“Seimei/Still Alive” Cover & SHOWCASE 2017 Logo Revealed
News We now have the official cover to “Seimei/Still Alive” a few weeks ahead of its release, which is available for pre-order on CD Japan, YesAsia, and Amazon.co.jp in any of its three editions. The sleek black and purple cover plays up the motif of the second A-side:
Additionally, the logo for B’z SHOWCASE 2017 -B’z In Your Town- has been made available on the official website ahead of its July start:
Long-term fans may recognize that the logo shares elements with the 2009 SHOWCASE of the same moniker. This year’s SHOWCASE is the first of its kind not associated with an album or Pleasure tour in eight whole years. In the past, such SHOWCASES have led to the inclusion of numerous long-requested B-sides and fan-favorites in their setlists. The only full show of its kind released on home video is B’z SHOWCASE 2007 -19- which included performances of: “HOT FASHION -Ryuukoukata-“, “Naite Naite Nakiyandara“, “Gin no Tsubasa de Tobe“, “Haru“, “Nagai Ai“, “Out Of Control“, “ARIGATO” in its only live showing, and “Odekake Shimasho“.
The same year’s SHOWCASE 2007 -B’z In Your Town- tour that sadly was not similarly released also included “The Loose“, “ROCK man“, “HOME“, “Aikawarazu na Bokura“, “Magnolia“, and “GO★FIGHT★WIN“. The 2009 B’z In Your Town SHOWCASE even included “Crazy Rendezvous“, “VAMPIRE WOMAN“, “MY SAD LOVE“, “THE GAMBLER“, and “Kirei na Ai Jyanakutemo“.
“Still Alive” Music Video Preview on Music Station, Commercial On-Air
News With only a few weeks until the launch of the 52nd B’z single, promotions for “Seimei/Still Alive” are now underway. Foremost, Music Station aired our first glimpse at the music video to “Still Alive” that will be included in the CD & DVD packages of the release. According to the segment, the band’s concept for the video was “Beginnings”. We’ve preserved the brief clip below:
Next, the commercial for the single hit television Saturday evening with even more footage:
B’z New Double A-Side Single “Seimei/Still Alive” OUT 6.14!!
News 
The two year wait for the return of B’z will soon be over: Today, with the third countdown ending on the official website, the band have announced the first of their new releases and it’s a big one! The single will be a double A-side (their third and first since 2009’s mega hit “Ichibu to Zenbu/DIVE“) coupling an all-new song entitled “Seimei” with the previously sampled “Still Alive” from the hit TBS Drama A LIFE that aired from January to March. “Seimei” (声明, Declaration) will serve as a tie-in to a promotional campaign for UCC Black’s line of canned coffees beginning with a commercial set to air starting June 12th: just two days prior to the single’s release on the 14th.
B’z Coaster Set included in the “B’z x UCC Black” special edition
What’s more, the single contains four-tracks, making it the band’s biggest standard single to date! The third beat is last year’s digital single “Sekai wa Anata no Iro ni Naru” (世界はあなたの色になる) that served as the theme song to Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare for its theatrical run and later appeared as the opening theme to the corresponding anime series. The release is rounded out by the physical debut of “Fukiarenasai” (フキアレナサイ) which was previously made available for digital purchase last November to correspond with it serving as the theme song to the film Shippu Rondo.
The single will be available in three editions: CD, CD+DVD with all-new music video for “Still Alive“, and a “B’z x UCC Black” CD package including a decorative coaster set and a lottery card that offers the chance to be one of 10,000 to win a set of B’z-themed cans of UCC Black. More can be seen on the special campaign site simultaneously opened to commemorate the announcement.
Preview of the “Still Alive” music video included in the CD+DVD edition
You can expect all four songs to be performed during B’z SHOWCASE 2017 -B’z In Your Town- when it kicks off in Kumamoto on July 13th. A fourth countdown is currently ticking on the official website with no determinate end date as of yet, so stay tuned for the next big update and our first glimpse of “Seimei“!
B’z New Single
「Seimei/Still Alive」
Tracklisting
1. Seimei
2. Still Alive
3. Sekai wa Anata no Iro ni Naru
4. Fukiarenasai
Bonus DVD: 「Still Alive」 Music Video
Price: 1,620 Yen (CD Only), 1,998 Yen (CD+DVD), 2,160 Yen (“B’z x UCC Black” Edition, CD+Goods)
Pre-order CD-Only Edition:
Pre-order CD+DVD Edition:
Pre-order “B’z x UCC” CD Package Edition:
B’z Now Recording in Hawaii: Will 2017 Follow 2007?
News 
B’z have recently posted confirmation on their social media channels that they are currently underway recording their next release. This is further evidenced by the latest issue of the Be With! fanclub magazine in which Tak revealed that he will get together with Koshi to start pre-production in April. As has been the case in the past, the duo are working at their studio in Hawaii for the time being. If the past is any indication, further recording at their studios in Los Angeles and Tokyo should be imminent. There are currently no details on their upcoming releases other than they will presumably be performing some of their new output at B’z SHOWCASE 2017 -B’z In Your Town- which is scheduled to begin in July.
Interestingly, the year has thus far resembled their activities in 2007. In May, B’z released “Eien no Tsubasa” with notable B-side “Lonely Stars“. Just prior, they announced SHOWCASE 2007 -19- which began in late June. This was followed immediately thereafter by SHOWCASE 2007 -B’z In Your Town- which ran from July to August, just as its 2017 counterpart will. Both tracks from the single were performed during the pair of summer SHOWCASES. The band also made a festival appearance at SUMMER SONIC 07 in mid August, just as they will with the RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL this year. In October, “SUPER LOVE SONG” was released with ACTION following in December as their 16th studio album. This led to the year-long tour of LIVE-GYM 2008 “ACTION” that began in January and culminated in the unforgettable twentieth anniversary stand LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2008 -GLORY DAYS-.
Other than the early start for SHOWCASE -19- in 2007, the years appear at least somewhat similar thus far. It would make sense for B’z to hold their new album until fall and release a comeback single here in the spring that can be included in their summer showings. Time will tell, keep checking back for the latest updates!
B’z SHOWCASE 2017 -B’z In Your Town- Dates Announced!
News B’z has today announced their first “B’z in Your Town” SHOWCASE in eight years. Their last one dates back to 2009, in which they performed at eight venues as part of B’z SHOWCASE 2009 -B’z In Your Town-. The 2017 SHOWCASE is not meant as a warmup gig for an upcoming tour, but is rather meant to bring B’z to remote locations to perform in small hall venues. As such, tickets are highly limited.
For the first time, there will be two rounds of ticket lotteries: Fanclub exclusive and CLUB-GYM exclusive. The fanclub exclusive ticket lottery will accept entries from May 1st to May 15th, while CLUB-GYM members can enter the CLUB-GYM exclusive ticket lottery from June 1 to June 11. Results of the ticket lottery are to be announced on May 23rd for fanclub members and June 17th for CLUB-GYM members.
B’z SHOWCASE 2017 -B’z In Your Town-
SS Ticket (Fanclub only): 14,000 Yen
S Ticket: 10,000 Yen
Standing (CLUB-GYM only): 10,000 Yen
July 13 — Kumamoto Prefectural Theater
July 18 — Shunanshi Bunka Hall
July 20 — Fukuyama Hall of Arts and Culture Reed & Rose (Big Hall)
July 22 — Tsuyama Cultural Center
July 23 — Toyonaka Performing Arts Center (Big Hall)
July 26 — Biwako Concert Hall (Big Hall)
July 28 — Honda no Mori Hall
August 1 — Hachinohe City Public Hall (Big Hall)
August 3 — Sakura Hall
August 7 — Tomakomai City Hall
August 9 — Wakannai Cultural Center
New B’z Countdown Set to Upcoming Tuesday
News 
Two weeks following the initial reveal of B’z making an appearance at the RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL 2017 for the first time, the second countdown has finally been given an exact date to count down to: April 25th, 2017 at noon. The date seems to coincide with the announcement of the first wave of artists performing at the WILD BUNCH FEST 2017. WILD BUNCH FEST takes place on August 19 and 20 at the Yamaguchi Kirara Memorial Park — one week after their appearance at the RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL 2017.
Two further random countdowns have been added to the website’s splash page, teasing two upcoming announcements.
