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X Japan
X Japan in 2010: Yoshiki, Toshi, Sugizo, Pata, Heath
X Japan in 2010: Yoshiki, Toshi, Sugizo, Pata, Heath
Background information
Also known asX
OriginChiba, Japan
GenresHeavy metal, speed metal, power metal, progressive metal, symphonic metal, glam metal[1]
Years active1982–1997, 2007–present
LabelsDada (1985),
Extasy (1986–1988,
2007–present),
CBS/Sony (1989–1991),
Ki/oon (1992),
MMG/East West Japan/Atlantic (1993–1996),
Polydor (1997–1998),
Tofu (2004) (US),
EMI (2011–present) (US)
MembersYoshiki
Toshi
Pata
Heath
Sugizo
Past membersFormer members
Websitewww.xjapanmusic.com

X Japan (エックス ジャパン, Ekkusu Japan) is a Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1982 by Yoshiki and Toshi.[2] Originally named X (エックス), the group achieved their 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. Their sound is extremely raw, sometimes countered by the incorporation of classical style piano passages and vocal melodies. They have percussion parts and often use harmonized guitar riffs and solos.

Besides being one of the first Japanese acts to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label,[3] the group is widely credited as one of the pioneers of the visual kei movement.[1][4] They were known in their early years for their excessively large hairstyles resembling fountains, but toned these down in later years. In 2003, HMV Japan ranked the band at number 40 on their list of the 100 most important Japanese pop acts.[5]

After sixteen years, four albums, and selling out the 55,000 seat Tokyo Dome 18 times, X Japan disbanded in 1997. The band did not perform or record any material for another 10 years. However, in 2007, the band reunited and performed live for the first time since their break-up. After performing concerts throughout Asia from 2007 to 2009, the band performed their first North American tour from September 25 to October 10, 2010.[6][7][8][9][10] They also plan to release their first studio album in more than 14 years in 2011.[11]

History

1977–1992: X

In 1977, Yoshiki and Toshi formed a band called Dynamite when they were just 11 years old. Dynamite changed its name to Noise in 1978, while they were still in high school. In 1982, Dynamite disbanded and Yoshiki and Toshi formed a new band, they named it X while they tried to think of another name, but the name stuck. X began to actively perform in the Tokyo area in 1985 with a frequently changing lineup. Their first single, "I'll Kill You" was released on Dada Records in June and the band contributed "Break the Darkness" to the sampler Heavy Metal Force III in November, which also featured a song by Saver Tiger.[12][13] At the end of 1985 bassist Taiji (ex:Dementia) joined X under the stage name of Taiji and played a few shows with the band[citation needed] before leaving the group shortly thereafter.

To ensure a continuous outlet for the band's music, Yoshiki founded the independent label Extasy Records in April 1986, and their second single, "Orgasm", was released on it.[14] Taiji would officially rejoin the band in November of the same year, after having played support at a few other shows.[citation needed] The songs "Stab Me in the Back" and "No Connexion", for the February 1987 Victor Records sampler Skull Thrash Zone Volume I,[13] were recorded with Pata (ex:Judy) as a support guitar player. Soon after these recordings hide (ex:Saver Tiger) joined as guitarist. After Pata once again provided support, this time at a live show, he officially joined completing the group's first steady lineup.[12]

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.[12][14] The band also appeared in a cameo in the American film Tokyo Pop, starring Carrie Hamilton and Diamond Yukai.[12]

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.[15] 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.[16] Footage from most of the band's shows in that stadium would later be released on CD and VHS/DVD.[17]

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 bassist Taiji left the group and was replaced by Heath (ex:Media Youth).[18] 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 their 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.[19][20] Another studio album was not released until November 4, 1996. Dahlia, which turned out to be the band's last, contained relatively little new material considering that most tracks on it had been released as singles as early as a few months after Art of Life. Around this time, the group dropped most of its original visual kei aesthetics in favor of a more casual look.

Vocalist 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.[16][21]

Toshi stated his decision to leave X Japan dated back as far as April 1996 and that the glamorous, success-oriented life of a rock star failed to satisfy him emotionally, as opposed to a simpler life and career.[21]

1998–2007: The Solo Years

While reissues, compilations and live footage continued to be released,[22] the members of X Japan pursued various other projects: hide, who had been releasing solo material 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, and has performed 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.[21][23]

Pata and Heath, along with Spread Beaver percussionist/programmer I.N.A., teamed up to provide a track for the 1998 hide tribute album, Tribute Spirits. The three would reunite again in 2000 to form Dope HEADz, which released two albums before ceasing activity.[24] Heath is currently pursuing a solo career and Pata is a member of Ra:IN, along with Spread Beaver keyboardist D.I.E.

Before the breakup, Yoshiki had already independently collaborated with Queen drummer Roger Taylor on the single "Foreign Sand"[25] and provided the Japanese contribution to the international Kiss tribute album Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved, an orchestral arrangement of the song "Black Diamond".[26] 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.[27]

Since 1998 Yoshiki has engaged in numerous activities, such as being briefly a member of the pop band Globe,[28] producing singles for the Korean rock band TRAX[29] and numerous others[who?], as well as 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.[30] 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 Luna Sea guitarist Sugizo. The band gave its first and only performance at the Anime Expo convention in Long Beach, California on June 29, 2007.[31]

2007–2008: 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.[32] 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.[8]

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." was also the theme song of the American movie Saw IV. It was written by Yoshiki and recorded with all X Japan members of the pre-breakup lineup, as it utilizes previously unreleased guitar tracks by hide.[33][34] "I.V." was released through iTunes on January 23, 2008, topping the store's charts on that day.[35]

On January 20, 2008 two Tokyo Dome concert dates were announced for March 28 and March 30.[36][37][38] Due to popular demand, they added another concert for the 29th. These three concerts were entitled "Resume Attack 2008 I.V. - Towards Destruction", with each individual concerts titled "Night of Destruction", "Night of Madness" and "Night of Creation", respectively. The March 28 concert aired live on the pay-per-view channel WOWOW,[39] with three guest guitarists filling in for the late hide - Wes Borland, Richard Fortus, and Sugizo.[35][40][41][42][43] Also during the song "Art of Life" a hologram of hide (taken from footage of the "Art of Life" performance at the Tokyo Dome in 1993) played alongside the band.[44] This was made possible by the use of Musion Eyeliner hologram technology.[citation needed] Because of technical difficulties, possibly due to the hologram, 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.[44] 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.[41][42] 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.[45][46]

2008–2009: Delays, Sugizo joins

The "hide memorial summit" took place on May 2 and 3, 2008 with X Japan performing and numerous other acts such as Dir en grey and Oblivion Dust, Phantasmagoria and Luna Sea even reunited for one day to perform.[47] On June 8, 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, Paris for November 22, 2009.[48][49][50]

On September 15, 2008, Yoshiki held a press conference in Tokyo, where he announced a new, unnamed X Japan song was in the works.[51][52] Concerts for Christmas and New Year's Eve 2008 were also announced. After the conference Yoshiki went on a promotional tour across Asia.[53] On November 7, the French ticketing website Avos announced that the planned ticket sale for the show in Paris would be canceled. 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.[54][55] 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 Hong Kong, 2009

On January 15, 2009, the band arrived in Hong Kong for their January 16 and 17 shows. On May 1, Sugizo officially joined X Japan as lead guitarist. The announcement explained that Sugizo was joining as a sixth member, rather than as a replacement for the deceased hide.[citation needed] On May 30, 2009 the band had their first live show with Sugizo, as a full member, in Taiwan.[56]

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. [57] The four videos were for "Rusty Nail", "Endless Rain", "I.V.", and their new song "Jade".[58] In February, Yoshiki confirmed that X Japan will be performing at Lollapalooza in August. Later that month, He announced at a press event that the band would be relocating to Los Angeles, California, with a concert being planned for a "simple" venue in the city area to mark the band's first official North American show.[59] It was also announced that a sixth album was in the works and was expected to be released in the fall.[60]

In March 2010, Yoshiki filed a lawsuit against Nexstar Corporation, for 375 million yen in damages.[61][62] The claim states that after X Japan reunited, they entered a contract with Nexstar Corporation in January 2008, which included the use of some recordings.[61] That initial deal was for 600 million yen in advance royalties and contract money, which has been entirely unpaid.[61] Between 2008 and 2009, the company also sponsored ten of the band's concerts in Japan and other parts of Asia. About 320 million yen in performance fees and merchandise sales from those concerts is due to the band as well.[62] In all, the total unpaid amount is more than 900 million yen.[62] The lawsuit is currently seeking only 375 million yen for the revenue earned from the concerts, but should the case go to trial, Yoshiki's side plans to file an additional claim for the 600 million yen in the initial contract.[61][62]

On July 1, the band appeared at Club Nokia in Los Angeles where they performed an acoustic setlist, and recorded a music video for the new song, "Born to Be Free".[63][64] They also released a new music video for "Rusty Nail" [65] On July 4, the two founding members Toshi and Yoshiki, appeared in Paris at the Japan Expo 2010 where they performed some songs.[66]

During the following month, X Japan and Yoshiki were featured in numerous newspapers and websites such as ABC News, the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Sun-Times.[60] [67] [68] X Japan performed at Lollapalooza 2010 in Grant Park, Chicago on August 8. In the following days, Yoshiki did a long Q&A article with the Phoenix New Times and was interviewed by ABC News.[69] [70]

On August 14 and 15, 2010, the band performed a two-day show at Nissan Stadium, the largest stadium in Japan. It was reported[by whom?] that over 100,000 fans attended the two shows with some estimates as high as 140,000 in attendance. Ex-bassist Taiji joined them on stage both nights, as a guest, for the song "X".[71] Soon after, former deceased guitarist hide's management company, Headwax Organization, filed a lawsuit against Yoshiki and X Japan's management, Japan Music Agency, for using images of the former member without a formal agreement in place.[72] The claim states that in 2000 the two companies signed an agreement allowing Yoshiki and X Japan to use visual images of hide during concerts. However, images were used at these Nissan Stadium shows, when apparently the contract was expired.[61] [73]

From September 25 to October 10, X Japan performed their first ever North American tour with dates in Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle, Chicago, Vancouver, Toronto and New York City.[10]

On December 17, Yoshiki announced that a new X Japan song, "Scarlet Love Song", was composed for the animated movie adaptation of the Buddha manga.[74]

2011: Current activities

It was announced on January 27, 2011, that X Japan signed a 3-year agreement with EMI (Electric & Musical Industries Ltd.) in November 2010. The label will handle the American distribution of their single "Jade", which was to be released on March 15, and their untitled album, which was set for release in late summer. In promotion of the new album, it was also stated they would be touring extensively around the world throughout 2011.[75]

X Japan performed on March 6, 2011, at "Asia Girls Explosion", a fashion event and music concert that Yoshiki created with Jay FR. It was announced they would perform in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru later in the year.[76]

Due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan on March 11, the band decided to postpone the release of "Jade" until June 28. Yoshiki also decided to auction off one of his used signature Kawai crystal grand pianos, of which all proceeds were sent to help provide aid to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami.[77]

Their song "Scarlet Love Song", was released in Japan on June 8. Their first worldwide single, "Jade", was released on June 28 on iTunes. That same day they performed in London, the first concert of the European leg of their ongoing world tour, which was followed by Paris on July 1,[78] Utrecht on July 2 and Berlin on July 4.[79]

X Japan also performed at the 2011 Summer Sonic festival that was held on August 13 and 14, in Tokyo and Osaka.[80] Their world tour's South American concerts will be; Santiago on September 9, São Paulo on September 11, Buenos Aires on September 14, Lima on September 16 and Mexico City on September 18.[81] The Asian leg of the tour will be Seoul on October 28, Shanghai on October 30, Beijing on November 2, Hong Kong on November 4, Taipei on November 6 and Bangkok on November 8.[11]

Musical style

"Kurenai"
A fast song from the album Blue Blood.
"Tears"
A ballad from the album Dahlia.
"Scars"
A progressive song from the album Dahlia.
Problems playing these files? 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 with symphonic elements (e.g. "Kurenai", "Silent Jealousy") and emotional ballads (e.g. "Endless Rain", "Forever Love").[2][4] Many of the group's songs make use of orchestrated passages, particularly on 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 little composition from the other members. 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 contributed music to a couple of songs, most notably "Voiceless Screaming" on the album Jealousy where he plays the acoustic guitar. Heath's only writing credit was the instrumental song "Wriggle" on the 1996 album Dahlia, which he wrote with Pata. Only one song is credited as a full band collaboration, "Easy Fight Rambling" 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 released by the band. While also serving as the main song writer Yoshiki has production credit on much of X Japan's music, a fact that is embellished by the knowledge that all studio releases by the band from 1990 onwards[dubious – discuss] 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 his instruments) and prerecorded tracks, e.g. for orchestral strings, spoken word passages, and more recently, some of hide's guitar parts.[17][42]

Members

As with many Japanese bands, the members of X Japan are credited exclusively by their stage names.

Former members

  • Yuji "Terry" Izumisawa (泉沢裕二, Izumisawa Yuji) – guitar (1982–1985)
  • Tomoyuki "Tomo" Ogata – guitar (1984–1985)
  • Atsushi Tokuo – bass (1984–1985)
  • Kenichi "Eddie Van" Koide (小出健一, Koide Kenichi) guitar (1985)
  • Yoshifumi "Hally" Yoshida (吉田良文, Yoshida Yoshifumi) – guitar (1985)
  • Mita "Zenon" Kazumitsu (三田一光, Kazumitsu Mita) – guitar (1985–1986)
  • Hisashi "Jun/Shu" Takai (高井寿, Takai Hisashi) – guitar (1985, 1986)
  • Hikaru Utaka (宇高光, Utaka Hikaru) – bass (1985–1986)
  • Masanori "Kerry" Takahashi (高橋雅則, Takahashi Masanori) – guitar (1986)
  • Satoru Inoue (井上悟, Inoue Satoru) – guitar (1986)
  • Isao – guitar (1987)[82]
  • Taiji – bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals (1985, 1986–1992)
  • hide – lead guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals (1987–1997)
    • Although hide is deceased, the band still considers him a member and introduces him at every concert.

Discography

Main article: X Japan discography
Studio albums

References

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  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)
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  5. ^ "Top 100 Japanese pops Artists - No.40". HMV Online (in Japanese). Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  6. ^ Conner, Thomas (8 August 2010). "Japanese import scaled down for U.S." Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2010-08-22.[dead link]
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  57. ^ X Japan's Yoshiki on Lollapalooza, hide, and Taking Over America with Japanese Rock
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  65. ^ [1][dead link]
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  70. ^ Japan Rocks on YouTube
  71. ^ "X JAPAN Featured On FUSE TV And FOX NEWS". www.roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  72. ^ "X JAPAN Lawsuit". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2011-07-09.[unreliable source?]
  73. ^ "X Japan involved in another lawsuit". tokyograph.com. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  74. ^ "X Japan Debuts New Song on Buddha Movie Trailer". www.gameops.net. Retrieved 2010-12-17.
  75. ^ "X JAPAN And EMI MUSIC Announce North American Agreement". www.blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
  76. ^ "X Japan at Asia Girls Explosion". www.barks.jp. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  77. ^ "X Japan's Yoshiki to auction off his Kawai Crystal piano to aid Japanese quake / tsunami victims". www.ampmagazine.com. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  78. ^ "X Japan performing in Paris". www.metaltraveller.com. Retrieved 2011-07-03.
  79. ^ "X Japan World Tour – London, Paris, then Berlin". bionicbong.com. Retrieved 2011-04-19.
  80. ^ "X JAPAN to participate in Summer Sonic 2011". www.tokyofever.com. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
  81. ^ "X JAPAN's World Tour to extend into South America". tokyohive.com. Retrieved 2011-04-28.
  82. ^ Komatsu, Narumi (2009). YOSHIKI/佳樹. Kadokawa Shoten. ISBN 978-4-04-883687-6.

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
  • Yoshiki (YOSHIKI/佳樹), by Narumi Kamotsu, Kadokawa Shoten, 2009, ISBN 978-4-04-883687-6
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