From Miho to Fami | LOVEBITES Journey to Judgement Day

LOVEBITES Journey from 2021 to 2023 losing Miho, gaining Fami and leading to Judgement Day Album.
↓ Help Support What I Do!↓
ONE-TIME DONATION:

↓ Make Your Own Requests Here↓

Mailing Address:
Wave Potter
PO Box 1434
Hudson, WI 54016

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Thank you to all my Patrons!

#wavepotter #lovebites #fami

[bishopsteiner]

I was big into Lovebites before you really made the turn, being more of a oldschool metalhead, and with bands like Iron Maiden being among my all time favorites. So I was gobsmacked when Miho announced her departure, though in retrospect, if you watched her demeanor in the last few live sets, you could see something was off. Not musically, which was tight as ever, but Miho seemed detached, emotionally, from her surroundings.

Japanese bands are pretty tight lipped about their personals (respect!), but I always felt it was a combo of never quite getting over the loss of her father (Journey to the Other Side is in his memory), the amount of idle time the Pandemic left her with her doubts/depression, and possibly a split in direction for the sound of the band. Regardless that's speculation, and I wish nothing but the best for Miho with her current and future pursuits.

I have been very happy with what Fami has brought to the band, in her technique, attitude and energy. She is insanely talented, and on the whole a more technical bass player than Miho (Miho herself focused on show and energy over straight technique by her own words). SO I am delighted to see that the first Metal Band I have truly fallen in love with since discovering Nightwish 16 years ago, not only didn't break up, but is rising, showing that in their own words they CAN build it again.

My sole disappointment has been the manner in which so many fans have suddenly taken embracing Fami as an oppurtunity to shit on Miho. Even Alan on his Dicodec channel has tossed some shade, though I doubt it was intentional (just Alan's usual Monster imbued bull in a china shop approach to.. well... everything, lol). And I find that truly petty and sad. Miho is and was a great bass player, very much in the vein of Steve Harris, whom nobody would think to belittle the skills of.

And when I hear folk say "Oh tapping, well Miho NEVER did that" (incorrect, she did in Holy Wars, and EXTENSIVELY in their cover of Eagles Fly Free), or "Oh, a bass intro, Miho never did that! (Again, wrong, Scream For Me has a very similar bass intro), it tells me that folk either really don't know the Lovebites discography well, or are just easily excited by flash. Neither of which allows for a fair appraisal of Miho's skill, or importance to the band (which literally would not exist without her).

And none of that is to diminish Fami. Fami is the future. And her skill set will indeed bring a lot of great things to Lovebites going forward. But the entire Album is available on Lovebite's youtube playlists. And this may shock people? But aside from a handful of instances? She is playing the exact same role Miho did, and most people on a listen would never know it was two different bassists.

But even as you mentioned, Fami had to learn new techniques herself, such as Miho's gallop. The real test will come down to endurance though. Because if you isolate most of Miho's basslines, they are every bit an exercise in sheer stamina that Haruna's double kicks are. And from what we've seen with Fami, she is just as desirous to be busy. I do hope she will be able to do it on a full tour schedule 2-3 hrs a night though, which is one helluva lot different than anything she has done yet. I expect some of that might be playing into the somewhat light announced touring schedule, to give her a chance to get into the swing. Just look at how much the US tour took out of poor Mincho after the 2 years off from the pandemic.

Regardless, well done video, apologies for my rambling, currently fighting COVID and the attendant brain fog. But I very much look forward to what the rejuvenated, resurrected Lovebites has in store for us.

And equally await to see what projects Miho lands upon in the future.

[ChadTheDragonLord]

Fami was clearly the best choice. I watched the full documentary today and it shows even more why Fami was chosen. In the video, Fami also shares her background with heavy metal music, which erased the remaining doubs I had.

[airtioteclint]

Add the fact that Fami already had a huge fan base. She has more subscribers than the band itself, who will almost certainly support the band because of her, and become new fans.

[ChuckJansenII]

Wave, excellent video. Fami does have a sparkle to her, no doubt.
Probably the worst thing Lovebites could have done was hire another Miho. Losing such a great part of your band requires out of the box thinking to find someone who can be different and had to the texture of the music.
I love what I have heard so far from Fami in Lovebites.

[alekhidell]

Thank you for a really impressive summary of 18 months of angst and two months of bliss. And two weeks today, I get to stand in front of Fami as she takes the stage to an audience for the very first time. Rest assured she will get a welcome she could only have dreamt of.

[thArmoredVet]

This was great Wave! I always look forward to your docs because they're informative and entertaining! Love this one!

[Mrlovebitten]

This was a great video wave well done and I ain’t going to lie there was a few spots in there that brought back the memories of when Miho and LOVEBITES made the announcement and it brought back the tears…but it’s nice to see them back at it and determined more than ever to do what they do best play heavy metal 🤘

[Daniel_Colavecchio]

Thanks for this Wave. I was one of those that LOVEBITES had grown to be my favorite band and really thought it was over. I was so happy that the band has regrouped and really enjoy the new lineup and album. Continue the good work. Peace

[jawosammadennhier]

Very good and impressing summary of that time of changes. Thank you so much for sharing these pieces of information and your knowledge with us.
Your appreciation for Lovebites clearly comes through, and why should it not. They are an exceptional and outstanding, a unique, an incomparable band. A phenomenon. I am running out of descriptions.
It still feels so unreal to me, that I got to know them (= heard of their existence) just 5 weeks ago, and that I already feel deeply connected with them and their purpose to shine a light in the Metal world. Often I think, "They are too good to be true." In my opinion, Fami fits in just perfectly. My she be one more diamond in the midst of the other four.

[Donegal]

It will be hard to see videos without Miho, but Fami seems to be a very good fit into the band. There is no doubt that she is extremely talented.

[richardcottrell]

Excellent summary!
Having just finding out that FAMI has never played in front of a live audience before it is hard to imagine what that would be like? 20 years old joining arguably the best live metal band in the world today is mind blowing! Hope the members give her the support she might need.
What an awesome experience for her!

[xIko]

5:30 "Born entertainer"... What a word !!! I note that ! 👍

[gauw]

As a metal band bass player, I like Miho's playing style. In MIHO's performance, you can hear the sound flow of the entire band in sync.

[DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

Fami Fami Fami! yes Wave I was one of those that deeply felt the loss of Miho (although they are not My favourite band) but was ready and willing to stick with them thru that hiatus, just knowing it would be ok and that they would find somebody to fill the spot that would best suit them as a group rather than JUST a Musician.

[jon]

Wave, another killer mini documentary. Arigatogozaimasu!

[donaldvanderlinden]

THAT'S A GREAT VIDEO, WAVE ! YOU NAILED THE WHOLE PROCESS AND HOW THEY FOUND, FAMI !

[hoges]

Nice summary Wave. I'm blown away by how well Fami has integrated with the band so far.
I think the first live gig will be her real test, given that her entire career to date has been playing to a camera and an online audience. Hopefully she will overcome any initial nerves and feed off the energy of the crowd.
I wonder if they've thought of holding a preliminary shakedown show, appearing at a smaller venue under an assumed name? Some bigger bands have done this, including Nightwish when they were getting back on the road. Also a great thrill for the audience who are in the know. And it would give Fami the chance to acclimatise as it were to live performing, before the pressure of the first major public show.

[TheCyberMantis]

Nice synopsis on the whole scenario. Good info, especially for newer fans, who were not in the wolfpack when this whole thing started.

[rainerzufall]

That was really a great summary. I'm happy, that they've had a great bassist and band leader then, and they have a great bassist now, that fits perfectly into this group. My few doubts were soon blown away, and I feel, that they go through a very natural development. During the hiatus, they've gotten even better. That 4th album "Judgement Day" is insane, although it wasn't a very easy process!

[kielanuar]

Sad memory, time for re-plan(hiatus)+ composing but they move on. Even stronger now..salute to Lovebites