Wes with X Japan... Twice!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Black Light Burns (Wes Borland) MySpace Blog:
Wow, great stereotypical lack of understanding of all things Japanese, there, chief!"If you live in Tokyo, I’m playing guitar with X Japan at the Tokyo Dome on the 28th and 29th and will be there the whole week before starting around this coming Friday so lets go get sushi or whatever and talk about how well the Yen’s doing before Mothra attacks the city."
thx Ryan!
And it's amazing he thinks only Tokyoites would find his playing with X Japan noteworthy. And not be aware the show's been sold out for months!
I like Wes, he had a few good riffs and his style's interesting, at least -- and he did *quit* Limp Bizkit after making some money, after all.
I'd still much rather see Sugizo fill in for Hide... but, well, when's the last time Yoshiki cared about anyone's happiness but his own? He's gonna get whoever will expand his market, and unfortunately, X Japan and Sugizo's Luna Sea have too much fan overlap.
In other words, fuck the current fans, he only wants NEW ones! He's got briefcases of money to leave in car trunks throughout the city!
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41 comments:
This news was a real punch to the gut for me...I have been one of the biggest supporters of this X reunion, but I'm starting to question whether I still should be.
I was always under the impression that the whole "guest guitarists" thing would incorporate artists who have been inspired by, or were longtime friends of X. I assume that this is what most fans wanted as well. Now it appears that ¥o$hiki is just inviting he meets at the latest Hollywood party to this debacle.
Wonder when the guys from My Chemical Romance or Avenged Sevenfold are going to be announced as guitarists? You hit it on the head about ¥o$hiki not caring about the fans anymore. It's just absurd. I'm not even excited about the potential US tour anymore.
Fuck it.
wow... just wow...
After reading this, I wish I only bought the show on the 30th :(
There goes my ¥ to ¥o$hiki
lol @ Labels: concerts, money, x japan
x japan new guitarist:
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/4206/yoshikiyrodmanag4.jpg
Maybe James Iha will be next.
this news is worse than when hide died!
seriously has he even heard or is even a fan of X at all? If he was I'd think he'd be a little more excited than "oh btw, if anyone of my 5 fans is in tokyo for some reason, go see me play with this band called X, you can probably still get tix for it I guess, i dont really know, i dont think they're famous or anything"
"oh btw, if anyone of my 5 fans is in tokyo for some reason, go see me play with this band called X, you can probably still get tix for it I guess, i dont really know, i dont think they're famous or anything"
So true, dude. I completely forgot to mention that. It's like he doesn't even give a fuck. Jesus, I'd be beyond annoyingly happy if I was asked to play in X. I would probably piss myself.
For a moment, I was slapping my knee and laughing. "Haha, what's a great joke! Go, you funny dude, you!"
And then I realized it was for real. I'm not an X Japan fan, nor am I a Limppieceofcrap fan, but even I can tell that something's not matching up here. How the heck do you go from hide to Wes Borland? Good grief. Wes doesn't even seem to realize the significance of what's he doing, and that doesn't bode well for his performance.
To all the X Japan fans out there... I'm really sorry.
No I'm sure Yoshiki is gonna be like "alright well actually , due to today's incredible medical technology, Hide became alive and Wes will NEVER play with us in the future. How foolish of me hahaha"
seriously
Lost all of my respect
I might not even bother to buy the dvd
lame lame lame lame lame!
April 1st, 2008...
Yoshiki: "April Fools'! I got you guys good!"
Please make my dreams come true.
I'm irritated at him for being so nonchalant about replacing hide, and even more ticked off at ¥o$hiki for choosing him.
Why do I get the feeling that this guy will butcher some of hide's parts beyond recognition? :/
Seriously, this just blows.
you can sorta imagine Wes stepping out on stage and realizing he's not playing some shitty 500-capacity theater but THE LARGEST VENUE IN JAPAN and going, "Ooops, i should have practiced more!"
He's only gonna be there a week before the show, which (i assume/hope) means a week of rehearsals. But i don't see Yoshiki's perfectionist personality going all anal on him... Yosh'll probalby just be like, "play what you want, it doesn't matter, the tickets aren't refundable anyway."
More recommendations for genre-bending support guitarists:
+ Santana
+ Garth Brooks
+ random South American guitarist dudes from the subway
If I needed indisputable proof that this reunion is bullshit and founded on nothing more than Yoshiki's ego and his bottom line, this is definitely it. When I read this I was in the longest denial before I accepted this joke as being very real. How are the people who bought Tokyo Dome tickets taking this?... It isn't so much about Yoshiki picking this guy to play guitar, it's about this guy essentially replacing hide, and on the face of it it's both insulting and ridiculous. Now when the DVD is out (or it's broadcasted) out I have to see Wes on stage... if that's what's lined up for the LA show, I'm going to probably pass, to be honest.
melty
Another fine job by Yoshiki.
*puts a dumpster on lead guitar*
Man, X is my favorite band - very dear to me, etc. And I don't give a fuck about this new thing. Whatever it is, it's not X. I think Yoshiki needs Taiji and hide constantly smacking sense into him for him to be able to run a proper rock band. Whatever this is, it's not X or X Japan. I kind of feel sorry for Pata and Heath for agreeing to do this.
Not that they will ever play any of the rock classics, but it'd be so bad if they busted out Sadistic Desire or something with that dude in hide's place. I would have been cool with Sugizo too, but still would have gone on pretending this "X Japan Returns" shit didn't exist.
Since he is only there for two days he will probably only play a few songs. I wonder who the other guest guitarists will be.
Hopefully there WILL be other guitarists, just the tought of Wes Borland playing Rusty Nail makes me cringe.
I just can't believe someone who is related to Limp Bizkit is going to fill in for hide, that's just wrong.
It can still get worse :)
the only way it can possibly get worse is if you actually put Fred Durst in to rap for them...
Let's be fair. Wes Borland did play in a shitty band.
But his solo work is pretty fucking good, I have to say. His solo stuff impresses/amuses me.
That being said, no, even being fair to the guy -- He should not, at all, under any circumstance, be playing with X Japan. Maybe he could fill in for Dir en grey if Die comes down with a terminal illness, sure. He'd be fine in DEG, whatever. But X Japan? X Japan is a highly influencal, legendary band that (most) of us hold dear to us... At least the original lineup.
There are plenty of Japanese, and even gaijin guitarists that are not only already famous, but adore X and would piss themselves to play with X. Borland is more interested in being.... Well, he's really just interested in himself. Maybe Yoshiki feels they have that in common. He MIGHT like X, but not enough to be IN the band, even if it's only for 2 nights.
I call shenanigans either way. Wes might be able to hold his own on guitar, but not to the degree or style of hide.
Yep, it could definitely get worse. Wes isn't the most horrible guitarist in the world once you learn to stop associating him with Bizkit. He isn't up to X standards either, though. Like I said, it'd be easier to see him in DEG.
Still... I'm surprised it isn't Sugizo or Miyavi in the spot, you'd figure Yoshiki would just use the most available guy from SKIN, since SKIN is probably defunct now anyways. Is it possible that Japanese guitarists are just way too scared to take on hide's role due to the immense shame they'd have to live with for the rest of their life if they fuck it up?
This is really horrible. Much like Ryan, I've been supporting the X reunion since news came out about it. This is the final thing that makes me say "Fuck Yoshiki." Not that I haven't known he's a cash-grabbing asshole, but this is really the worst it's been.
I second everything that has been said before me.
I just find myself confused at the situation. From hearing Yoshiki talk at Otakon a couple years ago I wouldn't have taken him for a money grubbing asshole, as much as things are made out this way. It's just confusing.
I also think you're misreading Wes' comment about Tokyo Go. He wasn't saying people only in Tokyo would care, but that, "hey, if you live in Tokyo, I'm gonna be there hanging out".
i don't get you guys...he didn't say anything disparaging about x japan... he's speaking to his fans, most of whom don't know who x japan is since they're mostly from the square states... i'm sure he'll do fine and i think will be an interesting replacement for hide, who was not the best guitarist around anyhow... (let the flame wars begin now) hide was a fine guitarist, but he really wasn't THAT innovative. he WAS however a good showman and had several stage personas and wild costume ideas, JUST LIKE WES... wes borland is a pretty darned good guitarist too. he's capable of jazz improvization and is classically taught. yes limp bizkit was corny, but clearly wes was the only musician in that group who was worth a damn. i think it would be a good match, him and x japan....
antiman
Wut?
I saw Yotaisho speak at Otakon too and it cemented for me the impression that he IS an arrogant money-grubbing asshole. How many names you need to drop? Dude might as well accompanied all those ingratiating asides with a little jig.
antiman
I don't think anyone is saying that he is a shitty guitarist and can't play X's stuff. It's just that he has no connexion(haha) to the band at all. That's why I'm pissed about this. Regarding hide; he was an alright guitarist, but he made up for that be being an excellent all round musician and showman.
It's sort of like the new version of Guns N' Roses. Now, I love GN'R, but I have no interest at all in seeing the Axl Rose solo band. Hell,I'm a big Buckethead fan, but he just didn't fit there. Just like Wes in X.
Yeah, I agree with Ryan on that. I actually think Wes is a cool dude, and I like Wes a lot as a guitarist. I actually have followed his solo work for a while. But he's so random. He isn't the dude I would want to see in X, there's no real connection. I'd also like to hear Wes talk about how he loves X before he plays in the band. If he came out and talked about how much he loved X and that he followed them for years, then damn, let him play. That'd be respectful. But as it is now it's just awkward. There's so many other guitarists that 'fit' the role. I'm worried this is Wes' first time even HEARING about X Japan.
But yeah. Wes will probably do good. Hide wasn't a virtuoso so much as he was simply a guitar hero... An amazing amazing musician that just happens to play guitar. Hide made guitar accessable to a LOT of people, and that's part of the charm. You don't need to spew out Yngwie style riffs to make people respect/idolize you as a guitarist. You sort of just have to convey to the audience that you genuinely love music as much as they do.
Ryan I gotta agree, that is a pretty good example, Buckethead and GNR...I like Buckethead but he is so different then Slash..and although I respect Buckethead's guitar skill, Slash will be always remembered as THE guitarist of GNR
Haters.
I can honestly see Yoshiki meeting Wes, liking his stuff and just casually asking him to play with X for a bit. Yoshiki is definitely a very casual guy when it comes to events.
Guys, take it easy...
X-Japan has been my favourite band for the last 15 years, I am beyond happy to see this reunion happening, and it is meaningful to me...however but I cannot understand the fanaticism of some fans on the whole "hide" replacement issue.
So we have Wes Borland playing 2nd guitar on a couple of the X shows? I say that's a intelligent move, and I cannot see how it would be disrespectful to Hide's memory.
We all know Yoshiki has always wanted to make it in the US and worldwide, and has lots of connections in the LA music scene... so yes, having an american player will give them exposure to new fans. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. It is Yoshiki's band, it is his decision and I'm sure the complete lineup for the 3 days will be awesome!
It also seems that WB and Yoshiki have been friends for a while - he put a Black Light Burns tracks on the Catacombs soundtrack, and it was rumored a couple years ago that Wes laid guitar tracks for Violet UK's "Sex and Religion". He might even have been hanging out with Hide back in the day in LA...
I couldn't care lass about Limp Bizkit or Borland but just I cannot understand the irrational fury at this news.
@swampsnake
It's not because he is replacing hide that we are complaining, it's because there is no connection between him and X that we know of, and in his blog he didn't sound like he knew the band either, to me that's the whole point.
Just an exemple, when Billy Sheehan was playing with B'z he made a huge post in his OHP about the tour with photos and everything, explaining how huge they were in Asia, how cool guys Tak and Koshi were, and how exiting was for him to play in front of 50.000 people every night.
There are several guitarists, both japanese and foreigners, that would love to fill in for hide because they have a huge respect for X and hide. Apparently, Wes in not that guy.
Also, Go already said everything I wanted to say about Yoshiki. He is thinking about getting new fans overseas but to the expense of a guy who was never related to X. And just like Loudness when they brought Mike Vescera and just like Anthem when they got Graham Bonnet he is going to fail.
Borland qualified in a comment on his blog that he's been friends with Yoshiki for a long time. I believe he also played with Zilch. Just because he doesn't gush fanboyishly on his blog doesn't mean he's clueless about X.
I think it's strange you guys are acting like you know what's better for X Japan than the band members themselves do. I can understand the disappointment that hide's replacement didn't turn out to be Sugizo or some other guitarist with a tangible X connection (though the disappointment results from everyone paying attention to fan speculation without really knowing what the band had in mind in the first place), but going as far as to insult Borland's knowledge and Yoshiki's motives when you don't know them is pretty far out.
Regardless of their reasons, which we don't know, I give X Japan credit for making a gutsy move instead of pandering to the fans hoping for a replica of the band in their formative years.
Couldn't agree more with Ryan and Klisk
I'm cool if X Japan want to continue in music industry after this concert and bring Wes as guitarist...
but it just doesn't sound right that you bring him to the 1st REUNION TOUR 10 years after they disbanded and 9 years after hide's death
@R
The Mike Vescera / Graham Bonnet cases are not comparable...It is much much more difficult to get acceptance for a new vocalist that to replace a guitarist, like it or not.
And again, this is only for a couple concerts! I'd bet this "collaboration" will not last any longer than that.
Once more, I am not surprised at all that Yoshiki picked an american player...and there may well be others to come!!
It seems to be like a proof of achievement of sorts for japanese artists....When Pata did his solo album, he picked James Christian to do vox, not some guy from the Extasy Summit...he also had Carmine Appice in his touring band....Hide had Terry Bozzio and TM Stevens on his album...and so on and so on. I am 100% sure Wes Borland knew X-Japan/ the X-Japan guys before. The folks here that think this connection happened overnight ar delusional, that's all. A lot of people in the LA scene do know about X and Yoshiki
Having Sugizo fill in for hide would have been ok with me (and there is, IMO, good chance we'll see this happen)...but how fucking predictable will that be?
@byakuugan
I'd be surprised if X-Japan continued beyond 2008...
Even Yoshiki said it in the MySpace interview....going on as a band without Hide wouldn't make much sense at this stage.
Also, I am sure that for Yoshiki, the future is called Violet UK, not X. Some buzz around the X reunion concert and "World Tour" can only be good for his future endeavours overseas, and unlike Go I am not gonna blame him for it.
Whether that will be succesful is a different story altogether.
wow....thats really all i can say...when i heard this i really hoped it was a joke. I've never had a problem with the idea of them having a fill in for hide, i also didnt mind the idea of them just having his recorded parts be played, but when i heard the name drop "wes borland" i think my heart sank to the pit of my stomach...no matter how i look at it, it doesnt fit. dont get me wrong, hes a decent musician, and its unfortunate that he was in LB but even the idea of seeing him play hides parts, it makes me sick inside...i'll be flying out on monday for the show opening night. this has seriously put a bit of a dark cloud over my original excitement...im putting myself into 3 years of debt for this trip, i'd like to know it wasnt to see my idols guitar parts mangled by wes fucking borland...
Here are 2 replies that Wes made to comments before everything was taken down:
Fan - "When I read the last 4 lines of that post, I wonder if you understand the significance for you to be playing with X Japan, or how many other guitarists would kill to be in your position. o_o Like, did you even hear of X before this? :/"
Wes - "I do understand. Yoshiki and I have been good friends for a long time and this means a lot to him. I'm honored to be able to do it."
and
Fan - "Wes Borland, you of all people do not deserve to be in X-Japan."
Wes - "I can think of a few people who deserve it less than I do. Anyway, I'm not "in" the band, so breathe easy guy."
Alright, I've warmed up to the guy. At least he has an understanding of what the band is.
Richard Fortus has also been announced as guitarist for all three days. This one is cool by me. He's an X fan.
Hmm. This is like ... Hannah Montana being a guest singer for Morning Musume.
Yep the Richard Fortus news is reported on Blabbermouth too
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=93306
Amusing to see him a GNR hired gun playing with X, seeing how many people see Yoshiki as the japanese Axl Rose, with his endless recording without a release in sight :)
Anyway...another news that may make the otaku fringe of X-fans cringe...but this is gonna be BIG. Do not underestimate Yoshiki's ability to turn this once in a lifetime chance for world exposure into something massive.
Those who think this will be a rehash of the last live/dahlia tour final, are, IMO, in for more surprises :)
After reading those comments I don't feel bad about Wes anymore, he seems to know what he's doing, so he likely deserves the spot. He just wanted to seem casual in his blog, I guess, even though he realizes the serious nature of the reunion.
Multiple guitarists for it, though? So maybe, like, there will be a different guitarist for different songs (Ie Wes plays the first 3 songs, Richard Fortus plays, the next 3, and then so on and so on?)
That ain't sounding so bad, admittedly.
maybe jimi hendrix should replace hide instead
Sugizo would have been a better and fitting guitarist in this situation! That concert would be epic.
Wes Borland!? Yoshiki what on earth are you thinking!?
Why do I see a "Let's find a replacement guitarist for X-Japan" ala "Rockstar: the search for a new singer for INXS"?
Ugh.
I'm glad that Sugizo was the only guest guitarist that had a major role.
To be honest, Wes Borland is far too good for X Japan. He is one of the most influentially styled guitarists of the mid 90's, shaping the wave of nu metal as it came along. Oh wow, he doesn't do solos, big fucking whoop. If they wanted a solo guitarist , they would have got Paul Gilbert in.
Fuck you guys that say Borland isn't good enough, fuck all of you who think Limp Bizkit are shit. Why don't you all go fuck off and stop wishing you were all Japanese or some shit.
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