Rouage

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Rouage
OriginNagoya, Aichi, Japan
LabelsUniversal Music Japan
MembersKazushi
Rayzi
Shono
Past membersKaiki
Yuki
Rika

Rouage (stylized as ROUAGE) was a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in Nagoya in 1993, active until 2001. They were an important band to the visual kei scene of the 90s, being credited as one of the founders of the subgenre Nagoya kei.[1][2]

History[edit]

Rouage, whose name means gear in French, was formed in December 1993 in Nagoya by vocalist Kazushi, guitarists Rika and Rayzi and drummer Shono. In 1994, the bassist Kaiki left the band Silver Rose and joined Rouage.[2] Their debut release was the single "Silk", in February.[3] Rouage released a self-titled debut album in March, limited to 5000 copies. A reprint with more 5000 copies went on sale in July.[3]

In 1995, Kaiki left the band and the group considered breaking up, even playing a farewell show.[4] That didn't happen and in a twist Rouage debuted on a major label in April with the single "Queen" released by Universal Music Japan.[3] In June, they released Bible, their best-selling album.[5]

In 1996, their second major single "insomnia" was used as the theme song for the ANB television show mew.[6] The band Lin covered it for the album CRUSH!3-90's V-Rock best hit cover LOVE songs, which features newer visual kei bands covering love songs by important visual kei bands from the 90s.[7] After the release of "insomnia" in August, bassist Yuki joined the band.[3]

In March 1997 Rouage released the album Mind. Soon after, Yuki disappeared from the band and since then, Rouage has worked only with support bass musicians. After embarking on a big tour, they released the album Children on December 3.[4] "Endless Loop" was used as opening theme of Legend of Basara animation. Diaura covered the song for the album Counteraction -V-Rock covered Visual Anime songs Compilation-, which features newer visual kei bands covering anime songs by older visual kei bands.[8] Early on the following year they embarked on Children's Room tour, with fifteen shows across the country.[3] On July 16 they played at the Shock Wave Illusion festival with bands like Dir en Grey and Pierrot.[4] In 2000, Rika left the band.[3]

After Shono left the band in February 2001, Rouage officially broke up.[3] In 2006, the albums Bible, Children, Lab, Mind and Soup were re-released. They also considered re-releasing their live albums, but Rika didn't approve.[9]

Members[edit]

  • Kazushi - vocals (1993–2001)
  • Rayzi - guitar (1993–2001)
  • Shono - drums (1993–2001)
Former
  • Kaiki - bass (1994–1995)
  • Yuki - bass (1996–1997)
  • Rika - guitar (1993–2000)

Discography[edit]

Title Release Oricon chart[5][10]
Rouage July 20, 1994 -
Bible June 6, 1996 14
Mind March 5, 1997 15
Children December 3, 1997 25
Soup November 11, 1998 16
Culture March 17, 1999 29
Lab May 24, 2000 33

References[edit]

  1. ^ "アルルカン、"次世代名古屋系"という新たな個性 90年代以降シーンの変遷から考える". Real Sound｜リアルサウンド (in Japanese). April 16, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "オールドスクールヴィジュアル名盤解放地帯 #6「ROUAGE - ROUAGE」". GALLERY OF VISUAL SHOCK (in Japanese). April 27, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "ROUAGE". JaME. January 11, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Rouage | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "ROUAGE on Oricon". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  6. ^ "ｉｎｓｏｍｎｉａ／ｐａ・ｒａ・ｎｏ・ｉ・ａ". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  7. ^ "V系バンドの90年代カバー集、第3弾に特別編成バンド参加". Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  8. ^ "名曲満載！V系アニソンカバー集にギルド、AYABIE、νら". Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  9. ^ "Reeditions of Rouage's Albums". JaME. December 18, 2006. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  10. ^ "Rouage sales and positions" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 25, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
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