Kusano's silver highlights

Watching Music Station in HD quality made me realized that that silvery highlights I saw on Kusano-san's hair was his grey hair. Funny how I felt nostalgic and somewhat happy about it. I'm not the first fan but I've been rooting for them for years, watching them change little by little. Seeing his aging is a proof of how steady they are and how everlasting this band is... 頑張って！スピッツ！！
p.s. Glad he doesn't dye his hair ^_^

[Posted: 2009-09-24]

Sazanami corner

Gosh!! Look what I found in my photo database. The pic I took 2 years ago when Sazanami was released and featured in the stores.



It's so cute and nostalgic...

[Posted: 2009-08-27]

Spitz TV Performances

Aw! I always look forward to this. They'll be showing up in following shows:
- Music Station, August 28th.
- Music Fighter, August 28th
- CDTV, September 5th

[Posted: 2009-08-26]

*waves*

Oh wow, it's been over a year since I updated O_O; Sorry guys, but I've been moving around 3 times since. Out of the country, out of the city to another city, out of that city back to another city... well anyway, with all this moving and new job I couldn't find any time to take care of any of my websites.

But I'm still here and trying to activate those forum accounts, getting hundreds of spam accounts and sorting through them is not cool :( Thus many activation was delayed. The forum is not very chatty but we surely have very nice Spitzers and goodies there. So feel free to join us.

This time I bring you a tiny little update. The translation from "P". Try listening to this song in the night, alone, with all lights off, with a loud volume so it echoes in your room. It'll get to you for sure.

[Posted: 2009-08-22]

SPITZ in Sendai 2007-12-23

That day the weather was not showing it's best shape, rain were falling since afternoon. It took me about 3 hours to get to Sendai. The city was packed with tourist and there was traffic jam everywhere. 24th of December was a holiday and because the weekend was prolonged for a day, a lot of people was traveling. Sendai is the biggest city in Tohoku (northeastern part of Honshu) and popular for it's Christmas illumination.

I checked in to the hotel as soon as I arrived and was really lucky to get a parking space. The parking space is limited, therefor hard to get. especially in holiday season. I left my luggage in the room and left soon after. My hotel was 10 minutes walk from "Sendai Sunplaza Hall". When I was walking there, I saw a lot of people heading in the same direction. Everyone had a smile while hiding under their umbrellas. The thought that everyone whom I walked along with, were people who loves Spitz, made me feel really happy.



I didn't have to wait too long to get into the hall. On the left side of the entrance they were selling tour goods and I went to stand in line right away. The line was long but the waiting time was okay. Here's pics from the goods. Unfortunately I was not early enough, the keychain was sold out *snif* but I got myself the pamphlet, the light blue jamboree t'shirt and the poster. I guess I can live with that ^_^



On the other side of the hall there was a display of a guitar, which is the "Kusano Masamune Model". They were also displaying Spitz latest book "Tabi no tochuu", meaning "Midway of a journey". It's a book about 20 years of the band's history.



After having a look I went into the concert hall and found my seat. I was on the second floor on the left side of the stage. I could see the stage clearly and my binocular made it even better. Spitz audience were both genders from 20's to 40's but I also saw some teenager and older people. The crowd seems really friendly and nice.



My camera was collected by the security after this photo. Apparently taking photos was not allowed, so I gave them the camera instead. It's such a shame but from here on, I'll try to describe the evening as good as I can.

The concert started on time, which was 6 PM. After an announcement the lights went off and I could hear the intro of "Boku no guitar". When the spot light hit the stage I saw Kusano, Tamura, Tetsuya & Sakiyama on stage. It was like a dream.

Kusano-san wore a black suit with a gray t'shirt and a black shoes. I can't recall what the others were wearing because my attention was drawn to the music right after that. I only used my binocular couple of times, most of the time I just let myself sucked in to their music.

"Fushigi" came right after "Boku no guitar" and after two songs Kusano thanked everyone who came even when it was cold and rainy outside. But the audience was saying that it's quite hot in the hall and he replied with "well, we'll cool you down with our uncool talks." スピッツのさむいトークで and the hall broke out in laughters.

Kusano was talking in a very calm voice, he seems like such a quiet person but he did the talking most of the time, followed by Tetsuya's comments. The talk always came in between 3 or 4 songs and here's the sum up.

They mentioned about this year being their 20th anniversary and all members are now 40 years old. An age which is short and easy to mention, said Tetsuya. They were also talking about the day being the last concert day from 2007. Kusano also mentioned that lately he saw a 70 years old Japanese musician on TV and that person still write song and release a new album. He used to say on radio that he'll be doing just fine with singing "Cherry" all the time but looking at that person he thought that he must work harder and wish that he'll be able to still write songs and play music even in his 70's. I couldn't agree more.

They were also talking about how the band is familiar with Sendai and lots of their staff come from the area. Kusano mentioned that most of the time Spitz members always spend Christmas time together, which is not very romantic and like watching the Sendai famous Christmas illumination from their hotel room. They also went to karaoke in Sendai and Kusano said he sang a song from "Glay" while acting like Glay vocalist, that was cute and funny.

Earlier that day Tamura went to the city to buy a CD for his children and found a Pokemon CD. But when a fan recognized him, he took other CD and tried to act cool. There was also a little about their history, long time ago Spitz used to introduced their members on stage accompanied with music and Tamura always introduced himself as "Moe Tamura" which means "Burning Tamura". "Moe" however became very popular just lately (one of them being the success of Densha Otoko) and Kusano said that Tamura was already using the word before the mass crowd came up with it.

Now to the core of what this is all about, the music. Spitz performed all songs from the Sazanami CD and also some classics. Here's the list in order:
01. Boku no guitar
02. Fushigi
03. Hibari no kokoro
04. Kemonomichi
05. Tobiuo
06. Ten to ten
07. Cherry
08. Gunjyou
09. Looking for
10. P
11. Kaede
12. Momo
13. Nezumi no shinka
14. Yoru wo kakeru
15. Nadenade boy
16. Spider
17. 8823
18. Ore no subete
19. Sabaku no hana
20. Sazanami
Encore:
21. Mahou no kotoba
22. Robinson

All songs are performed with such preciseness, I couldn't make out any mistakes. Each member masters their parts and the band works in a family-like and warm accord. Even though I like up-beat songs from Sanazami but the deepest impression was left by "8823" and "Spider". I was screaming instantly when I heard the intro of "8823". It is one of my favorite song and WOW! I could really feel the drive of the band and it must be at least five times loaded in compare to what I usually hear on CD.

When they played "Kaede", I was moved to tears. It is my first song from Spitz. The one that get it all started, the one that I've been listening to hundreds and hundreds of time. I was deeply touched and the feelings are indescribable.

After listening to the live version of Sazanami, my favorite song changed to "P". Kusano didn't play the guitar when he performed this song, this song was concentrated on his voice that echoed in the hall, it was breathtaking. I've always love Kusano's voice but listening to it live, makes me realize that there's even more to it. He reach all those keys without fake voices, sang all those words without needless vibration. His voice was clear, honest and it went straight to my heart.

The strange thing is, I couldn't really cope with the fact that I was there. I've longed to see them for so many years and when it came true, everything felt so unreal. It was like a dream I don't want to wake up from.

One thing for sure, Spitz is a band that sounds even better live and I won't hesitate to go to their concert again and again. I also hope that one day you'll be able to see them too and until then, let's keep supporting them.

[Posted: 2007-12-26]

Going to their concert

Still can't believe I get the chance to see them live. I'm going to Sendai to see them on the 23rd of December. Gosh... I can't wait. Will be sitting on the second floor, maybe I should get a binocular ^^; I'll take lots of pictures and will make a report of that day. Anyway Christmas and New Year time will be busy for me but I'll get it up here eventually.

[Posted: 2007-12-04]

!!!Happy 20th Anniversary Spitz!!!

To celebrate this special occasion I took the time and learn how to make karaoke. So here comes "Looking For" in karaoke format. It has romaji, the japanese text & translation in it. This is my first attempt on karaoke-ing.
I hope you guys enjoy singing a long with Kusano-san ^_^
The file is shared in jpopsuki and in the forum.

[Posted: 2007-04-27]

New Shiny Forum

You asked for it so you got it. I love my provider, they made installing a new forum quite easy. Now hop there and post as much as you want :D I keep the Spitz's discussions topic for public, so you don't have to register when you don't feel like it. I'll put up a proper link in the website when I have more time. Right now we'll manage with an url:
http://www.aoihayashi.com/spitz/forum

[Posted: 2006-12-26]

Spitz new single "Looking for" out on April 18, 2007

A new single with 2 songs: "Looking for" and "Rakugaki Oukoku".
Fukuda Toshiyuki is once again entrusted to illustrate the cover. Kusano-san like his style and I think that it does suits the image of the band very well.
"Looking for" has that sweet drive that's just "Spitz" and it made me wanted to drown in Kusano's voice ^_^ The PV was a nice artifact containing scenes from their old PVs and magazine covers. It's like a round up of the 20 years of Spitz. Such a fun PV for the fans, cause we can watch it and goes, "that's Nagisa" or "Kaede", the girl from "Tekuteku" was the best though :D
20 years... and this song says thank you to the fans and "Cheers" for the next anniversaries coming.

[Posted: 2007-04-09]

Spitz new single "Mahou no kotoba" out on July 12, 2006

Mahou no kotoba means "Magic words" which is a very typical Spitz kind of title. This song is currently play throughout Japan. It ranked 5th on Oricon 2 weeks ago and droped to 7th last week. I particularly love the cover, it's so cute with a mellow feelings to it, and of course the 4 leaves clover ^_^
The song "Mahou no kotoba" has a sweet melody which won't leave your ears as soon as you hear it. "Sharara" on the other hand is a "Fake Fur" kinda sounds, if you understand what I mean ^^; The PV is uploaded in the video section and take a look into my current top 10.　Enjoy!

[Posted: 2006-07-27]

Honey and Clover II - Anime soundtrack list

They picked it up right there where they left it. Continuing on the great quality of the first season. I'm one happy fan. So here's the list of songs used in the animation:
Opening: Yuki - Fugainaiya
Ending: Suneohair - Split
Ep 01 Spitz - Nakayoshi
Ep 02 Spitz - Pool
Ep 03 Suga Shikao - Koko ni iru koto
Ep 04 Spitz - Honoho
Ep 05 Spitz - Je t'aime
Ep 06 Suga Shikao - Happy Birthday
Ep 07 Suga Shikao - Natsukage
Ep 08 Suga Shikao - Ringo Juice
Ep 09 Suga Shikao - Kazanagi
Ep 10 Spitz - Namida
Ep 11 Suga Shikao - Futari no kage
Ep 12 Spitz - Inaka no Seikatsu

Honey & Clover - The action movie

In theater since July 22nd, 2006. What does this have to do with Spitz? "Honey & Clover" aka Hachikuro is a manga which adopted into anime last year. The background music in the anime featured a lot of Spitz songs and Suga Shikao's. The 2nd season of the anime proceed on it's great pace. Spitz new song "Mahou no kotoba" will be the theme song for this movie starring:
Takemoto : Sakurai Sho from Arashi.
Hagu : Aoi Yuu, I don't know her but she looks so cute as Hagu ^^
Morita : Iseya Yusuke, whee! Very good looking Morita. Remember Casshern?
Mayama: Kase Ryo, wow that's how I picture Mayama O_O
Yamada: Seki Megumi, she does look like her. YAY!

I really can't wait to see them perform all this lovely characters. I hope it'll be a good movie and even though I probably won't see too much of MayamaxYamada but being a big fan of Hachikuro, Spitz & Suga Shikao, I'll stick to it. You can also watch a short clip about the making of this movie. More to come when I've watched the movie.

[Posted: 2006-05-14]

Complete Single Collection out on March 25, 2006

There are two CDs and you can choose to wether buy one or both. The first issue will come in special packaging (sleeve case + bonus 12cm CD). Containing rare tracks on the bonus CD, photos & mini poster. Here are the song lists:

1991-1997
01. Hibari no kokoro
02. Natsu no mamono
03. Majou tabi ni deru
04. Hoshi no kakera
05. Hinata no mado ni akogarete
06. Hadaka no mama de
07. Kimi ga omoide ni naru mae ni
08. Sora mo toberuhazu
09. Aoi kuruma
10. Spider
12. Robinson
13. Namida ga kirari
14. Cherry
15. Nagisa
16. Scarlet
Bonus CD (12cm): "Mezame (Sora mo toberuhazu)"

1997-2005
01. Yume janai
02. Unmei no hito
03. Tsumetai hoho
04. Kaede
05. Nagareboshi
06. Hotaru
07. Memories
08. Haruka
09. Yume oi mushi
10. Sawatte kawatte
12. Hanemono
13. Mizuiro no machi
14. Stargazer
15. Masayume
16. Haru no uta
Bonus CD (12cm): "Yume oi mushi (early version)"

Introduction

In 1987 four guys who went to an university in Tokyo got together and formed the band SPITZ. Their first album was released in March 1991. Today they're well known throughout Japan. Consistently creating music which I can only describe as the "SPITZ sound". If you're familiar with jpop & jrock chartbreakers, well, SPITZ is different and nothing like them. Listening to SPITZ' songs means getting lost in their world. A world of lovely melodies, catchy beats & beautiful lyrics. SPITZ has survived over 18 years of Japanese music industry and they are still evolving.

SPITZ consists an absolute of instruments and vocal. Both are distinctive and I’ve read that the vocalist - Kusano - is one of Japans male singers with the highest & widest vocal range. Yeah.. forget Karaoke ^_^; but I couldn’t resist to sing along to those lovely tunes O_O;; Scary huh? *lol*

The 4 members of SPITZ are like brothers. They describe the band as a family, a place where they've grown into naturally.
One thing I really love about them is their natural charm. Something you can hear and see!! They don’t get dressed up and there’s no glamour to the band. Boring? Not for me! Their music makes them looks good *_*

I know a lot of people overlook SPITZ but this band is worth taking a closer look ^_^ I believe that even in 20 years I'll still listen to their music and cherish them. SPITZ doesn't follow any trends, that's why they'll remain timeless.

Sign of love,
Aoi