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