Former X Japan leader Yoshiki is to make his Hollywood debut. He has written the opening music and ending song to the thriller “Catacombs”, produced by Gregg Hoffman, the man behind the 2004 horror hit “Saw”. Based on a true story about the youth parties in the catacombs beneath 14th century Paris, it stars Shannyn Sossamon. “I don’t usually like scary movies, but the artistry of this project appealed to me,” said the L.A.-based former X Japan drummer and pianist. He has worked on movies in the past, such as the anime “X” and the South Korean film “Boku no Kanojo wo Shokai Shimasu”, but this is his first truly international project. The ending theme, “Blue Butterfly”, is sung by Nina, an American vocalist with Yoshiki’s band Violet UK. The unit has been around for several years, but planned projects – including a debut album scheduled for release a year ago – have yet to come to fruition.
• On Saturday, folk legends Yoshida Takuro (60) and the band Kaguyahime recreated a famous concert from 31 years ago. The all-night “Tsumakoi Concert” in August 1975 was a highlight of the folk scene’s heyday, but this time the 8-hour show was done before 10pm. Some 35,000 fans, mostly middle-aged, made the journey to relive their youth at the same Shizuoka Prefecture venue. The show opened with the artists performing together, something they had never done before.
• NTV has announced that it won’t be showing any more Yomiuri Giants games live this season. With the team well out of the pennant race and audience ratings continuing their slump, the network reached the agreement with the team. The games will only be viewable on satellite and cable channels.
• NTV announcer Funakoshi Masashi (44) did not appear in his regular slot on the network’s early-morning “Zoom In! Saturday” following his recent “sekuhara” (sexual harrassment) case. The network said he has been punished but they have yet to decide when he can return to work.