"It was absolutely shocking when I heard DJ KUDO for the first time in my life. I thought DJing was just playing another artists song and that's it. But it was nothing like that!" - Tsuyoshi Suzuki

For Tsuyoshi Suzuki, aka DJ Numanoid, spinning songs at a live gig will always be in his blood. Owner of the label "Madskippers" and master of many projects and personas, Tsuyoshi has dedicated himself to keeping alive Tokyo's underground scene. "Save the Underground" is their motto, and we hope Tsuyoshi will keep at it for a very long time to come.

On December 1, 2010, Tsuyoshi Suzuki was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. Tsuyoshi Suzuki Interview.

"Music was always in me. Music is love -- one of the little self-expressions that prove existence to us. I believe music is the love that ties the minds of people together." - Gunji

Hard driving guitars complement the powerful voice of Gunji from the curiously named group "the fool". They play some heavy rocking music that gets our heads bobbing -- and to some extent that's all that matters. Backed by Starwave Records, this three player group composed of Gunji, Goo and TACA are definitely a band to keep an eye on.

Their first album, "Crazy frogs around the world", is filled with strong songs that display the fast-paced and very sleek music style of Gunji, who says "Even if you are crazy you must not give up your dream. Value love. Love yourself. Don't fear life. This is my message for my fans."

"When I was six I secretly wanted to be a pop singer. When I was thirteen I formed a copy band of The Beatles. At that time I had a dream that we would be a worldwide famous band." - Yukihide Takekawa

Singer-songwriter Yukihide Takekawa's dream for worldwide success came true after Godiego, the band he fronted and helped formed in 1975, released the album "Magic Monkey", consisting of songs written for and inspired by the popular TV series "Monkey" (aka "Saiyuki") which was based on the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West". "Monkey" first aired in Japan in 1978 and was comically dubbed into English a year later and became a huge success with audiences in England, Australia and New Zealand. The album went to the top of the charts in Japan and established Godiego as being the most popular group in the country at that time, a string of hits followed and some chart success overseas. For many music lovers in the West, Godiego was the band that introduced them to J-Pop -- they remain a national treasure.

Yukihide started his music career as a solo artist and has gone on to release over fifty albums (including those with Godiego). He remains a popular figure within the entertainment world of Japan where his infectious songs have been featured in films, television shows and computer games. A prolific songwriter, Yukihide is busier than ever and doesn't look like slowing down anytime soon. Thank God!

"About three years ago, I had a show in Asagiri, near Mt. Fuji in Japan. And then a guy fell in love with TsuShiMaMiRe. And half a year later, he was looking for the theme song of Power Puff Girls in his job. And he asked us." - Mari

That song, Hyper Sweet Power, would help to bring a larger audience to the curiously named group TsuShiMaMiRe. These three woman play a fast faced, hard rocking style of music full of fun -- perfect for the spunky anime show.

Having already released several albums over the years and performed in the U.S., TsuShiMaMiRe have just released their latest album, "Sex on the Beach", with another U.S. tour coming in November.

"I wanted to be that boy who grew up very ordinarily, played in a band, knew the live music houses. Now I can say that I have become that man who does music seriously." - Ryota Okiyama

From the moment we saw the exuberant vocals of Manatsu Nagahara we wanted to learn more about the four person group SEBASTIAN X... and we're glad we did. Their music is filled with an upbeat fun that's hard to resist, something of a mixture of a pop version of Shonen Knife and a Ska band.

Now on their third album, the band shows every sign of being here to stay. So come take a listen to the sights and sounds of SEBASTIAN X, you'll be glad you did.

"Keep trying hard! I was shown that my dream was achievable, so never think the impossible can't happen."- Beckii Cruel

Once upon a time a teenage girl hit on the idea to record herself dancing to Japanese pop music and upload the videos to the internet. Nothing unusual about that -- teens post their best dance moves for everyone to see all the time. But after the view count of this particular teen's videos rose up into the millions it was becoming clear that there was something very special about her. Hailing from the Isle of Man, Beckii Cruel has found a way to naturally capture the kawaii spirit that Japanese culture so adores.

Now the subject of a BBC documentary and singing her own original songs in Japan, Beckii Cruel still manages to keep a level head about her unexpected internet celebrity status, saying: "I get lots of emails asking about the best way to become famous. I have to tell them that I don't know, because I didn't go looking for it. I would just say to everyone, enjoy what you do, and don't hang everything on a wish to be famous."

"We went through a time before we debuted where we didn't have money or fans. We feel very grateful that we were able to debut at all. We wanted to write a song that would thank all sorts of people to whom we owed our careers." - MICRO

That song, Thank You!!, by the group Home Made Kazoku (Home Made Family) would go on to be used in the anime series "Bleach". A second of their songs, Shooting Star, also made an appearance on the popular show and helped to bring the group some just deserves. Composed of singers MICRO and KURO and the talents of DJ U-ICHI, this threesome released their fifth album, "Circle", earlier this year.

While we think the word "fun" goes a long way in describing the group's varied style, they describe their craft as "Our music is based on hip hop, but we mix up all kinds of music and try to make our own Home Made Kazoku sound."