2012/09/22 BUCK-TICK On Parade Festival 2012; Chiba Port Park; Chiba, JP
A full 5 years (plus a couple weeks) after my very first Buck-Tick show, which just so happened to be the last On Parade festival, was this year's Parade II, celebrating the band's 25th anniversary. This time, the outdoor stage was in Chiba instead of Yokohama, and quite possibly even further away. Also, this time was 2 days instead of 1, which seems a bit odd, considering there were actually fewer bands this time around (BT + 12, rather than 13- Acid Black Cherry did not perform), but I guess that gave them each a bit more time, allowing for ~6 songs per band instead of the ~4 last time around, and, more importantly, giving BUCK-TICK another set to mix it up with a couple alternate tracks (of course, the 4 new album tracks were repeated on both nights).
Despite leaving well before noon, and arriving at the station before 1, upon arriving to the venue and running into one of my bandmates, who asked if I'd gotten my wristband yet, only to find a huge line wrapping ALL the way around a tent set up nearby. Managed to spot a few other familiar faces in and outside the line before winding all the way around and getting in it, and in it I remained, even as a marching band arrangement of National Media Boys played in the distance over the speakers. A faraway voice muttered a few things, and then a ridiculously loud BAND jolted everyone within 1/2 mile before MERRY took the stage and started playing 真っ赤な夜. MARGH! Here I am, still waiting to get my wristband, let alone get inside the area to where I can at least somewhat hear, and one of my favorite songs- which wasn't even Merry's contribution to the tribute album, mind you- is being played. Let's just hope it ends up on the eventual DVD, otherwise there's no justice in the world. Anyway. Rounded the final corner just as The Girl arrived from her lesson, so I pulled her into the line, we grabbed our wristbands, and made our way inside.
Merry
After winding our way through the entry path, we made our way between the A and B sections to the A2 block- a fairly large chunk in the front-most area of the right half of the stage, and watched the rest of Merry's set. At one point, Gara (vo) had one of those creepy full-head black bunny masks over his head, and at the end of their set he did a handstand on his little platform and "clapped" with his feet. No chest-scratching microphone masochism this time.
- 六本木ジャジー喫茶
- 真っ赤な夜 [BUCK-TICK]
- 不均衡キネマ
- 悪の華 [B-T]
- ジャパニーズモダニスト
- 演説～シュールレアリズム～
- [human farm]
- 妄想rendez-vous [1]
MUCC
While we'd seen Merry open for J once, we've seen Mucc at the hide summit in 2008, opening for the Pumpkins in 2010, and at last year's Summer Sonic (not to mention a cover band show that included one of the guys who plays INO in another LUNA SEA cover band). Still don't really know them that well, but a few songs were familiar. They opened with their BT cover, which I kinda thought was a bit too straight for them (although it does throw in a couple teases of スピード and KISS ME GOOD-BYE), followed by "that song with the harmonica & upright bass", a couple others, and ending with that other familiar one w/ the 2-note chromatic riff (which makes me think of Voivod's Planet Hell when I try to remember it) where they get everyone to sit down & then jump up again. Yeah, I remember that one from Summer Sonic. XD.
- JUPITER [B-T]
- ファズ
MC: "It's hot!" - 謡声
- 風と太陽
- 蘭鋳 [2]
cali≠gari
Haven't ever heard these guys before, other than their cover on Parade II, but during our last after-practice band meeting, while discussing which of the 2 On Parade days we'd all be attending and which bands everyone wanted to see most, it came up that their bassist is quite technically skilled. Something I may not have noticed had it not been pointed out, but which became fairly clear after actively listening for it. And attempting to watch for it, despite all the distractions. Of which there were several. First off, Ao (gt), who sported a skirt, started doing a fan dance during the 2nd song. With a red, feathered fan. Also, Imai came out for their MISTY ZONE cover, dressed in a crazy purple suit and that bizarre Memento Mori unicorn skull hat thing, wielding the red MaiMai. Kinda funny that when they started the song, the crowd cheered, but as soon as Imai popped out from the side of the stage, everyone screamed & shoved forward/center by about 10'. Anyway. They even threw in an extra cover after that. I did notice some wild sliding and even tapping on the bass lines during MISTY ZONE, but unfortunately Imai & Ao kinda pulled the focus, and most of the rest of the time I thought to watch for interesting bass lines, it was just repeated eighth notes. Oh well. Will have to check them out.
- マネキン
- マッキーナ (Ao fan dance)
- -踏-
- 暗中浪漫
- さよなら、スターダスト
- MISTY ZONE [B-T] - w/ 今井
- LOVE ME [B-T] [3]
BREAKERZ
Apparently this was the Daigo that our friend from rokkyuu was most looking forward to seeing- a singer/songwriter/actor/voice actor/"talent" (which basically means "any celebrity or quasi-celebrity regularly featured on Japanese TV"). The guy behind the double-horn crossed arms "WISH!" fad that was popular here a while ago (although I will always remember that gesture as related by Billy Corgan about Ronnie James Dio XD). By far he had the most entertaining banter for both days, ranging from the explanation of the "B-Z" on his cheek (and on the 2 guitarists' hand & chest, respectively), to giddily exclaiming that Sakurai called him "cute", to his plea for everyone who thought "Hey, this band isn't that bad" to go check out their new greatest hits album- by listening to it on their web page or renting it. LMAO. Oh, and he also took a show of hands to see how many people were seeing them for the first time- it was about 90%. XD And while the WW2 skull/crossbones SS cap and Nazi salute were a bit disconcerting (really, Japan, you STILL do this?), it soon became clear they were more concerned with playing up bondage, since Daigo and both guitarists had donned dog collars, each with a chain leash hanging down to their knees. At one point Daigo grabbed one of them by the chain, pulled him in, and kissed him. Oh, teh fanservice. >_<;
- 脳内SURVIVOR
- SUMMER PARTY
- REAL LOVE
- JUST ONE MORE KISS [B-T]
- 灼熱 [4]
Acid Android
Apparently we saw these guys open for the Pumpkins as well, only they didn't leave enough of an impression to even comment on- although, to be fair, after 凛として時雨's cacophonic screeching, I doubt I would've remembered anything before that. Then again, after this set, I can understand why. Despite being what I would imagine to be a fairly popular band, being the solo project of L'Arc-en-Ciel's drummer, this was easily the least entertaining band of the whole 2 days. Even other bands I actually disliked were at least entertaining, moved around a bit, and engaged the crowd. Yukihiro, on the other hand, stood there (and even sat down at one point, IIRC) looking bored, barely moving throughout his whole set, and not saying so much as 1 word to the crowd, much less a "thank you" to BT for hosting the event, which I'm pretty sure every other band did (some quite profusely). This was also the only set in the 2 days to not include a BT cover. I guess when you're a famous drummer from an even more famous band you don't have to actually give a shit anymore. After the set, he tossed his mic to the ground (as in, all the way past the edge of the stage) like an ill-mannered smoker's still-lit cigarette butt. This song comes to mind, only not in the satirically amusing way. -_-;
- unsaid
- violator
- daze
- i.w.o.m.f.p.p just an android
- violent parade
- let's dance [5]
LOWBROWS
If Acid Android's set could be summed up as "don't give a fuck", then the Lowbrows' set was definitely "oh, fuck!" XD This poor DJ duo was plagued by not one, not two, but three complete power fails, which abruptly ended their songs mid-way through. And during their Parade II remix of エリーゼのために, no less, prompting a 「どうしよう？」from Chaki (the dude), and several deep bows of apology from Emi (the chick- who apparently is the great granddaughter of novelist Natsume Souseki, who's famous enough to have been required reading in our Japanese literature class. Oh, and from 1984-2004 his face was on the ¥1000 (~$10) bill). They managed to re-start that one and finish it, only to have the next song cut off halfway through as well. And the next one. By the third time, Chaki just fell backwards in disbelief for a few seconds while Emi came out and bowed again. Fortunately, for their last song, a remix of スピード, for which Imai came out again (this time in jeans & a t-shirt, and wearing the horned hooded muffler towel from the tour goods), jamming along on his cream BT Stabilizer, there were no more issues, and the set ended well. Everyone was very supportive the entire time, shouting "Don't mind!" and "頑張れ!" (do your best) every time the music stopped. Considering a more ill-mannered band could've gotten irritated and simply stormed off the stage, I'd say they handled the ordeal quite well. XD
- ?
- エリーゼのために remix (cut off)
- エリーゼのために remix (revenge!)
- 唄 / etc. remix (cut off)
- D-T-D / etc. / キャンディ remix (cut off)
- スピード remix - w/ 今井
Since B-T were scheduled for 6:30, I was a bit surprised when the lights went down and the screen went dark 10 minutes earlier, then started displaying text about how the band started 25 years ago. What followed then was a 9-10m video documentary showing clips from various periods throughout their career, starting at the beginning, and then going through their latest 2 singles. Finally, the familiar "Next band..." animation started, and everyone cheered as the voice over announced "Buuuuck-Tiiiick!"
BUCK-TICK
As usual, the show started off with a THEME of B-T, this time with a new orchestral section, and throwing in the エリーゼ riff a few times between the familiar "Dun Dun Dun.. dundun dundun dundun" stabs. One by one, the members took the stage in their usual way- U-TA bouncing out, grinning & waving wildly, Toll strolling out and half-smiling as he gave a quick wave, Hide & Imai walking out casually and checking their guitars, and finally Sakurai taking the stage. As usual, their outfits matched their characters as well- U-TA in dark silver vinyl pants and a black & white jacket, Toll in black pants and a bright red marching band-style coat, Hoshino is the usual all-black with long, silver fringe dangling from his jacket. Imai had a red fringy jacket over a black shirt with a dozen or so glow-in-the-dark cords hanging across, over some funky blue patterned leggings. Sakurai was in many layers of black- a top hat and long coat over a ruffled black sleeveless shirt, sheer skirt and tight leggings- as usual, over the course of the set the hat, coat and skirt would disappear. XD
- 疾風のブレードランナー
(I: cream stabilizer / H: NSG-HH) - エリーゼのために
(I: dazzler) - 羽虫のように
(I: black SG / H: Jazzmaster)
MC - GALAXY
(I: red MM / H: NSG-HH) - Alice in Wonder Underground
- 極東から愛を込めて
(I: LP / H: red Gretsch)
MC - MISS TAKE～僕はミス・テイク～
(I: black SG / H: NSG-HH)
MC - LOVE ME
(I: cream stabilizer) MC - ICONOCLASM - w/ Gara (Merry vo) & Ao (cali≠gari gt)
(I: red MM / H: red Gretsch) - CLIMAX TOGETHER
(H: NSG-HH)
MC - 夢見る宇宙
(I: silver POT / H: Jazzmaster)
After the encore break, Sakurai thanked all the bands from that day, and announced the 2 guests. Continuing the bunny theme, this time Ao came out with a white fuzzy bunny-ear hat. Thankfully Gara left his bunny mask behind. The three alternated lines in ICONOCLASM. After finishing CLIMAX TOGETHER, he asked if everyone was having fun, and then said "It's not over yet. Until we're dead. No- even after we die." XD Imai provided the familiar Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star intro and outro on 夢見る宇宙, and after the show a low series of rumbles alerted everyone to the fireworks off to the left, which reflected off the 125m-tall mirrored Chiba Port Tower. And just after that finished, while everyone was still looking off to the side, a huge BOOM jolted everyone as another row of firecrackers went off along the front of the stage, as it had in the beginning of the day. XD
Stay tuned for Day 2- rain and mud! XD