Wednesday 22 June 2011

Virtual band update

Virtual band update
Dethklok
Mistula are still huge in the Phillipines, Hatsune Miku is probably the biggest music sensation in Japan at the moment and has even gone on tour. Gorillaz have just released their second album in a year, the most recent totally composed and recorded using iPad applications. Panty,Stocking and Garterbelt have also had a massive hit in Japan with D City Rock. Dethklok after releasing their second album and third TV series have toured America (as has Gorillaz) to satisfy fans need for something more tangible. While Hatsune Miku has gone one step further on from Gorillaz ground breaking performances at the MTV and Grammy awards by going on a whole tour as a hologram.
Gorillaz IE9 Pr
Meanwhile in the cartoon band arena the Chimpmunks have made box office squillions by releasing a sequel that aped the first in popularity.
It’s a long way from the carton versions of popular bands like the Beatles, Osmonds, Jackson Five and Partridge Family, and cartoon rock characters like the Beagles, Josie and the Pussycats and Groovie Ghoulies.
Cartoon / Virtual bands these days can deliver the songs and the concept these days thanks to the wide range of technology and the means to portray themselves in so many different media.
Mistula
Gorillaz have recently been linked with the iPad and the new Internet Explorer 9, Dethklok have upgraded their amplifier sponsorship from Krank to Marshal as well as many other leading brand musical equipment including Gibson and MXR and Line6 effects.
Action figures is where the real collectables seem to be with Gorillaz and Dethklok selling out two releases of figures and Mistula dolls going for huge amounts and basically have to made from scratch by the fan after the manage to procure their own BJD (ball jointed doll), While Hatsune Miku seems to be readily available in many different formats.










Monday 13 June 2011

Game of Kings Artist plug

Regular visitors will be well acquainted with my involvement with the Game of Kings Project, even if it is just by the little (now big) banners running down the sides of the blog.
This project based on the game of chess and up to the present date has involved over 20 artists.
Now that the second phase has started I thought I bring attention to some of the newbies (and one or two of the older guys) who joined for the Battle Stage of the project.

BMBAus or Ben Byrnne is a comic artist from my home town of Melbourne and I like me lives in the outer suburbs.
He is responsible for some classic SciFi tales with twisted sense of humour through his 3 Stark Reality comics and also his new Kranburn release.

Mathew Dunne is a talented designer, painter, model maker who has his fingers in many pies.
When he isn't doing exhibitions he is pumping out art at a furious rate.A good peek into his many styles starts here. Here you'll find his most popular creations Leroy and Skullboy.

Stephen Elliget an amazing animator whose art is simply beautiful this link will keep you busy as you explore his website

Damian Shanahan or Shanamation a marvelous digital artist and Creator of Pizza man

Sturstein or Peter Faifax creator of Valentines Dai Peter's style is unique with his subtle use of pen and water colours.

Nick Ford, Skateboard freak and an exciting addition to the team. Nick is an award winning designer who took on fair slab of work and made the long hard process of getting the GoK project happening a real joy.

Damien Mason hailing from an artistic family, popular T-Shirt designer Damien  also makes soft toys and  wall art.

Ausven or Steven Austin is the fastest artist in the world and his enthusiasm and general skill made him one of the finds in the expanded group.
An amazing talent.

Of course others have been busy like QuigonJim or Jim Gray who has been pumping out all kinds of books from pubs to motor bikes