Well, actually that should look more like , but Mr. Hess is apparently not "down" with Unicode.

Anyhow, if you've been keeping track, I've recently joined a band here and have been trying to cobble together the Official English Website™©® out of WordPress, PunBB, and Gallery 2. It is probably still wonky on IE, because A) I just finished nailing the major layout bugs in your real browsers and B) I just broke my Bootcamp installation so I can't use Windows for the time bean. I will figure that out eventually, and then it's time to start work on the store.

I also set up this poop because apparently you have to now? There's a playlist at Last.fm with a lot more music (I've also embedded it on the site as well), but Last.fm has been slow as cooked butt lately, so RMV.

Lemme know what you think of the music and the site.

My MySpace-Fu has advanced, thanks to this man. I advise anyone else who knows how to take advantage of this information to do so with all haste.

Also, our address has changed. http://www.myspace.com/hidarihidari

Man, I hate this shit.

Store is now open. Just got the fucker to validate last night (after spending a good four hours trying to find a stray BOM that was sending IE into quirks mode ) and finalized the shipping and payment modules. I have been working on this for an absurdly long time, so anyone who wants to give it at least a cursory glance and let me know if they find any bugs, layout issues, or general usability complaints, I would be much obliged.

Just saw you. Added.

Ah, I knew that must be someone from here but couldn't figure out who. Mystery solved.

Normally I wouldn't bother posting something dumb like "New profile! Check it out, dudez!" but I spent the better part of this last week beating on MySpace, and some of you might get a chuckle out of the result.

Scroll up for the URL.

I was oblivious to this thread until today. I was not familiar with your band until today. Today I am listening to your band. Today I am liking your band. I am thinking that I will still like your band tomorrow, too. I can't understand a word of it, but it is making me happy.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

I am also digging on your music. I will continue listening and continue not understanding the lyrics. I will however continue listening...see I'm listening. Fun stuff.

I like this very, very much.

This dude from thesixtyone has decided to start a fan podcast and since he is living in Tokyo he came to one of our shows to get an interview. He brought along a photographer friend of his, and although we have more photos on the website than anyone could ever ask for, I thought I'd post the link here because I just so happened to be wearing a certain t-shirt that day...

http://s275.photobucket.com/albums/jj312/hidari_2008/Yaneura%20Jan%2027%2020008/

We're the single of the week (link opens iTunes) on iTunes Japan, if you're into downloading free and legal music.

edit: I guess that link doesn't work outside of Japan. You can download it at thesixtyone, though.

New t-shirts! Taking pre-orders for custom colors now! Be the heppest cat in your burbclave!

I've surprising myself by really digging the first track.

Damn, I should report you to the CDC...that shit is infectious!

I have some questions:

• Where can I legally download your tracks gaikoku, er, outside of Japan?
  
• "Hidari" means "Left," Right (no pun intended)? Why the name? Your band comes out of left field?
  
• Are some of the instruments on "ChocolaTommy" from old Video Game sound processors, like Game Boys or Famicoms?
  

You've surprised me as well.

• You can currently download MP3s of the new album on the Japanese iTunes Store and nowhere else (that I'm aware of). That will probably require elaborate contortions, though. If you prefer, we could arrange an illicit PayPal transfer and slip a download link to you under the table.
  
• In our case, 'hidari' is just a sound. It comes from the names of the founding members of the band and has nothing at all to do with the direction.
  
• Nope! That particular song is 100% Electribe MX. I have recently bought a GB Classic and an LSDJ cart, but haven't really learned how to use it yet.

Aww, I've really been enjoying your music.

The music will still be there. Just not so much of myself. If I could participate remotely, I would, but too much of my soul has evaporated to stay here any longer. Time for the next phase.

I'll have to look at it. But later....

Please explain.