Things B-T Could Do For Their Next Anniversary
Buck-Tick may have done a lot for their 25th Anniversary but there’s plenty that they didn’t do. Perhaps they’re saving some ideas for their next big anniversary. Here are some suggestions.
Acoustic concert, tour, and/or album. Buck-Tick loves to do self-covers, but these are always re-worked electric versions, not acoustic. They have many songs that would make a beautiful acoustic version. We need to see Toll’s percussion skills. He’s always behind a traditional kit. He needs to be challenged.
Buck-Tick condoms. One of the most obvious merchandise items they have yet to offer!
Hold a big concert in their hometown. It feels like they hardly give love to their home prefecture these days.
Do a residency somewhere where they cover a good chunk of their catalogue in chronological order. Similar to the Day In Question 2011 show, but they could give the setlist more focus, such as only singles in order or all the b-sides. Or they could play some key albums in full. Since they have a large catalogue to work from, they could do an entire album, take a break for 1-2 weeks to rehearse, then play another full album. Or just do it back to back like The Cure.
Play outside of Japan again, even if it’s to return to places they have already played such as London or Seoul.
Turn B-T Fest On Parade into an annual event, like how Perry Farell of Jane’s Addiction created Lollapalooza. They do not have to release a cover album to coincide with it. It would be an opportunity to share the bill with bands they admire, are friends with, or new talent they are interested in, especially if they should decide to sign other artists to Lingua Sounda.
Create a U-ta custom bass model to sell to the public. It’s been awhile.
Release an exercise video of Hisashi’s stage dances.
Launch a line of Buck-Tick make-up, perhaps a Hisashi endorsed eyeliner for writing on your face. Each item/color could be named after a song.
Buck-Tick bottle opener or wine opener. For being a drinking band, this is obvious. It’s especially criminal that there is not a B-T wine opener or special wine glasses for sale to pair with the Buck-Tick wine!
Hold a concert with an orchestra. Enhance songs that have string instruments or add new dimensions to songs that are without it.
Some sort of Buck-Tick car accessories, since Atsushi and Hide like to drive.
Some sort of Buck-Tick pet accessories, for both cats and dogs, since the members love their pets.
Buck-Tick baby or children’s clothing since many of their old school fans have procreated and who knows, perhaps even Atsushi’s son has procreated by now. (Quite weird to think that Atsushi may be already be a grandfather or could be in the near future.)
Buck-Tick shoes, even if they only have the initials B-T on them. They have released all sorts of clothing but not shoes. Perhaps some pointy toe ones like Hisashi has worn. I’ll even take socks. To not deal with size issues, just sell some zouri then.
Buck-Tick bra. Japanese are small and thin enough they could get away with selling a 1 size fits all bra. “B” on one cup and “T” on the other cup. They could call it Boob-Tick or Breast-Tick or Bra-Tick.
Release a line of Buck-Tick hair dye colors, especially unnatural colors. These can each have a photo of Hisashi at a different point in their career. Red, green, blue… there’s so many possibilities. Make it easy and hook up with an existing line.
Release a special anniversary box set of all their singles or albums on (colored) vinyl. Picture disc even! Something special.
They could release an album of covers instead of contributing every few years to a tribute album of someone who’s dying/dead/walking dead. It could be like the Duran Duran album where they pay tribute to the bands they loved.
Hold special Fish Tank events where the band makes a personal appearance for a Q&A session along with a meet and greet to thank everyone for all of the support, much like the early days.
Buck-Tick hair care product line, from the Higuchi electric razor to the Toll super spray, to the Atsushi shampoo and Hide conditioner. (Hisashi should still do the hair dye line.)
Symphonic Buck-Tick in Kyoto rather than Berlin. Orchestrate B-T songs for Japanese instruments.