The Pillows - Little Busters

In the last post about The Pillows I mentioned their work on the soundtrack of the anime Fooly Cooly, and the fact that they refer to their fans as little busters, a connection to the band's Teddy Bear mascot, Buster-Kun. Well, here's the song Little Busters with footage from the anime. Enjoy!

The Pillows - Ride On Shooting Star

Here's one of my favorite bands from Japan, The Pillows. They're one of the best rock bands in the world. They put ona fantastic live show. Internationally they're most recognized for their work on the soundtrack of the incredible and wonderful anime FLCL (フリクリ, Furi Kuri), also known as Fooly Cooly.

You really should check out this anime, it kicks butt. The song featured today, Ride On Shooting Star, and I Think I Can were written specifically for the anime, though it also features other songs previously written. Besides showing how brilliantly they can rock, this video really expresses the humor and playfulness of the group.

Hailing from Hokkaido in the far north of the country, the band was formed in 1987. The current lineup is Sawao Yamanaka on vocals and guitar, Yoshiaki Manabe on lead guitar, Shinichirou Sato on the drums, and Jun Suzuki on bass.

So, what's with the Teddy Bears, you ask? It's a reference to the band's mascot, Buster-Kun. The band refers to their fans as little busters.

Cao Fang (ICY) - In Summer

Oh my goodness, I love this girl. ICY is HOT! So pretty, and such an amazing voice. Her songs are sweet and beautiful and passionate and honest. Here's ICY with 在夏天 - Zai Xia Tian (In Summer)

ICY's second album, Meeting Me

Cao Fang, aka ICY, is a singer and songwriter from mainland China. Her music reflects her own beauty an honesty and strength. Her voice is one of the finest in Asia, and indeed in the whole world. She is definitely one to keep an eye on.

ICY Live

Americans may recognize the last minute or so of the song from the GE Health Reimagined commercial set in China. I was surprised when I first saw that ad! "That's ICY! Wa!" Much success to you, ICY. You deserve it.

ICY, So Lovely

v-u-den, Ajisai Ai Ai Monogatari

Here's one of my favorite tunes from v-u-den, Ajisai Ai Ai Monogatari (紫陽花アイ愛物語, Hydrangea Love Story).

v-u-den (美勇伝, Biyūden — also romanized Biyuuden, Viyuden, or Biyuden) is named for the characters beauty (美, bi), bravery (勇, yū), and legend (伝, den). They're one of the groups in the Hello! Project. Led by Rika Ishikawa, the group also includes Erika Miyoshi and Yui Okada.

Ajisai Ai Ai Monogatari was the opening theme for the anime Patalliro! Saiyuki.

Kawabe Chieco Kyandi Beibee

I need some cute, and what could be more cute than Kawabe Chieco, hmmm? How about... a whole roomful of Chiecos!

I'd like to give that beibee some kyandi.

ALI PROJECT - 人生美味礼讃 (Jinsei Bimi Raisan)

There's not much to the video, but dang I love this song. Ali Project features Arika Takarano (宝野アリカ) as the singer and lyricist and Mikiya Katakura (片倉三起也) is behind the music and arrangements. Ali Project started as a light, happy pop band, but the music gradually became more dark and mysterious. Arika calls this the transition from Shiro Ari to Kuro Ari: White Ant to Black Ant. In fact, the band was originally called Ari Project when they formed in 1988. They changed their name four years later.

And here's another very interesting, orchestral version of the same song.

If you like them, you should check out the official Ali Project website.

Speaking of ants, have you ever asked yourself do ants scratch there ass? You may want to do so if you have a website that you'd like to get indexed quickly!

More Thai Rock From Endorphine

Doctor Marco says we all need another dose of Endorphine, and that lovely singer, Da, has made me all feverish. Here's the song Num Tem Gaow.

Rock on, Thailand.

Welcome, Asian Music Fans

The Asian Music Club is now open. This is the right place to hang if you love the pop and rock music of Japan and other Asian countries, or if you want to be introduced to some new music and find out more about the bands and artists of Asia.

Let's get started with everybody's favorite rock band from Thailand, Endorphine, with the song Yaa Tam Hai Faa Pit Wang.

The lovely singer is Da (Thanida Thamwimon), the guitarist is Kia (Anucha Boethongkhamkul), the bass player is Bird (Thanat Amornmanus), and Bomb (Thapaphol Amornmanus) is the drummer.

Here's a translation for you:

ฟ้ายังมีตา ที่ฟ้านำเธอมาร่วมทางอยู่กับฉัน
faa yang mee dtaa tee faa nam ter maa ruam taang yoo gap chan
Even the heaven has eyes that leads you to come and accompany me.

ท่ามกลางคืนวัน ที่เหนื่อยล้ากายใจ ให้ยังพอมีแรงสู้ไป
taam-glaang keun wan tee neuay laa gaai jai hai yang por mee raeng soo bpai
Through day and night, when I'm totally exhausted. Just to give me enough strength to carry on, to do better.

ถึงล้มก็รู้ ว่าฉันยังมีมือของเธอ
teung lom gor roo waa chan yang mee meu kong ter
Even when I fall I know that I have your support.

ถึงฉันนั้นพลั้งหรือพลาดอะไรไป
teung chan-nan plang reu plaat a-rai bpai
Even I did something wrong or missed something.

อย่างน้อยยังมีเธอ เป็นเหมือนเส้นชัย
yaang noi yang mee ter bpen meuan sen chai
At least I still have you, as my goal of success.

และทุกๆ ครั้ง ที่เสียอะไรไปเท่าไร ก็คิดทุกครั้งว่าได้อะไรมา
lae took-took krang tee sia a-rai bpai tao-rai gor kit took krang waa daai a-rai maa
And every time I lose something, I consider each time whatever I have gained from it.

และพบว่าฉันโชคดีสักเพียงใด....ที่พบเธอ
lae pop waa chan chohk dee sak piang dai .... tee pop ter
To discover how extremely lucky I am… to have met you.

อยู่กันอย่างนี้นานๆ นะเธอ
yoo gan yaang nee naan-naan na ter
Please be with me, like this, for a very long time.

จากกันวันไหน ฟ้าคงจะผิดหวัง
jaak gan wan nai faa kong ja pit wang
Whichever day we separate, the heaven would be disappointed.

อยู่กันตรงนี้หัวใจจะฝากฝัง ใส่มือเธอนั้น
yoo gan dtrong nee hua jai ja faak fang sai meu ter nan
To be right here together, my heart entrust in those hands of yours.

อย่าไปไหน อย่าไปไหน อย่าไปไหน
yaa bpai nai yaa bpai nai yaa bpai nai
Don't go anywhere, don't go anywhere, don't go anywhere.

เมื่อฉันลืมตา ก็ขอแค่ได้มองเห็นเธออยู่กับฉัน
meua chan leum dtaa gor kor kae daai mong hen ter yoo gap chan
Whenever I open my eyes, I beg just to be able to see you with me.

หนทางจะไกล สุดขอบฟ้าไม่หวั่น ได้รางวัลเป็นเธอมาแล้ว
hon taang ja glai soot kop faa mai wan daai raang-wan bpen ter maa laew
Though it would be a very long way to succeed, I am not afraid. Because I already have you as my prize.

ถึงล้มก็รู้ ว่าฉันยังมีมือของเธอ
teung lom gor roo waa chan yang mee meu kong ter
Even when I fall I know that I have your support.

ถึงฉันนั้นพลั้งหรือพลาดอะไรไป
teung chan-nan plang reu plaat a-rai bpai
Even I did something wrong or missed something.

อย่างน้อยยังมีเธอ เป็นเหมือนเส้นชัย
yaang noi yang mee ter bpen meuan sen chai
At least I still have you, as my goal of success.

และทุกๆ ครั้ง ที่เสียอะไรไปเท่าไร ก็คิดทุกครั้งว่าได้อะไรมา
lae took-took krang tee sia a-rai bpai tao-rai gor kit took krang waa daai a-rai maa
And every time I lose something, I consider each time whatever I have gained from it.

และพบว่าฉันโชคดีสักเพียงใด....ที่พบเธอ
lae pop waa chan chohk dee sak piang dai .... tee pop ter
To discover how extremely lucky I am… to have met you.

อยู่กันอย่างนี้นานๆ นะเธอ
yoo gan yaang nee naan-naan na ter
Please be with me, like this, for a very long time.

จากกันวันไหน ฟ้าคงจะผิดหวัง
jaak gan wan nai faa kong ja pit wang
Whichever day we separate, the heaven would be disappointed.

อยู่กันตรงนี้หัวใจจะฝากฝัง ใส่มือเธอนั้น
yoo gan dtrong nee hua jai ja faak fang sai meu ter nan
To be right here together, my heart entrust in those hands of yours.

อย่าไปไหน อย่าไปไหน อย่าไปไหน
yaa bpai nai yaa bpai nai yaa bpai nai
Don't go anywhere, don't go anywhere, don't go anywhere.

ผิดความตั้งใจ ที่เป็นของฟ้า
pit kwaam dtang jai tee bpen kong faa
We'll disappoint the intention of the heavens.

(Interlude)

อยู่กันอย่างนี้นานๆ นะเธอ
yoo gan yaang nee naan-naan na ter
Please be with me, like this, for a very long time.

จากกันวันไหน ฟ้าคงจะผิดหวัง
jaak gan wan nai faa kong ja pit wang
Whichever day we separate, the heaven would be disappointed.

อยู่กันตรงนี้หัวใจจะฝากฝัง ใส่มือเธอนั้น
yoo gan dtrong nee hua jai ja faak fang sai meu ter nan
To be right here together, my heart entrust in those hands of yours.

อย่าไปไหน อย่าไปไหน อย่าไปไหน
yaa bpai nai yaa bpai nai yaa bpai nai
Don't go anywhere, don't go anywhere, don't go anywhere