Recent Videos

Happy Birthday to Masuda Takanobu!

Posted on February 26, 2011
News

Masuda Takanobu, recurring support member in B’z LIVE-GYM tours, has turned 50 today. Masuda was also involved in the recording for various B’z songs: DIVE, STARDUST TRAIN, ONE, Pleasure ’98, SLAVE TO THE NIGHT, and many many more. He has received a lot of messages from fans, old friends and young musicians. “[…] I am very happy today […]” he writes on his blog. He also received a special gift from two very special people: Tak Matsumoto and Koshi Inaba.

He posted a picture on his blog:

Happy Birthday, Masuda Takanobu! お誕生日おめでとうございます!!

Source: http://jap.sblo.jp/article/43600995.html (Masuda Takanobu’s Blog)

Charts: ~en II~, TAKE YOUR PICK

Posted on February 24, 2011
News

Last week, as we know, Koshi Inaba LIVE 2010 -enII- was released.
With not-so-much-surprise, it reached #1 on Oricon on dvd and blu ray charts, with 27.000 and 21.000 copies sold respectively.
Oricon also notes he’s the first male solo artist to reach #1 on both charts, just like B’z were the first group to achieve this last August.

Due to the Grammy effect, Take your pick re-entered the Oricon chart, reaching #18. The album even made it up to #4 on the daily album chart for a short period of time. Last week this album was off the top 300, so it’s definitely a good result for them.

Source: Oricon

Pepsi CM & Interview with B’z

Posted on February 22, 2011
Feature

Here you can see the finished commercials – both the 15 second and 30 second versions. Afterwards, Tak and Koshi are interviewed about their thoughts on the commercial filming as well as their new song. Translation of the interview is below the video!

Also, you can preorder your copy now!

Normal Edition: [YesAsia (Global)] [YesAsia (US)] [CDJapan.co.jp] [HMV.co.jp] [Amazon.co.jp]

Limited Edition: [YesAsia (Global)] [YesAsia (US)] [CDJapan.co.jp] [HMV.co.jp] [Amazon.co.jp]


Thanks to JIJI Press for uploading the video to Youtube! http://www.jiji.com/
Original video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOxF_IsFfJc

Interview translation:

Q. What are your thoughts on your first TV commercial appearance?

Tak: Since it’s our first time, I didn’t know what to expect, so I was a little bit surprised by the speediness of the crew as well as their planning. I enjoyed it.

Koshi: The location of the filming was a place where there’s nothing at all. We have been to such places before, but there have been a lot of staff members and because of that it turned out to be a very pleasant experience and I’m thankful for that. Thank you very much.

Q. What do you think about the fly-by shot?

Tak: I was really surprised by that one. I didn’t think they would come so close. I bet I look so surprised there that perhaps you can’t use that scene.

Q. About the song in the commercial “Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo”

Tak: First we talked about [the commercial] and had a look at the storyboard. When I composed the song, I felt it had to be speedy and fresh and the like. That’s what I realized.

Koshi: Before we actually went into the studio, we bought Pepsi and while drinking it – this is real, by the way – we composed the song in the studio. Also this is our first try at doing something like this and a part of last year was dedicated to our solo projects, so I think the link between our solo and our band works is well done because we were able to go back to producing songs as a band right after that.

Q. A message to the fans

Tak: It’s the first time we’ve done something like this and I think this song turned out great. Please look forward to checking it out! Thank you.

Koshi: A lot of people have put their work into this song, so I think it’s a wonderful piece of work. Please look forward to checking it out!

Details About Pepsi Nex CM

Posted on February 22, 2011
News

There are a few facts that have been left out in the previous post. It is actually B’z first appearance on a TV commercial. They will perform their song “Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo” throughout the commercial which is shot in the wilderness. The two will be accompanied by model Leyna Kagami. (actually her name is “Reina” not “Leyna”, but Japanese can choose their English names…)

Now that Pepsi’s site has also been updated, you can watch the making of the commercial there. You will be able to hear more parts of the song – with singing, too. I have it right here for your convenience:

Video taken from: http://www.pepsi.co.jp/gallery/index.html

Source(s): Oricon.co.jp, Leyna Kagami’s Profile

B’z New Single “Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo” 3/30 On Sale!!

Posted on February 21, 2011
News

Click to view in full size! You can download this as wallpaper. You'll have to adjust it to your own screen size though. Or just tell me in the comments what screen size you need!

“They’re back…” is what you see when you visit B’z Official Website. And they really are! Here’s the new release from B’z called “Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo” which means “Goodbye painful days” or if you translate it literally “Goodbye days full of wounds”. As previously reported, the song is going to be a tie-up for the new Pepsi Nex commercial which will start airing on March 1st, 2011.

The second track will be called “Dawn Runner”. Just like last time with MY LONELY TOWN, the limited edition will come with a DVD that contains the music video for “Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo”. The price will be 1470 Yen for the limited edition and 1050 Yen for the regular edition.

B’z – Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo(Goodbye painful days)

1. Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo
2. Dawn Runner

Price(limited edition w/ DVD): 1470 Yen
Price(regular edition): 1050 Yen

Release date: 3/30/11

B’z in New Pepsi Nex CM?

Posted on February 21, 2011
News

Information has surfaced on the Japanese Bulletin Board “2ch” that B’z will be in the next iteration of “Pepsi Nex” commercials. The Pepsi Nex renewal is set to March 1st, which will probably also mark the day when the commercial will be on air. It is unknown whether a new B’z song will be featured in the commercial or not. An official press release is expected for tomorrow. We will keep you updated, of course!