TAK MATSUMOTO GROUP
“Still dodging the bullet” tour
Zepp Fukuoka, 2 Οκτωβρίου, Zepp Osaka Bayside 7 Οκτωβρίου, 2024.
I’m well aware that few people have delved into the TMG phenomenon. Guitarist Tak Matsumoto’s project, exactly 20 years ago, released an amazing album, with fantastic songs that bridge East and West on many levels. The American melodic hard rock of the 80’s with the guitar-driven J-pop of B’Z, with a modern aesthetic that made history as one of the best recordings of the current millennium. The Japanese guitarist’s invitation to two of his favorite American musicians, the composer, singer and bassist of NIGHT RANGER, Jack Blades, and the singer of MR. BIG, Eric Martin, to accompany him, was a “match made in heaven”!
It’s no exaggeration to say that “TMG I” is near perfection for my taste, while the fact that I hadn’t been able to attend one of the few live performances they did in the summer of 2004 – which were turned into the “Dodging the bullet” DVD – had left me repulsed. All the more so since there has been no activity from their camp since then.
When Sakis Nikas confided to me (before publishing the interview with Jack Blades) how they would be back on record this year, you can understand how much I was looking forward to the chance to see them live, since no one knows if such a possibility will arise again in the future. Whether TAK MATSUMOTO GROUP’s second album reaches the greatness of the first one, I leave it to you, since it will be released in Europe soon, while digitally I believe that all those interested will have already heard it. For me, the Japanese tour may have had fewer appearances than 2004 (as is the case for all artists now), but it was the musical event of the year. The icing on the cake, was Matt Sorum’s (THE CULT, GUNS N’ ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER) participation on drums, on the album and on the tour, having another rock star to round out the foursome.
I should add that here in Japan, there was quite a dynamic promotion, since Tak Matsumoto’s name is huge, so there were various events, from TV and radio appearances, contests, special editions, and even Tower Records dedicated two weeks to the release of the album at the end of September (the release was on the 18th). In almost every big city in Japan, there is a concert venue that belongs to the Zepp chain and TAK MATSUMOTO GROUP played in most of them. On October 2, I caught them in Fukuoka, the largest city on Kyushu Island, and on October 7, I was in Osaka. Two cities with several differences, the former is famous for its food options, nightlife and the beautiful nature that surrounds it. Osaka, as the second largest city in the country, is full of skyscrapers, with the massive EXPO 2025 coming as a landmark for its economy. Touching 9 million inhabitants (twice as many as Fukuoka), it’s an ultra-modern and spotlessly clean megacity, perhaps the southernmost stronghold of hard music in Japan.
But let’s leave the geopolitics aside and get down to the musical “nitty-gritty”. At both Zepp Fukuoka and Zepp Osaka Bayside, the stage was draped with an imposing dragon, taken from the artwork of their latest album, Sorum’s drums on a riser, Martin in the middle, with Blades to his right and Matsumoto to his left. Both the sound and lighting were top notch, which is to be expected, as Matsumoto has the experienced B’Z staff on his team, so as seasoned Japanese, they have an absolute commitment to excellence. Every part, every moment of the show, was rehearsed and thoughtful. I noticed the similarities in the two shows I attended and I’m sure, we will all see the same, as I believe there will be releases from this tour. Comparing the two nights, Osaka definitely had the warmest crowd, and it should not be overlooked that it is the birthplace of Tak.
The biggest focus was on the brand new “TMG II” and in fact, I was very impressed that the first 7 songs were from it. Eventually all 11 songs were played, which I wasn’t expecting, more so because I wanted to hear as much of the debut album as possible, but I certainly wasn’t disappointed at any point. Now if you ask me, instead of doing covers of MR. BIG and NIGHT RANGER, they could have put in a few more of their own, or even played 2-3 more and hit the 100 minute concert mark, but that’s a very selfish comment on my part. Bringing together so many beloved musicians, performing so convincingly and with so much energy, is a musical dream in itself, something that took 20 years to achieve, but I finally made it happen.
In the meantime, everyone involved was very relaxed. They were having fun backstage and laughing non-stop. It’s rare to catch musicians so loose, but of course, for all of them, touring with so many amenities and playing twice a week, it’s all in good fun. Matsumoto, of course, as a true superstar, carried the aura of a living legend, and it was still good that he gave us some time, off the clock. The now 63-year-old guitarist seemed to relish TMG’s more guitar-driven nature, in every solo and in every possible riff. When, between serious and funny, I wished him for a “TMG III” he laughed, revealing that there was no plan. His fans rarely get a chance to see him play in such small venues, since with B’Z he fills arenas (we’re talking 49 songs at #1 in Japan and more than 85 million copies, right?). Instead of a virtuoso solo, he opted to play “Waltz in blue”, a soft blues track, which created a nice contrast, with the audience watching spellbound and motionless. Another sign of his guitar genius, without a trace of ego.
For sure “Oh Japan (our time is now)”, “Kings for a day” and “Everything passes away”, from the first album, were the most intense moments, but what surprised me was how much better “Eternal flames” sounded. You see, in the regular version, BABYMETAL are involved and it has a sound tailor-made for the home market, but live, only with Eric Martin on the mic and the guitars more up front, it kicks ass!!! In general, the band’s performance, was quite good, even in the most demanding parts (with the exception of “To be with you”) and the closing, with the autobiographical “Guitar hero”, perhaps the hardest track of “II”, was amazing.
When you realize you are experiencing unique moments, the emotions are more intense. So these two nights gave immense joy, to so many Tak Matsumoto and TMG loyalists.
George “Kay” Koukoulakis
P.S. Unfortunately we were not allowed to photograph the performances, so the pictures you see are from other nights of the tour.
