B'z [Archive] - Japan Forum

Twisted

Feb 3, 2001, 16:00

March 14 will be a happy day for B'z fans with a DVD player. "Buzz!! the movie", "The true meaning of Brotherhood", "Once upon a time in Yokohama, B'z Live Gym'99" and "Live Ripper" will all be released on DVD-format on that day. But true fans will have probably seen all of these already on VHS or Laserdisc.
The more interesting news comes in the form a new single. Slated for release on the same day as the DVD's, march 14, this new single, titled "Ultra Soul", will feature three tracks and is also the theme of a TV Asahi sports show.

Check here (http://topsites.japanreference.com/cgi-bin/out.cgi?id=twisted&url=http://home.hccnet.nl/p.zoon/s2l2/s2l2.htm) for more Jpop news.

Lady_Navigation

Mar 26, 2001, 16:00

I didn't really like "ultra soul". I prefer the BAD COMMUNICATION mini album. And yes, you are right to say that most B'z fans already have those videos on VHS so maybe a lot of them won't buy the DVDs but those DVDs do have special bonuses on each of the m not featured in the original VHS/LD versions. But since I'm going to buy the VHS versions, I can't afford to buy the DVDs (they won't work in my American DVD player anyway). I don't mind, though.

Anyway, if you or any B'z fan would like to know more about B'z or discuss B'z, please visit my website on them. It's called "Pleasure":

http://www.geocities.com/bz_pleasure/

And there is a WWWBoard where fans can ask questions or give their opinions about B'z.

I gave my 2 cents on that single there, too. Take care!

-LN0

Lady_Navigation

Oct 23, 2001, 15:00

Hi, everyone!

The latest news with B'z right now is that Inaba and Matsumoto are doing solo projects again. And there may be a new album in December. We shall see. :)

If you would like to know more about B'z, please visit my site (http://www.geocities.com/bz_pleasure). I will try to keep you all up-to-date with B'z news in the future as well.

Take care! And thanks again, Thomas!

-LN :D

Lady_Navigation

Jan 25, 2002, 16:00

Hi, everyone.

I've updated my B'z site, Pleasure (http://www.geocities.com/bz_pleasure/). The most recent news about B'z is Tak's 2 solo albums which are coming out on February 27. "Seihenrairyu DRAGON FROM THE WEST" is a mini album while "Hana" is a full album. Also, B'z are still having an open audition for new bass, drums, and keyboard players. For more details and information, please check out the "News" section of my site.

Thanks and take care!

-LN

Nahoko

Jan 27, 2002, 16:00

I just visited your site, it's a gem! :)

Lady_Navigation

Jan 27, 2002, 16:00

Thanks, Nahoko! I updated my B'z interview section just now. You can read all about B'z's Monthly Kadokawa interview back in Jan of 1998. Just go to the Menu and click on "About B'z". Then click on "Interview" and choose the interview that you want to read.

Take care!

-LN
Pleasure
http://www.geocities.com/bz_pleasure

Lady_Navigation

Apr 3, 2002, 02:50

Hi, Thomas. Hi, everyone. It's been a while.

I just wanted to mention some B'z news I've posted up in my site in case anyone's interested in the band. The link to my site is http://www.geocities.com/bz_pleasure (but of course you can also find the site right here in Japanreference.com). The news includes details about a new B'z single and their involvement in the new FIFA Korea/Japan music album.

Everyone take care.

-LN

Mura

Apr 15, 2003, 06:36

Hello everyone,

I just found this forum. ^^ Well, I don't seem to see any recent B'z updates, so I'll just type some up for you!

First, they're celebrating their 15th anniversary this year! THey'll be launching a mega live tour from July through December.
2nd, they recently smashed another japanese music record when they took the top 11 Oricon single spots simultaneously (one new single, It's Showtime!!, plus 10 re-mastered old singles).
3rd, they had a successful PV shoot in February for It's Showtime!! in Los Angeles ~ any and all fans were invited to participate as extras. Very cool of them. Sorry I didn't report this here then: hadn't found this forum yet.

4th: Their last concert video dvd, A Beautiful Reel, is region-free, and contains a bonus disc with some footage from their 2 California Roll concerts held Sept 2002 in California.

If you're wondering who B'z are, please take a look at my new site at www.geocities.com/komachiangel178
:wave:

Chipi

Apr 15, 2003, 06:44

..heh, I just got a tape from Japan, with some Bｴz on it :)
I had never heard of them before..

Mura

Apr 15, 2003, 07:49

Cool! What did B'z perform on your tape? ^^

Yeah, I would venture to say B'z aren't as well-known among international fans as many other artists. Maybe it's because they're kind of low-key when they're not rocking stadiums around the country. But they are the highest selling artists in Japanese musical history, and they show no signs of stopping.

Anyway, I'm always happy to make B'z song recommendations. ^^

Twisted

Apr 15, 2003, 17:41

Are you kidding? B'z are quite popular among international fans. At least on the boards i hang out on.

Tak Matsumoto even got an international release recently with his solo-album Dragon from the west.

Chipi

Apr 15, 2003, 18:36

Originally posted by Mura
Cool! What did B'z perform on your tape? ^^

Well, I have a great penpal from Japan, who really made a nice surprise for me. She recorded some J-pop for me on a cassette, with various artists.
From Bｴz there are songs called "Zero", "Gekko", "Gold", and "Ultra Soul".

Itｴs ok, Iｴll listen to it, but I have to admit that Iｴm not a big fan of pop/rock. Iｴm just too selective with my music, in a way...in a way I like so many kinds of music :sing: tough,isnｴt it :)

MHtrStevie

Apr 15, 2003, 21:12

Greetings!

I became aware of B'z pretty quickly after discovering J-Pop myself... it's difficult to ignore their stunning records in the Japanese music world. Do they still have the unbroken string of Oricon #1 singles going at this point?

I also read somewhere that in terms of total sales (albums/singles) they actually rank in the Top 5 worldwide for all time, ranked with the likes of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Elvis Presley and Garth Brooks. Can anyone confirm this?

They're an awesome duo, and I hope they keep producing great music for many years to come!

:cool:

Mori

Apr 15, 2003, 21:33

Well, the main reason why B'z are so unpopular is...they are not a visual kei band! ^^;; (at least that's true in Germany...-__-)

Tak's international solo release was Hana...not Dragon From The West.

But I think they're the best hard rock band of the 90's and now. (there aren't many real hardrock bands around anymore anyway...)

Tak's playing style is awesome...

Twisted

Apr 15, 2003, 22:10

Oh yeah, right. It was the other one. I was too lazy to look it up. :)
Thanks for correcting me.

I prefer Dragon from the West though. More uptempo songs.

Mori

Apr 16, 2003, 00:45

Me too.
Hana is just so mellow.
Not that I have anything against it - but...it's too much of mellow songs. (maybe nice for sleeping? ^^;;)

Mura

Apr 16, 2003, 05:32

Wow, sorry, my mistake. ^^; I guess I've just read one too many "Are B'z still alive?" posts on some boards that shall remain nameless!

I have Tak's Hana int'l version...it is a very mellow album. It was released on guitarist Steve Vai's label. My favorite Tak solo song is "Go Further," the Formula One racing theme in Japan. ^^

B'z still have the record for consecutive #1 hits...they're up to 30 now.

MHtrStevie: The #5 ranking in the world is actually based on the RIAA records, which only look at record sales in North America. B'z have sold over 86 million records; which does put them at #5 in terms of the RIAA sales. It's on my site intro
:happy:

djl_ottawa

May 8, 2003, 05:43

I actualy got interested in them by my wife. She lived in Japan for 3 years and has lots of Cd's and one of the ones she has is from B'z. (can't remember title sorry.) She is also a big fan of Yumi Matsutoya. (I think I got that right).

Mura

May 15, 2003, 08:50

Hi ~

Just want to let you guys know that B'z will probably be having a concert in Seattle this fall at The ShowBox. The tentative date is October 21. I say probably, because they haven't announced it on their official website, but they didn't announce their US concerts officially last year either. Tickets go on sale May 16 at the ticketswest site, and if it's anything like last year's situation, they'll go really really fast (the Los Angeles concert sold out in one day).

There's been a lot of interest in their tour this year because it's their 15th anniversary and the last Pleasure tour, so even some fans in Japan are having problems getting tix for LiveGym.

Illuminata

Aug 5, 2003, 14:24

I'm so excited about the North American dates in B'z current tour - in fact, I'm attending the show in Seattle!:D So here's my question: anyone else attending? You see, I'm going with my sisters and friends, but I'd like to see a few familiar faces there as well. Is anyone interested in meeting up at the show? I'm always interested in knowing B'z fans in the area!

~Illu:p

gundamv3

Aug 6, 2003, 08:35

are they going to go to the east coast or anywhere like ohio on the tour?

passato

Sep 4, 2003, 00:43

I'm going to the one in Vegas. Drop me a line if you're going to Vegas.

MHtrStevie

Sep 4, 2003, 03:36

Sadly, this tour is like the other B'z U.S. appearances... it's concentrated only in the western part of the U.S. Mostly Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Seattle...

Still, it's pretty cool that they come to these shores at all... if I could, I'd travel out from the East Coast to see them.

:happy:

Dream Time

Sep 4, 2003, 06:03

I am going to Seattle

BlackExodus

Sep 6, 2003, 16:53

I might go. I'll be up at UW at the time, so I don't know if I'll have the time and/or money to attend the concert.

Jupernia

Sep 8, 2003, 13:57

It sure does Suck living in Florida.....I would love to go, I'm a huge fan of the B'z but saddly, college students have no money to travel.

BlackExodus

Sep 8, 2003, 14:52

scratch my post. Unless I win some sort of money prize or fall into a truckload of cash, there's no way I'll be able to make it to that concert. Instead, I'll find a way to listen to BIG MACHINE, their new album, the day of the concert. It'll be in tribute to the B'z greatness.

Aikawa

Jan 3, 2004, 04:39

hey guys! u know B'z? Before I just heard their song "itsuka no merry christmas" and I thought its sweet. then I watched music station and saw them perform "it's showtime" . First I thought "wht tha **** is that?!" cuz the voice sounded really weird, but then I got to like the song, I watched it over and over, and now I think its really cool! I dunno know, it just came over me! :D

It'd SHOWTIIIIIIME!!

zombiepanda

Jan 3, 2004, 14:39

B'z is great. I had Itsukano Merry Christmas at my j-rock rotation a couple weeks or so ago. :) I think I heard Gackt and that one chick's cover of it before I heard the actual one though.

Winter

Jan 4, 2004, 12:03

I saw them about 2 months ago when they came to the states.

They are great. No other way to put it. One of the absolute BEST jrock bands out there. They put the rock, in jrock, they really really really do.

I'll go out on a limb and say I personally look up to Tak.

antantrevolution

Jun 25, 2004, 02:59

Well?

If so, which albums are your favourites?

Ant

MHtrStevie

Jun 25, 2004, 05:10

Count me amongst the fans of this great duo!

I don't own too many of their full albums at this point, so I guess my default favorite albums would be the two I own: "Loose" and "Green".

I own many more of their singles, and my current favorite song of theirs is the coupling song on the "May" single, "You pray, I stay"... awesome!

I'll add another question to this thread: Who here has been listening to the solo projects of the B'z members? Any fans of Kohshi Inaba's solo work, like the "Magma" album or the recent single "Akatsuki"? How 'bout Tak Matsumoto's recent projects like "The Hit Parade" or the Tak Matsumoto Group?

Keep on rockin'...

:cool:

*Angelic_Marionette*

Jun 25, 2004, 12:40

ano... :?
who is B'z?? are they good? are they kawaii? i have never heard of them? tell me more? i only hear much about Dir en grey or other visual bands?.but is B'z a visual band? or no? . . . .sorry,its just that i like guys in makeup and dresses.lol.the kind of guy for me is one who isnt afraid to wear a dress.lol....so tell me..who these B'z???? :wave:

jieshi

Jun 25, 2004, 13:11

B'z are really good have a listen to them

MHtrStevie

Jun 25, 2004, 22:13

Angelic: B'z are definitely a great rock group, but I don't think they're considered "visual", if that's what you're asking... they're also a classic group, as they recently celebrated their 15th anniversary (last year, as they started in 1988). Their typical dress that I see them in is blue jeans and T-shirts or button-down shirts... they may vary, but I never remember seeing them in dresses or other visual-kei clothes styles.

Sorry, but B'z probably isn't for you if you're interested primarily in that visual-kei music/clothes/style... but if you're looking for solid awesome rock music, you'd have a hard time finding anyone better!

:cool:

Elgin

Jun 25, 2004, 23:00

B`z rock , one of my first Japanese bands I listen to. No there not kawaii but kakkoii.

antantrevolution

Jun 26, 2004, 19:35

I remember the First time I heard B'z. I borrowed Mars from a friend, and couldn't believe that this type of music was possible in Japan. Sure, I had heard other bands from Japan, but at the time, it was all singers like ANRI and soft stuff. But to tight vocals and disturbingly flasy, but skilled guitar... wow.

And now, many years later... they are still together and don't seem to have forgotten who they are. No flashy clothes, no antics onstage. Just good old rock and roll.

Man, I hope they can pull off another 15 years.

Ant

MHtrStevie

Jun 26, 2004, 20:46

Illaparatzo-sama

Jun 26, 2004, 20:56

MHtrStevie

Jun 27, 2004, 01:22

I need some B'z recommendations. I've listened to about 10 of their songs, "Negai" being a favorite. Most of the others seemed to be ballads, which I'm pretty much completely uninterested in. Someone recommend an album for me, and I'll pick it up tomorrow o_o/

I assume you're looking for harder-edged songs...

Typically the more recent the B'z tracks, the harder they are... they started with a sort of dance/rock fusion style, and then moved into pure rock stuff. Obviously ballads are interspersed throughout their career, so I'll try to make a few recommendations...

I personally like "love me, I love you" which is off the same album as "Negai"... it's not a ballad, but it isn't hard rock either. Might be worth checking out since it's from the same period in the development of B'z.

Some harder tracks include:

- Samayoeru aoi dangan
- ultra soul
- Liar! Liar!
- Giri Giri Chop
- Fireball
- Love Phantom

One of the hardest tracks I've ever heard from them is called "Devil"... I'm not sure which album features it, but I got it on a 2002 FIFA World Cup compilation album.

Hope this helps... if you like any of these, let me know and I can possibly recommend more.

antantrevolution

Jun 27, 2004, 15:04

You know, I think Mars was the first "album" I purchased of theirs... that's the one with the English version of "Lady Navigation" on it, right? I'm not sitting in front of my CD collection at the moment... I had a couple of singles before buying that, but Mars is one of my first memories of B'z too!

And to think that Kohshi Inaba was about one step away from becoming a math teacher before meeting Tak at a music convention... talk about an "unmei no deai"... ("destined/fated meeting", if I'm using that phrase correctly)

They certainly seem to be going as strong as ever, so I figure we've got years of great B'z music to come...

Here's a trivia question for you: Why did these two name their band B'z?

:?

Actually, if you have ever heard the song Yasei No Energy, that song is about their meeting. Or at least the video is. Yasei No Energy was the first video of theirs I saw in Japan, and the song actually is the string that ties all of my memories to Japan together. When I hear it, I can close my eyes and imagine myself back there in my fiance's apartment.

The answer to the trivia question... I really don't know! Sorry. Why did they name their band B'z?

Ant

Kama

Jun 27, 2004, 23:45

I love them!! Really love them!! XD Tak!! Koshi!! XD *praying to the altair* almost... :D *I'll found an B'z shrine* XD

Ok, I'm more serious now. I like The Mixture very much. Generally, I don't have the favourite album, well now I'm listetning to Banzai most of the time... I have just favourite songs. (Too much to write).

I heard only Nami of Koshi's songs... I like TMG - Oh Japan Our time is now, single. It's the only Tak's solo, I know. But I like it very much. Hope to listen to more their works... Any links? Or maybe someone can share with their mp3/videos?

If somebody want, I can share mine collection at eMule/winmx/Kazaa, just contact me.

hanashian

Feb 1, 2006, 16:10

Guess this forum is more towards the J-Rock side. hehe...:relief: Gackt, Hyde, well, i liked these artists very much. In regards that they produce good musics, n well, they r really good-looking!! Yet, B'z remains to be the legendary rock band i topped in my playlists. This band is just awesome, having maintaining some of the national records that virtually cant be beaten by any upcoming newcomers in the long run, n never would i guess.. (as the music industry itself is plagued by the illegal downloads) Their musics, classic or modern, are just consistently top-rated products!! Though i prefer more of their classics, but overall, excellent. Their new single, "SHODOU", as presumed, topped the Oricon #1. Nice song, anyone tried?

Anchyyy

Feb 1, 2006, 17:40

I never heard any music from B'z. I'll try to find some of their songs :-)

Kinsao

Feb 1, 2006, 19:01

-rika- shinya`

Feb 1, 2006, 22:09

B'z are indeed truly famous! i like arigato. and koshi inaba's solo Wonderland. the song i like most is still Samayoeru Aoi Dangan. it's good!

hanashian

Feb 2, 2006, 19:51

I've got a few songs by B'z - only about half a dozen, though.
I really, really like the song Love Phantom. I have to play it only in my home, though, because I can't stop from dancing to that song! :blush: :dance: I also think Tak Matsumoto has really good guitaring skills. :cool:
I'm not so keen on the slower, more ballady songs of B'z (such as Ocean and Arigatou), but I like the upbeat and more rock-orientated of their songs (like Love Phantom). Could you recommend me some of their songs?

I guess u could try out ~rika~shinya's favourite: "Samayoeru Aoi Dangan". Nice fast song it is, makes ppl wanna jump out of their chair! As u might have wonder if B'z produce a wide variety of songs from the ballads(OCEAN,2005) to heavy rock songs(LOVE PHANTOM,1995) u have, i do say yes. The year 1997~1999 were basically the years when they produced few of their most rock albums. Especially their 1999"BROTHERHOOD" album. U can try out these tracks: SHINE, GIRI GIRI CHOP, Anata Nara Kamawanai, Liar! Liar!. I guess they are the more upbeat n rocking' songs. Try to get their "BIG MACHINE"(2003) album if u can! Satisafaction guaranteed to rock fans like u!!
Their soloworks are awesome too! In case u wonder how ppl recognize Tak's guitar skills,.. Well, Tak is the first Asian artist to receive his own SIGNATURE BRAND LES PAUL GUITAR from GIBSON. Including him, there r just 4 guitar wizardry who attained these. Try to get some of their solo works if u are interested.

Kinsao

Feb 2, 2006, 21:07

Thanks very much for the recommendations! :cool:
I'll try and get hold of some of the songs/albums you suggest. Plus of course Tak's solo work! :-)

-rika- shinya`

Feb 3, 2006, 02:38

Tak has his american band too . it's called TMG ~ Tak Matsumoto Group. the songs are in english. one of the singles in the album- 'Oh Japan~Our Time is Now', it really drew me to them! they are talented songwriters and i love koshi's voice. it's special and versatile (^^)b

boobiebutt

Feb 3, 2006, 03:01

http://www.vspider.empty-tears.net/bz.html

has a little bit of info and 2 mp3's from the b'z....
this is how i found out about b'z in the first place and they r ok....those r the only 2 songs i have....someone wanna post and share more??

Yokan

Feb 3, 2006, 05:28

This was the band that actually composed and sung a very now famous Xmas tune, of which gackt and Ayumi Hamasaki have did covers for. :)

boobiebutt

Feb 3, 2006, 07:14

does the b'z have a homepage? english by anychance T_T

-rika- shinya`

Feb 3, 2006, 08:36

there are many..

B'z Sunshine (http://www.geocities.com/komachiangel178/main.html) - alot of B'z information here

B'z Online Music Site (http://www.geocities.com/keen_on_all/bzenter.htm) - the best site of B'z IMO - all the lyrics + some song samples too. (1024 x 768)

B'z Q&A (http://keen_on_all.tripod.com/someqna.htm) - you can see the long story of Koshi's & Tak's life here and celebrities who are fans of B'z (a page of the above link)

boobiebutt

Feb 3, 2006, 11:27

*cheers* thanks rika! :D anyone know any places to dl more music? T_T

-rika- shinya`

Feb 3, 2006, 13:42

i don't know.. (+.+;) i have a few songs from them though, including the shoudou single and koshi's solo album Peace of mind..if you want..

boobiebutt

Feb 3, 2006, 14:00

definately upload away

Average_Psycho

Feb 3, 2006, 14:00

I like B'z.... I have quite a few songs by them actually... Not as heavy as most of my music collection (certainly not XD), but they have a nice sound, and I enjoy listening to them....

And now I shall leave you all be XDD

-rika- shinya`

Feb 3, 2006, 21:14

Samayoeru Aoi Dangan (http://rapidshare.de/files/12433613/B_z_-_Samayoeru_Aoi_Dangan.mp3.html)

Girigiri Chop (http://rapidshare.de/files/12450164/B_z_-_GIRIGIRI_chop.mp3.html) - CRAZY guitar solo

Arigato (http://rapidshare.de/files/12448927/27_Arigato.mp3.html)

Shoudou single (http://rapidshare.de/files/12434860/B_z_-_Shoudou.rar.html)

Bad Communication (http://rapidshare.de/files/12450800/B_z_-_Bad_Communication.MP3.html) - quite an old song..

Inaba Koshi's solo album..peace of mind (http://rapidshare.de/files/12440343/Koshi_Inaba_-_PEACE_OF_MIND__2004.09.22_.rar.html)

Where is the OP? maybe she has more of their songs. :souka: