhead Records Showcase (Mesa, AZ)
14th - Vaudeville Cabaret (Tuscon, AZ)
16th - Darkside Lounge (Dallas, TX)
17th - South by Southwest Lava Lounge (Austin, TX)
18th - Notsuoh (Houston, TX)
19th - The Circle Bar (New Orleans, LA)
20th - Murphy’s (Memphis, TN)
21st - Rhythm and Brews (Chattanooga, TN)
22nd - Lenny’s (Atlanta, GA)
23rd - Ground Zero (Spartanburg, SC)
24th - The Milestone (NC)
25th - Atomic Burrito (VA)
26th - Sidebar (Baltimore, MD)
27th - Khyber (Philadelphia, PA)
29th - Radio Heartbeat Powerpop Festival (Brooklyn, NY)

See you at the shows!

Technorati Tags: Akiakane, Gito Gito Hustler, live