“Vermillion Studio” Website Closing Down By March 15th
News I didn’t deem this news worthy, but apparently some people get it wrong. Therefore, this post is to clear up all the misinterpretations.
What you’ve probably seen is this:
This notice is about Vermillion Studio closing down by March 15. It’s an online store where you can buy (expensive) Vermillion merchandise such as parkers and necklaces. This does not mean that Vermillion Records is shutting down! Why the hell would they do that anyway?
Oh… and if you’re thinking about buying a thing or two there, please note that all items are on sale since they’re trying to clear out their shelves!
So yeah… just a few more days and we should get some real B’z news 😉
So long!
Tobias
Into Free -Dangan- @ Club Nokia Performance
Feature Just to give everyone a preview of B’z latest song Into Free -Dangan- which is a re-recorded, English version of Samayoeru Aoi Dangan released in 1998, I have put up the video of the LA performance from last year for everyone to enjoy. As previously reported, the song is the theme song to Capcom’s upcoming game Dragon’s Dogma.
You can check out the preliminary lyrics here: http://bzwiki.offthelock.com/Into_Free_-Dangan-_(Lyrics)
Tour: B’z LIVE-GYM 2011 -long time no see-
Venue: Club Nokia, Los Angeles
Date: July 24th, 2011
Japanese Magazine PLAYER “2011 Reader’s Poll”
Feature As every year, the January issue of the Japanese music magazine PLAYER(http://www.player.jp/index.html) features a retrospect on last year, and what readers of the magazine liked the most.
Here’s a relevant extract of the voting results:
Category “Best Artist”: B’z ranked 5th (5th in 2010, 3rd in 2009)
Category “Best Album”: C’mon ranked 2nd
Catagory “Best Vocalist”: Koshi Inaba ranked 1st (same as 2009, 2010)
Category “Best Guitarist”: Tak Matsumoto ranked 2nd (1st in 2010, 3rd in 2009)
Category “This year’s biggest news”: Matsumoto winning the Grammy ranked 4th
Category “Best Drummer”: Shane Gaalaas ranked 16th (8th in 2010, 9th in 2009)
Category “Best Bassist”: Barry Sparks ranked 6th
“Into Free -Dangan-” Theme Song for Dragon’s Dogma
News 
Just as expected, B’z has gone official with some exciting news. Their hit song “Samayoeru Aoi Dangan” is going to be re-released in a re-recorded, English version as Into Free -Dangan- which will be the theme song for Capcom’s upcoming game Dragon’s Dogma. The game is slated for a May 24th, 2012 worldwide release.
Interestingly enough, Shane Gaalaas helped out on the lyrics! He’s credited in the lyrics section.
Lyrics: Shane Gaalaas, Koshi Inaba
Music: Tak Matsumoto
Following the news, a trailer featuring the song has been uploaded to B’z official YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHuxBr0FS_E.
For those who can’t see it because of stupid rights regulations, you can also check out the trailer on Capcom’s official website: http://www.capcom.co.jp/DD/collabo04.html
Further news regarding the release date of the song are yet to be announced. Get hype and wait a bit!
Gibson Tak Matsumoto DC Prototype 2011 #1
Tak Matsumoto News Hello fellow B’z brothers!
The hype meter is constantly growing with B’z being in the middle of recording and Shane being back in Tokyo after a short break!
News should be out any day now… Everyone’s hoping for February 1st (JST), so check back tomorrow in case there’s some hype news!
Photo taken by: TOMUJI OHTANI
Japanese music magazine “Player” has posted a teaser for the new issue on their blog. It will feature a C’mon tour live report as well as a report on Tak Matsumoto’s latest gear. The very same gear he also used during the C’mon tour. To get everyone excited, they posted a picture of the latest guitar prototype Tak is using at the moment: The Gibson Tak Matsumoto DC Prototype 2011 #1. (ver wondered what guitar Tak is holding in the picture on B’z official website? Well now you know.
Perhaps I can get ahold of that issue (out Feb 2nd) and report back to you guys! Would certainly be interesting to read that live report… and of course the Tak Matsumoto gear report 😉
Source: Player Blog
Tak Matsumoto Featured on Taiwanese Rock Band’s Album
Tak Matsumoto News Popular Taiwanese rock band Mayday (Chinese: 五月天) has released their 8th studio album Second Round (Chinese: 第二人生) on December 16, 2011. The album was a major hit in Taiwan, generating 129,958 pre-orders in just one week. On that album, there’s a track called 三個傻瓜 (“3 Idiots”). If anyone can provide a proper translation for the title, I’d be very grateful.
Anyway, close to the end of the song, the singer shouts Tak, come on! and we get to hear Tak’s signature sound. His solo proves to be a worthy finish for the song. In the album’s booklet he’s credited as “Feat. Tak Matsumoto by courtesy of VERMILLION RECORDS”.
Check out the song below. Tak’s solo starts at around 3:30.