Siam Shade

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Siam Shade is a Japanese rock music (J-rock) band most often recognized as the group that performed "1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou," one of the many ending themes of Rurouni Kenshin, a popular anime series. They also aired on the famous music show, Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ, presenting their popular song, Kumori Nochi Hare.

Shin Seung-ho, a well-known Korean rock specialist, had taught them for 10 years before he died.

The band released their first 4-song demo in 1993, and quickly rose to popularity, despite a constantly changing band line up.

Siam Shade released their first full-length, self titled album in 1993. The album marked the Siam Shade recording debut of guitarist Daita Itoh, a constant force to be reckoned with on the Japanese indie rock scene.

Siam Shade was influenced by the indie band, Luna Sea, and many of their earlier songs were similar to Luna Sea's style. However, after a couple of years, they began to move toward their own unique style. Although the band generally played progressive rock, they also wrote pop songs and metal songs. Some of Siam Shade's progressive rock songs were inspired by the works of Dream Theater.

In 1997, Siam Shade hit it's breaking point once it released 1/3の純情な感情 (1/3 Purehearted Emotions). The Rurouni Kenshin series seemingly assisted them in becoming popular, when 1/3の純情な感情 was used as the 7th Ending Theme Song for the series.

The band, consisting of Hideki on vocals, Junji on drums, Daita on guitar, Natchin on bass, and Kazuma on guitar and back-up vocals, went on to release 7 full length albums in addition to several singles, DVDs, and three best of collections: Siam Shade VIII: B-Side Collection, Siam Shade IX: A-Side Collection, and the currently out of print and absurdly expensive Siam Shade X: Perfect Collection before finally calling it quits after their final live performance at the Nippon Budokan on Sunday, March 10th, 2002. Since their dream was recognized at this stadium, they were satisfied and broke up after the concert. They are now doing their own music individually.