BAND-MAID reaction, analysis, biography / The All-Female Japanese Rock and Metal Band Taking Over
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ก.ย. 2022
- Band-Maid - history, biography, reaction & analysis of the rock / metal band that defies expectations. Who is BandMaid? This group is an all-female Japanese rock band consisting of singer Saiki Atsumi, guitarist/singer Miku Kobato, lead guitarist Kanami Tōno, bassist Misa, and drummer Akane Hirose. The band combines a heavy rock sound with a maid motif modeled on Japanese maid cafés, but don't let their look fool you - this band completely rocks. This video gives a brief biography and breakdown by Nena Lavonne, Psy.M, discusses what makes them so powerful, the psychology behind their success so far, the impressiveness of their live show, and their possibility for mainstream success. The band has released many singles including Choose Me, Domination, Unleash!!!!!, Different, Sense, Real Existence, Thrill, Blooming, Dice, Daydreaming, Don't You Tell ME, Manners, The Dragon Cries, Warning!, Bubble, Thrill, Puzzle, Black Hole and more from albums World Domination, Unseen World, Conqueror, Brand New Maid, Just Bring It, New Beginning, Maid in Japan, and Band-Maiko. Check out Band Maid on their upcoming 2022 tour, tickets on sale now. Please subscribe to the channel for more rock psychology and band breakdowns! More Japanese metal episodes coming soon!
#band-maid #bandmaid #bandmaidreaction #hardrock #heavymetal #femalemusician #metalmusic #rockmusic #japanesemetal - บันเทิง
Hope you guys enjoy today's analysis and thank you to everyone who recommended this incredible band. Please help me share this video, and I'd love to hear how you discovered Band-Maid and what your favorite song is!
xo Nena
The first song from them that I heard was Thrill. And I was floored by the instrumental performance. Then I heard Real Existence and was completely sold.
Favorite song from BandMaid right now is Unleash!!! But then, there are sooooo many to choose from 🤘😊
@@timbaker7238 lol agree!
Thrill was my intro and initially it was Saiki's voice that hit me and then of course everything else. My 4 favourite songs at this minute are Anemone, Awkward, Puzzle and Blooming although I have Chemical Reaction on repeat currently.
I don't want them to go mainstream at all. There they would only be spoiled and burned by the record industry. No, John Doe should listen to the stuff on the radio and leave us alone. Band-Maid doesn't need them. Their US tour is already sold out for the most part. Personally, I'm so glad for the Japanese rock culture. Their songs are upbeat and positive. Not always death, despair and anger. We have enough of that already. I also like the fact that they are not tattooed and pierced from head to toe like western musicians and except for the fact that they sometimes get drunk, you don't hear anything about drug use. They are always friendly and attentive to their fans. Also check out this video on the subject. th-cam.com/video/3Mx_rZnqayg/w-d-xo.html
It's great.
My first song was Alone which I later found out was the first song Kanami wrote that the band used, before that they were using other songwriters. She's been the composer ever since. What really sold me on them though was around 2018, a lot of live videos made their way online from DVDs that came with special additions of their World Domination album (and a subsequent single I believe) from 2 different tours in '17 and '18. They were PHENOMENAL. Those videos mostly have been taken down but the band's youtube channel has 3 of them up (Cross, Onset and Real Existence).
To see the whole DvD's today you either got to buy a DvD second hand which is expensive or subscribe to their streaming service called Band-Maid prime. Well worth it if even only for a month, it has both the aforementioned shows but their online shows they did during the pandemic as well as many covers by the members so you can watch them play their songs.
Rock is not dead! 🤟 Thanks for the great video!
And I’m very thankful for that! 😊 Nice to meet you! Someone mentioned in the comments that you are a Band-Maid expert! Just starting my journey, but am blown away! ♥️🤘🏻
@@psychologyofrock I’m far from an expert, but I’m a huge fan! Welcome to the family! Glad you have you on board!
@@WavePotter thank you so much, Wave! Happy to have found them! Have a fantastic evening! 🤘🏻♥️😊
From Japan, thank you for introducing BAND-MAID.
I belong to the generation that started listening to the Beatles when I was in junior high school and heard about John Lennon's death in my second year of employment. My youth was with many rock bands. From the Beatles to the Stones to King Crimson... etc., but after U2 I lost interest in new bands and it's been 20-30 years. Two years ago in March, while I was living at home due to the pandemic, I was listening to rock music that I used to like on TH-cam for the first time in a while, and BAND-MAID appeared on the recommendation. I've known the band for several years because of BABYMATAL's hits, but I ignored it because I thought it was a cute gimmick. I had time, so I clicked DOMINATION (Official Live Video), and to my surprise, I had a hunch that this was the group I had been looking for long years. Continuing see Thrill (Official Music Video) turned into convictions, and now I have all the CDs and DVDs and am joining the fan club for the first time.
Their charm is, of course, their wonderful songs, but when I get to know them, I am also fascinated by their way of life, such as the individuality of each person, their feelings for their fans, and the relationship between the members who value each other.
My current favorite songs are Puzzle, Corallium, and a new song from now on .
Hey Toshi! You are very welcome - it is my pleasure to help spread the word about this incredible band! I like how you brought up the individuality of each member, I agree that is so great to see and really adds to the appeal. Welcome to the channel! :)
Hey Toshi, I'm from NYC and and I think that we are living parallel lives on opposite sides of the planet! The music I listened to in my youth, my feelings of it post U2 and the way in which I discovered Band-Maid, my collection of they're music (plus joining the fan club - which I've never done before in my life) and how I feel about them now are literally identical.
@@Studio-Coast_Kid 😊
What I find very interesting about Band Maid is that a large amount of their fans (Maidiacs) are musicians. In the 90s I was completely bored with hard rock and metal and found myself in a jazz coma. I just didn't like heavy music that was out. Although I started listening to newer prog bands ( not prog metal so much). I branched out in the 2010s to music from all over the world. Foreign language was never an issue because I have been listening many prog bands from all over Europe and Japan, many of whom sang in their native languages. About 4 years ago TH-cam started sending recommendations for Band Maid. I took one look at them and my "serious" musician's snobbishness said "I'm not listening to this crap". I proceeded to get barraged with their recommendations and reactions. I have always been the type of music lover that is always searching for something new. One I just said "what the hell". I decided to give them a listen. The first song was Dice, then Blooming then Rinne. I was mesmerized and in love. Maybe because I had such low expectations, but I can't remember the last time I fell this hard for a band. To me Band Maid are the most adorable musical badasses on the planet. They are a breath of fresh air from tatted, scowling,ugly guys dressed in black (their costumes). On stage they actually cheer for one another, smile, and look like they like each other and love their fans. What can I say, I am an old rock drummer, that became a jazzer who has now become a Maidiac. Sorry, just an old guy rant.
So glad they have revived your love of music! I’m hooked too! 😊🤘🏻
I couldn't agree more. I'm an "old guy" too and though not a musician I can appreciate the talent and hard work it takes to be a musician. These ladies just look like they are having so much fun doing what they love. The love and respect they show their band mates and to their fans is, as you say refreshing. I can't wait to see them live next month.
I had the same reservations about Band-Maid as you did when I first stumbled upon them almost a year ago. Maid outfits? They sing in Japanese?? Meh. Then I watched the video for "Afterlife" and thought, huh not bad. Then I watched the MV for " Dice" and was shocked. But then I watched the official live video for "Freedom" and was in love. They blew me away! I think they are the greatest rock band in the world right now. I now sing along with my favorite songs (of which there are many), even though I have no clue what I'm singing. Their talent and sheer joy are overwhelming. I'm glad you have discovered these amazing ladies.
I'm glad too :) Love their passion and energy! Welcome to the channel!
About 10 months ago YT threw up a suggestion for the Band-Maid song "Choose Me" live for me. I clicked over and was astounded and hooked. I'd dropped away from rock many years ago from being an avid fan in the 60s-70s. Band-Maid has brought my old love of rock back to me. The joy, care, and love they bring to their musical performances is infectious in the best of ways. I can honestly say they have made my life better with their music.
It's amazing how many people were reminded of their love for rock with this band! So happy to have been introduced to these incredible artists! Welcome to the channel! :)
@@psychologyofrock There is a YT musician/reactor named Wave Potter who said about Band-Maid "They scratched an itch I didn't even know I had." That applies to me too. Glad to have found your channel and look forward to your upcoming reaction/analysis of bands and rock.
@@geoffb5 yes! I agree with him! Happy you found the channel 😊
I avoided hitting the strange maid reaction link for weeks before I finally got curious by the obvious and very real excitement around whatever was happening there and it actually changed my life. Now I have listened to Band-Maid every day for almost two years, not to mention the dozens of other Japanese bands I have been exposed to have usurped almost all space for music in my world. I had never joined a fan club, ordered band merch or travelled to another country for a band. I have been passionate about music my whole life but never wanted to be a fan until I found Band-Maid. I don't think I can quantify it right now but are something special for me.
That's fantastic! It's so great to find "the" music that clicks! Thanks for watching!
I've never had a problem listening to music in any language. Having said that I believe that Saiki is the key to why non japanese speakers get past the language barrier quickly with Band Maid, she has a very expressive voice and she is able to convey the feel of the song with it perfectly which gets even better when you see her live as she is physically expressive as well. Heck, she is able to make grown men cry without singing a word of english - see Puzzle and Anemone acoustic live or their recent christmas acoustic concert. At the end of the day the sound as a whole is what will make them even more successful, I seem to remember a wierdly named band from my youth,The Beatles, managed to have a modicum of success by getting the whole of the non english speaking world to love them.
Hey Edward - yes, I think she is able to convey emotion and connect with the audience regardless of language. Incredible band with rare talent for sure! Welcome to the channel!
For me, it was the other musicians that initially convinced me. For me, the vocals were always just a part of the music and contribute to the overall composition. A good lyric makes it even better but for me the sound of the words and the sound of the voice is more important. I have not known a female band before that has such a high quality of all musicians. Now I even know several of them, mostly Japanese bands that are also so good. But Band-Maid, when I discovered them for myself in 2017, opened a door into another culture and helped me out of a personal crisis. I will always be grateful for that.
Having background in symphonic, classical and operatic music from my days in band and drum corps, I tend to view the voice as just another instrument. If I don't understand the language and lyrics, default setting is she's just singing musical lines just like any other instrument. So the language barrier is not so much a barrier to me.
Great music is great music in any language!
When you grew up with bands like Yes and, even though you could understand the words, any meaning completely escaped us - it was the voice of Jon Anderson combined with the incredible instrumentation that hooked us. And it’s much the same with Band-Maid; and maybe even more joyful 😃.
Thanks Nena. Nice breakdown. For the first time in over 40 years I've found a current band that I can't wait to listen to every day. Their music is Awesome and FUN. Peace. 1.19
Yes! It is so refreshing to have such incredible new music! I can’t get enough of them! Thanks for watching!
The strange thing is, I don't even see the costumes anymore. I just hear the music.
Me too!!!
I avoided Band-Maid for a while because I had seen the thumbnails and just assumed I wouldn't like it. When I finally bit, none of that mattered within one song. It was just great rock music. I know you are a big Rush fan and so am I. More Rush fans need to check them out. Really, I found them from watching Rush reactions, and the Band-Maid reactions kept popping up. The reasons I love them both are basically the same really. Unique and creative sound, great songwriting and musicianship, and the band members are very likable and inspirational.
The fan base is very similar as well. They may not have the most fans, but the fans they have are very loyal. Thanks for doing this video. I like your idea for a unique channel. I also appreciate the Neil video.
B-M release a new EP tomorrow, and it's really nice to have excitement about new music again. Like Rush, I don't know where the train is headed, but I'm along for the ride.
Great analysis. I thought rock was dead too, until I discovered Band-Maid a few years ago. They have become my favorite band. I've listened to rock/hard rock/ heavy metal for over 55 years and Band-Maid is the real deal. They are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all female Japanese bands (there are too many to mention). Rock, Hard Rock & Heavy Metal are alive and well in Japan.
Hey Skippy! Welcome to the channel! So glad you enjoyed the analysis - I look forward to discovering more Japanese metal! I agree Band-Maid are the real deal!!!
@@psychologyofrock Hello Nena, There are still tickets available (Band-Maid US Tour VIP Package $125.00/ticket) for their Sun. Oct. 30th show(okyuji) at Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park American Dream East Rutherford,NJ. The VIP Package includes: One premium ticket, a Logo beanie, Signed postcard (designed exclusively for VIP, VIP laminate & lanard, Early Entry, Pre-show tour merchandise shopping opportunity, and On-site VIP host. Also available are $38.00 verified resale and $50.00 standard tickets for the same show on the Ticketmaster website.
Rock and metal can never die
Just fyi...band-aid-made made a song called Black Hole...AFTER The Warning recorded "Black Holes"...band-aid-made also has a song called Warning...(fishy business). Before you say coincidence or, lots of bands have same names for songs...(like The Warning new song "Money", same as P Floyd...I doubt in a million years The Warning writes a song called "band-aid-made." Band-aid-made knows they'll get a few more views when people type in Black Hole...or The Warning...funny how band-aid-made is so jealous of The Warning...lol. I played bass 40 years, heard the best...Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke, Neil Peart, Gunthrie Govan etc...I know band-aid-made are better at their instruments than The Warning, not much, but yes, better. But their vocals sukkkk....she sounds the same on every song, like a screeeechin' wild yard cat. But they will NEVER be like The Warning...organic and natural.
As an Indonesian, we never fully understand what Fredy Mercury sang, or Kurt Cobain sang, or Bruce Dickinson sang about. But we love their music.
I love Kitaro eventhough most of his music is instrumental.
And Band-Maid is one of my all time favorites Bands.
Great points! Thank you for sharing, and welcome to the channel!
This was an absolutely fabulous analysis - articulate and well thought out. Six months ago I had never heard of BAND-MAID. Now I can't go even 1 day without listening to them. I'm not prepared to say that they are the best band ever, but I will say that they are my favourite band ever. In 60 years I've never been this obsessed with any other artist.
Hey Jake! Isn’t it incredible how much music can inspire you and change your life? 😊 These ladies are the real deal!
But certainly one of the best ever
Ah, language. I don't know what singers are singing in English half the time, anyway, and that's my native language.
So, Jimmy Hendrix isn't singing "excuse me while I kiss this guy"?
Oh, it's actually "excuse me while I kiss the sky"! Yeah, that makes more sense.
Phenomenal woman making phenomenal music is all I care about. 😁
Don't get me started on Screamo or Hard Core. I like a lot of it, but have not idea what is being screamed at me.....
Well said! :)
Thanks for this. Love seeing band maid getting more attention! I'm 45 and band maid has revitalized my love of music! They make me smile, they can make me cry. I've had a rough year ... motorcycle accident... but I have tickets to see them live at the first concert of their American tour and I am so so excited!!!! For anyone else going to the Seattle show ill be the dude with the wooden cane !
Hey Adam! Yes, I believe that music can be incredibly therapeutic! So happy to hear this amazing band revitalized your love of music! Enjoy the show! :)
@@psychologyofrock Just a follow up to answer your pinned question.. I stumbled onto them via reaction vids on youtube. and my fav song is puzzle. I love all three versions studio, Live, and that hard to find live acoustic you should totally check that one out if you can... its just Saki and Kanami just a sublime performance! 🙂
Will do!
I don't think going mainstream is that necessary because that often comes with stylistic compromise. It's a huge dilemma for me because I want them to be bigger.
In their anthem song Domination says "I need to be true to myself". I think it's really hard when you are trying to get somewhere.
But whichever the direction they choose to go I'll absolutely keep supporting them. Thanks for your honest analysis.
You are very welcome, and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts as well!
In 1980 i fell in love with the Beatles. Last year i finally got that feeling again with Band Maid. Yes, i agree rock fans have been waiting for a decent rock band. The maid costumes would be a novelty if they weren't so so good as musicians. They are the total package.
Agree!!! 😊🤘🏻
Wonderful intelligent vid. I had the same reaction to this band as you seem to have had. For me the bottom line has always only been the music, not the visuals (I kinda ignore everything that isn't the music), and for me (an old guy) this band is by far my favorite all female rock band that I've ever come across (and I've heard all the currently popular rock and metal ones turning heads on social media). Two years ago I hadn't heard of this band, even tho they had almost 100 songs released at the time. Since discovering them, their music has dominated my Spotify play list. What I love most about their music is its consistent quality (there is literally no song in their catalog I feel compelled to skip), the creativity and diversity of the songwriting, the talent and musicality behind their instrumentals, and the tone and style of the lead vocalist. Thx for trying to raise the profile of this amazing band within the backwaters of the modern rock and metal scene.
Yes! They are incredible and it is awesome to see such phenomenal new talent. I'm hooked! Glad you enjoyed the video, and welcome to the channel!!! :)
Well Done. My favorite band on the planet. They always make me smile. Rock On 😊😎🤘✌️❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
😊♥️🤘🏻
@@psychologyofrock 😎
What a great band! They play with such emotion the language barrier doesn't really bother me. Two of their songs are all-English and some would say they are their weakest songs. I grew up with older siblings who played in orchestra, so opera in Italian or German was just the way it was. With Band-Maid, since they took so much care with their music, I assumed they probably put the same care into their lyrics. I started looking for good translations and tried to fill in the cultural context. According to reddit user t-shinji, Miku writes lyrics with references to classic Japanese poetry, stories, and Buddhist philosophy; she uses puns and double meanings to add depth to her lyrics. She uses ambiguity. She invents words and elides syllables to color her message. Japanese seems to be a symbolic language (as all languages are) and she uses it to her advantage. All of this goes over my head but it has encouraged me to find out more.
Thank you for sharing! Yes, they are mind-blowing!
Thank you Surfing... and thank you Nena Lavonne for this TH-cam article. I've been shying away from most "reaction" videos, but am glad I watched your analysis. A heartfelt Yes! I'm just waiting for a major English-language magazine to cover Band-Maid.
This band is truly amazing. As a former band member and music listener, I am truly amazed at just how complex their music actually is, constantly changing in how the tracks are constructed/recorded.
Saiki has an amazing, powerful voice and I like how she and Miku can wrap the Japanese language around the music in such a fluent way. When I turn on the closed caption in the YT videos, some of the songs are pretty wild, lyrically.
The girls are all rock solid, but as a guitarist I am blown by Kanami's guitar playing. No two solos are alike, with different voicings and construction. And she is the driving force behind their recordings, if I understand correctly.
Beyond their music, I give props to the recording engineers and producers who record and mix their music in such a way that it's not a mush. Having said that, I prefer their older offerings, such as "Just Bring It" and "World Domination". A little rawer, but at the same time I like these albums better than their latest releases.
I also don't mind their look, but am glad Akane got rid of the little hat and that Saiki ditched the apron.
Thank you for the awesome video. Band-Maid has been one of my favorite bands since I discovered them in Nov 2019. The first video I watched was Thrill. After that I watched every video they had uploaded. Now 99% of the music I listen to is Japanese bands. I flew out to L.A. to see Nemophila, which is another awesome band. I am going to see Band-Maid in Dallas, Houston, and NJ. This will be my first time seeing them live.
That is incredible! Enjoy every moment! Welcome to the channel! :)
Great review of the band…I have witnessed this band live twice in 2019 and they are really phenomenal on stage. I’ve been a fan when Trill first came out and there is not a day since that I have not listened to one (or more) of their music. They also opened my eyes (and ears) to dozens of new and exciting Japanese bands. Thanks for the review..Peace & Respect from 🇨🇦
So glad you enjoyed the review! That’s incredible that you’ve had the opportunity to see them twice! Hope to see them on their upcoming tour. Welcome to the channel ♥️🤘🏻😊
@@psychologyofrock thanks, in fact I have tickets for their next tour for New York City and Boston dates…going to be a blast seeing them again…been waiting almost 3 years for this! Check out this video I recorded in 2019. th-cam.com/video/-VyFlfGu9ys/w-d-xo.html
PO 😎🤘
Absolutely great analysis. For me, music had become just background noise. No emotion, no feelings, no stimulation. I heard Band Maid ("Thrill") for the first time on 29 Feb 2020 and it has been a life changing experience. My musical salvation from old stale worn out music. Down the rabbit hole I've gone only to discover more great Japanese artists that are not just reviving, but creating a new, improved & high quality HR/HM. I'm now enjoying music again. I'm feeling the music deep inside, the stimulation & emotions. Miku Kobato has stated many times that the ultimate goal for Band Maid is "World Domination". It's hard rock, from a fresh perspective, delivered by world class artists with precision & quality foremost. And Band Maid has committed to maintaining that relationship with their fans (the Madiacs) based on mutual respect, admiration & compassion.
So well said, and I completely agree. Music seemingly lacked energy and creativity for years. I look forward to discovering more Japanese artists! Welcome to the channel!
Thank you for the great review and summary. Let's spread the word - Band-Maid are phenomenal.
So glad you enjoyed it! I am completely blown away! YES! Let's spread the word!!!
I can not begin to convey how much we ( their fans ) love these women ! They have persevered in the face of impossible odds & we respect them for the dedication they have for their craft & the Charm in how they deliver it......they are Family ❤️🎙🎸🥁😎👌
Lonnie, they are deserving of the praise they get! You are right - they are amazing!
This was awesome! Very interesting and informative, thank you!
They are only weeks away from starting a US tour of 14 cities (mostly sold out for months already) and well on their way to World Domination! 😁
So glad you enjoyed! And yes....trying to get tickets :) They deserve world domination!
@@psychologyofrock Maybe we can help you with that!
(Sorry if you are receiving multiple comments from me. I'm trying to invite you to join our Band-Maid fan community but my comments keep disappearing. 😅)
@@psychologyofrock I think the NJ show and maybe 1 or 2 others are not yet sold out. For any other gig, you can find tickets available through resale, but the price can be a bit high.
Glad to have you as a fan and I enjoyed your analysis! I discovered them about 3 1/2 years ago and was hooked immediately. Such a long wait to be able to see them live (stupid pandemic) but hopefully I'll be seeing them in just a few weeks!
Very nice analysis and great to see another fan in yourself, be sure to spread the word about BAND-MAID... we want the whole world to know how amazing these ladies are.
Yes! Definitely doing all I can to get the word out! :)
These girls are the real deal. They sound incredible live. They are just super talented
Yes, incredible!
Thanks from Japan 有難う💛。 Band-Maid is one of the best bands in our country. We say "Japan is the country obsessed by Rock Music". The history is very long and the obsession started in 1966 when Beatles visited Japan and held 5 concerts at Budokan. Speaking of hard rock / heavy metal music, a number of bands started to come to Japan since as early as 1970s : Led Zeppelin / Grand Funk Railroad (1971), Deep Purple (1972), Queen (1975), Kiss (1977), Cheap Trick / Van Halen / Scorpions (1978), Judas Priest (1978/79) and so on. Now, any type of rock can be enjoyed here, especially by many all-female or women-fronted bands. They are daughters of American / European rock, for sure. (Many are grand-daughters in terms of age.)
Uh-oh, we also say "Japan is the country obsessed by Jazz". It had started earlier than rock 😄
Thank you so much for your comment! I'm glad Japan is obsessed with rock music - it is so full of life and spirit! :)
You forgot The Ventures!! They caused a storm, like in the album Live in Japan '65. Mel Taylor's powerful drumming was unequaled at the time, combined with the ripping sound of their Mosrite guitars.
@@Ausemere Indeed！
Hum.... girl rock bands - summer 1977, The Runaways
@@glenkelley6799 Yeah The Runaways were big in Japan, even more than in the US.
This is a wonderful, level-headed, review. I've subscribed. Your thoughts are similar to mine a month after I discovered Band-Maid last year. I had the same gimmick-related reservations, but was so impressed that I had to keep listening. Their music has continued to grow on me over repeat listens, and they are now my favourite band, ahead of bands like Iron Maiden and Pink Floyd who I fell in love with as a child.
It's rare and nice to hear you praise their music without saying that the outfits add to it. I feel the same way as you about that, but some fans can get defensive about the topic. (This is understandable, because criticism of the outfits from some quarters has been rooted in prejudice against Japan.)
Band-Maid were the first Japanese band I listened to, but it's now the music scene I follow most closely. Other fantastic all-female bands include Lovebites, Nemophila and Gacharic Spin. There are also great bands with men in them, but these tend to get noticed less in the west. Sokoninaru and Asterism are two examples. These bands are very different from one another in terms of style, ranging from funk to power metal, but they are all have a sense of freedom in their music combined with virtuosity.
So glad you enjoyed the review! I think all artists have the right to express themselves in whatever ways they see it, but I definitely don't think they "need" the outfits - their music is all they need! But again, I support their decision if it is something they enjoy. I definitely look forward to continuing my journey into Japanese rock! Band-Maid blows my mind! Thanks for subscribing! :)
@@psychologyofrock KISS ditched their makeup and bombed, just saying :)
@@Greish-esquire Yes I agree! I definitely think that novelty can work for some bands. 😊
@@psychologyofrock Yes, I agree. They don't add to the music for me, but nor do they detract, and I do admire them for having the chutzpah to do it.
@@psychologyofrock I think we in the West look at the costumes in a different context than those in Japan. First, the visual is just as important as the music in the Japanese musical culture. In fact,.they have a whole sub-genre of music where the visual performance and aesthetic is actually more important than the music. It's called "Visual Kei". Think of it as their version of Glam meets Musical Theater (David Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust days would have been right at homein the Visual Kei scene). Second, the maid outfit was aimed at a very specific trope in Japanese pop culture. When Japanese audiences see cute girls in maid outfits, they expect to hear cutesie bubble-gum j-pop Idol Music (think of groups along the lines of AKB 48). Instead, with Band-Maid, you get in-your-face punk/metal influenced hard rock. This creates a mental dissonance in first time listeners called "The Gap". When what you are hearing doesn't jive with what you're seeing. And the impact of that makes first time hearing the band that much more memorable. It goes over the heads if some western audiences because we're conditioned to expect a certain look out of certain genres if music, and if it doesn't meet that expectation, it's "gimmicky".
Thanks for your nice analysis on my most favorite band, Band-Maid!
To my knowledge, their maid costumes were nothing but a barrier for many of us, at least initially. I, for example, didn't listen to their music for a year or so because of their maid costumes. But when I finally listened to their music..."never judge a book by its cover" is so true!
Yes! Lesson learned here as well! :) Welcome to the channel!
thank you so much for sharing your expertise, your knowledge, and your joy in the music. I appreciate the honesty of your analysis, and the depth. you did your due diligence. this was a great analysis. this is a great analysis
Welcome to the channel! So glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I needed to really study their music for a few weeks before giving an analysis. I have become a huge fan in the process! How did you discover Band-Maid?
@@psychologyofrock Long story short, and hopefully not too dramatic, Akane's smile saved my life one day in Dec 2020. She, and the rest of the Maids reminded me to find the joy in the things I do. You should check out Ohrenje's youtube channel if you get a moment. We have started a Band Maid documentary series. I normally am found narrating Mysteries of the Abandoned on Discovery, but I asked Ohrenje to narrate this for the fans. You should check it out. Even old fans are going to learn something new. Part one just aired last night. th-cam.com/video/3Mx_rZnqayg/w-d-xo.html&lc=UgxryXkeSSE4NYOl0q14AaABAg.9g8LbrHvyqH9g9_ogISoik
Fantastic work, Nena! It's MUCH appreciated. Like most of the other commenters, I've been a fan of rock music most of my life, but had been hunting for over a decade for something new, something that grabbed me, something that gave me chills. April 18th, 2021 I clicked on the MV for "Dice". I'd heard of Band-Maid, but never heard their music. Within 3 seconds of the video starting, those very chills coursed through my body. I was stunned. I questioned if it was "real". "This has to be a manufactured band", I thought. "They can't be this good" (a bit of inherent bias, anyone?). "This is too awesome to be true." But I'm a drummer, so I started to pay attention to Akane and when the overhead shot of her going down the kit with a half-time triplet at the beginning of the bridge happened, it all became clear. "This is real. This is REAL. THIS IS REAL!" (It's the way she moves.) By the end of the video my shirt was stuck to my back with sweat and I was legit. a bit dizzy. I've never looked back. I don't even notice the "battle armor" anymore but, oddly, I think I would miss them if they ever retire the maid outfits. For me, The Maids are the best, most complete band I've ever experienced. They are not the band of the decade or the band of a generation. They are the band of a lifetime. 🕊
Hey Jeremy! So glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for sharing your story! I agree these ladies are the real deal! Really hope to catch them live soon! Welcome to the channel!
PinD has made photo collages of the old songs that don't have film clips check out FREEZER and SHAKE THAT. My favourite new song is FLYING HIGH.
Well done I shared this with my Facebook BAND-MAID club.
Thanks, Stephen! Glad you enjoyed! So glad I found this amazing band! 🤘🏻😊
I hope that people can get past the appearance factor of these wonderful women and understand the significance of the costumes. Band Maid refer to their Maid outfits as Battle Armour, when they wear it they are identifying as The band, parts of a unique whole. Consider also that they refer to their fans as Masters and Princesses and their concerts as Servings and the image is further reinforced. I cannot think of another band that has written two songs paying tribute to their fans, Smile and About Us or redesigned their concerts and deliberately written slower songs to give their audience a breather. Every move they make is in service of the music and those of us that Love them. 🤘🤘👌👍👍
Hey Steve! Yes, they are all parts of a unique whole - well said! :) Welcome to the channel!
I really like your approach to the band and your points of view about them.
Currently, BAND-MAID is my favorite band and what dragged me to them was how smart I found their music in the way they composed it, at least for me, I really love how they know how to put the exact guitar note, the exact drum fill or vocals to make a song musically interesting, but at the same time very catchy and memorable. I love how balance the band is in terms on how they work their instruments and how they accent their songs differently through an album, some time is more guitar centered, other time is more bass focused, the can be heavier, softer or more upbeat, the mood and the focus can be pretty different from song to song, borrowing elements from different genres that works better for what they want to express and I really like that because it gives more diversity to their music. They heavily reminded me to one of my all time favorite bands SIAM SHADE and I just falled in love with them at first listen.
I discovered BAND-MAID through BAND-MAIKO (their alter ego). I was watching music videos on TH-cam and suddenly their song "Secret MAIKO Lips" popped up and I thought their concept about mixing japanese folklore with rock was interesting (they reminded me a band that I listened a lot in my college years called Onmyouza). Then I search about the band and I learned that this was some kind of an april's fools joke and the real band was called BAND-MAID. I was intrigued because I didn't know what to expect since, for me, maid culture has always been associated with cute and silly things that wasn't exactly my cup of tea (I knew about that because I've liked anime and japanese culture since my childhood). Then I watched "Thrill" and I was inmediately hooked and I started to watch more videos and my impression was that this band was exactly what I was looking for. I remember how excited I was, even with all the bands I've been listening and my constant search for new music (about that time Royal Blood was the band that got me hooked and I still love them).
Personally I think they still have a lot to show and they will get more popular over the years. If the band continues to appear in festivals outside Japan and get more exposure to new audiences, it's just about time. I think it would be cool if they can open for another renoun bands and get the support of other more known artists, that surely will help them. Language barrier sure can be a thing, but people should be aware that we are in a more globalized era, so products with different language and culture should be seen as the norm and we should accept them the way they are.
Great video! Hope you read all this text. Greetings!
Hey Rodrigo! A pleasure to meet you and thanks for sharing your Band-Maid journey! :)
Well done, one of the most honest an in depth reviews and especially for someone
just discovering Band-Maid. I hope you will continue and i promise you will be amazed
at what you will discover po. 🕊
Thanks so much! It has been an incredible few weeks getting to know their music, and I look forward to hearing and learning more! Glad you enjoyed the video, and welcome to the channel! :)
@@psychologyofrock It would be difficult to find a more devoted fan base,
Band-Maid transcends on many levels and as much as we fans love watching
and discussing all things Band-Maid there is an unspoken tie that binds us all.
We may never understand how they cast that spell so some of us call it Magic po :)
Enjoy the journey !!! Seattle 2022 Po.
very insightful commentary on my fave band - kinda like my beatles 2.0. they're like the second coming for me when i've grown weary of contemporary western rock. their classic rock-informed melodicism i find life-affirming.
Yes! They have reinspired many! Welcome to the channel! ♥️😊🤘🏻
Thank you so much, that was a great analysis and you had so many points right. Before I found Band-Maid, I was listening to the same old stuff for about 30 years and didn't follow anything new. Then I met Band-Maid and everything changed.
I always smile a bit about the "problem" with the language barrier. It seems to me, no offense, a little bit of american/english "arrogance", that every music has to be in english to be succesful and well received. I live in Germany and here, in the 50s or 60s, hardly anyone spoke english. And yet, the people loved artists like Elvis or the Beatles, too. It works, if you open minded. The advantage today is, that there's the internet now and everyone can just search for any lyrics ever 😉😊
Great points! And very glad you enjoyed the analysis! :) Welcome to the channel!
Great analysis! I agree with all your points. You picked up many aspects of the band that others don't understand, or takes them some length of time to be aware of. Look forward to more from you.
Thank you, David! Welcome to the channel! Band-Maid are just phenomenal!
Welcome aboard, Nina, and thanks for a great overview and insight into Band-Maid for your viewers. You've been embarking on (along with many others - 150 million YT views plus over 30 million reactor plays!) an awesome, progressive, hard-rock journey with 5 incredible women. Here's my intro blurb for those who may be new to Band-Maid:
BAND-MAID’s songs and sound beat with the heart and soul of all rockers. But you’ll also hear heavy influences of Prog, Punk, Metal and Pop, with nice touches of Blues, Jazz, Funk and Grunge. Sometimes they use multiple genres within the same song. Their Composition, Execution, Joy of Playing, Consistency (124 songs with their new album “Unleash” dropping September 21, 2022), Uniqueness, Charisma, Charm and, oh yeah, Cuteness factor, position them as becoming the hard rock Beatles of our time! In other words, they’re destined for mega-stardom.
Each member's personalities are super interesting and their musicianship among the best. Their writing, arrangements and overall sound, especially guitar tones and drums, are kick-ass! Having seen them LIVE, I can honestly say their performance, sound, stage appearance, and band synergy is off-the-rails spectacular!
Band-Maid is the only band in decades where I love nearly EVERY song they’ve done. I have over 70 favorites! "Thrill" (2014) is a great place to start: th-cam.com/video/Uds7g3M-4lQ/w-d-xo.html Their later songs from albums Unseen World, Conqueror, World Domination, Just Bring It, Brand New Maid, and New Beginning drive even more - Warning, No God, Different, Black Hole, Rinne, Blooming, Moratorium, Domination, Clang, Dice, Spirit, Don’t You Tell Me, Turn Me On, Fate, Play, Hide-And-Seek, Secret My Lips, Puzzle, Choose Me, I Can’t Live Without You, and on and on.
But don’t miss out on their powerful, beautifully written, mid-tempo songs like Daydreaming, About Us, Anemone, Endless Story, PAGE, At The Drop Of A Hat, Mirage and Smile... or more punky like After Life, Don’t Let Me Down and Screaming… or funky like Bubble… or bluesy like Manners and The Dragon Cries… or poppy like Start Over… or a bit jazzy like Wonderland… or progressive like No God, Giovanni, and Black Hole… or cultural like the Band-Maiko series… or instrumentals like From Now On, Don’t Be Long, Onset, Without Holding Back and Going Nuts… or their many acoustic versions like Catharsis and Sayonakidori... and last but not least, their Anime hits like Sense, Glory and Unleash (from their own Anime MV (series?)): th-cam.com/video/7LB_EPS48HE/w-d-xo.html)
And many songs are represented with over 40 well produced music videos. th-cam.com/users/BANDMAID
Most performances should be experienced from their LIVE audience & online OKYU-JI concerts:
ONLINE OKYU-JI (Feb. 11, 2021) “No God” th-cam.com/video/nAdWnIRjGak/w-d-xo.html
Tokyo's LINE CUBE SHIBUYA on February 14th “Domination” th-cam.com/video/QbyQCJn6rYg/w-d-xo.html
ZEPP 2018 “Real Existence” th-cam.com/video/-qQnKILR5u0/w-d-xo.html
Shinkiba Studio Coast 2017 (Full concerts from the last two songs are on bandmaidprime.tokyo and DVD/BD/CD)
And some of the better quality 2019 tour Fan vids are excellent. Here’s two of what it’s like to see Band-Maid LIVE at super intimate venues:
Taken by Vladimir Chupin in Hamburg: th-cam.com/video/__1th7ctgMo/w-d-xo.html
And by JOSER8845 in LA: th-cam.com/video/usWZvlGGDSs/w-d-xo.html.
If you like Band-Maid, make sure to support them by purchasing some concert tickets, CD, DVD/BD & Merch, etc. bandmaid.tokyo
Like most Band-Maid songs, I like them from the get-go but really start to appreciate them after more hearings and seeing their LIVE videos. I'll go back and see an older song like YOLO, Order, Shake That, Freezer, Before Yesterday, Real Existence, Non Fiction Days and Alone, etc. and realize there's no band that can consistently construct and play like Band-Maid.
For fun, check out an awesome, little known "Mega Band-Maid Mix" by DJ Ray of some of their earlier stuff: facebook.com/djrayboston/videos/1004709499579009
Band-Maid Members:
Saiki Atsumi (Sy-i-Key or Psyche) “Ice Queen" - Lead vocals, arrangements and melodies. At 28 and the youngest, “Sensei” (Teacher) as band members call her, has the last word on many musical decisions. High-heels or sneakers, Sai-chan’s smile melts away her sometimes perceived, coldish persona. Saiki’s powerhouse performances, charisma, and voice focus the experience that’s driven her to the top echelon of hard rock frontwomen... or frontmen!
Miku Kobato (Me-Ku) "Small Pigeon" - Rhythm guitar, vocals, lyricist, 30 years old. “Koba”, as Saiki calls her, is the Band founder and a firecracker MC & PR SpokesPigeon, po! Her “Magic Spell Time” charm and energy ignite the room. Kuruppo! No, no, no… KURUPPO!!
Kanami Tono (Ka-Na-Me) “Princess” - Lead guitar, keyboards, 30 years old, is a prolific writer of most Band-Maid material. Kanami (translates “Song Wave”) is a possessed riff-slayer who’s so damn adorable it hurts. The only thing you want from Mincho is more!
Akane Hirose (A-Ka-Nay) "Gorilla" - Drums, 31 years old, band energizer & co-clown with MISA. Achi’s talents include massive consumption of noodles and bananas, of course, (even during performance!) while revolutionizing rock drumming with relentless drive, dynamics and the kick. This “DrumZilla” is the Party!
MISA (Me-Sa) "Barefoot Assassin" - Bass, 29 years old. An alluring free spirit driving her 5-string to rapturous low-ends while pulling off surprising counter leads with Kanami, off-stage MISA is the band’s goofball ballerina. Sometimes seen as the Mysterious One because she lets her instrument do the talking, the Assassin literally kills it… every note... uniting Band-Maid’s world-class rhythm section. A slug of JB, a slight grin, and let the slappin’ begin… MISA! MISA! MISA!
Maidiacs (Maid-e-acts) - Band-Maid’s crazed yet supportive, knowledgeable and loyal Super Fans.
[BAND-MAID NEWS]
BAND-MAID PRIME - Special Video Distribution Website. Along with nearly 50 great play-through’s by each member, concerts and skits, Band-Maid management / label(s) have included the ZEPP 2018 and Shinkiba Studio Coast 2017 concerts! Fans can now see more than 50 great live performances with awesome audio, etc. like Fate, I Can't Live Without You and the great MISA / Kanami exchange in Don't You Tell Me. Those concerts are two of the best produced & performed concerts ever recorded, IMO. bandmaidprime.tokyo
Got your tickets yet? BAND-MAID's 14 gig USA tour is all but SOLD OUT! HOWEVER, they just added two more venues in New Jersey Oct. 30 (4,000 seats), and Chicago, Nov. 1. And the "AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL 2022" in Sacramento, California on Sunday, October 9 may still have tickets. Check Ticketmaster and Band-Maid’s website quickly!
Great info! Thanks so much for sharing, and welcome to the channel! Happy you are here!
@@psychologyofrock I've enjoyed your insights on Rock & Metal music and culture. I'm looking forward to more Band-Maid reviews, Nina.
"The Trifecta of Metal, Hard Rock and Rock: Jinjer, Band-Maid, and The Warning -- all pushing their core genres into the next realm!" 🤘 🤘 🤘
Good video introducing the band to a new audience hopefully. I'd like to note the band was featured (cameo and two songs in the OST) for Netflix film "Kate" in 2021 and the recent HBO Max series "The Peace Maker" also included them in the soundtrack.
Welcome down the "pigeon hole" as fans call it.
That's great! And thank you! :)
I was just hooked on Band-Maid a week ago, and I remembered you made this video. This band's maid outfit creeped me out at first, just as Babymetal did. But somehow I found out that the Warning (my fave band) met Band-Maid in Aftershock and were star-strucked with them. So I stepped into the rabbit hole and here I am.
I agree with your every analysis. Talking about rock is not dead, I think rock is more refined and had not only broader spectrum of subgenres but also safer entertainment for families as well. I remember in the 80s-90s kids were not supposed to be in a metal concert. But now even bands like Slipknot, Disturbed, the Warning, Band-Maid, everyone in the family would visit. Metal is no longer about darkness and violence.
One thing stand out for me is the way current bands (post CDs era or shall we say Spotify era) are different with the older generations. I remember I looked up at legendary bands like Guns N'Roses, Metallica, Megadeth as some kind of gods. The media only provided tidbits of informations about their personalities. We saw them as some kind of misterious personas. We thought they were perfect with their skills.
But now, the Warning showed off their goofiness in learning each other's instruments. The Villarreal family became like a model of healthy family. Remember when we found out that the Jackson Five was abused by their father to reach fame? Band-Maid is clearly honest that Miku only learned guitar lately (Kanami taught her to be the rhythm guitarist) and that Miku didn't record the rhythm guitar track in the studio. We adore them for being honest. We even love them more with their humility. Sid Vicious was actually terrible in playing bass and he didn't record the bass track in the studio (and I looked down on him when I found this out).
All this things made me very very thankful that I live in this transition era: the record era and Spotify era. I am even thankful now that hard rock/heavy metal is no longer mainstream MTV. All these things filtered out the crap from the gold. The Warning and Band-Maid are gold. And I don't think they need to be as famous as Maneskin, as long as they keep their current hard work and qualities.
Thank you for your videos. I really enjoyed them.
Great comment and thank you so much for watching! Happy you are enjoying the videos!
Thanks so much for you interesting analysis of the band I love so much. I've got tix to see them and The Warning at Aftershock! Can't wait!!🤘🤩🤘
Hey Dan! Ahhhhhhh! So jealous! Enjoy! ;)
I've never seen you before I tuned in for BAND-MAID but I hope you have done NEMOPHILA. They are heavier than BAND-MAID but just as good. It's a great girls band. The drummer has a toddler and a baby and the lead singer ( They all sing) is pregnant and having a baby in March. They get married They have kids and they are in a kick ass band. They do some great covers as well .
I will check them out, Stephen! :)
I'll see them at their D.C. show . Daytona Beach to the Fillmore 12 hour drive or 12 day walk.I'll be there!!!!! 🕊🍌🍻☕⚾
🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻 Enjoy! That’s awesome!
They quickly rose to become my favorite band of all times. Talented but very humble and hard-working women.
Agree!!! 🖤🤘🏻😊
That was really well done!
Glad you enjoyed! How did you hear about Band-Maid? 😊🤘🏻
@@psychologyofrock It was on Wings of Pegasus channel. British guitarist who does music analysis (not a reactor per se). I immediately thought...I have not heard rock that sounded this good and this fun in a long time
Great Video, always glad to hear others are discovering the greatness of band-maid.
Yes! They are amazing!
This was a refreshing and informative review of what I now consider the stand out band I have heard in years. I am old and have been a music fan since the Sixties. But you were right and for me music became a bit stale. Until The Maids. First of all they have been together for nine years and are looking forward to their tenth anniversary concerts next year. The Maid uniforms may have been to make them stand out when they were young Women. But now in their early thirties and late twenties they call it their battle dress. The fans are very protective of them. Miku once went into the audience of great hulking fans to do her MC spot. They are loved. At just over five foot Miku is in control. Again you were spot on about their music evolving. They never stand still;. If only we in the West didn't have such dull radio they would and could be everywhere. But for now we just laugh,sing (even if we have no idea what we are singing) and enjoy the music and their personalities. As fans will often say. Band Maid saved Rock.
Glad you enjoyed it, Russell, and yes! They are the real deal!!!
Check out SCANDAL, Silent Siren, Shonen Knife, Ningen Isu, Wagakki Band, and Maximum the Hormone. BTW, the international fan base for these groups (and BAND-MAID) is massive.
Will do! Which is your fav?
Band Maid are the SPIRIT of rock! Most awesome ... Great review 😍 Next .... Nemophila, Lovebites, Trident, Unlucky Morpheus and and Gacharic Spin/Doll$Boxx err err - to many. Japan is where its at 🤣🤩
Hey Andy! I couldn’t agree more! ♥️ Welcome to the channel!
I REALLY recommend you check out their _Band Maiko_ EP - where they re-arrange several of their songs for bass, drum kit, vocals, and traditional Japanese instruments. It started as an April Fool's joke where Band-Maid dressed up as Maiko from the Kansai district. It's like a completely different band, and the resulting EP is both very interesting and really well executed.
Michael - I will definitely look into it! Thanks!
Thank you!! Great to hear your thoughts on BandMaid. I think you are correct with some people having a problem with the lyrics not being in English (at least the US and UK crowds) which is too bad being that the Japanese people have been listening to American and British music even though it's not in Japanese. I find that I can get a English version of the lyrics easy enough for most Japanese music, so I don't have a problem with their work. I just wish that more people would be willing to work past the language barriers. Just my 2 cents.
Hey Tim! I think if people would be willing to listen, they would be won over 😊 I was happily surprised that it was not a barrier for me. Truly phenomenal band!!!
@@psychologyofrock in time, I think more and more people will be "why are you listening to that....ooooh, that's why..."
@@timbaker7238 exactly! 😊
The English speaking world is very spoiled IMHO. Because English is THE current lingua franca of the world and the English speaking world being the largest consumer of music and entertainment, lots of media is already catered to us specifically. Thus we have become lazy culturally and don't go beyond what is comfortable. Which is exactly the opposite of the rest of the non-English speaking world that must learn English to a greater or lesser degree to consume the media and pop culture we put out.
@Ronin K-pop is essentially hip-hop/R&B sung in Korean. It already has in-roads to the US market because of that.
BAND-MAID is the best live rock band in the world. Anyway, His Holiness TinyHat-san welcome to the International Fellowship of Maidiacs.
I had avoided Band-Maid simply because of the maid costumes. But "Thrill" kept popping up in my TH-cam suggestions and on a goof, I finally gave it a look. I liked "Thrill"'s punky hard rock vibe enough that I watched the next Band-Maid MV that topped my suggestion list: "Onset".
OMG! I was not expecting what I heard next: an emotionally charged instrumental onslaught that starts at 10 and then cranks it up to ELEVEN and keeps going. This was prog rock at RUSH level! Kanami Tono's guitar work was incredible and only lets up a few moments to allow Misa, Miku, and Akane their moments to shine. This piece took my breath away and I was hooked, I wanted more, and Band-Maid has more: over 100 songs and none of them suck! If you love lyrics, examine Miku Kobato's. Read the translations, listen to the words as sung, and you will notice that she gets a ton of meaning out of very few words. Her lyrics seem simple, but they are anything but.
Listen to "About Us", "Page", or her solo pop song "With You" (Cluppo)
It's not just Kanami, everybody in the band has the Neil Peart "Never stop taking lessons" work ethic. They seem to get better with each new album.
BTW: their 2023 Tenth Anniversary Tour is going on RIGHT NOW. They will be in the US in May and August. Their concerts sell out fast.
Hey Etoine! Yes, I was right there with you, and I was floored at how wrong my assumptions were! There is nothing I don't like about this band! So glad I found them!
@@psychologyofrock I discovered them a year ago and it was like finding a treasure chest overflowing with gold: riches beyond belief!
Yes!!!
Great analysis, well done! I am one of those people that was waiting on something new from the rock world. Before Band-Maid, I have only had this level of connection to a band, those were AC/DC and Guns & Roses.
Yes! Been waiting forever! :) It was worth the wait!
Love Band Maid...and the attributes you applied to them can be applied to a majority of the Japanese female metal scene,they're all tremendously skilled, positive,humble,and gracious. Personal favorite is Nemophila,but the rabbit hole is tremendously deep for the genre in general, hope you enjoy falling down it as much as I did.
I have recently gotten very into Nemophila! The Japanese female metal scene is filled with incredibly talented artists! I'm enjoying the habit hole :)
Everything about Band Maid is amazing! These ladies can rock just as hard as the guys!
100%!!! 😊🤘🏻❤️
They have no genre
They are BAND-MAID
And looking at language, most operas are written in Italian. Go figure.
They are just the total package and such Musial genius they should be playing for the next 50 years.
Keep listening and always do your best.
Pp I will probably be gone before their musical career is over.
Thank god for BAND-MAID!
Yup, and when I listen to Opera, I just tune out the words and consider the voice just another instrument.
Opera is not exactly mainstream these days though.
Thank you for the very astute analysis. I discovered Band-Maid maybe a couple of years ago, and they very quickly became my favorite band. What drew me in was their musicianship and songwriting, and I didn't really pay much attention to their look (still don't).
What I hope you have found as you listen to more of Band-Maid is the way their compositions change as the song moves along. The songs are constantly evolving as they move towards the end, and I think it's safe to say that each part of the song is different than what came before. EG the backing for Verse 2 is different than what you had for Verse 1, verse 3 is different than verse2, etc.
I also find it very nice that the band still has the original members from when it was first founded by Miku in 2013-ish. I don't know, but speculate that they are very much friends and will remain that way, growing together.
My favorite song is their latest, Shambles, as in it they seem to have recovered some of that hard rock energy. I prefer the songs and mixes from their early albums, Just Bring It and World Domination, for instance. Just a little rawer and more "present" than their later stuff. Unseen World was the last one I really liked.
Thank you again, and sorry for the long post.
Welcome to the channel and thank you for sharing your thoughts! Always a pleasure to meet another Band-Maid fan! 😊🖤🤘🏻
Both The Warning and Band-Maid appeared at the Aftershock festival, in Sacramento. The Warning made it a point to find Band-Maid backstage, and they've even floated the idea of collaborating, some time in the future. There's a lot of overlap in the two fan bases.
Yesssss! That would be amazing!
They are the most beautiful and amazing band on this or any other planet. They seamlessly blend music of all genres (except crap & kuntry?). They are incredibly creative. Kanami is a musical genius. I am a 70 year old former jazz fusion prog rock drummer and on March 3rd 2019 I found these awesome girls on TH-cam and went on a ravenous Band Maid binge which has never abated. As a drummer, I have seen most of the greats but Akane constantly amazes me. I will see them Oct 19th here in Phoenix AZ and I can't wait.
Agreed! She is OUTSTANDING! Enjoy the show!!!!!
Language should not be a barrier in music. English is not my native language, so I started listening to music in English anyway. I think that listening to music helped me learn a bit of the language (of course in combination with movies and series). For me, music is more about emotions than words. If you can feel the emotion of a song, no matter what language it's in, then that's it.
The Band Maid quickly entered my top 5 favorite bands.
It has often happened that I feel the emotion of their song, and when I find the translation of the song, I realize that I was right about the theme of the song.
If no one has recommended it to you yet, check out Gacharic Spin. Technically excellent band. Their genre is a mixture of rock, funky, pop, jazz, lately a bit harder... I don't know! their genre is Gacharic Spin genre.
Yes! I just found them and think they are amazing. They reminded me of RHCP :)
For me, foreign lyrics don't bother me ( I speak English and French) But what I do when I listen to a song in a language I don't speak, I listen to it a few times and then I look into the lyrics and translation so I can appreciate what the song is about. So, when I hear it again, I know what they are singing about.
Also, with other fans, definitely feel they have revived rock for us. As far as the image, I don't care how they dress as long as they sound great. I saw them live and they were outstanding and in between songs they were fun and funny and their english was improved over what I had seen in the past.
Their engagement with the fans is great. They truly interact with them in person. And I even had a special interaction with Saiki, they truly pay attention to the fans.
Agree completely, Richard! I have grown to LOVE this band!
Checking in on this a year later, and you were spot on. Their audience is growing fast--at the last show I saw, there were entire families who came to see them. And the sources of resistance remain the same--some people can't get past language or maid outfits. Their loss. This is my favorite band since the Beatles, and I'll stand by that statement.
:)
In an extremely crowded rock music scene in Japan it is very hard to get noticed. There are a lot of very talented rock bands in Japan male and female. The maid motif helps set them apart in a very noticeable way. Miku's idea is called the gap. The gap between your expectation and reality. There are many very talented all female rock bands there that no one has ever heard of. The gap sets them apart a little bit and gets them noticed. Once you notice them you are hooked. As others have said I have been a hard rock fan for over 40 years and have listened to and enjoyed the best. But I have never enjoyed another band like these ladies. The level of talent and craftsmanship is first rate. They care so much for their fans as well as each other in a way I have never seen with other bands. Thank you for your analysis. It is appreciated.
Hey John! So glad you enjoyed the analysis! I'm glad Miku's idea helped them to get noticed because they definitely deserve to be heard! :)
@@psychologyofrock Thank you so much for replying. The point about language is well taken. It has never been an issue for me as I think of the vocals as just another instrument. I know others do not share this feeling. One other interesting thing you could research is the lyrics. Miku, the lyricist noticed early on that Japanese syllable structure did not fit the normal timing of rock. She started creating contractions of Japanese to better fit the songs. There is a good breakdown of this on the Band-Maid reddit page. Other Japanese artists do this but not to the extent that Miku does. When you basically reconstruct a language to better fit you artistic intentions I think this shows genius. Who does that? Miku does. Thank you again for your analysis.
*Nina* Sorry I overlook this video on *BAND-MAID* that you *maid* earlier I really like the Video you posted today about THE WARNING / BAND MAID / LILIAC.
As to their popularity all I really care about if *BAND-MAID* is happy and last year back in October proves that they are happy as they performed live in front of their fans after 3 long years of the pandemic.
As far as language barrier goes, I guess you can say people like the opera but don’t understand the language but feels the artist as they perform and as for *BAND-MAID* just listing to them makes me happy.
But what makes *BAND-MAID* - *BAND-MAID* is the connection with their fan base on how much *BAND-MAID* cares for their fan base and how their fans care about them. For example
🐦 On March of 2020 *BAND-MAID* was supposed to perform at KNOTFEST as a warm-up band
well the pandemic hit and the event was cancelled *BAND-MAID* felt sad for the people that
bought tickets to the show that in March *BAND-MAID* had a free live streaming concert.
🐦 On Feb 11 2021 *BAND-MAID* was suppose to perform at Budokan but due to the pandemic
the show was canceled so *BAND-MAID* wrote a song *About Us* a song to the fans on how
much they missed them and one day they hope to see their smiling faces and this song was
performed in a live stream on Feb 11, 2021
🐦 In 2019 a show in New York *BAND-MAID* was doing a set all of sudden *Saiki* stop the band
and pointed to a lady in the back row that had fallen and asked the people around her to help her
up *Saiki* proceed to ask the lady if she was ok and if she needed any medical attention.
So there are so many things that *BAND-MAID* does that you really can experience in a music video.
Please keep up with the great videos documentary.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I agree that Band Maid is incredibly devoted to their fans! Glad you are enjoying the channel!
The 2014 music video Thrill was the make-it-or-break-it video for Band Maid. At that point Miku couldn't play the guitar since she thought she was only going to be a vocalist in the band. However that video did so well due to exposure in foreign markets, that it was decided that Band-Maid was going to be a successful project and that gave them the financial wherewithal to get started. That is before MISA and Saiki started dressing Gothic. Band-Maid is Jimmy Page approved!
Wow - did Jimmy Page say he was a fan? That's amazing!
Clear and concise very well thought out analysis . Looking forward to more .
Where I live when I introduced this band to friends to my surprise the look was not an issue . Can they play ,are they legit musicians and so on . Once those questions were answered people took to them rather quickly . Many making the comment that they are defying music mediocrity . So in order to keep them interested in what is going on in the east I introduced more bands . With this the understanding arose how musically manipulated many are . As Saiki stated in one song think outside the box .
Thank you, Reese! And great comment!
The MAID aesthetic is all about the GAP (as Kobato would say)... the expectation GAP between what one sees with the eye, and what one hears with the ear. The goal is to increase that GAP, and thus increase the surprise (the pleasant surprise) one receives on that first listen. (I hope I have sufficiently explained this, without misrepresenting any of the MAIDs intentions)
I think you stated that perfectly! Warmest welcome to the channel! 🖤🤘🏻
When Akane-sama smiles just before she hits the drums at the start of a concert, you know you are in for supercharged rock'n'roll. The audience is hooked by the image, but stay for the music.
Having seen them live four times, they are constantly improving. I am hoping to see them live in Tokyo in 2023.
Another band you should check out is Sokoninaru. I would start with Re:Prog. I saw them live in London and became a fan for live.
Hey Philip! I will look into them! Thanks so much! :) Welcome to the channel!
@@psychologyofrock Book my flight. Hoping to see Sokoninaru as I missed them in 2020!!
I have been lucky enough to see them 3 times, in a matter of maybe 8 months. Saw them in Dallas, Houston and Austin. Fantastic show, each time they steadily were much improved. Especially with their English. Saiki In Particular. Miku next. Kanami. She speaks some to the crowd. She is probably most different from performing to not performing. Shes very soft spoken and pauses to think how to say something in English. When not performing. But goes full out when playing. Almost like her guitar is her safety blanket. Then laughs and turns red if she messes up..lol. Misa can actually be hilarious. Especially when Akane or Kanami are laughing or making faces at her. Saiki's vocal's live are insanely good. Shes the perfect front woman for them. She really knows how to command the crowd. A couple of things I really like about them. You can tell they legitimately love being together and performing together. And they truly do love their fans. If they recognize you from being to more than one of their shows, they will point you out, just ask Mr. Rock N Roll. At the Austin Show, I was maybe second row center stage like the other two. Saiki saw me and said have you seen us before, I said yes this is my 3rd show, I said it in broken Japanese..lol ( I lived in Japan for 6 years in my Navy days. ) Each of them and said thank you for seeing them so many times, Kanami got a bit teary eyed when she said it. She's the really emotional one of the group. Akana was silly as usual..lol jumping up and down, said thank you alot..lol Misa Just held up her beer and smiled and did quick toast. Miku, just smiled and said wow. Don't underestimate Miku, I found out she's the businesswoman of the band, very smart lady. All 5 of them are so different than the other. But If you are close to the stage more than once they will notice you.
That is amazing that you have seen them three times!
Also from Japan, check out Lovebites, the metal warriors, saving heavy metal from darkness & obscurity. Hard rock...Mary's Blood, Nemophila, Fate Gear, Aldious, Asterism, Ark Royal, Hagane.
I will definitely check them out, Charles! Thank you! 🖤🤘🏻
VERY VERY VERY Cool thank you for a Great review pretty much Nailed it. I actually came from a Prog Pock and Pop Rock background I'm in Australia so all we got was Mainstream Pop Rock and Pop Punk and had never heard of a lot of the 70's and 80's Hard Rock and Metal. Then I heard BabyMetal which led Me to Band-Maid, Scandal and Waggaki Band (now 100's more) and thru them started to find out about Bands Like Slayer, early Metalica, Rush and so-on.
Hey David! Thank you so much for sharing! I think that is awesome! So great to discover new artists! Very glad you enjoyed the review!
MISA! MISA! MISA!
Holding the line in Solid Guitar Rock, Band Maid has picked up the Mantel of Rock'n'Roll where the West has left it behind!
More Band Maid Always!!
Put your Kitsune UP!! Po!
Misa is incredible!
I’m 55 years old, and have heard all the best bands… seen many of them live… and in a month’s time Band Maid will be added to the list of live shows I’ve attended. I already know they will be right there with the best live bands I’ve seen, given all the live footage I’ve seen online. I’m one of many classic rock/metal fans who not only loves Band Maid but puts them on their short list of favorite bands of all time. For many of us, yes indeed, they are that good.
Enjoy the show!!!
Loved your storytelling - about how your thought process worked while becoming familiar with the band (as opposed to just watching a video and saying you liked it, which is what most "reaction channels do).
Hey Chan! So glad you enjoyed! Yes, I usually need time to reflect on artists and songs to really be able to dissect them and see what makes them so special. :) I was just so impressed with Band Maid! Wish I had listened earlier. Welcome to the channel!
I forgot to mention that this was an awesome breakdown and Nena is incredibly beautiful
Thank you Tom - so glad you enjoyed! Welcome to the channel!
Great vid thankyou,,when i discovered BM i was blown away,and my first thought was,they cant keep this up ,boy was i wrong,they have evolved into the monster band that we have now,and yes they are the real deal.
Yes! They just get more and more impressive!!! 🖤🤘🏻
The Warning, BAND-MAID, LILIAC, and Unleash The Archers got most of us through the pandemic. Awesome analysis, thank you.
Hey Eric! Great point! 😊🤘🏻 Glad you enjoyed the analysis!
Some Japanese bands, old and new. Take your pick: BAND-MAID [All their songs... really!], LOVEBITES [Break the Wall, Raise some Hell, and all the other songs], MAXIMUM THE HORMONE [Yoshu Fukushu], DEXCORE [Earthworm], CROSSFAITH [Catastrophe], SiM [Killing Me], NINGEN ISU [Heartless Scat], UNLUCKY MORPHEUS [Black Pentagram], YOUSEI TEIKOKU [Astral Dogma], COLDRAIN [Die Tomorrow], CRYSTAL LAKE [The Circle], GIVEN BY THE FLAMES [Ronove], ANGRY FROG REBIRTH [2Step Syndrome], SILENTLY SHOOTING TRAITORS [Manipulate], ALDIOUS [Dominator], BRIDEAR [Light in the Dark], CINQ ELEMENT [Destiny], MARY'S BLOOD [Marionette], GRAUPEL [Bereavement], DOLL$BOXX [Take my Chance], SOKONINARU [Tenohira De Odoru], HELLO SLEEPWALKERS [Flying Saucer], TELECiDE [Tied up Memories], NEKO [Ghost on a Record], ROTTENGRAFFTY [Hallelujah], JILUKA [Mephisto], BROKEN BY THE SCREAM [Emotion Cross-Counter], LYNCH [Devil], GACHARIC SPIN [Mindset], DIR EN GREY [Ningen wo Kaburu], X JAPAN [Kurenai], DAZZLE VISION [Second], JUPITER [My Enemy], NOKUTO [Life of Desire], GALNERYUS [Angel of Salvation], SAISEIGA [Ride On], BLOOD STAIN CHILD [Del-Sol], NEMOPHILA [Hypnosis], DADAROMA [Lucid Dream], JILUKA [Lluvia], HANABIE [We Love Sweets], A CROWD OF REBELLION [Re:Create of the Re:d], TRiDENT [Spoopy], POLKADOT STINGRAY [any song], MUTANT MONSTERS [Abnormal], BLACKLAB [Insanity], ASTERISM [Church], NOISEMAKER [Hunter or Prey], BiSH [The Night When Stars Twinkle], SCANDAL [A.M.D.K.J.], DEEP GIRL [I kill], Mrs. GREEN APPLE [Inferno], BRATS [Doudatte Yokatta], THE ORAL CIGARETTES [Frenzy Hey Kids!!], GIRUGAMESH [Drain], LiLiHoLi [From Darkness to Light], and many many more...
Thank you so much for sharing! :) Welcome to the channel!
great analysis, glad you've found this band, check out their "alter egos" Band Maiko videos, they touch their deep traditional roots in a rockin' fashion
Will do! Thank you! 😊🤘🏻
@@psychologyofrock you're more than welcome, will be seeing them here in L.A. in Oct. saw them back to back in Oct. of 2019, yes, they are really great live, hope you can get to one of their shows...
@@quartertozen me too 😊🤘🏻
@@psychologyofrock "Gion-cho" makes me nostalgic for a place I've never been and long for a time before I was born. They make great rock music but they are still Japanese to their core and unquestionably feminine.
Fantastic review very deep and in-depth. You put some work into this and shows your personal work ethic which is perfect for this band. you must realize by now these ladies are workaholics as well it shows in their skill level. But ya gotta have talent and no problemo there.
Thanks
You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed! Welcome to the channel! 😊🤘🏻🖤
I am glad you discussed this. You will find the Maidiac community loves you too (even criticism).
Not much to criticize here, they are the real deal! I was instantly hooked and I'm so glad I found this incredible band! Welcome to the channel!
Great to have you onboard, Nena!!
Thanks, Bob! :) Welcome to the channel!
I suppose the point-of-view of a non-Maidiac would actually be a far more balanced one (a well-established Maidiac, Wave Potter, had also made a documentary called Rock is not Dead, also featuring Band-Maid). This is what makes this video interesting - it has refreshing perspectives that are grounded in the realities of the current situation. So, underground it is for now, but I'm sure rock will claw its way back with bands like Band-Maid at the helm.
Glad you enjoyed! I was VERY impressed by this band! Welcome to the channel!
Good vid Miku was part of japanese idol group prior to Band maid. The group wasn't successful so one story goes her management asked her what she wanted to do, thats when the Rock/maid idea came to be and they obviously said give it ago and she found Kanami on youtube and the rest fell into place. I heard 1 or two versions of how they came to be which may not be as organic as people think. Regardless if your open minded and not hung up on how bands came to be, it worked and now they are doing pretty well.
One other all-female band from Japan that is I think equally good as Band-Maid is Nemophila. They are a lot younger as a band, since the band was formed in 2019, and they are quite a lot heavier than Band-Maid. I think it's worth checking them out.
Yes, I have them on my list! I will do an analysis, but I like to listen to a band for a few weeks instead of just giving an initial reaction. Thanks so much for the recommendation!
Great review! I agree with virtually all of your points, especially regarding their keeping an open mind to trying out new things. There are other great rock, metal, and indie bands in Japan, but IMO most of them tend to be throwback or lack the nice balance between infectious melodic hooks and instrumental complexity.
Thanks, Phil! I look forward to seeing what direction they go in the future! Welcome to the channel!
I mean, "throwback" would fit Band-Maid as well lol.
@@cepho8349 maybe the better word would be "stuckback", which I feel many bands are, but Band-Maid is definitely not.
Most of their songs are probably 20-25% English - you just don't notice because your ear is not expecting it. I'd listened to the song "Non-Fiction Days" for weeks before realising that the words Non-Fiction Days are said all through the chorus. I'd missed that "Don't Let Me Down" is entirely in English.
Japan has a ton of all-female bands. It doesn't seem to be unusual there in the way that it is in the west, and the standard, even from the comparibly tiny bands, is high. In fact, other than Band-Maid, all of the bands from the region I like are small, usually under 5k subs on TH-cam and all female. Maybe not many will recommend the likes of Rumkicks (Korean), The Let's Go's, Junky58%, Mutant Monster, 東京初期衝動, Su凸ko D凹koi, Tetora, 虎の子ラミー to name but a few, but it's fun to go down your own avenue of discovery.
"Don't Let Me Down" also has some decidedly risque lyrics.....😉
Thank you so much - I will check them out! ♥️😊
@@psychologyofrock Just to save time, as a taster I'll offer...
Mutant Monster th-cam.com/video/Fd6ymMR40NU/w-d-xo.html
Rumkicks th-cam.com/video/LVggYxufDps/w-d-xo.html
The Let's Go's th-cam.com/video/rKO4itMgTDE/w-d-xo.html
東京初期衝動 th-cam.com/video/Me6XiwdKoPw/w-d-xo.html
Su凸ko D凹koi th-cam.com/video/RB6GyzQNM-4/w-d-xo.html
Junky58% th-cam.com/video/D8pyOzmKbR0/w-d-xo.html
Tetora th-cam.com/video/VGUcVs3sqk4/w-d-xo.html
虎の子ラミー th-cam.com/video/zo6Q0MREPI8/w-d-xo.html
None of these sound like Band-Maid, but they show the talent and diversity of music that exists in the region, even for some very small bands.
Ladies take over. Band-Maid, Nemophila, Lovebites, Larkin' Poe, The Warning, VoB, Plush, Rolling Quartz etc. etc.
♥️♥️♥️🤘🏻
I've been a fan of Band-Maid since I first saw Thrill years ago. Lucky me, I'm going to the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento and Band-Maid and The Warning are playing the same day! A couple of other really good Japanese females bands you might like are LOVEBITES, Nemophila and Aldious. Marina, the drummer of Aldious is the step daughter of Terry Bozio.
Woooooow! That is amazing! Enjoy every second of it!
Regarding the language barrier, I think this only applies to the older fans from the classic Rock n Roll generation, the Millenials and Gen Z seems to have no problem enjoying Kpop Idol groups even though they don't speak Korean or understand the lyrics. So the future of rock is safe as long as a majority of the new generation of fans are introduced and exposed to bands like Band Maid and the rock genre.
I think you might be right! :)
They already been featured in Kate and Peacemaker series... They were setback because of covid, before that they were ready to do a big tour, they even got into new label and were going to perform in knotfest... everything was cancel, it was a hard 2 years for them... cant perform on stage and had to do online concert
Yes, the pandemic really set back the live music scene for sure!
Thanks for the Video! Band-Maid are coming back to the US in 2023.
That’s AMAZING!!!!! ♥️
Me personally I couldn't believe these ladies have been active since 2013 and I first saw the Video for "Thrill" I was instantly Hooked. They continue to sell out venues as well.
Hi Steve! YES! They are incredible!
Amazing analysis. Going to see them in DC!
Fantastic! Enjoy!