Dave, what I would suggest starting with an all-female group named Band Maid, they are right now the top rock group on the planet. They've already been to Britain several times since 2016, I believe, and I just saw them twice last October on their 2022 US tour, which was a 20 date tour. They were here just a month ago opening for another Japanese band, and will be back here for a short tour in May. I don't know what your preferences are, but there is another group I just started following, called Glim Spanky. They've been around for a while and are pretty good. It's a male and female duo who use session musicians exclusively for recording . Remi and Hiroki both play excellent guitar in the classic rock style and Hiroki, the vocalist, is just amazing. She's Japan's version of Janis Joplin and Grace Slick. lastly, I would definitely recommend Wagakki Band, who combine Japanese traditional instruments with modern rock instruments in a mix of genres that is amazing. And their songs and performances have a great feel to them. They have a tremendous vocalist in Yuko Suzuhana, who is also a composer, lyricist and concert pianist, as well as an expert and university instructor in traditional Japanese singing style and dance, for both the fan and the sword. To me, only Adele is her equal in the West. One of the concerts I'm hoping to go to is their New Year's celebration called Dai Shinnenkai, which is a real event judging by videos I've seen. They didn't do one in 2023 because Yuko had her first child in November of 2022. If you have a real liking for Japanese style, you will definitely enjoy them.
And since you mentioned you love Kyoto, Band Maid did an April Fool's joke several years ago when they said they were changing their style to the traditional Japanese geisha culture and changed the name of the band to Band Maiko. Maiko is the term for a geisha in training. They did a mini-album of six songs where they played in the videos in traditional geisha dress. it really is amazing and they filmed the videos in Kyoto. I think you will enjoy them.
Thanks Mike. I'll take a look, I don't really have a favourite style of music, I tend to just like what I like if that makes sense, the only genre I really struggle with is heavy metal.
I went to a Maiko dinner when I was in Kyoto and that was excellent, although far too much sake was had.
I apologize for throwing so much at you at once, I tend to get wordy quickly about things I really enjoy. I'll make one suggestion. Given your passion for Japanese culture, I'd start with Wagakki Band, and in particular with their Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2, which they have a complete symphony orchestra involved along with the group. It was at Osaka-Jo Hall in 2021 I believe. The beauty of their music is on full view, and as an added treat, Amy Lee of Evanescence was there collaborating with WGB. And if you want subtitles, A gentleman named Frank Garcia has a channel where he provides English subtitles for WGB songs. There are also a couple of acoustic performances that are really outstanding. The Overture to the concert was a masterpiece in itself.
David, sorry my friend but I have to disagree in the Georgia kid. Brodie Jones is my guy for us. Reminds me a lot of D’Brickashaw Ferguson. Tall,lean athletic guy that moves well. His limited experience is a concern but it also means he’s got a lot of ware left on his tires and there is so much room for development and improvement. We have Brown to start the season if Jones is not quite ready but I see him as a top tier LT for years. Rashon Slater would be another good comp for Skoronski. He was only 6’3 32’ arms. He’s already a pro bowl OT!
The first question is are we drafting a left Tackle or a Right Tackle ? Ideally you would want position versatility, but is Dwand Jones & Darnell Wright Right Tackles only ?
I think it depends how you view tackles these days, there is an argument that the historic view that the left tackle was the better pass protector and the right tackle was the road grader is outdated now, I'm not so sure. I'd need to look at where the best defensive ends line up...might be a good idea for tomorrows piece as a follow up.
If we are looking at it the traditional way then Jones and Wright are probably better suited to the right, although I think Wright could do a job on both sides.
After Georgia’s pro day, some NFL people said that Jones was the best in the draft. Time will tell.
As far as Blake Freeland is concerned
Nothing personal but no thanks. One of the biggest complaints against Zach is that the level of competition he played against made him look better than he actually was. Until proven otherwise, Freeland is in the same boat.
On a personal issue, congratulations on the new baby, just one question with having a full time job, your newsletter and soccer, where do you find the time to................
Haha I feel as though I'm about to have absolutely no time at all to do anything, so it's a good job I don't need a ton of sleep at the moment.
Absolutely get that with Blake and level of competition is always a concern. I'm not as fussed by it in the 4th round, but when we're talking premium picks in the top 90, then I have an issue with it.
Thank you for Trevor Reid , fascinating Guy. Possible drafting a second OT. Tuli Tuipelotula actually a second round prospect ? Was Hoping for a fourth round grade. Not having a third round pick is problematic
Bobber, the BYU weak schedule thing was really about the 2020 Covid season. They were slated to play against several PAC 12 teams and the PAC 12 initially cancelled their season until seeing how other teams and conferences did better than anticipated they decided to play a limited 6 game schedule. BYU does play a decent schedule so I wouldn’t discount Freeland. I think he a better version of Connor McDermott. Obviously not in the early rounds but maybe in the 4th or 5th?
First, congratulations of the new addition David, but get ready for sleepless nights and exhausted days, lol. Been there, done that, and have the scars, kids, grandkids and great-grandchild to prove it. But I'm sure you have what it takes to handle it effortlessly.
Your list of tackles is deep and your synopsis for each is done extremely well. I'm not the kind of guy who goes deep into stats and game film (after a pretty short time my eyes glaze over and I start to drool), but your assessments are concise and on point.
I do spend lot of time on music, specifically the great new artists coming out of Asia, and Japan in particular. Compared to the lackluster state of music in the US today, Japan is a shining beacon and has been rejuvenating classic rock and metal singlehandedly. I'm planning a trip to Japan during the holidays to go to a massive New Year's concert in either Tokyo at Budokan or in Osaka at Osaka-Jo Hall depending on the final lineup. I'm also hoping to get over to your neck of the woods next year to see what's going on at the Download Festival.
Thanks Mike. Yeah I already have a little girl about to turn 3, but I imagine having two is significantly harder 😂
Thanks for the comments, I try and strike the balance between concise but enough information to make it valuable.
That sounds incredible, any particular bands you can recommend? I'm not a huge music fan but I do love all things Japan and currently learning Japanese as well. Visited Tokyo and Osaka and really enjoyed both, Kyoto is probably my favourite place on earth. I've never been to Download but Latitude is just around the corner from where I work and people say that's a good festival.
Dave, what I would suggest starting with an all-female group named Band Maid, they are right now the top rock group on the planet. They've already been to Britain several times since 2016, I believe, and I just saw them twice last October on their 2022 US tour, which was a 20 date tour. They were here just a month ago opening for another Japanese band, and will be back here for a short tour in May. I don't know what your preferences are, but there is another group I just started following, called Glim Spanky. They've been around for a while and are pretty good. It's a male and female duo who use session musicians exclusively for recording . Remi and Hiroki both play excellent guitar in the classic rock style and Hiroki, the vocalist, is just amazing. She's Japan's version of Janis Joplin and Grace Slick. lastly, I would definitely recommend Wagakki Band, who combine Japanese traditional instruments with modern rock instruments in a mix of genres that is amazing. And their songs and performances have a great feel to them. They have a tremendous vocalist in Yuko Suzuhana, who is also a composer, lyricist and concert pianist, as well as an expert and university instructor in traditional Japanese singing style and dance, for both the fan and the sword. To me, only Adele is her equal in the West. One of the concerts I'm hoping to go to is their New Year's celebration called Dai Shinnenkai, which is a real event judging by videos I've seen. They didn't do one in 2023 because Yuko had her first child in November of 2022. If you have a real liking for Japanese style, you will definitely enjoy them.
And since you mentioned you love Kyoto, Band Maid did an April Fool's joke several years ago when they said they were changing their style to the traditional Japanese geisha culture and changed the name of the band to Band Maiko. Maiko is the term for a geisha in training. They did a mini-album of six songs where they played in the videos in traditional geisha dress. it really is amazing and they filmed the videos in Kyoto. I think you will enjoy them.
Thanks Mike. I'll take a look, I don't really have a favourite style of music, I tend to just like what I like if that makes sense, the only genre I really struggle with is heavy metal.
I went to a Maiko dinner when I was in Kyoto and that was excellent, although far too much sake was had.
I apologize for throwing so much at you at once, I tend to get wordy quickly about things I really enjoy. I'll make one suggestion. Given your passion for Japanese culture, I'd start with Wagakki Band, and in particular with their Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2, which they have a complete symphony orchestra involved along with the group. It was at Osaka-Jo Hall in 2021 I believe. The beauty of their music is on full view, and as an added treat, Amy Lee of Evanescence was there collaborating with WGB. And if you want subtitles, A gentleman named Frank Garcia has a channel where he provides English subtitles for WGB songs. There are also a couple of acoustic performances that are really outstanding. The Overture to the concert was a masterpiece in itself.
David, sorry my friend but I have to disagree in the Georgia kid. Brodie Jones is my guy for us. Reminds me a lot of D’Brickashaw Ferguson. Tall,lean athletic guy that moves well. His limited experience is a concern but it also means he’s got a lot of ware left on his tires and there is so much room for development and improvement. We have Brown to start the season if Jones is not quite ready but I see him as a top tier LT for years. Rashon Slater would be another good comp for Skoronski. He was only 6’3 32’ arms. He’s already a pro bowl OT!
The first question is are we drafting a left Tackle or a Right Tackle ? Ideally you would want position versatility, but is Dwand Jones & Darnell Wright Right Tackles only ?
I think it depends how you view tackles these days, there is an argument that the historic view that the left tackle was the better pass protector and the right tackle was the road grader is outdated now, I'm not so sure. I'd need to look at where the best defensive ends line up...might be a good idea for tomorrows piece as a follow up.
If we are looking at it the traditional way then Jones and Wright are probably better suited to the right, although I think Wright could do a job on both sides.
Wright has played LT
After Georgia’s pro day, some NFL people said that Jones was the best in the draft. Time will tell.
As far as Blake Freeland is concerned
Nothing personal but no thanks. One of the biggest complaints against Zach is that the level of competition he played against made him look better than he actually was. Until proven otherwise, Freeland is in the same boat.
On a personal issue, congratulations on the new baby, just one question with having a full time job, your newsletter and soccer, where do you find the time to................
Haha I feel as though I'm about to have absolutely no time at all to do anything, so it's a good job I don't need a ton of sleep at the moment.
Absolutely get that with Blake and level of competition is always a concern. I'm not as fussed by it in the 4th round, but when we're talking premium picks in the top 90, then I have an issue with it.
Thank you for Trevor Reid , fascinating Guy. Possible drafting a second OT. Tuli Tuipelotula actually a second round prospect ? Was Hoping for a fourth round grade. Not having a third round pick is problematic
Bobber, the BYU weak schedule thing was really about the 2020 Covid season. They were slated to play against several PAC 12 teams and the PAC 12 initially cancelled their season until seeing how other teams and conferences did better than anticipated they decided to play a limited 6 game schedule. BYU does play a decent schedule so I wouldn’t discount Freeland. I think he a better version of Connor McDermott. Obviously not in the early rounds but maybe in the 4th or 5th?
First, congratulations of the new addition David, but get ready for sleepless nights and exhausted days, lol. Been there, done that, and have the scars, kids, grandkids and great-grandchild to prove it. But I'm sure you have what it takes to handle it effortlessly.
Your list of tackles is deep and your synopsis for each is done extremely well. I'm not the kind of guy who goes deep into stats and game film (after a pretty short time my eyes glaze over and I start to drool), but your assessments are concise and on point.
I do spend lot of time on music, specifically the great new artists coming out of Asia, and Japan in particular. Compared to the lackluster state of music in the US today, Japan is a shining beacon and has been rejuvenating classic rock and metal singlehandedly. I'm planning a trip to Japan during the holidays to go to a massive New Year's concert in either Tokyo at Budokan or in Osaka at Osaka-Jo Hall depending on the final lineup. I'm also hoping to get over to your neck of the woods next year to see what's going on at the Download Festival.
Thanks Mike. Yeah I already have a little girl about to turn 3, but I imagine having two is significantly harder 😂
Thanks for the comments, I try and strike the balance between concise but enough information to make it valuable.
That sounds incredible, any particular bands you can recommend? I'm not a huge music fan but I do love all things Japan and currently learning Japanese as well. Visited Tokyo and Osaka and really enjoyed both, Kyoto is probably my favourite place on earth. I've never been to Download but Latitude is just around the corner from where I work and people say that's a good festival.
Good analysis David !