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X Japan

X Japan (エックス ジャパン, Ekkusu Japan) is a Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1982 by Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama and Yoshiki Hayashi.[2] 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. Many of their songs also incorporate classical-sounding piano passages. Besides being one of the first Japanese acts to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label,[3] the group is widely credited for pioneering the visual kei movement,[1][4]They were formerly known for their excessively large hairstyles resembling fountains. As of 2010, the band has sold over thirty million records and over two million home videos.[5]

After sixteen years, four albums, and selling out the 50,000 seat Tokyo Dome 18 times, X Japan disbanded in 1997. The band did not perform or record for another 10 years. In 2007, the band re-united and performed live for the first time since their break-up. After performing concerts through-out Asia in 2007 through 2009, the band scheduled their first North American tour, set to begin September 25, 2010. They will also release their first studio album in more than 14 years in the autumn.[6][7] [8] [9]

History

1978–1992: X

X Japan started in 1978, originally called Dynamite, when its founding members, "Toshi" Deyama and Yoshiki Hayashi, were only 13. Dynamite changed it's name to Noise in 1980, while they were still in high school. In 1982, they changed their name to X, while they tried to think of a better name, but they never did. The band began to actively perform in the Tokyo area in 1985, its lineup that then consisted of a number of frequently changing support musicians. A first single, titled "I'll Kill You" was released on Dada Records in June and in November, the group contributed the song "Break the Darkness" to the samplers Heavy Metal Force III.[10][11]

To ensure a continuous outlet for the band's music, Yoshiki founded the independent label Extasy Records. The following year a second single, "Orgasm", was released on the label.[12] The songs "Stab Me in the Back" and "No Connexion", recorded for the 1987 Victor Records sampler Skull Thrash Zone Volume I[11] mark the group's first material featuring Tomoaki "Pata" Ishizuka as a support guitar player. He formally joined the group later that year. Likewise, guitarist Hideto "hide" Matsumoto and bassist Taiji Sawada both briefly performed with X on separate occasions before completing the group's first steady lineup.[10]

On December 26, 1987, the band participated in an audition held by CBS Sony which led to a recording contract in August of the following year. In the meantime, the band released its first album, Vanishing Vision through Extasy Records on April 14, 1988 and toured extensively in support of the record.[10][12] The band also appeared in a cameo in the film Tokyo Pop, starring Carrie Hamilton and Diamond Yukai.[10]

X's second album Blue Blood was released on April 21, 1989 and spawned several singles, such as "Kurenai" and "Endless Rain". The group also released their first home video, a VHS of a live concert titled Blue Blood Tour Bakuhatsu Sunzen Gig. Recording for the follow-up album Jealousy took place in Los Angeles.[13] It was released on July 1, 1991 and was followed by the band's first performance in Japan's largest indoor concert venue, the Tokyo Dome.[14] Footage from most of the band's shows in that stadium would later be released on CD and VHS/DVD.[15]

By 1992 the band's success in Japan made an international breakthrough appear likely enough to warrant the renaming of X to "X Japan", in order to distinguish the group from the American punk band X. Around the same time Taiji left the group and was replaced by Hiroshi "Heath" Morie.[16] Taiji went on to work with Loudness and Cloud Nine.

1993–1997: X Japan

The X Japan logo, used by the band after the name change in 1992.

For the release of its next album, X Japan left Sony and signed a deal with Atlantic Records. Art of Life was released on August 28, 1993, containing only the 29-minute title track, which was performed only three times for a live audience.[17][18] Another studio album was not released until November 4, 1996. The album, Dahlia, contained relatively little new material considering that the tracks on it had been released 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.

Toshi decided to leave the band and a dissolution was officially announced in September 1997. X Japan performed their farewell show at the Tokyo Dome on December 31, making it the last of five consecutive New Year's Eves the group performed in that stadium.[19] [14]

Much has been made of Toshi's departure, including allegations of him joining a cult and being influenced by it. Toshi has since refuted such 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.[19]

1998-2007: The Solo Years

While reissues, compilations and live footage continued to be released,[20] the members of X Japan pursued various other projects: hide, who had been releasing solo albums since 1994's Hide Your Face, continued his solo career with Spread Beaver, now formally including his previous live band and with a sound distinctively different from X Japan's music, leaning more towards alternative rock. But the new group did not last long, due to hide's death in May 1998.[4]

File:Hi-1.jpg
hide's grave

Toshi has released several solo albums, along with numerous acoustic performances for smaller audiences. According to his website, his Utatabi Traveling Concert tour has included over 3.000 concerts, between 1999 and 2003.[19][21]

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.[22] Heath is currently pursuing a solo career and Pata is a member of Rain (Rock and Inspiration).

Before the breakup, Yoshiki had already independently collaborated with Queen drummer Roger Taylor on the single "Foreign Sand"[23] and provided the Japanese contribution to the international Kiss tribute album Kiss My Ass, an orchestral arrangement of the song "Black Diamond".[24] 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.[25]

Since 1998 Yoshiki has engaged in numerous activities, such as being briefly a member of the pop band Globe,[26] producing singles for the Korean rock band TRAX[27] and working on his solo project Violet UK, which as of 2007 had not yet published a major release. He has also contributed music to the movie Catacombs and produced the soundtrack of Repo! The Genetic Opera.[28] On May 25, 2007, the formation of the supergroup S.K.I.N. was announced, which besides Yoshiki consists of pop/rock artists Gackt and Miyavi, as well as former Luna Sea guitarist Sugizo. The band gave its debut at the Anime Expo convention in Long Beach, California on June 29 2007.[29]

2007 to Present: Reunion

In March 2007 Toshi announced on his website that he and Yoshiki had recently resumed working together, stating that a "new project" would commence soon.[30] An X Japan reunion was officially confirmed on June 4, 2007, with Yoshiki announcing a tour, as well as a new single to be underway and that he was in talks with Heath and Pata regarding their participation.[7]

The band made its first public appearance on October 22, 2007, on the rooftop of the shopping center, Aqua City in Odaiba, Tokyo, during which a music video for the newly recorded song "I.V." was filmed. "I.V." also appears on the soundtrack of the movie Saw IV. It is written by Yoshiki and recorded with all living X Japan members of the pre-breakup lineup. Previously unreleased guitar tracks by hide were used for the lead guitar part.[31][32] "I.V." was released through iTunes on January 23, 2008, topping the store's charts on that day.[33]

On January 20, 2008 two Tokyo Dome concert dates were announced for March 28 and March 30. [34][35] [36] The March 28 concert aired live on the pay-per-view channel WOWOW[37] with three guest guitarists filling for the late hide - Wes Borland, Richard Fortus, and Sugizo,[33][38][39][40][41] Due to technical difficulties the first concert was delayed for over two hours and later came to an abrupt end when drummer Yoshiki collapsed eight songs into the performance. The subsequent shows were without such difficulties and during a press conference, plans for a concert in Paris, France on July 5, 2008 were announced, with an intended audience of 20,000 people.[39][40] In addition to the Paris date, plans for concerts at the Madison Square Garden, New York City on September 13, and at the Taipei World Trade Center, Taipei on August 2 were also confirmed.[42][43]

September 2008 - January 2009 : Delays

On June 8, 2008 it was reported that all previously scheduled shows would be postponed until further notice, due to a recurrence of Yoshiki's disc herniation. The Paris and Taipei concerts were re-scheduled for November 22, 2008. [44][45][46]

On September 15, 2008, Yoshiki held a press conference in Tokyo, where he announced a new, unnamed X Japan song was in the works. [47][48] Concerts for Christmas and New Year's Eve 2008 were also announced. After the conference Yoshiki went on a promotional tour across Asia.[49] On November 7 the French ticketing website Avos announced that the planned ticket sale for the show in Paris would be cancelled. (These show never took place as originally planned, although the band did perform in Paris in 2010). Later that day, X Japan released a press statement through their French language website apologizing for the second postponement and announced that the planned Christmas shows would likely suffer a similar fate.[50] [51] In early January the previously announced Taiwan concert date was postponed for a second time, with the band's management citing a potential safety issue involving the venue as the reason. [citation needed] On December 31 X Japan performed their New Year's Eve countdown performance at the Akasaka BLITZ, performing a set list which included older material and announced plans for the upcoming year. [citation needed]

X Japan in Hongkong, 2009.

On January 15 the band arrived in Hong Kong ahead of their January 16 and 17th shows. On May 1, Sugizo officially joined X Japan. The announcement explained that Sugizo was joining as a 6th member, rather than as a replacement for the deceased lead guitarist hide. The hide Memorial Concert took place on May 2 and 3, and on May 30, 2009, the band did their first live show with Sugizo in Taiwan.[52]

2010 - First North American Tour, New Album Announced

On January 9, 2010 the band made its first public U.S. appearance by shooting four new music videos in Hollywood. [53] The four videos were for Rusty Nail, Jade, Endless Rain and I.V.[54] In February, Yoshiki confirmed that X Japan will be performing at Lollapalooza in August. Later that month, Yoshiki announced at a press event that the band would be relocating to Los Angeles, CA with a concert being planned for a "simple" venue in the Los Angeles-area to mark the band's first official North American show.[55] It has also been announced that a 6th album is in the works expected to be released in the fall.[56]

On July 1, the band appeared at Club Nokia in Los Angeles where they performed an acoustic version of “I.V.”, and recorded a music video of a new song, Born to be Free. They also released a new music video for Rusty Nail [57] On July 4, the two lead members Toshi and Yoshiki (on piano), appeared in Paris at the Japan Expo 2010 where they performed some of their hits including "I.V." and "Rose of Pain".[58]

During the following month, X Japan and Yoshiki were featured in numerous newspapers and websites such as ABC News, the L.A. Times, and Chicago Sun-Times.[56] [59] [60] X Japan performed at Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Chicago on August 8th. In the following days, Yoshiki did a long Q&A article with the Phoenix New Times and was interviewed by ABC News.[61][62]

On August 14 and 15, 2010, the band performed a two-day show at Nissan Stadium, the largest stadium in Japan. It was reported that over 100,000 fans attended the two shows with some estimates as high as 140,000 in attendance. Taiji played the song "X" as a guest at the concert. [63]

On August 16, the first ever North American tour was announced with dates scheduled for Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle, Chicago, Vancouver, Toronto, and New York City.[9]

Musical style

"Kurenai"
A fast song from the album Blue Blood.
Problems playing this file? See media help.
"Tears"
A ballad from the album Dahlia.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

X Japan's music developed in the wake of American and British glam and heavy metal music[1] and is characterized by driving power metal compositions (e.g. "Kurenai", "Silent Jealousy") and emotional ballads (e.g. "Endless Rain", "Forever Love").[2][4] Many of the group's songs make heavy use of piano-driven, orchestrated passages, particularly longer tracks such as the ten and a half minute "Tears", "Crucify My Love" and the twenty-nine minute "Art of Life".

The majority of the band's catalog of music was written by Yoshiki with relatively few compositions coming from the other members of the band. hide contributed several songs while Pata's only claim is "White Wind from Mr. Martin ~Pata's Nap~". Toshi's contributions are limited to lyrics for a few songs. Taiji (bassist) contributed music to a couple of songs, most notably "Voiceless Screaming" on the album Jealousy where he played the guitar. Heath's only writing credit was the instrumental song "Wriggle" on the 1996 album Dahlia, which he wrote with Pata. In X Japan's musical catalog only one song is credited as a full band collaboration ("Easy Fight Rambling"), a song on the 1989 album Blue Blood.

Yoshiki's composing style tends to make use of chords in sequences of eights or more with riff-based motifs or call-and-response style phrasing. He has maintained this style for the majority of his career as a composer. Having played classical piano since he was 3 years old, and once aspiring to study in a classical music academy, Yoshiki claims to be as influenced by classical music as he is by rock, a claim which is evident when considering the breadth of music put out by the band. While also serving as the main song writer Yoshiki has production credit on virtually all of X Japan's music, a fact that is embellished by the knowledge that all studio releases by the band from 1990 onwards have been recorded and produced in his privately owned recording studio in Los Angeles. [citation needed]

During live performances the band relies, for the most part, on its members (with drummer and pianist Yoshiki switching between instruments) and pre-recorded tracks, e.g. for orchestral strings, spoken word passages, and more recently, many of hide's guitar parts.[15][40]

Members

As with numerous other Japanese bands, the members of X Japan are usually credited with their given or stage names.

Former members

  • Hideto "hide" Matsumoto (松本秀人 Matsumoto Hideto) – guitar, backing vocals (1987–1997)†
  • Taiji Sawada (沢田泰司 Sawada Taiji) – bass, backing vocals (1985, 1986–1992)
  • Isao – guitar (1987)
  • Satoru Inoue (井上　悟 Inoue Satoru) – guitar (1986)
  • Masanori "Kerry" Takahashi (高橋雅則 Takahashi Masanori) – guitar (1986)
  • Hikaru Utaka (宇高　光 Utaka Hikaru) – bass (1985–1986)
  • Hisashi "Jun/Shu" Takai (高井　寿 Takai Hisashi) – guitar (1985,1986)
  • Mita "Zenon" Kazumitsu (三田一光 Kazumitsu Mita) – guitar (1985–1986)
  • Yoshifumi "Hally" Yoshida (吉田良文 Yoshida Yoshifumi) – guitar (1985)
  • Kenichi "Eddie Van" Koide – guitar (1985)
  • Atsushi Tokuo – bass (1984–1985)
  • Tomoyuki "Tomo" Ogata – guitar (1984–1985)
  • Yuji "Terry" Izumisawa – guitar (1982–1985)†

Discography

Main article: X Japan discography
Studio albums

References

  1. ^ a b c d Minnie, Chi. "X Japan Best review". Asia Pacific Arts Online Magazine. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
  2. ^ a b Seida, Linda. "X Japan biography at Allmusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  3. ^ Yang, Jeff (1997). Eastern Standard Time. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p. 264. ISBN 0-395-76341-X. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c Strauss, Neil (18 June 1998). "The Pop Life: End of a Life, End of an Era". N.Y. Times. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  5. ^ "X Japan unveils "I.V." in "Saw IV," bringing emotional catharsis to end titles" (PDF). saw4soundtrack.com. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  6. ^ Conner, Thomas (8 August 2010). "Japanese import scaled down for U.S." Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  7. ^ a b "X Japan Reunites for New Single, Tour". blabbermouth.net. 4 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  8. ^ "X JAPAN Heading Towards Their First American Tour in October". www.musicjapanplus.jp. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  9. ^ a b X Japan Set To Invade America with First-Ever U.S. Tour, August 16, retrieved 2010-08-23 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  10. ^ a b c d "Early band history". jrockrevolution.com. Retrieved 2010-09-03.
  11. ^ a b "List of Japanese heavy metal samplers". japanesemetal.gooside.com. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  12. ^ a b "Extasy Records company profile". extasyrecords.co.jp/eng. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  13. ^ Jealousy liner notes, 1991.
  14. ^ a b "Concerts at the Tokyo Dome, 1991–1993". tokyo-dome.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2008-04-22. "Concerts at the Tokyo Dome, 1994–1996". tokyo-dome.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2008-04-22. "Concerts at the Tokyo Dome, 1997–1999". tokyo-dome.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2008-04-22.
  15. ^ a b These include the DVD (and CD) video, the compilation album Live Live Live Tokyo Dome 1993-1996 and the Blue Night/White Night DVD sets.
  16. ^ "The Jrock Legend: X Japan". jrockrevolution.com. Retrieved 2010-09-03.
  17. ^ "Hideto Matsumoto, 1992 biography". hide-city.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  18. ^ "X Japan Returns Complete Edition release information". cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  19. ^ a b c "Interview with Toshi". iyashi-no-concert.com. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  20. ^ "X Japan releases". cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  21. ^ "Toshi Official Website - CD Online Shop". iyashi-no-concert.com. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  22. ^ "Tribute Spirits release information". hide-city.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  23. ^ ""Foreign Sand" release information". queenpicturehall.com. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  24. ^ "Kiss My Ass release information". kissfaq.com. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  25. ^ "Eternal Melody release information". cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  26. ^ "Globe profile". avexnet.or.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  27. ^ ""Scorpio" release information". cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved 2007-08-06. ""Rhapsody" release information". cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  28. ^ "あのYOSHIKIが、パリス・ヒルトン次回作のプロデューサーに！". cinematoday.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-10-31.
  29. ^ "Anime Expo 2007 announcement of S.K.I.N." Anime Expo. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  30. ^ ""New Project" announcement". iyashi-no-concert.com. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  31. ^ "X Japan to film PV on Aqua City rooftop". Tokyo Graph. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  32. ^ "Official announcement of Aqua City performance". X Japan Official (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-10-19.
  33. ^ a b "Fortus to Play with X Japan". blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
  34. ^ "Ｘ　ＪＡＰＡＮ、３月に１０年ぶりライブ　解散後初！４人そろってファンの前に[[Category:Articles containing Japanese-language text]][[Category:Articles containing Japanese-language text]]". chunichi.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2008-01-21. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  35. ^ "X JAPAN MySpace Interview with Yoshiki". jrockrevolution.com. Retrieved 2010-09-03.
  36. ^ "X Japan Announce Concert Details". japan-zone.com. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  37. ^ "X Japan Special". WOWOW (in Japanese). Retrieved 2008-03-12.
  38. ^ "Sugizo to Fill In for hide at X Japan Concerts". Tokyo Graph. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  39. ^ a b "X Japan Announces Paris Show in July". Tokyo Graph. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
  40. ^ a b c "Live broadcast of the 28 March 2008 Tokyo Dome concert" (Document). 28 March 2008. {{cite document}}: Cite document requires |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |work= ignored (help)
  41. ^ "X Japan: Pro-Shot Footage from Reunion Concerts Posted Online". blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
  42. ^ "X Japan to Play NYC's Madison Square Garden This Fall". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
  43. ^ "X Japan Announces Taiwan Concert". Tokyo Graph. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
  44. ^ "X Japan officially confirms that concerts are postponed". Tokyo Graph. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  45. ^ "X Japan's Tour Postponement Explained". blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  46. ^ "X Japan reschedules Paris show for November". Tokyo Graph. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  47. ^ "X Japan Announces New Year's Eve, Christmas Performances". blabbermouth.net. 16 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  48. ^ "Yoshiki Announces End-of-Year Live for X Japan, New Track". jrockrevolution.com. Retrieved 2010-09-03.
  49. ^ "Yoshiki discusses X Japan plans". Tokyo Graph. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  50. ^ "November 22nd Show in Paris postponement details". BringXToEurope.com. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
  51. ^ "X JAPAN Paris and Saitama shows: pushed to 2009". JrockRevolution.com. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  52. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF3scFUQB6U
  53. ^ "X Japan's Yoshiki on Lollapalooza, Hide, and Taking Over America with Japanese Rock", X Japan Official, August 10, retrieved 2009-12-29 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  54. ^ "(In Japanese) 「X JAPAN」総製作費5億円のミュージックビデオ、BeeTVで独占配信", MSN, July 31, retrieved 2010-08-25 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  55. ^ "X Japan to Move to L.A., Hold 'Simple' Concert There", Anime News Network, February 27, retrieved 2010-08-23 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  56. ^ a b Conner, Thomas (August 8), "Japanese import scaled down for U.S.", Chicago Sun-Times, retrieved 2010-08-22 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  57. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHe2g8_-j-U
  58. ^ YOSHIKI & ToshI from X Japan au J.E. Live House, June 6, retrieved 2010-08-23 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  59. ^ "Japan's Bono: Yoshiki Is Ready to Take on the U.S.", ABC News, August 10, retrieved 2010-08-22 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  60. ^ Lee, Chris (July 25), "America, meet Yoshiki", L.A. Times, retrieved 2010-08-22 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  61. ^ "X Japan's Yoshiki on Lollapalooza, Hide, and Taking Over America with Japanese Rock", Phoenix New Times, August 10, retrieved 2010-08-23 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  62. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh_oIE7a7EY
  63. ^ "X JAPAN Featured On FUSE TV And FOX NEWS", www.roadrunnerrecords.com, August 13, retrieved 2010-08-23 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)

Further reading

  • Uchuu o Kakeru Tomo E: Densetsu no Bando X no Sei to Shi (宇宙を翔ける友へ: 伝説のバンド X の生と死) by Taiji Sawada, Tokuma Shoten, 2000, ISBN 978-4198611743
  • Hide Days, by Takarajimasha, 2003, ISBN 4796627464
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