All posts by beyondsenpai

Beyond Senpai. The music and culture fanzine. Made by fans for fans. For features and content contributions contact: beyondsenpaiofficial@gmail.com

ISILIEL: ‘Your words, you holding my hand, that is the light of my life’

This summer, Himari Tsukishiro (NECRONOMIDOL) will embark on her first world tour under her solo dance and vocal project ISILIEL.

After announcing her solo project just 1 year ago, fans of Himari have been enjoying the journey of ISILIEL. With the release of her solo debut album, ‘Moonbow Genesis‘, this spring. And with spring comes the renewal of old and all that is fresh and new.

The MOONBOW RISING World Tour will see Himari perform across the globe, with shows in Asia, Europe and North America. Her dedicated fanbase have been waiting patiently for the details on the upcoming performances.

Continue reading ISILIEL: ‘Your words, you holding my hand, that is the light of my life’

Meriken Chiwawa: ‘It’s time for girl punk bands now!’

A new punk band has arrived, so girls, let’s do it flashy!

Fans of the ‘fancy animal’ punk band Knuckle Chiwawa can look forward to a new all girl punk outfit headed by long time punker and legendary front woman Shibakuzo Rei-chan.

Now, Meriken Chiwawa has become a separate unit with Rei-chan on vocals, Yamada Oi on guitar, and Hitsuji on bass. And these girls are ready to bring some fresh and flashy punk rock onto the scene.

Rei-chan has been active in the underground alternative scene in Japan for over a decade, most recently with Knuckle Chiwawa, releasing music and touring extensively with them since 2019. However, she tells us ‘It’s time for girl punk bands now!’

Gritty, fast and in your face, we can expect Meriken Chiwawa to tear up the stage with their explosive live performance. Releasing first single “Shibakuzo no Theme” back in April 2023, Yamada and Hitsuji officially joined the ranks a month later making Meriken Chiwawa a 3-piece.

Rei-chan, Yamada and Hitsuji joined Beyond Senpai to chat about the debut of the new unit. Lets do it flashy!

Continue reading Meriken Chiwawa: ‘It’s time for girl punk bands now!’

YOSHIKI-World Tour With Orchestra Press Release

ROCK STAR/CLASSICAL PIANIST YOSHIKI WILL BE FIRST JAPANESE ARTIST TO HEADLINE HISTORIC VENUES INCLUDING CARNEGIE HALL, ROYAL ALBERT HALL, AND MORE IN CLASSICAL WORLD TOUR WITH ORCHESTRA

X JAPAN’S FIRST SINGLE IN EIGHT YEARS “ANGEL”
TO BE RELEASED IN JULY ALONG WITH YOSHIKI’S
NEWEST SINGLE “REQUIEM” FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF YOSHIKI CLASSICAL

LOS ANGELES, CA / MAY 16, 2023 โ€“ Japanese rock artist YOSHIKI’s highly-anticipated 2023 classical world tour was announced at the GRAMMY Museumยฎ on May 15.

During a press conference attended by U.S. and international media, YOSHIKI โ€“ composer, classically-trained pianist, rock drummer, and leader of rock bands X JAPAN and THE LAST ROCKSTARS โ€“ revealed details of the upcoming tour, titled Yoshiki Classical 10th Anniversary World Tour with Orchestra 2023 “REQUIEM”.

Continue reading YOSHIKI-World Tour With Orchestra Press Release

‘Even if it’s different, I won’t let Satanic Punish deteriorate’ – An Interview with Bokuga Sakura

Come April 29th, the stages of Japan will darken with the promise of a new era for Satanic Punish, who will go through a major lineup change with the graduation of Legendary Members, Webshiki and Himeno Usagi. After making their debut in March of 2020, both Webshiki and Usagi created an image and sound for Satanic Punish that is undeniably theirs, but after three years with the group, both are ready to pass the baton and allow Satanic Punish to flourish under a new system.

Now, new member and soloist Bokuga Sakura will be joining the front lines of Satanic Punish alongside fellow member Mana Manomu – who joined the group at the tail-end of October 2022 – and crafting her own image within and for the group upon her official join date, which begins on April 29th, 2023.

Continue reading ‘Even if it’s different, I won’t let Satanic Punish deteriorate’ – An Interview with Bokuga Sakura

TsuShiMaMiRe: ready to rock

Tokyo punk rock legends TsuShiMaMiRe are set to send their British fans wild with their first ever live show on UK soil.

With a history spanning more than two decades, Mari, Yayoi and Maiko are ready to bring their eclectic punk rock style to the Lexington, London, on June 14th. After 20 full length releases and multiple live performances worldwide including an incredible 15 US tours, the group has made a name for themselves on the live punk circuit.

Formed back in 1999, the trio have not only toured and recorded extensively, but also went on to establish their own record label, MOJOR RECORDS, in 2010, where bassist Yayoi’s solo project FERRET NOISE can be found.

Continue reading TsuShiMaMiRe: ready to rock

I am Crazy, Crazy, Crazy for The Long Goodbye’s Music

Review by: Kelly

One of the things I like most about Idol music, is that it is varied in its sound, and there is something out there for everyone. Whether it is a pop-rock tune or a smooth groove that hits the sweet spot, Idol music is a mixed basket of delight, and the gift that keeps on giving.

Yet I think we sometimes forget that J-pop is more than the ‘pop’ that its name eludes to. When we look at the word ‘pop’ – myself included – we consider it to be generic in sound, bubblegum to its core and the most sugar-coated tune to ever grace our ears, when it is anything but. Sometimes, we simply have to remind ourselves that J-pop as a genre has layers, much like onions (or an ogre named Shrek).

Continue reading I am Crazy, Crazy, Crazy for The Long Goodbye’s Music

Mugen no Plume Fly on New Wings in their Debut Mini-Album (Review)

Review by Kelly-Mae Matt

In this ever-growing world of Idols and music, it comes as no surprise that there are new groups to discover at every turn. Whether they are downright cute or ready to blow your brains out with their vicious death growls, there will always be something there for us to discover as we walk down this path as Japanese music fans.

In my most recent ventures on YouTube, I happened to stumble upon Mugen no Plume by pure chance, and was pleased to realise that they are right up my alley in regard to their sound and style. Cute and orthodox in every sense of the word, I’m aware that this group won’t be everybody’s cup of tea, but they are right up my alley in regard to their sound and style.

So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that I have found myself almost instantly enamoured with the group. Yes, I will still hold a candle toward the NECRONOMIDOL’s (R.I.P) and Satanic Punishes within this world, but there is something about the glittering lights and pastel dresses that inspires me as a fan and listener.

And boy oh boy, don’t I feel motivated right now thanks to this group and their adorable music! So, let’s get into the nitty-gritty, and talk about Mugen no Plume and their debut mini-album.

Continue reading Mugen no Plume Fly on New Wings in their Debut Mini-Album (Review)

PLANCKSTARS Set to Overtake London for their BUTTER DOG SUMMIT Tour

It’s time to practice the fan calls and break out the penlights, because the first alternative Idol live event for 2023 has been secured!

PLANCKSTARS – an seven member idol group from Hiroshima, Japan – will be descending upon the UK this January 22nd, 2023, as a part of their first One-man Live World Tour, which has been creatively titled the BUTTER DOG SUMMIT.

Continue reading PLANCKSTARS Set to Overtake London for their BUTTER DOG SUMMIT Tour

Carnage Society: The artwork that makes the music. An interview with Yu-ki Iwata.

The creativeness of music takes many forms, from the audible to the visual. And the artwork presented to us on our favourite record sleeves tell just as much of the musical story as the songs themselves.

SERPENT

Illustrator Yu-ki Iwata, known as Carnage Society, is one of the creative souls who works alongside bands and musicians to bring to life those album artworks.

Working as a freelance illustrator since high school, Yu-ki has worked on artworks for many prominent metal and visual kei artists. And more recently, with influences from death metal and grind core, Yu-ki has developed their style further, fusing kawaii and gore to create the original character GORE-GIRL.

Yu-ki joined Beyond Senpai to tell us more about the creativity involved in being an illustrator.

Continue reading Carnage Society: The artwork that makes the music. An interview with Yu-ki Iwata.