I watched a live streaming from Shindaita FEVER! - Flower Companyz ＆ Masato Tomobe -

2021-06-30

Theme：Events ＆ Concerts, Artists ＆ Songs

June 1, 2021
Monthly live concerts held by Flower Companyz, a band from Nagoya, at Shindaita FEVER, ”Monthly Frakan FEVER”
”Monthly Frakan FEVER”
I watched a live streamed performance by the band Flower Companyz with folk singer Masato Tomobe!

Japan’s No. 1 live band from Nagoya, Flower Companyz a.k.a. Frakan. Formed by local classmates in 1989; vocalist Keisuke Suzuki, bassist Great Maekawa, guitarist Kenichi Takeyasu, and drummer Mr. Konishi. They constantly performed live and released new songs, and they released Shinya Kosoku - Ikitete Yokatta no Tsudoi, which is a compilation album of various artists covering only Frakan’s song, “Shinya Kosoku”.
On December 19, 2015, the 26th anniversary of the band, they held their first performance at Nippon Budokan with the concert entitled “Frakan no Nippon Budokan - Ikitete Yokatta, Sonna Yoru wa Koko da!” The tickets were sold out and it was a great success.
In 2017, they left the major label again and established their own label, Chicken Skin Records.
On April 23, 2019, all four original members celebrated their 30th anniversary without member changes or a hiatus.
- From Flower Companyz Official Website -

Born on May 25, 1950 in Tokyo, Tomobe was in his first year of high school when he listened to Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” and started singing his own songs. Upon graduation, he started performing on the streets in Nagoya. In 1972, he debuted with the album Osaka e Yattekita, and then released his single “Ippon Michi”. He published his first poetry collection in 1977, “Ottosei wa Chuo-sen ni Notte”. In January 2003, Tomobe held his 30th anniversary concert. He started a bimonthly live concert at SENDAI KOFFEE CO. in January 2019.
- From Masato Tomobe Official Website -

Both are active musicians who regularly perform live.

[Shindaita FEVER]

A live music venue in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. It is a famous venue where various events, such as live concerts by Analogfish and Otogivanashi, and Spring Bass Festival by Hoff Dylan, have been held.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t a solo performance by Masato Tomobe because the show jumped from Frakan’s performance to the duet with Masato Tomobe… However, the five songs they played together were so amazing...

[Setlist]

- Flower Companyz

Nonai Hyakkei
Mazu wa Gohan Daro?
Oretachi Hatachi Zoku
Isshuukan
Rirekisho
Kono Mune no Naka Dake
Yureru Hi
Saigo nya Nantoka Narudaro

- Flower Companyz & Masato Tomobe

Ai ni Tsuite
Ippon Michi
Dare mo Boku no E wo Kakenai Darou
? (Words: Masato Tomobe, Music: Keisuke Suzuki)
Niji no Ame Agari
Ningen wo Haruka Tooku Hanarete (Words: Keisuke Suzuki, Music: Masato Tomobe)

Half of the songs Flower Companyz played were from the albums released in 2019 and 2020, and the other half was some of their older songs. It’s been 32 years since the band was formed, but they’ve put out 25 singles, 18 albums, and 6 best albums… they never stop working!!
I have both of the latest albums, but I especially like the song “Rirekisho” probably because I just finished job hunting.
“Oretachi Hatachi Zoku” is a song that has a sense of speed with a blues harp. Fans who listened to it at the venue must have been so excited!

This is one of their best known songs “Shinya Kosoku”↓ , which they didn’t play this time☆

- About the songs they played together. -

“Ai ni Tsuite” was also provided to Akiko Yano. This song matches Akiko Yano’s vocals, and it has both coolness and softness.

“Ippon Michi” is the first single and the masterpiece of Masato Tomobe, which is acclaimed by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi and Takuro Yoshida.

“Dare mo Boku no E wo Kakenai Darou”, which Morio Agata covered as well. It’s a very unique song that hits me deep inside my heart. The Morio Agata version is also worth listening to. By the way, I also like Morio Agata. Be sure to listen to his famous song “Red Elegy” and my favorite “Haru no Arashi no Yoru no Tejinashi”!

Among the songs Frakan and Masato Tomobe played together, two songs co-produced by Masato Tomobe and Keisuke Suzuki were not released and it was a rare opportunity to listen to them!

The one with words by Masato Tomobe and music by Keisuke Suzuki hasn’t been revealed its title, but the lyrics,

“From a station that is floating like a cloud A red fireball-like plane flying westward A runway extends to the horizon Saint-Exupéry no longer exists But once his plane flew over that sky"

were very impressive. I feel these words elaborately express Saint-Exupéry’s career as an aviator, and the vision from his masterpiece, The Little Prince.

The song with words by Keisuke Suzuki and music by Masato Tomobe is called “Ningen wo Haruka Tooku Hanarete”.

“Tonight I will reach you, tonight I will reach you”

I felt the power unique to Keisuke Suzuki in the chorus where his words are repeated.

I haven’t been able to go to live concerts and this time, I watched the live performance for the first time in a while, but the music always gives me energy and dreams. Both Flower Companyz and Masato Tomobe will surely keep performing live in the future. As a fan, I hope I can go see the show in person soon... Now, we have to put up with it to prevent COVID-19, but let’s find some ways to have fun and do our best!

[Reference] These are the effect pedals used by Kenichi Takeyasu, guitarist of Flower Companyz!