Heath (musician)

Heath
Birth name	Hiroshi Morie
Also known as	HEATH, heath
Born	January 22, 1968 (1968-01-22)
Origin	Amagasaki, Hyogo, Japan
Genres	Rock, heavy metal
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, bassist, musician, record producer
Instruments	Vocals, bass guitar, guitar
Years active	1986–present
Labels	Primitive, Polydor
Associated acts	X Japan, Dope HEADz, Lynx, Media Youth/Sweet Death, Paranoia
Website	heath.co.jp
Notable instruments
Fernandes FJB-115H, Burny WB-X

Hiroshi Morie (森江 博, Morie Hiroshi, born January 22, 1968 in Amagasaki, Japan), better known by his stage name Heath, is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as bassist of the popular heavy metal group X Japan. He joined the group in 1992, replacing Taiji Sawada on bass. Their first release with him was their album Art of Life, he stayed with them until their dissolution in 1997 and reunited with the band from 2007 onward.

After the breakup he focused on his solo carer, until 2000 when he founded Dope HEADz with fellow X Japan guitarist Pata and former Spread Beaver percussionist/programmer I.N.A.. The group ceased activity after its second album in 2002. Heath has since resumed his solo career and is currently participating in the X Japan reunion.

Career

Heath's first known band was the metal group Paranoia which he joined in 1986 as bassist, their vocalist Nov would go on to the popular metal band Aion. They released one album in 1987 before splitting up, in 1988 he joined Sweet Beet as vocalist for a year. In 1991 he played at Extasy Records' "Extasy Summit '91" with a band called Majestic Isabelle. In April 1992 he joined Sweet Death, whom he had previously played with in 1990. Sweet Death was a band produced by Extasy Records, that same year the band's new leader Kiyoshi (who years later would join Spread Beaver), decided to change their name to Media Youth. Heath wouldn't stay with them long, because in May hide, whom he had gotten to know through Extasy, invited him to join X Japan. In June he left Media Youth, and on August 24 it was announced that he had joined X.

In 1995, Heath released his first solo album, Heath and his second, Gang Age Cubist, in 1998. On December 31, 1997, X Japan played their last concert and on May 2, 1998, hide died. For the 1999 hide tribute album, Tribute Spirits, Heath teamed up with X Japan guitarist Pata and former Spread Beaver percussionist/programmer I.N.A. to cover the song "Celebration". He would reunite with them again in 2000 when they formed Dope HEADz, adding vocalist Jo:Ya. They released two singles and an album, when in 2002 they recruited new singer Shame and released Planet of Dope. Soon after its release they would cease activity.

On December 29, 2003 he announced a new project called Rats, but after the release of their re-recording of Heath's "Traitor", the project was ended on August 29, 2004. That same year he formed a band called Lynx, with Der Zibet vocalist Issay. They haven't had any releases and it is unknown if they are still active. In 2005 Heath restarted his solo activities after a 7 year pause.

On October 22, 2007, X Japan announced their reunion and released the Saw IV theme song, "I.V.".

Heath is currently focusing on X Japan, who in October 2010 finished their first North American Tour.

Gear

Heath uses Fernandes bass guitars and currently has his own signature model, FJB-115H. When he first joined X Japan he used a Burny WB-X and then a Burny EB-X from 1993 until getting his signature model.

Discography

Solo

• Heath (February 22, 1995)
• "Meikyuu no Lovers" (October 7, 1996}, Oricon Peak Position: #10
  • Second ending theme for the Detective Conan anime.
• "Traitor" (February 19, 1997} #35
  • Theme song for the TV series Toro Asia.
• "Crack Yourself" (April 22, 1998) #76
• Gang Age Cubist (June 10, 1998) #43
• "New Skin" (2005, CD and DVD)
• "Come to Daddy" (2005, CD and DVD)
• "The Live" (2005, CD and DVD)
• "Solid" (August 25, 2006)
• Desert Rain (July 16, 2006)
• "Sweet Blood" (November, 2009, distributed at fan club event "Sweet Vibration")

VHS/DVD

• Heath (February 22, 1995, sold with 1st solo album)
• Heath of All Films 1995.02.22 ~ 1997.12.31 (December 27, 1998)

Other media (Digital photo & video)

• 「Solid」 (January 10, 2005, CD-ROM)
• Six Nine Cell (2005, CD-ROM)
• Innosent World (January 1, 2007, CD-ROM)

Books

• Heath (March 30, 1993, music score)

With Paranoia

• Come From Behind (1987)

With Dope HEADz

• "Glow" (February 21, 2001) #35
• "True Lies" (April 25, 2001) #35
• Primitive Impulse (June 6, 2001) #20
• Planet of the Dope (July 24, 2002) #59

With Rats

• "Traitor" (2004, comes with live documentary DVD, Dirty High)

With X Japan

Main article: X Japan discography

External links

• Heath's official website
• Lynx's official website