X Japan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
||
|---|---|---|
 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 | |
| Label(s) | Extasy, Sony, Atlantic | |
| Associated acts |
Dope Headz, Hide with Spread Beaver, Ra:In, Violet UK | |
| Website | http://www.xjapan.ne.jp | |
| Former members | ||
| Toshi hide Pata Heath Yoshiki Taiji |
||
X Japan (エックス ジャパン?) was 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. On February 11, 2007 a possible reunion was announced; later, on March 21, Toshi confirmed on his site that he had spent some days at Yoshiki's studio rehearsing some parts of Without you. He also confirmed that the reformation would start soon.[2]
Contents |
History
X (1982–1992)
X 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.[3] 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.[4]
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).[5] 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 show 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.[6]
X Japan (1993–1997)
For 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".[7] and provided the Japanese contribution to the international Kiss tribute album Kiss My Ass, a orchestral arrangement of the song "Black Diamond".[8] 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.[9]
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.[10]
After the breakup
The former members of X Japan have since pursued various 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.[11]
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.[12] 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[13], producing singles for the Korean rock band TRAX [14][15] and working on his solo project Violet UK, which as of February 2007 has not yet published a major release. In late 2006 it was reported that there might be a future collaboration with pop/rock artist Gackt and former Luna Sea guitarist Sugizo.[16][17] In March 2007, Toshi announced on his website that he and Yoshiki had recently resumed working together, stating that their "new project" would start soon.[18]
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
- Hideto "hide" Matsumoto (松本秀人 Matsumoto Hideto) – lead guitar
- Tomoaki "Pata" Ishizuka (石塚智昭 Ishizuka Tomoaki) – rhythm guitar
- Hiroshi "Heath" Morie (森江博 Morie Hiroshi) – bass (from 1992)
- Yoshiki Hayashi (林佳樹 Hayashi Yoshiki) – drums and piano
- Taiji Sawada (沢田泰司 Sawada Taiji) – bass (until 1992)
Discography
References
- ^ a b All Music Guide biography'. allmusic.com.
- ^ http://www.naturallyart.net/new_project_english.html
- ^ Extasy Records company history. extasyrecords.co.jp.
- ^ Credits for Tokyo Pop. imdb.com.
- ^ Blue Blood Tour DVD re-release information. cdjapan.co.jp.
- ^ List of Japanese heavy metal samplers. japanesemetal.gooside.com.
- ^ "Foreign Sand" release information. queenpicturehall.com.
- ^ Kiss My Ass release information. kissfaq.com.
- ^ Eternal Melody release information. cdjapan.co.jp.
- ^ Interview with Toshi. naturallyart.net.
- ^ Neil Strauss' article on hide's death. nytimes.com.
- ^ Tribute Spirits release information. hide-city.com.
- ^ Globe profile. avexnet.or.jp.
- ^ "Scorpio" release information. cdjapan.co.jp.
- ^ "Rhapsody" release information. cdjapan.co.jp.
- ^ Interview with Yoshiki. jmusiceuropa.com.
- ^ News report regarding possible Sugizo involvement. sponichi.co.jp.
- ^ "New Project" announcement. naturallyart.net.
External links
- X Japan official website
- Toshi official website
- Hide official fan club
- Ra:In official website
- Heath official website
- Yoshiki official website
- Taiji official website
- Extasy Records official website
| X Japan |
| Members |
|---|
| Toshi | Hide | Pata | Heath | Yoshiki | Taiji |
| Discography |
| Studio albums: Vanishing Vision | Blue Blood | Jealousy | Art of Life | Dahlia |
| Singles: I'll Kill You | Orgasm | Kurenai | Endless Rain | Week End | Silent Jealousy | Standing Sex | Say Anything | Tears | Rusty Nail | Longing | Forever Love | Crucify My Love | Dahlia | Scars | The Last Song |
| Related articles |
| Extasy Records | Hide with Spread Beaver | Violet UK |
