the GazettE - BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY

Yes, this is ancient history.


At long last, I decided on getting a GazettE album to add to my collection of CDs. I did think of getting some older ones, but BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY was just released, and ordering it via CDJapan included a complimentary poster, so why not?

Click to enlarge. The tracking record provided by Japan Post.

I made my order via credit card, and CDJapan provided me with a tracking code that connected to Japan Post, which managed all deliveries of the album worldwide from CDJapan (if that makes any sense). It took a total of 3-4 days for my package to arrive, and I'm really impressed by the amount of detail that is put into the tracking information.

The package arrived in a fairly large box, something that I didn't expect. It was carefully sealed with paper packaging tape, and the contents were wrapped with an extra layer of paper / bubble wrap.

The poster is of the album artwork itself - the multi-faced animal that is a combination of selections from Ruki, Aoi, Reita, Uruha, and Kai.

As for the tracks in the CD itself, I felt a little disappointed - NIL and Stacked Rubbish, even older albums were better. I felt that only FADELESS came close to awesome. I am stoked that I got one of their albums, though. =)

Improved 30 Day Song Challenge: Day 30

Full list here.

Day 30: A Song That Makes You wanna Drive Fast and Crazy

The list is looong. And since I gingerly put together an answer for many of the previous challenge questions, I'll compensate here~





How can you go wrong with a Need For Speed Most Wanted soundtrack? Like seriously, this is almost the only NFS I'd play. Still stuck at #5 on the blacklist, though... Even the system remembers that I like to start my game with Nine Thou.





Named after the epic late Hide of X Japan (who performed the song with his other musical unit, called Hide with Spread Beaver), Pink Spider is the first track on my visual J-rock CD in my car. Driving to campus on a gray Monday morning is much more awesome with this on full blast.





This is not a religious hymn, or at least it's not to me. To my ears and mind, this is another epic song by L'Arc~en~Ciel (lyrics written by hyde, if I'm not mistaken). The song is performed by hyde's other group VAMPS, and sounds a little different than the studio original. Jesus Christ is an English J-rock song, the guitar is just... awesome!!!

***

There's another last optional question, and since it's optional, I shall be a lazy bum and not do it!!! Instead, I might be doing a synced post with a fellow friend and blogger. So, this concludes the Improved 30 Day Song Challenge!!!


Remind me not to do another challenge for a LOOONG time. I'm going nuts already.

Improved 30 Day Song Challenge: Day 19

Full list here.

Day 19: A Song You Will Never Get Tired of

I missed a few days, now I'm replacing them. Too busy with CNY!!!


I guess repetitive playing of a song would be really boring, and there are so many songs that I love playing over and over again...



There are tons of songs that I never get tired of, and depending on my mood, I could replay them over and over and over again, 24/7 for over two weeks. Songs like that include the GazettE's Pledge and Davide Sonar's Natural and Reactor.





GazettE has tons of tracks - hits, misses, and some tracks like The xx's Intro. The one I love listening to on replay when I feel in a more subdued bad-ass mood: The End. The bass guitar is just...


Here's the lyrics to the song, provided by a fellow Youtuber in the video's comments.

FIRST PART:
Ruki: theory
Aoi: free
Kai: treasure
Reita: fuck
Uruha: stand up
Ruki: liberty
Aoi: raise
Kai: past
Reita: money
Uruha: alien

SECOND PART:
Ruki: Inochi
Aoi: Umi
Kai: Aisuru
Reita: Kamigami
Uruha: Jintoku
Ruki: Shinrai
Aoi: youen
Kai: chuushini
Reita: kizuna
Uruha: shinnen

Improved 30 Day Song Challenge: Day 13

Full list here.

Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 12

Day 13: A Song from A Band that You Have to Explain to People Who They Are

Photo from Google. With Jasmine You (RIP).

Photo from Google. With the new bassist, Masashi.

First band that came to mind: Versailles Philharmonic Quintet. Read about Masashi replacing Jasmine You on LaCarmina.com.





The song I choose is my first Versailles song, which really made me jump around squealing: The Revenant Choir. Dammit, just look at how their fingers fly over the chords!!!


The few explanations I have to make when people ask me about Versailles:

• they're all men, including Kamijo (vocalist, center) and Hizaki (guitar, far right)
• no, they're not gay, even if they dress in frocks
• yes, Jasmine You, Kamijo, and Hizaki ARE MEN and awesome musicians
• they dress like that because it's their style - French aristocratic
• THEY ARE ALL STRAIGHT MEN, DAMMIT!
• they are a neo-classical metal band

Yes. Many people tend to think that these beautiful men are gay and has something wrong with their brains. Not that I want to bash Korean idols (I like a lot of them, for the record), but they too have tons of make-up on, just that the make-up isn't as dramatic as visual kei make-up.


Even people on Youtube are still arguing that Jasmine You and Hizaki (who typically wear dresses) are women. I can understand why anyone would assume so, but it won't hurt to do some internet research, ne?


Apart from Versailles, I also have to explain to people who GazettE is, who Kagrra, is, who Miyavi is. After a while, I just didn't really care anymore - because people DON'T CARE who they are. What they see are gay freaks prancing around in dresses and making noise, and not much is gonna change what they think.


But these men - these beautiful, wonderful men - are the ones who give my life spice. They are the people who opened my mind, and molded me into the more accepting person (compared with the past).

Improved 30 Day Song Challenge: Day 11

Full list here.

Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 / Day 9 / Day 10

Day 11: Your Favorite Slow Song

I could give you a giant pile of piano or classical songs, but they won't be much adhered to my musical tastes, even if I do take a break from hard, fast beats.


Nevertheless, my favorite slow song is one of hard notes (it has a slightly faster tempo near the end, but slows right back down). The emotion is somewhat somber, with a fight and outcry for help and freedom. The entire song is punctuated with crisp guitar notes, simple piano notes, a background drum, and a slightly rough male voice. This is Gravity.





The track is from Miyavi's What's My Name album, released in 2010. The first time I heard this song wasn't on the CD, and wasn't on Youtube, as I usually do. I first heard this song performed live. The emotion that Miyavi put into the song just made me speechless...


It was soft, yet violent; relaxing, yet also makes adrenaline pump through your veins. It makes you sad, yet angry at the same time.


Many other artists have combined soft and hard into one song, but none of them are as powerful as this, which is why this is my favorite song to listen to after an hour on the treadmill with faster beats pounding in my ears - it relaxes my entire being, while making me feel... satisfied. Feel like I exist in the world.

Visual kei rant

*WARNING: truckload of bullshit ahead*


I need to rant. Ranting on a locked blog is nothing. I need to rant, which means I'll break my promise, but whatever. At least this ain't about relationships...


What I'm ranting about is J-ROCK IN MALAYSIA. I mean, L'Arc~en~Ciel was in Singapore. SINGAPORE!!! THAT'S A DAMN 4 HOUR DRIVE FROM WHERE I AM!!! And I missed them. Moving on.


No interest in SCANDAL, but they're J-rock too. SCANDAL and Miyavi are one of the first J-rock musicians to perform in Malaysia (only in Kuala Lumpur, I think). I remember Miyavi had a fun time at Batu Caves just before the signing event the day before the live.


Alright, then, not just J-rock. J-rock AND the entire visual kei movement. To be honest, I don't really know what defines VK now - I can't tell whether Miyavi is still visual or not. (Please, please, PLEASE don't bash, I know I'm not a loyal fan)

A while after Miyavi had his live here, he went on to perform at the Kubana Festival (no idea where that is). Now the GazettE is also performing at Kubana!!!


Someone get me tickets to go to Russia! Unless tickets to Japan are cheaper, in that case, screw Kubana and fly me to Japan. I'll wait for Uruha-sama in his studio (if I can find it).


Other than that, Malaysia, please bring in more visual kei musicians! We fans will be eternally grateful (and most likely will be very willing to spend on the tickets).

Improved 30 Day Song Challenge: Day 8

Full list here.


Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7

Day 8: A Song That You Want to Begin the Week With

I could wake up to practically any song on a gray Monday morning. Usually I'd be up by 6am, prepped by 6.30am, and out of the door, if possible, by 7am (if I have classes). A Monday morning drive has to be perky.


Sometimes I'd listen to OneFM, but recently I've gotten round to burning my J-rock CD (wanna burn another J-rock, plus another techno one). The first track is Hide with Spread Beaver's Pink Spider, but the on that I want to start my week with is...



Miyavi - Neo Visualizm by Linesa


Miyavi's Sakihokoru Hana no You ni -Neo Visualizm-. My third Miyavi song (first being Subarashiki Kana, Kono Sekai), it was only until last year that I realized what the lyrics meant. The first thing that attracted me to the song was Miyavi's make-up in the video, and as usual, his awesomeness. Did I mention that he plays the guitar with HIS FINGERS ONLY?


The tempo, the beat, the style of the entire song itself. It's just the song that wakes you up - it first attracts you with the intro, then you get a funky R&B bridge before Miyavi starts to somewhat rap. Throughout the song, Meevs incorporated tap dance sounds, his guitar slapping, and various other sounds, to make up this masterpiece.


It's the lyrics, however, that are highly motivational for me. One segment of the lyrics goes along the lines of Kevin Aucoin's quote: no amount of make-up can mask an ugly heart. Translation from JPopAsia.com:

You are trampled, or plucked,
You can blossom again, just keep on believing in it.
X, Luna Sea and Kuroyume - that's the way that my seniors left me
We have to save our future and
Break the irony without rooting it out.

Well I'm serious in my own way and
I'm singing being ready to loose everything
Don't hinder, get out of here
Just don't decide everything by our appearance (well, just don't make a fool of us)

But yeah, foundation cream, make-up and mascara - "if we take off the make-up you won't recognize us"
That's why everything starts with good-looking but
It's awkward when your skill is poor...
For becoming "big artist" that my fans can be proud of, to tell my history forthrightly,
Hey ya buddy u got ready? Make the mainstream better, Speed up the victory road! 

Doesn't matter what kind of music do you play and how you look like
Take off that shit and break the common knowledge,
Light the leading way!

Hurry hurry but don't worry. you are allowed to make mistake like that
Only who does something can become a winner, just do it
Like a weed,
and even if for many times... 

You are trampled, or plucked,
You can blossom again, just keep on believing in it.
Even if it isn't raining or there is no sun
Look calm, like you don't care.

If you lost your way, just ask somebody
If you lost your dream, just close your eyes again
And some day you will blossom, with your hands wide spread 

Kagoshima, areas, "saiba" and on air west
And I noticed that I couldn't understand where is my youth and when did the new year begin,
Keep on going West and East!

That's the highway on which I drove with all my dreams and hope.
What has changed since that? And what remained?
If we can't go back, all we have to do is just make the new road, cause
On the long and winding road there is no time to look back
We are still on our life-road

Don't you think that you can just loose everything if you always make that deadlocks,
Nothing will change if you are just thinking everything over, so let's just begin fighting, buddy
Oh, well, you started dancing, keep on moving
Blossom your flower tonight, otherwise the new century will end 

Even if you are trampled, or being plucked
You can blossom again, keep on believing in it
Even if it isn't raining or there is no sun
Look calm, like you don't care

If you lost your way, just ask somebody
If you lost your dream, just close your eyes again
And some day you will blossom again, with your hands wide spread
to the sun...

Improved 30 Day Song Challenge: Day 4

Full list here.

Day 4: A Song You Couldn't Live Without

This is a really tough one. In general, I don't think I could live without music - let's face it, WHO CAN?! I need music to wake up, to drive to campus when I feel like nodding off to sleep, to drive home, and keep myself sane enough to survive the day.




I'll go by feel then. When I saw the question, a sudden surge of Westlife and Michael Jackson songs surged through my mind - I did practically grow up listening to them. But I couldn't pinpoint a particular song. And then some Whitney Houston came in as well, but the only which stuck is Roxette's It Must Have Been Love.


I guess a song one can't live without is supposed to be epic, but Roxette is epic! So is the song, at least for me it is... I could say Gackt's RETURNER ~Yami no Shuuen~, or L'Arc~en~Ciel's My Heart Draws a Dream, or something from Miyavi, or the GazettE, or Kagrra,, or Versailles.





No, no, no. On second thought, I choose Kagrra,'s Utakata. Utakata was my first Kagrra, song (the band's name is stylized as "Kagrra,"), and I was more smitten by the song than when I discovered Meevs, GazettE or Versailles.


Their mix of J-rock, sounds from the koto, and oh, Isshi's voice! May you rest in peace, and continue singing in heaven, Isshi-sama! There's the softness of classical Japanese music, and the hardness of J-rock - a perfect combination, brought together by Isshi-sama's unique, emotional voice.


It's the perfect song for some, I think. It has a good enough balance of peaceful calmness, emotion, and rock, at least it is for me. As much rock music as I prefer, sometimes I do need some soft music.


I don't know how to describe it exactly, but this song is pretty close to my heart, even closer than Pledge, or Cassis. You could say this song, along with the PV and the band, encompasses the entire Japanese culture - the traditional, the visual movement, the music (both traditional and modern), and the beauty...

Improved 30 Day Song Challenge: Day 2

Do this challenge with me!!! I love challenges! The full list here.

***

Day 2: A Favorite Band

Do I really have to tell you this? I love lots of bands - local band RELENT, Versailles, Kagrra,, etc. Most of these have the element of rock in their music, one way or another. For whatever reason, Japanese rock appeals to me more than rock from other countries.

Source. the GazettE's look for their 10th Anniversary live - The Decade. The clips are all over Youtube. Watch them before

the GazettE. I discovered them in around 2009, I think. It was a result of another fangirling incident, I downloaded Cassis illegally, and fell in love.


At that time, I was already submerged halfway into my obsession with Japanese music - I watched Music Station on Animax every Saturday, and was totally blown away by Gackt and L'Arc~en~Ciel. I had ventured a bit into Miyavi's music... then BAM! I was completely smitten. Ballads, poprock, metal, they've covered almost all genres of music already... STILL AWESOME!





My official first song from the GazettE was Cassis, but I remember a promotional video (I think it was a teaser or a preview) for Filth in the Beauty when I was browsing for GakuHai (Gackt & hyde) videos on Youtube.


My love for GazeRock has changed my life in many ways - men with long hair, painted nails, and make-up weren't gay; multiple piercings were cool; and rock wasn't just noise anymore. It also was the reason why my "first love" and I got together and started talking in the first place.


I'll refer from the image. From left is Aoi, guitarist. He is one of the only two people in the band who's active on Twitter, and has a penchant of cute dancing~ He's the oldest among all the members, and has the earliest birthday in the year (20th January).


Reita is the bassist, and is known for his signature nose band and love for cockatiels. He is practically never seen without the noseband, and has a dislike for drummer Kai's cooking.


Vocalist Ruki is the shortest and youngest of the 5, and writes lyrics for the band's songs. He has a pet chihuahua named Koron. He's the most active Tweeter in the band.


Kai is the drummer of the band, as well as the leader. He is known for his dimpled smiles, and his passion for cooking (you can find a video of him making French toast for his band mates on Youtube). He has the latest birthday in the year (28th October).


Uruha is my bias, has 9 piercings, is the guitarist of the GazettE, and drinks like a maniac. His favorite alcohols are Moet et Chandon and Smirnoff. His signature look is the false double eyelid make-up (but recently it changed into a heavy smokey eye).


For 10 years they've been making music, and they're getting more and more popular around the world. So many of their songs are my favorites - Chizuru, The Invisible Wall, Reila, Silly God Disco, and the list can go on. (watch the videos in highest quality possible, please, give the music some justice)














Feel free to browse and bask in GazettE awesomeness. =D

Improved 30 Day Song Challenge: Day 1

I would typically wait for the start of a new month to start a challenge chain, but since most challenges are 30+ days, and the next month is February, I thought what the hell. You can find the entire list here.

***

Day 1: A favorite song

To ask me to name a favorite song is almost impossible, since I listen to practically everything. But the moment I saw it, the only song I can hear in my head is the GazettE's Cassis.

Cassis was my first the GazettE song. I was fangirling over Taiwanese pop star Jiro Wang at that time, and I had collected a couple of pages of a magazine interview that he did. In the interview, his passion for the GazettE was mentioned, and he recommended Cassis.

Source. Their look for Cassis.

The acoustic guitar solo at the beginning, then the piano and electric guitar combo bridge, Ruki's deep, sultry voice...All the electric guitar solos by Uruha and Aoi... This is the only song that I can still remember every word to, even if I haven't listened to it in a long time (which is quite rare).

Even if it was Miyavi who sparked my interest in the visual kei scene, it was the GazettE which anchored me there. the GazettE is also the main reason why I'm into androgyny. I mean, all but Reita (bass, second from left) and Kai (drummer & leader, second from right) looked like girls to me at that time. HOW BEAUTIFUL CAN URUHA BE?! (he's the guitarist, by the way, on the far right)

I was so obsessed that I took up the guitar (gave up a couple years later because of university), got a stretched piercing, and got 9 piercings in total like Uruha (although not in the exact same places as he has them).

Music favorites + new discoveries

To say that music defines my life is kind of an understatement. I'll listen to anything that sounds good - from classical, opera, to techno, and hard metal (usually my foremost preference). But then again, if you look around, "music defines my life" would be more applicable to those who really live with music, for the music. I am merely another person on earth who listens to music. =)

So, here are a few of my favorites, especially in the past month or so.



RELENT You Still Love
I've been listening to this since I started volunteering for CYW. I could safely say RELENT is the only local band that I actually like. This would be a song that I might have performed at my wedding (if it ever happens), and the band members are really friendly, especially vocalist Neil, and percussionist Cuzario. =D

曲婉婷 我的歌声里 (Qu Wan Ting You Exist in My Song)
I think in the later part of 2012, this was the hit song in Malaysian. Performed by Malaysian Wanting, the song has been voted for over and over again on various music stations (I listen to OneFM). It's a song Jasmine and I like to sing along to.

Rie Tanaka Ningyo Hime (Mermaid Princess) [Chobits ED2]
This used to voice my feelings so much - of clinging to every strand left, never letting go. Although those thoughts are pretty much behind me, it's a song I like to sing along to. Romanji lyrics and translation here.

the GazettE PLEDGE

Emotional, intense, and the lyrics are just beautiful. The guitars, the bass, the drums, Ruki's voice - every emotion screamed from this song... Romanji lyrics everywhere, and the translation here.

Roxette Listen to Your Heart
I have a soft spot for love songs with a touch of rock, like this song here. My sister and I used to put it on replay while playing MapleSEA.

Tainaka Sachi Saikou no Kataomoi [Saiunkoku Monogatari ED]
Another anime song. It's impossible to be addicted to anime while not getting addicted to their songs. Modern Japanese songs have almost always stood out from the crowd for me, and this is just one of the songs that I used to hate ('cause I couldn't reach the high notes), but came to love slowly.

Utada Hikaru First Love
According to my friends, this was THE hit song when we were in primary school. The thing is, my first Hikki song was Flavor of Life, and I didn't hear of First Love until only recently. In primary school, I was following the trend, listening to Britney, Avril, and some Taiwanese pop groups. Now it's a song I sing to annoy my sister. =D

Jade from SWEETBOX 1000 Words [Final Fantasy X-2 soundtrack]
No person can be qualified as an FF fan if they don't know this song. This was THE song when I was in my early years of secondary school, just when I started discovering Gackt, hyde (and subsequently L'Arc~en~Ciel), Miyavi, and the GazettE, followed by many other visual bands.

The lyrics of this song are just beautiful:

Oh, a thousand words
Called out through the ages
They'll fly to you
Even though I can't see
I know they're reaching you
Suspended on silver wings

If you listened to the song while actually playing the video game, I can guarantee that you'll need tissues to try your tears.


***

Now for some new discoveries. Lately I haven't really been musically adventurous, playing the few songs above again and again and again, without really getting tired of them. Just a few days ago, though, I decided to try out some new music.

Guns N' Roses November Rain
I have a guy on my Facebook friends list called November Rain, and I have a few friends who are rock enthusiasts. I was listening to songs like Hotel California and Every Breath You Take, and found this on the suggestions box. I told myself, why not? I am now officially completely awed by Slash's badass-ness.

Davide Sonar Natural
I'll be honest. I've never really liked techno until I started listening to J-rock. I'm not a party person (even if I wanted to), but I like songs with a beat. In a way, I came across this by accident, and it just totally blew my mind. My first dose of Italian hardstyle, and I'm lovin' it!




Davide Sonar Dedication
You can rest assured that this will be only music in my room for the next week or so. I'll have it on replay until my ears burst from an overload of auditory orgasms.


***

I know. The video has been under editing for more than two weeks already. I'm trying really hard not to rip my hair out, because the software I'm using to edit the video now stalls a few seconds every time I do something.

Rock while driving!

I've gotten somewhat tired of radio music (unless I find the songs suited to my liking), which is why I risked paying a potential RM400 fine per pirated/copied/self-burned CD if I get caught. Trust me, driving on an empty highway, with J-rock blasting out of your speakers make driving more awesome than it already is!

1. Pink Spider by hide with Spread Beaver
2. Hello by hyde
3. Shiroi Uso by Kagrra,
4. Utakata by Kagrra,
5. A-Ha by Miyavi
6. Sakihokoru Hana no Youni -Neo Visualizm- by Miyavi
7. Chizuru by the GazettE
8.  Silly God Disco by the GazettE
9. Cassis by the GazettE
10. Serenade by Versailles
11. PLEDGE by the GazettE
12. Suicide Circus by the GazettE
13. The Invisible Wall by the GazettE
14. Forever Love by X Japan
15. Mad Sky by Pierrot
16. Selfish Love by Miyavi

For now I only have one J-rock filled CD (as awesome as my car's audio system is, it doesn't have a USB jack). I've been trying to burn another one using NTI DVD Maker for the past hour, but so far I don't have any luck.


And the weird thing is that my portable music player has also broken. I think some unknown force is trying to wean me off J-rock. Tough luck there, 'cause even my temporary obsessions with K-pop didn't waver my love for J-rock!

雅の誕生日

September 14th is Miyavi's birthday.

After going to the Miyavi live, I've joined a Facebook group exclusively for Malaysian Co-Myvz. Trust me, the people in there are hardcore J-rock fans, and stalk Miyavi.

One of the members posted a link to the International Co-Myvz Crew Tumblr page, in which they wrote that they planned to make a video with the theme "Miyavi is...", and send it to him on his birthday. I purposely put on make-up, wrote 'Miyavi' on my cheek, and filmed my entry.

On his birthday, there were so many Miyavi tributes going around, and Miyavi himself was contantly tweeting, and at the end of the day he thanked everyone for their lovely birthday messages.

Also, the international Co-Myvz Crew uploaded the birthday video on Youtube, and sent it to him. He tweeted about it as well~

I watched the video, and I couldn't believe what I saw - my entry was the second one. My segment starts at 0:40, and you can see my plastic-wrapped yukata, and dresses at the back.

Miyavi is the one who made me fall in love with visual kei, and told me all I need to do in life is stay true to myself.

It's amazing - there are so many Co-Myvz all over the world, so many whose lives changed because of him.

Proud to be a 仔雅 !

Miyavi Live in KL (pic- & video-heavy)

Oh, god. Everyone I'm so sorry. This post was supposed to be up at least a week ago,  but due to my own inefficiency, as well as a faulty network line, I couldn't edit the photos, hence the blog post also couldn't go up. Gomen ne~ T__T

Day 1

The official day one is actually the day he arrived at LCCT (only 10 fans to greet him T___T), and the day of the preview at Pavilion, where he told everyone that he was wearing pink undies, and performed What's My Name and Strong. I had an exam so I couldn't go. =(

Facebook event page here. Miyavi's official Twitter account here.

My Rock Zone ticket as well as my (now slightly cracked at the casing) What's My Name album~

If only I was a frequenter of Pavilion, I might have seen this earlier...

So my day 1 was basically his day 2, his meet and greet outside of Tokyo Street. After my afternoon exam, I rushed home and by the time we arrived there it was around 4.30pm. We walked around, spotted some fans also waiting for the meet and greet.

Super-excited moi waiting on my tortured feet for THE one and only Miyavi~

Had some lunch at Nando's, then proceeded to join the line that formed outside of Tokyo Street. The only reason why we joined the line was because we were walking around window shopping, when we heard screams from the direction of Tokyo Street, which meant that something was going on.

The fan queue outside Tokyo Street. I think if it were a K-Pop band, there would be 2-3 times more fans than this...

Abandoning all image and torturing my already-tortured feet, we ran to the line, but found that they were just cheering. =( By the way, I was wearing my new heels from Payless Shoesource. They're 5-inches I think, with only half an inch of platform.

A moment of queuing later I spotted one of my seniors from university. I'll tell you this, the emcee sucked. He talked fast, and he had this habit of talking loud, then slowly diffusing to a much lower volume, and he asks "why are the people at the back so shy?" Because we can't hear what you're saying, genius.

The priority lane was basically for those with the Malaysian edition of the What's My Name album, with a white, blue or yellow sticker on it.

Anyway, after a while of waiting, we were divided into normal and priority groups. The priority group are the ones who have the Malaysian edition of the What's My Name album that had a yellow, blue or white sticker attached. Though the emcee confused all of us saying that to be in the priority group you had to have the poster, album CD and the concert ticket, when we only needed the album with le sticker.

According to some of the fans, Miyavi-sama was visiting Batu Caves, and was probably on the way back through the traffic congestion. I have no idea when, but suddenly there was commotion and there was a small, tight group opposite of our line. IT WAS MIYAVI-SAMA!

I swear, in my life, even for Danson, I have not screamed like that before. By the time he was out of sight, I was hyper - I was bouncing on my heels and pulling at my friend's sleeve. I was so excited by the fact that I actually saw the person who changed my life in the flesh!

He was gone and we waited for another while. We were updated periodically by the eccentric emcee, and finally, the update we were waiting for: Miyavi was on his way. A little while after that update, I spotted Victor Kuan from Taylor's University.

And, though I think it's not really possible, I think I saw melody. with Jewelie entering the nail salon opposite. It looked a lot like them referring to photos found online, but then I thought it would be a little impossible because if Jewelie was there, then where's Lovelie?

After a little talk with the emcee, the autograph session started. Each fan had their items-to-be-signed checked, and was given a short brief: no pictures and keep the conversation short. It seemed so strict: in videos he was so like wacky and fun, but no pictures? And minimum screaming? That seemed a little strict.

I had my items checked, and since I brought along my poster I was lots of stuff to handle, and unfortunately I decided to give him my CD along with the poster, which were both wedged on my left hand. I felt so cluttered. @@

Halfway through signing I decided to ask him what I had planned (which was how are Lovelie and Jewelie), but it came out like this:

Chean: Lovelie to Miyavi genki desu ka? ("How are Lovelie and Miyavi?", Japanese)

Miyavi-sama: *looks up* What? (American accent!)

Chean: *repeats although previously realized that I had said the wrong name*

Miyavi-sama: *chuckles and nods a bit* Genki. ("I'm fine", Japanese)

*passes CD back to me*

Miyavi-sama: Have fun tomorrow night!

Chean: *too starstruck to say anything so just nods and smiles*

Miyavi-sama: *holds out hand to me to shake*

Chean: *fumbles around with CD and poster and takes his hand, then leaves in tears of disbelief*

Our autograph CDs!!! The only time I actually used this CD was to rip out all the tracks~

When I took his hand, it felt really rough - all the awesome guitar playing had his hands roughed up so much... After I got my autograph, my friend and I got some Ochado, and while waiting for our drinks we sat down and crooned over our signed CDs like a couple of drug addicts. =P

After a while of resting my poor feet and ankles, we walked back to the autograph venue and stole some pictures (note to self: BRING AN ACTUAL CAMERA THE NEXT TIME THERE'S AN EVENT LIKE THIS, though I think it's not very likely), then left because my feet were practically numb.

Although Uruha is my ultimate favorite person in the visual kei scene, it was Miyavi who brought me into that world - he showed me the world of visual kei (although when I found him he was already doing his solo career) and sparked my interest in visual kei, leading me towards that special place.

I had had a glimpse of visual kei way before Gackt (a short promo clip for the GazettE's Filth in the Beauty), but at that time it had not have the appeal to me as it has now. But after discovering Gackt and hyde, I then discovered Miyavi, and my entire being revolved around it since then.

His very name intrigued me - 雅, Miyavi. The Chinese character means "elegant", and in a way he was very elegant. His personality, make-up, style, tattoos - all these attracted me and pulled me in. His music, his guitar skills, the meanings in his lyrics - they were all so meaningful and awesome.

Day 2

I had my last exam for my finals in the morning, and the moment I got home, I just set my alarm to 12pm (I woke up at 6am, my exam was at 8am, I finished at 9am), then oinked the morning away.

You basically only see a sign for Avenue K's parking, but you see this huge-ass, Burlesque-reminiscent sign from the streets. 

By 12.30pm, I ate brunch, cleared out my car for servicing, then got ready for the show. Ron came to pick me up to go to the LRT station, took the train to KLCC, the stumbled around until we found The Stage at Avenue K. The entire place looks basically under construction, but there were some parts of it that wasn't, but they looked quite run down.

Probably the car that Miyavi arrived in...

We joined the crowd and some people that we agreed to meet up with, then sat and waited. At around 4pm (we reached at around 3pm), a cobalt blue CRV (a RAV4 or what I forgot) pulled up, and it looked quite packed so I assumed it was Miyavi's transport. The first guy who got out was not (although he looked like Miyavi), but then we saw him!

The common line for the people in the Rock and Chill Zone (no free flow Asahi Beer)~

Poor Miyavi, having have to wear a blazer to cover up the tattoos under this blazing Malaysian heat. =( Anyway, he entered for soundcheck, and we also saw Koujee a.k.a Jasper (we kept shouting Jasper instead of Koujee during his performance), who happens to be my old secondary school senior.

They were setting up a merchandise table, with a whole suitcase of what looked like T-shirts (and they were, with some towels on sale as well). The moment they announced that we could form a line I rushed like a mad woman to the line, but when we heard that the T-shirt costed RM100, and the towel RM60, we were turned off.

This is the first time I've spent so much money on a towel that I'll probably never use. This will probably be framed up in my future home~

Yeah, it's Miyavi merchandise, but then again the print was a little too simple (on a bland black or white T-shirt) to cost RM100. I opted for the towel instead, because it's a very nice material, black, with large letters spelling MIYAVI~

Nothing happened after that until about evening, when the crowd grew and the celebrities walked in, Amber Chia and Xandria Ooi among them. We also saw Victor Kuan, the legendary "Mr Lady Gaga" - I seriously didn't imagine that he also liked Miyavi. Guess we're more similar to other people than we think we are. XD

For the next two days after that, I really didn't want to let this rub off...

If we looked straight ahead, this is what we saw. Miyavi performed mostly on center-stage, which was slightly to the right.

Near 8pm, which was when the show was about to start, we were finally allowed in - our tickets punched and an "S" (for The Stage, the name of the venue) stamped on our forearms. We picked a spot right in front of the drums, because there was a mic there, so we naturally assumed that he would be mainly there.

Just seeing his guitars there made me super-excited already!!!

The two guys that went with me (both are quite buff, mind you)~ The excited, pre-concert us were photobombed by a mass of curly hair~

I was disappointed - the venue was small, and so was "the stage". I mean, c'mon, it's his first time in Malaysia, at least find a more decent venue? Sure, J-rock isn't as popular as K-pop, etc, but then again, GIVE THE MAN SOME RESPECT. He's awesome, both as a career man and a family man! XD

Koujee strutting his stuff!

The first performance was by Koujee - the last time I saw him perform was a few years ago during my secondary school's Chinese club event for the Mid Autumn Festival. I was blown away - his style, plus his skill and awesomeness in beatboxing was phenomenal!

Koujee (left) and Dennis Lau (right), making music~

Enter Dennis Lau, the rock violinist. To be honest, apart from his modified violin (it looked like an electric guitar), I didn't find it all too special. Maybe it was just me with the immense anticipation of seeing Miyavi performs and/or after watching Koujee's awesomeness~

All he needs are his hands and his guitar~ Loved his eye make-up, by the way~

And then it was Miyavi's turn, either he kept teasing us, or we were just really excited. His sound assistants were moving in and out of the room shielded by a velvet-like curtain, which we knew he was occupying, and so we kept getting false alarms on whether he's coming out. And when he did, they had all the lights out.

Now, information about Miyavi not liking cameras during the performance were passed around among the fans, but there were still people poking their lenses at him.

WHAT'S HIS NAME?! MIYAVI!!! (more of "mee-yah-vey" if you shout it out loud =P)

The first song he performed was What's My Name, and it was awesome. Never in my life I would have imagined that I would really be seeing Miyavi perform live, and I would be able to be there to see it, with my own eyes!

White tank top, probably pleather sweats, and Reebok shoes. Only a handful of people can look so sexy wearing only those~ *fangirling*

本当にごめんね、雅様。I wasn't as hardcore as a fan of you as I should have. The only few songs I recognized and could name were Day 1 by Miyavi vs Yuksek, an accousting version of Selfish Love, and my favorite after Neo Visualism - 素晴らしきかな、この世界 -WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD-.

We love you, Miyavi!!!

He also performed We Love You 世界わ君を愛してる and Are You Ready To Rock. The other songs that he performed were from his What's My Name album. I didn't actually count how many songs he performed (though I did want to), but I was having so much fun those petty things didn't matter.

What mattered was that I was at Miyavi's rock show, and he was beyond awesome. It's way, way, WAY beyond sitting in front of my own laptop, with my speakers full blast playing his songs, while watching his PVs. And I wouldn't be able to headbang like I did there at home.


However, a fan and reporter for Sinchiew Daily posted a link on the event page, and from the article, the songs performed were as follows:

• What's My Name
• Universe
• Survive
• Hell No / No No No
• A-Ha
• Shelter
• Selfish Love
• I Love You, I Love You, I Love You, and Hate You
• We Love You 世界わ君を愛してる
• Gravity
• Strong
• Day 1 by Miyavi vs Yuksek
• Futuristic Love
• 素晴らしきかな、この世界 -WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD- [encore]
• 咲き誇る華の様に - Neo Visualizm- [encore]
• Are You Ready to Rock? [encore]

BANG YOUR HEAD! I seriously wonder how musicians can go into a headbanging frenzy, and yet still be able to play normally...

The most tiring but fun parts of the show was the screaming, the singing along and the headbanging. XD On our side, only the few of us were hardcore - banging and screaming like mad. There were some "aunties and uncles" behind us, and they were merely standing there with their arms folded across their chest.

Pout those lips, baybeh~

Miyavi's antics were as always - cheeky, sexy and awesome. There was one point where he moved right in front of where I was and gave his hand out for touching, but he did the sweep so fast I didn't get to touch him. =(



He spoke some Malay words at some point. "Apa khabar? Nama saya Miyavi!" XD "Mari kita ROCK!!!"

"STOP FUCKING FILMING AND BANG YOUR HEAD!!!"

At around 7:00 of this video, he was really pissed off with everyone still taking pictures and filming him when he already told us to bang our heads, and he pushed someone's camera away, saying "stop filming, bang your head, I'm talking to you, bang your head! Stop f**king filming, BANG YOUR HEAD!" MIYAVI-SAMA, YOU ARE SO AWESOME!!!

Topless and sexy. Don't tell me you don't drool over those tattoos~

After one of the songs, he just went backstage again and everyone was cheering for encore! He came back out, changed out of his white tank into his Day 1 T-shirt which was on sale outside. After performing for a while, he took off that T-shirt AND THREW IT TO THE AUDIENCE! I had a sudden urge to push through the crowd and fight with whoever got that T-shirt. =P It landed all the way back, lucky people. =D

The night's drummer, who arrived and left Malaysia with Miyavi - Motokatsu Miyagami, from Ace of Spades~ Miyavi took some time to give some credit to him - truly an awesome man~

He also did this sudden stunt of pulling the mic stand (along with the mic) from in front of the drums, and then lunged onto the bar tables (which served as barriers from the stage), which caused a gigantic wave of people moving forward to at least try to touch him - also no success. Instead my face was squished in a way that I thought to myself, "I can't let Miyavi-sama see me like this!" XD

Just at the end of his performance, he took a swig of water from a bottle, then splashed the rest of it over us. I tell you, it felt like Miyavi holy water. =P There was also one time that he was talking to us, and he couldn't pronounce "environment" right, so he repeated himself until he got it right, then flashed us an awkward smile!

There were some disappointing moments, though. Like when he was performing Selfish Love, he was slowly savoring the moment, enjoying himself. I just watched, and was just so in disbelief that at such a sentimental moment like this, THERE WERE PEOPLE BEHIND TALKING AND TALKING AND TALKING! Talk about being rude. And at this point, along with some other times, he looked as if he was glaring into the crowd.

His beauty, not only in person, but in skill as well as in spirit, is uncomparable.

There were some moments where I cried, only because I couldn't believe I was actually watching Miyavi, and he was doing his thing, and I was not dreaming! I was just so happy that one of my dreams actually came true, and just seeing his beauty made me emotional.

Just doing his thing!

A blur view of his back tattoos. It used to be just the Chinese script, but then he added the Chinese character"李" over everything, but it was just light enough to let the old characters show through.

At one point, he apologized to us for taking so long to come here. At the end, he said that he'll see us soon. The show ended, I was so happy nothing else mattered - I had watched Miyavi perform right in front of my eyes, I witnessed him as he is, and that alone was a phenomenal experience.


I was deaf in my right ear after the performance. My buddy who stood behind me was almost literally screaming into my ear, because I turned myself slightly to the right to see Miyavi perform properly. They said something into my right ear a few times, but I couldn't hear them. I just changed to my left ear and I was hearing everything!

So, now I'm gonna find a way to merge the Miyavi logo that was used for the show, and the "S" stamp that we got upon entering, so that I can tattoo it to my inner arm and forever be reminded that Miyavi made my very first rock show/concert the most memorable night of my life!

I'm also probably gonna frame up my Miyavi towel. RM60 for a towel I would probably never use. XD On the way back we took the wrong train, so we made a few interchanges to get back on the right line, and had some drinks at Wan's Corner near my house before going home.

Upon getting home, I checked Miyavi's official Twitter and also the Miyavi event page I joined - he's leaving at 2.30pm at LCCT the next day, and many plan to send him off~

Miyavi-sama, if you're reading this, I'm sorry for taking so many photos of you during your performance. I know that you don't like cameras snapping during your performance, 'cause we're there essentially to enjoy ourselves. 雅様、本当にごめんなさいです！>___<


Anyway, since my car was taken by my parents for a shopping trip, I couldn't drive to LCCT, because I was already out of money to take public transport. Bye, Miyavi-sama! I hope you enjoyed yourself in Kuala Lumpur than I have during your show! I'll remember that night forever!


Here's a video of an interview with Miyavi by Mr M, talking about his life - how he had loved soccer, and how he had turned into a rock star after the injury. It's a series with different parts, and they're all in the video suggestion bar, so have fun:



Here's Daily Chili's article on Miyavi's live.


And here are some tips for those who are going to their first rock show:

• bring a sling bag to store your items, try no to use a backpack
• only bring the things you essentially need: money, ID cards, your ticket, phones and camera, and if needed an extra set of clothes and a towel
• any snacks you're bringing should be eaten BEFORE the show
• bring water in a soft bottle, and just don't drink so much before the show =)
• also bring some throat candies 'cause you're probably gonna scream yourself mute
• if possible, go early for good places
• make-up is optional, but you're gonna sweat like mad
• wear shoes that fit snugly - you're probably gonna jump, and people are gonna step on your feet
• comfortable clothes that fit well are ideal
• preferably wear long pants with pockets, and put your essential valuables, i.e. money, phones, etc