While there are many international artists who have made their way, as the expression goes, “across the pond” and have done well in America, most of them do so by bringing a similar formula of what is popular in today’s music and blending in before anyone realizes that they’re “not from ’round here.” The artists who stick to their own form of a creative mold and are unique and unchanging in their ways can either make or break their careers when they land on U.S. soil; some of them, indeed, will stay on the other side of the world for their entire career, despite the cult following that might have simmered into existence on this side of the States. Tonight, however, one of these artists not only came to this country for their first stateside tour, but it was on the tails of an incredible reunion tour after almost twelve years of absence from the musical world. For the first time in their career, X Japan, arguably one of the biggest acts in the country’s history, has come to the U.S. to tour — and boy, were we ready for them!
The Japanese culture has seen a variety of a assortments from music, food, toys, games, the list goes on and on. But it’s most famous would probably fall between food and music. Now the music culture just as the American one are both different yet quite similar because we have our ways of showcasing our types of rock, metal, punk, all types of music genres and the Japanese also have their own ways of doing things. When it comes to their musical tastes and appearances they kick it up a notch. Like appearance wise they tend to showcase the latest trends and fashion tastes that are buzzing around and musically well they just got the skills for everything.
With that said, the Japanese have had a solid mix of bands that are considered “legends” in their books from, D’espairsRay, Dir En Grey, Glay, Vamps, and most legendary X JAPAN. All of whom have made it to the U.S. But there was once in the mix that had a much difficult time coming over seas among several other outbursts that threw them off course. X Japan formed in1982 by Toshimitsu “Toshi” Deyama and Yoshiki Hayashi, being originally named X the group achieved much success over the years but tragedy soon struck. Former guitarist/backing vocalist Hideto “Hide” Matsumoto had as the other members wanted to pursue solo careers and get their own ideas out into the open. Hide had managed to release a few solo albums since 94′s “Hide Your Face”, his music leaning towards the alternative rock standards. But X Japan would not last as long as they hoped due to Hide’s death in May 1998 the band would go on to disband for what seemed like a lifetime.
X Japan Live at the Wiltern
Band: X Japan and Vampires Everywhere
Venue: Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles
Date: September 25, 2010
Reviewer: akfgfan
Excitement, infatuation, and elation couldn’t quite portray the passion teeming from fans outside the Wiltern Theatre. One simple phrase summarized it all: “We are X!”
The 25th of September marked X Japan’s first performance of their North American tour, and what an incredible turn out it was! Fans were dressed to the nines in Goth outfits, X Japan wear, and even kimonos. Many had camped outside the theatre the night before in anticipation, while others sacrificed their Saturday afternoon. The line for the event was huge – winding around the theatre like a snake. A sold out show for a band far from its homeland.
X Japan formed almost thirty years ago, and made a huge impact on the Japanese music scene. Their heavy metal music, clothing, and hair set them apart from others bands. Legends in their own right, these idols recently regrouped in 2007 and set their eyes on the U.S. From Yoshiki’s charity foundation, to Lollapalooza, and the live recording of music videos, the band has spent a considerable amount of time appealing to its U.S. fans in preparation for this tour.
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You may never have heard of X Japan, but they are one of the biggest rock bands in Japanese history. They’ve sold more than 30-million albums, singles and DVDs, and have filled the 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome 18 times. Yoshiki, the band’s spokesman/songwriter/producer/drummer/pianist, is considered as one of the most influential musicians to come out of Asia, with one Japanese writer stating, “Yoshiki is to Japan what Bono is to the UK.” We had a chance to sit down with Yoshikli and talk with him about the band, the music and, with their first North American tour about to kick off, their plans to conquer the West.
After so many years of just focusing on your native Japan, what brings the States to your sites?
It was always our dream to come here, it wasn’t like one day we just decided to come here, we’ve always been thinking about this. We lived in Japan, but we were always thinking about the world. And, I’ve been living here [in Los Angeles] for more than 10 years.
A long time ago, people from Sony came to us – at that time we were just called ‘X’ – they wanted to have us debut in the U.S. but we felt we weren’t ready. Then a few years later, Atlantic Records came to us, and said we should debut in America, and we said ‘sure.’ We were going to start recording here, but we didn’t speak English, so we thought we weren’t ready, so we didn’t release anything. Then, we were about to debut here, but we broke up [this was in 1997], then reunited 10 years later, we are now ready.
