Merry MAIDs-MAS!🎄|BAND MAID, Be Okay

[@JuanSan66]

Kentaro Akutsu is a very important composer for the band, respected and loved by the girls. He was the one who composed Thrill and the one they turned to to compose the b-side of their single Bubble, the song Smile, at a time when, due to schedule reasons, they were short of time to include something of their own. In various interviews they have commented on the good relationship they still have with him.

[@mikometal4882]

Rigth!

[@mikometal4882]

Kentaro Akustu composed this song! the first 3 albums it was not them who composed the songs.

[@mechanicat23]

Yes. What Juan-san said. BUT… Kanami was able to change the guitar parts as she saw fit (as long as the management was ok with final product)

[@VEGERRO]

Kentarō Akutsu author of words 14 times, author of music 11 times. In total, he participated in writing 15 songs BAND-MAID 2013-2019.

[@greylocke100]

The entire Maid In Japan album reminds me of the Seattle pop punk scene before Nirvana and Grunge took over. I'm thinking Letters to Chloe (Yes I know they are from Boston/New England area but their sound hit big in Seattle) and other bands. And the first 2 albums MISA was still using a 4 string bass, Kanami was using her AddicTone guitars, and Miku was still learning to play on her Rickenbacker so her rhythm parts are very simple. By Brand New Maid, MISA had switched part way through recording to the G&L 5 string bass, Miku had picked up Zemaitis for her guitars, and Kanami was just switching to PRS after they had recorded the majority of the album. Kentaru Akutsu is also the same song writer who wrote their breakout song "Thrill" And Kanami kept submitting song, however the label and their management kept rejecting them. Kanami has stated in several interviews, that she kept honing her writing and studying other writers with Saiki's encouragement. It was on Brand New Maid that one of her compositions (Alone) was accepted, and the Ladies arranged it themselves, but had help with the production. It was on their next release, their first full length album that they wrote and produced 9 of the 13 songs. Band-Maid reminds me of the music I grew up with, the music of my youth, and my adult years. They cover over 30 years of my musical experience as they progressed from Maid in Japan to their newest Epic Narratives. The familiarity, the nostalgia, it all hits me in both the feels and the heart. And I found them in 2021 the week of Thanksgiving. And I wish I had found them earlier.

[@chakouyang2545]

This band was great from the start to our heart

[@brunobryant4846]

👍🍻

[@relic1959]

I used this song to help me recover from an illness I had back in 22.

[@jordank2028]

I remember subscribing to their youtube in 2014 when thrill was just released and watching every mv that released after thrill as soon as they dropped. Been an awesome journey watching the Maids progress and grow and bless us with a load of awesome diverse music.

[@thedocofrock1890]

yes - kentaro wrote most of the songs on this first album and still collaborates occasionally. this song was the first one that anyone had heard of the MAIDS. great cd. the song 'key' is an especially killer track that captures the BAND MAID sound.

[@GaryHolloway-810]

Hiya Doc, Yep the last time being in 2019 with "Smile".🙂

[@thedocofrock1890]

@@GaryHolloway-810 G MAN - glad to see you are still with us - happy holidays !

[@thomasrotweiler]

Evergreen , Knockin on Your Heart , Big Dad , Before Dawn : the music is credited to Masahiko Fukui

[@ericifune5543]

First song from their first EP! They were always allowed to choose which songs to play and how to arrange them. The songs were provided to them without attribution of song writer, Kanami's as well. "Alone" was the first everyone agreed with. It wasn't so much "management or the record company" holding her back. She needed to develop as a song writer. She didn't arise fully formed as a song writer like Athena coming from Zeus's head. Kanami says as such and publicly thanks their early song writers for teaching her so much. There's a reason Kanami has said those early songs of her's will never see the light of day.

[@DAVID-io9nj]

My understanding is Band Maid picked which songs to record from management provided list. And almost certainly had some say in the arrangements of the music. Many fans like to dump on their early management. But I content that at least they sourced good music. And it seems the band themselves didn't have a clear idea of what musical direction to take.

[@zs9811]

Yeah, I totally agree with you. They said so explicitly in several interviews. They were also able to tell the composers what kind of songs they wanted. However, at the time of this album, some of the songs that the management asked Akutsu to write may have already been prepared for the formation of a new band before they met Miku. And it is doubtful whether Kanami had already mass-produced the gem-like songs as she did in later years though the _YOLO_ single is of course absolutely brilliant. Kanami mentioned that she did not have enough material at the time of _Just Bring It,_ so they asked outside songwriters to contribute songs, and she also said that her songwriting has changed from before (which I would say is especially true since her encounter with "Thrill").

[@falconsooner]

Such a fun song

[@geoffb5]

I found them just over 3 years ago when YT threw up 2 songs in my sidebar, "Choose Me" and "Play" both live. That hooked me in. I have a old musician friend I introduced to them and he loves the first 3 albums more than the later ones except for the 1st acoustic CD which I gifted him. Ordered 2 copies of the 2nd acoustic so he'll get a late Christmas present. For me the songs I first heard are/were my wheelhouse but since then they have opened me up to many song types I'd have never listened to otherwise. Their way of composing and performing makes it easy to get into whatever they put out. Best band of my life, love them so much for bringing so much music to life for me.

[@atldawg8642]

Really looking forward to when you get to Freezer and Arcadia Girl. I love those songs

[@charlescoleman4017]

I am not a "Day 1'er" I didn't find them until late Spring/early Summer 2017. Can't remember the exact date, but I will never forget that fateful night. Going down the KZbin rabbit hole late one night, I saw a suggestion for a song called "Thrill" by a band called Band Maid. Wasn't looking for them, had never heard of them, but there they were. 5 women dressed in Maids outfits allegedly playing rock. I decided to take a chance. If they sucked, all I've lost is 4:11 of my life. Click. Play. BOOM! 30 seconds in, mind blown, life changed forever and for the better. I could not believe what I was hearing. The kind of music I loved so much and had thought was dead or dying was back and badder than ever! Real Existence and Don't Let Me Down were also found that night, perhaps others, but I definitely remember those 3. I was a born again rocker thanks to 5 wonderful women from Japan! I traveled to LA from PA in 2019 to see them play at Echoplex and it was totally worth it. I am 61 and this is the best band I have ever seen or heard. I feel very lucky to have found them that night. And the Band Maid community is just the best ever! MOE! MOE! KYUN! KYUN!

[@PANIC_aka_PinD]

MOE MOE! CYUN CYUN! BAND MAID! BAND MAID!

[@alanscarfe6753]

From what I understand they had a hand in the arranging of these early songs, but although Kanami was constantly submitting songs to the management they did not get one on to an album until Alone, which is the last song on their third album Brand New Maid. Great reaction as usual, keep `em coming !!!

[@PANIC_aka_PinD]

Early MAID is very pop/punk! This has always been one of my favorite songs from them even knowing they didn't write it ... even at this stage they put a little BAND MAID shine on everything. Pay special attention to the bass in this song. If you think this is something someone wrote for MISA MISA MISA ... I simply don't see how that could "be" ... ok? :p Producer: "Misa, we just need a simple bass line ... just improv some whole notes." Misa: Yeah ... whatever ;) . The fact mini-me is wearing a MAIDs bonnet was not lost on me ;) . Miku manning ... manning? the merch tent herself, "excuse me sir, would you like to buy one of our CDs? It rocks po!". Akutsu is one of their favorite writers and they still consult with him today.

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@PANIC_aka_PinD You know B-M had a hand in the arrangements that made them special. Like Kanami said to me, "Gary-san i've made special arrangements for you".😏

[@brunobryant4846]

​@@GaryHolloway-810 😂 Onya GH 👍🍻

[@curtisrrobles7885]

MISA!!! MISA!!! MISA!!! 🥃🥃🥃🤙🏽Real Existence, March of 2016

[@etoineschrdlu9382]

'Maid in Japan' was an an experiment for everyone involved with Band-Maid. Platinum Passport had never done much outside of Idol groups, with which they had been very successful, and they managed Band-Maid like they were another idol group, providing them with songs, rehearsal spaces, gigs, costumes, publicity, etc. PP weren't interested in what the members of Band-Maid wanted; they were interested in their investment turning a profit. Their management style was "We are the managers, you are the employees, do as you're told, and we'll all get a paycheck." As a result, the music on 'Maid in Japan' was more a reflection of what Platinum Passport thought Band-Maid should be: a Power-Pop Idol Group rather than a true rock powerhouse. You may have recently heard that Band-Maid announced that they are now self managed. It wasn't too long after "Thrill" went viral and saved Band-Maid from Platinum Passport dissolving them, that the Band-Maid members registered as a limited corporation. They may have been protecting the group's right to continue using the Band-Maid name. I did a little digging and found out that their corporation changed names and addresses several times, seemingly whenever various members moved into new digs? MAIDIT.co LTD announced that it had taken complete control over Band-Maid Management on Sept. 25, 2024, the same day that the 'Epic Narratives' album was released. The maidit.co.jp website will make you smile. Not much more than a very familiar looking MAIDIT logo and a posed picture of the Maids from the Yokohama Arena Okyu-ji, but it has links that direct you back to bandmaid.tokyo/ website.

[@Greg-om2hb]

Now entering their 12th year!

[@fergie1164]

This song reminds me of the 70’s,80’s B movies. A song like this was playing in the background where the kids or young adults would come together to overcome whatever the movie was about. Go ahead and listen to every song on every album. You can never go wrong! Every song makes me happy! Oh and don’t forget Cluppo’s full album!

[@charlescoleman4017]

I absolutely love this song! Yes, I'm mostly a hard rocker and punk fan, but this is just so happy and fun, you can't help but smile and enjoy it. Go ahead, I dare you. Try to not smile when this plays! LOL! Even out of the gate, not writing their own stuff, you could see that these ladies had something great going on. Call it chemistry, call it magic, call it whatever you want. But the Band Maid Magic has been there from the very start. It's so much fun watching NittPicc just thoroughly enjoy this music! You are the best Po!

[@PANIC_aka_PinD]

Po indeed ;) .

[@waynebenedict5785]

Misa is really adding to the song so much! So cool!

[@_JimS]

Who doesn't like "Be Okay"........if you don't you need a new outlook on life. The people writing for Band-Maid then I feel did a good job along with producing. Also the girls still put their trademark musicianship on every note in every song.

[@coradesune7537]

Their early stuff is still great I think. Never found a Band-Maid song yet that I skip. For me I got into them in 2019.

[@tinyhato]

As for what say they had in the music at this point, they've said often that they chose which songs they wanted to do from the beginning, and they've recently said that they had a hand in arranging from the very start as well. I've listened to other songs by the songwriters and to me (I'm biased but try to put it aside as best I can) Band-Maid's songs, whether because they chose these particular ones, or because they improved it, have something that the others don't. Obviously I haven't listened to every song by those songwriters so I can't say for sure, but to me it seems Band-Maid had "something" maybe a "spark" from the very beginning.

[@JayDavisAtHome]

Be OK is number 4 on my Spotify wrap up.

[@GaryHolloway-810]

NittPicc your decorations evoked memories of a winter wonderland grotto only with less elves & more BAND-MAID & P in D. "Po, Po, Po".🎅

[@PANIC_aka_PinD]

Thanks for not adding extra "O"s tooooo yooooour poooooost as your Miku reference would have become kind of messy :p .

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@PANIC_aka_PinD Haha.😂 I wouldn't do that, it's Christmas :)

[@EdwardBarnes-z4w]

​@@PANIC_aka_PinDactually Gary would do that , MERRY Christmas , Japan

[@GaryHolloway-810]

​@@EdwardBarnes-z4w That's righ....Heeeey.🤨😂

[@sugaanessena3143]

@@PANIC_aka_PinD 🤣

[@philipcable437]

Ahh. The days when Akane was wearing a big floppy bow (pre tiny hat).

[@ranger_a6953]

I get a feeling that the band put up with their management buying songs and pretty much forced them to let them write or else, we're gone. They've done this multiple times now (it's gonna be Miku driving this) until now, they are their own management company. Good for them.

[@phaeron]

I stumbled across 'Thrill' by chance here on YT towards the end of 2019. So as of today, pretty much in the middle of the ladies' journey, and at no point did I have a problem with their earlier songs, as we seem to approach this in a very similar, very realistic way... It's true, most of these songs from that time weren't written by the ladies, but they've still put their style and some of their ideas into them. I like and listen to many of their earlier songs, as I did 5 years ago. It's a nice contrast to the songs of today, which are admittedly much more complex. That's why for me it's just as much Band-Maid as the Band-Maid nowadays, just not yet with the evolution and experience of today.... I also agree, for people who found them later, it COULD be difficult to like this earlier era. But it's also just the other way around, as I can often see from the comments. And that's completely okay. ___________________ 「 _"完璧なんてありえない" / Perfection? No one gets there._ 」 - from *BAND-MAID* - 'Warning' ♬🕊

[@VegetaRabbit]

On the Maid in Japan album, some songs are written by Kentaro Akutsu and some are by Masahiko Fukui. You are right, Miku wasn't playing guitar yet, early videos of this song are fun to watch because Miku is not weighted down by a guitar and is very animated. I'm not a day 1, I started in late 2015, the first video I watched was "Don't let me down" that just came out.

[@Tony-jm3pd]

Reminisce of Belinda Carlisle and the Go-Go's and little bit of essence from The Cars. I wish Band-Maid would do more of their older material. However, they did include "Forward" in their 10th Anniversary performance at Yokohama which was also composed by Akutsu Kentarou. BTW, my Band-Maid birthday is two years now, not much more than yours. I kick myself for not finding them earlier.

[@ericifune5543]

Miku did a solo acoustic version of "Big Dad" at 2024 Day of Maid.

[@JBVandriver136]

Reminds of the Go Go’s as well as a teenager I really liked them so why wouldn’t we not like the girls today they are much better; however really liked the Go-Go’s just fun music like this song is.

[@JBVandriver136]

Thanks for the reaction Miss Nitt Picc I didn’t find these ladies until 21 but they quickly replaced Rush as my favorite band. F.Y.I. there is a live performance of this song from a club when they first started the recording is very good. When you have the time I suggest watching them in their infancy you can see the beginnings of greatness. As always enjoyed your insight have a good week.

[@zer0tzer0]

Correct! It took many tries for Kanami to get a song accepte for an album. But Saiki kept on encouraging her until she wrote 'Alone'. the first real all BAND-MAID song. B that "Hey!" in this song is the same girl that did the Hey! for 'Thrill'. It's obviously not anyone in the band. If you watch the LIVE version of 'Thrill' Miku doesn't do the "Hey!' at all. She just dropped it all together. And yes, I was a Day One Fan. They came across my feed with 'Thrill' and it was right up my alley! But then I did see anything more from them for a couple of years. Then 'Play!' LIVE popped up! Not the new one you see now with the extended Intro, the old one with the Fire! I was hooked! Then a couple of years later nearly all the Classic BAND-MAID was take off of KZbin ahead of a DVD release. If you're feeling adventurous, You can still find most of the Studio Coast and the entire Zepp Tokyo LIVE concert on the Chinese site Bilibili. Many songs are superior to the remakes that are on KZbin today. 'Don't You' Tell ME' comes to mind. It's the 9th song in the set list, but don't skip that version of 'Play!' it's the 2nd song after 'Domination'. Interestingly, the Line Cube Shibuya version of that song eclipses the Zepp version totally.

[@Mikupigeon]

Their old songs have more Japanese pop rock vibe to them and some of them are pretty cute and fun to listen to, I like the 2nd song Evergreen in this album.

[@patron40silver]

The live footage, from 2015 I believe, is some of my very favorite ❤BAND-MAID💙ever.

[@Grum-monkey]

Been a fan for just over five years. Found them via a circuitous route that began with listening to Atarashii Gakko. Liked what I heard so much I went back through their catalogue and have to say they have not released anything I did not like (much like AG! and Lovebites and Nemophila and newbies Neki) And the more I listen to them and learn about them, the more I admire and love them and their work. In a world that often deems dark, it is a joy to me that such people exist.

[@sjnix7044]

Definitely different from the modern sound but 💯 awesome album. Great opening track and intro to the band.

[@etoineschrdlu9382]

Kanami was composing long before Band-Maid. She knew Akane from hiring her to play on the many demos that she was producing. This is why she called Akane immediately after Miku recruited her, Mincho knew Akane had what it takes. However, Kanami submitted *LOTS* of song demos to Platinum Passport and record company, but they kept turning her down. Her fellow band members kept encouraging her because they knew that composing their own music was one key that would make them successful in the music business. "Alone" was song that broke the log jam. Kanami was playing rhythm guitar in the studio at first and very often still does, giving Miku more time to write lyrics and record vocals. This is one reason I have so much respect for Band-Maid: they support each other and work as a team to get things done. They have a system and are goal oriented.

[@larssvensson2893]

Hey, go ahead. Have all their records. There are a lot of good songs before they started writing themselves. But have to say that since Kanami took over, something happened. Everyone in the band contributes in an absolutely phenomenal way to their sound. Love them and listen to them every day.These ladies demand respect

[@relic1959]

2016 or 17. I was watching BabyMetal and KZbin suggested 'Thrill'. I couldn't tell if it was real. I was intrigued.

[@Charles-ce7ev]

Yes it is crazy to all of us. There is no other band that deserves so much more recognition than they have received than Band Maid. It does seem that your personal preference for Maid music depends when you first heard them. For me it was THRILL, so I prefer the heavier stuff. But I have been influenced (no pun intended) to open my mind to more genres than I ever have in the past. These ladies just kill at everything they do.

[@ronniebrucehalford8396]

Wonderful reaction - I highly recommend you reacting to the live version even if only for your patreons. There’s a great version on YT, just search for the “Club Crawl Tokyo” version. You’ll see how Miku plays it (with guitar? Without guitar?) and how they all, especially Akane, throw themselves into this seemingly poppy song.

[@JayDavisAtHome]

Band Maid is without a doubt the sweetest badasses I've ever seen or heard.

[@tbs526-u1p]

This song reminds of Katrina and Waves ------ walking on sunshine!!!

[@Chan_Fry]

I used to listen to Be OK every evening, to put a smile on my face before going to sleep. It worked wonders for my emotional well-being.

[@JAF729]

My dream is to hear them play this one live. One of my favorites!

[@sugaanessena3143]

Me too.

[@TheJupiterTB]

Can't wait until you get to track 09, "Ai to Jōnetsu no Matador"! Instant foreshadowing of great things to come from BAND-MAID. Keep up the great work!!

[@kohmetal7425]

バンドメイドを見つけてくれてありがとう

[@RA57727]

Don’t worry NittPicc, the Band-Maid community is always accepting more Maidiacs. Seniority is only mentioned regarding a few Maidiacs Vladimir Chupin; Gary Holloway; P in D aka Panic; and a few others who I can’t recall now. Age happens - sorry.

[@PANIC_aka_PinD]

My back agrees with you :p .

[@curtisrrobles7885]

Age happens a lot with me too

[@henry6782]

such a throwback

[@zolitoth2458]

Like an early Sweet (glam rock) song. PS: I loved Sweet!

[@rocotocloc]

Maid in Japan is usually ranked last in every fan's "best Band-Maid albums" list. But that doesn't mean it's bad!, it just the rest of their albums are better and more hard rocking overall I like this album quite a lot, probably because it reminds me of the music i used to listen back in the early 2000's: bands like JET, The Donnas, All American Rejects, Fallout Boy, Ok Go... you know, the good old pop-punk-rock of that era lol

[@JB-cx4bn]

The Donnas will be my forever crush. Best wishes to them. May their suburban girl gang vibe keep inspiring.

[@thomassabia5750]

2021 because of utube

[@perrinklumpp4664]

Thank you so much for shining a light on their early work. You have to know where you came from to understand where you are. It may be different from some of what they play now, but early Band Maid still brings a smile to my lips and joy to my ears. PLEASE feel free to do more from their first few albums.

[@philcalvino884]

I on-boarded at World Domination, and then quickly worked back to MiJ. It's a fun album and it holds it's rightful place in Band-Maid's music history. I agree that compositionally, it's not as adventurous as later stuff (esp. Kanami-era), but it's a good time & what more could want these days?

[@jeffedwards9180]

If my googling is correct, Miku started playing guitar @ 6 months before MIJ release. I've also read that Kanami records both guitar parts then teach them to Miku, also she uses Miku's guitar when doing her parts. I'm not sure if that was the case with Epic Narratives.

[@glenkelley6799]

Great reaction. Kanami has stated that for all their official releases for all songs, she plays all guitar parts. Later she will write specific parts for Miku so that she can also sing while playing, and the rest is on a backing track. From what I've read, they had some control over the arrangement for the songs.

[@hidekadokawa17]

I strongly request anemone (studio version).

[@msquare249]

Reminds me of Japanese version of the Go-Gos. ❤😊

[@RudiTheMan]

This has a Macross 7 music vibe, Fire Bomber can sing this song and not be out of place,

[@なりとし-u8u]

いつもありがとう😊応援しています❤

[@bandmaidfanATL]

This song reminds me of those poppy pop punk precursor bands from the 80s, like The Replacements, The Producers, and later The Rembrandts. The song style is very early 80s straight pop rock, even "rock idol" era such as Rick Springfield or even Billy Squire. I would expect this song to have been the "radio friendly" track from an 80s The Cars album. For some reason, "Friends" pops into my head when I listen to Be OK. This would have been a perfect Sitcom intro.

[@PANIC_aka_PinD]

You said "Replacements" but my brain heard "Refreshments" ... and this does sort of remind me of Banditos ;) .

[@patrickkimmons4638]

The first song they actually wrote as a group was Alone, on their 3rd album.

[@bandmaidfanATL]

Also, birth of Tiny Hato! RIP.

[@785boats]

Always reminds me of bands like Bananarama, The Go-Go's, & the Bangles etc from the eighties.

[@joki5346]

In my alphabetically arranged record shelf, BAND-MAID is placed exactly between Bananarama and The Bangles.😄

[@785boats]

@@joki5346 Now that is brilliant.😃

[@jamesgodwin868]

You've actually reviewed one song which wasn't an original,The Non-Fiction Days. Also,YOLO, she wrote before joining Band Maid,and you've reacted to it. The writers for their early songs were/are quite talented. Kanami submitted songs which the label rejected. When she would get discouraged,Saiki kept urging her to keep trying. The rest is history. So glad you are going back to the beginning. I like all of the early songs. I first discovered them in 2020 when YT suggested DICE. Been a fan ever since and haven't missed a day without listening to their music.

[@mechanicat23]

What happened to Matchless Gum reaction from the YOLO single?

[@patrickkimmons4638]

The first song they actually wrote as a group was Alone.

[@BRO-HI808]

This song make me have flashbacks to a 80's movie intro. A group of high school/college students riding in a bus/van to a camp/lodge in the mountains. They are rocking to the song to stay happy as they journey to their destination. 😂 Very poppy indeed. Yet so fun! You're rocking the holiday spirit. Hope Santa fills that stocking with wonderful Band-Maid merch! PO!🕊 🤘😆🤘

[@sugaanessena3143]

💜💛❤💙💚 Love this song and I rate it higher than any of the Epic Narratives. We're gonna Be OK - Miku 🍌overload in this one.

[@EdwardBarnes-z4w]

How unrefined SAIKI'S Vocals in this era of there career ! 😅

[@bandmaidfanATL]

And yes, your first video was January 17, 2024, so you are eligible for "Best New Reactor." Keep an eye out for Carrier Pigeons bearing gifts, Po! 🕊️🏆🏆🏆

[@ajdenzer3039]

Even though in the early days Band Maid having being forced to play songs written for them, they were allowed to do the arrangements for the songs, and this is what you are pointing out after hearing this song.

[@bandmaidfanATL]

Kanami - Making coming in on the 1 passe. 💚

[@pitamaid]

😝

[@BillHallisey]

"Be Okay" is positive pop punk. What a description, but I love the song. After I discovered Band-Maid on KZbin during the pandemic, I went whole hog on ordering their CD.s. Maid in Japan was my first (unfortunately with the white cover not the one with Maids in red) and played the hell out of it. All of the songs, in my opinion, were great but "Be Okay" still stands as my favorite. Since, I have bought EVERY Band-Maid CD and DVD. I would love for Band-Maid to include some of their first songs, including this one, of course, in future concerts. While Band-Maid did not compose the songs, they put their own indelible mark on each of them with their talent. By the way, there is in-concert footage of them performing "Be Okay" on KZbin and one of the Ohrenje documentaries. During the song, Miku did not have a guitar. She and Saiki were vocalist only, both having a "cleaning rag?" in their hands.

[@PANIC_aka_PinD]

Don't complain! you got the bonus tracks! I have the white cover as well ;) .

[@zs9811]

Just because they're maids doesn't mean it's a cleaning rag lol, it's a towel that the performers themselves use to get the audience excited by getting them to shake it (the audience often brings their own or buys them as merch).

[@WilliamHallisey]

Okay, no complaints. By the way, the cleaning rag comment was a joke. Didn't mean to piss anyone off!

[@zs9811]

@@WilliamHallisey (I knew that, so I added 'lol'. I have no other intention. But thanks for replying.)

[@PANIC_aka_PinD]

@@WilliamHallisey I understood your reference ;) .

[@clintashcraft579]

Would like to see you finish off the OHRENJE DOCUMENTARIES, you did Saiki and Kanami but not the rest!!!!! Thank you for what you do!!!!!

[@bandmaidfanATL]

And no, the Rickenbacker was just a prop until New Beginnings. Watch live vids from those days, and you will see.

[@4thArmoredVet]

Did you notice how they incorporated the Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello chorus into World Domination? Guess they wanted to keep this concept alive but were constrained by their management from using this song in concert. I believe Miku, being the brilliant mind she is, wrote the lyrics for World Domination, and Kanami is credited with the music and arrangement (which she attributed to the entire group, the selfless person that she is). My take on this is that Miku wrote the lyrics to Be Okay but I can't find her credited for the lyrics on anywhere. To my mind this is Miku telling the earlier handlers: Hey, in your face! What do think Nitt Picc? P.S. At that time the record company wouldn't even consider what the ladies were writing as marketable music. Hard to believe.

[@G-man_810]

IMO…since both MISA and Akane came from a musical school they were on the beginning level of session musicians and Kanami already composing songs. They were probably given the basic song structure, medley and lyrics to play & sing. But because it was their band they were given some opportunity to add or change somethings. But only with approval from management and Kentaro. Kentaro was definitely a big influence on their early sound and songwriting. They continued to work with him later so there was a level of respect Please continue to react to these beginnings. Shout out to Akane’s birthday 12/14…long live the gorilla may you never be without bananas 🤣 🤘🕊️🦍🥷👸🏻👀PO!

[@ericifune5543]

The band was always allowed to arrange the songs as they saw fit.

[@relic1959]

All Kanami written by guys at the record company

[@rockyetsx70]

Do a search for Be Ok at Club Crawl Tokyo from May 11, 2015 to see them unleash their full pop punk vibe for this song live, it is awesome.