One of many j-indies bands in, ah, Japan. Probably the greatest thing about Guitar Vader, comprised of Miki on guitar and Ujuan on bass (the pair shares vocal duties), is that their music is available free on the Internet.
Not that, after hearing their innovative garage rock that's reminiscent of the Pixies, the White Stripes, and the Hives, you wouldn't want to rush out and buy all of their albums, you corporate whore. (Is it corporate if you're supporting berry-records, an indie label? I wonder.) The albums, quite often decorated with bizarre little drawings in Miki's hand, are all brief and amazing affairs with modern Japanese music.
And 36 of these songs -- including several complete albums and EPs -- all can be streamed wonderfully from http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/233/guitar_vader.html.
It's likely if you've ever played Jet Set Radio on the Dreamcast or Jet Grind Radio Future on the Xbox, you've heard Guitar Vader.
Although it may seem like Guitar Vader hasn't released any new cuts since their last album, 2001's from dusk, they're still performing live in clubs and other venues. Also, a new song called BLUE VELVET also seems to be floating around. News of a new album is nonexistant. The offical Guitar Vader websites are fairly sparse.
http://www.guitarvader.com/
http://www.berry-records.com/GVR/index.html
http://www.plugs.jp/
Discography to follow; I'm going to bed. Why am I so tired?