Gackt
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Gackt Camui (神威 楽斗, Kamui Gakuto, born July 4, 1973 in Okinawa, Japan) is a musician, songwriter and actor. Usually referred to by his first name only, he is best known for his work with Malice Mizer and his subsequent career as a successful solo artist.
Biography
Early life (1973–1994)
Gackt Camui was born in Okinawa, Japan, on July 4, 1973[1] as the second of three children (he has an older sister and a younger brother). His father was a jazz musician who played the trumpet. According to his autobiography, he was a rambunctious child and enjoyed taking risks; at age seven he nearly drowned while swimming off the coast of Okinawa. After this near-death experience, he claimed to have the ability to see and speak with deceased family members, a notion which was dismissed by his parents. At the age of ten, Gackt was hospitalized with a gastrointestinal condition and had to remain at the hospital for a prolonged time. He made the acquaintance of several terminally ill children, of which some died during his stay.[2]
Gackt's musical education began at age three, when his parents initiated his classical piano education, of which he grew tired four years later. It would take another four years until his parents allowed him to quit. Competition with a friend lead Gackt to learn other instruments, with a focus on contemporary rock. He also resumed playing the piano later on.[2]
Malice Mizer (1995–1999)
In 1995, Gackt joined Malice Mizer as the group's vocalist, lyricist and pianist. Fan base and record sales grew substantially over the following years and the band became known for its distinct visual kei theme, with elaborate costumes, on-stage scenery and theatrics. After two albums, Gackt left the group though, citing an unfulfilled desire for more creative control over the group's compositions, as opposed to just writing the lyrics.[2]
Solo career
Gackt launched his solo career on May 12, 1999 with the release of the EP Mizerable. Several albums, singles and videos (on VHS and DVD) have since followed. Gackt's music has also been featured as theme songs for animes and video games multiple times, such as New Fist of the North Star, Texhnolyze, Bujingai and Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. He has also provided voice acting, motion capturing and his likeness for such works on several occasions[3][4] and co-wrote and co-starred in the 2003 movie Moon Child, which also features Hyde (vocalist of L'Arc~en~Ciel) and Taiwanese-American singer Wang Lee Hom.[5]
In the same year, Gackt published his autobiography, Jihaku. For Caparison Guitars, he has designed two guitars, named "Marcury" and "Venus". [6][7] Since January 7, 2007, Gackt has been playing the warlord Uesugi Kenshin in the NHK drama Fūrinkazan.[8]
On May 25, 2007, the formation of the supergroup Skin was announced, which besides Gackt consists of Miyavi, Sugizo and Yoshiki. The band will give its debut at the Anime Expo convention in Long Beach, California on June 29,2007.[9] Gackt's next solo release will be the single "Returner ~Yami no Shuen~", due for June 20, 2007.[10]
Gackt Job
Gackt Job is Gackt's live support band. Its current lineup is as follows:
- Chachamaru (茶々丸) – backing vocals, guitar
- You – violin, guitar
- Ju-ken – bass
- Jun-ji – drums
- Igao – keyboard
Former members
- Masa – rhythm guitar
- Ren – bass
- Ryu – drums
- Toshi – drums
Discography
References
- ^ While the artist's official website currently only mentions the month and day he was born, a tombstone used as a set piece during a live performance in 2004 read "Gackt 1973~2007" (as seen on the DVD The Sixth Day & Seventh Night), implying 1973 to be his year of birth.
- ^ a b c Jihaku, Kobunsha Co., Ltd., ISBN 4-3349-7412-0
- ^ "New Fist of the North Star credits". imdb.com.
- ^ "Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII credits". imdb.com.
- ^ "Moon Child credits". imdb.com.
- ^ "Caparison Marcury". kyowashokai.co.jp.
- ^ "Caparison Venus". kyowashokai.co.jp.
- ^ "来年の大河ドラマ「風林火山」、主役に内野聖陽さん". asashi.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-02-22.
- ^ "Anime Expo 2007 announcement". anime-expo.org.
- ^ ""Returner ~Yami no Shuen~" release information". cdjapan.co.jp.