Back now with the second entry in our collaboration spotlight series. After touching on BABYMETAL’s groundbreaking team-ups, let’s turn the focus to the collaboration of SHOW THEM that holds a special significance for this author. Last year, it was very exciting to be in Tokyo when the Japanese rock group, BAND-MAID, welcomed Mexico’s The Warning to their home.
June 12, 2024 set the stage for an unforgettable night as these two bands joined forces for their very first show together. This came a few years after their first meeting at the Aftershock Festival in 2022. Even more exciting was the moment when they synced their rock skills simultaneously for the song SHOW THEM.
BAND-MAID
Some background information: BAND-MAID is an all-female rock group formed in Tokyo around 2013. They are renowned for performing heavy metal music while dressed in maid costumes, creating a polarizing gap between their cute look and powerful sound. The idea originated with guitarist and singer Miku Kobato while working as a waitress in a Tokyo maid café. She took that idea and recruited lead guitarist KANAMI after finding her guitar videos on YouTube. Then KANAMI brought in fellow musicians bassist MISA and drummer AKANE. Finally, singer SAIKI was chosen through an audition for her powerful vocals and commanding presence, completing the dynamic quintet.
The Warning
From the other side of the globe, The Warning is a trio also formed in 2013. They grew up in Monterrey, Mexico, and are actually sisters: Daniela on guitar and lead vocals, Paulina on drums as well as vocals (sometimes lead and backing), and Alejandra on bass guitar, also providing backing vocals. The sisters went viral on YouTube for uploading cover songs of heavy metal and hard rock songs while they were just teenagers! Their most popular cover, Metallica’s Enter Sandman, gained millions of views within a year after it dropped in 2014. Now all grown up, the sisters have produced four full albums, embarked on several world tours, and are often invited to international music festivals.
Show Them In Japan
Now, getting back to that moment when SHOW THEM roared on stage at EX THEATER ROPPONGI, this author—along with fans who had come from around the world—absolutely lost it! The energy in the venue was electric, and the excitement was undeniable. While the BAND-MAID fans were the majority, the whole night was an adoration fest between followers of both groups. For sure, one could feel the warmth of the audience as they were thrilled with each song when the bands played.
First up, The Warning delivered an exhilarating performance and had certainly won over new fans from the Japanese concertgoers. Next, BAND-MAID lit up the stage, dazzling the crowd with a burst of their signature charm and high-energy OKYUJI. As a point of interest, they refer to their shows as an “OKYUJI,” which means a “service” for the audience. And the “service” is delivered to the fans whom they refer to as “Masters and Princess” as a tongue-in-cheek gesture to being served food and drinks at a maid café.
Show Them For the World
After witnessing the amazing sensation of that night, one month later, the rest of the world got a taste of that excellent collaboration song. The highly anticipated SHOW THEM music video premiered on YouTube on August 6, 2024, sharing the electrifying spectacle with everyone online. And when watching it, the musicians don’t just play—they unleash their full force, each one seizing the spotlight in jaw-dropping solos and thrilling head-to-head showdowns that keep viewers riveted from start to finish.
From the get-go, Daniela belts out a roaring “Whoa”, then is joined by SAIKI’s poignant voice. As the hard rock number progresses, KANAMI and Miku Kobato shred alongside each other. Meanwhile, dueling bass players Alejandra and MISA battle it out like a tug of war on the rhythm section. Yet, keeping the tempo going, Paulina and AKANE are like switch hitters on drums until they face off for a showdown. All the while, Daniela and SAIKI’s harmonic duet sings out lyrics to show the world what rock musicians from different countries and different languages can do together!
Before Showing Them At Aftershock
By the way, my trip to Tokyo for the concert with BAND-MAID and The Warning was an exciting conclusion to a moment back in 2022. At the time, I was covering the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, CA, where the bands were scheduled to perform. As a fan of both, I also knew they had some mutual awareness of each other, but the groups had never met in person. They were set on the same day, but on different stages at different times. Meanwhile, I was busy preparing my report in the press tent area.
As fortune would have it, I came across The Warning’s manager and simply asked if Daniela, Alejandra, and Paulina had run into BAND-MAID yet? He said, “No,” and I informed him that BAND-MAID would be coming to the press tent later, after they got off stage. He nodded his head, but replied that the girls would be busy and might have to move on to their next gig. “Damn, that sucks,” I thought. And my heart sank at the thought that these two incredible bands, from such distant corners of the world, might never get the precious chance to finally meet in person. A moment later, he came back over to where I was sitting and asked, “What time will BAND-MAID be here?” Now, I started to perk up, yet calmly let him know the time I got from the press coordinator. And then, this happened!
Wow, the energy in the tent was electric! All eyes were locked on this meet-cute scene as the bands exchanged pleasantries. Even though there is no official proof tying me to that magical moment or the collaboration that blossomed afterward. It could be that the collaboration would have happened if they had crossed paths at another festival. Perhaps a few direct messages on social media or a similar interaction might have started a dialogue. But if there is a “butterfly effect” that made this union possible, then I am happy to have been that butterfly!
