don't want to sound negative, just stating an impression i have from talking to folks here and there. it's not just an issue of VAMPS' name or HYDE's not being recognized here in the states. L'Arc and Oblivion Dust are pretty unknown to the majority of citizens, even the teen->twenty-somethings. Japanese music, whether pop, rock or any other genre is still flying under the radar, so to speak. you mention J-rock and people automatically picture VK, or more specifically that the band will either LOOK like an anime cartoon character or a cross between anime and gothic-punk-screamo somethings. that is if they have any notions about modern Japanese music or pop-culture at all. XD

what i mean is , VAMPS is having to fight against 1) no name recognition and 2) mistaken stereotyping of music 3) along with the economic crisis and other issues already mentioned. this definitely will affect ticket sales. and even more sad, some people won't give them a try just because in some parts of this big nation of ours there are still people who haven't gotten over some long held irrational dislike of all things Japanese. you all know it's true, whether we want to think it or not. and while you'd hope that these fears and feelings would have died out by now, not that I can see a real basis for their existence at all, not everyone sees things from a world view or has had occasion to become enlightened about any place outside of their own little corner of the world. and i'm not trash-talking any groups or areas. fans of Jrock are still a small minority around here.

sorry to sound so pessimistic. i really wish none of those things were at all true. and i've just had so much sadness on a personal level, it's coloring my entire perception right now. having to push really hard to regain my earlier excitement levels. but that's my problem, not this forum's.