[Cons]/Dazzle Vision and CANTOY at Tekkoshocon!

Only a little over a month to go until Tekkoshocon X-2 in Pittsburgh, PA. This year's event is back at the David Lawrence Convention Center and is always home to a ton of great cosplay. While not as big as some of other cons in the area, it definitely is one that folks shouldn't miss out on.

That said, unlike many other cons they strive to bring in musicians from Japan that are unique and very popular. This year is no different with the addition of Dazzle Vision and CANTOY making their way to the US for this year's convention. It's especially interesting in that the last time Dazzle Vision was in the US, they had a guest guitarist. This year it's their full line up and they're really looking forward to coming back to the US after a 3 years absence.

From the Tekkoshocon X-2 website:

Popular in the Japanese indies scene for their hard rock sound and Maiko’s alternating melodic/death-voice vocals, Dazzle Vision was formed in June 2003.

Photo courtesy of JRock247.com

Dazzle Vision released their first album “Origin of Dazzle” in November of 2006. Their second album “Camellia Japonica” was released in April 2007, followed by an 11-city tour of Japan. After selling out of the first presses of “Origin of Dazzle” and “Camellia Japonica,” their 3rd album “Crystal Children” hit #1 on HMV’s pre-sale chart and #2 on Tower Records pre-sale chart prior to its official release in November 2008.

In April 2010, Dazzle Vision performed live for 4,000 American fans at Sakura-Con 2010.

Dazzle Vision’s 4th album, “to the next” placed 2nd place on HMV Indies Chart, and 26th place on Amazon’s New Music Chart. In 2011, their 5th album “Kirari” achieved 1st place on HMV Indies Chart, 9th place on Tower Record Indies Chart, and 16th place on Amazon’s New Music Chart. The same year, Dazzle Vision became the first screamo band to perform an in-store live at Shibuya’s Tower Records. In June 2011, Dazzle Vision was a featured interview in Japan’s famous music magazine BURRN!

In February 2012, DAZZLE VISION was chosen as the opening act for American rock band Evanescence in Tokyo and Nagoya. Dazzle Vision’s new album “Shocking Loud Voice” was released May 4, 2012, in Japan.

Here's their welcome video! 


CANTOY

Photo courtesy of JRock247.com

CANTOY was formed in Tokyo, 2004. Lead singer Miri-pow, a model for the popular Harajuku fashion magazine ZIPPER, creates a fusion of cute vocals and a fiendish digital hardcore sound. CANTOY’s first mini-album “MissMatch!?” was released in July 2010 through ex-ketchup mania guitarist Dai’s record label Splatter Records. On their album release tour, CANTOY played 35 dates across Japan, with the tour final being played amidst stage diving and mosh pits at the Shibuya Cyclone live house.

In July 2012, CANTOY released their second album “KILL”. As they continue to perform across Japan and gain fans overseas, CANTOY is a rising star in the Japanese hardcore punk/pop music scene.

 Here is their welcome video!


They seem really pumped up and I'm really interested to see what they think of America...via Tekko con goers eyes. Even more so, what they think of Pittsburgh...