We Can’t Stop Here, This is Bat Country!

by 48 Comments

Many, many months ago (about ten actually) a Tofugu audience member by the name of Meroigo shared with us a magnificent Japanese band in the comments for Japanese and How You’re Doin’ It Wrong: Tips From John-sensei. The name of this pop-electro-metal-screamo band is Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas (yup, just like the movie), and they are just awesome.

This post is for all of you who didn’t read the comments on that post from so long ago, and I hope you enjoy the band as much as I do. Again, big thanks to Meroigo for making it all possible!

It’s Every Genre I’ve Ever Loved All Rolled Up Into One

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdYms5pRwS4']

This right here is the first song I ever heard from them. Right from the beginning I was hooked. As soon as the music started, I instantly had the biggest smile on my face, and then once the vocals came in, holy crap, I knew right then I was going to love everything about this band.

They really combine all of my favorite music styles into one and I never get tired of listening to their stuff. I also usually don’t enjoy such a liberal use of auto-tune in songs, but I think it actually works really well for these guys and the songs just wouldn’t sound quite the same without it.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ky-DrP2-4k']

The band formed in the summer of 2008 and was composed of the former members from Ending for a Start and Blank Time. They ended up adding another member to the group in 2009 when they decided they should include some clean vocals along with the screaming. Always a good choice, I say.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsOQm7A7hMo']

Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas mainly plays heavy music with both high pitched shouts and low guttural growls. The screamer really has a wide range and even plays the keyboard. I’m not sure who the official headman of the band is, but in my eyes, it’s him.

And unlike typical metal bands, Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas has electronic beats and clean vocals as well. Their songs are all over the place, but they never sound confused or like they’ve lost focus. Every song makes sense and all of they elements really come together in the end. It makes for a really enjoyable listening experience (if you like electro-pop and screamo, that is).

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKJrRuVASfs']

The band members themselves have a really unique look as well and sport some interesting fashions. This, along with their many instruments and wild energy, make them a joy to behold at live concerts. If I could just see one band play a show and then never be able to see any other bands play ever again, it would most likely be these guys.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdjVEV0oe3s']

The video below is an anime PV from the show Hunter x Hunter. It’s one of their latest tracks and it’s just as good as their earlier stuff. They don’t really have a whole lot of music out yet so far, but they’re a pretty young band, both as people and as a group. The average age of the band members is just about 20 years old.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzZOMJFPZcc']

And as of right now that’s about all the music videos they have available on YouTube. Pretty great, huh? Well, I know this type of music isn’t for everyone, so I do apologize if you’re one of those people who can’t ever come to enjoy a song if there’s screaming in it. Sorry. Better luck next time, eh?

So, how did you like the band? Which song is your favorite? Have any other musical suggestions? Let us know in the comments!

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  • Ash28

     This… is the greatest thing ever.

  • xfantasyfanx

    This band is so crazy and unique…I never thought I would ever hear electro/screamo/metal, but once again Japan has proved my wrong. If you want more great bands I recommend The Novembers; their song 再生の朝 is one of my favorites. The cabs is another great screamo/alternative band too, although they only have like two videos on youtube (both of which I love). And Samurai Jack Universe (also hard to find). You may have already heard of Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Beat Crusaders, etc…

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1522657185 Emily Cesar

    Yeah, i’m sorry but I like Alice Nine style metal better…not a big fan or music where you can’t tell the lyrics. I thought they were singing in Japanese, but I looked it up and they’re singing in English (0.o) Sorry, not my favorite. You guys should review Alice Nine, The gazette, or Spitz as well.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1522657185 Emily Cesar

    Whoops, sorry looks like you guys did a while back…

  • John

    I know, right?

  • Dy~

    This is post hardcore, and I’ve already heard of them, somehow I enjoy them more than bands like Attack Attack who basically did the same thing – other bands that I like in the same genre FACT and SiM – though my favorite Japanese metal band is probably Maximum the Hormone :P 

  • MaO MaO

    Yeah! am banging my head while doing kanji shukudai!

    EARGARSM.

  • andoryuu3

    Breathe Carolina meets Chiodos meets Japan?

  • Seltox

    Wow.. Odd.. and pretty awesome :P

    Gotta say though, my favourite Japanese bands (in no order):  GRANRODEO, High & Mighty Color, Dazzle Vision.

    Oh wait, I mean Babymetal.  >:D

  • Charles

    I prefer FACT myself. They’re kinda like Fear and Loathing, but with less eccentric hand movements XD
    http://youtu.be/w_eqDbmOiRQ
    http://youtu.be/D0rUa_IkO_g

  • Kitti

    My favorite Japanese band ever is ViViD :3

  • ソフィア

    I like this band^^ The first song is awesome! They remind me of  Enter Shikari (UK band) but with more screamo and auto-tune.

  • Matt

    Meh. Pretty generic. Guitars are non existent. Singing is autotuned so a clear lack of vocal talent, overboard on the synths, basically sounds like pop…

  • Honestabe

    I gave this band a shot but I can’t seem to get past the auto-tune. I like the over all sound but that auto-tune is just a buzz kill for me..

  • http://www.youtube.com/hatchjapan ざっちー

    I absolutely love this band. The only problem is they sing in English the majority of the time. Tends to be the trends with Japanese bands in this genre. I want to find japanese bands with similar style to this, BUT actually sing in Japanese. ゆよゆっぺ has an album or two that are not Vocaloid and are pretty stellar. Good instrumentals, vocals, and screams. Most of his stuff is vocaloid and/or in English though.. 
    I discovered a Japanese band fairly early in their careers (which also unfortunately sing in English), that otherwise seem to have some potential. ‘Black Dog Barks’. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1zwvyKMC6k

    If any one has some knowledge of the Japanese bands I’m looking for (and have been looking for for years), please let me know.

  • Dy~

     Actually the band does one song without auto tune, he has a really good voice, hopefully they’ll use it less later on (the song’s called Believe Yourself, or something like that)

  • ジョサイア

    Ha..This band is defiantly very unique!

  • ジョサイア

    Oh… Like ViViD also!

  • Justinpskeen

    I think auto tune has just earned a bad rep from all the crap pop singers use it to get the millions and fame when they cant sing for their life or write lyrics either…. I know how you feel, same here, but I really think that it actually goes good with the sound their going for.

  • Jheri Kost

    Who doesn’t love Hunter S. Thompson?

  • http://twitter.com/HikarinoHikaru ヒカリノ

    I never thought I would hear all those genres mish-mashed together but I think I’ve just been introduced to a new favourite band?!

  • Pepper_the_Sgt

    Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas isn’t my thing, but that first song made smile the whole way through. The intro is just awesome.

    My favorite Japanese band I’ve come across is Radwimps.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MaF-bWeLGw
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkOWPlW-Tb8
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy6XeGCNkSM

    I’ve been listening to 9mm Parabellum Bullet, who I found on the “associated acts” section of Radwimps. Other than them, some of my favorites are Maximum the Hormone, Magokoro Brothers, Shiina Ringo, Pizzicato Five, Takuro Yoshida, Nikaido Kazumi, and Shugo Tokumaru (especially “La La Radio”). Check them out! The bands vary in style quite a bit from one another, so if you don’t like one or two of them, I encourage you to keep going! You might find something you like.

  • kuyaChristian

    I’m with him. Auto-tune just has a bad rep lately. But I believe if used properly, that song can be amazing. Just look at Daft Punk’s ‘One More Time’, the vocals is heavily auto-tuned and compressed and yet it’s one of the best club songs out there.

    Instead of banning an ‘instrument’, musicians should do something with what they have and be creative with it.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1372476926 Crystal Eio

    I knew this band before you made this post and I love them! They really know how to mix metal with techno producing something that isn’t overdone. I love the auto tuned voice with the trashing of guitars and the syth. 

  • Rob

    I don’t really want to crap on anyone else’s tastes (as I’m sure there’s no shortage of people who would hate my collection), but it would be nice to see more variety from these music posts. On one hand, it’s nice to read about Japanese artists outside of the pop realm. But on the other hand, post-hardcore, visual kei, and melodic death metal only scratch the surface of all those non-chart topping artists who are worth mentioning.

  • John

    We do cover a pretty wide range between all of us. Hashi and Koichi’s music posts are usually very different styles from the ones I post about.

  • Guest

    If you like autotune in your metal, you might also like Para:noir. The band is now defunct (broke up earlier this year), but they hung around long enough to get a pretty decent collection of stuff on Youtube.

    And, if you like them, something tells me that you might also like ROGUE. They’re new & only have one actual video on YT, but man are they *good*. Just look up “Qualia” and you see what I mean.

  • ephemeralhallways

    Radwimps are one of my favourites too – DADA, Oshamashaka and Order Made are brilliant songs. 

  • Jesse

    Hey John have you heard of Rin Toshite Shigure?
    Let me know what you think of them. Great post by the way.

  • John

    Yeah I have. I was into them a little bit years ago but haven’t really listened to them much lately. And thanks!

  • Megan Scott

    Hunter S. Thompson references, guttural vocals, techno beats–without a doubt it all accumulates into one big succulent treat for the ears. But I’ve gotta say the final video (Just Awake) is m fav for on top of all the primo reason already listed, the animation style reminds me of TekkonKinkreet.

    For those of you that have yet to view the majesty of TekkonKinkreet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FfXWg7_AGI

    ….Your eyes, ears, and soul will thank you. Mind you that video really picks up about a minute and thirty seconds in.

  • Megan Scott

    Probably normal people. Shame on them–Viva La Gonzo!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Alexandra-Franco/896075564 Alexandra Franco

    They really do combine electro and screamo perfectly :O No ofense to the great Koichi but AK48, not my cup of tea. While these lads hit right on target, thanks John, made my day

  • John

    Awesome, glad you enjoy.

  • John

    Yeah, I saw the movie a while back. Not bad!

  • John

    Haha, awesome.

  • http://www.tofugu.com koichi

     I literally don’t think I’ve heard a single akb48 song all the way through, so no offense taken ;P

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Alexandra-Franco/896075564 Alexandra Franco

     You’ve just moved up in my Awesome People list then XD Write a kick ass book that is no way related to sparkly vampires, and you my friend will give JK Rowling a run for her money

  • Guest

    i also recently discovered this band, and i could say that they’re being one of my favorites now!
    I’m also an avid fan of yuyoyuppe, there are also some songs that he has covered which are in japanese.. although most of them are in english as you mentioned
    have you heard of yuppe’s band ‘My Eggplant Died Yesterday’? it sounds a bit funny/weird but they do have some awesome songs as well, you might want to check some of their songs.

  • Julia Rawnsley

    Not too bad… :) I do like the first song and the third one the best I think.

  • Naruto

     I really like this band! I think they’re pretty great and i’m also glad that they get some recognition!
    Someday I wish to go to their live lol

  • sukiXrose

    Oh my god!!! They are fantastic, and I hate to sound like a prat but “just the sound I’d been looking for” haha. Thank you!! I wasn’t going to click on this post because I don’t like heavy metal, but now I’m glad I did :D

  • drayomi

    Yeah, I’m one of those people. I can’t get past the screamo…

  • Gentlementleman

    screw you all. xD

  • carihikikomori

    I knew about this band before the comment was posted! :D

  • http://www.facebook.com/lissinwonderland Alice Donoghue

    I missed this article before but <3 <3 <3 !!

  • Edwin Arce

    After I saw this I went and listened to everything I could find. They immediately jumped into my all-time favorites list–in any language.

  • Zetis Han

    Oh! Youre so cool…