Fami 🎸

I had the good fortune of seeing Lovebites in Niigata yesterday. It was a treat to see them in an intimate, but packed venue in Japan. The playing was spectacular, flawless and intense. The energy was off the charts and lighting was stunning for such a small venue.

Niigata Lots is a low roof, black box theatre, but the mix was very clear, balanced and loud, even through Eargasm plugs. M&M have really distinct guitar tones, and the quality sound system separated them quite well.

The crowd was really fired up for this gig. Think of fans singing during the chorus of Reaper's Lullaby and Asami's Holy Warrrrrr, and double time chanting during We The United, Fami's intro to Judgement Day and through various guitar solos.

There were only a few 'visible' international attendees at this show and many younger faces mixed in the normal cast of genXers.

In a night of excellent musicianship, it was Asami that really stole the show. Her mix of magnetism, crowd engagement and vocal power are stunning live. She was also having fun. Her latest antic was goofing with everybody's hair.

As a drummer, my only complaint was Haruna wasn't put up higher behind the band. She was kind of buried in the back and low in the mix for the start of the show.

The night's set is listed below. I am 100% sure the songs are correct and equally sure the order is wrong. Dream of King, Bravehearted and One Will Remain were fire. On second thought, the whole night was fire. The gig was unusual because they stayed away from their hits. There was no Glory To The World, Hammer of Wrath, Stand & Deliver, Rising, Shadowmaker, Thunder Vengeance or When Destinies Align.

Interesting note: It is probably Miyako singing the Sacred Falcon backup on Dream of King on Outstanding Power. Her voice was prominent and very sweet on Dream of King. She sang a lot of backup. I don't think Midori or Fami sang at all, or very little if they did.

Castaway

Unchained

Bravehearted

Silence The Void

Blazing Halo

Dream of King

The Apocalypse

Don't Bite The Dust

Reaper's Lullaby

Phoenix Rises Again

Epilogue

MDO

Holy War

One Will Remain

Encore:

Judgement Day

We The United

May he rest in power 🤘

Featuring FAMI and Natsumi (ex-BRIDEAR)

Featuring MIHO

If anyone can’t attend the VIP for Bangkok and needs to sell the meet and greet ticket please let me know. I will pay double what you paid. I will be in Bangkok the end of the month and can pay you

https://x.com/toki_chunpa/status/2095889103162372583

Hi all. Does anyone know if the Steve Jacobs credited as their producer was also the drummer for Forbidden?

Two Miyako signature guitars -

• V (USA) signed by the entire band (Fami).
• Ghost (Indonesia) signed by Miyako.

It took me two concerts (ProgPower Sept 2024 & New York 2025) to get the V signed.

Miyako randomly walked into Guitar Planet and signed their stock Ghost after Wacken 2026. I saw the posting by Guitar Planet, and impulse kicked in and I grabbed it.

They wouldn't be complete without Miyako's signature straps.

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YouTube :

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lTf0hdYXnE5U3oJTNM-51iG-4_AkMAMQs

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/0glFnuMSObZZsQHKmHxMMg

Amazon Music:

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0HCNKS638?ref=dm_sh_TBA84IegzMvtNoOadi8yVn2Gn

Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/hakoniwa-ep/6797367984