I think there is one reason and one reason only why more Americans don't listen to Japanese music. And that reason is ... they don't sing in English.

LET ME FINISH xD

I think in general ALL PEOPLE don't care who makes a song, where it came from, ect. as long as it sounds good. It's music, and people just like good music. BUT there are significantly less people *in the U.S. (I say only U.S. because that's where I'm from, I can't really speak for other countries)* I think that are willing to listen to good music in a language they don't understand. I'm just saying, disagree if you will, but I really think it's a certain kind of person that can listen to a song and appreciate it just for the music without understanding the lyrics at all.. (on a side note, one of the reason's I love L'Arc and HYDE as a musician so much is because I feel I understand the meaning of their songs very very well just by listening to hyde's voice and the music. I feel I don't need to know the lyrics because I already felt their meaning in the song... does that make sense XD

...which leads me to another reason why more American's don't listen to Japanese music (so I guess technically I have 2 reasons XD) And that is..

people just don't know who they are.

I really think it's that simple. If more people were exposed to VAMPS the way we're exposed to any other American band here, I think VAMPS would have just as many fans (more if you ask me). I really don't think Americans are as discriminating as people think...as long as they sing mostly in English- Just look at LOUDNESS. They were quite popular and mainstream even here in the U.S. for a while, and they did it all while being Japanese. People just have to be exposed to something great..and if it's great they'll like it.

CASE IN POINT
I recently got a new job and one of my co-workers (his name is Adam XD
his I.Q.'s like 169 too O.o...) Anyway he asked me what kind of music I like. I basically replied with "HYDE!! @_@" and he said "oh, I'd like to hear some, l always like new music"
I burned him off a couple CD's ...
and now he really like's HYDE L'Arc and VAMPS :)


~~~

Also, I just wanted to say as a huge pillows fan I don't think people like them cause they're "weird" o.O I love them because they Rock..and that is all. They are the reason I started playing guitar after all (someday I will HAVE A FENDER MUSTANG :L ) and even if their lyrics are nonsensical, I don't think it's fair to say that's why people like them so much.

AND if hyde wasn't famous, I wouldn't look at him twice.. I would stare with my mouth open and probably lose my voice (which is pretty much what happened when I met him anyway XD)

seriously, I can't really say what I would do though...because that's just not the case. hyde is famous, I love his music...and when I saw him I lost my voice XDD
though I think I can honestly say I don't care that he's famous or good looking, because I'm just not that kind of person. I think he's attractive sure.. but that's not why I like him or his music.. I just like his music because I think it's Great :)


rant *off* now XD

I can only speak for Germany and from my point of view, but I think without actively searching for Japanese bands I wouldn't know them either. There is just no marketing for them. And to be honest, I still don't know too much Japanese bands. For me it started all with Malice Mizer and Gackt, through Moonchild I discovered Hyde, Laruku and Vamps and only recently I am broadening my horizon a bit more and discover other Japanese bands through connections with bands I already know. It goes like: okay, Vamps are on Vamprose, let's check out Monoral. Or: hey, what about K.A.Z' other bands > Spin Aqua, Oblivion dust... Or: hey, on Gack'ts 9-9 DVD Miyavi appeared, what's he doing... and so on and so on...

I've heard so many excuses for why Americans won't give Japanese music a chance. One kid in my Missouri High School said, "Well I like listening to music where you can understand the lyrics." The dude listened to screamo half the time and my answer to him was, "Well, I understand Japanese." Not that it should even matter because a ton of Hyde's lyrics are English and even for those that aren't, music is supposed to be the Universal Language!

I agree. American girls interested in Japanese guys are the minority. I actually probably would think Hyde was hot if he wasn't famous and I saw him on the street only because I am in that minority. I blame it on hitting puberty while living in Japan haha. Japanese dudes do tend to be kind of metrosexuals if they're not the nerdy type. The exception might be my exboyfriend who was actually a buff Japanese dude (he worked out 3 hours every other day at our University recreational facilities and got himself a very non-Asian buff body pretty quick). He also dressed very earthy...as opposed to more feminine like other Japanese guys I have met (but that style can appeal to me too depending on the guy). What made him decidedly Asian though is the fact that he sports a very thin beard along his chin and jawline and what I like to call "Japanese Sex Hair" (lol...it's longish and always defies gravity with gel, etc). So he could have this non-Japanese body, this non-Japanese wardrobe, but his hair and facial hair made him stick out like a sore thumb and stamped him as both different and Asian. But his hair was one of my favorite parts about him so even though I knew people probably thought he was weird (I actually knew this...one of my previous exbf's friends saw me with him one time and told my exbf that I was hanging out with "some weird-looking Vietnamese dude") I still liked him. But part of being in any kind of culture or society is the need for acceptance. It's like white American girls feel deep down that if they're walking around with a "wimpy" Asian guy, that people will look down on them for it, which is sad. I loved the time I spent with my Japanese boyfriend. He and I are still good friends and I cherish the memories that I have with him more than any of the others I've had in my life. But to each his own. We can't really choose what we're attracted to, but I do think the media and society have a lot to do with shaping our preferences.

Reasons why I think Japanese music is superior to mainstream American music (as heard on top 20 music stations...I acknowledge that there are talented and artistic folks out there who are not part of mainstream): The lyrics have more depth and expression to them. American lyrics tend to be very simple and rehashed (I miss you baby, I love you baby, I'm crying without you, My life is different since I met you, etc). When you listen to Japanese music it's like someone is singing a poem to you. The Japanese are freakin musical poets. I have not heard a single Japanese tune, even a rap tune, that didn't have poetry in it. Hyde and Hamasaki Ayumi I feel are especially adept lyricists. I'm sure there are more I could think of but these two are the ones I quote the most. On top of this, the music, imho, is usually much richer and original. When I listen to a mainstream American song I feel like I'm getting the same crap over and over again...like someone keeps handing me the same turd and trying to make it look different by wrapping it with a different colored bow...

Lol I won't rant forever but you get the idea ^^*

And kind of unrelated but @derMauersegler: You are from Germany. That's awesome :) I am hoping I can move to Germany soon, but I won't find out for a few more months...

okay i'm not american but,, generally people like listening music for the lyrics. as long as i understand the meaning gimme that i'll listen to it. yes music is universal languange but it's human basic to listen for something they understand just like they believe in something they can hear, touch or listen, untill they accidently or pushed to find something interesting from them and dicided to digging up for more. in my case i grow up with japanese manga eventough i'm not living in japan, watching anime and japanese drama. but still not close to japanese language cos all of it was subbed in my languange. i was mtv generation back in 90's untill i go to uni and hang out with friend who love japanese music. i keep listen to my roomate playing l'arc song for hours and i like it since. i love l'arc becos i don't have to understand their lyric or the meaning to get they want me to feel about the song.

just like this vamps memories

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sre9S9VFA...r_embedded

yes i desperately need the lyric and translation, but without that i can still enjoy the music and feel so sad becos i love hyde and he said dokomademo zhutto over and over.

Just so you guys know, I wasn't calling The Pillows weird. As a J-Rock fan, they are rather... well, normal. But I mean that for people who are NOT as heavily influenced by Japanese music, the vocals, music, and song titles sound different than what we're used to hearing. (Besides, some of their PV's are just... awkward @_@) Like someone else said before, they have received most attention as a result of having their songs used in FLCL... and are you guys suggesting that FLCL is NOT weird? XD - As for Dir en Grey being more popular than The Pillows, think about WHERE they are popular. The only place I know of that sells Dir en Grey CD's is Hot Topic, which is associated with Goths, Emos, Scene, etc. None of which are considered super acceptable in mainstream US. (Just so you guys know, the word "associated" is in there, because I know that's NOT entirely what Hot Topic is about, but that is what the average consumer seems to think)

Also, I'm curious as to how the subject of American women dating Asian men came about as I said in my post that Asian women get more respect than Asian men because they ARE women. Nothing about American women dating Asian men came up, liek, at all. Maybe I missed something?

While I would look to think that the reason people don't want to listen to music because of the language... you know... I don't that's entirely true. I have SHOWN people multiple Japanese bands that not only sing in English, but that you would NEVER guess they were Japanese. They tell me, "You know, they're good... it's just... you know, they're Japanese."

God, people, let's all get offended why don't we? :X

MOVING ON, THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE LINK TO MEMORIES, TEKKICHAN! =DDD - God, the song sounds so pretty and cute! I love it <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

@harumi
I don't think Japanese music is superior. I used to think that when I first got into Japanese music but you can't write off the rest of the world scene yet. You have to remember there is also alot of crap music in Japan too. Too commercial or just too similar. If you look at the Visual Kei scene basically all vocalists try to sound the same. JPOP is very repetitive and just as empty as Ladgy Gaga's music.

Basically you're missing out but you wont think so till one day...

On the subject of memories with people wondering where he got it from; maybe the pre screening in Paris Expo

(06-22-2010, 01:59 PM)VAMPkito Wrote: Just so you guys know, I wasn't calling The Pillows weird. As a J-Rock fan, they are rather... well, normal. But I mean that for people who are NOT as heavily influenced by Japanese music, the vocals, music, and song titles sound different than what we're used to hearing. (Besides, some of their PV's are just... awkward @_@) Like someone else said before, they have received most attention as a result of having their songs used in FLCL... and are you guys suggesting that FLCL is NOT weird? XD - As for Dir en Grey being more popular than The Pillows, think about WHERE they are popular. The only place I know of that sells Dir en Grey CD's is Hot Topic, which is associated with Goths, Emos, Scene, etc. None of which are considered super acceptable in mainstream US. (Just so you guys know, the word "associated" is in there, because I know that's NOT entirely what Hot Topic is about, but that is what the average consumer seems to think)

Also, I'm curious as to how the subject of American women dating Asian men came about as I said in my post that Asian women get more respect than Asian men because they ARE women. Nothing about American women dating Asian men came up, liek, at all. Maybe I missed something?

While I would look to think that the reason people don't want to listen to music because of the language... you know... I don't that's entirely true. I have SHOWN people multiple Japanese bands that not only sing in English, but that you would NEVER guess they were Japanese. They tell me, "You know, they're good... it's just... you know, they're Japanese."

God, people, let's all get offended why don't we? :X

MOVING ON, THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE LINK TO MEMORIES, TEKKICHAN! =DDD - God, the song sounds so pretty and cute! I love it <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

How did FLCL get brought into this? XD

I wasn't offended I was just pointing it out why I like the pillows...just my opinion.

I have also played a lot of music for family members, friend's, classmates, and co-workers, and I always get one of two replies
"Ah, this is great!" or "But, I can't understand what they are saying @_@"

so that's what gives me my opinions, it's just my experience. of course there will be people who don't like something just because it's Japanese, but that's just people. I don't think it's the majority.

~~~~~

Also Thank you for the MEMORIES link, I love it! :)

(06-22-2010, 01:53 AM)Guest Wrote: I think only a minority of American females would consider dating a male Japanese. For example if hyde wasn't famous and he went to America how many of you would look at him twice? Be honest? He is good looking for sure but if he was just another nobody(not famous) in the street would you give him a second look?

...And for all you who would. Is it only because you love Japanese music?

I think I would O.O He is so short and delicate you can't miss him, LOL I'd give him a second look and then think he's either a very gay boy or was once a woman X-D Then I'd erase such thoughts and think: OMG!! Isn't he gorgeous????? And look away because I'd feel ashamed about staring for 3 whole minutes :-p And... I didn't like much japanese music until I listened to L'arc~en~Ciel and discovered they were my favorite band. I don't even LOVE manga or anime.

I've done the trick of making friends and family listen to L'arc in a low volume, at some point they asked who they were, and then they'd mock them at the knowledge they were japanese! I think human kind has serious racism issues... With VAMPS due to the music in english it was easier, I only avoided saying where VAMPS came from X-D I don't know... even with the "weird" factor, racism still has more power. IE when we decided to go on a parade with a printed VAMPS logo 1meter long and distintive hats, we were asked about the mouth by a LOT of people, they were enthusiastic about the concept, the music (played in a cellphone so they could listen right on the spot), they said they were moved by our support... but when we declared it was a JAPANESE band, they'd give us the PITY look and walk away ASAP X-D


Maybe we only need to get used... here in Mexico a lot of us speak as much Englis as: JELOU! JAGÜAR YU? VERI GUD! (none) Still people loved Bono, Madonna, etc, and watch movies in english (with subs) when some ppl would rather NOT watch a movie that's in Japanese, Korean or Chinese, and like Thalia said, I think it is about exposure. We are too exposed to USA and their language... SO, we could try giving VAMPS more exposure :-D

I like this kind of topics because it shows how realistic we are as fans.

Okay, I'm Puertorican [which makes me a Latin] and the reason that I turned to Japanese music was to get something different. I am aware of the latin explosion years ago, since two of those big Latin artists were puertorican [Ricky Martin and Marc Anthony] so growing up listening English and Spanish music, I came with the conclusion that in both languages there are only 3-4 topics in English and Spanish music:

-falling in love
-Break-ups
-violence/life on the streets [rap and reggeaton]
-dance...dance...sexual dance

So when I found in artists like HYDE in his solo projects and L'arc en Ciel's content on the lyrics...I found my ideal music genre...and it's a hard core backstreet boys fan speaking here. I was finally free from the cheap/cheesy romanticism, the violence and excuses to make babies on the dance floor.

And I think that the reason that people are not giving chance to artist like VAMPS like we would hope is because they are not U2, Aerosmith or Rolling Stones, or the Jonas Brothers. I think in the case of the US, most of the audience is afraid to like something out of the shell. Image is everything right now and if you don't like what the crowd does...you're done.

People like Lady Gaga doesn't make it big everyday, and we know it. If you have seen the Grammy's for the past three years, if it wasn't for Gaga there won't be anyone to give awards to!!!

Who knows, maybe if we all send letters to the Rolling Stone Magazine they might interview VAMPS and place it on the magazine cover...and to show that there's more music [GOOD MUSIC] beyond England and the US.

Lol oh there were some tangents for sure. We were talking about people not liking Asian music and then I branched it out to people not liking anything Asian. I'm pretty sure that was my bad. But at least we as VAMPS fans know that this is only a generalization and we love our JRock and are not ashamed.

As for Memories...omfg THANK YOU tekkichan!!! I love this. I promise once official lyrics are out there I will get to translating SO FAST haha