When Yokohama-based band Shizukani Hisomu Hibi play Revolver tonight, they’ll be headlining such a solid lineup that the whole concept of headliner will basically be thrown into question. The Revolver show is the first of three weekend gigs the Japanese three-piece will play during their three-city tour. On Saturday the band plays Tainan’s, character-laden TCRC and Sunday they’ll be at Sound Livehouse (迴響音樂藝文展演空間) in Taichung.
Assisting Shizukani Hisomu Hibi in the logistics of their Taiwan release tour is 22 Records, a relatively new Taipei indie label that has been organizing shows locally and assisting in the promotion of record release events. Post hardcore outfit Until Seeing Whale’s Eyes, just one of four supporting acts appearing at tonight’s Revolver show, are also part of 22 Records’ roster. The label is also home to now dormant screamo outfit Human Beings (人), who toured Japan last year — playing shows with Shizukani Hisomu Hibi and ultimately forming the bonds that have led to this weekend’s album release tour.
The two cofounders of 22 Records started the label back in 2010 in order to release their own music. Since then they have assisted bands from a wide variety of genres, including My Bloody Valentine opener, oft-absent, but never the less loved, Skip Skip Ben Ben and Taipei hardcore outfit, Ashen.
Photo courtesy of Shizukani Hisomu Hibi
So how did this Tokyo three-piece find itself taking off for Taiwan’s humid mid-summer swelter? It was Shizukani Hisomu Hibi’s former label Say Hello to Never Recordings in Tokyo. Last July they invited Taipei-based screamo outfit Human Beings (人) of the 22 Records’ project on a short Japan tour. It was on this tour that a 22 Records cofounder met members of Shizukani Hisomu Hibi and bonds were formed. According to Ichiro Kawamoto Hiroshi (synth/vocals/guitar), his band has 22 Records to thank for all three Taiwan shows, which is also their first tour outside Japan. “We are nervous as hell,” Hiroshi said in an e-mail interview, “but at the same time so excited to play in Taiwan.”
■ Shizukani Hisomu Hibi, Moonteg, Eyeball Killer (眼球殺手), BHD and Until Seeing Whale’s Eyes (直到看見鯨魚的眼睛) tonight doors open at 9pm at Revolver, 1-2, Roosevelt Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市中正區羅斯福路一段 1-2號). Admission is NT$300 with one drink. Shizukani Hisomu Hibi, Eyeball Killer and Until Seeing Whale’s Eyes tomorrow doors open at 9pm at TCRC Live House, B1, 314 Shimen Rd Sec 2, Greater Tainan (台南市中西區 西門路二段314號B1). Admission is NT$250 in advance or NT$300 at the door (includes one drink); Shizukani Hisomu Hibi, Double Cheese, Eyeball Killer and Until Seeing Whale’s Eyes on Sunday at 6:30pm at Sound Live House (迴響音樂藝文展演空間), B1-1, 429 Henan Rd Sec 2, Greater Taichung (台中市西屯區河南路二段429號B1-1). Admission is NT$350 in advance or NT$400 at the door (includes one drink).
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