My movie is almost finished. I've gotten great reviews. My favorite is: “Loved it! Really original. It really is a Japanese HARD DAY’S NIGHT with a ghost story twist.” - Stephen David Brooks(Award Winning Director "Flytrap.") Ghostroads - A Japanese Rock N Roll Ghost story. New Trailer. トレイラー新バージョン! Sorry. You have to click or copy and paste the link I cannot embed it! https://vimeo.com/197078048
Yes... And there IS a bedroom scene with Mina Shirakawa in the film.
Here are the reviews/blurbs I've received so far:
“Loved it! Really original. It really is a Japanese HARD DAY’S NIGHT with a ghost story twist.” - Stephen David Brooks(Award Winning Director "Flytrap.")
“Sharp, stylish and effortlessly cool, this a world where hairstyles and guitars are king.
It made me homesick and it made me want to practice. And I never practice, so that must be voodoo. 'Ghostroads' is the movie that comes with free black magic.” - Ginger Wildheart
"Ghostroads - A Japanese Rock n Roll Ghost Story" is a beautiful movie and a fun story.... It reminds me of the Beatles movie, 'Hard Days Night.' A future classic rock n roll movie! Two thumbs up!” - Rodney Bingenheimer (Rodney on the Roq - KROQ Los Angeles)
“Brilliant! Never a dull moment. The music was off the hook. What a rockin' great band. The story teller was superb. Ghostroads is destined to be a cult classic Rock n Roll movie! Bravo!” - Billy Bones (Former lead singer of the Skulls and current Los Angeles punk rock legend
"Get ready for some groovy rockin’ and rollin’ with large doses of spooky intrigue, steamy jealousy, ribald rivalry, backstabbing betrayal, the perfect black leather jacket, sultry groupies, a strummin’ specter and even a miniature stripper as lead guitarist of the Japanese rock group, the Screaming Telstars meets his doom in the form of a smokin’ vintage amplifier. After crossing the Ghostroad, Tony discovers there is nowhere else to turn — and if you don’t give the devil his due, payback is a bitch." - Pamela DesBarres (Writer, "I'm with the Band" New York Times Bestseller.)
“...Funny, with a pinch of scariness and wonderful twists and turns that I wasn't expecting. Brilliant and wonderfully entertaining…” Lucy Blue (Lucy’s Crown)
Every year in December, Santa Claus goes with the good people from Children With Incurable Diseases Charity to visit sick children and their parents at hospitals around Japan. My good friend Santa tells me that he thinks Children With Incurable Diseases Charity (難病のこども支援全国ネットワーク) is one of the best and most respected and reputable children’s charities in all of Japan.
I asked Santa about the reaction of the children at the hospitals and he just gave a heartfelt laugh and winked at me.
I said, “But, Santa, don’t the parents and the children know that Santa isn’t real?”
Santa then said to me, “Mike. Trust me. Santa is as real as night and day; Santa is as real as love and peace; Santa is as real as you and me. In fact, he continued, “Santa is better than real. Santa gives children and parents dreams and hope.”
I laughed too. Certainly, Santa was kidding me, I thought. After all, Christmas comes only once a year.
Santa patted my hand, leaned over and said, “Mike! Remember when you were a little boy? Remember that when you were small you believed in Santa?”
I said, “Yes.”
“Then, Santa continued, “You grew older, then you stopped believing in Santa, didn’t you?” I shook my head. “Then, one day, you went to school and maybe college and there you met a girl that you fell in love with. Then, God blessed you with a wonderful child.”
“So, you see, as a young boy, you believe in Santa, then you get older and stop believing. Then you get married and have a baby and then… You become Santa Claus for that wonderful child.” Santa said.
I was totally surprised. I had never thought about it before! Santa was right! When our children are born, mom or dad, we all become Santa! Of course! It’s true!
Roger Marshall of Odgers Berndtson appears as Santa again this year. Thanks, man!
I gave Santa a hug and then I remembered to think of the parents of the children with special needs; they care and give those special beautiful children the love and caring they need all-year round. Santa says he appreciates the Children With Incurable Diseases Charity people so very much because while Santa only visits once a year, these good people and these brave and wonderful parents are taking care of these special kids every minute of every day of the year.
Finally, Santa said to me, “Mike, did you know Mr. & Mrs. Santa have a special needs child too?”
“I didn’t know that, “Santa!” I replied.
He said, “Yes. Many parents have children who are considered normal and they grow up, go to school or get into trouble with drinking or drugs or car accidents… When many parents worry what their children are out doing at night, Mrs. Santa and I don’t. We know exactly where our little angel is every night. She is sleeping in her room.
Some people might call her ‘handicapped’ but we call her ‘perfect.’
Never forget how wonderful you and your children are."
And with that, Santa smiled at me, stood up and gave out a big, “Ho! Ho! Ho!” He then got on his sled and flew into the night. As he disappeared into the night, I felt happy and as I waved my hand, I realized I was holding something.... I turned my hand over and opened it and I saw I held, “Hope.”
God bless you all. May all your dreams come true in the next year!
Mike (in Tokyo) Rogers' Top 50 Best Songs of 2016 マイク・ロジャースの2016年のトップ５０曲（１から５０の順番リスト！）
These are my favorite songs and/or something from my favorite artists of the year. These are just my favorite 50 as I placed on the weekly Top 3 Video Countdown (http://robot55.jp/?s=top+3). There are also 5 songs included this year from the Cool & Strange Music Countdown too! (http://robot55.jp/?s=cool+%26+strange+music) Now, some of these songs were not released in 2016... 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 2015 until December 20, 2016 (Plus some late entries and other stuff that tickles my fancy!)....
I have placed videos with the songs whenever and where ever possible.
#1) Ginger Wildheart - Do You?
The real story here in 2016 was Ginger Wildheart. Not only did he tour Japan but his music was the most played by any solo artist - by far - on my radio shows this year. "Do You?" has to be one of my favorite songs of all time. I wish there were a proper video for this song... Hey Ginger! When you come to Japan in January, let me make this video for you!
One of the other big stories for Japan in 2016 was the Mirror Trap from Scotland. They appeared at Summersonic 2016 and their fantastic album (with Japan only extra tracks) is available from Vinyl Junkie Records.
#6) The Privates – Action Woman My best friend, Ken Nishikawa and Les Deciduous and I had the honor of making this video for one of Japan's legendary rock bands. Rodney Bingenheimer (Rodney on the Roq) also gave this tune some heavy airplay! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlHfjMx31Dw
#7) The 50 Kaitenz ザ50回転ズ - Vinyl Change The World
These guys are considered by many to be "Japan's Best Punk Band." They are Japan's three-headed answer to the car crash between the Ramones and the Three Stooges. If you ever get a chance, go see these guys.
This year also saw Richie Ramone back on the charts and doing a world tour and appearing in Japan. This is probably the greatest song The Ramones never made. I love this track!
#9) Baby Shakes "Summer Sun" I was looking through Facebook one day and saw a post about this band. I clicked the link and thought, "I LOVE THIS!" This is one hot rock band!!!!
#11) Su凸ko D凹koi (Su Ko D Koi) – すっとこどっこい – ｢店長、私バイト辞めます。｣(Shop Manager! I’m quitting my part-time job!)
One day, I was at a Live House (Club) and these girls were practicing. I played them on the radio and Twitter went crazy. These girls are unusual for Japan as they sing pop but say things quite straight and directly. I hope they do a song in English and ask me to help! Anytime, ladies!!!!!
Mike & Taro とパーティーしましょう！「2017！新年会！」 2017年月1月23日(月)@Shibuya Milkyway OPEN/START 18:30 / 19:15 ADV/DAY Invitation Only 1D¥600 CAST：Su凸ko D凹koi / THE STEPHANIES / THE PATS PATS TICKET：会場・各バンドweb予約: http://bit.ly/2fv2qoe
These girls are really making waves in Japan. They released their debut album in Sept of this year and, since then, have been opening for some of Japan's coolest bands. Wow!
#14) Placebo - Jesus' Son Thank god! (Pun intended) Placebo graced us this year with what is probably their most positive track ever. Fantastic song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obovwrfkvv4
#16) Ginger Wildheart – If You Find Yourself In London Town Ginger Wildheart again hits the charts with a fantastic ballad about being a down and out rock star hopeful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gkHcucD7Gk
#17) Black Honey – Hello Today. Black Honey are a quartet from Brighton in England. They opened for the Mirror Trap in Tokyo and also appeared at Summersonic.
I was doing my weekly web surfing and looking for new music when I stumbled upon Maddy Jane. She's from Tazmania and this is fab!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8iSVTjmYn0
#21) Bleached – Wednesday Night Melody
Bleached are a band that I was turned on to by Rodney Bingenheimer! Their album, "Welcome to the Worms" was released April 1, 2016.
I had the inkling earlier this year that there's some sort of a rock movement going on in Scotland.... Placebo, The Mirror Trap.... And then... the Van T's confirmed my hunch.
Next up is another video made by me and Ken Nishikawa. This was released in January of this year! Su Ko D Koi are the only Japanese band to ever have two songs in the Top 50!
Lola Dutronic who had the #1 song on our countdown 4 years ago with "Everybody Loves You When You're Dead" is back with another hot track! Why isn't Lola Dutronic a household name?
#36) Ginger Wildheart & Ryan Hamilton – Fuck You Brain
Ginger has had a hand in 5 songs in the Top 50. This is the first time anyone has ever had more than two! Ryan Hamilton is a new kid on the block and has a bunch of hot songs... I expect to be seeing more of Ryan Hamilton back here next year! This song was made to help a charity for those suffering from depression. You can help the charity out here: It's available through Ginger’s Round Records Bandcamp page
(https://roundrecords.bandcamp.com/releases) the three track single is raising money for the Samaritans and aiming to highlight the problems people have with depression.
This is a group from Los Angeles. My classical music trained wife who graduated from some high-falutin' classical music university heard this song one day and said, "I like this." That NEVER happens!
#42) The Watanabes – Over Romantic The Watanabes are two brothers who are Japan's answer to Belle & Sebastian. One day, Christopher from the Routes said to me, "I love that band, the Watanabes... If I were in Tokyo, I'd want to be their manager!" Seriously heavy rotation in November and December. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA_APovYaWI
#43) Killmama – Bad Rep
Cool duo, Rob and Sophie, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida making some killer noise.
Half Japanese girl living in New York. Might become the very first famous half-Japanese singer. I love this track. She has some other very cool songs too...
#45) Wendy James – Bad Intentions and a Bit of Cruelty
I was reintroduced to Wendy James by Andrea Lynch who describes herself as a "Plugger" over at Blue Soap Music PR and Radio Plugging. Wendy James was the lead vocalist of Transvision Vamp... She has to be one of my favorite stars of all time... There's a movie in there, somewhere about her life.
Spam69 is called "Spam Rock" in Japan but I guess over in the west, they'll be called "Spam 69." Great band. Loud as hell. Heard a rumor that they were signing to Mystic Records in Los Angeles. This song is funny... NSFW!
#51) The Candy Ditches – Death Ray A band from Yokohama that was introduced to me by Bee Bee Clark of the Japanese Garage rock documentary Garage Rockin' Craze fame. Candy Ditches are from Yokohama.
Though they didn't release any new music this year, what countdown from Japan would be complete without Taffy? Taffy toured the USA and the UK and has been getting lots of airplay on my show, the BBC and Rodney on the Roq.
I guess Mick Rock wanted to pay tribute to David Bowie so he remixed this classic Bowie video. This, actually, the song I always play as the last song whenever a radio show of mine gets cancelled.... Thanks for everything. I miss David Bowie... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UipTt-qqZOE
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In many ways, I'm glad 2016 is almost over... But I do thank all these great bands and artists for so many great songs this year. You guys and girls are tops.
Also special thanks to Kona Cindy, Dave McLean, Andy Griffin, Aya Fukuta, Ken Nishikawa, Rodney Bingenheimer (Rodney on the Roq), Kansas Bowling, Ginger Wildheart, Gabbie Cabbie AR, Chris Browne and
Alex Kish.
You guys are the only people in the entire music industry who teach me new music that I don't already know about.
