METALHEAD ENVIES| BAND-MAID| "PLAY"

#band-maid #metalhead #musician #reaction

[@PaulEngineer]

The rhythm guitarist is Miku - picked up a guitar only about 8 or 9 years ago. Her talent is that she supports two great partnerships - allowing Kanami to take lead guitar, and providing most of the vocal backing for Saiki..... Miku is also the PR genius and the main lyricist, fitting ideas into a song with two languages. In many ways the heart of the band.

[@avader5]

Miku's talent was picking the best guitarist in Kanami and the best vocalist in Saiki. Konami knew who the best drummer was in Akane, and she knew who the best bassist was in MISA!!

[@Metal_Auditor]

At this point, Miku has been playing guitar longer than Kanami had at the time when they recorded "Thrill," but whereas Kanami had spent her late teen and early adult years sitting in her room trying to imitate Santana, Carlton, EVH, and others, Miku has had to dedicate her time to practicing and performing a specific set of songs, and juggle that with writing lyrics for new songs and being the main spokesperson for the band. So while some criticize her for her limited skillset after so many years of playing, she's every bit as good at the guitar as she needs to be.

[@jamie.norris]

She sounds just as good in fan cam vids. Can't wait to witness it live in October.

[@markmiyasaki6001]

Great reaction. I love this track, with the Bass-Ryhthm Guitar call and response, then Main Vocal-Backup Vocal call and response followed by the Lead Guitar-Bass call and response. Just an excellent composition from beginning to end. They really are a tight knit group, both onstage and off. They formed their tightness through hundreds and hundreds of Live gigs in one small venue after the other. In 2016, the busiest and breakthrough year for them, they played 101 gigs total, 13 of those outside Japan in 9 countries. They weren't traveling in style either, lugging their own equipment and cramped into a van driving hundreds of miles across Japan and Europe. I think this kind of shared experience, rather than breaking them, brought them together even more. They also released an album, a single and recorded another album that same year.

[@claymore2of9]

originally an instrumental however Saiki the lead singer loved it so mush she bullied Miku (rhythm guitar/second vocalist/lyric writer) to give her some lyrics so she could join in

[@bandmaidfanATL]

Miku has a backing 2nd vocal track she's singing over, but lead is all Saiki

[@uffdad8211]

Saiki is a great frontwoman for Band-maid and her vocal chops are superb. What is especially great is that she never uses autotune so one hears her naturally powerful singing voice as it really sounds live on stage. On occasion, she sometimes she uses special microphone effects like in the MV Real Existence, but these are an intentional part of the song for enhancement purposes only and always serve the song. Miku's terrific backup vocals perfectly compliment Saiki's main lead vocals and produce an extraordinary sounding combination of these two great talents. Band-Maid's awesome instrumentalists often deserve the spotlight, but one should always appreciate the great vocal work which makes Band-Maid such a pleasure to listen to and enjoy.

[@greylocke100]

Miku is the one who uses vocal enhancements, she has 3 different effects she uses on her vocals, but autotune is not one of them. It has been suggested that she uses a guitar pedal on her vocals in addition to the other effects.

[@northstar7694]

"Wonderland" for Saiki vocals.

[@falconsooner]

That was a great reaction. One of my favorite tracks. Saiki always sneaks up on ppl. Initially people are impressed by the instrumentation and composition but after repeated listens they realize how consistent Saiki is. In watching their 2020/2021 live streams the consistency of Saiki's voice jumped out at me. Plus she throws in more ad libs and vocal fry. They are a fun band and don't take themselves too seriously. Refreshing. Other ideas: Moratorium Live - My #1 recommendation if you can find the pro shot video. Has their heaviest breakdown section. Real Existence Live - High energy hard rock. Great show. Nice Kanami solo...not super technical but flashy. Warning MV - Car driving hard rock. Really fun video Bubble MV - Mid tempo classic rock groove. Dragon Cries MV - Kanami harnessing her inner Hendrix with a very unique bridge/solo section. Choose Me MV or Live - More of a pop punk rock song but Saiki's vocal cadence is mesmerizing and Kanami has 2 nice solos. Corallium Audio MV - This is on their official channel. Multiple genre rocker.

[@gt1man931]

I remember your first reaction, I told you that you will be a fan. Maybe not a t-shirt groupie, but an experienced listener musician person hears what they are doing and really appreciates the effort. So many people hear them and think yeah, they are playing pop-rock or shit they hear on the radio every day. Band-Maid doesn't do any of that, they do so much more past the basic radio pop-rock bullshit we all hear. They put in the work, in the small things, the intricacies and subtle licks to fill in the spots so many bands can't do, don't do, or don't want to do.

[@kyles5513]

True that, plus the whole maid gimmick and idea is actually one of the most clever ideas next to angus youngs school suit or kiss with their getup.

[@billb.5183]

Their biggest hurdle is getting people to take them seriously. It usually only takes one listen to realize that they're the real deal. Seeing how much they enjoy playing together makes you love them even more.

[@tooeaseebourne6338]

There biggest hurdle is language, i notice many female reactors don't often go past one reaction, sad as their hard work and aquired talent surpass some of the very best bands, coming up ten years and 100 plus great bangers,,,

[@darrellroninson3476]

My friend I have VIP tickets for Phoenix in October and I am just as excited as I was for the Mighty Zeppelin in the mid seventies just cant wait these gals are the real deal!!

[@fastskipper777]

I've been to their live. Saiki sounds the same as here. She is awesome and super hot.

[@threemonkeysk]

Ditto

[@schelin1447]

MISA is something else! 🤘

[@terrancejordan7484]

Good reaction sir!! Hopefully you can get around to reacting to Don't You Tell Me live and Without Holding Back which is an instrumental and Take Me Higher live!!

[@danw6048]

Saiki had polyps removed from her vocal cords in 2018. My understanding is that this greatly improved her voice and vocal stamina. I have also read that she does a much better job in keeping her vocal cords healthy. Saiki was only 18 when Band-Maid started in the summer of 2013. She was also a very serious dancer that probably had very little vocal training when she jumped into a hard rock band at the level of Band-Maid. Of course, now at 28 she is a world class professional singer with her best years still ahead of her.

[@glenkelley6799]

Just a quick correction, the following is from the commentary from the LINE CUBE DVD about Saiki's operation: Saiki: Can you tell me why it was the summer of 2017? All: ????? Saiki: It's because I had an operation just at the time. All: (laughing) Kanami: Ah. That's so. Miku: You had an operation on your throat, po. Saiki: I sang this when I got my clean voice after the operation. (all are saying, 'Woh---!') 'Daydreaming' and 'Choose me' were the first songs I sang after the operation. Miku: You said at the time of recording, 'It might have been somewhat difficult for me to sing, but by the operation, my voice became clean. Good for me!' I remember it.

[@danw6048]

@@glenkelley6799 Thanks. You are correct. I had read an interview published in early 2019 where she talked about her surgery the year before. My mistake was not figuring out that the actual interview was in 2018. Thanks again.

[@bandmaidfanATL]

If you really want to see some great live of theirs, Turn Me On and Don't You Tell Me from World Domination Tour at Zepp Tokyo Dec 2018, and the entire Live Line Cube Shibuya. They also have a sub service for like $9 a month called BandMaid Prime where they have some full concerts (Zepp is there, but not Shibuya), plus some instrument isolations where one band member plays a full song and you can really see their playing. This vid is from Shibuya.

[@GeographRick]

I’ve seen them live twice and it’s actually even better in person.

[@TomClark-Futoura]

I always play Play when I’m playing Band-Maid because Play shows how good the Maids play when they’re playing Play. 😜 Thx, RdR!

[@ChuckJansenII]

I love the little battle going with Misa, Pigeon and Minchu. Really cool. I haven't heard that type of battle between three instruments the way they did it in ages. Although, the last time I saw a battle between band mates was a band we had called Circle of Jerks. These guys had an even bigger battle with their guitars and bass. They got in a circle and smashed each other over the head El Kabong style! I like Band-Maid style better. Play begins with a musical conversation between the instruments. Isn't that what music is? A conversation? Composer Elmer Bernstein once described this in process of writing. He asks a question with a musical phrase and then uses another musical phrase to answer back. These ladies are tops.

[@kennogawa6638]

onset an instrumental MISA the bass player tucks the pick into her fingers so she can slap.

[@_JimS]

Band-Maid IS the "perfect storm" of bands. Formed in 2013 and still together. They are just as fun off stage as on stage and are a true Sisterhood. No issues, no conflicts, no egos.....all for one and one for all laying down hit after hit. I definitely agree with you on the language barrier and them being more popular. They are more accepted by the older crowd who know rock/hard-rock. The only youngies that like them really know music deep inside and have an appreciation for this genre. Gppd stuff RdR

[@GaryHolloway-810]

BAND-MAID weave each individual members song strands into a intricate musical web. Once you're stuck you never want to escape :)

[@brandydynamite5877]

Eeekkhh ! A spider analogy 🕷🕸

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@brandydynamite5877 Haha. Brandy, where i live the big house spiders are coming out to mate & i hate 'em too.😬 P.S i don't watch them mating or anything.😆

[@saikisfang9339]

@@GaryHolloway-810 Some say that spiders listen to Barry White when mating. I guess if you walk into a room and hear Barry, then you might want leave the room.

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@saikisfang9339 OMG thx for the heads up, Bill. If i hear Isaac Hayes singing "Chocolate Salty Balls", i'm moving.😮

[@TomClark-Futoura]

I read where spiders' foreplay last four times longer than humans, who have only two hands. 🥺

[@dharmachile999]

I've seen a lot of bands in my sixty-two years of existence. BAND-MAID is doing their own thing in their own time and they are phenomenal. They should be proud.

[@bandmaidfanATL]

I think they practice A LOT.

[@lurkmerchant]

Twice a week, 3 times before live or something I seem to remember

[@sandcrab3706]

Prior to Band Maid, Kanami (Lead Guitarist) and Akane (Drummer) had worked together, and Akane and MISA (Bassist) knew each other from music school. I believe Miku (Vocal/Guitar) may have known of Saiki (lead vocalist), as they worked for the same agency. But that was it. Their synergy might come from a shared focus on creating great music. Thanks for the great reaction! 😄

[@TherealSeriousMoonlight]

Great reaction! My favorite Band-Maid song and two solid reactors have featured it in two days. I'll let you know how Saiki sounds live after the Dallas show! 😁 You haven't reacted to "Warning" yet? That would be my suggestion. Thanks for the reaction, RDR! I _really_ think you're going to enjoy _Ningen Isu_ when you give them a chance. They're old school metal freaks making a big sound as a three piece. Most reactors start with "Heartless Scat" but, break the mold and try "Namahage" instead. I'm not a metal head, BM is my sweet spot, but I think you'll appreciate them. They tend to run to longer songs with lots of metal guitar.

[@fenris7769]

She sounds just like that live

[@franciscojavierfernandezmo1974]

Saiki es la séptima cuerda de la Guitarra de Kanami, todas las canciones las hace pensando en la increíble capacidad para ajustar su voz a cualquier tonalidad que la canción le pida.

[@GarageYears]

There have been live streams where Saiki sounds identical! One of the best in the world.

[@dollydayday]

As a a big Band Maid fan I watch a lot of u tube reviews yours are up there with the best of them I enjoyed your enthusiastic and informed style , They kick off there live tour in japan in august with a slot at summer sonic then 6 live gigs in Japan this I guess is the warm up for the biggest tour of the USA they will have done to date you guys are in for a real treat . I hope you will get to see them in Dallas on the 21st October. Please enjoy the best ROCK BAND around today .

[@evilducks3710]

I dug through the comments and didn't see it mentioned, but this song is very different Live than the studio recording. About the whole first minute just doesn't exist in the studio version which starts pretty close to where the vocals kick in. They also change that whole intro sequence up occasionally, if you can find the Tokyo Zepp version it has a different (but shorter opening) that many people prefer to this one. Real Existence Live is a fun song you might dig

[@carlosmunoz7747]

Hey great reaction! about Saiki's voice sure there is some postproduction as is an oficial live DVD, but if you want to see how she sound live without production, then you need to really check Puzzle acoustic live and get the real Saiki's voice (witch its incredible awesome)

[@franciscojavierfernandezmo1974]

BANDMAIDHEAD!!!! Un toque de distinción.

[@phaeron]

Based on fan cams and the online streams of the last 2 years, some of which were later also released on disc with post-production, I think it's very fair to say that Saiki does indeed sound that good. With her voice, she is no less talented than the rest of the gang. And I don't even begin to talk about her stage presence. :) To whether they knew each other before Band-Maid, the answer can be both 'yes' and 'no'. :) When Miku was looking for members to realize her idea of Band-Maid, she became aware of Kanami, who posted online videos of herself as a singer and songwriter. In these videos, a certain drummer helped out from time to time, so Kanami and Akane already knew each other before. When these two agreed to join the band, Akane asked a certain bass player, with whom she went to the same music school and even played in a band together in the past, to join the band too. So to speak, Miku and Saiki are the ones who had no previous connections to the others at all. :) _____________________ 「 _'Our rock never dies ever. Forever!'_ 」 --- from *BAND-MAID* 'Manners' 🕊

[@yuenbrian1971]

They played “Play” 13 times in 13 different cities of their US tour, there are many fancams on KZbin, you can see the real quality of Saiki’ vocal, obviously there were no post-production. It may impress you even more.😅

[@ricardo__jr]

This song is from "BAND-MAID WORLD DOMINATION TOUR - Shinka" held by BAND-MAID at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA on February 14, 2020 Please subscribe to their channel (if you haven't): kzbin.infovideos Setlist: 1-Rinne 2-Blooming 3-Screaming 4-Dilemma 5-glory 6-FREEDOM 7-Choose me 8-PAGE 9-Mirage 10-catharsis 11-Bubble 12-The Dragon Cries 13-I can't live without you. 14-TIME 15-Wonderland 16-alone 17-DICE 18-Don't you tell ME 19-Play 20-DOMINATION 21-endless Story

[@killiansred1000]

If you want some insight regarding the personalities of the band members watch the video, “ Music Gold Rush, #73 and #74.” It’s a fun interview with the band and it has subtitles.

[@Greg-om2hb]

“Be more existent“

[@mikeat2637]

The cutest thing about this song is that it started as an instrumental, and Saiki, the lead singer, asked Miku, the lyricist if they could put in some lyrics. Miku said sure, and the rest is history.

[@jkkansasband7056]

Of course there's post production. Tough to sing live for 2+ hours the way Saiki does. That's why they give her a break toward the middle of the set. Yet she improves year after year. My suggestions will be for the MV's WARNING (not the live) and DICE (not the live). And for another FUN live would be FREEDOM-LIVE with Akane's smiling drum solo. Peace. 2.92

[@GaryHolloway-810]

Kanami told me to tell you "Don't forget my guitar solo in Freedom" :)

[@jkkansasband7056]

@@GaryHolloway-810 Kanami, Mincho, Kanamincho. 😍 Please forgive me. You are ALWAYS #1 with me. Even when I don't mention you in my comments. 😎

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@jkkansasband7056 Hey she shed a happy tear. I've caught it in my second ornate crystal bottle. The first one is her panacea tears for the world. And if s'posed Maidiac Kyle S has a problem with that going too far then tough :)

[@jkkansasband7056]

@@GaryHolloway-810 What a humble and thoughtful and unselfish person she is. And how can anyone have a problem with your comment? 🤷🏻‍♂

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@jkkansasband7056 Yep she is awesome, you know as well as me.😁 I'll wait for his 3rd (time lucky) reply to me & ask if there's a problem :)

[@alanstamper4345]

There are lots of fan cam videos out there you can check out. I’ve yet to hear Saiki sound anything but excellent in them. 😁

[@franciscojavierfernandezmo1974]

Elige cualquier cosa que veas de BAND-MAID al azar, te sorprenderán siempre agradablemente.

[@vdrlng]

As others have mentioned. Saiki is an incredible vocalist that does not use autotune and takes care of her amazing voice while working to keep her body healthy and in shape (Miku says she"works out like crazy!"). With Saiki, what you see..and hear, is what you get / 🎴

[@danjoseph7515]

GREATEST....song.....intro....EVER!! Of course, I'm a bit biased because it's also one of my All-Time Favorite songs. Thanks! 🤘🤩🤘

[@danw6048]

In my previous comment I failed to give suggestions for you next Band-Maid videos. They are Freedom (live) and the music videos for Warning and After Life. I don't think you have done any of those three. I also suggest you listen to a Japanese band called Unlucky Morpheus. Right now they are my fourth favorite Japanese band after Band-Maid, Lovebites and Nemophila. I have been listening to them a lot recently. The musicianship is unsurprisingly excellent and the vocalist, Fuki, is up there with Saiki, Asami and Mayu. The song, Black Pentagram, is a good beginning. Unfortunately I think a video for the live performance is no longer available but the music video is good, just not quite as good. Black Pentagram - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGnMkISehMymgdk

[@alexn4843]

If you liked the back and forth on guitars try and get their live videos from a few years ago of "Take Me Higher" and "Don't You Tell Me". Think it was from 2018? Anyway the back and forth between Kanami and MISA during the solos in "Take Me Higher" is what got me hooked on them. The back and forth on "Don't You Tell Me" is pretty awesome as well.

[@avader5]

Saiki is like a dominatrix, she demands that the crowd respond to her commands. Saiki and MISA are the ones dressed in Gothic. Actually when the group began they all wore similar outfits, then as time went on Saiki and MISA turned Gothic on us. Most often MISA and Kanami are doing their solos at the same time. As usual Band-Maid is Jimmy Page approved!

[@Curtlf]

Not gothic. Saiki is a Spanish maid and MISA Chinese.

[@jkkansasband7056]

NEW MV dropping today 8/9 11am est

[@Glynthepin]

Yes the post production with many Japanese bands is next level. As you would know the levels in the room are totally different for each venue and I believe the mix used for the DVD/Blu-rays comes straight off the mixing deck but even then, post production is required so you can listen to the songs where everything is balanced for an audio recording, including the volume level of the audience. If you can find some good audio fan cams, never mind the video quality, it gives a truer impression of how Saiki sounds live. Thanks for your thoughts and analysis.

[@markmathewssgbcpenaltyboxs6389]

love this song.

[@saikisfang9339]

I would suggest the song Giovanni. But, I think you should do the normal version and the instrumental version.

[@franciscojavierfernandezmo1974]

El destino o la casualidad, llámalo cómo quieras las juntó y hoy son casi una familia.

[@highjynxx]

I suggest Real Existence (official Live Video)

[@lurkmerchant]

Saiki always sounds better live. Saiki's vocal in studio version is more typical radio friendly pop vocal. She sounds herself on stage.

[@tommyjohnson9175]

Well, you know there is some post-production work to make it "Official" live.. This is live, the instruments are EQ'ed to compensate for the venue.. Levels would have to be readjusted to make it sound correct for a KZbin recording, I don't care where you take the feed from. The thing to remember is that levels alone mean nothing. Levels in a live show are always adjusted to give an optimized level of sound to compensate for the venue. They would have to be readjusted back to give a KZbin listener the true experience of this show's actual sound quality as if you were there. It's really only problematic when post-production adjustments are attempted to tone, pitch and clarity. Happily, I can say, I don't detect much of that kind of manipulation happening with these Band Maid video's.

[@outwest1014]

Who noticed Miku running over to another Mic? Her's took a crap.

[@chakouyang2545]

You were right alots band sound terrible lives not band maid they even told the fans to come to their concerts

[@OneDer_Arts1]

Band maid- screaming live is awesome but I think it's not available in KZbin 🥲