Boris will perform two shows in Tokyo, one night will be a set of classics and the other night a set of Flood/ experimental on June 15 and 16. Boris will then head to Australia for tour there starting June 19th. SEE ALL SHOW DETAILS HERE
BORIS - JAPAN/ AUSTRALIA
06/15 - Tokyo, Japan @ FEVER *
06/16 - Tokyo, Japan @ FEVER *
06/19 - Melbourne, AU @ Corner Hotel
06/21 - Sydney, AU @ Manning Bar
06/22 - Hobart, AU @ Dark Mofo Festival
06/24 - Perth, AU @ Rosemont Hotel
A few weeks ago, Bay Area atmospheric black metal outfit Deafheaven supported Japanese heavy trollers Boris on a two night run at LA mainstay The Echoplex . See more pictures at The Holloweyed. The entire set will soon hit the Echo / Echoplex’s Flickr.
BORIS
Friday’s Boris set was a performance of their 2000 record Flood, an absolute behemoth in the annals of sludge and doom history. To refer to the Boris set as the dessert of the night would be insulting: this was more like a second entrée. Consisting of one 70-minute track, Boris took the audience on a crawling ride that began with the banging of a giant Zildjian gong cymbal and then descended into varying degrees of feedback for over an hour. The drone was endless, blurring the line between what is music and what is noise, only temporarily providing a definitive answer when sludge riffs would bubble to the surface.
With the smoke machines pumping to capacity, the entire room filled with a foggy haze where visibility depended entirely on whichever color light was illuminating the stage at any given moment. But through the fog, it was obvious just how much chemistry Boris has cultivated over the last two decades. A not often talked about complication to doom, especially when it’s in the form of one ludicrously long movement, is how seemingly easy it would be to get lost in feedback traffic. But guitarist Wata only needed to give a brief glance over at Takeshi and his double-necked bass/guitar to keep on track and figure out the right moment for Wata to lay down a solo or for Takeshi to shelve the droning guitar for plodding bass.
After the set, and after drummer Atsuo sprinted forward to crowd surf after having wrapped up such an epic musical journey, the drummer collected himself on stage and thanked the crowd for their attendance. And just as effusively, the crowd returned its thank yous to Boris tenfold. Arigato, indeed.
See full photo gallery and show review here all Text & Photos by Matthew Grant Anson
Boris ’ massive US Tour begins on April 23rd and will include a special series of residency shows. Just announced in June they will perform two nights in Tokyo before heading off to Australia. The residency shows, billed as “from the past, the present and through to the future” features Boris playing 2 consecutive nights in select cities. For the first night, the band will perform its all-time classics along with many new songs never before played in the US. The second night’s set features most of Boris’ cult classic album Flood along with a noise/drone/experimental set. On the additional one-off dates Boris will combine all-time classics with part of Flood and other songs’ US debut. Boris will once again perform in their classic trio lineup.
SEE ALL SHOW DETAILS AND TICKET LINKS HERE
BORIS US TOUR 2013
04/23 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah %
04/24 Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom %
04/26 Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves
04/27 Austin, TX @ Carson Creek - Austin Psych Fest
04/29 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade !!
04/30 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle !!
05/01 Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel * !!
05/02 Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel * #
05/03 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts !! #
05/04 Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall * !!
05/05 Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall * w/ Doomriders
05/06 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge * !!
05/07 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge * #
05/09 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop !!
05/10 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall * !!
05/11 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall * &
05/12 St. Louis, MO @ Firebird &
05/13 Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theater &
05/14 Denver, CO @ Bluebird &
05/16 Mexico City, MX @ Lunario / Aural Festival
05/18 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile * w/ House of Low Culture
05/19 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile * w/drcarlsonbion
05/21 San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop * w/ Bosse-de-Nage
05/22 San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop * ^^
05/23 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex * ^^ %
05/24 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex * ^^ also w/ Ides of Gemini
* = residency shows
% w/ Marriages
!! w/ Young Widows
# w/ Stephen Brodsky
& w/ Pallbearer
^^ w/ Deafheaven
BORIS - JAPAN/ AUSTRALIA
06/15 - Tokyo, Japan @ FEVER *
06/16 - Tokyo, Japan @ FEVER *
06/19 - Melbourne, AU @ Corner Hotel
06/21 - Sydney, AU @ Manning Bar
06/22 - Hobart, AU @ Dark Mofo Festival
06/24 - Perth, AU @ Rosemont Hotel
Boris have added extra single-night headlining dates surrounding their special series of US residency shows in several major markets beginning in late April in addition to Austin Psych Fest on the 27th. All support bands for the shows are now finalized and listed below. The residency tour, billed as “from the past, the present and through to the future” features Boris playing 2 consecutive nights in each city. For the first night, the band will perform its all-time classics along with many new songs never before played in the US. The second night’s set features most of Boris’ cult classic album Flood along with a noise/drone/experimental set. These additional one-off dates will combine all-time classics with part of Flood and other songs’ US debut. Throughout the tour, Boris will once again perform in their classic trio lineup without any support musicians. - SEE ALL SHOW DETAILS HERE
BORIS US TOUR 2013
04/23 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah %
04/24 Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom %
04/26 Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves
04/27 Austin, TX @ Carson Creek - Austin Psych Fest
04/29 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade !!
04/30 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle !!
05/01 Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel * !!
05/02 Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel * #
05/03 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts !! #
05/04 Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall * !!
05/05 Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall * w/ Doomriders
05/06 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge * !!
05/07 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge * #
05/09 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop !!
05/10 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall * !!
05/11 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall * &
05/12 St. Louis, MO @ Firebird &
05/13 Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theater &
05/14 Denver, CO @ Bluebird &
05/16 Mexico City, MX @ Lunario / Aural Festival
05/18 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile * w/ House of Low Culture
05/19 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile * w/drcarlsonbion
05/21 San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop * w/ Bosse-de-Nage
05/22 San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop * ^^
05/23 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex * ^^ %
05/24 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex * ^^ also w/ Ides of Gemini
* = residency shows
% w/ Marriages
!! w/ Young Widows
# w/ Stephen Brodsky
& w/ Pallbearer
^^ w/ Deafheaven
Boris has been announced to play at this years Austin Psych Fest. This year the festival will be outdoors at Carson Creek Ranch, just off Highway 183. The festival runs April 26-28 and tickets are on sale now at www.austinpsychfest.com.
Here’s the full line-up so far – Expect more announcements in January:
Acid Mothers Temple
The Black Angels
Black Bananas
Black Mountain
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
The Black Ryder
Boris
Clinic
The Cult of Dom Keller
Dead Skeletons
Deerhunter
Diiv
Dreamtime
Elephant Stone
Goat
Golden Animals
The Growlers
Holydrug Couple
The King Kahn & BBQ Show
The Laurels
Lumerians
Man or Astroman?
Quintron and Miss Pussycat
The Soft Moon
Spectrum
Tinarewin
Ttotals
Vietnam
Vinyl Williams
Gary War
The Warlocks
Warpaint
White Fence
Woodsman
Boris have announced a series of US headlining residency dates following their performance at Austin Psych Fest in late April. The residency tour, billed as “from the past, the present and through to the future” features Boris playing 2 consecutive nights in each city. For the first night, the band will perform its all-time classics along with many new songs never before played in the US. The second night’s set features most of Boris’ cult classic album Flood along with a noise/drone/experimental set. Boris will also be selling a limited edition tour-only release available only at these shows.
BORIS US TOUR 2013
04/27 Austin, TX @ Carson Creek - Austin Psych Fest
05/01 Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
05/02 Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
05/04 Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
05/05 Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
05/06 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
05/07 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
05/10 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
05/11 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
05/18 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
05/19 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
05/21 San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
05/22 San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
05/23 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex
05/24 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex
SEE ALL BORIS SHOWS & DETAILS HERE
Boris have announced headlining shows in Europe for December including All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival in the UK and State-X New Forms Festival in Holland. Joining them on most dates will be Joe Volk and in Ireland will be No Spill Blood.
BORIS EU WINTER 2012
Dec 04, 2012 - Brighton, UK @ Coalition **
Dec 05, 2012 - Manchester, UK @ Islington Mill **
Dec 06, 2012 - London, UK @ Scala **
Dec 07, 2012 - Rye, UK @ All Tomorrow’s Parties ATP @ Camber Sands
Dec 08, 2012 - Leeds, UK @ Brudnell Social Club **
Dec 10, 2012 - Dublin, IE @ Whelan’s w/ No Spill Blood
Dec 11, 2012 - Cork, IE @ Cyprus Avenue w/ No Spill Blood
Dec 12, 2012 - Bristol, UK @ The Fleece & Firkin **
Dec 13, 2012 - Birmingham, UK @ The Rainbow Warehouse **
Dec 14, 2012 - Hasselt, BE @ Kunstencentrum Belgie **
Dec 15, 2012 - The Hague, NE @ The Hague - State-X New Forms Festival
Dec 16, 2012 - Karlsruhe, DE @ Jubez **
Dec 17, 2012 - Lausanne, CH @ Le Romandie **
Dec 18, 2012 - Munich, DE @ Feierwerk e.V. **
Dec 19, 2012 - Dresden, DE @ Beatpol **
** w/ Joe Volk
SEE ALL BORIS SHOWS & DETAILS HERE
It’s out November 23 on Pink, er, Black Friday for Record Store Day
Japan’s shoegazyiest heavy metal band and America’s most heavily stylish shoegaze band have joined forces for two sides of vinyl to be unleashed on Record Store Day’s Black Friday. Yes, Boris and Asobi Seksu are going the Mudhoney/Sonic Youth route and covering each others’ songs, and their respective labels (Sargent House and Polyvinyl) are footing the bill.
On the A-side, Asobi Seksu leans into a twinkling, shimmering version of “Farewell,” from Boris’ 2005 coming-out-party for thier shoegazer tendacies, Pink. Then on the flip, the mighty Boris cranks up the fuzz on Asobi’s breezy, blurry, “I Melt With You”-summoning “New Years” (as “Neu Years,” lol). We think there’s some theremins at the end. -
Boris & Asobi Seksu announce their limited edition split 7” of covers of each others songs available as a Record Store Day exclusive release on Black Friday, November 23, 2012. The vinyl includes a download card that features an additional 4 classic songs from both bands.
Format: 7” Vinyl
Labels: Sargent House & Polyvinyl
The way it works is you pass on a CD to a friend and preface it with the words: “They’re from Japan. Just listen.” The thing is with Boris - that’s just not near damn enough to say. Sixteen years later after the band’s inception, they continue to not simply reinvent the wheel but instead take the thing of the axle and make it completely different. Like any great group of musicians and artists, they don’t let any barriers stand in their way. They’ve done countless collaborations with other incredible artists such as but not limited to Keiji Haino, Sunn O))), Michio Kurihara, Ian Astbury, and many more. I don’t know that the Melvins realized that their song would spawn such a diverse and sonically tenacious band like Boris, but I can only imagine they see it as an enormous compliment that after seventeen studio albums (not counting the myriad of collaborations), Boris is in no mood to quit and certainly in no mood to turn down the volume. I recently had an email exchange/conversation with Atsuo regarding the band’s history and their own sense of the art they create:
Since the band’s formation in 1996, you guys have certainly evolved your sound from definitive metal to sludge to experimental and even what might be considered pop. How difficult has it been for you all to sort of be able to maintain the Boris sound while still crossing barriers of music from a genre standpoint?
To us it has not been so difficult to maintain our sound since we can catch possible vision and atmosphere when hearing our own recorded music so carefully. However, in that case the member’s own identity and ego are left behind and ignored frequently. That means ‘music first’ method would shake down members. In order to preserve the balance of our feeling we need to overlook ourselves. Sometimes we feel scary about that.
Language barriers seem to disappear in the wake of music - no matter what genre it may be. When you listen to Boris, no matter what your language might be, the connection is immediately there. How do you approach the art you create in not allowing the issue of language to impede the process?
I don’t really care about language barriers at all. If there is, people try to ‘feel’ something instead of communicating with languages. In fact music is to feel, right? Communication should start from where people can’t understand each other perfectly. That is so natural and to start from there is the best way, I believe.
Boris has worked with numerous artists/musicians here in the states. How is the music scene different here than in your native Japan?
Totally different on everything. For example physically, we can’t play instruments the way western people do. And Western music scene and Japan has their own history of rock music.
(Source: steelforbrains.com)
Another one-name beast from the land of the rising sun, Wata of experimental metal band Boris is not content to shred on a guitar. She’s out to shred your mind. Like many great players, she got her start playing in hardcore bands before getting involved with the genre-annihilating evil that is her current venue.
See Boris live and you’ll understand that only a project as mercurial and frankly insane as it is could ever contain her soul warping leads.
SEE FULL LIST
JAKEB SMITH talks to ATSUO MIZUNO, drummer and vocalist of the indefatigable, genre-hopping, Japanese experimental rock trio BORIS; a band who are constantly calling into question the nature of who they are, what they do and what our roles, as listeners, should be.
(Source: ravemagazine.com.au)
Boris live on March 23, 2012 at The Hifi in Brisbane, Australia all photos by Stephen Booth. Click here to see full gallery.
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