D (Bio)

D

In March 2003, D was formed with their initial lineup of vocalist Asagi, guitarist Ruiza, drummer Hiroki, guitarist Sin, and bassist Rena. They released their first EP, New Blood on July 18. Soon after its release, Ruiza was hospitalized for an unknown illness and Sin decided to leave the band. D went on a short pause of activities from that point, however Asagi and Hiroki continued to play concerts under the name "Night of the Children" with a support guitarist, Hide-Zou. Once Ruiza was released from the hospital on September 27, D officially resumed activities with Hide-Zou replacing Sin on guitar. Two months after their reunion, they recorded their first single "Alice" which given away for free at only one show in Tokyo that November. On Jan 7 of the following year, they released their second EP Paradox.

D signed with the major record label Avex Trax in 2008. Their last indies tour was called Follow Me, and a DVD of footage from the final concert was released later in July. Their first major single called "Birth" was released on May 7. Their second major single, "Yami no Kuni no Alice/Hamon", was released on September 3. The title track was used as the theme for the Japanese movie "Twilight Syndrome: Dead-Go-Round", and the b-side track "Hamon" was used as the ending theme for the Nintendo DS game Twilight Syndrome. Their first major label-sponsored concert entitled Birth: Sora e no Kaiki was held on August 8, followed by their year's end Alice in Dark Edge tour.

Their first activity of 2009 was the release of their third major single, "Snow White". Then on February 25, they released their first major full-length album titled Genetic World. In the months following, they released a special combination concert photo book and live album D Tour 2008: Alice in Dark Edge Final, and a live DVD D Tour 2008: Alice in Dark Edge in March.
D's tour for Genetic World kicked off in April 2009 and ended that May. In September, Asagi opened a website for his company Rosen Kranz (Japanese) (God Child Records). Soon they announced the revival of Mad Tea Party Magazine, and it was decided that eleventh volume and eighth special edition photo book would be released on October 13. D's fourth major single "Tightrope" was released on September 23. A previously unreleased song "Day by Day" was soon announced to be the theme song for a dating simulation game for Japanese mobile phones called LoveφSummit, part of the Neo Romance series from KOEI, as well as the title track of a new single that was to be released on December 2.
The band's first single of 2010, "Kaze ga Mekuru Peji", was used as the opening theme for the television drama Shinsengumi Peacemaker, aired on TBS and MBS, and was scheduled for sale on March 10. Their second major album, titled 7th Rose in honor of their seven years of activity, was released later that month. A compilation DVD containing footage from their short television program Bara no Yakata, and several promotional videos from their independant and major releases was also released on March 31.


Members
Vox: Asagi
Gu: Ruiza, Hide-Zou
Ba: Tsunehito
Dr: Hiroki
Yrs
2003-
Status
Active
Label(s)
God Child Records, Avex Trax
Associated Acts
Night of the Children


Official Website

An Cafe (Bio)

An Cafe

An Cafe was formed in May 2003 by vocalist Miku, guitarist Bou and bassist Kanon. Miku's former band, Revirii, had disbanded two months earlier in April, and even though the band did not have a drummer at this point, they started to perform at several events. They were later joined by Teruki after he left his former band, Feathers-Blue.

In 2004, after their PMC failed to gain a strong foothold, An Cafe released their first demos and signed a record deal with Loop Ash. Their first release, "Candyholic", was released in March and reached the second spot on the Oricon indies single chart. The band continued touring and releasing, including their first album, Shikisai Moment, in 2005. The band released even more singles in 2006 until their second studio album, Magnya Carta (a play on "Magna Carta").

In 2007, the band announced their first overseas appearance at Project A-Kon. The announcement of this was followed shortly by the departure of guitarist Bou. The last performance with Bou was on April 30, 2007, and was featured in a DVD titled Hibiya On ☆The☆ 0 New Sekai. After Bou left the band, two new members were announced: Takuya was to replace Bou as the guitarist and Yu-ki was to join An Cafe as a keyboardist. The first single with their new lineup was announced as "Kakusei Heroism" followed by "Ryūsei Rocket". At the end of 2007, An Cafe announced their first overseas tour, taking place in Europe in 2008.
In the opening weeks of 2008, An Cafe announced their upcoming single, "Cherry Saku Yuki!!", in February, as well as their next studio album, Gokutama Rock Cafe, which was released on April 9, 2008.An Cafe's first EP, Harajuku Dance Rock, was released by the LA based Maru Music on March 13, 2009. This special release was made exclusively for overseas fans in North America and Europe.
BB Parallel World, An Cafe's fourth studio album, was released in Japan on September 9, 2009; and in Europe on October 2, 2009. It contains title track singles "Aroma", "Summer Dive" and "Natsu Koi ★ Natsu GAME", and eight other songs.
In 2010, An Cafe announced that they will be taking a break from activities. It is unknown as to how long they will be on hiatus, but they have not stated they will be disbanding. The message, issued on their official homepage, claims that "after the Budokan show, each member will concentrate on their own activity to be prepared for the band to restart in the future." The aforementioned Nippon Budokan show took place on January 4, 2010.
In wake of the hiatus, several members are now involved in other projects. Kanon is heading a mobile phone game called Pinky☆Distortion, which is to be released in July 2010. He will also be a guest at Otakon 2010 as a panelist and a guest DJ. Miku is serving as the vocalist for the new visual-kei band, Lc5, which started in June 2010.

Members
Vox: Miku
Gu: Takuya
Ba: Kanon
Dr: Teruki
Keys: Yu~Ki
Yrs
2004-2009
Status
On Hiatus
Label(s)
Loop Ash, Music Ray'n, Red Cafe (Japan), Sony BMG (Korea), Gan-Shin (Europe), Maru Music (US)

Official Website

ACCESS (Bio)

Access

Access (earlier known as AXS) is a popular Japanese music group. Its members are Daisuke Asakura and Hiroyuki Takami; it is a part of Sony Music Japan.

Access was formed in 1991 after singer Hiroyuki Takami performed as a guest vocalist for up-and-coming songwriter/producer Daisuke Asakura.

The two went on to record three albums before announcing their break-up in 1995 for unknown reasons.

In 2002, they reunited with much fanfare.
AXS is their written nickname. While spelt AXS, it is actually not an "X" but two inturned arrows ("A-><-S"). The nickname was coined by Takami. It first appeared on the group's debut album "Fast Access" on the last page of the lyrics book. AXS replaced the group's name on their third single "Naked Desire." The logo has many variations depending on its use.
There is only one album that has "AXS" credited as the group's name: "AXS Remix Best Tracks." In all albums from 1993-1995 song production was credited as "songs by AXS."
Before their reunion in 2002, the logo and nickname have not been used, except as credits for remixed songs on the album and tour DVDs of "Crossbridge."
In 2006 (for the "blanc" and "rouge" tour), AXS reappeared sporting a coat of arms for the tour's logo.
In 2007, the duo performed the opening theme of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion STAGE24 & 25, and did the third opening of D.Gray-Man, and the PV for that song can be seen now as well.
In July, 2008, their new single "Dream Runner" was aired as the opening theme of a TV drama series Here is Greenwood.

Members
Takami Hiroyuki
Asakura Daisuke
Years
1992-1995, 2002-
Status
Unknown...
Lable(s)
Fun House
Antinos
Sony Music

Official Website

12012 (Bio)

12012

12012 ( ichi nī zero ichi ni) is a Japanese rock band. Formed in 2003 in Osaka Prefecture, the group centers its work around the concept of "madness inside a human" (人間の内面における狂気 ningen no naimen ni okeru kyōki). 12012 is also the penal code for the possession of a dangerous weapon in California. The group sometimes performs as "kyōki shoji" (凶器所持), which is a translation of that offense. They are a visual kei band, and consider their appearance as part of the way they express their music.

In 2007, the band performed the ending theme, Cyclone, to the Gonzo anime TV series, Romeo x Juliet, its single being released by Universal Music Japan on June 13, 2007. The group has also toured Japan on many occasions as well as performing at concerts in numerous international locations.

Members
Vox: Miyawaki Wataru
Gu: Sakai Hiroaki, Suga Yusuke
Ba: Enya Tomoyuki
Dr: Kawauchi Toru
Years
2003-
Status
Active
Label(s)
Under Code
Universal Music Japan
Back Coat

Official Site

SPELL MAGIC (7/18/2007)

SPELL MAGIC
1. SPELL MAGIC
2. SHAININ ON Kimi ga Kanashi
Download

-Oz-

really incomplete...more on the way

viridian (5/5/10)
1. Rain Delay
2. Protect code
3. Blackout
Download

wisteria (2/24/10)
1. Pressed Flower
2. Retrograde
3. Another Reign
Download

White Pallet (12/28/09)
1. White Pallet
Download

Detox (4/1/09)
1. Detox
2. Public Speaker
3. Nerve[Less]
Download

Venom (3/4/09)
1. Venom
2. Perfect Ruler
3. NEVER [F]
4. Butterfly -live ver-
Download

Spiral (9/3/08)
1. CLOVER
2. MirroR
Download

Bulk (7/30/08)
1. Butterfly
2. Blot
Download

Zum Geburtstag, viel Gluck

Happy Birthday Gackt!
May your excellence in body and voice continue for another 470 years!

A video for your enjoyment!

The REAL Band of the Month: Kaya

Yeah so...did you (as if someone actually reads this?) really think I would leave that as BotM, when so many AMAZING things are coming out? It was actually a hard decision between Kaya, Gazette, D, and ViVid. If more people read this, it would have totally been ViVid, because they are amazing, and totally desire more recognition. Butwe only have twelve followers...and I doubt they read these (hey...someone should totally prove me wrong...). I ended up picking Kaya because SHIVER disappointed me and she (yes, I said she. It's a crime to refer to such a gorgeous person with a male pronoun...or should be at least) has more releases than D. That and her birthday is this month.

So here goes!

(hey...can anyone tell me what that is on the plate?)

Bio

Kaya, also known as the Vocal Queen or Queen Kaya, was born on July 17 in Tokushima Prefecture.  He started his music career around 1999 in a band named Meties. Together they released 4 songs, a demo named RECUR to MIND + one omnibus song called ｢痛の空｣(Gekitsuu no Sora). After that he joined ISOLA, they brought out 2 releases: 2-track CD release called Egoiste Butterfly and a demo called Over. He then met Hora after one of Velvet Eden’s concerts, and shortly after they started Rudolf Steiner. They released two demo tapes, Queen of Decadence and Perfect Garden, before they changed their name to Schwarz Stein. Kaya changed his name from ｢姫｣(Hime) to "Kaya" and they signed to Mana's label, Midi:Nette. As Schwarz Stein they released 2 albums and 2 singles. In 2004 due to differences of their musical goals, they disbanded and started solo careers. However, in April of 2006 the two released a collaboration CD under the name Another Cell; Hora also wrote a few songs for Kaya’s first album. In April 2005 he announced release of his first single Kaleidoscope, it was released in July and followed by release of second single Masquerade in September. On the 26th of December, Kaya released his first album Glitter. It was announced early 2007 that Kaya would take part in a "Theatrical Rock Show" along with KAMIJO, Juka, HIZAKI, and 勇(Yuu) called ｢ノード・オブ・スケルツォ｣(Node of Scherzo). They had their first appearance at X-day on March 14th, and it was done as a rock opera, where they acted out a play, singing it entirely. They had another appearance as Node of Scherzo on May 4, 2007 on the last day of their X-day II concerts. Back on his solo career, in April of 2007 his 3rd single ｢桜花繚乱｣(Ouka Ryouran) was released, with the theme of sakura/cherry blossoms. Though his solo project seems to be successful, Kaya said that one day he might join a band again or do a joint project with someone, but for now with his solo project he is trying to "express decadence and beauty in a way that's easy to understand" and would like to "establish an aesthetic genre of music".

(Thank to Rose Addict on Livejournal for this excellent Bio. For the first time ever, Wiki has failed me!)

Yrs
1999- (ongoing)
Status
Active
Label(s)
Midi:Nette, next media communications inc.
Associated Acts
Meities, Isola, Schwartz Stein (Rudolf Steiner), Velvet Eden, Another Cell

Discography

Albums
Glitter
Glitter (Best of Indies)

Minis
Kaya Meikyoku Series 1: BonJour! Chanson
Hyakkiyakou

Singles
Kaleidoscope
Masquerade
Ouka Ryouran
Carmilla
Chocolat
Last Snow
Ophelia

My Pick

Chocolat

download

JULY UPDATES

been quiet around here..... sorry. will get stuff up again shortly...deathgaze, oz and bonamana soon~ but it looks like lola beat me to the punch xD

.:JULY:.
VIRGENOW - mourouhai to shisu [single] – Jul 1
KISAKI - MONOLOGUE [revival program DVD] – Jul 1
rainman - rakujitsu / ao [single] – Jul 1
ALiBi - SUMMER PARTY [live-limited one-coin single] – Jul 2
D'eiz - Raspberry Romance [live-distributed single] – Jul 4
ELECTNINE - End of Relation [live-limited single] – Jul 4
m:a.ture - Soleil [maxi-single] – Jul 6
meth. - CAN'T COME BACK [single] – Jul 7
Levia - Fairly Scale [single] – Jul 7
ViViD - Precious [single] – Jul 7
Aldious - Defended Desire [single] – Jul 7
SKULL - kagerou / souen [single] – Jul 7
vistlip - Hameln [single] – Jul 7
Sel'm - ARROWS [single] – Jul 7
ICe0AGe - ZERO [single] – Jul 7
MASQUERADE - Sweet Rain Ruby Sky [single] – Jul 7
SADS - The 7 Deadly Sins [album] – Jul 7
girugamesh - COLOR [single] – Jul 7
lilt - kiken〜kiku nayo！zettai ni kiku nayo！〜) [mini-album] – Jul 7
Polysics - Budokan Or Die!!!! 2010.3.14 [live DVD] – Jul 7
PaRADEiS - Loli★lollipop [single] – Jul 7
Rhetoric. - hotaru [digital single] – Jul 7
canzel - BeST SONGS-SOFT TRACKS- [best album] – Jul 7
canzel - BeST SONGS-HARD TRACKS- [best album] – Jul 7
Plastic Tree - ALL TIME THE BEST [album] – Jul 7
awoi - awoi [selection album] – Jul 7
Irokui. - owaranai sekai no utaikata LIVE [LIVE DVD] – Jul 7
HOLSTEIN - HOLSTEIN anthology [best album] – Jul 7
HOLSTEIN - A HOLSTEIN film～eschatology～ [LAST LIVE DVD] – Jul 7
ex-XodiacK Gt. hizuki session band orochimaru - Title Unknown– Jul 9
12012 - SEVEN [album] – Jul 14
gaudie. -CRASH shuushigata-kanshou [single] – Jul 14
TOON-FACTORY - Heart [mini-album] – Jul 14
The KIDDIE - smile [single] – Jul 14
hitotsume - shuushoku grand guignol [album] – Jul 14
NightingeiL -tsurisage no koi [mini-album] – Jul 14
guruguru eigakan - aru ahou no hansei kouhen [album] – Jul 14
DELUHI – the farthest [single] – Jul 14
Luzmelt - Lunartail [live-limited one-coin single] – Jul 14
Dear L’Novel – The last recollection [single] – Jul 14
LuLu - taidou [single] – Jul 15
GREGORY - IN VAIN [single] – Jul 16
Kaya - Sugar Rose [live-distributed single] – Jul 17
PRIMEADDICT - Title Unknown [live-distributed DVD] – Jul 17
Rosalie - Re:boot [live-distributed single] – Jul 17
Un=(XAG) - kaleidoscope [single] – Jul 18
the GazettE - SHIVER [single] – Jul 21
Dolly - GOTHIC PARTY [digital single] – Jul 21
GAIN01 - The LASTNAME [single] – Jul 21
DOES - Title Unknown [best album] – Jul 21
neon - Sweet Hearts [single] – Jul 21
Jackman - Multi Color Freeks [single] – Jul 21
kannivalism - she said, under the helios. [live DVD] – Jul 21
GOLDEN BOMBER - kamihanki best 2010 [album] – Jul 21
GOLDEN BOMBER - GOLDEN HOUR vol.1 [DVD] – Jul 21
GOLDEN BOMBER - GOLDEN HOUR vol.2 [DVD] – Jul 21
baddies - kyoufuu hello!!-OTOMETIC NEO ANNIVERSARY- [live DVD] – Jul 21
ACIDMAN - DEAR FREEDOM [single] – Jul 21
CODE7203-KineSicS - DOGネコCAT [digital single] – Jul 21
daisuke to kuro no injatachi - iya [single] – Jul 21
GACKT - THE ELEVENTH DAY [single collection album] – Jul 21
Rubik - parallel ryuuseigun [single] – Jul 22
Butterfly Effect - sakura shiboujikoku [live-distributed single] – Jul 22
D'LORE - Voice of quantum [single] – Jul 22
Sensmith - ATOMS [album] – Jul 23
REIRA - yami no naka de usureyuku kioku [single] – Jul 25
Bi;shop - tsundere rockin' peace) [live-limited one-coin demo single] – Jul 27
chemical pictures - sekai wo utta otoko case 3 hinawajuu [single] – Jul 28
GACKT - EVER [single] – Jul 28
Plastic Tree - Moonlight [single] – Jul 28
Secilia Luna - Auroral Sky [single] – Jul 28
Angelo - El Dorado [single] – Jul 28
LIX. - seimei no shuuen [single] – Jul 28
D - akaki hitsuji ni yoru bansankai [single] – Jul 28
Kaya - Awilda-アヴィルダ- [single] – Jul 28
LIX. - seimei no shuuen [single] – Jul 28
GLACIER - Kariyushi [digital single] – Jul 28
MoNoLith - Postscript [single] – Jul 28
VII-Sense - Title Unknown [single] – Jul 28
LOST ASH(f.k.a. Ocelot) - innerCORE [single] – Jul 28
D'espairsRay - MONSTERS [album] – Jul 28
Cinema S'trip - tenjoutenge yuigadokuson [single] – Jul 28
wakeshima kanon - shoujo shikake no libretto [album] – Jul 28
EsoLLa(f.k.a. SOUND of DRUG) - div [single] – Jul 29
LICKER - Last GAME [single] – Jul 29

Band of The Month: (SPECIAL) Flock of Seagulls

Alright, Kris. In honor of your birth month, here is your chosen BotM!

Flock of Seagulls

Bio:

A Flock of Seagulls was started by Mike Score and his brother Ali in 1979 in Liverpool. Mike, who was previously a hairdresser, played keyboards, guitar, and vocals, Ali played drums and their friend Frank Maudsley played bass. The band took their name from a line in the song "Toiler on the Sea" by The Stranglers, which appears on their album Black and White. The band added guitarist Willie Woo, and Mark Edmondson joined briefly when Ali and Mike had a falling out; however, Ali re-joined when Mark took ill. They then began writing songs. Soon after, Willie left, allowing Paul Reynolds to join. They then started playing clubs and eventually got a recording contract.

Eventually, under the management of Tommy Crossan and Mick Rossi (Checkmount Limited), they began to release singles through Jive Records. The group released an EP and a couple of singles, 'Its Not Me Talking' and 'Telecommunication' on Bill Nelson's 'Cocteau' label; both tracks produced by Nelson. In 1982 the group's third single "I Ran (So Far Away)" became a worldwide hit, most notably reaching number 1 in Australia and the top 10 in the US and New Zealand (where the band became popular). The parent album A Flock of Seagulls and another single "Space Age Love Song" were also successful. In late 1982 the band found major success in their home country with "Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)" (first single from their next album) which reached the top 10. As it turned out, 1982 would prove to be the peak year of their commercial and critical success. The band is regarded as breaking the ground for other musical acts during the advent of the video music area.
1983 saw the release of three singles to back their second album Listen. Each was only a minor success in the UK and abroad. The album bore a heavily processed electronic sound that was a break from the Duran Duran guitar and bass driven sound of their début. Faced with disappointment the group produced a third album in 1984 that leant closer to a guitar sound. "The More You Live, The More You Love" was The Story of a Young Heart's lead single. It was moderately successful, despite having production that recalled their breakout hit "I Ran". The album's other two singles - "Never Again (The Dancer)" and "Remember David" - didn't make any headway.
Faced with sliding sales and a loss of direction following the third album the group relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania minus Paul Reynolds. Eventually in 1985 the group released a new album; Dream Come True. Despite having a new sound based around the Fairlight Synthesizer the album was critically panned and a commercial failure. The remaining members fell out and A Flock Of Seagulls in its original incarnation disbanded. In promotion of Dream Come True, two videos - "Who's That Girl" and "Heartbeat Like a Drum" - were filmed in quick succession. These two videos were the last time the three remaining members were together in a recording or performance capacity until 2004.
In November 2003, the original line-up (Mike and Ali Score, Paul Reynolds and Frank Maudsley) reunited for a one-off performance on the VH1 series, Bands Reunited. In September 2004, they reformed again and played a small number of live shows in the United States, but broke up immediately afterward.
Although parodied in later years, the band is now recognized as a pioneering act, capturing the zeitgeist of their time, particularly with multi-layered hits such as "Space Age Love Song", Telecommunication and Modern Love is Automatic

Members:
Vox, Keys: Mike Score
Gu: Paul Reynolds
Ba: Frank Maudsley
Dr: Ali James Score
Yrs
1979-1984
Label(s)
Cocteau, Jive, Artista, Quality
Status
Inactive

Discography

Albums
Modern Love Is Automatic EP
A Flock of Seagulls
Listen
The Story of a Young Heart
Dream Come True
The Light at the End of the World

Singles
(It's Not Me) Talking
Telecommunication (song)
I Ran (So Far Away)
Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)
Nightmares
Transfer Affection
The More You Live, The More You Love
Never Again (The Dancer)
Remember David
Who's That Girl (She's Got It)
Heartbeat Like a Drum
Magic
Burnin' Up
Rainfall

Compilations

The Best Of A Flock Of Seagulls 1991

20 Classics Of The 80's 1995
Wishing (compilation album) 1996
The Best Of A Flock Of Seagulls (Import) 1998
Greatest Hits Remixed 1999
I Ran (live album) 1999
Platinum & Gold Collection 2003
Essential New Wave 2003
I Ran: The Best Of A Flock Of Seagulls 2003
We Are The 80's 2006
Space Age Love Songs 2008
Playlist: The Very Best Of A Flock Of Seagulls (compilation album) 2008