Review: Alice Nine (My Fave Band) ^^

Profile

* Shou (将) – vocals
* Hiroto (ヒロト) – guitar
* Tora (虎) – guitar, piano
* Saga (沙我) – bass guitar, backing vocals
* Nao (ナオ) – drums

Style

Alice Nine's musical style can mainly be described as rock, with touches of metal, pop, and more recently, a few instances of dance music. Their works range diversely, including heavier songs that were more prevalent in their early career, emotional ballads and medium tempo songs, and the lighter rock sound marked with more melodic instrumentation and synthesizers that is present on their more recent album, Alpha. Like some other Visual Kei bands, as they progressed through the years, the band experimented and released songs that focus more on the mainstream public.

The band's appearance and shift from a heavy visual kei look also took place over the length of their career. In early work, Alice Nine's clothing in promotional footage and live concerts was a sort of stylized take on traditional Japanese clothing, along with moderate makeup, piercings, and bright hair colors such as red and pale blonde. However, in 2006, the look began to fade out and essentially disappeared the year after, having been replaced with leather and the onset of street fashion. Music videos for "Blue Planet" and "Gekkouyoku" show off their recent relaxed and casual look, while videos such as those for "Cosmic World" and "Rainbows" are examples of forays into street fashion.

History

In August 2004, Alice Nine formed after the disbandment of the band Givuss, and the band's vocalist, Shou, and guitarist Tora continued on to search for members to form a new band. Saga, the bassist for the band Delta Ark, and Nao, drummer for the bands Fatima and RusH, were also seeking bandmates as well, and the four members eventually joined together. Hiroto was the last member to join after Shou, Tora, Saga, and Nao spotted him at a performance with his band at the time, Baquepia. Shou explains that the "Alice" in the band's name was something that they believed sounded "very visual kei" to them, while the "Nine" is written in kanji and represents their origins as a Japanese band.

Their first concert was held at the Ikebukuro Cyber on May 11, 2004 and soon after they released their first single, Namae wa, Mada Nai in July, and they soon toured with fellow PS Company band BIS. In November, their first EP, Gion Shouja no Kane ga Naru, was released, and later that month, they did a nation-wide tour with the band Karen from Under Code Productions.

In 2005, the pace of CD releases increased; the band released the singles "Gin no Tsuki Kuroi Hoshi," "Yami ni Chiru Sakura," and "Yuri wa Aoku Saite" consecutively for three months. These singles were eventually compiled onto their first major EP, Kasou Musou Shi, through a joint deal with PS Company and King Records. Alice Nine also went on tour with several bands throughout the year, including Ayabie, Kra, and Kagrra. Following these events, the band had its first solo tour, Alice in Wonder Tour, in August that year.

2006: Zekkeishoku
In a short span of time after beginning the year, Alice Nine released several maxi singles, including "Kowloon -Nine Heads Rodeo Show-," "Fantasy", and the double A-side release, "Akatsuki/Ikuoku no Chandelier." The songs "Akatsuki" and "Ikuoku no Chandelier" were used as opening and closing themes in the second season of the anime series Meine Liebe. With the exception of these two songs, the singles were added onto the group's first full-length album, Zekkeishoku, which debuted on the Oricon daily charts at #4. The group completed the Kacho Fugetsu Vol. 1 tour in support of the album.

The band continued with a string of solo tours throughout the rest of the year, such as the tour Kimi no Hitomi ni Utsuru wa Zekkeishoku in May and the Hello, New Super View tour in the fall. The latter ended with the final venue at Shibuya Kokaido on October 6; footage of the event was later released the following January on the live DVD Hello, Dear Numbers. Around the same time, the band's first DVD single, "Number Six," saw release. Directed by guitarist Tora, the DVD combined the music video with a short film.

2007: Alpha and mainstream success
A turning point for the band came when the single "Jewels" was released in March. The single allowed the band to land their first magazine cover and feature article with volume 171 of Shoxx Magazine. On April 28 the band released 'Dive into the Sun', a photo book which comes with the song "Gekkou Yoku", which translates to "Moonlight Bath", which isn't included in any of Alice Nine's releases, althought the video for it was included in Alice in Pictures II. Another landmark was Alice Nine's first performance outside of Japan at the JRock Revolution festival in Los Angeles, California on May 25, 2007. They joined with several other Japanese bands and became the closing performance of the Friday that weekend.

The release of the "White Prayer" single in June marked another milestone for the band's development; vocalist Shou explained in an interview with Shoxx Magazine that the song defined the style that the band was aiming for and hoped to maintain in the future. The process of the song's creation also came about more naturally than usual, as many songs until then were made through trial and error. Later that year, on October 24, the group's single "Tsubasa" was released and peaked at number six on the Oricon charts, making it one of their successful singles to date and landing the band a guest appearance on the Fuji Television variety show Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ for the first time.

On November 28, 2007, their second full-length album, Alpha, was released. The title for the album originated as a means to describe the band's return to their roots and beginning anew. The uppercase first letter of the Greek alphabet, Α, was chosen to symbolize this idea. Aside from the singles to be compiled onto the album, recording for songs began in September and lasted for approximately one month. The album reached the ninth position on the Oricon weekly chart, selling over 17,000 copies in its first week.

2008-present: Vandalize
Alice Nine started off the year with another tour, alice nine. 2008 standing tour "A to U". However, complications arose when guitarist Tora was diagnosed with a spinal disc hernia, which had worsened over time to the point of numbness throughout the left side of his body. Finally seeking medical help, the tour had to be postponed until Tora recovered enough for the band to resume activities in Tokyo.

The band released a new single, titled "Mirror Ball" on March 26, 2008. The title song of the single was used in the live-action movie adaptation of the manga Aquarian Age.

Two compilations of the band's music videos, "Alice in Pictures I" and "Alice in Pictures II", were released on July 2, 2008. The DVDs contain approximately 8 music videos in chronological order of their original release, with "Alice in Pictures I" including the videos from "Gin no Tsuki Kuroi Hoshi" to "Number Six". "Alice in Pictures II" contains videos from "Jewels" to "Eraser -Memoire d'une fleur-", and also includes a new music video for "Gekkouyoku", a song which was exclusively included with the "Dive into the Sun" photobook.

On August 6, the band released their latest single, "Rainbows." The single reached a peak mark of #3 on the Japanese Oricon daily charts which is currently the band's current top position on mainstream Japanese charts. The band also started their tour called "Discotheque play like 'A' Rainbows" which coincided with the new single. The tour lasted the entire month, and the concert footage is scheduled for release on their live DVD called Discotheque play like "A" Rainbows -enter&exit- on October 29, 2008.

A new single called "Cross Game" was released on December 10, 2008. The aforementioned song is currently being used as the ending theme song for anime Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D'S, and was released in two versions. On December 19, 2008, the band's tour at the time would culminate in the grand final, named "Crossing the Supernova", at NHK Hall.

A blog entry by vocalist Shou announced that the band is already in recording session for a third album named Vandalize, which is set for release on January 14, 2009. "Cross Game" will be the third single to be featured on the album, along with "Mirror Ball" and "Rainbows" for a total of 11 tracks. The album's title comes from the theme of "the destruction of culture."

A blog entry by Vocalist Shou announced the changing of their name from アリス九號. or alice nine. to Alice Nine for media reasons. To commemorate the band's fifth anniversary, the band announced a new single and a new book. Alice Nine's sixteenth single, "Hana," is to be released on August 5, 2009. Vocalist Shou describes the titular track as a "danceable song with a sweet and oriental feeling." "Piece of 5ive Elements 'The Book' ~Alice Nine 5th~" is a book containing interviews, reports on the band's concert activities during 2009, photography, and more, and is to be released on August 24, 2009.

Discography

* [2004.11.17] Gion Shouja no Kane ga Naru (祇園盛者の鐘が鳴る; The Gion Temple's Bells Toll)
* [2005.07.27] ALICE IN WONDEЯLAND
* [2005.11.23] Kasou Musou Shi (華想夢想紙; Flower Fancying Dream Fancying Paper)
* [2006.04.26] Zekkeishoku (絶景色; Vivid Scenery of Colors)
* [2007.11.28] Alpha
* [2009.01.14] Vandalize

Single

* [2004.07.05] Namae wa, Mada Nai (名前は、未だ無ひ。; I Don't Yet Have a Name)
* [2005.03.30] Gin no Tsuki Kuroi Hoshi (銀の月 黒い星; Silver Moon, Black Star)
* [2005.04.27] Yami ni Chiru Sakura (闇ニ散ル桜; Cherry Blossoms Scattered in the Darkness)
* [2005.05.25] Yuri wa Aoku Saite (百合は蒼く咲いて; Lilies Bloom Palely)
* [2006.01.25] Kowloon Nine Heads Rodeo Show (九龍; Nine Dragons)
* [2006.02.22] FANTASY
* [2006.02.22] Akatsuki/Ikuoku no Chandelier (暁/幾億のシャンデリア; Dawn/Several Million Chandeliers)
* [2006.10.04] Blue Planet
* [2006.10.04] Number Six
* [2007.03.21] Jewels
* [2007.06.06] White Prayer
* [2007.10.24] Tsubasa
* [2008.03.26] Mirror Ball
* [2008.08.06] Rainbows
* [2008.12.10] Cross Game
* [2009.08.05] Hana (華)

Testimonial

I was instantly fell in love with "Arisu Kyuu" when i heard Yuri Wa Aoku Saite. I believe someday this band will make name for themself. And my hope come true now. Alice will soar their wings to the sky, and won't stop to fly even higher than now. Alice Nine had given me the biggest musical influence with their unique and undescrible music style. Its just too wide to describe this band and their music. Can't wait for their new singles and albums.

Here is Alice Nine's video: "Blue Planet"

Fin.K.L stands for "Fine Killing Liberty", which loosely translates into the "fin" i.e the end of liberty killing which means that the girls will stand up against and put and end to anything that will kill (our) liberty. Don't blame the girls, this name was chosen for the DSP Entertainment managed group even before the members were chosen.

Ock Juhyun was the first member chosen to join the not yet official group. After Juhyun won a singing contest on the radio singing Mariah Carey's "Hero", she was chosen to be the first member, and to this day, of the group, she remains the strongest vocally. Lee Jin joined next, after Juhyun invited her to audition for the casting director. Jin was signed immediately after she sang Eco's "Haeng Bok Han Na Reul". Afterwards, while drawing some sketches in the park, Sung Yuri was discovered and invited to join. At first, it seemed that Fin.K.L would have no Yuri, as her family was against their smart student daughter throwing away her studies, but luckily for us they gave in. Than finally, Lee Hyori, who would become the group leader, due to her being the oldest, was discovered while taking sticker pictures with her friends. By January 1998, with the group chosen and a name ready, Fin.K.L. was ready for the road to stardom.

Fin.K.L debuted officially on May 22, 1998. Their first single "Blue Rain" was received quite well but it was not until their second release from their first album, "To My Boyfriend", did Fin.K.L truly prove their popularity. "To My Boyfriend" became the first of their numerous number 1 hits. S.E.S, the girl group consisting of Shoo, Eugene and Sea (Bada) were their main rivals and some even say that Fin.K.L was only created by DSP to bring competition against their rival company, that of S.E.S. Yet, the girls remain good friends, with Shoo being especially close to Yuri and Jin.

During their first album, Fin.K.L were able to visit Tokyo, Japan and released a photo album entitled "Autumn Presents In Tokyo"1. During their second album, White, they planned a trip to Taiwan where they performed "To My Boyfriend", "Ruby" and "Never" to a huge crowd of Chinese fans, most of whom did not understand the lyrics, which demonstrates Fin.K.L's worldwide appeal. While in Taiwan, Fin.K.L was also able to meet with Taiwanese singer, Yuki Hsu, who did Mandarin covers of Fin.K.L's "To My Boyfriend" and "Ruby"2. A photo album of Fin.K.L's adventures in Taiwan was also released.

The period between Fin.K.L's second release "White" and that of the their third release "S.P.E.C.I.A.L" was only a short seven months. This third release, their 2.5 album, contained many hits that added to Fin.K.L's popularity: "To My Prince", "Time Of The Mask", "White" etc. This year, 1999, also marked the year of Fin.K.L's first live concert which was released in VCD and VHS format, both of which are currently no longer on sale.

Fin.K.L's second live concert came only a year later and included such memorable performances as Hyori's "Genie In A Bottle" and Yuri's "Baby, One More Time". Later that year, marked the release of their third album "Now", which was quite distinct in it's more mature portrayal of Fin.K.L. Now, no longer were they young girls new to the business, Now they were smart, young women ready to take on whatever came their way. The music video of "Now" was quite dissimilar from any music video Fin.K.L had ever done in the past.

Again, as with their 2.5 album, their 3.5 album "Memories & Melodies" came only a short seven months after their previous releases. With this album, Fin.K.L aimed to capture the time & sounds of a simpler time and they were well received. Compiled of oldie hits, Fin.K.L performed these songs with a new flavor, adding their own special touch. The third track of this album "You Wouldn't Know" was especially popular and was performed live by Fin.K.Lfor their fans numerous times.

Their title track on their fourth album, "Forever", of the same name, was a smooth, silky ballad that showcased each girl's individual vocal strengths. The music video of this song not only displayed their vocal talents but their acting talents as well. Perhaps this was a foretelling of the future? By May 2002, only two months after the release, the girls stopped activities on this album. Why, you may ask? As we would later learn, they had a few surprises in store for their loyal fans.

Following their fourth album, came the period that I like to call "Together But Apart". The idea of "Together But Apart" is that although only rarely do the girls come together in the same room or event, as they are pursuing solo activities, in their hearts and in the hearts of their fans, the girls are together in her mind and spirit as Fin.K.L, even though they are apart in activities.

Hyori, during this period, has enjoyed immense success as a solo artist. First as an MC of "Time Machine" and "Happy Together". Than with the release of her first solo album, "Stylish E", Hyori rose above all others in her field and was awarded almost all of the Daesangs, the most prestigious of Korean music awards, for her album. This was a surpirse to even her most loyal fans, although a happy one. Continuing on this wave of popularity, Hyori became the spokesperson in ads all over Korea for various companies including Anycall, Biotherm, GGPX and many others. She also appeared as the lead female actress in the SBS drama "Three Leaf Clover" co-starring opposite Ryu Jin, Kim Jung Hwa, Kim Kang Woo & Lee Hoon. Hyori's popularity, in her various activities, eventually came to be dubbed as "Hyori Syndrome" in South Korea. No doubt, we all eagerly anticipate the release of her second album in late 2005.

Jin, after activities for their fourth album, began acting regularly on the MBC sitcom New Non-Stop III. Since the fall of 2003, however, Jin acts as MC of KBS' "Show! Power Video" alongside Kim Kyung Shik and Yoon In Goo. She is also a participant in KBS' X-Man game show and acts in their reversal drama.

Juhyun, during this time, has also chosen to continue singing. With two successful releases under her belt "I'm" and "L'Ordeur Original", Juhyun has also had time to venture into other activites. One is a radio program that she hosts, and another is teaching yoga. Her yoga activities hve included dvd's and books. She also became a spokes model for Clarins.

Yuri, has managed to win many awards for her acting skills since performing her solo activities. She first appeared on "Bad Girls", and "Mak Sarang Mak Ha" than went on to star in SBS' drama, "Thousand Year Love" opposite So Ji Sup and Kim Nam Jin, a role that won Yuri a few acting awards. Continuing to shine, her next role was opposite Cha Tae Hyun in "Prince's First Love". We are sure to see Yuri's bright smile for a long time to come.

Currently, as of August 2005, although Fin.K.L has no plans for a fifth album, they will release two digital singles and a music video later this year.*credits goes to Finklitis

My testimonial

FinKL still the best kpop girlband. eventhough so many other kpop girlband. but finkl gave a very good impression for me. They aren't disbanded yet, both DSP Entrps and FinKL themselves never announce that FinKL is disband, they just too busy with their own solo career and activities. maybe they just bored, but i'm sure they will miss the old days of finkl. i hope they will reunite someday...will wait for them

Visual Kei Band in Japan

What is Visual Kei??

Visual kei (ヴィジュアル系 vijuaru kei, lit. "visual style") refers to a movement among Japanese Musician, that is characterized by the use of eccentric, sometimes flamboyant looks. This usually involves striking make-up, unusual hair styles and elaborate costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that Visual Kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of J-rock (a term referring to Japanese rock in general), with its own particular sound, related to glam-rock, punk and metal. However other sources state that Visual Kei's unique clothing and make-up, fashions, and participation in the related sub-culture, is equally as important as the sound of the music itself in the use of the term.

History

Visual Kei emerged in the late 1980s, pioneered by bands such as X Japan, D'erlanger, Buck-Tick, and Color.

Color vocalist "Dynamite Tommy" formed his record company Free-Will in 1986, which has been a major contributor in spreading modern Visual Kei outside Japan.

In 1992, X Japan launched an attempt to enter the European and American markets, but it would take another 8 years until popularity and awareness of Visual Kei bands would extend worldwide.

In the mid 1990s, Visual Kei received an increase in popularity throughout Japan, when album sales from Visual Kei bands started to reach record numbers. The most notable bands to achieve success during this period included, X Japan, Glay, and Luna Sea, however a drastic change in their appearance accompanied their success.

During the same period, bands such as Kuroyume, Malice Mizer, and Penicillin, gained mainstream awareness, although they were not as commercially successful.

By 1999, mainstream popularity in Visual Kei was declining, X Japan had disbanded, and the death of lead guitarist Hideto Matsumoto in 1998 had denied fans a possible reunion. It was not long before Luna Sea decided to disband in the year 2000, and L'Arc-en-Ciel went on a hiatus the same year.

In 2007 the genre has been revitalized, as Luna Sea performed a one-off performance, and X Japan reunited for a new single and a world tour. With these developments, Visual Kei bands enjoyed a boost in public awareness, described by the media as "Neo-Visual Kei".

Popularity

Visual Kei has enjoyed popularity among independent underground projects, as well as artists achieving mainstream success, with influences from Western phenomena, such as glam, goth and cyberpunk. The music performed encompasses a large variety of genres, i.e. pop,punk, heavy metal and electronica. Magazines published regularly in Japan with Visual Kei coverage are Arena 37°C, Fool's Mate andShoxx. Noted bands who at least at some point sported a Visual Kei theme include Dir en grey, Luna Sea and Malice Mizer.

Popularity and awareness of such groups outside of Japan has seen an increase in recent years. While the successful X Japan launched an attempt to enter the international market as early as 1992, it would still take another decade until live concerts and regular domestic releases by Visual Kei themed bands in Europe and North America came to pass. *credits goes to Wikipedia.org*

My Own Review and Perspective

Early 1980's in Japan there is so many band with Glam Rock or Hair Metal style. There is a lot of name such as Boowy, 44Magnum, AION, Die in Cries, Dead End, Saver Tiger (hide X-Japan was in this band too), Kinniku Shojo Tai, Derlanger, X, etc.

But why X became the legend in Visual Kei movement??

Here is the explanation. Because hide once was a beautician and Yoshiki is the first crossdresser who dared to show it to public. After that, other bands followed X movement in crossdress and dye their hair not just in yellow or blonde colour, but also pink, red like hide did and also painting their face.

Band with Visual Kei:

1980's-late 1980's: X, Kinniku Shojo Tai, Derlanger, Tokyo Yankees, Saver Tiger, Color, Derlanger, etc

1990's-late 1990's: Anti Feminism, La'Sadie, Eliphas Levi, Mirage, Syndrome, Pennicilin, Baiser, Lareine, L'arc en Ciel, Rentrer en Soi, Blood.

2000-present: Alice Nine, the Gazette, ayabie, NoGod, Naitomea, Bergerac, SuG, Vidoll, Daizystripper.

my "menuet vs duel"

here is my first video. i played "menuet vs duel".
i missed a lot of notation \(-.-!)/
hope you will like it...