By Carla Mortel Baricaua | Photos by Mary Rose Loperez
These guitar-slinging, drum-beating, and super energetic performers from Japan’s rock scene will be making their comeback in the Best of Anime 2019 stage. On August 31 and September 1, UCHUSENTAI:NOIZ rekindles their ties with Manila fans after a three year absence in the local j-rock scene. Before the much-awaited return of Angel Taka, Masato, Kyo, Kotaro, and Yamato, here’s what you want to know about this visual kei rock band that has captured the hearts of many Space Babies (How the band endearingly addresses local fans).
Charity mission
In an act of kindness, Angel Taka first visited the country to distribute tooth brushes to students in Davao Oriental in 2006 in an effort to keep them in school. Since then, Angel and fellow bandmates had continued to support a local orphanage through their band activities. The band also sponsors a scholarship program for Filipino students in elementary, high school and college.
After the devastation brought by Typhoon Yolanda, the band staged a charity event in Japan with other bands and donated the proceeds to the disaster victims. Angel Taka personally came to Tacloban to deliver the donations in January 2014.
OPM covers
Aside from financial and material help, UCHUSENTAI:NOIZ also provided hope and inspiration not only to the typhoon victims. It was also in 2014 when the band released a set of OPM covers to uplift the spirit of Filipinos during the hard times of recovery and rehabilitation. With fresh arrangements and lively rendition, the band unveiled their own rendition of Rivermaya’s “Liwanag sa Dilim”, Rocksteddy’s “Super Hero”, and Orange and Lemon’s “Pinoy Ako” on YouTube. However, their first OPM cover was first heard in Davao in 2012.
“Narda”, an original piece by Kamikazee, was covered by the band to endear themselves to Filipino children and their growing number of fans. It was widely received and has already reached more than 1.3 million views, the band’s most popular music video yet!
Local release
2014 saw the launch of UCHUSENTAI:NOIZ’s first Philippine album titled “Legend of Rock n’ Roll Heroes.” Released under PULP Live Records, the album’s track list included “Kanata (English version),” “Happy Tied (Filipino version),” “Paradox in Ideology,” “cloud9,” “Back Bone,” “Boom Boom Honey Blossom,” and “Minority Blue Sky.” The album comes with a DVD containing music videos of “Kanata (English version),” and “Happy Tied (Filipino version).”
Local performances
In 2011, UCHUSENTAI: NOIZ first performed before the Filipino audience in 2011 in Davao Oriental and has been visiting the province regularly since then. The Manila audience saw their first live performance in the Best of Anime (BOA) 2012. In 2013, the band staged its first major concert during the Nihongo Fiesta in 2013 at the Sky Dome and this was followed by their appearance in Bazooka Rocks II held in SMX Mall of Asia, as the only Japanese featured artist.
Space Babies saw the band in a series of performances that was staged in Manila and Davao City via the Best of Anime: Summer Live in 2014. They returned the following years for scheduled performances in BOA 2015 and 2016.
On September 24, 2016, UCHUSENTAI:NOIZ staged its first self-produced solo show at the Music Hall in Metrowalk, Pasig.
Fan Service
Aside from delivering on stage intense and head-banging performances, UCHUSENTAI:NOIZ always makes it a point to spend some time meeting their local fans. These special moments provide fans a glimpse of their unique personalities and special affinity for the Pinoy culture and spread their message of love and joy in a more intimate setting. To make the most out of these encounters, fans and would-be fans are advised to familiarize themselves with the band’s song releases through their albums and official YouTube channel before the scheduled performances and get ready to interact with Space Heroes during the fan meetings. For regular updates, fans may also follow their official Facebook page and individual Twitter accounts.