A month or two ago, I bought tickets to Linkin Park's latest tour with The Prodigy and I was really excited about it. I've been wanting to see LP since their break out takeover with Hybrid Theory, but I wasn't that big of a concert goer as I am now and when I started attending more, my only option was Projekt Revolution (which is equivalent to KoЯn's Family Values Tour, featuring several other bands with them as headliners). I wasn't interested and waited around for that very moment. Unfortunately, the date was postponed to March. I'm not bitter about it at all and this post has nothing to do with the cancellation either. This post has to deal with some comments I've been reading since I added the event on my last.fm account.I already knew that since the long awaited release of Minutes to Midnight a fan division was formed due to the changes of LP's sound. I thought this would've faded, but the fan hate is still alive. All I saw were constant complaints about how Prodigy fans felt sorry or didn't understand why they would be opening for such a "shitty" band. I was appalled and a little bit ashamed as I am a fan of both bands. I couldn't believe that LP fans were still bickering over the band's experimental choices and jrock fans have stopped months or even years ago.
Now I don't want to strictly keep this centered around LP, I wanted to focus all my irritated energy towards all the bands that caused a fan division. Most of them have calmed down and people have moved on, at least from my point of view, and others, like the example above, have yet to let go. It's partially the reason I have the indies vs. major poll up for the month.
Back in 1997, a talented visual kei band by the name of Dir en grey was born. They brought controversy and thought provoking lyrics to music listeners around the country. They slowly evolved into a less visual creation to a more normal state. After branching outside of Japan, they set their sights on America and became inspired (or influenced moreso) by the bands they were touring with. Marrow of a Bone and it's singles leading up to it were released and caused an uproar within the fandom with their "Americanized" sound. There was an instant divide and people complained about their music, lack of self mutilation in live performances, and their less visual appearance, but soon all things calmed down and Uroboros opened some fans' minds that their roots were still there within their growth and experimentation. Sure, there's still a divide in the fandom, but it has become less rowdy compared to LP's fanbase.In 2008, Girugamesh released their third album, MUSIC, which caused a divide in their fanbase. They took a different direction with their unique rock sound and added new dance, rap, and a few pop elements to some songs. A lot people wanted them to go back to the emotionally intense sounds of "VOLCANO" or even something that still captured the essence of "Owari to mirai".
In 2007, former An Cafe guitarist Bou left the band and two new members were added, Takuya (guitar) and Yuuki (keyboard). People bitched and moaned over how Yuuki looked like a freak and wouldn't give him a chance just by basing it on appearance. When Kakusei heroism ~THE HERO WITHOUT A 'NAME'~ and Ryuusei Rocket were released, some fans were constantly comparing Bou and Takuya's guitar skills to each other. They would strongly cling to their thoughts that Bou was a better guitarist than Takuya, but honestly, in my opinion, Takuya is better. At least, the above examples I can understand there being a division within the fandom, but an argument between Bou and Takuya is a waste of time.
Last year, Jaejung, Yuchun, and Junsu left DBSK due to contract issues and decided to form JYJ while Changmin and Yunho continued on with DBSK. Now this fan division ranks up there with LP and I'm so happy I'm not a fan of them, because I'd probably be equally annoyed with this division. Fans were torn and felt betrayed. They felt obligated to like both instead of just sticking with whatever they enjoyed without regrets or even just sticking with old DBSK.Bands change. You can't stop that and deep down you wouldn't want them to. Think about it. If Dir en grey, Linkin Park, and any other band that has evolved into something else played the same type of music, you would be just as annoyed and bitchy about it. It's impossible to please everyone and I'm glad that these fan divisions haven't hindered bands from exploring their creativity. As fans, we need to accept that we're not going to like everything no matter how die hard of a fan you are. You don't have to feel guilty about it either. It won't kill you to admit to yourself or anyone else that you dislike something from your favorite band/artist. Most importantly, we need to stop yelling at each other, because originally we were brought together because we love the band or artist. We need to agree to disagree too.
With communication, there is also the difference of how musicians carry themselves when interviewed. American musicians know what to give their listeners, because they are American and know what their fans expect, but for Asian musician to be interviewed here is quite difficult. Interviewers want to pry into personal details, joke with them a little (sometimes in a bit of a perverse way), and be casual and loose with them. It's a little more formal and PG when it comes to interviews in Asia. Sometimes it can be a little touchy like KinKi Kids' show and other variety shows that don't take things as seriously, but still maintain some sort of polite manner about themselves.
Unfortunately, parts of the world are built on superficial standards and, in this case, the U.S. and Japan have different physical criteria for our rockers. Sure, we're not a stranger to men wearing make up from the extreme like the legendary KISS to a little less like Black Veil Brides to the bare minimum with just eyeliner like Green Day, but these men with make up still maintain themselves as manly men. In the world of visual kei, it varies from artistic to androgynous. So, some of the musicians sacrifice their masculinity to an extent to portray a certain persona of themselves like Yuuki (Lycaon), Rame (Vidoll), and Kyo (Dir en grey). Sadly, some Americans associate this gender bending trend with homosexuality and drag, but it's far from it. This theory is hard to explain to those who don't understand Japanese culture and their assumptions are immediately made when someone sees a male musician rocking out in feminine or flashy attire, especially if fanservice is involved.
Androgyny is also an unfortunate factor for our pretty boys of pop from Japan and Korea. Fans enjoy cuteness, playful flirting between group members, and occasional dress up of jpop idols like the Johnny's boys and sometimes kpop idols. They are used to the ideas of yaoi and their fans welcome that sort of "fantasy" interaction like jrock. But, of course, in America, our male pop artists have to maintain a clean cut image, but still give us a strong masculine vibe that fans learn to crave. In Japan and Korea, they also have to primp themselves, but have more of boyish and somewhat manly quality about themselves. In some ways maybe a cute, young face and a manly built. Crazy thing is that these countries demand more talent from these pop idols compared to America. They must train rigorously with vocals and choreography, sometimes at a young age. A lot of them dabble in acting and/or modelling. As for America, dancing is a plus to the entertainment value, especially in live performances, and give an advantage to pop stars and groups. They mainly focus on selling their music and getting endorsement deals instead of a side acting career.
For those of you who are reading this and don't understand why we enjoy Asian (or any other country/language) music without understanding, here's a short answer. Music is the universal language of the world. It is used to portray emotion through sound that touches the heart and mind. It doesn't need to be understood by a person's native language or existence of words to be felt, like Apocalyptica or An Cafe.
To represent Japanese pop, I have chosen Jasmine, Daichi Miura, MAA, and Foxxi misQ as my examples. Jasmine has a nice, soulful R&B style to her music. She also 
Foxxi misQ also falls along the lines of good R&B music. Unfortunately, the trio split last year and are now taking on solo careers, but if they were still together, I believe they would be accepted here as they have a similar quality as Destiny's Child. They are visually appealing, move very well in heels, are great role models to females representing strong, independent, fierce women, and have the vocal talent to back it up. Lastly, "goth" pop singer MAA would fit well into the trending dance music craze in the U.S.. Watching her music video for 
Head Phones President would be a great representation of female vocals in the jrock genre. They appeal to fans who enjoy Flyleaf's style, but less whiny and they're another band that sing in English. 404NOTFOUND is a bit of an iffy choice for me. This band doesn't sing in English either and their sound is a little bit behind from ours, but could possibly be accepted by rock listeners and bring a little taste of Japan's rock flavor to make them stand out as well. In and out of Japan, they have a promising future in my eyes. Lastly, there were three other choices I wasn't completely confident in mentioning as thoroughly: Seikima-II, Dir en grey, and Fear From the Hate. Seikima-II reunited last year and kicked off their tour in Dallas, Texas. They re-recorded a lot of their tracks for compilation albums into English and it is definitely clear and understandable. Unfortunately, their sound is very dated and would probably only be appreciated by those who enjoy listening to the old metal hair bands. Dir en grey has been an in and out phase in America. At first, they're every where from MTV, Fuse, magazines, and even local newspapers, but once they're gone, the buzz quickly fades as fast as their appearance. They have a chance of making it, but there are many factors that need to be considered. 
Sadly, I don't listen to Fear From the Hate that much, but they're in a genre I don't particularly like...somehow they fell through the cracks. They are a mixture of club rave music sound bits and metal, but recently I viewed 
Now forgive me for lumping these two genres together, but as stated in a previous post, I'm not that hardcore into Korean music. So, this next choice is Korean pop and rap. Last year, there was a video from Black Eyed Pea's will.i.am expressing his interest in taking 2NE1 under his wing. Now I'm not sure if it'll be beneficial to the girls or hurtful (like Kanye West and JYJ). Nonetheless, I do see that special something he sees in them being successful in the U.S.. They are multilingual and, in their latest album To Anyone, they featured an English version of one of their songs. They have a great fusion of dance, pop, R&B, and whatever else that comes to mind. Rain has made a small mark in the entertainment industry, but playing a small part in Speed Racer, starring in his first Hollywood film, and becoming Stephen Colbert's nemesis. His English is slowly improving and his musical talent could persuade R&B listeners to his suave sound. He has the right amount of charm and it seems as though he has picked up new fans with his "Badass" award too. If he doesn't make it with music, he has acting to fall back on a little. 
Even though she hasn't been in the music scene for a while, T (Tasha) would be a great singer to bridge the gap (or racial boundaries) of R&B and rap like Amerie 
Have you noticed your jrock loving friends' decreasing convo topics about the latest GazettE single or the latest visual kei trends? Have they been talking more about gorgeous Taemin is or the amazing moves of 2pm? Well, you're not alone! People left and right in the jrock fandom are straying to the other side to the kpop fandom.
I can honestly say for the past couple years or so, jrock/visual kei as a genre has been waning. From the economy, major bands breaking up or separating, and visually appealing j-indies bands with no talent overshadowing those who do. This could be the reason that elitist and jrock lovers are switching to kpop. Although, with a few iconic comebacks like Luna Sea, X Japan, and Seikima II, jrock could be making a slow gain to make up for the losses we've experienced since 2009.
There is also the increase of kpop invading Japan. Sure, a few groups and artists have dabbled back and forth between countries like DBSK, Big Bang, and BoA, but now groups like SNSD and KARA are taking over the charts and pushing some jrock bands on the back burner. Unfortunately, this issue has formed a conflict between both fandoms despite the matter of it being a tad hypercritical. This matter could also lead to another factor for the switch which is that the genre is a trend or that crossingover is.
So, what other reasons are left aside from the crippling jrock genre and fandom, boredom, misrepresentation, the Korean invasion, trends, the freedom to fangirl, and more openness with your favorite idol's personal life? Well, there's my reason for why I enjoy it. I like trying new things because I love music and some of the Korean music I enjoy has opened my eyes and ears to other elements I enjoy about music as a whole. It also sometimes resembles parts or influences of things I already like from other musicians. There's a new, refreshing, and different structure to kpop compared to jrock. I also get to learn what is appealing to a different culture. I'm sure some kpop fans feel the same way when discovering jrock.