Tokyo Day 6

Not much to report, folks.

I went to Shibuya, Ochanomizu, and Shinjuku, looking at guitars and used CDs.

I found some good stuff. I had heard a band in a guitar shop in Ochanomizu and asked the guy (kid) working there to write down the name of the band and CD.

They're called Shakalabbits, and the CD is called Clutch. This is one of the songs:

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=h5NnLpkSoZ4

I just really like it. Not even sure why. I guess I'm just a sucker for Japanese ska-rock with big guitars.

Who'd a thunk it?

I looked for a rare, out of print single that to me is worth it just for the cover art alone:

Sadly, I couldn't find it, and I was always very reticent about asking because

I was afraid they would think the foreign pervert wanted her DVDs... I also picked up a few B'z CDs. They're a guitar/singer duo who make some really amazing songs, mostly (for me) because the guitarist is amazing. He's the first (only) Japanese guitarist to get his own Gibson signature model, and he doesn't get the credit he should for designing the 'Burstbucker' pickup which was originally used for his model but has become one of Gibson's best-selling pickups.

But I digress.

I first heard them when I came to Hong Kong for the first time in 2001; the video for "Ultra Soul" played on Channel V a lot:

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=uAye9uPWbFY&translated=1

I downloaded what few songs I could find, but I am glad that today I could buy the CDs.

I really like the song Juice, too:

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=AVkCDJMVCmg

How much? I got to know my new guitar yesterday by playing this song reeatedly.

My other finds for the day were a couple of Sex Machineguns CDs. With titles like Made in Japanand song names like High Speed Samurai, you have to love them. Especially when they are this willing to go barreling over the top:

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=OqbQ_ifFK4w

Now if I can just find one of their t-shirts...

I doubt this comes in my size. So to speak. I also stumbled on the hard-to-find Wildhearts CD Endless, Nameless. The Wildhearts have always been popular here, and thank God, because it means I can find their CDs!!!

I didn't buy any more guitars. But I did look more closely at this one:

Problem is, it's over US$500 and it's made, as nearly as I can tell, of plastic. Or at least it's plastic coated.

Still, it speaks to me with plastic pink tongues.

I found another ESP shop, as well as the ESP Guitar Crafting Academy. Can you say Summer School???

These pieces of wood become some of the best-made guitars on  earth.

This is the third one of these I have seen. I'm not saying I want one, but you have to admit that a two-dimensional guitar body painted to match is pretty impressive craftsmanship. Oh, and not that I'm bitter, but its funny how ESP allows photos and Tom Lee doesn't...

I didn't buy a guitar, but I did buy a strap. I needed one for my new guitar. I was vaguely tempted to get this pink fur one:

Mostly as a tribute to you-know-who:

Na Na discovers the whereabouts of her missing watch. The hard way.

And that's not my hotel room. Dammit. But instead, I decided to get one from the ESP shop, partially since ESP is Edwards' parent company, and partly because it was about the only damn thing in the shop I could afford. But it looks cool:

Arrrrgh, skulls.... I took some pictures, mostly for my mom:

My hotel room. Sorry there's nothing (or no one) exciting in it.

It's the same size as the one at home. This isafter housekeeping got to it. I try to be environment friendly and not change the sheets every day. My shoes give you an idea of the space. Of course, I have big feet. This one bugs me, because it would have been great in focus. It's the bridge at Ochanomizu, though, so I am sure I will be back...

And more of Shinjuku at night. My mother likes bright colors and shiny objects...

It's been cold, but I've been walking a lot, and I am enjoying not doing anything except what I want. I've been in a pretty good mood, too.

Probably because someone sent me an email.