Rock and Read Reveals Lineup for Vol. 040

Music magazine Rock and Read is revealing the artists to be featured in volume 040 in a series of posts on its Ameba blog. Cover artist for the issue will be Ryutaro Arimura of Plastic Tree. Revealed musicians so far include: Aiji (LM.C), IV (ViViD), Nii (girugamesh),  Ryohei (Megamasso), TSUKASA (THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S), Darvish Kenji (Golden Bomber), Taizo (Kra), Yuh (vistlip), Kosuke (heidi.), Yui (Unite), Ao Sakurai (cali≠gari), and HAKUEI (PENICILLIN). Rock and Read 040 will go on sale February 29, 2012.

Shoxx Vol. 229 is Out Now!

Music magazine Shoxx Vol. 229 (March 2012) was released on January 21. The new issue features cover artist SuG with a special 18-page feature article and poster. Other artists appearing in the magazine will be the GazettE, Yomi (Nightmare), Plastic Tree, ViViD, Kra, D=Out, Lc5, Sadie, R-Shitei, and Lolita23q.

Shoxx 229 at CD Japan here
Shoxx 229 at JPtoU here
Shoxx 229 at YesAsia here

THE KIDDIE New Album & Appearances

THE KIDDIE will be releasing a new album on March 28, 2012. The new album called "MA☆PIECE" (read as "Masterpiece") will be released in two types. The band will also be making several media appearances, including an appearance as the recommended artist on the TV program "Break Out" on January 5,  and an appearance in the magazine Arena 37C (out January 10). Check out the band's OHP for Spring Tour dates.

THE KIDDIE OHP here
"MA☆PIECE" Limited Edition (w/DVD) pre-order at CD Japan here
"MA☆PIECE" Regular Edition pre-order at CD Japan here

ViViD 4th Single & Other Activities

ViViD will be releasing their forth single on Wednesday, January 11. The new single, called "message," will be released in three types. The band's OHP includes a new look to accompany the single and a title-song PV video preview. ViViD will also be making several magazine appearances in January: Fool's Mate I.S. 007 (1/6), PATi PATi (1/7), Arena 37C (1/10), WHAT's IN? vol. 10 (1/14), and CD&DL Data (1/14). In addition to other band activities, ViViD is collaborating with Malulani Hawaii to make a line of bracelet jewelry.

ViViD OHP here
"message" Type A (w/DVD) pre-order at CD Japan here
"message" Type B (w/DVD)  pre-order at CD Japan here
"message" Regular (w/bonus track)  pre-order at CD Japan here
Malulani Hawaii collaboration here

Angelo to Release New Single

Angelo has updated their look on their OHP in conjunction with the announcement that they will be releasing a new single on Wednesday, February 22. The new single, the band's eighth, will be called "Calvary." It will be released in two types, a two-song single with a DVD clip of "Calvary" or a three-song single. The planned tracklist is available on the band's OHP. Check out upcoming appearances from band members in Rock and Read 039 and the next issue of Fool's Mate (12/28). Check your favorite seller for listings.

Angelo OHP here

Ayabie New Single 1/25 and More

Ayabie has a new look, and they will be releasing a new single on Wednesday, January 25. The new single will be called "Merry-go-round" and will be released in three types. Ayabie also has download links available for band podcasts on their OHP. There are currently six podcasts from past shows. Links to other Ayabie podcasts should be available on iTunes. The band will make an appearance in the latest edition of Shoxx magazine, on sale now.

Ayabie OHP here
"Merry-go-round" Type A (w/DVD) pre-order at CD Japan here
"Merry-go-round" Type B (w/DVD) pre-order at CD Japan here
"Merry-go-round" Regular pre-order at CD Japan here
Ayabie podcasts from OHP here
Ayabie podcasts from iTunes here

Shoxx Vol. 228 on Sale 12/21

Shoxx is slowly releasing details for its next issue, Vol. 228 on sale December 21. Alice Nine will be the featured cover artist with an interview. Other bands included in the issue will be:  vistlip, Chemical Pictures, Megaromania, Matatabi of Onmyoza, ViViD, the GazettE's Mie show, HERO, DuelJewel, Moran, and Doremidan.

Shoxx Official Twitter here

BORN New Album in 2012 & Interview

BORN will be releasing a new full-length album in 2012. The new album, called "Vigour," will be released on February 1, 2012. The album will come as a limited edition with DVD or a regular edition with extra bonus track. The band will also have an interview in the current issue of Shoxx magazine, on sale November 21.

BORN OHP here
"Vigour" Limited Ed. (w/DVD) pre-order on CD Japan here
"Vigour" Regular Ed. pre-order on CD Japan here

ARENA 37ºC Presents UVERworld File Book

ARENA 37 ºC will be publishing an UVERworld File Book to commemorate the band’s appearances in the magazine from 2007-2011.  The magazine will include 350 pages of pictures and fully-reproduced past articles. This File Book will not be sold in bookstores, and is only available for online ordering and pickup at store like Lawson, 7 Eleven, and Family Mart.

File Book details here
Ordering information here

Alice Nine's Vocalist to Appear in KERA

Alice Nine staff announced on their official Twitter that vocalist Shou just completed a photo shoot for the magazine KERA. The magazine will be released January 16, 2012 and will feature a Valentine's Day date theme.

@AliceNine_STAFF Twitter here

Rock Star Vol. 16 on Sale 11/28

Rock Star magazine will release volume 16 on November 28. The cover artists will be Shou (vo., Alice Nine), Takeru (vo., SuG), and Shin (vo., ViViD). The magazine will also include Hiroki Maekawa and Shinjiro Atae (AAA), LUNA SEA, SIAM SHADE, SOPHIA, SuG, ViViD, Alice Nine, INORAN, D=out, and more. This December issue also comes with a photo card present of Shou, Takeru, and Shin.

Rock Star vol. 16 at CD Japan here
Rock Star vol. 16 at JP to You here

BugLug New Single, Oneman Live, and Magazine Appearances

BugLug will be very active in the coming months. Their new single, titled "Show 2 Glow," will be released on December 7. The band will also be making several oneman appearances, including 11/19 at Holiday Nagoya, 11/20 at Holiday Osaka, and 11/26 at Holiday Shinjuku. BugLug will appear in Fool's Mate (11/29), B-PASS (11/26), Shoxx vol. 227 (11/21), Cure vol. 100 (11/21),

BugLug OHP
"Show 2 Glow" Limited Ed. (CD+DVD) CD Japan pre-order here
"Show 2 Glow" Regular Ed. CD Japan pre-order here

Alice Nine Releases Schedule of Magazine Appearances

Alice Nine updated their OHP with information regarding what magazines released in November will feature articles about them. Magazines and release dates are:  Winkup (11/7), PATi-PATi (11/9), CD&DLでーた  (11/14), and B-PASS (11/29).

Alice Nine OHP here

Fool’s Mate Vol. 362 on Sale 10/29

Fool’s Mate Vol. 362 (December 2011) will be released on October 29. The magazine will feature ViViD on the cover, as well as features for Acid Black Cherry, Golden Bomber, YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz, baroque, Angelo, and more.

Fool’s Mate Vol. 362 information here

LM.C Shoxx File Special on Sale 10/21

A special Shoxx File will be released on October 21, featuring the history of LM.C in Shoxx from 2006-2011. The special 304-page book is in color.

JP to YOU information and ordering here