And you never stop finding things to appreciate. For example, after a ton of listens, I'd still never focused in completely on MISA in this performance. Man!! She's doing some very cool runs that do not look easy for the left hand! And what a great song this is. Dammit!! The whole first half is just an exercise in creativity and building tension - then when Mincho cuts loose it's like YESSSSSSS!!!! And you're quite right about Mincho's ability to make the guitar sing. She's known for that, and just got her own signature model PRS.
I've been relistening to B-M with a focus on Akane and Misa, utterly mind blowing, this band is the best thing that's ever happened to my musical world 👍🍻
You made the comment about how some musicians are able to make their guitar sound as if it is singing. This is a significant aspect of how a guitarist plays that I appreciate the most. I don't need a shredder or a highly technical player .... I need the guitar to speak to my emotional core and Kanami does that as good as any guitarist/composer that has come before her. Great reaction!
This song has been in my top 5 since I first heard it. Just quality composing and arranging by the genius that is Kanami. So Stylish and technically brilliant. The lead guitar tones come from Kanami's PRS- 6 tone settings for the pick ups alone. No other band that I have heard can do this sort of arrangement. Kanami is the lead guitarist. Miku (Red rose) is what I call second guitar- mostly rhythm with some small lead parts. She was only taught guitar by Kanami after the band was formed 11 years ago, to free her up to take more lead sections. Great reaction- Thanks (UK)
Love the Studio Coast gig, The live version of "Matchless GUM" is my all time fave! Sad that it's only half of the full concert, but that 1 hour of the Maids live is well worth an hour of any ones time
Kanami comes up with the musical ideas, the consensus is that she's a musical genius. The music is always Band Maid but all the songs are different and have their own personality.
Bandmaid ~ expect amazement! Surprise is their bread and butter! Shock and awe are their stock in trade. You show up anticipating a Lexus and get taken for a ride in a Lamborghini! Strap in and keep your hands in the cart. Not just another band at all! The greatest proper rock and roll band of the 21st century IMHO!
Oh one last idea. They have a few very prog songs that are very very progressive, complex, and for someone like you so insightful musically, should be pure heaven. Giovanni ( I recommend the Saiki focus MV ) Different Forbidden Tales
Miku-chan plays the rhythm guitar so her role is mostly attached with the rhythm section and she plays chords, I’ll say, 99% of the time. Kanami-san is the lead guitarist so, yes, the shreddy stuff are hers. Kanami-san is also the music composer. ☺️
I'm often surprised by Miku's parts because they're so seamless that I miss 'em. Here she does some single-note melody in unison with Kanami including a palm-muted part. Later Kanami introduces a single-note pattern and passes it to Miku to continue while she solos. Even in "simple" Domination there's some damn tricky chord timing as she and Kanami alternate, and she's soooo right on.
Kanami is the lead guitar and song composer of almost all Band-Maid music since 2016. Miku is the rythm guitarist and lyricist of almost all Band-Maid songs (Saiki the singer is recently taking some lyrics credits). The amazing point with Miku is how she brings these complex harmonization with Saiki's voice while playing rythm guitar with Kanami.
Kanami is the lead guitarist that trained Miku!! Miku did not know how to play guitar back in Thrill!! You will get the whole history below . Keep going live
Yes, in "Thrill" Miku used the guitar as a necklace. Thanks to Kanami she is getting better and better. In Sayonakidori (Acoustic version) she plays the guitar alone, without Kanami.
Kanami is lead guitar and does nearly all of the forward sounding guitar riffs and solos. When you hear guitar stand out, it's almost always her. Miku is the rhythm guitarist and actually tends to mostly lay a very thick chord based rhythm on most tracks. She also sings backup vocals. This is not to underplay her importance to the band, much like her personality, she's the glue that pulls everything together. Because the guitar, bass and even drums can go off on insane stand out portions, she's always there, chugging along on her Zemitis guitar, keeping the rhythm. That said, Miku occasionally gets to stand out on guitar as she's grown in her ability (she couldn't play guitar at all when the band was formed, Kanami taught her), you can see her having some great moments at the start of the Live version of Play.
Kanami is lead and plays the solos. She actually records both the lead and rhythm tracks for the studio tracks but then Miku has to play the rhythm live, and also sing. Early on, Band-Maid was kind of a trio instrumentally so the instrumentation is really full from those three. Kanami taught Miku guitar so Miku can play those strong root rhythms to fill that fundamental space. Miku”s right hand is machine-like with great timing and nice accenting. Listen to her closely on live stuff usually mixed to your left ear
Your not wrong about counter-melodies -- it's something that Band-Maid is known for. Layering, counterpoint, call it what you will, it makes it possible to put their songs on repeat, and hear a little something different each time. But they never lay it on so thick that it gets in the way of the song.
"Hate" is the new standart, for a bassist nearly a "must hear". "Domination" was the old standart. Both on thier channel. But also recognize "Play", "Onset" or the twin recording during corona of "Manners, Black Hole"
from JAPAN. Thank you for your react to BAND-MAID. I like your analysis so much. I know you are busy, but I hope you will react to BAND-MAID more and more. By the way, PRS USA announced yesterday the KANAMI (lead guitarist and main composer) signature model. They are limited to 200 units and cost approximately $6,000. This is the 11th person in the world and the first Japanese to have a signature PRS model. For more information, there is a youtube video, where KANAMI itself explains the process.
I don't know if it's true,but someone commented on Facebook that all 200 sold out in one day. Peter Lim posted: "But it was really cool. Kanami turned into a little kid and cried because she was so moved. And Paul Reed Smith came out himself onstage to present it to her as the first Japanese signature model of a PRS. It was a really sweet moment, and better because all the other maids were there to support her. (And apparently Akane cried, too.)
@@jamesgodwin868Those are definitely facts. I was surprised, too. KAMANI appeared as a commentator at an event organized by PRS, and all the band members went to see the event, at which time AKANE was so moved that she cried a lot. The signature model was announced at that time, and everyone in the audience was asked to keep their mouths shut until an official announcement was made. The friendships among the members of BAND-MAID are strong and truly wonderful. I think this is one of the reasons why BAND-MAID is so beloved.
@@jamesgodwin868 They are undoubtedly all true. As for the sellout, I was really surprised as well. KANAMI appeared as a commentator at the event hosted by PRS. All the band members came to see the event, and AKANE was so moved that she cried a lot. All the members have a strong bond and get along really well with each other, and we believe this is one of the reasons why BAND-MAID is so well-loved.
This song starts out giving me tears and ends with banging my head. 🤘 It's the epitome of what the Maids do, you can be feeling sad, and then you play their music and soon after the skies clear and you're feeling better. If you were to couple this song with "anemone", "About Us", "Daydreaming", "Smile" or "Memorable", it's almost impossible not to have to wipe the tears away. They like to do a 3-pack of these songs at their live shows and it's always a battle against the tear-ninjas. I believe, in the past, Kanami records both guitar parts in the studio then teaches them to Miku... though I'm not sure about their newest album, Epic Narratives. Kanami understands that Miku has to also sing, so she doesn't make those moments too difficult for her. Miku does get some spots to shine, the acoustic version of "Sayonakidori", she is the only guitarist... it's just her, MISA, Akane. In the electric version, Miku gets a rhythmic solo with the full band.
Couple of points about their concerts. They don't dilly dally between songs, usually starting the next song within a few seconds, sometimes even starting while the last note is still ringing out. You can imagine the cumulative effect of this almost nonstop sonic wave.Their "normal" concert is 21 to 24 songs. They will break the setlist up into 3 sections. Each section is a mini concert, with songs picked to give the feeling of start to crescendo. The breaks between sections will be some type of band/audience interaction, their famous MC and Omajinai Time. All contributing to them being a great live experience.
They improve over time, so the studio version of the song is usually one of the weaker versions. There are some exceptions for songs that have really rapid vocals that are tough for Saiki to do when she’s dancing and moving around on stage (e.g. Blooming), or recordings that kind of capture a moment in time, like the huskiness of Saiki’s vocals in YOLO, related to her vocal cord condition when that was released.
I think there is a misunderstanding about Kanami and Miku.☺ When Miku and Kanami founded the band, Miku planned to be the lead singer, when Saiki took over vocal duties, Miku then planned to be the backing vocalist... she didn't know how to play the guitar, in fact, the Rickenbacker she uses in the first MVs of the band is just a prop, after Akane and Kanami's insistence, Miku agreed to take guitar lessons with Kanami herself. In addition to playing rhythm parts live, Miku plays some intros... but I don't think she plays those rhythm parts in the studio. Kanami is responsible for composing most of the music and arrangements, Misa herself has stated that she used to wait for Kanami to write the bass parts and then work on them...plus, for all practical purposes Kanami is the band's musical director. Here are some of Kanami's words about Miku that best reveal their relationship: th-cam.com/users/shortsh17UHLc15c0?si=YcVWFpmzxqs4-x1T
The roles of the two guitarists in BAND-MAID are: KANAMI is the lead guitarist and composer, and she also writes the synth backing tracks and orchestral parts in the songs. She's a quiet woman, but she's a genius. MIKU is the rhythm guitarist, side vocalist, main lyricist, and founder of the band. When the band first started, she couldn't play guitar, so KANAMI is her guitar teacher. She creates impressive fills and heavy walls of sound, so the lead guitar and bass can move around quite freely. This is an important point in creating BAND-MAID sound. She does big strokes with her arms swinging and fast cutting. She's also a great singer.
Miku wears the red rose 🌹 and on live video, she sets up on Saiki's right side along with Misa, and Kanami sets up on Saiki's left. PS. Kanami is the lead guitarist & Main composer she also is Miku's guitar teacher. Miku did not know how to play when she started the band. 😏❤️🎙🎸🥁😎🤘
"Awkward" is but one of the dozens of incredible deep cuts that litter Band-Maid's discography. They have 120+ songs and all of them are bangers. Never been able to say that about any other band - ever. Also, they are one of the very few bands who are genuinely fantastic live. They are the best prog hard rock band on the planet!! 🤘🤘💕💕 EDIT: Saiki is pronounced "Sigh-Key." Kanami (Mincho) is lead guitarist (and sometimes sings harmonies); Miku is rhythm guitarist (and incredible second vocalist).
Yes, we all have our favorite, for me, it's Saiki. Her voice, her looks, her stage presence, and don't get me started on her cute little fangs!😻Bite me!
If it were me, I'd react to the studio version first, then the live. If I had time, I'd do them back to back to get immediate contrast. But that's just me.😊
Live is always best but I love the MV's all of them you seriously can't go wrong Must see MV's: Blooming, Daydreaming, Warning, Shambles, Unleash Live: Puzzle, Hate, oh heck all of them lol
No, not Sai-icky. It's simple, just say Psyche, (Sigh-Key). Easy Peasy Japanesey! However, there are very few songs where the LIVE version isn't the superior version. 'Shamble', 'Blooming, Rinne and 'Unleash' come to mind. And everyone should see the OMV for 'Domination. If you want to get to know them, Ohrenji has a documentary video for each of the girls and 3 for founder Miku. However, Miku couldn't play a lick when they started. But it soon became apparent they would need a second guitar. So, rather than hiring a sixth member, Miku had Kanami teach her how to play. If you watch the very first Music Video she is just holding her guitar as a prop.
@@joki5346 Where did anyone say there was? I must have missed that. Sai is pronounced Sigh, just as Sei is pronounce Say. You wouldn't pronounce Geisha as Ga-isha.
Great reaction, as always! You can hear the roles pretty simple if you are using headphones. Kanami is always on the right ear, Miku is on the left ear. You should check the documentaries, this will enlight, and surprises you as well ;)
Which way to go with Band-Maid? The answer is yes. And yes, Kanami and Miku are the guitarists and you pronounced them correctly. Kanami (aka Kanamincho or Mincho) is the lead, and she's also the main songwriter. Miku is rhythm guitar, background vocals, band founder and main lyricist. The leads are almost always Kanami though.
Hi Sohum, just found you. With Band-Maid you only found one of the dozends bands from Japan and Asia, which bring a slice of freshness to the rock/metal genre. All with fantastic playing skills. My favorites (If you proceed with them and Band-Maid, you will get much more suggestions) "Asterism", a 3 piece mostly instrumental, with the 7 string bass and one of the most promisning gutiar talents: "Church", "Dawn", "Gunfire" or the newe "Unravel" "Lovebites", if you like speed, and powermetal your right, all play on prodigy level with long solos from the 2 lead guitars. Begin with the newer recordings: "Hammer of Wrath", "Judgement Day", "Stand and Deliver" or "M.D.O" "Nemophila", one of the shooting stars. Started 2020 as a YT project. Clean and growling singing in one person. Formerly a 5 piece, now one guitar left, and they are even better! Lots of convers on thier YT channel: A hard original one "Zen" , "Orian" or the new "Beautiful Days" "Maximum the Hormone". Heavy as hell. Founded in the 1990ies they are still active. Just hear and watch the latest release "Shimi". Take care of your head! "Gacharic Spin," Craziness in live show, fun rock and funky: "Mindset"
Kanami is one of the best guitarists in the world. Miku is her student. The difference in class does not allow them to do duets yet. But they are working on it.
I have the suggestion that perfectly balances the studio v live tracks: “secret My lips,” official music video. A live performance overdubbed with the studio recording 👍🏽
On stage left to right is MISA (bass), Miku (red flower, rhythm guitar, higher harmonic vocals usually), Saiki (blue flower, lead vocals, womanly voice, no girly stuff here) and Kanami on the right (lead guitar). Akane at the back on drums. This is the initial stage setup, but they're all over the place after that.
Don’t overthink it. Where there is an OMV and a Live video, react to both. Compare and contrast. The live usually sounds just like the studio version, but often delivers more energy or a special surprise.
Miku couldn't play Guitar at all when she first started Band-Maid, her sensei Kanami taught her to play from scratch. Kanami plays all the Guitar parts on the maid's studio recordings, Miku then has to learn to play the melodies for their live performances, but over the years her Guitar playing has improved massively and has gotten much more technical.
No favorite members here but MISA is in my top 5 bassists. Gods I love this song! Matchless Gum, Moratorium, Corallium, One And Only... "B' side beauties.
When BAND-MAID first began, Miku couldn't play guitar so Kanami taught her. After 11 years what you're witnessing is a proud Sensei and her student. Miku now plays with confidence and even steps out on her own once in a while!
SA-I-Ki is correct, but if you listen to them talking, the maids say Sai-Ki, blending the first two mora. Her name is KOBATO MIKU. American fans call her by her “given” name, MIKU, but the maids, in the Japanese way, call her by her “sir name,” KOBATO (小鳩, lit. small pigeon). (Japanese pigeons say “kuroppo,” which is why KOBATO ends sentences with a “Po!”
Kanami goes in and out of arpeggios and riffs, but the arpeggios are very distinctive to her, always perfectly constructed for the melody Saiki is singing. She's also very careful about how far forward she is in the mix at any given moment, some people even raise it as a mild criticism, that she's too far back, but IMO it's perfectly judged to make the songs work as complete compositions (she uses one of the most complicated pedalboards you'll ever see and of course does bump herself forward for important solos).
They shine brightest in LIVE performances, but don't pass on their acoustic sets....there is also white room versions of songs where its just the musicianship and vocals stripped and you can hear everything that's going on behind the dual vocals
Its your channel man, do it the way you want, some other reactors i watch were having the same thoughts so they do 2fers the MV followed by the live, just a thought, also when the Maids first started Miku didnt know how to play guitar, Kanami taught her how to play rhythm/ back up/counter point to her lead, after 11 years she has become quite good, good reaction to the Maids
Brilliant reaction. Your insights are very good. Yes, yes. I also think you pronounce the singer's name well. Good, good. I don't speak Anglo-Saxon. I'm not Japanese either. But the language that is my mother tongue is closer to Japanese than English or other Indo-European languages... :)
Countermelody is, in fact, the right term. If you watch the reactor NittPicc, on her Band-Maid reactions, she often comments on how Kanami produces counter-melodies to the vocal melodies. It's one of the many great ways that Kanami creates relatively complex compositions.
In most live videos, you will hear Miku's guitar in your left ear and Kanami's in your right ear. That's how their sound guy likes to mix them. Kanami is the "guitar hero" and musical genius of the band. Miku, over the past 11 years has turned herself into a quality rhythm guitarist - but she is light years behind Kanami in guitar skill. Miku is the primary lyricist of the band, and the energy behind the band. She is also a very good singer, but without the "power" of Saiki's voice. Miku's range is wider than Saiki's, but Saiki's voice is definitely stronger while Miku's is softer.
Ignore the folks insisting it's "sigh-key". Turns out anyone can say anything on here, even if they're wrong. It's a good-enough approximation for English speakers but not quite accurate. Sa i ki is three mora and you're right to pronounce the i separately; just don't overdo it. Kanami and Miku (which you pronounced correctly) - Kanami is the more experienced guitarist and does the shredding and really technical stuff. Nearly every guitar solo in their catalog is Kanami, although Miku's gotten a few basic solos (Kanami, who's also her teacher, has been pushing her by writing more technical parts for her over time). Also, Kanami has said that Miku's a faster strummer than her. Miku generally stays within a rhythm guitar role, adding crunch and body to their sound (and, to some extent, freeing MISA to noodle around on the bass more) - of course she does this while singing backup, mostly harmonies with Saiki. Kanami sometimes acts as a melodic lead or counter, but quite often the vocals are the dominant melodic line and Kanami's sprinkling little licks and riffs on top like decorations.
If you know any of the Romance languages, grab your (esp. vowel/syllable) pronunciation from there -- Latin, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian -- since like most musical terms the imported words and names are Romanized, definitely not Anglicized where our diphthongs, silent syllables, and "unromantic" vowel sounds can make a mess. Akane is not A Cane for example.
Why didn't you let Kanami's last note sustain to the very end? Bad Sohum! ALWAYS let a Band-Maid song end completely....Geez! No brainer, react to both studio and LIVE. LIVE brings the passion and emotion but the studio bring the quality music sound. The majority may not realize LIVE recording are run through a studio......well hot damn revelation. They are both wonderful and deserve equal recognition IMHO. This 2017 Studio Coast show is great....wish I could get my hands on the DVD, along with the 2018 Zepp show. The recording quality of both is exceptional.
😢Since I've been seeing reactions, the name Avenged Sevenfold appears from time to time mentioned by some "reactors", especially as a reference to their 🎸, so one day I decided to investigate what all that hype was... which was my surprise when found out that this guy was another messy, dirty, clumsy, shity fast shredder in the style of Morello, Buckethead or Frusciante, sorry, I have no respect for these guys.... surely because I grew up listening to musicians like Friedman, Skolnick , Kotzen, Oliva and Schuldiner .😎 So, for me, the logical references of Japanese guitarists are people like Akira Takasaki, SYU, Takayoshi Ohmura, Daita Itou or SAKI.😁
Awkward? No awesome. They're not like other bands. Their motivation in music is performing their music live to their fans and not making recording. It's obvious as well. Puzzle (Official Live Video). Kanami teaches Miku how to play guitar.
You're doing OK on Saiki's name, just over-pronouncing it slightly. The ai dipthong is a little longer than most English speaking folks pronounce it (sigh-kee), but not a lot longer. Saiki pronunciation: th-cam.com/video/ICASkvvTAso/w-d-xo.html
And you never stop finding things to appreciate. For example, after a ton of listens, I'd still never focused in completely on MISA in this performance. Man!! She's doing some very cool runs that do not look easy for the left hand! And what a great song this is. Dammit!! The whole first half is just an exercise in creativity and building tension - then when Mincho cuts loose it's like YESSSSSSS!!!! And you're quite right about Mincho's ability to make the guitar sing. She's known for that, and just got her own signature model PRS.
I've been relistening to B-M with a focus on Akane and Misa, utterly mind blowing, this band is the best thing that's ever happened to my musical world 👍🍻
You made the comment about how some musicians are able to make their guitar sound as if it is singing. This is a significant aspect of how a guitarist plays that I appreciate the most. I don't need a shredder or a highly technical player .... I need the guitar to speak to my emotional core and Kanami does that as good as any guitarist/composer that has come before her. Great reaction!
You can tell Carlos Santana and Larry Carlton (session musician extraordinaire) are Kanami's guitar heros!
Kanami purposely holds back.
This song has been in my top 5 since I first heard it. Just quality composing and arranging by the genius that is Kanami. So Stylish and technically brilliant. The lead guitar tones come from Kanami's PRS- 6 tone settings for the pick ups alone. No other band that I have heard can do this sort of arrangement. Kanami is the lead guitarist. Miku (Red rose) is what I call second guitar- mostly rhythm with some small lead parts. She was only taught guitar by Kanami after the band was formed 11 years ago, to free her up to take more lead sections. Great reaction- Thanks (UK)
Same
Most fans consider this concert (Studio Coast 2017) to be the best sound mixed.
Love the Studio Coast gig, The live version of "Matchless GUM" is my all time fave! Sad that it's only half of the full concert, but that 1 hour of the Maids live is well worth an hour of any ones time
Kanami comes up with the musical ideas, the consensus is that she's a musical genius. The music is always Band Maid but all the songs are different and have their own personality.
PRS announced just yesterday Kanami’s Signature Model PRS. As a first Japanese artist. Paul Reed gifted first one to Kanami last weekend.
Beautiful axe
Bandmaid ~ expect amazement! Surprise is their bread and butter! Shock and awe are their stock in trade. You show up anticipating a Lexus and get taken for a ride in a Lamborghini! Strap in and keep your hands in the cart. Not just another band at all! The greatest proper rock and roll band of the 21st century IMHO!
Oh one last idea. They have a few very prog songs that are very very progressive, complex, and for someone like you so insightful musically, should be pure heaven.
Giovanni ( I recommend the Saiki focus MV )
Different
Forbidden Tales
"Let's Go It's Showtime!"
I'd be forever grateful if someone could explain "Balance" to me! Cheers.
Miku-chan plays the rhythm guitar so her role is mostly attached with the rhythm section and she plays chords, I’ll say, 99% of the time. Kanami-san is the lead guitarist so, yes, the shreddy stuff are hers. Kanami-san is also the music composer. ☺️
I'm often surprised by Miku's parts because they're so seamless that I miss 'em. Here she does some single-note melody in unison with Kanami including a palm-muted part. Later Kanami introduces a single-note pattern and passes it to Miku to continue while she solos. Even in "simple" Domination there's some damn tricky chord timing as she and Kanami alternate, and she's soooo right on.
Kanami is the lead guitar and song composer of almost all Band-Maid music since 2016. Miku is the rythm guitarist and lyricist of almost all Band-Maid songs (Saiki the singer is recently taking some lyrics credits). The amazing point with Miku is how she brings these complex harmonization with Saiki's voice while playing rythm guitar with Kanami.
"From Now On" Band Maid official video is the song you want.
Live is where they shine!! Puzzle live 2023
Kanami is the lead guitarist that trained Miku!! Miku did not know how to play guitar back in Thrill!! You will get the whole history below . Keep going live
Yes, in "Thrill" Miku used the guitar as a necklace. Thanks to Kanami she is getting better and better. In Sayonakidori (Acoustic version) she plays the guitar alone, without Kanami.
"Non Fiction Days" is a great one.
Kanami is lead guitar and does nearly all of the forward sounding guitar riffs and solos. When you hear guitar stand out, it's almost always her.
Miku is the rhythm guitarist and actually tends to mostly lay a very thick chord based rhythm on most tracks. She also sings backup vocals. This is not to underplay her importance to the band, much like her personality, she's the glue that pulls everything together. Because the guitar, bass and even drums can go off on insane stand out portions, she's always there, chugging along on her Zemitis guitar, keeping the rhythm.
That said, Miku occasionally gets to stand out on guitar as she's grown in her ability (she couldn't play guitar at all when the band was formed, Kanami taught her), you can see her having some great moments at the start of the Live version of Play.
Yup, that dark, full, chunky rhythm underneath is Miku's Zemaitis playing through that EVH 5150.
Kanami is lead and plays the solos. She actually records both the lead and rhythm tracks for the studio tracks but then Miku has to play the rhythm live, and also sing. Early on, Band-Maid was kind of a trio instrumentally so the instrumentation is really full from those three. Kanami taught Miku guitar so Miku can play those strong root rhythms to fill that fundamental space. Miku”s right hand is machine-like with great timing and nice accenting. Listen to her closely on live stuff usually mixed to your left ear
Your not wrong about counter-melodies -- it's something that Band-Maid is known for. Layering, counterpoint, call it what you will, it makes it possible to put their songs on repeat, and hear a little something different each time. But they never lay it on so thick that it gets in the way of the song.
You will get a lot of recommendations for Hate live. It is great. My preference is “Don’t you tell me” live 2023.
"Hate" is the new standart, for a bassist nearly a "must hear". "Domination" was the old standart. Both on thier channel. But also recognize "Play", "Onset" or the twin recording during corona of "Manners, Black Hole"
I gues you have to watch the Band-Maid documentaryy series by Ohrenje soon
Saiki, Sigh-Key! Live or studio, Band-Maid always do their best 😊! Po!
Kanami is friggin genius as a composer and as a guitarist 🔥❤️ For me..Most impressive musician of the 21st Century 🔥🤘❤️
from JAPAN. Thank you for your react to BAND-MAID. I like your analysis so much. I know you are busy, but I hope you will react to BAND-MAID more and more. By the way, PRS USA announced yesterday the KANAMI (lead guitarist and main composer) signature model. They are limited to 200 units and cost approximately $6,000. This is the 11th person in the world and the first Japanese to have a signature PRS model. For more information, there is a youtube video, where KANAMI itself explains the process.
I don't know if it's true,but someone commented on Facebook that all 200 sold out in one day.
Peter Lim posted:
"But it was really cool. Kanami turned into a little kid and cried because she was so moved. And Paul Reed Smith came out himself onstage to present it to her as the first Japanese signature model of a PRS.
It was a really sweet moment, and better because all the other maids were there to support her. (And apparently Akane cried, too.)
@@jamesgodwin868Those are definitely facts. I was surprised, too. KAMANI appeared as a commentator at an event organized by PRS, and all the band members went to see the event, at which time AKANE was so moved that she cried a lot. The signature model was announced at that time, and everyone in the audience was asked to keep their mouths shut until an official announcement was made. The friendships among the members of BAND-MAID are strong and truly wonderful. I think this is one of the reasons why BAND-MAID is so beloved.
@@jamesgodwin868 They are undoubtedly all true. As for the sellout, I was really surprised as well. KANAMI appeared as a commentator at the event hosted by PRS. All the band members came to see the event, and AKANE was so moved that she cried a lot. All the members have a strong bond and get along really well with each other, and we believe this is one of the reasons why BAND-MAID is so well-loved.
@@jamesgodwin868 All of this is true, no doubt.
@@jamesgodwin868 Undoubtedly, all of this is true.
This song starts out giving me tears and ends with banging my head. 🤘 It's the epitome of what the Maids do, you can be feeling sad, and then you play their music and soon after the skies clear and you're feeling better. If you were to couple this song with "anemone", "About Us", "Daydreaming", "Smile" or "Memorable", it's almost impossible not to have to wipe the tears away. They like to do a 3-pack of these songs at their live shows and it's always a battle against the tear-ninjas. I believe, in the past, Kanami records both guitar parts in the studio then teaches them to Miku... though I'm not sure about their newest album, Epic Narratives. Kanami understands that Miku has to also sing, so she doesn't make those moments too difficult for her. Miku does get some spots to shine, the acoustic version of "Sayonakidori", she is the only guitarist... it's just her, MISA, Akane. In the electric version, Miku gets a rhythmic solo with the full band.
Couple of points about their concerts. They don't dilly dally between songs, usually starting the next song within a few seconds, sometimes even starting while the last note is still ringing out. You can imagine the cumulative effect of this almost nonstop sonic wave.Their "normal" concert is 21 to 24 songs. They will break the setlist up into 3 sections. Each section is a mini concert, with songs picked to give the feeling of start to crescendo. The breaks between sections will be some type of band/audience interaction, their famous MC and Omajinai Time. All contributing to them being a great live experience.
They improve over time, so the studio version of the song is usually one of the weaker versions. There are some exceptions for songs that have really rapid vocals that are tough for Saiki to do when she’s dancing and moving around on stage (e.g. Blooming), or recordings that kind of capture a moment in time, like the huskiness of Saiki’s vocals in YOLO, related to her vocal cord condition when that was released.
I think there is a misunderstanding about Kanami and Miku.☺
When Miku and Kanami founded the band, Miku planned to be the lead singer, when Saiki took over vocal duties, Miku then planned to be the backing vocalist... she didn't know how to play the guitar, in fact, the Rickenbacker she uses in the first MVs of the band is just a prop, after Akane and Kanami's insistence, Miku agreed to take guitar lessons with Kanami herself.
In addition to playing rhythm parts live, Miku plays some intros... but I don't think she plays those rhythm parts in the studio.
Kanami is responsible for composing most of the music and arrangements, Misa herself has stated that she used to wait for Kanami to write the bass parts and then work on them...plus, for all practical purposes Kanami is the band's musical director.
Here are some of Kanami's words about Miku that best reveal their relationship:
th-cam.com/users/shortsh17UHLc15c0?si=YcVWFpmzxqs4-x1T
The roles of the two guitarists in BAND-MAID are:
KANAMI is the lead guitarist and composer, and she also writes the synth backing tracks and orchestral parts in the songs.
She's a quiet woman, but she's a genius.
MIKU is the rhythm guitarist, side vocalist, main lyricist, and founder of the band.
When the band first started, she couldn't play guitar, so KANAMI is her guitar teacher.
She creates impressive fills and heavy walls of sound, so the lead guitar and bass can move around quite freely.
This is an important point in creating BAND-MAID sound.
She does big strokes with her arms swinging and fast cutting. She's also a great singer.
Miku wears the red rose 🌹 and on live video, she sets up on Saiki's right side along with Misa, and Kanami sets up on Saiki's left.
PS. Kanami is the lead guitarist & Main composer she also is Miku's guitar teacher. Miku did not know how to play when she started the band.
😏❤️🎙🎸🥁😎🤘
"Awkward" is but one of the dozens of incredible deep cuts that litter Band-Maid's discography. They have 120+ songs and all of them are bangers. Never been able to say that about any other band - ever. Also, they are one of the very few bands who are genuinely fantastic live. They are the best prog hard rock band on the planet!! 🤘🤘💕💕
EDIT: Saiki is pronounced "Sigh-Key." Kanami (Mincho) is lead guitarist (and sometimes sings harmonies); Miku is rhythm guitarist (and incredible second vocalist).
Yes, we all have our favorite, for me, it's Saiki. Her voice, her looks, her stage presence, and don't get me started on her cute little fangs!😻Bite me!
If it were me, I'd react to the studio version first, then the live. If I had time, I'd do them back to back to get immediate contrast. But that's just me.😊
Thank you. It’s AWKWARD to ask YOU, but if YOU have TIME or feel like it, can YOU check out PLAY(live) by BAND MAID 😊
See what you did there 🙂
🤭😋😁
Miku's style is whatever Kanami-sensei wrote for her to play, I think, at this point.
Live is always best but I love the MV's all of them you seriously can't go wrong
Must see MV's: Blooming, Daydreaming, Warning, Shambles, Unleash
Live: Puzzle, Hate, oh heck all of them lol
Influencer OMV is stunning.
@@chrisegbertky How did I forget that sheesh! Perhaps the best visual of any MV
No, not Sai-icky. It's simple, just say Psyche, (Sigh-Key). Easy Peasy Japanesey! However, there are very few songs where the LIVE version isn't the superior version. 'Shamble', 'Blooming, Rinne and 'Unleash' come to mind. And everyone should see the OMV for 'Domination. If you want to get to know them, Ohrenji has a documentary video for each of the girls and 3 for founder Miku. However, Miku couldn't play a lick when they started. But it soon became apparent they would need a second guitar. So, rather than hiring a sixth member, Miku had Kanami teach her how to play. If you watch the very first Music Video she is just holding her guitar as a prop.
Sa-iki, there are no umlauts in Japanese language.
@@joki5346 Where did anyone say there was? I must have missed that. Sai is pronounced Sigh, just as Sei is pronounce Say. You wouldn't pronounce Geisha as Ga-isha.
Great reaction, as always! You can hear the roles pretty simple if you are using headphones. Kanami is always on the right ear, Miku is on the left ear. You should check the documentaries, this will enlight, and surprises you as well ;)
Which way to go with Band-Maid? The answer is yes. And yes, Kanami and Miku are the guitarists and you pronounced them correctly. Kanami (aka Kanamincho or Mincho) is the lead, and she's also the main songwriter. Miku is rhythm guitar, background vocals, band founder and main lyricist. The leads are almost always Kanami though.
Hi Sohum, just found you.
With Band-Maid you only found one of the dozends bands from Japan and Asia, which bring a slice of freshness to the rock/metal genre. All with fantastic playing skills. My favorites (If you proceed with them and Band-Maid, you will get much more suggestions)
"Asterism", a 3 piece mostly instrumental, with the 7 string bass and one of the most promisning gutiar talents: "Church", "Dawn", "Gunfire" or the newe "Unravel"
"Lovebites", if you like speed, and powermetal your right, all play on prodigy level with long solos from the 2 lead guitars. Begin with the newer recordings: "Hammer of Wrath", "Judgement Day", "Stand and Deliver" or "M.D.O"
"Nemophila", one of the shooting stars. Started 2020 as a YT project. Clean and growling singing in one person. Formerly a 5 piece, now one guitar left, and they are even better! Lots of convers on thier YT channel: A hard original one "Zen" , "Orian" or the new "Beautiful Days"
"Maximum the Hormone". Heavy as hell. Founded in the 1990ies they are still active. Just hear and watch the latest release "Shimi". Take care of your head!
"Gacharic Spin," Craziness in live show, fun rock and funky: "Mindset"
Everything this guy says here is 💯 % TRUE!
Kanami is one of the best guitarists in the world. Miku is her student. The difference in class does not allow them to do duets yet. But they are working on it.
I have the suggestion that perfectly balances the studio v live tracks:
“secret My lips,” official music video. A live performance overdubbed with the studio recording 👍🏽
Kanami began on piano. A fun way of describing Miku and Kanami is that Miku is the left hand rhythm foundation and Kanami is the right hand flair 🎹
On stage left to right is MISA (bass), Miku (red flower, rhythm guitar, higher harmonic vocals usually), Saiki (blue flower, lead vocals, womanly voice, no girly stuff here) and Kanami on the right (lead guitar). Akane at the back on drums. This is the initial stage setup, but they're all over the place after that.
Just do a two in one. Studio then live 😉
Saiki(similar to saying Sigh-key no pause between).
Thanks so much nice reaction!
I hope you`ll enjoy BAND-MAID!
It's easy : Miku to the left and Kanami to the right in the mix ;) hehe
Most of the times. Epic Narratives is a bit different in mix. Just to confuse us...😂 PO!
Don’t overthink it. Where there is an OMV and a Live video, react to both. Compare and contrast. The live usually sounds just like the studio version, but often delivers more energy or a special surprise.
Miku couldn't play Guitar at all when she first started Band-Maid, her sensei Kanami taught her to play from scratch. Kanami plays all the Guitar parts on the maid's studio recordings, Miku then has to learn to play the melodies for their live performances, but over the years her Guitar playing has improved massively and has gotten much more technical.
No favorite members here but MISA is in my top 5 bassists. Gods I love this song! Matchless Gum, Moratorium, Corallium, One And Only... "B' side beauties.
The MAIDS know programming as Kanami and Misa both studied it in University.
🤘🤘🤘
When BAND-MAID first began, Miku couldn't play guitar so Kanami taught her. After 11 years what you're witnessing is a proud Sensei and her student. Miku now plays with confidence and even steps out on her own once in a while!
Manners / Black Hole live double feature
SA-I-Ki is correct, but if you listen to them talking, the maids say Sai-Ki, blending the first two mora.
Her name is KOBATO MIKU. American fans call her by her “given” name, MIKU, but the maids, in the Japanese way, call her by her “sir name,” KOBATO (小鳩, lit. small pigeon). (Japanese pigeons say “kuroppo,” which is why KOBATO ends sentences with a “Po!”
Kanami goes in and out of arpeggios and riffs, but the arpeggios are very distinctive to her, always perfectly constructed for the melody Saiki is singing. She's also very careful about how far forward she is in the mix at any given moment, some people even raise it as a mild criticism, that she's too far back, but IMO it's perfectly judged to make the songs work as complete compositions (she uses one of the most complicated pedalboards you'll ever see and of course does bump herself forward for important solos).
The very few times MISA uses finger style to play the bass.
Awkward -- a song somewhere between unexpected and masterful. Thx, Sohum!
I think Miku is playing better and better every moment.
She's awesome

They shine brightest in LIVE performances, but don't pass on their acoustic sets....there is also white room versions of songs where its just the musicianship and vocals stripped and you can hear everything that's going on behind the dual vocals
Its your channel man, do it the way you want, some other reactors i watch were having the same thoughts so they do 2fers the MV followed by the live, just a thought, also when the Maids first started Miku didnt know how to play guitar, Kanami taught her how to play rhythm/ back up/counter point to her lead, after 11 years she has become quite good, good reaction to the Maids
Love this song best live Band in the world.❤💛💙C
💜💛❤💙💚
Brilliant reaction. Your insights are very good.
Yes, yes. I also think you pronounce the singer's name well.
Good, good. I don't speak Anglo-Saxon. I'm not Japanese either. But the language that is my mother tongue is closer to Japanese than English or other Indo-European languages... :)
Countermelody is, in fact, the right term. If you watch the reactor NittPicc, on her Band-Maid reactions, she often comments on how Kanami produces counter-melodies to the vocal melodies. It's one of the many great ways that Kanami creates relatively complex compositions.
👍👍👍
In most live videos, you will hear Miku's guitar in your left ear and Kanami's in your right ear.
That's how their sound guy likes to mix them.
Kanami is the "guitar hero" and musical genius of the band. Miku, over the past 11 years has turned herself into a quality rhythm guitarist - but she is light years behind Kanami in guitar skill.
Miku is the primary lyricist of the band, and the energy behind the band. She is also a very good singer, but without the "power" of Saiki's voice. Miku's range is wider than Saiki's, but Saiki's voice is definitely stronger while Miku's is softer.
🤘🤘🤘🤘
Why not try something radical....
Do both.
Studio then live.
Same reaction.
Your audience will love it.
Sigh key. Not sigh ee key. 😁
Me sah
Kah nah me
Me coo
Ah ka nay
Ignore the folks insisting it's "sigh-key". Turns out anyone can say anything on here, even if they're wrong. It's a good-enough approximation for English speakers but not quite accurate. Sa i ki is three mora and you're right to pronounce the i separately; just don't overdo it.
Kanami and Miku (which you pronounced correctly) - Kanami is the more experienced guitarist and does the shredding and really technical stuff. Nearly every guitar solo in their catalog is Kanami, although Miku's gotten a few basic solos (Kanami, who's also her teacher, has been pushing her by writing more technical parts for her over time). Also, Kanami has said that Miku's a faster strummer than her. Miku generally stays within a rhythm guitar role, adding crunch and body to their sound (and, to some extent, freeing MISA to noodle around on the bass more) - of course she does this while singing backup, mostly harmonies with Saiki. Kanami sometimes acts as a melodic lead or counter, but quite often the vocals are the dominant melodic line and Kanami's sprinkling little licks and riffs on top like decorations.
You said the lead singer's name correctly. There are no silent letters in Japanese
If you know any of the Romance languages, grab your (esp. vowel/syllable) pronunciation from there -- Latin, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian -- since like most musical terms the imported words and names are Romanized, definitely not Anglicized where our diphthongs, silent syllables, and "unromantic" vowel sounds can make a mess. Akane is not A Cane for example.
Why didn't you let Kanami's last note sustain to the very end? Bad Sohum! ALWAYS let a Band-Maid song end completely....Geez!
No brainer, react to both studio and LIVE. LIVE brings the passion and emotion but the studio bring the quality music sound. The majority may not realize LIVE recording are run through a studio......well hot damn revelation. They are both wonderful and deserve equal recognition IMHO. This 2017 Studio Coast show is great....wish I could get my hands on the DVD, along with the 2018 Zepp show. The recording quality of both is exceptional.
😢Since I've been seeing reactions, the name Avenged Sevenfold appears from time to time mentioned by some "reactors", especially as a reference to their 🎸, so one day I decided to investigate what all that hype was... which was my surprise when found out that this guy was another messy, dirty, clumsy, shity fast shredder in the style of Morello, Buckethead or Frusciante, sorry, I have no respect for these guys.... surely because I grew up listening to musicians like Friedman, Skolnick , Kotzen, Oliva and Schuldiner .😎
So, for me, the logical references of Japanese guitarists are people like Akira Takasaki, SYU, Takayoshi Ohmura, Daita Itou or SAKI.😁
What are you taking about? This is your first live reaction to Band-Maid on TH-cam... or have you heard them live before on another network?🤔
He did an unlisted live from the covid era, we had the link in the BMCD. Saying it will go up soon as a listed video.
Awkward? No awesome. They're not like other bands. Their motivation in music is performing their music live to their fans and not making recording. It's obvious as well. Puzzle (Official Live Video). Kanami teaches Miku how to play guitar.
didn't you just do one a few hours ago? lol
You're doing OK on Saiki's name, just over-pronouncing it slightly. The ai dipthong is a little longer than most English speaking folks pronounce it (sigh-kee), but not a lot longer.
Saiki pronunciation: th-cam.com/video/ICASkvvTAso/w-d-xo.html