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OSAKA VISUAL KEI BARS, LIVE CONCERTS & MUSIC STORES. BAR ROCK ROCK, CUTE JROCK HEAVY METAL BOYS AT BAR MOONWALK.


OSAKA VISUAL KEI BARS, LIVE CONCERTS & MUSIC STORES. BAR ROCK ROCK, CUTE JROCK HEAVY METAL BOYS AT BAR MOONWALK, japanese visual kei rock stars, rock music scene, live music rock bands in kansai, osaka hard rock concerts, performances

How about a run-down of Osaka’s best Visual Kei joints? There’s a large Jrock / VK music store in Shinsaibashi’s Big Step building (it’s the Visual dot on my Osaka shopping map). At the entrance, you can pick up free flyers plastered with the faces of your favorite Visual rockers.

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Last May, Deluhi and Mix Speaker’s Inc were well-ranked in the Top Ten. Their Tokyo concert proved that they could deliver live as well (you can read my full show review here).

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The Vambie demonstrate two cute new Asian poses.

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Kansai is also home to several head-banging bars that blast Visual Kei music. In my new CNNGo article, I write: “When bands tour Osaka, they frequently stop by Territory, DJ Taiki’s occult shop in Shinsaibashi. Then they might walk around the corner to Moonwalk, a bar that pumps Marilyn Manson and Japanese glam metal to a young, heavily pierced crowd.”

OSAKA VISUAL KEI BARS, LIVE CONCERTS & MUSIC STORES. BAR ROCK ROCK, black gothic lolita bonnet, CUTE JROCK HEAVY METAL BOYS AT BAR MOONWALK, japanese visual kei rock stars, rock music scene, live music rock bands in kansai, osaka hard rock concerts, performances

Yukiro and I randomly found Bar Moonwalk after we left DJ Taiki’s haunt. We saw a sign that said “All drinks 200 yen” — and then glimpsed the eyeliner-smeared bartender above (named Kouta) — and that sealed the deal. Kouta is the bassist in a new Visual Kei act, which also has a Swedish member. Even though the band hasn’t even started rehearsing, he’s got the look down. And just like Fu-ki, he brought over free drinks… three shots, for all of us!

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Osaka’s most famous hard rock / heavy metal hangout is Bar Rock Rock; Alice Cooper and Motley Crue are among the celeb customers. And don’t forget Midian, run by the ex-member of BLOOD: “Like a Goth Elvis, vocalist Fu-ki is alive and ominously wielding an ice pick behind the counter of his Bar Midian.” (You can see photos and in-depth directions to Fu-ki’s bar here).

Come read the rest of my CNNGo article about Osaka’s rock bars here. Please rate and “Like” it so that CNN will publish more articles about Visual Kei and boy-on-boy antics.

catio showcase, cat deck patio, private enclosure for pet cats, build your own enclosure cage outdoor playpen playroom for cast, cat trees, outdoor playground equipment

Wahh, my Scottish Fold’s fancy outdoor playpen featured on the Catio Showcase blog! “This isn’t the kind of catio for rambunctious cats, but Basil Farrow is quite well-mannered (no jumping or escaping), plus he is always supervised on his catio, I’m assuming by his bodyguards.” That’s about right…

Have you been to any of Osaka’s Visual Kei bars or record stores? Which bands would YOU rank in your top ten? Thanks for supporting my CNNGo article with a Like.

Japanese Word of the Day: Goumon = Torture
Song of the Day: Malice Mizer – Beast of Blood

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46 Comments

  1. AngryBroomstick
    Posted July 21, 2010 at 2:53 pm | Permalink

    the catio always makes me the lulz. Basil is so cute! ^_^

    • lacarmina
      Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:11 am | Permalink

      Oh boy… something arrived in the mail today for him that’s even more ridiculous…

  2. Megan
    Posted July 21, 2010 at 7:06 pm | Permalink

    Awesome review!! :) ♥

  3. AngryBroomstick
    Posted July 21, 2010 at 2:53 pm | Permalink

    the catio always makes me the lulz. Basil is so cute! ^_^

  4. Jill
    Posted July 21, 2010 at 10:34 pm | Permalink

    sdfsdfsf *droool*

  5. Yukimi
    Posted July 21, 2010 at 10:36 pm | Permalink

    Love that type of Visual Kei music!

    Love both of your outfits, especially Yukiro~ He always makes me laugh!

  6. Megan
    Posted July 21, 2010 at 7:06 pm | Permalink

    Awesome review!! :) ♥

  7. Alcy
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:06 am | Permalink

    Cat tea! What’s in it? :O

    10 bands…hmm…Malice Mizer, X Japan, Kaya, Luci’fer Luscious Violenoue, P-Model, Soft Ballet, Guniw Tools, Velvet Eden, Psycho le Cemu…and recently, D’espairsRay! I wouldn’t mind adding Snail Ramp or Thee Michelle Gun Elephant either, though.

    • lacarmina
      Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:14 am | Permalink

      Ahaha it was just water… ;)
      NICE list! Can’t wait for D’espairsRay!

      • Alcy
        Posted July 22, 2010 at 4:17 am | Permalink

        Mm! I’m hoping I’ll be able to go, but I should be able to find a way <3

        A few of those aren't visual, sorry I wasn't paying much attention to the question!

  8. Regi
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:09 am | Permalink

    You mean the ID Pilot in Big Step? It’s actually loosely associated with Zeal Link in Tokyo. In other words, bands that are not associated with undercode or loopash have their events and signings there. The Like An Edison is next to Big Step (look for the men’s clothing shop and then go to the second floor) and all other events are there. There is also Sound First across the street if you can’t afford the new stuff in Like an Edison or ID Pilot.

    • lacarmina
      Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:11 am | Permalink

      Wahh I can’t remember the name of this store… I think it might be the Like An? It was on an upper level, and there were Gothloli clothes in the boutiques around it…

      • Regi
        Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:33 am | Permalink

        Haha, no…I was telling you that in the Big Step it’s ID Pilot, and next door to Big Step is the Like An Edison :P

        It’s on the 3rd floor, as I recall. Big Cat is on 5…I think.

        • Regi
          Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:36 am | Permalink

          By the way, top 10 VK bands:
          Malice Mizer
          Psycho Le Cemu
          Suicide Ali (you know why….but actually they were always high on my list :P)
          Alice Nine
          Gazette
          An Cafe (I literally own EVERYTHING they have ever produced. EVERYTHING….Including the damn Nappy track suit)
          Versailles
          Vidoll (Jui has a bloodclot, so they are ceasing activity from September….Sadness)
          Nega
          BLOOD

          Is that 10…?

          • lacarmina
            Posted July 22, 2010 at 5:27 am | Permalink

            BLOOD! Fu-ki, my soulmate ahahah. I just realized that if his English is good enough, he’ll know I’ve been blogging about him being my soulmate… oops >_<
            Suicide Ali!!!

          • Regi
            Posted July 22, 2010 at 7:36 pm | Permalink

            Haha, yes, Suicide Ali. They are quite possibly a little TOO excited for my arrival. Especially one member in particular, hahaha. And I plan on making a stop to Fu-ki’s bar when I finally get my big butt to Kansai from Hokkaido >.<

            I'll have to update you on some things, yeah? ^-^

          • lacarmina
            Posted July 22, 2010 at 7:49 pm | Permalink

            Yes, I do think so! <3
            ho ho ho, say hi to Fu-ki from me… he saw my blog and the CNN article and emailed a thank you. I wonder if he realizes I've been calling him my SOULMATE… ahhh!

          • Regi
            Posted July 22, 2010 at 8:10 pm | Permalink

            Be prepared for an email tonight!

            And hmmm…If he does, then he is either 1) a dense male who doesn’t realize the gravity of the word-use or 2) really doesn’t care or 3) is flattered!

  9. Toshi San
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 3:04 am | Permalink

    my top 10:
    1. The Gazette
    2. SKULL
    3. Naitomea
    4. QUAFF
    5. NoGod
    6. Girugamesh
    7. -OZ-
    8. ScReW
    9. Alice Nine
    10. Phantasmagoria

  10. Batty
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 3:19 am | Permalink

    My top ten:

    Malice Mizer
    Versailles
    Kozi Solo
    D’espairsray
    Moi Dix Mois
    Psycho Le Cemu
    Blood
    Schwarz Stein
    Shazna
    Lareine

  11. Crimson
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 3:26 am | Permalink

    My 10-

    Kozi (solo)
    Malice Mizer
    Moi Dix Mois
    BLOOD
    BUCK-TICK
    Oyuugi Wagamama
    Versailles
    D’espairsray
    Gackt
    Ossu

  12. Jill
    Posted July 21, 2010 at 10:34 pm | Permalink

    sdfsdfsf *droool*

  13. Yukimi
    Posted July 21, 2010 at 10:36 pm | Permalink

    Love that type of Visual Kei music!

    Love both of your outfits, especially Yukiro~ He always makes me laugh!

  14. Alcy
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:06 am | Permalink

    Cat tea! What's in it? :O

    10 bands…hmm…Malice Mizer, X Japan, Kaya, Luci'fer Luscious Violenoue, P-Model, Soft Ballet, Guniw Tools, Velvet Eden, Psycho le Cemu…and recently, D'espairsRay! I wouldn't mind adding Snail Ramp or Thee Michelle Gun Elephant either, though.

  15. Regi
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:09 am | Permalink

    You mean the ID Pilot in Big Step? It's actually loosely associated with Zeal Link in Tokyo. In other words, bands that are not associated with undercode or loopash have their events and signings there. The Like An Edison is next to Big Step (look for the men's clothing shop and then go to the second floor) and all other events are there. There is also Sound First across the street if you can't afford the new stuff in Like an Edison or ID Pilot.

  16. lacarmina
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:11 am | Permalink

    Wahh I can't remember the name of this store… I think it might be the Like An? It was on an upper level, and there were Gothloli clothes in the boutiques around it…

  17. lacarmina
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:11 am | Permalink

    Oh boy… something arrived in the mail today for him that's even more ridiculous…

  18. lacarmina
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:14 am | Permalink

    Ahaha it was just water… ;)
    NICE list! Can't wait for D'espairsRay!

  19. Regi
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:33 am | Permalink

    Haha, no…I was telling you that in the Big Step it's ID Pilot, and next door to Big Step is the Like An Edison :P

    It's on the 3rd floor, as I recall. Big Cat is on 5…I think.

  20. Regi
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 2:36 am | Permalink

    By the way, top 10 VK bands:
    Malice Mizer
    Psycho Le Cemu
    Suicide Ali (you know why….but actually they were always high on my list :P)
    Alice Nine
    Gazette
    An Cafe (I literally own EVERYTHING they have ever produced. EVERYTHING….Including the damn Nappy track suit)
    Versailles
    Vidoll (Jui has a bloodclot, so they are ceasing activity from September….Sadness)
    Nega
    BLOOD

    Is that 10…?

  21. Toshi San
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 3:04 am | Permalink

    my top 10:
    1. The Gazette
    2. SKULL
    3. Naitomea
    4. QUAFF
    5. NoGod
    6. Girugamesh
    7. -OZ-
    8. ScReW
    9. Alice Nine
    10. Phantasmagoria

  22. Batty
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 3:19 am | Permalink

    My top ten:

    Malice Mizer
    Versailles
    Kozi Solo
    D'espairsray
    Moi Dix Mois
    Psycho Le Cemu
    Blood
    Schwarz Stein
    Shazna
    Lareine

  23. Crimson
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 3:26 am | Permalink

    My 10-

    Kozi (solo)
    Malice Mizer
    Moi Dix Mois
    BLOOD
    BUCK-TICK
    Oyuugi Wagamama
    Versailles
    D'espairsray
    Gackt
    Ossu

  24. Alcy
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 4:17 am | Permalink

    Mm! I'm hoping I'll be able to go, but I should be able to find a way <3

    A few of those aren't visual, sorry I wasn't paying much attention to the question!

  25. lacarmina
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 5:27 am | Permalink

    BLOOD! Fu-ki, my soulmate ahahah. I just realized that if his English is good enough, he'll know I've been blogging about him being my soulmate… oops >_<
    Suicide Ali!!!

  26. lacarmina
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 5:28 am | Permalink

    Wonderful! <3

  27. lacarmina
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 5:28 am | Permalink

    The top two are my favorites too!

  28. lacarmina
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 5:29 am | Permalink

    Where there's a will, there's a way ;)

  29. Regi
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 7:36 pm | Permalink

    Haha, yes, Suicide Ali. They are quite possibly a little TOO excited for my arrival. Especially one member in particular, hahaha. And I plan on making a stop to Fu-ki's bar when I finally get my big butt to Kansai from Hokkaido >.<

    I'll have to update you on some things, yeah? ^-^

  30. lacarmina
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 7:49 pm | Permalink

    Yes, I do think so! <3
    ho ho ho, say hi to Fu-ki from me… he saw my blog and the CNN article and emailed a thank you. I wonder if he realizes I've been calling him my SOULMATE… ahhh!

  31. Regi
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 8:10 pm | Permalink

    Be prepared for an email tonight!

    And hmmm…If he does, then he is either 1) a dense male who doesn't realize the gravity of the word-use or 2) really doesn't care or 3) is flattered!

  32. Audriana Zirakchi
    Posted October 27, 2010 at 12:48 am | Permalink

    1.The GazettE
    2.Alice Nine
    3.Deluhi
    4.UnsraW
    5.Megamasso
    6.D’espairsRay
    7.Sadie
    8.Vamps
    9.Eccentric Agent
    10.Girugamesh

    Gah that was hard to decide (>~<)

  33. Arashi nightmare
    Posted May 23, 2012 at 2:59 pm | Permalink

    I need to go to those 3 places now! Especially Midian. >< Whenever I get my butt to Japan, that visual kei shop is probably the first place I'm going. xD

    Oh, gosh… This required effort.
    1: Lamiel / BAISER (Those two are tied for first. I can't for the life of me decide which to pick.)
    2: Dué le quartz
    3: Madeth gray'll
    4: Lumi/Ere
    5: Dir en grey
    6: Blast
    7: BLAM HONEY
    8: 愛狂います。
    9: BLOOD
    10: LAREINE

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