THE WORLD OF HARAJUKU FASHION COMES TO AM2 AS FASHION DESIGNERS FROM THE HOUSE OF PUTUMAYO ARE ANNOUNCED AS OFFICIAL GUESTS OF HONOR FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED 2012 CONVENTION

World Famous Harajuku Brand Comes EXCLUSIVELY to this Summer¹s Most Anticipated Anime, Manga and Music Convention this June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim Hilton! Get your Passports Today and Experience the Difference!

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (April 3, 2012) ­ Chief Designer, SHUNSUKE HASEGAWA, and Manager, NISHIOKA, from the world famous Harajuku brand, PUTUMAYO, comes EXCLUSIVELY to this summer's most anticipated anime, manga and music convention AM2 (June 15-17, 2012; Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim Hilton) as Official 2012 Guests of Honor.  More info and attendee registration can be found at www.am2con.org

Known for their uniquely illustrated Lolita and punk-themed T-shirts, that no other brand can offer, Putumayo, has also expanded and evolved their brand to include "School Style" and "Gothic Style" themed fashion lines which add to the uniqueness of Harajuku trends.

Putumayo's activities at AM2 includes not only autographs and panels, but also a full fashion show for attendees as well as special gifts for AM2 3-Day Passport Holders.

Putumayo has worked styled celebrities and artists including Vocaloid software/character "Hatsune Miku", Crypton Future Media and characters from Namco Bandai¹s "Tales of Xilla" video game.

In addition, limited quantities, of limited edition Putumayo novelty mirrors, while supplies last, will be provided to 3-Day Passport holders who purchase over $100.00 (US) from the Putumayo brand at the Harajuku Hearts Booth in the Exhibit Hall.

Please note that ALL Guest of Honor activities (i.e. panels, autographs, appearances, etc.) are ALL Passport preferred activities.  There will also be a private Meet & Greet event for Anaheim Hilton Room Block Attendees (room key proof is required).

Attendees can avoid the anticipated huge lines at autographs, premiere screenings, workshops, main events, concerts and panels by purchasing a Passport fast pass for the event.  The Passport fast pass will also provide holders with premier seating options at Main Events and at Concert events as well as major discounts with theme parks (including Disneyland and the grand opening of Cars Land, Knotts Berry Farm, etc.), retailers and local restaurants. Bypass the lines and get your Passport today and experience the difference!

AM2 current activities include Exhibit Hall, AMV¹s, Arcade, Summer Festival, Behind the Voice Actors Studio, Masquerade, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table Top, Console Gaming, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more!

Putumayo joins current AM2 Official Guests of Honor Andrea Libman, Quinton Flynn and Toshihiro Kawamoto.

AM2 Premieres, screenings and exclusive screenings include ACE ATTORNEY, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE STAR OF MILOS, KAIBUTSU-KUN THE MOVIE, KAIJI 2 and more!

Current Major Sponsors Include: Anime News Network and Snakebyte USA.

Follow us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/AM2Con

Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/AM2Con

From The Slants:

As you might know, we've been spreading our 'Chinatown Dance Roc'k across this little blue planet: from appearing on Space Shower TV in Japan in 2007, to melting the faces of our active military off in Eastern Europe during the holidays, and playing over 350 shows across North America inbetween. Now, television screens around the world are going to be heating up this month.

Through a new partnership with Indepedent Asian Music Television (IAMTV), all three of our music videos will be broadcasted in over 75 countries starting this month!!!

The show, Sound Check, will be featuring The Slants for their 4th season, making it their best to date. For our U.S fans, you'll be able to catch the show in any city within the Myx TV USA Network or you can access it nationwide through DIRECTV (Channel 2067).  For our friends abroad (Africa, Middle East, Europe), refer to your guide in M&L TV or OSN. When we get more program specifics (such as broadcast date), we'll let you know immediately.

The Slant's on the web:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theslants
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/theslants
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/slantsvideos
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theslants
LastFM: http://www.last.fm/music/THE+SLANTS

[Source: Slant's Army Newsletter]

BRATHZO, ICARUS KID, KAZHA, LUCID, MOMOTAMA AND MORE JOIN THE MUSICAL LINE UP AT THE AM2 SUMMER FESTIVAL STAGE THIS JUNE 15-17, 2012 IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA

Local and International Musical Acts Perform at this Summer's Most Anticipated Anime, Manga and Music Convention this June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim Hilton! Get your Passports Today and Experience the Difference!

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (April 6, 2012) ­ Attendees will have the time of their life as AM2 (June 15-17, 2012; Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim Hilton) announces the 1st wave of Summer Festival musical acts at this year's highly anticipated event.  A diverse slate of Japanese, and Japanese-Inspired, musical acts ranging from pop to visual kei will grace the Matsuri Stage to the delight of attendees and fans.  More info and attendee registration can be found at www.am2con.org

"There is something for everyone at AM2," states Summer Festival/Matsuri Festival Programming Representative Mr. Sal Ortiz, "from a diverse slate of musical acts on the Summer Festival stage to exclusive screenings, fashion shows, exhibit hall, anime, arcade, console game rooms, dances and more! Get your Passports today and join in on the fun!"

Summer Festival/Matsuri Stage acts currently include:

Brathzo
In late 2010, six people met and combined their passion for music and anime, giving creative birth to the band called Midnight Shinigami (Gods of Death). Hailing from different parts of the world, Midnight Shinigami's members are just as diverse as their musical influences and playing styles. Among the top talent fronting this band are the megami MANDY MEFFORD (2005 & 2007 AX Idol) and BRATHZOKARANOVIC, former guitarist from MAKENAI. From soft ballads to hard-driving metal, they're sure to have something in their repertoire that'll make anyone drop dead in pure aural bliss.

THE ICARUS KID
The Icarus Kid blasts familiar NES melodies and has been featured with the acclaimed orchestral show ³Video Games Live,² won first place in the Seattle Laptop Battle, and his 8-bit roots have been turning heads in the video game composition industry. The music is often compared with Daft Punk, Crystal Castles, and Aphex Twin.

KAZHA
Kazha is a rock band from Japan. After their release of the first album "Overture", they've been touring North America and South America, and keep spreading their music to the world.

Their music combines the softness of a falling feather with the heaviness of a hurricane.

LuCiD
LuCiD first formed with the drummer/ leader Rui, and lead guitarist Yuto. Bassist Ku then joined, followed by the vocalist Ryu and are currently searching for a rhythm guitarist. LuCiD has played shows mainly around Los Angeles, performing original hard JRock songs. While creating a gloomy, melancholy atmosphere, they bring immense energy to the stage with twisted, cynical lyrics. Although they may sing in a different language, anyone who experiences LuCiD's music would feel the emotions through every instrument.

Momotama
Momotama is comprised of guitarist Tama and vocalist/ keyboardist Momo. This project came to fruition because of the passion for anime songs that these two otakus from Japan have.

Guitarist Tama was seventeen years old when he first started playing the guitar. His heart was captured by the beauty of Bossa Nova when he first heard Evangelion's version of "Fly Me To The Moon." Since then he has performed in various sessions as a "Bossanovista" as well as participated in other sessions involving Samba and West African music.

Vocalist Momo (aka cosplayer Mikarin) hasn¹t stopped singing since she was four years old and singing children¹s songs to her bed-ridden grandmother. In fact her main reason for coming to the USA was to study vocalization techniques. Eventually her heart turned back to her country and she realized the beauty and joy that exists in Anime songs as well as cosplay.

Please note that ALL Guest of Honor activities (i.e. panels, autographs, appearances, etc.) are ALL Passport preferred activities.  There will also be a private Meet & Greet event for Anaheim Hilton Room Block Attendees (room key proof is required).

Attendees can avoid the anticipated huge lines at autographs, premiere screenings, workshops, main events, concerts and panels by purchasing a Passport fast pass for the event.  The Passport fast pass will also provide holders with premier seating options at Main Events and at Concert events as well as major discounts with theme parks (including Disneyland and the grand opening of Cars Land, Knotts Berry Farm, etc.), retailers and local restaurants.  Bypass the lines and get your Passport today and experience the difference!

AM2 current activities include Exhibit Hall, AMV's, Arcade, Summer Festival, Behind the Voice Actors Studio, Masquerade, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table Top, Console Gaming, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more!

Current AM2 Official Guests of Honor include Putumayo, Andrea Libman, Quinton Flynn and Toshihiro Kawamoto.

Brathzo, Icarus Kid, Kazha, Lucid and Momotoma join Summer Festival join other announced performer Ant1Nett

AM2 Premieres, screenings and exclusive screenings include ACE ATTORNEY, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE STAR OF MILOS, KAIBUTSU-KUN THE MOVIE, KAIJI 2 and more!

Current Major Sponsors Include: Anime News Network and Snakebyte USA.

Follow us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/AM2Con

Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/AM2Con

About AM2
Located in Anaheim, California ­ AM2, established in 2010, is a multi-day (3 days) 24 hour event with no general attendance/badge purchase requirement and is aspiring to be a key meeting place for fans that share a common interest in Asian music, Animation/Anime, and Comics/Manga.  Nominal fees are charged for certain activities that attendees choose to participate in. AM2 will be held on June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center in sunny Anaheim, California.  More information can be found at www.am2con.org

"MORE!  MORE!! MORE!!!"  AM2 TO RANDOMLY GIVEAWAY TICKETS TO THE STEREOPONY U.S. TOUR FOR 3-DAY PASSPORT HOLDERS ATTENDING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EVENT THIS JUNE 15-17, 2012 AT THE ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER AND HILTON

Get your Passports Today and Experience the Difference!

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (April 2, 2012) - Fans of Japanese music are fully aware of the amazing musical groups that was brought to the U.S. by the most anticipated anime, manga and music Summer convention, AM2, and will flock to purchase 3-Day Passports for the upcoming 2012 event held June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Hilton as random attendees will be awarded tickets for two (2) for one of the upcoming STEREOPONY U.S. Tour concerts! More info can be found at www.am2con.org

STEREOPONY is a Japanese all-girl rock band that formed in Okinawa in 2007 and will be attending their first Sakura-Con. Consisting of AIMI (Vocal/Guitar), NOHANA (Bass), and SHIHO (Drums) the band gained their first opportunity on the Japanese rock radio program "SCHOOL OF LOCK!"

STEROPONY should be well known to many anime fans as the artists behind several notable anime themes. Their debut single "Hitohira No Hanabira" was the 17th ending theme for the famous anime series "BLEACH"; released on November 5, 2008 and ranked #25 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. Their 2nd single "Namida No Muko" was the second opening theme for the second season of the Sunrise series "Mobile Suit Gundam 00"; and achieved #2 in the Oricon charts.

STEREOPONY has toured internationally and experienced great success in the Oricon charts. In March 2009, the girls performed in SXSW 2009, and received a thunderous ovation.

Their 3rd single "I do it" is a collaboration with fellow Sony Music Entertainment Japan singer YUI, was released on April 22, 2009. Their debut studio album "A hydrangea blooms" was released on June 17, 2009 and ranked #7 on the Oricon weekly charts. STEROPONY's 5th single "TSUKIAKARI NO MICHISHIRUBE", also released with a tie-in with the second season of hit
anime series "Darker than Black" which ranked #8 on Oricon. After releasing 2 singles, in June 2010, the girls released their much anticipated 2nd studio album "OVER THE BORDER".

"Chiisana Mahou", the opening theme of anime series "Letter Bee REVERSE" was released on December 8th.  STEREOPONY collaborated with the band Kariyushi58 to produce the single "Tatoeba Utaenakunattara" released on August 10, 2011. The band's 10th single, "Arigat?", was released on September 28, 2011. The music video for "Arigat?", released on September 1, 2011, features film actor Abe Hiroshi; he is also on the cover of the version B release of the single.

STEREOPONY US tour dates!

§      4/10 (Tue): San Francisco - Slim's: www.slims-sf.com

§      4/11 (Wed): Hollywood-Los Angeles - Key Club: www.keyclub.com

§       4/12 (Thu): Santa Ana - YOST Theater: www.yosttheater.com

Please note that ALL Guest of Honor activities (i.e. panels, autographs, appearances, etc.) are ALL Passport preferred activities.  There will also be a private Meet & Greet event for Anaheim Hilton Room Block Attendees (room key proof is required).

Attendees can avoid the anticipated huge lines at autographs, premiere screenings, workshops, main events, concerts and panels by purchasing a Passport fast pass for the event.  The Passport fast pass will also provide holders with premier seating options at Main Events and at Concert events as well as major discounts with theme parks (including Disneyland and the grand opening of Cars Land, Knotts Berry Farm, etc.), retailers and local restaurants. Bypass the lines and get your Passport today and experience the difference!

AM2 current activities include Exhibit Hall, AMV's, Arcade, Summer Festival, Behind the Voice Actors Studio, Masquerade, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table Top, Console Gaming, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more!

AM2 Official Guests of Honor includes Andrea Libman, Quinton Flynn and Toshihiro Kawamoto.

AM2 Premieres, screenings and exclusive screenings include ACE ATTORNEY, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE STAR OF MILOS, KAIBUTSU-KUN THE MOVIE, KAIJI 2 and more!

Current Major Sponsors Include: Anime News Network and Snakebyte USA.

Follow us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/AM2Con

Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/AM2Con

About AM2
Located in Anaheim, California - AM2, established in 2010, is a multi-day (3 days) 24 hour event with no general attendance/badge purchase requirement and is aspiring to be a key meeting place for fans that share a common interest in Asian music, Animation/Anime, and Comics/Manga.  Nominal fees are charged for certain activities that attendees choose to participate in. AM2 will be held on June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center in sunny Anaheim, California.  More information can be found at www.am2con.org