Bono in Tokyo

U2 singer, humanitarian and and philanthropist Bono Vox is in Tokyo this week, and yesterday took part in a tree planting activity with Japanese and International elementary school children. Also present were (everyone's favorite) Tokyo Governor Ishihara, designer Tadao Ando, Japanese astronaut Mamoru Mori, and ex Miss Japan Norika Fujiwara. There were environmentally orientated speeches, the kids sang, and then all took part in the initial stages of a tree planting project designed to create a forest on a man made island in Odaiba. Bono is here for the African summit, where he will encourage Japan to pledge more aid to ailing African nations. Bono was also recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work in Africa.

Photos by uber photographer and friend Andy McGovern.

Don King in Tokyo..

Uber boxing promoter Donald "Don" King was in Tokyo Monday night for the World Boxing Association Lightweight title fight between Jose Alfaro and Yusuke Kobori at Differ Ariake. The infamously flamboyant ex-bookmaker took time off from being sued to watch Kobori win by TKO. Don King has been jailed for murder and sued no less than half a dozen times, more often than not by his equally famous clients. He made promotional appearance for Bush's 2004 re-election campaign, represented Satan in the South Park episode 'Damien', and wears bling like it 'aint no thing'. Don King is 77 years old!

Andy McGovern shot the fight and caught these great pics of the cigar toting legend..

Softbank 921SH

The beat up old 912 has gone the way of the dodo, that is, I finally bit the bullet and went and got a new phone. The handset of the 921SH is kinda like Softbank's attempt at an iPhone, with a full face screen and neat little touch sensor at the bottom. The touch sensor isn't at all as responsive as the the iPod touch, but it does the job well enough, the tv works great, and it looks way cool!

Thanks to McGizzle for takin these pics..

Squadcar: これから live

Squadcar played a lot of shows in their day. The video below was taken in December 2005 at Shibuya Nest, well the main part of it was anyway.. Dan got creative and put it together with some footage of us goofing off backstage at a Shinjuku Marz show as well. It was a very memorable show, partly because we played with the awesome Mothercoat, and also because the amazingly enjoyable and impromptu backstage rehearsal party (that starts the video) was probably better than the set we played when we hit the stage.. >_<

Photo by Andrew McGovern

Valentine Records presents vol. 4

Valentine records are hosting another electro/rock extravaganza this evening at The Garage in Shimokitazawa. On the bill are: Super Samir (featuring Rodriguez), The Black Shakes, Monitor, and Come to my Party.

The Monitor set will see Dan and I reunite for the first real show in 2 years, with good buddies Kurt Shirt fingerbangin bass and Richard from the Black Shakes thumpin skins..

Daisuke Naito

Daisuke Naito was recently successful in defending his WBC Flyweight title against Thai fighter Pongsaklek Wonjongkam. It was the fourth time they had met in the ring, the first time Pongsaklek KHTFO in the first round! This match was a draw, enabling Naito to retain his title. Andy McGovern was there and caught these great pics!

Naito was the fighter that Kameda Daiki "picked up" during the infamous bout that saw Kameda banned from professional boxing for one year.

India

Feels like ages since I got back, I wanted to put some pics up but not necessarily on this blog soooo, here's one and a link to a whole page full of pics..

Daiki Kameda: episode 3

Last Friday the media went mad once again over the shamed boxer. Daiki, his trainer and his brother attended a press conference in which they publicy apologised for their errant behaviour in the recent title fight, and also announced their father's retirement from the sport (he had been banned for life anyway..). These pictures were taken by Andy McGovern at the press conference before the fateful bout.





Seated at the press conference is the Japan Boxing Commissioner Yasukochi, Kameda, and his trainer Kaneishi.

亀田 大毅 Kameda Daiki

Daiki Kameda is a Japanese professional boxer in the flyweight division. On October 11 2007, Kameda lost to Daisuke Naito, the reigning WBC flyweight champion. Despite making comments before the match that he will commit seppuku if he lost, his manager has confirmed that he will not. Towards the end of the bout, much to everyones surprise, he suddenly picked up opponent. This unusual act earnt him a suspension by the Japan Boxing Commission for one year and has fuelled a media frenzy which has seen virtually every major Japanese network constantly both replaying the act, and discussing it at length. Kameda has made it his custom to sing a song for the audience after each of his victories, needless to say, he didn't sing after this one..



This photo is by my buddy Andrew McGovern, who was shooting the fight. Check out more of his work here.



This is officially the most time consuming post I have ever made.. >_<