8 posts tagged “tusk”

There's a video digest of THE SLUT BANKS' revival night at this site! They sounded great! The TUSKman's voice sounds really strong in this video compared to what it was a few years ago. It seems that they had a lot of fun. They started selling the DVD and an UNPUBLISHED CD this past week judging from the info on the site.  I want it, but I just can't get it now. Hopefully, both releases will still be around in the summer.

Ahhhhhhhh!!!! They actually have an official site up now! I've been suppressing my excitement about the reunion for a few weeks now because I've been unsure about whether or not it's going to be a full revival or a one time deal. I'm still uncertain, but the fact that there's an official site up now is encouraging! It also appears that I will have a shot at the BOOTLEG DVD! I'll be sending an email Masato's way soon.

FUCK ME! Ahhhhh... @TOWER.JP somehow managed to stock copies of out of print CRAZE and ZI:KILL videos in in time for the CRAZE and ZI:KILL rereleases. This is the worst timing ever! I hope they are still around three months from now, but I probably shouldn't hold my breath. They also seem to be offering a CRAZE box if you purchase all 11 CRAZE rereleases, and a sticker with each order.

Btw, for some recent pics of tuskie...

http://blog.livedoor.jp/psp_vai/archives/64761793.html
http://blog.livedoor.jp/psp_vai/archives/64742994.html
http://blog.livedoor.jp/psp_vai/archives/64739903.html
http://blog.livedoor.jp/psp_vai/archives/64735169.html

My latest order from Masato arrived yesterday. Cardy, I can't thank you enough for introducing me to him. His assistance has made it possible for me to purchase GROOVER, Vinny Beach Final, and now LC-TRACKS and LC-GIG-TAKES. Masato is a godsend.

The package arrived in a big square box. Both the CD-R and shirt were carefully sealed within (and cushioned) by newspaper. He always goes the extra mile to make sure things don't break. It's amazes me that he puts in that extra effort to protect my item, while Amazon.co.jp has made it a habit of shipping me CDs with cracked cases. Anyway, the CD-R was wrapped inside of the shirt. The shirt was wrapped in plastic. There's not much to say about the shirt, other than I like it. The thread quality is nice, and it fits me well. I chose the navy blue color. The design on the shirt is really cool. The CD-R comes in a thin CD-R case. There's a photo of the jacket design here. There's no booklet, but the backside of the jacket slip has a track list.

新宿心音会
TUSK ITAYA
LC-TRACKS and LC-GIG-TAKES
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
m1 No.LC1 m2 No.LC2 m3 No.LC3 m4 No.LC4
20060626LCGIG-6来場のご希望者へ贈呈
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
m5 No.LC5 m6 No.LC6 m7 No.LC7 m8 No.LC8
m9 No.LC9 m10 to step on my way
m11 No.LC10 m12 No.LC11 m13 No.LC12
m14 No.LC13 m15 No.LC14 m16 too
20061122LCGIG-GIG-12来場のご希望者へ贈呈
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
m17 No.LC15 m18 No.LC16 m19 No.LC17
m20 No.LC18
20070511at新宿JAM Midnight新宿心音会GIG-TAKES
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TUSK's sudden departure from CRAZE, and retirement from music, left me devastated at the end of '05. When news started to get around last year that he was going to perform again, I couldn't believe it. He retired from singing because he believed he was incapable of singing anymore, so how could he just return months later? His retirement shelved CRAZE's THE BLACK ALBUM indefinitely, and led to CRAZE's split in October. The ripple effect of his announcement was tremendous within the CRAZE community. Anyway, it's all history now. I have been eager to listen to his voice ever since he started performing again, but I have been unable to hear it until now. He's no longer a major label musician. He doesn't own a website. Until recently, he has only released music through free MD releases at live shows. It has been virtually impossible for me to experience the new TUSK. The closest I have gotten to immersing myself into his new music is through a report of his first live performance last year, which was written by an English speaking  friend of lipo.

I did not know what to expect from the new music. He's "not singing words?" That description baffeled me, but in retrospect, it really fits. That's the best explanation for his new music. There CD-R did not contain any lyrics booklet or sheet. I wonder if his Japanese fans are now experiencing TUSK's music in the same manner that I have over the last four years. I don't speak Japanese. I don't read Japanese. I don't understand Japanese, but the music has been able to leave an impression on me. It's TUSK. It's his voice. It's him! There's no question about it. Now, his Japanese fans can't comprehend what he's singing either. Now, they have to appreciate him they way I do. I was left speechless when I played the first track yesterday. I was barely able to contain my glee. The grin on my face could not stretch any wider. That heartfelt sensation, which swept over me whenever I listened to a new TUSK song for the first time, returned when I listened to the first track No.LC1. It's the type of sensation I get whenever I listen to something new from Kiyo, but it has its own special TUSK essence. His growls are here. That classic husky voice is here. This is still the same TUSK that fans know and love. The music is beautiful. His singing is beautiful. I am so happy that I made this purchase. It's easy to see why the project is called SHINJUKU HEART MUSIC. I missed you dearly TUSKie. Hopefully, it won't be difficult from now on to hear your voice in the future.

The recordings have a very raw feel to them. Some of the tracks are live tracks, but they all feel like live recordings. It reminds me very much of the recording on Another Side of ROCKET.

LC-TRACKS and LC-GIG-TAKES RATING:

out of 5 aliens

There are a bunch of new TUSKie images at BlogのSET YOU FREE. Those images make my heart melt. He looks so happy! His departure from CRAZE back in '05 felt really dark and sad. It's such a relief to see him smiling and enjoying himself.

I also found what I think is the jacket of his upcoming CD-R release at We　are　CRAZE　FAMILY. The image is in post 75 of the 板谷祐　～TUSK ITAYA～ topic. According to the poster, the CD-R will contain around 20 tracks. WAHAHA!!!!

WAHAHA!!!! I sent Masato an email on Thursday inquiring about the 新宿心音会 板谷祐 CD-R. I received a response from him the next day. Apparently, the shirt is on sale and the CD-R is attached to the order. I only want the CD-R, but choosing to only purchase that (and not the shirt) isn't an option. I decided to purchase the navy blue colored shirt. I made my first payment for the order yesterday. The first payment was ￥8000. Ahhhhh!!!!!!!! Anyway, I think the information on his page implies that all the MD released solo content from his career will be included in this CD-R. Maybe live recordings too? Please let that be the case... Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease...

I'm listening to Nil to Hero right now. THANK YOU MY FRIEND started playing, and my heart beagn to melt...

I wanted to link to these entries last month, but I (obviously) didn't get that done. Anyway, here are a few recent images of TUSKie:

http://blog.livedoor.jp/psp_vai/archives/53640226.html
http://blog.livedoor.jp/psp_vai/archives/53672861.html