Velvet Eden
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| Velvet Eden | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
| Years active | 1998-2002 |
| Genres | Visual Kei, Ero guro |
| Labels | Arachne |
| Members | Dada, Kalm |
Velvet Eden is a Japanese Rock/Visual Kei band, that formed in 1998. The group disbanded in 2002 after parting ways with vocalist Dada.
Contents |
[edit] History
The band began as a duo, with eccentric drag queen Dada performing vocals, and Kalm on keyboards, playing purely electronic music with a darker emphasis. Velvet Eden became relatively popular within certain indies circles in Japan, after the release of their debut album "Ningyou Shoukan" which contained dark lyrical themes and stories, with mysterious characters who came to life through the songs.
In 2000 Kalm departed, this would lead to Velvet Eden acquiring a more rock based sound, with four new members; Hora, Masahiro, Abe and R.Y.O. Hora would soon leave after the single "Suteneko," and the rest would follow later. Three new members; Bera, Mimi and Lem joined, this would prove be the final line-up of Velvet Eden as sole remaining founding member Dada left, after choosing not to show up to one of the band's live shows. The remaining members changed their name to "The Velvet" and continued on without him.
[edit] Status of former members
Dada no longer performs music, and is currently drawing a manga. Kalm writes songs for people when it pleases him to do so. Hora went on to form Rudolf Steiner, Schwarz Stein, and Another Cell with Kaya from Meties/Isola, and is also carrying out his own solo career. Abe has been in various bands since then, and is currently in "Shrine", possibly with R.Y.O. 'The Velvet' carried on with Reina for some time, but their web site is gone.
[edit] Trivia
- Dada claims this is not related, but there is also an erotic/pornographic photobook called Velvet Eden. It might be a reference to the monthly SM fetish event held at Caesar's in London. Early on they described their style as 'pornographic-teki souzouryoku' (Translated as; pornographic-like imaginary power).
- The band released most of their music on their own independent label; Arachne, they did however release a single "Sute Neko" on Castle Records.
- Dada has modeled for the Gothic Lolita fashion label called "Arachnophobia", but does not actually design for it. That's Zaki, who works at the ID Japan shop in Harajuku, and her friend. It was originally believed that Dada did the design, but this proved false.
- Dada was known to call fans who filled out questionarres after the lives to chat. This, of course, is not usually done in the visual kei scene.
- Dada was in an electronic band called E-type before he formed Velvet Eden, which released one 4 track demo tape, Der Jungenfried Traum.
- His name comes from the Dada-seijin in Ultraman Episode "Ningen Hyouhon 5, 6"
- Although Kalm and Dada liked bands such as Soft Ballet, their music preferences tended more towards the foreign music scene.
- The band was unusual among the visual-kei scene; they were known to actually hang out with their fans...
- Dada didn't show up to the live because he and the other members had a band/professional fall-out and he took a bus back to Osaka.
[edit] Members
- Dada - Vocals
- Kalm - Keyboards
- R.Y.O. - Bass
- Masahiro - Guitar
- Abe - Drums
- Hora - Keyboards
- Bera - Guitar
- Mimi - Bass
- Lem - Drums
[edit] Discography
[edit] Demotapes
- Kalm (????)
[edit] Albums
- Ningyou Shoukan (1999)
- Street of Alice (2000)
[edit] Single
- Sute Neko (2000)
[edit] Video
- Sad Mask - (2000)
