Dir En Grey
I recently saw a news item that Dir En Grey has been added to this year’s Family Values Tour. While I’m sure this excited MANY fans (who have only had the chance to see them twice in the US), I bet that a lot of other people thought “who?”.
Dir En Grey is a very popular Japanese metal band that has been releasing albums since 1997. Part of the visual kei movement - where bands use visuals heavily with their music - their videos are intense, and shocking really. But in a good way!
Thanks to Free Will America (a company bringing Japanese bands to the US), we had the pleasure of seeing this band play at their official US debut at the Avalon in NYC. We got there at noon, and the fans were already lined up around the place. Apparently the 800 or so tickets had sold out very quickly. Talking to the those there, I learned that American fans are dying to see more of these guys as they dont really release news items, photos, and dont tour here. The fans were so worked up that by the time they let them in the place, they broke down the barricade during the opening band.
The show was … intense. It’s really obvious why this band is so big after you see them live. Not only do their songs run from speed metal to soft rock bringing in a wider audience, but they are one of those bands that when they play - you are watching. Even if you arent into the song - YOU ARE WATCHING. I was completely blown away. I had seen the soundcheck, and I could tell they were good, but the actual show was along the lines of the Motley Crue show I was at last year. Yes, that kind of production and sound.
This band is a great fit for the family values tour, and it looks like they are also releasing an album in the US finally. I don’t know if large scale US success awaits them like it did Rammstein, but I wouldnt be surprised.
Free Will America: http://www.free-will-america.com/portal/
Official Dir En Grey Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/officialdirengrey
Dir En Grey Official Site: http://www.direngrey.co.jp/
Family Values Tour: http://www.familyvalueslive.com/
Technorati Tags: Dir En Grey, Family Values Tour, Japanese, J-Rock, Visual Kei, The Avalon, Metal, Music
June 23rd, 2006 at 1:34pm
yeah Dir en grey!
Will all you guys from UVTV be at any of the shows covering them again?
June 23rd, 2006 at 3:24pm
Well, on the family values tour - the tour itself usually has its own crew to film. Every year as far as I know they do a DVD of it… so Im guessing no - that they have that covered! I would love to again at some point though!
July 3rd, 2006 at 8:08pm
Firt of all, it’s not Dir En Grey, it’s Dir en grey. And they are not metal, they are visual kei. Thoes two are totally differnt.
Now stop telling people about them. It’s stupid that people are now liking them becuase they are ‘cool’, convinient how nobody liked them before they were popular. What about us dedicated fans who have supported them since they came out?!
July 17th, 2006 at 9:49am
Please, Alli, stop being an idiot. Dir en grey are not generic visual kei since a long time, they don’t do that shit anymore. The band want recognition and need it. And cut the elitist crap, everyone can be their fan, regardless if they’ve been liking them for 10 years or one week.
As for this blog entry, I really liked how you described the gig, Jerimi. This is so true, everyone should be able to see them live and experience their greatness in person. Dir en grey are not an average band. I wish them all the best on FVT, even though I’m not from the USA (hope they come to Europe again).
July 23rd, 2006 at 3:02pm
Thank you, medeis. I agree with you. Elitists suck and should die.
Anyway, I loved the article. The Avalon concert was just amazing and I can’t wait to see them perform at Family Values!
August 24th, 2007 at 11:55am
[…] been more than a year since we talked about Dir en Grey just as they were slated for Family Values 06. J-rock fans have known about and appreciated them […]
August 25th, 2007 at 2:05pm
I love Dir en gray and i missed both times they came to the us and i didn’t get to see them but i know people who did and they said they rocked even for people who don’t like screaming!! i red there lyrics in English and i love them even more there cd withering to death omg i loved them so much before i red the lyrics but now… i can sing all there songs in Japanese and people look at me funny walking through the store singing it… I LOVE DIR EN GRAY KYO YOUR HOTT!!
September 29th, 2007 at 12:44pm
Damn it, why didint they get added before MN
October 1st, 2007 at 4:36pm
I saw ‘em at FV with a bunch of friends that are beyond obsessed..it was awesome..and funny when Kyo screamed in a bucket. had a chance to go see them at a club in February but had to get rid of my ticket because of work… =\