Mike (in Tokyo) Rogers' Top 50 Best Songs of 2015 (With Music Videos!)

(Me with The 50 Kaitenz! Left to right: Dory, Bogie, Me, Danny (I'm the handsome one!) - Go "Like" their FB page! https://www.facebook.com/the50kaitenz/)

Mike (in Tokyo) Rogers' Top 50 Best Songs of 2015 マイク・ロジャースの2015年のトップ５０曲
（１から５０の順番リストじゃない！）

These are my favorite songs and/or something from a favorite artist of the year. There is no order from 1 ~ 50. These are just my favorite 50 listed as I played them on my Year-End radio show special. Now, some of these songs were not released in 2015... In fact, a few are several years old. But so what? I play alternative and underground stuff so this year was the first time I had heard them and it's my countdown, so there! Also, these songs were chosen by my iTunes software as the Top 50 songs I played from October, 1 2014 until October 30, 2015.... Songs that I have been heavily playing since November (and there's lots of them) will be on the 2016 chart, so stay tuned!

I have placed videos with the songs whenever and where ever possible.

The Smittens - One Hundred Roses 

Fabienne Delsol - Laisse tomber les filles 

Knife Pleats - One Step Too Far 

Messer Chups - Sex Euro And Evils Pop 

Barrence Whitfield and the Savages - The Corner Man

The 50 Kaitenz - サムクックが聞こえる 
This is also one of Japan's best and, by far most entertaining bands. These guys are the closest thing to Japan's Ramones while retaining kick ass originality and great tunes. Check them if you can!

(Sorry. No video for this song, but try this one: The 50 Kaitenz - Killer: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8HZwXRr1Mc)

The 50 Kaitenz

Mark Ronson - L.S.F. 

She & Him - Sunday Girl 

Prima Donna - Deathless 

Fabienne Delsol & The Bristol - Questions I Can't Answer

Clara Belle and the Creeps - I Just Wanna Dance

The Just Joans - Hey Boy...You're Oh So Sensitive! 

The Ettes - Take it With You 

Mirror Trap - New Trance 

(Sorry. No video for this song, but try this one: The Mirror Trap - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvZEWO2TsVM)

Doll Skin - Family of Strangers

Lola Dutronic - Go Fuck Yourself 

(Well there's no video for this great song and I think the only radio show in the world that plays this great tune is my show. But never fear, Lola Dutronic had one of my Top 5 Fave Songs of 2014 and here it is! Enjoy! LOLA DUTRONIC - Everybody Loves You When You're Dead

 

Girlpool - Alone At The Show 

Kovak - My Boyfriend Is A Rockstar 

(Awesome tune. No video available. So try this out: Kovak - Sex Electric https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AadcyBl00NM)

The Routes - Day & Night

Allo Darlin' - Kiss Your Lips

Messer Chups - Difficult Love 

Barrence Whitfield and the Savages - Rock N Roll Baby

The Jacques - Pretty DJ

Messer für Frau Müller - The Best Girl In the USSR 

THE PRIVATES - ACTION WOMAN

(Japan's "The Privates" have been compared to the famed Buzzcocks. The lead singer of this band, Tatsuji Nobuhara will also star in "A Japanese Rock N Roll Ghost Story." Check it! But, sorry. No video for this song, but try this one: The Privates - Drive All Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dixV0AAxsdE)

Vienna Ditto - Feeling Good 

Courtney Barnett - Pedestrian At Best 

THE MONSTERS - BLOW UM MAU MAU 

A.J. and the Jiggawatts - Get Wild 

The Man - Gabba Gabba Hey

Potty Mouth - Cherry Picking 

Taffy - Suicidal Bunny 

Mozes And The Firstborn - Peter Jr. 

Messer Chups - Go Satan Go 

The Just Joans Some Boys Are Bigger Than Others

Su ko D Koi - Busu (Ugly)

The Jackets - Wasting My Time

The Two Tens - Scene

Dog Party - Peanut Butter Dream 

Titty Twister - SPEEDBALL BABY

The History of Apple Pie - You're So Cool

Wolf Alice - Moaning Lisa Smile

THE NEATBEATS - Snakey Baby

China Rats - To Be Like I 

Dirty Fences - Judy (Don't Go)

Have You Ever Seen The Jane Fonda Aerobic VHS? - Shämäläin 

The HaveNots - Rock'n'Roll Weekend 

Purple - Wallflower

UME - Chase It Down 

Motobunny - Let's Go Out

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Thanks to Kona Cindy, Alex Kish, Kayla Williams, Dave McLean, Aya Fukuta, Ken Nishikawa and Rodney Bingenheimer (Rodney on the Roq). You guys are the only people in the entire music industry who teaches me music that I don't already know about. That's what happens to you when you work in the music industry and you become a 60-year-old man. Really!

Santa Goes to Children's Hospital to Visit With Children with Incurable Diseases Charity

Every year, Nanbyounet (Children with Incurable Diseases Charity) helps Santa Claus to visit children's hospitals around Japan to bring Christmas cheer parents of kids with cancer and incurable diseases.

毎年、クリスマスに難病やガン等で入院している子供達のところに

サンタクロースが訪ねて行けるように難病ネットの方達は尽力してくれています。

難病ネットがどのような活動をしているのか是非ごらんください。http://www.nanbyonet.or.jp/

At Osaka's largest Children's Hospital

Nanbyounet is a very fine charity with a great group of people and volunteers that go out 365 days a year to help some of these desperately sick children and their parents. Please check what Nanbyounet is doing: http://www.nanbyonet.or.jp/

Santa tells me that he thinks that Nanbyonet.or.jp is one of, if not thee, most reputable charities in Japan. Nanbyonet.ot.jp helps to raise funds to give these children some happiness and enjoyment in their short time on this earth and to bring people closer together.

Besides Christmas events, Nanbyonet.or.jp also arranges camping for the kids, poolside and swimming events, arts and crafts, musical events and others to create enjoyment for these wonderful little people. Nanbyonet.or.jp also arranges training and support for the parents of these special needs children. 

This year, all the Santa Claus volunteers and his helpers got an early start and had the pleasure of going to a total of 17 hospitals all around Japan to visit several hundreds of children and their mothers and dads, grandmas and grandpas in the hospital.

Santa brought presents to all and took pictures for the folks and the kids to keep forever.

This year, we'd like to proudly announce and welcome a new Santa into our midst who did a special job at one of Tokyo's biggest children's hospitals this year. Stand up and take a bow, my dear friend, Roger Marshall. ロジャー・マーシャル　サンタ どうもありがとうございます！

Santa Roger was a star at Juntendo Hospital this year! Well done!

どうもありがとうございます！Also, thanks so much to Honda Mutsuko for helping this year! 本田さん！本当ありがとうございました！感謝です！

Merry Christmas! メリークリスマス!

CHRISTMAS NOTE: 

Every day of every year, some child is struck down with a terrible disease. While medical science desperately searches for cures, there is something you and I can do to make these children's (and their parents) lives just a little bit better. We can volunteer our time or donate to a worthy cause.

Won't you consider all the good things you have and just how fortunate we really are and give some of your time or donations to a just cause?

You'll feel better about yourself. I know I do. I wish I could do more. Won't you help this Christmas season?

(Nanbyonet.or.jp) or inquire here: http://www.nanbyonet.or.jp/inquiry/index.html 

(Sorry Japanese only!)

Travel Video: 100km Walk Around Tokyo in 3 Days by Jacob Laukaitis

I received a wonderful video by a young traveler and businessman named Jacob Laukaitis. Jacob took a 100 kilometer walk around Tokyo and he took his camera with him and made this delightful video for us. 

Please enjoy! Travel Video: 100km Walk Around Tokyo in 3 Days

(If video doesn't play, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fha5sOwGiOg)

Here is Jacob's personal introduction:

"I am Jacob Laukaitis, a 21 years old digital nomad, who's already been to more than 30 countries in the past 2 years. The main reason why I can travel is the company I co-founded, ChameleonJohn.com, because of the flexibility and remote income that it provides. Because of this, I can travel for 9-10 months a year. If you would like to find more information about me or my trip you can visit my personal website JacobLaukaitis.com and my Instagram profile where I post the best moments from my trips."

Top 3 Videos for Dec. 18, 2015! Posted!

Top 3 Videos for Dec. 18, 2015! Clara Belle & the Creeps, Ringo Deathstarr, Punk Lung, The 50 Kaitenz! Check them out here:　http://bit.ly/1NsCXGt

Here's a teaser. This week's #1! Pink Lung - Chinese Watermelon! (See a higher quality and larger screen at the link above!)

I’ve Seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens! Here is the Ending!

日本語はココです：　激速『スター・ウォーズ/フォースの覚醒』！http://bit.ly/1NwevBW

I’ve Seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens!　

Lots of people have been wondering what’s up with the new Star Wars movie. Some have high expectations; some expect Disney to screw it up!

But, as my regular readers know, I work in the mass media and I have had access to a private viewing of the film ! Yes! I have seen it and Disney doesn’t disappoint!

In the climax scene, Han Solo is valiantly (but vainly) fighting it out with the evil Darth Vader.

Chewbacca tries to help, but what good is a simian versus the Dark Side? Just as Vader is about to lop off Solo’s head and end his life, Buzz Lightyear appears yelling, “To infinity and beyond” as he zaps the light saber out of Vader’s hands and scoops up Solo in an exciting rescue scene!

Wow! What an exciting Disney ending! I told you that Disney, “Doesn’t disappoint”! No, they don't. But expect that they will make a Star Wars film that sucks as bad as the rest of them (excepting the original.)

OK? Now, no matter what happens, you won't be disappointed (too much). Just don't ever expect that this new movie to ever come close to the original and you won't be unhappy! (Creepin' Jesus, it's a Disney film fer cryin' out loud!) You can thank me later!

Have fun at the movies!

Japanese version of this blog is here: 激速『スター・ウォーズ/フォースの覚醒』！ / I’VE SEEN STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS! robot55.jp/blog/激速『スター・ウォーズフォースの覚醒』！/

Love Shibuya in Tokyo? New Parody Folk Video of 1970s Japan!

The latest music video from the F@NC Brothers. Production by Robot55 (Ken Nishikawa & Mike Rogers - Ken edited, I mostly slept on the sofa). 

This is a funny parody of 1970s Japanese Folk Music!

ファンコミュニケーションズの柳澤さん＆松本さん（ザ ファンクブラザーズ）の新しいミュージックビデオです！制作はROBOT55のKenとMike(ほとんどKenが働きMikeはソファで昼寝してたけど）ヒット間違いなしの良い曲です！是非みてください。

ようこそ、渋谷一丁目一番地 〜Welcome to Shibuya, the street number one dash one〜 (If the video doesn't play, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjdrHWGUoR8)

Cool and Strange Music Countdown – Vol. 2: Dec. 8, 2015

It’s Dec. 8, 2015! In Japan, and in the USA (it’s Dec. 7 in America), that means today is “Pearl Harbor Day.” The anniversary of the day the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor! So that also means it’s time for me to “drop some real ‘bombs,’ hits and misses,” with the “Cool & Strange Music Countdown.”

Cool and Strange music isn’t just turds on the turntable! Sometimes the Cool & Strange music does include some cool tunes. For example, Dave Brubeck just passed away yesterday (R.I.P.) and his music can definitely be considered “Cool” – Dave Brubeck will be on the countdown someday, I promise! So don’t judge a book by its cover…. So, let’s get into our first song today; and this song is waaaaay cool.

At #3 is Messer Fur Frau Muller. Messer Fur Frau Muller is a duo from St. Petersburg, Russia. The band was founded by well-known guitarist and multi-talented composer and musician, Oleg Gitarkin with Oleg Kostrow. Messer Fur Frau Muller translates into “A knife for Mrs. Miller.” Today they perform as trio known as Messer Chups and they will most certainly be on the Cool and Strange Music Countdown in days and months to come. Go and “Like” the Messer Chups Facebook page. You can thank me later. (https://www.facebook.com/messerchups/)

#3) Best Girl from USSR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7ImFwXARf0

At #2 is an Elvis Presley impersonator from Sweden known as Eilert Pilarm. Pilarm is off-key and off-tempo, but could arguably be the most famous Elvis presley impersonator in the world. He released several records imaginatively titled Elvis I, II and III before signing to a label, which issued Greatest Hits in 1996. The world-famous DJ, John Peel, played Eilert Pilarm often and it was something of a Peel favourite. Eilert Pilarm has sold over 1 million records. Listen to this version of Jailhouse Rock. Hilarious… And, after many listens, it begins to sound, “right”… You’ll see.

#2) Eilert Pilarm – Jailhouse Rock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MiJTxlEdtQ

This week’s #1 is Zlad. Zlad is the brain-child of Santo Cilauro who is an Australian television and feature film producer, screenwriter, actor, author, comedian and cameraman; he is also an author and former radio presenter on the Triple M Network, and achieved worldwide fame with the viral video Elektronik Supersonik. This is pure genius. Check out the tortured English including new lexicon such as”offblast”, “downsplash” and “bestest.” Today, this is the even bestest video of today you will have seen today!

#1) Zlad – Electronic/Supersonic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNyG-xu-7SQ

Well, that’s it for today! Hope you have a great rest of the week and hope you stay Cool and Strange!

See last week's Cool and Strange Top 3 here: COOL AND STRANGE MUSIC COUNTDOWN – DEC. 1, 2015 (robot55.jp/blog/cool-strange-music-dec-1-2015/)

History Repeats Itself: The "Stars of Silent Films Are Alive" Today (But not well!)

History Repeats Itself: The "Stars of Silent Films Are Alive" Today (But not well!)

Most will probably find the title of this blog to be a bit curious. But history is repeating itself right now and the "Stars of Silent Films" are "alive" today! Well, maybe not those exact people, but people who follow in their footsteps and fail to learn the lesson that they taught us....

History is truly repeating itself in front of our very eyes in the TV and radio world and the reaction of many TV and radio "stars" - and even broadcasting company management - towards the Internet.

And, just as it was in the 1920s, the silent film stars who were able to survive - and actually make more money, along with the production companies who profited handsomely from "Talkies" - the stars who survive and prosper will be the ones who embrace the new technology and use it to their advantage. 

The ones who do not, will fade away. (It's actually curious to think, that after all this time, there are mass media talent and company management who refuse to consider the internet as a profitable promotional tool or revenue stream, but I know a few... I understand if they are over 60-years-old. But under 60? I don't "get it." This seems like complete denial of reality.)

Silent films were big entertainment from about 1910 ("Birth of a Nation" in 1913 was the biggest grossing silent film of all time) until the beginning of the end in 1927 with Al Jolson's "Jazz Singer" and the abrupt ending of all Silent Films by 1937. 

So, from the advent of "Talkies," until the death of the Silent Movie Star, was only a few decades - or even less than 20 years, depending upon how you look at it.

When Talkies first arrived, many of the world's biggest stars refused to accept it. Even the great Charles Chaplin said of Talkies, "Talkies are spoiling the oldest art in the world— the art of pantomime. They are ruining the great beauty of silence. They are defeating the meaning of the screen." 

Yet, even Charles Chaplin could not deny progress and he stayed silent no longer. Just six days after Britain declared war on Germany, in 1939, he started work on "The Great Dictator". It would be a stroke of genius - as well as the acceptance of the inevitable - that helped solidify Chaplin's place as one of the greatest film makers of all time and a worldwide superstar - even to this day.

Many stars, though, simply refused to embrace the new technology and they faded away. 

It is said that many of the silent film stars insisted that their fame and talent was good enough and that their audience were loyal enough that they would never abandon them because they 'could speak with their eyes, therefore they didn't need sound or Talkies.'

In hindsight, anyone can see that this sort of thinking is foolish. 

I wonder why some of today's radio and TV stars refuse to do the Internet... I know a few who refuse to even do simple ones like Facebook or Twitter! I can understand not having the confidence in writing ability to not do a blog (how about taking, photos?) but not using FB or Twitter to keep your name in front of the audience and potential sponsors, is basically the same as "shooting yourself in the foot." 

Many of the old silent film stars obstinately refused the Talkies for the very same illogical, self-defeating and completely impractical reasons. 

I can't blame them for being artists, but I can blame them for being stupid.

They faded away, right? 

After long avoidance, some finally did try, but found they didn't have the voice to match the face...

What should we call a TV or radio star today who refuses to participate in the internet besides "someone in denial"?

From Forbes (April 10, 2014): 

"Perhaps the iconic pose of our era is someone squinting at a smartphone screen–replacing another iconic pose, the couch potato pointing a remote at the TV screen. That stark change is apparent in a new report that says for the first time, Internet ad revenues have passed those of broadcast TV."

From a guy who has worked in the mass media for over 30 years, I can tell you for a fact that, even though many won't say it, many of today's TV and radio "talent" and broadcasting station management think the exact same thing about the Internet: They foolishly believe they don't need it and they refuse to participate in it; as if it is "below" them... Just as the Silent Stars once did

They think TV and radio are going to survive in their current form for the next twenty years and giving them a livelihood; just like the Silent Stars believed about the Silent Film industry.

Starting to see a connection here? I do. And this is why I state that "History is repeating itself right in front of our eyes." 

Here's a list of 10 former Silent Film superstars who didn't make it through the transition to Talkies for various reasons.

The World Wide Web began in 1990 and now has mass acceptance. It's been 25 years now. Talkies destroyed Silent Films completely in about 25 years or so.

How many of us can see the writing on the wall? 

It figures that if you do not do the internet (Facebook, blogging, Twitter, Instagram), you'll be out of a job within 2 ~ 5 years. 

So, TV and radio star, ignore the internet at your own peril... 

They can predict the future by following the examples shown perfectly by the Silent Film stars who proceeded them: some adapted; some didn't.

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ビジネスのウェブページ (フェイスブック,Youtube, Twitter）用テレビクオリティのビデオは(30秒）¥70,000 ~ (60秒）¥80,000　(English OK!)　現役プロフェッショナルTVスタッフが作成いたします。もちろん、英語のビデオの制作も可！We have professional native English speakers on staff! 

３０秒： (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwdgP2bFL9I)

６０秒：   (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5B41Jio1MI)

全部はHDクオリティ！英語のビデオOK! We have professional English native speakers!

問合せオンライン：http://robot55.jp/contact/ 

email: contact@robot55.jp 

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