GreatNorthernVK

I think part of the issue here is that they are pricing for the Japanese market. Namely, for the fans that are nostalgic and will drop that kind of money on MM merch, because they don’t really follow any bands besides M10M, or maybe one or two of Kozi’s projects.
 
They aren’t really pricing it for our market, which are the people that might be nostalgic, but if they’re still paying attention to VK at all, then they’ve moved on to other bands (usually multiple ones). Most of us simply don’t have the dedication to pine over a band that disbanded almost 20 years ago, and be willing to shell out $150 US+ Shipping for a blu-ray.
 
It’s a complicated situation, because this entire international fandom exists because of piracy, rather than in spite of it. Sure, we could choose to be uptight about copyright infringement, but we wouldn’t be here without it in the first place.

I think part of the issue here is that they are pricing for the Japanese market. Namely, for the fans that are nostalgic and will drop that kind of money on MM merch, because they don’t really follow any bands besides M10M, or maybe one or two of Kozi’s projects.
 
They aren’t really pricing it for our market, which are the people that might be nostalgic, but if they’re still paying attention to VK at all, then they’ve moved on to other bands (usually multiple ones). Most of us simply don’t have the dedication to pine over a band that disbanded almost 20 years ago, and be willing to shell out $150 US+ Shipping for a blu-ray.
 
It’s a complicated situation, because this entire international fandom exists because of piracy, rather than in spite of it. Sure, we could choose to be uptight about copyright infringement, but we wouldn’t be here without it in the first place.

Not much to add, but average age of fan could have something to do with it. When I see pictures of crowds at X-Japan or Luna Sea shows (post 2000), it’s pretty mixed. Possibly, the younger the average age of fans, the more likely that it will be gender segregated. This applies to multiple genres, not just VK. 

Streaming has its uses, but also plenty of limitations. Nothing more irritating than your internet buffering during a song, or your significant other hijacking Spotify to troll you with Backstreet Boys and Chumbawumba (true story).
 
I’ve decided to listen to most of my western music via Spotify, while keeping my storage for VK and other stuff that can’t be found on Spotify.
 
I have some CDs for collection purposes, but the only physical music I sit down and listen to is in LP format.

So, be a slave to predatory practices, just go support a band who have absolutely no excuse for not releasing anything besides not being able to find a singer who can handle Mana's ego and are in no way hurting for money as M10M consistently make a mint and Közi has 4 projects including a solo project going on. The only person who could use the money is probably Yu~ki, but I doubt it. This is just predatory pricing to capitalize on starved fans who will buy anything they put out and Mana knows that. When you price something this ridiculously, and it just be a single disc, blu-ray or not you're essentially making an idiot tax to see how stupid and guilbile your fan base nearly 20 years after your last release. Over $150 for a single disc release is beyond ridiculous, but people will eat it up and they'll just release the next thing with as little cotent as possible.
 
It's called minimum viable product as in, what the minimum effort someone is willing to put into a product for the maximum profit. If you price something this high, expect it to be pirated by those outside of Japan. This shit is the equivalent of virtue signaling in politics. You're no greater or better or more devout a fan just because you paid double what something is worth or everyone who buys shit on yahoo auctions or mercari would be the biggest and best fans in the world. Speak with your wallet as pandering to a band and just accepting whatever they're feeding you sends the wrong message and they'll be confused when their sales for the next one are flat if they even think about charging $200 for say, 2 discs and a photo book. The holier than thou anti-piracy sector of VK is always something to behold.
 
I'm a fucking huge DÄLLE stan, and I support the hell out of them, but if I can find stuff online, I'll download it and that saves me money and I can use that money immediately or later down the line to buy something I can't find from them or merch other than music. Supply and demand, you should buy what you want, not buy what you don't, and asking kind souls for something you don't have the money for doesn't make you a bad person, just like you paying for something doesn't make you better than those who can't or won't buy it and would rather wait for it to be available online. If someone thinks it's worth it and they have the expandable income, then good for them, whatever floats your boat, buy it, buy five, but don't shit on people who either don't have the money or think that it's NOT worth the perceived value that the band and some fans think it is. 😊
 
 

She probably believes that the fandom happened entirely through osmosis, where Patient Zero Weeb went to Japan, bought thousands of cds and DVDs, then moved back to their home country and spread the VK virus to all of the friends they could show it to, who all did the same thing. Like some bizarre chain letter.
 
You know, kind of like what Dada believes, but with a random weeb spreading it around instead of Kiwamu.

For Japanese artists, it’s difficult to determine what the “right” answer is. For one, many of us don’t read Japanese. Relying on translations for gossip boards can’t always guarantee reliability of either the translation, nor the validity of the rumour itself.
 
Things of this nature are also kept more “hush hush” in Japan, especially if the artist in question is popular and well liked. Things are slowly changing, as they are over here.
 
As for separating the art from the artist, sometimes that is possible, other times it bleeds through. Some are what I like to call “hiding in plain sight”, and see no problem with making their intentions known in their art. Mamo from R-shitei with his edgy lyrics, and talking about his attraction to teen girls. For an American example, Dahvie Vanity advertising what he likes to do to teen girls/young women in Blood on the Dance Floor’s lyrics. Oh sure, we all thought they were joking at one point. Until we realized, no, they really are serious.
 
As for whether or not to continue financial support...honestly, there are several free ways to enjoy art nowadays. If someone doesn’t feel right supporting an artist for personal reasons, it’s probably for the best. Especially if you look at how they are using that money.

Step 24: Show up *everywhere*, and create photo ops for the camera. Preferably when there’s royalty nearby.

Step 24: Show up *everywhere*, and create photo ops for the camera. Preferably when there’s royalty nearby.

Step 24: Show up *everywhere*, and create photo ops for the camera. Preferably when there’s royalty nearby.

My friend circle was brought together by VK, but since then, most of them only incidentally listen to some VK. Half of them have switched over to Kpop.

There is a definite distinction between *CD* shops, and *record* shops.
 
CD shops are tanking in the West. Record shops still do pretty decently.
 
I’ve been joking for a while now that if VK bands want gaijin to buy their music, just release something on LP. But if too many bands do this, we’ll just run into the same problem. Market gets saturated, and there’s only so much money to go around.

Eventually, they’ll have to adapt. CD stores are going out of business, even though they held on decently compared to the West.
 
The bands will always have their core gya that throw money at them. Physical releases are only one of the ways that they do this. With the CD format becoming less popular, i wouldn’t be surprised if many of these lay untouched, as collectibles more than anything.
 
I can’t predict the popularity of vinyl in Japan. Luna Sea’s LP re-releases all come with English translation booklets, so i’m pretty sure they knew their audience here.
 

Many of these bandomen, unless they’re quite well established, or have enough mitsu patronage...can’t get by on music alone. Most of them have day jobs that they need to keep affording outfits and recording sessions. This will effect their availability to write new music, record and tour.

Eventually, they’ll have to adapt. CD stores are going out of business, even though they held on decently compared to the West.
 
The bands will always have their core gya that throw money at them. Physical releases are only one of the ways that they do this. With the CD format becoming less popular, i wouldn’t be surprised if many of these lay untouched, as collectibles more than anything.
 
I can’t predict the popularity of vinyl in Japan. Luna Sea’s LP re-releases all come with English translation booklets, so i’m pretty sure they knew their audience here.
 

Many of these bandomen, unless they’re quite well established, or have enough mitsu patronage...can’t get by on music alone. Most of them have day jobs that they need to keep affording outfits and recording sessions. This will effect their availability to write new music, record and tour.

I remember someone asking for links to files back on inertia’s board, what must have been 14-15 years ago.
 
Someone honestly responded;
”Why don’t you just buy the CDs, instead of being a leech?”
 
Yes, because someone back in 2004 can just walk to the store and buy whatever VK CD they want, or just go on to Western iTunes, and have the whole world at their fingertips. Or, they could blindly buy a $40 CD. Amazin’!

I remember someone asking for links to files back on inertia’s board, what must have been 14-15 years ago.
 
Someone honestly responded;
”Why don’t you just buy the CDs, instead of being a leech?”
 
Yes, because someone back in 2004 can just walk to the store and buy whatever VK CD they want, or just go on to Western iTunes, and have the whole world at their fingertips. Or, they could blindly buy a $40 CD. Amazin’!

I remember someone asking for links to files back on inertia’s board, what must have been 14-15 years ago.
 
Someone honestly responded;
”Why don’t you just buy the CDs, instead of being a leech?”
 
Yes, because someone back in 2004 can just walk to the store and buy whatever VK CD they want, or just go on to Western iTunes, and have the whole world at their fingertips. Or, they could blindly buy a $40 CD. Amazin’!

I remember someone asking for links to files back on inertia’s board, what must have been 14-15 years ago.
 
Someone honestly responded;
”Why don’t you just buy the CDs, instead of being a leech?”
 
Yes, because someone back in 2004 can just walk to the store and buy whatever VK CD they want, or just go on to Western iTunes, and have the whole world at their fingertips. Or, they could blindly buy a $40 CD. Amazin’!

VULGAR LP

Masumi has passed away on May 18. His funeral will only be held for his loved ones.
 
 

The only Kpop artist I like is Seo Taji, and even then, I only really like his stuff with Seo Taiji and Boys, as well as his first two solo albums, and those were way more than just pop and forayed into many genres, mostly Hip Hop and Metal. 
Other than that, I just don't really like Pop in general all too much but hey, to each their own. 

I would KILLLL to have Dir En Grey's Gauze on vinyl. The ones that do exist are extremely rare as only 100 of them were made. I remember it being on sale for like 50,000 yen just recently and sadly it was sold out last time I checked. 
 
As for other rare items, Dir En Grey had this shirt from 1999 during the Gauze era and I love the design. Would love to have them remake it for the albums 20th anniversary this year.
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/dir-en-grey-gauze-tour-t-shirt-1999-rare
 
Oh, and I would love to have a La Sadies demo tape

*Shrug*, a shitty tereko on YouTube resulted in them earning an extra shirt sale via my husband, who was impressed with Ruki’s Vocals. It was too late to fly him out to Toronto specifically, but had the concert been a few hours drive away, he certainly would have bought a ticket based on the footage.
 
This is the reason why I don’t think VK will ever regain the momentum that it had 10-12 years back. The fan base spreads according to Western methods of promotion, like file sharing, magazine scans, concert photos/videos, and sharing PVs on YouTube. 
 
Then once the bands actually get here, they ignore all of those methods that created buzz for them in the first place and pretend that it just happened overnight by magic. And from there, it just fizzles.