54-71 is a hardcore/experimental/ hip hop group formed in 1995. Currently signed to Transduction Records, they are characterized by their distinctive use of rhythm and bass lines, which often takes centerstage to all the other instruments, and are complimented by the simplistic guitar lines and rapping. They are well known for being extremely experimental as well as putting on intense live performances. Vocalist Sato is known for his extreme versatility as a frontman. There album 2008 "I'm Not Fine Thank You, And You?" was recorded at Electrical Audio in Chicago and was their first album to be released outside of Japan. They have toured extensively over the last 12 years, including the United States, and have toured with many bands outside of Japan including Deerhoof and Battles. They have also been invited to tour with such bands as The Roots, Why?, Gang Gang Dance, and No Age. Their 2009 album "IDEA OF A MASTERPIECE" was recorded with Kool Keith, the experienced American rapper from The Bronx, New York.
Members
Sato
Full Name: Sato Shingo*
Position: Vocalist
*Note: I have seen his name written both Sato Shingo and Shingo Sato with equal frequency. I'm not sure which is correct.
44magnum is a Japanese heavy metal/ hard rock band originally created in 1977, showcasing the classic 80's heavy metal sound with simplistic but catchy melodies, and lyrics that are a mixture of Japanese and English. The band was founded by Umehara "Paul" Tatsuya, and after a period of unsuccessful attempts to find members, was eventually joined by guitarist Satoshi "Jimmy" Hirose, bassist Hironori "Ban" Yoshikawa, and drummer Teruki Iga in 1979. The line up changed again when Teruki left the band in 1982 and Satoshi "Joe" Miyawaki replaced him on drums. He remained with the band until 1988. They released their first EP "44magnum" in 1983, right after Joe became a permanent member, following it up immediately with their first full length album "Danger". The bands first video "The Beginning" was released in 1984, containing concert footage. From here on 44magnum had a steady stream of album releases: "Street Rock n' Roller" (1984), "Actor" (1985), "Love or Money" (1987), "Emotional Color" (1988), and "Still Alive" (1989). It was then in 1989 that 44magnum disbanded, taking a 13 year hiatus, not to return until 2002 with the release of their 7th album "Ignition. In 2009 bassist Ban left the band and was replaced semi-permanently by La'cryma Christi member Shuse. Also in 2009 Paul Umehara's son Stevie joined the band semi-permanently to be co-vocalist, singing on most of 44magnum's tracks. In January of 2012 Paul Umehara announced that he would be leaving the band to continue his fight with Parkinson's Disease, which he was diagnosed with in 2005. Though no longer member he is still writing music for the band.
Other Facts:
- Guitarist Jimmy founded the band Velvet Spider in 2003
- From 1994-1998, Joe drummed on, X Japan guitarist, hide's solo project Spread Beaver
- Joe drummed in the short lived supergroup Kings with former X Japan member Taiji
175R, aka Inago Rider, is a Japanese Ska/Punk band from Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, debuting in 2001. The bands sound is characterized by upbeat melodies, as you would expect to find in ska music. Their name is a reference to the popular anime series "Kamen Rider" with the numbers 1 = ichi, 7 = nana, and 5 = go can be put together to form the word "inago", which means grasshopper in Japanese. 'R' stands for rider. This is an indication of the main character of the show. To date they have 8 albums, 18 singles, 1 digital single and 5 dvd's. They shared their second single with the band Shaka Labbits. Their song "Yume de Aeta Nara..." was used as the ending theme for the film "Kamen Rider Den-O: I'm Born!", and the song "Melody" was used for the Nintendo DS game "Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan." Shogo, the vocalist for the band, founded the independent record label "Bug Rock Records".
Unfortunately not much can be found on this band. I will update as I find more information.
12012 is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in 2003 in the Osaka Prefecture. Originally signed to the indies label Undercode Productions, they later signed to major label Nayutawave Records, a subsidiary of Universal Music Japan. Usually they are classified in the genres of alternative rock, hard rock, alternative metal and metalcore, the band describes its concept as "the madness inside the human", which they attempt to show in clothing, lyrics and music. Since going major in 2007 they have been criticized by fans for toning down their visual kei image as so many visual bands in Japan do after signing to a major company. They claim to have taken their name from the California, U.S.A. penal code for the possession of a dangerous weapon. This has prompted fans to nickname the band "Kyouki Shoji," which is the Japanaese terminology for this penal code.
The bands first show was in May of 2003, later that year signing to Undercode Productions. In 2004 and 2005 they released several singles and mini albums, focusing mainly on live shows and writing music. In 2006 they released their first full length studio album "PLAY DOLLs", which was released along side the Best album "Not Obtain +1". In 2007 they released their 2nd album "Diamond", signed with Nayutawave Records, and performed "Cyclone", the ending theme to the anime "Romeo x Juliet". In 2008 they released several more singles, and in March of 2009 released their 3rd full length album "mar maroon". In 2010 they released their 4th full length album "SEVEN", and two singles, and did several shows including the "THE FANGS OF THE KILLER "SEVEN" SADNESS" tour in December. At the end of 2011 they announced their 6th full length album, the self titled "12012", would be released in March of 2012.
In 2007, closely after signing with Nayutawave Records, 12012's vocalist Miyawaki Wataru was arrested for assaulting a woman. After drinking one night he was reported to have attempted to strangle his female companion, though afterwards charges were dropped and the matter was settled out of court. Wataru issued a public apology on his blog after the incident.
It was announced that guitarist Suga Yuusuke would be withdrawing from the band at the end of the "THE FANGS OF THE KILLER "SEVEN" SADNESS" tour in 2010. No statement as to the reason why was given. After a period in which the bands fate was unknown, it was announced in February of 2011 that 12012 would be continuing on as a 4 member band.
-OZ- is a visual kei band from Japan, listed in the genres of hard rock, alternative metal and metalcore. They formed in 2004 and are currently signed to Loop Ash Records and CLJ Records. The band says their concept is beauty and degeneracy which they try to support in the making of their music. Their music has a distinctly heavier feel than other bands on their record label. Originally the band had a deeper, darker sound than they currently have, but it changed over time as they wanted to draw in larger crowds at shows.
Their first maxi single Decay... was released in 2005, afterwards they were signed to the Japanese Loop Ash label in 2006. By the end of 2006 they had released 2 more maxi singles called Eve's Apple and Adam's Apple. In 2007 they released their first mini album called Six, and the 2007- 2008 period was full of much touring. In 2009 their first album Versus was released and they were signed to CLJ Records in Europe. In 2010 their second album Rouge was released, in 2011the single Souga was released and 2012 the single Stigma was released. In total they have released 20 singles and maxi singles.
Members
Natsuki
Position: Vocalist
Type of Vocals: Clean and Growls
Birthday: January 1
Blood type: A
Height: 183 cm or 6'
Weight: 60 kg or 132 lbs
Tama
Position: Guitar
Birthday: November 29
Blood type: A
Height: 166 cm or 5'4"
Weight: 46 kg or 101 lbs
Aki
Position: Guitars
Birthday: August 12
Blood type: A
Height: 178 cm or 5'8"
Weight: 58 kg or 128 lbs
Nao
Position: Bass
Birthday: December 23
Blood type: A
Height: 177cm or 5'8"
Weight: 57 kg or 126 lbs
Zukki
Position: Drums
Birthday: April 3
Blood type: AB
Height: 182 cm or 5'10"
Weight: 65 kg or 143 lbs
-OZ- pv Detox - 2009
Discography
(full length albums only)
2007
SIX
(mini album)
CD
1. "DAIS"
2. "Erode"
3. "Shangrila"
4. "Illegal SLEEP"
5. "Resemblance"
6. "Enmity"
DVD
1. "Zenith" (music video)
2009
VERSUS
Tracks
CD
1. "LAST Shell"
2. "FILMY"
3. "BLAZE"
4. "VENOM"
5. "Needle"
6. "Reservation"
7. "ATHENA"
8. "IN RUBBISH"
9. "M.D.M.A."
10. "DETOX"
11. "Breathe Trees"
DVD
1. "FILMY" (music video)
2. "Shangrila" (extra live clip, Euro Ed.)
3. "ATHENA" (extra live clip, Euro Ed.)
2010
Rouge
Tracks
CD
1. "Birthday"
2. "Rotate"
3. "LEAD"
4. "flood bead"
5. "Pressed Flower"
6. "REborn"
7. "PLANT"
8. "Bitter & Sweet"
9. "Strings"
10. "Rain Delay"
11. "Seventh Tier"
Regular edition tracks
12. "THRUST"
13. "Sky High"
DVD
1. "LEAD" (music video)
Reviews of their albums to be done in the future. Please note that I will only review full length albums and not singles or maxi singles.
