Hi! I came across your post while searching Google Blog Search for a setlist from last night. I'm curious what you, a non-fan (I assume) and older than a lot of the kids there (again assuming) thought of the show? I'm in my mid 20s and a huge fan of the band , and I always wonder what new / non-teenaged folks think of Dir en grey.

Welcome to California, it looks like the area you're coming to has nice weather for the next week. Up north and in the foothills we're still waiting for Aslan to drive the White Witch and her winter from the rest of the state.

I found them very appealing. In the 80s I pretended to like punk more than I did, but I was a poseur in that, I suppose--I do tend to prefer Dir en Grey's more melodic material, though I love the passion.

Obviously, being more familiar with their material would have enhanced the experience.

The self-mutilation struck me as silly, but keep in mind that I listen to Alice Cooper, and he used to do far more outrageous stunts on stage.

I think guys like Dir en Grey for the passion, the anger, and the angst, and girls like 'em for the above reasons and because they are sexy as hell. And not just sexy, but the kind of sexy that younger women find especially attractive.

I'm very likely to get hold of some of their material--preferably the stuff with lots of drums and bass. 'Cause I'm old-fashioned that way.

And guys who throw their hair around while playing guitars and bass are great. I'm looking forward to the point when they can rock back and forth in unison, and underscore the beat that way.

And the costume show beforehand was also lots of fun. I was worried, though, when kids appeared to pass out in the mosh pit, and pretty darned happy that we were in the balcony. Especially since I get claustrophobic.