Premier Rock Forum

I may be brutally ignorant for saying this, but how many of you in bands, or know of bands that have a tendency to want to do things overseas, especially in Japan?

It's been pretty well known that alot of Hollywood actors go to Japan for the big bucks to do a commercial for an ad, whether it'd be shoes or food or hair product. A good example of that would be Bill Murray's character in "Lost in Translation". An actor on the verge of disappearance making a good wage in Japan doing something he doesn't really want to do.

I've just really noticed a tendency of US indie bands really focusing on Japan here the past few years. It's none of my business and its everyone's choice, I understand, but I want to know why. Adulation? Money? Culture? etc?

Any thoughts?

You even get “credible” actors/musicians selling their asses in Europe hoping no one back home will notice. Clooney, Brody, De Niro et al, all do booze/shoes/clothes/credit cards in Europe.

i saw tons of huge billboards of richard gere in japan. that was weird. as far as american bands going there i suppose i was somewhat unaware. you would definately get more attention being a white or black indie rocker in japan than you would in the us. so maybe it's for the attention. also, i think japanese show goers are generally less cynical and it seems to me like the underground scene in japan is more like what it used to be here, i.e. still actually underground. this is appealing to me as shows are less crammed with annoying fashion victims who are talking over the music. i don't know why cool shows in the us are filled with these types of people but it gets on my nerves. i've been to clubs like bears and hard rain in osaka a few times and it seems like you get people from all walks of life and ages who are there for the music and not just to hang out. although i think it's like this because they charge like 20 bucks for most shows. i guess you don't pay that kind of money if you don't want to see the band.don't think that the bands are making a lot of money with these prices though. you can only fit about thirty people max into most of these venues.

dianogah has considerably better luck in europe than we do here in the states.

never been to japan, though i watched half of lost in translation while riding the exercise bike this morning. would gladly put myself in this position: [bill murray] "i'm here earning $2million, when i should be at home doing a play or something"[/bill murray]

I don't see the down side... you play music... you like to play for people... you can play in a place where you will enjoy visiting and people will come and see you play.... it seems a win-win situation. Your question seems odd... I am not sure if you are equating well know 'stars' sneakily cashing in out of the general gaze of their home audience to playing to audiences of record buying music listeners. They seem to be very different situations.

Maybe I am not understanding your post...

I think it's a great idea especially for independent artists who struggle to afford their band here. why not go to japan and make a good chunk of money so your band can stay on it's feet another year or however long. I'd rather hear of that then bands signing to majors hoping to make it big and end up making shitty records, but ultimately get fucked in the end.

...also one thing.... why are we assuming you make a lot of money in Japan if you are an American band? Yes, tickets to shows are very expensive but so are airline tickets and hotels and renting gear, etc, etc. Sure, some bands are popular there and do well but it is not some sort of magical money land where you go there and pick fifties off trees or anything. It is another place with bands and people and clubs and record stores and cover charges and expenses.

I enjoyed playing in Japan vastly.

People tended to be enthusiastic--whether or not they had heard of my band--and guileless. No one was being ironic about anything.

The sound was great at the established clubs, and the staffs were polite, knew what they were doing, and took an element of pride in their work.

Several of the bands were excellent.

The food was great.

Our financial situation was unusual in that we had no expenses--everything was covered. Whatever was made from shows went to defraying costs.

However, we made a lot of money selling merch.

Paying your own way in Japan would cost a shitload. But a reasonably established band may make a shitload as well. Shows aren't cheap there.

I'd go back in a heartbeat.

I guess if all you have to offer is physique, seeing that saying a 5 word line in a commercial isn't all "acting", have at it, get paid in whatever country you'd like. But with music, I just think it's a little bit different.

I just question the motive sometimes. That's not just from the bands perspective, but also from the side welcoming you in.

I understand the idea of going where you want to be heard and have better reception. And I understand the cost of playing at some of these oversea venues. Typically in Japan you have to pay the venue for your band to play there (called "hakodai").

But, remember all those import records we used to see? All of these Japanese only releases and hidden tracks and such? There just seems to be this overall feeling of "release it in Japan, you'll make good money." Would it be any better if it was "release it in Japan, they love you."?

Japan is one of the most commercial countries on the face of this earth. At one time people used to think that walking around Shibuya with a yellow Tower Records bag was a status symbol and a way to appeal that you like music. Underage girls are finding sugardaddy's to hookup with just to buy a designer bag. Many people love the underground strictly for the sake of it being underground.

You know what prompted all of this...
I was checking out some Japanese sites that cater to live indie events, and I just saw all these musicians going over there and it started to bug me.

origin98 wrote:But, remember all those import records we used to see? All of these Japanese only releases and hidden tracks and such? There just seems to be this overall feeling of "release it in Japan, you'll make good money." Would it be any better if it was "release it in Japan, they love you."?

I don't think you understand how the import cd's work in Japan. The Japanese CD's are more expensive than the u.s. versions in Japan, so the manufacturers put extra songs on the domestic cds (japanese domestic) to make them more alluring or worthwhile for the Japanese public to consume.

It has little/nothing to do with Japan making someone famous.