Eko Eko Azarak!

As alluded at the end of yesterday's blog, I have a new obsession to look out for. Last August, while wandering through Nakano Broadway, I saw a poster for some spooky looking display.

Years and years ago, I recall seeing a few minutes of a movie on the tube in the wee hours of something called Eko Eko Azarak. I had no idea what I was watching but the title stuck in my head. Now thanks to this display, I know what it is. Since photos of the artwork were taboo, I bought a set of twenty postcards and I'll present one a day for twenty days and fill in the gaps with other
Eko-static delights. Here's today's postcard. (Gee, it looks familiar.)

I'll elaborate on the manga, anime and movies at a later date. For now, I'll start with the actual Wiccan chant (scammed from Wikipedia.

Eko, eko, Azarak

Eko, eko, Zomelak

Bazabi lacha bachabe

Lamac cahi achababe

Karrellyos

Lamac lamac Bachalyas

Cabahagy sabalyos

Baryolos

Lagoz atha cabyolas

Samahac atha famolas

Hurrahya!

(Note the author of this blog refuses to take responsibility for any demons one might conjure up after reading the above chant. Discretion is advised.)

I don't have a Witch-related Movie Pamphlet handy so I'll use this one that I acquired today. Who knows, the above chant may cause him to appear.

 

I like the use of the red background.

And the stories that started it all...

Which reminds me, the new version of the movie has finally been released but is only playing in one cinema downtown, I should go catch it before it disappears.

No UFO Catcher stuff today, rather here's a pair of Hairy Harry socks.

As for today's treat, this little pad of post-its came with a coffee or something. I don't remember.

Today's video treat is as follows:
Luna is this Korean gal who plays classic rock on a Gayageum. Going with a witchy theme, here is Black Magic Woman by Santana.



More Witches and Warlocks tomorrow...

A Parody?

No, a Paratea. What appears to be a relatively new brand of tea, Paradise Tropical TEA, is a rather tasty and presumably healthy tea produced by UCC. What caught my eye was not the blend of four flowers: Marigold, Rose, Cornflower and Swizzleflower (?) nor the catchphrase: "You can enjoy the tropical aroma. It's just like a paradise!"

No, what I found intriguing are the 6 different animal bottle caps that you can get. Place it over your freshly bought pet-bottle and it can easily twist it off. Useful if you're at all arthritic and cute too. As you can see, there is a tiger, rabbit, bear, zebra leopard or frog.

If you've got a spare 11 minutes, here is Meatloaf's most famous tune.



Ah, it's just like I'm back in High School!

Go Fly a Kite!

I was in Tagajo yesterday morning and alongside the river were dozens of トンビ (tonbi or kites/Milvus migrans) soaring overhead. I tried to snap a few pics but wasn't too successful.

There were also several ducks and a flock of seagulls picking up dead fish and then dropping them again. I saw a lot of dead fish so I wonder what killed them? I think it was the following...

Heavy Meddling.

After a grueling quiet day at work, I settled down to a leisurely evening of symphonic chamber music a few sets of Heavy Metal performed by co-worker Axel and his cronies, members of Skogenhammer! I snapped a few photos before my ears began to bleed (curses I neglected to get ear plugs and the tissue I stuffed in my ears was to ill effect) but I couldn't figure out how to use the movie effect on my camera. I really need to master that when I have plenty of light, not in a gloomy dim lit room.

Believe it or not, this was my first true live experience listening to Metal but I do recall a few ventures into that realm from my youth...







Tonight was a little different!

UPDATE!
I just read of the demise of my favourite Heavy Metal artist, Jean Girard better known as Mœbius. RIP monsieur!

Black Light Fix.

It's been quite a while since I mingled with the Sendai Indie scene, so I took up my former Tokiwagi student on her invite to Neo BrotherZ. The lineup included:
RIOT BECKEY JETT3 THE V.I.P. KILLERS エレキソックス The Suuzys
The Black Light Junkys VIOLETS (Tokyo) The HAVENOTS (Yokohama)

I missed either RIOT BECKEY or THE V.I.P. KILLERS, and the one I did catch, I didn't catch the name.

The next band was pretty good, kind of a Clash-Clone called エレキソックス (Elekisocks?)

Fortunately Neo has a back room area so you can hide from the caterwaul that was Jett3. Noisy punks and neither of those words are positive appraisals.

The Suuzys were my favourite act of the night. Their signature tune is a jumbled version of "Wake Up Little Suzie", though I preferred their rendition of "Tequila" and "For Your Love".

My former student An & her drummer.

I didn't get any good pics of her in action but her tiny bassist has the biggest, scariest voice I've ever heard!

I also reacquainted myself with the dude from "The Ponytails" who have now permanently retired and I met Akari for the first time this year!

There's another gig at the end of March, maybe I'll check it out...

Smoke On The Water!

You're all familiar with the Deep Purple tune, right? Something in this video seems a bit off, doesn't it?



Back in my High School teachin' days at Tokiwagi*, I used to mime SotW on a Shimasen much to the amusement of my teaching partner and bewilderment from the students. These guys do it right!



It kind of reminds me of these guys who I haven't seen play in sometime. I ran into the bass player just after the quake and he was off to play a solo gig, so I guess they're still getting work.

*Click HERE for a cool blog written by ex-co-worker Alex for a bird's eye view of an All girl's High with a handful of guys thrown in.

By The Time I Get To Woodstock!

I know I'm a little early for the Rock love-in, but I just completed my set of Woodstock fridge magnets and thought I'd share them with you. As you can see, he's taking an Active Holiday thanks to the fine folks at CC Lemon (click that for 2 very lame commercials!)

Anywho, please enjoy this little tribute to our fine feathered friend: