OUR FIRST BAND!!
X Japan
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Left to right: Yoshiki, Toshi, Hide, Pata, Heath
Background information
Origin Chiba, Japan
Genre(s) Heavy metal, power metal, progressive metal, speed metal
Years active 1982–1997
2007–present
Label(s) Extasy, Sony, Atlantic
Associated
acts Hide with Spread Beaver, Skin, Zilch
Website www.xjapan.ne.jp
Members
Toshi
Pata (tentative)
Heath(tentative)
Yoshiki
Former members
Hide (deceased)
Taiji
X Japan (エックス ジャパン, X Japan?) is a popular Japanese band founded in 1982 by drummer and pianist Yoshiki Hayashi and vocalist Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama.[1] Originally named X (エックス), the group achieved its breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second album Blue Blood. They started out as a power/speed metal band and later gravitated towards a progressive sound, at all times retaining an emphasis on ballads. After three more albums, X Japan disbanded in 1997. The group has sold over twenty million records and over two million videos (on VHS and DVD).[2] On June 4, 2007 it was confirmed that the band will reunite, with a new single and a tour tentatively scheduled for later this year.[3]
Contents [hide]
1 History
1.1 X (1982–1992)
1.2 X Japan (1993–1997)
1.3 After the breakup
1.4 Reunion (2007)
2 Lineup
3 Discography
4 References
5 External links
[edit] History
[edit] X (1982–1992)
X circa 1989X released their first single "I'll Kill You" on Dada Records in 1985. To ensure a continuous outlet for the band's publications, Yoshiki founded the independent label Extasy Records in the following year on which a second single ("Orgasm") was released, as well as the group's debut album, Vanishing Vision in 1988.[4] X's lineup at that time consisted of Toshi on vocals, Hideto "Hide" Matsumoto on lead guitar, Tomoaki "Pata" Ishizuka on rhythm guitar, Taiji Sawada on bass and Yoshiki on drums and piano.[1] The band makes a cameo in the 1988 comedy Tokyo Pop, starring the late Carrie Hamilton and Diamond Yukai.[5]
After being signed on by Sony Records, the band's second album Blue Blood was released in 1989 and spawned several successful singles, such as "Kurenai" and "Endless Rain", as well as a VHS containing one of the concerts of the subsequent tour (later re-released on DVD).[6] Recordings for the follow-up album Jealousy took place in Los Angeles. It was released in July 1991 and shortly followed by the band's first performance in Japan's largest live venue, the Tokyo Dome. The later show in the dome would later be released both on CD and VHS/DVD.
By 1992 the band's ongoing success in Japan made an international breakthrough appear likely enough to warrant the renaming to "X Japan", in order to distinguish the group from the United States punk band X. Around the same time, Taiji was replaced by Hiroshi "Heath" Morie, supposedly due to creative differences with Yoshiki. He went on to work with Loudness and Cloud Nine. While still named X, the band appeared on two heavy metal samplers, Heavy Metal Force III and Skull Thrash Zone Volume I.[7]
[edit] X Japan (1993–1997)
Promotional image for the release of Art of LifeFor the release of their next album, X Japan left Sony and signed a deal with Atlantic Records. Art of Life was released in August 1993, notable for containing only the almost 29 minutes long title track, which would only be performed twice for a live audience. By then, the members of the group also maintained several side projects. For example, 1994 saw the release of Hide's first solo album, Hide Your Face, which featured a distinctively different sound from X Japan's music, leaning more towards alternative rock. Yoshiki collaborated with Queen drummer Roger Taylor on the single "Foreign Sand".[8] and provided the Japanese contribution to the international Kiss tribute album Kiss My Ass, an orchestral arrangement of the song "Black Diamond".[9] A compilation with orchestral treatments of X Japan songs, titled Eternal Melody was also released. It was performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and among others featured The Beatles producer George Martin as an arranger.[10]
In 1996, Dahlia, the band's first studio album in more than three years was released, though with relatively little new material, given that singles included on the record had been coming out as early as a few months after Art of Life. Around that time, the group dropped most of its original visual kei aesthetics in favor of a more casual look. Dahlia would be the band's last major release, since vocalist Toshi left the group, the subsequent dissolution being officially announced in September 1997. X Japan performed their farewell show at the Toyko Dome on December 31, making it the last of five consecutive New Year's Eves the group performed in that stadium.
Much has been made of Toshi's departure, including allegations of him joining a cult and being influenced by it. Toshi has since denied these claims, stating that his decision to leave X Japan dated back as far as April 1996, more than a year before he met the organization's leader, Masaya and that the glamorous, success-oriented life of a rock star failed to satisfy him emotionally, as opposed to a simpler life and career.[11]
[edit] After the breakup
X Japan at the end of their last concertWhile re-issues, compilations and live footage continue to be released until today,[12] the former members of X Japan have since pursued various other projects: Hide continued his solo career as Hide with Spread Beaver, which now formally included his previous live band. The group did not last long though, due to Hide's death in May 1998, which left fans and colleagues equally surprised and shocked.[13]
Pata and Heath, along with Spread Beaver percussionist/programmer I.N.A. founded Dope Headz in 2001 which released two albums but then ceased activity. The trio also provided a track for the Hide tribute album Tribute Spirits.[14] Heath is currently pursuing a solo career and Pata is a member of Ra:In (an acronym for "rock and inspiration").
Yoshiki has engaged in numerous activities, such as being briefly a member of the pop band Globe[15], producing singles for the Korean rock band TRAX [16][17] and working on his solo project Violet UK, which as of February 2007 has not yet published a major release. On May 25, 2007, the formation of the supergroup Skin was announced, which besides Yoshiki consists of pop/rock artists Gackt and Miyavi, as well as former Luna Sea guitarist Sugizo. The band will give its debut at the Anime Expo convention in Long Beach, California on June 29, 2007.[18]
[edit] Reunion (2007)
In March 2007, Toshi announced on his website that he and Yoshiki had recently resumed working together, stating that a "new project" would start soon.[19] A reunion was officially announced on June 4, 2007, with Yoshiki confirming a tour, as well as a new single (a re-recording of the song "Without You", originally from Yoshiki's 2005 solo album Eternal Melody II) to be well underway and that he is currently in talks with Heath and Pata, regarding their participation. About ten, yet to be disclosed guitarists are to fill in for the late Hide during concerts.[3]
[edit] Lineup
As with numerous other Japanese bands, the members of X Japan were usually credited with their first or stage names.
Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama (出山利三, Deyama Toshimitsu?) – vocals
Tomoaki "Pata" Ishizuka (石塚智昭 Ishizuka Tomoaki) – rhythm guitar
Hiroshi "Heath" Morie (森江博 Morie Hiroshi) – bass (since 1992)
Yoshiki Hayashi (林佳樹 Hayashi Yoshiki) – drums and piano
Hideto "Hide" Matsumoto (松本秀人 Matsumoto Hideto) – lead guitar (until 1997)
Taiji Sawada (沢田泰司 Sawada Taiji) – bass (until 1992)
[edit] Discography
Main article: X Japan discography
"Vanishing Love" (file info) — play in browser (beta)
from the album Vanishing Vision
"Kurenai" (紅) (file info) — play in browser (beta)
from the album Blue Blood
"Joker" (file info) — play in browser (beta)
from the album Jealousy
"Tears" (file info) — play in browser (beta)
from the album Dahlia
Tomarrow will be....*DRUM ROLL*.....MOI DIX MOIS!
~Kyoko
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X Japan InFo!