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]

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!

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

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

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!

Tak Matsumoto News

I was so excited that I was not able to write up a proper article and ended up posting the videos instead. However, this is a huge success for Tak Matsumoto and I think it deserves a good, and thorough article. Also, it is a great opportunity to look back how it all started, and how Tak Matsumoto finally came to receive this outstanding award.

It is a rather lengthy article, so be sure to bring some time with you! 😛 Click read more to see the article!

(more…)

Tak Matsumoto News

I don’t know why they didn’t release it before… I mean it has been out in Japan since October 27th, 2010, but oh well…
On Larry Carlton’s official website, they announced that because of winning the Grammy and all the excitement, they decided to set the release date of the DVD to tomorrow(February 18th)!
What’s funny, however, is that they say “See the GRAMMY WINNING album “Take Your Pick” performed live in Tokyo with a 12-camera high definition shoot!”. What is this all about?
I bought the DVD and it’s only in standard definition. Why did they not release a Blu-ray version although they shot it in high definition? A budget problem?

Well… I guess they want to jump on the bandwagon and expect great sales since Take Your Pick jumped to #1 in the iTunes charts in Japan after word got out that Carlton and Matsumoto had won the Grammy.
But that’s not all:
“According to the Shibuya store of Japan’s largest music and video rental chain store operation Tsutaya, all copies of Mr. Matsumoto’s newest album were sold or rented out by Tuesday morning. “Take Your Pick” also soared to fourth place on Amazon Japan’s best selling CD ranking, just behind – inevitably –all-conquering girl group AKB48’s latest album.”
(Taken from: http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2011/02/15/after-gdp-blow-japan-still-rocksat-grammys/)

Anyway… if you haven’t bought the DVD yet… here’s your chance! And it’s cheaper, too. It’s only $25.99 opposed to 5250 Yen (roughly $50) in Japan.
You can order it via Larry Carlton’s web store: http://www.larrycarlton.com/store.html