(Translated) "I grew up listening to American rock ever since I was a child and I still listen to it a lot. So, I think that I'm playing and creating my songs on the same level as American musicians. My ultimate goal is to build my band to have the same status as America bands. We're often classified as a J-Rock band, but that's not how we see ourselves. We think we're comparable to an American band, and we want to be seen as being on an equal level with them. That's why we're here and that's why we're doing our project."
-Hyde
YES! They're coming back once again this year but this time ALL OVER TEH WORLD! beginning in September biggrin Details of the locations keep coming little by little every so often, here's what has been released so far (As of April 1st)
NORTH AMERICA
FRIDAY, OCT. 1 - AVALON HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES
SUNDAY, OCT. 3 - THE GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL, SAN FRANCISCO
SATURDAY, OCT. 9 - ROSELAND BALLROOM, NEW YORK CITY
(same weekend as the New York Anime Festival and New York Comic Con)
EUROPE
TUESDAY, OCT. 12 - SALA APOLO, BARCELONA
(Spain's National Day, a public holiday)
SATURDAY, OCT. 16 - ESPACE GRANDE ARCHE, PARIS
ASIA
SATURDAY, SUNDAY, OCT. 23, 24 - SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL GYMNASTICS CENTER, SHANGHAI
SOUTH AMERICA
SATURDAY, NOV. 6 - TEATRO CAUPOLICAN, SANTIAGO
(ticket info of events is not to come till later)
Music-wise: Their Live 2009 USA dvd has been released, they are releasing their new single in May (it is Untitled at the moment) along with their 3rd "VAMPS Live" dvd (this one being held in Japan), another single in June and their 2nd album release in JULY!!!
So please, if you have a love for Hyde or love L'arc, check them out and support this year! smile
To current fans: Looking at what Hyde is trying to achieve with VAMPS, I believe it is crucial that fans spread the word of them to music lovers everywhere! As you can tell by what he said, him and KAZ want to be on the same level and, most likely, more known as an American rockband; rather, not as known (or publicized) as J-Rock is. So plz, Hydeists, L'arc fans, Oblivion Dust supporters, Ju-Ken lovers, and all Love Addicts, please SPREAD THE WORD! Their American Street Team has suggested fans spread fliers, post in music forums (at MTV, Yahoo music, etc.), or simply spread the music publicly. Either way, please try your best to make this year's tour extremely successful.
L'Arc Love - A L'Arc~en~ciel Fanbase