Kishidan

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氣志團(Kishidan)

Background information
Origin Japan
Genre(s) Rock
Years active 1996- present
Label(s) Toshiba Emi
Website Kishidan Official Site
Members
Show
Hikaru
Tommy
Ranma
Matsu
Yukki

Kishidan, which means "The Knights", is a comical pop rock band from Japan. They have a nostalgic retro flair, wearing Japanese school uniforms extended in the style of the bōsōzoku. Musically, they have a much more pop sound than the traditional rock sound.

Contents

[edit] Members

  • Ayanokouji Shou (綾小路 翔?) (Show) — Vocals, Dragon Voice and emcee; birthdate 26 April
(Pop singer DJ OZMA is widely rumored to be his alter-ego.)
  • Saotome Hikaru (早乙女 光?) (Hikaru) — Dance and scream; birthdate 24 January
  • Saionji Hitomi (西園寺 瞳?) (Tommy) — Guitar; birthdate 23 October
  • Hoshi Grandmarnier (星 グランマニエ?) (Ranma) — Guitar; birthdate 1 March
  • Shiratori Shouchikubai (白鳥 松竹梅?) (Matsu) — Bass guitar; birthdate 17 March
  • Shiratori Yukinojou (白鳥 雪之丞?) (Yukki) — Drums & drunk; birthdate 24 May

[edit] Stage personas

Their various uniforms, modeled after the short and long-coat bōsōzoku-preferred versions of old Japanese gakuran (boys' school uniforms), their matching bōsōzoku uniforms (the kind modeled on those worn by kamikaze pilots)...everything is done with a touch of humor and a nostalgic fondness for the gangs and values of days not-long gone by.

However, their stage personas are not the only thing of note in Kishidan. Regardless of their often comic approach to music and performing, they are a group of seriously talented young men. Show's lyrics, although predominantly about motorcycles, being with your gang, conflicting with school, and adolescent love, are very strong. Show's songs can be sweet love songs, songs of a desperate need for escape (rooted in the impoverished and hopeless background that produced many a young deliquent in Japan), songs of courage and faith and love for your friends. This paired with his and guitarist Ranma's incredible ability for musical composition, along with the passion and strength of six grown men who refuse to grow up make Kishidan a band worthy of note and of respect.

Kishidan's hit songs "One Night Carnival" and "Zoku" were featured in Nintendo's Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, and Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2, respectively, which are games about ouendan (male Japanese cheerleaders). The song "One Night Carnival" (a cover version) is even used for a level that was inspired by one of Kishidan's live performances. Coincidentally, the characters wear long gakuran coats and dance like Kishidan. The dancing style is based on actual ouendan cheering routines, and long gakuran coats are often worn by ouendan cheer teams. It is possible that Kishidan's lively and powerful dance routines were inspired by the tradition of ouendan cheering, a subject that is unique to Japanese culture.

[edit] Live show

Kishidan embraces the theatrics of rock music in their live performance, and make extensive use of pop dancing and theatrics. Members of the band will sometimes pretend to perish mid-concert in battle with rival school gangs. Kishidan is also known to parody current popular Japanese songs, such as Matsudaira Ken's "Matsuken Samba II", and Nakashima Mika's "Glamorous Sky" from the film adaptation of Nana.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • 房総与太郎路薫狼琉 (Bousou Yotarou Rock'n'Roll) (2000-10-06)
  • One Night Carnival (2001-06-22)
  • 1/6 LONELY NIGHT (2002-04-11)
  • BOYS' COLOR (2003-03-26)
  • TOO FAST TO LIVE TOO YOUNG TO DIE (2004-03-17)
  • 死無愚流　呼麗苦衝音+3 (Singles Collection +3)(2004-11-25)
  • 愛 羅 武 勇 (Ai Ra Bu Yuu / "I Love You")(2005-10-26)
  • Six Senses (2007-03-28)

[edit] Singles

  • One Night Carnival (2002-05-29)
  • 恋人／Love Balladは歌えない (Koibito/Love Ballad wa Utaenai) (2002-09-04)
  • スウィンギン・ニッポン (Swingin' Nippon) (2003-06-11)
  • SECRET LOVE STORY (2003-10-29)
  • キラ キラ！ (Kira Kira!) (2004-02-18)
  • 結婚闘魂行進曲「マブダチ」 (Kekkon Toukon Koushinkyoku "Mabudachi") (2004-06-16)
  • 族 (Zoku) (2004-09-01)
  • 夢見る頃を過ぎても (Yumemiru koro wo Sugitemo) (2005-03-02)
  • 俺達には土曜日しかない (Oretachi ni wa Doyoubi Shikanai) (2005-06-15)
  • You & Me Song (2005-09-07)
  • The アイシテル (The AISHITERU) (2006-08-09)

[edit] DVD

  • 氣志團現象－外伝－DVD「恋人」 (2002-09-26)

(Kishidan Genshou ~ Gaiden ~ DVD "Koibito")

  • 氣志團現象完全版－2000－2002－ (2003-03-05)

(Kishidan Genshou Kanzenban - 2000-2002 -)

  • 氣志團万博2003木更津グローバル・コミュニケーション！！～Born in the toki no K-city～ (2003-11-27)

(Kishidan Banpaku 2003 Kisarazu Global Communication!! ~Born in the toki no K-city~)

  • 氣志團現象大全－SAMURAI SPIRIT SUICIDE－ (2004-07-26)

(Kishidan Genshou Daizen -Samurai Spirit Suicide-)

  • 氣志團現象最終章"THE LAST SONG"in 東京ドーム (2005-02-23)

(Kishidan Genshou Saishuushou "The Last Song" in Tokyo Dome)

  • 氣志團現象番外編 NEVER ENDING SUMMER (2005-12-07)

(Kishidan Genshou Bangaihen Never Ending Summer)

  • 氣志團万博2006 極東 Never Land (2006-12-20)

(Kishidan Banpaku 2006 Kyokutou Never Land)

[edit] Other

  • 氣志團現象（１）～さよならの果実たち～ (VHS 2001-12-06)

(Kishidan Genshou (1) ~Sayonara no Kajitsutachi~)

  • 氣志團現象（２）～肌色だけのエンジェル～ (VHS 2002-01-23)

(Kishidan Genshou (2) ~Hadairo Dake no Angel~)

  • 氣志團現象（３）～朝日の中のレクイエム～ (VHS 2002-02-27)

(Kishidan Genshou (3) ~Asahi no Naka no Requiem~)

  • 族 (Zoku) (2004-09-01)
  • 夢見る頃を過ぎても (Yumemiru koro wo Sugitemo) (2005-03-02)
  • 俺達には土曜日しかない (Oretachi ni wa Doyoubi Shikanai) (2005-06-15)
  • You & Me Song (2005-09-07)
  • The アイシテル (The AISHITERU) (2006-08-09)

[edit] External links