Bonescratch - Diaglam [1996]

Here's an oldie but goodie from the frozen wasteland of Sapporo (actually, not sure how frozen it is cause I've never been. But it sounded cool, right?). This three-piece played throughout the 90's releasing several albums as well as splits with bands like Sawpit and In/Humanity. After they dissolved, members went on to form The Carnival of Dark-Split, Black Film Dance, and eventually Discotortion. So, there's some pretty heavy pedigree here. At some point, one of the members, Hiromichi Kanno, died somehow, which led to the breakup of The Carnival of Dark-Split. I never noticed before, but on the liner notes of the Black Film Dance/Carnival of Dark-Split split CD, they have a goodbye to him. Pretty sad stuff.

Anyways, Bonescratch plays 90's style emotional hardcore. Anybody into Ebullition bands of that day would totally be into this. If you're not, I'd still check out the video below, because these guys seriously ripped.

Bonescratch - Diaglam

1. Ego

2. Diaglam

3. Dust Space

4. 8:2

5. Something Call

6. French Toast

7. Large

8. Why Are You Here?

9. Good Rising

10. Scratch

11. Sleep in Black

12. Little My Eye

13. Nothing Case

14. Promise

[Youtube] Boiler Frog - Live @ CounterAction [200?]

Soul Ameria Records was a label run by Mana, who played in Dignity For All and Mouko Tokkyuu. I can't remember how we got in contact, but I later released an EP by Mouko Tokkyuu (who are amazing, and I'll be posting that sometime). We did a trade, and along with Boiler Frog EPs, Day by Day compilation 7"s (with 4 crucial late 90's Japanese emotional hardcore bands. Still available in my distro!), and Erigonomi compilation CDs he included a DVDr of a Boiler Frog liveset. I watched and enjoyed it, and then put it away where it disappeared for years. Fast forward to recently when I've been going through all sorts of boxes looking for relics of Japanese Hardcore to post on here. I found the DVD and realized that it was nowhere on the Internet. So, I've uploaded it youtube, and you can watch it by the link above here.

I've always really dug Boiler Frog. They play guitar-heavy emo with great melodies. I'm finding it hard to think of a reference point that is more well-known, but I think they will be liked by most fans of late-90's emo. Their EP seems to be sold out everywhere, so I'll post it up soon. Enjoy!

Discharming Man - The End [2007]

During my month visit to Japan in 2003, I visited with Ponchi, from Gauge Means Nothing/Nitro Mega Prayer, down in Kobe. We wandered around town, chatting about Evangelion, music, and other things. It was really nice talking with him about music, because he was interested in some "lighter" musics. Syrup16g, 24 pe-ji, and others were similar likes. And Ponchi made me copy of a Kiwi Roll album, その青写真, which had just been released. Over time, I listened to the album over and over again. The smooth melodies and guitar heavy songs were executed perfectly. They easily became a favorite.

When I got this CD from Oto Records distro, I knew nothing about it. The packaging was odd, but the singing was instantly familiar, considering how much I'd listened to Kiwi Roll. Surprisingly, Discharming Man is essentially a one-man band. The style on each track is different, the first almost a noise-ish indie rock track, the second pretty straight forward emo, and the last a minimalistic indie pop piece. Each has the same great song-writing and vocals.

The video below is more recent, and it looks like Discharming Man is still on the same track, focusing on solid song-writing. Hope you enjoy the EP!

Discharming Man - The End

1. THE END

2. また遭う日まで

3. 怯えた剣

The Carnival of Dark-Split / Black Film Dance split [2002]

Ah, one of the "jewels" of my collection. This is one of my favorite CD's I own, which is also one of the rarest. The Sapporo scene always seems really far removed from the rest of the Japanese Underground, so recordings and bands always come out of left field. The great thing about it is that they truly make original music, and these guys are no different.

The Carnival of Dark-Split released a full-length on HG Fact after this, which was amazing. At some point, one of the members died and they disbanded. Members went on to play in The Sun. 

Black Film Dance is the bomb.com. Their sound is so cathartic and textured. These songs are some of their best. Members went on to form The Sun after their dissolution.

You have to listen to this!!!

The Carnival of Dark-Split / Black Film Dance split

1. The Carnival of Dark-Split - Crash the View

2. The Carnival of Dark-Split - Rental Response

3. The Carnival of Dark-Split - Rotten Pupetts

4. The Carnival of Dark-Split - -----

5. Black Film Dance - Flower Silence

6. Black Film Dance - Sometime

7. Black Film Dance - I?