AXS

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access (or AXS) is a Japanese popular music group. Its members are Daisuke Asakura and Hiroyuki Takami.

access was formed in 1992 after singer Hiroyuki Takami performed as a guest vocalist for upcoming songwriter/producer Daisuke Asakura. From the start, Daisuke Asakura said he felt a connection with Hiroyuki Takami.

The two went on to record three albums before announcing their break-up in 1995 for unknown reasons. Scandals and rumors surround the reason for the break-up to this day.

In 2002 the two reunited with much fanfare. access' reunion was well-received and many fans resurfaced with the release of the album "Crossbridge." The next album, "rippin' GHOST" was considerably less successful and was considered by Sony Music of Japan to be a flop. access recently became an independent act, though Hiroyuki Takami is still under contract to Sony for his solo works.

access is famous for its homosexual fanservice. The two have often hugged and kissed on stage, as well as made gay themed promotional videos (PV). They also endorsed a yaoi doujinshi named "Sequence Meditation" based on a novel by Akio Inoue who would later go on to write lyrics for T.M.Revolution as well as their 2002 return single "Only The Love Survive" The novel tells the story of EXAS with members Ryousuke Asakura (Daisuke Asakura) and Takayuki Fujimi (Hiroyuki Takami) who break up at the end of the novel. The comic cuts off leaving out the graphic sex scene the novel has. A second book and comic called "Protonics" was made. The comic left in a sex scene and was not endorsed by access. Daisuke Asakura encouraged fans to read the book claiming "It has truth in it" On a 1997 radio interview Hiroyuki Takami dismissed speculation of his sexuality by saying, "I am not gay."

AXS is their written nickname. While spelt AXS, it is actually not an x but two inturned arrows ("A-><-S"). The nickname was coined by Takami. It first appeared on the group's debut album "FAST ACCESS" on the last page of the lyrics book. AXS replaced the group's name on their third single "NAKED DESIRE" The logo has many variations depending on its use.

There is only one album that has "AXS" credited as the group's name: "AXS Remix Best Tracks". In all albums from 1993-1995 song production was credited as "songs by AXS"

Before their reunion in 2002, the logo and nickname have not been used except as credits for remixed songs on the album and tour DVDs of "Crossbridge."

In 2006 for the "blanc" and "rouge" tour, AXS reappeared sporting a coat of arms for the tour's logo.

1 Discography
2 External links

[edit] Discography

[edit] Singles

'Virgin Emotion' (11/26/1992)
'JEWELRY ANGEL' (1/25/1993)
'NAKED DESIRE' (5/26/1993)
'MOONSHINE DANCE' (8/25/1993)
'TRY AGAIN' (12/8/1993)
'Yume wo Mitaikara(夢を見たいから)' (1/26/1994)
'MISTY HEARTBREAK' (4/27/1994)
'SWEET SILENCE' (5/25/1994)
'DRASTIC MERMAID' (8/19/1994)
'DRASTIC MERMAID Re-SYNC STYLE (8/25/1994)
'SCANDALOUS BLUE' (10/19/1994)
'SCANDALOUS BLUE - Re-SYNC STYLE' (10/26/1994)
'TEAR'S LIBERATION' (12/7/1994)
'TEAR'S LIBERATION - Re-SYNC STYLE (12/14/1994)
'Only the love survive' (1/23/2002)
'EDGE' (2/27/2002)
'REAL AT NIGHT - Nemurenu Yoru no Muko ni -(～眠れる夜の向こうに～)' (2/19/2003)

[edit] Albums

FAST ACCESS (2/25/1993)
ACCESS II (9/22/1993)
MISTY HEARTBREAK Re-SYNC STYLE (5/8/1994)
DELICATE PLANET (5/25/1994)
LIVE ONES SYNC - ACROSS JAPAN TOUR '93-'94 (3/15/1995)
LIVE ZEROS SYNC - ACROSS JAPAN TOUR '93-'94 (3/15/1995)
AXS SINGLE TRACKS (10/1/1995)
SYNC - BEAT BOX -893 Days- (6/23/1999)
AXS SINGLE TRACKS (3/20/2002)
CROSSBRIDGE (3/20/2002)
Rippin' GHOST (2/5/2003)
Re-sync Ghost (4/9/2003)
Diamond Cycle (1/31/2007)

[edit] DVD

LIVE REFLEXIONS II - SYNC - ACROSS JAPAN TOUR '94 DELICATE PLANET - (5/22/2002)
LIVE REFLEXIONS - ACCESS TO SECOND - (5/22/2002)
LOOKING ALL THE REFLEXIONS (5/22/2002)
access TOUR 2002 "CROSSBRIDGE" LIVE at TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FORUM (8/21/2002)
access LIVE SYNC - ACROSS 2002 "SUMMER STYLE" LIVE at NIPPON BUDOKAN (3/19/2003)