Plastic Tree

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Plastic Tree
Origin Chiba Japan
Genre(s) Alternative Rock
Years active 1995–present
Label(s) J-Rock
Members
Arimura Ryutaro (有村竜太朗)
Nakayama Akira (ナカヤマ アキラ)
Hasegawa Tadashi (長谷川 正)
Sasabuchi "Bucchi" Hiroshi (ササブチ ヒロシ)
Former members
Shin (Drums) (left 1996)
Takashi (Drums) (left 2001)

Plastic Tree (プラスティック トゥリー) is a Japanese rock band that formed in the early 1990's in Chiba, Japan. Plastic Tree debuted in May 1995 and released their first mini-album on December 11th of the same year. Since forming, they have changed drummers 4 times.

Contents

[edit] Information

Autograph session at Chibi Japan Expo 2007.
Autograph session at Chibi Japan Expo 2007.

Plastic Tree (プラスティック トゥリー) also known as PuraTuri (プラトゥリ), or more affectionately, Pura-chan by fans (kurage), Plastic Tree formed between 1993 and 1994. They can generally be described as alternative, although their beginnings tend to be labeled as visual kei, and are often compared with brit-rock bands.

While it has been popularly speculated that the band's name was derived from Radiohead's song, Fake Plastic Trees, the formation of the band and the release of this song do not coincide properly. Recently Ryutaro and Tadashi revealed the real origin of the name - they wanted to combine two words to form the band name; something artificial and something natural. After trying a few combinations, they decided on 'Plastic Tree'. Even though their name may not have come from the Radiohead song, Radiohead is still a major influence on the band. It is common knowledge that Plastic Tree's Rira no ki is a 'cover' of Radiohead's My Iron Lung. Ryuutarou once answered the question "If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one album, which album would it be?" He responded with "Pablo Honey by Radiohead." Also, on the DVD Kuro Tent 2, many of the live names are derived from works by The Smashing Pumpkins.

When on the Sweetheart label, Plastic Tree's fan club was called "Sickroom". When the band changed to the label J-Rock, they opened a new fan club "JellyFish Breed".

[edit] Sound

Plastic Tree's sound has been influenced by bands such as Radiohead and The Cure, though the most recognizeable signature of Plastic Tree is the melodic, child-like voice of Ryutaro. It is often described as very 'ethereal', and adds to the unique quality of their music. In recent years, there has been some dispute of the band moving in a more mainstream direction, though they still appear to be very devoted to their fans and remain faithful to their musical roots.

Plastic Tree's sound ranges from hardcore rock to pop and has undergone many changes. Their sound is aided by Ryuutarou's unique vocals and lyrics. Before the album Toroimerai was released, Tadashi wrote nearly all the songs, usually with Ryutaro writing lyrics. However, more recent releases have had Akira and Ryuutaro writing both lyrics and music more frequently.

[edit] Band Members

有村竜太朗 Arimura Ryuutarou

  • vocal
  • march 6, 1973
  • bloodtype AB

長谷川 正 Hasegawa Tadashi

  • bass
  • November 16, 1970
  • bloodtype O

ササブチ ヒロシ Sasabuchi Hiroshi

  • drums
  • October 12, 1976
  • bloodtype A

ナカヤマ アキラ Nakayama Akira

  • guitar
  • January 16, 1971
  • bloodtype A

大正谷　隆　Osyoudani Takashi (ex-drummer)

  • drums
  • January 15, 1972
  • bloodtype B

[edit] Trivia

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • Kimyou na Kajitsu ~Strange Fruits~ (1995.12.11)
  • HIDE and SEEK (1997.07.10)
  • Puppet Show (1998.08.26)
  • Parade (2000.08.23)
  • Cut ~Early Songs Best Selection~ (2001.03.27)
  • Plastic Tree Single Collection (2001.11.14)
  • トロイメライ (TRÄUMEREI [toroimerai]) (2002.09.21)
  • Best Album (Premium Best) (2002.11.07)
  • シロクロニクル　(SHIRO CHRONICLE) (2003.10.22)
  • cell (2004.8.25)
  • 白盤 [shiro ban] (Greatest Hits) (2005.10.26)
  • 黒盤 [kuro ban] (Greatest Hits) (2005.10.26)
  • シャンデリア (CHANDELIER) (2006.06.28)
  • 「ネガとポジ」(Nega to Poji) (2007.06.27)
  • B面画報 (B-Men Gahou) (2007.09.05)

[edit] Singles

  • リラの樹　RIRA no ki (1996.09.25)
  • 割れた窓　wareta mado (1997.06.25)
  • 本当の嘘　hontou no uso (1998.02.15)
  • 絶望の丘　zetsubou no oka (1998.06.25)
  • トレモロ　Tremolo (1999.03.10)
  • Sink (1999.08.25)
  • ツメタイヒカリTSUMETAI HIKARI (1999.12.10)
  • スライド　SLIDE (2000.04.19)
  • ロケット　ROCKET (2000.07.12)
  • プラネタリウム　PLANETARIUM (2001.01.07)
  • 散りユク僕ラ　chiriyuku bokura (2001.09.14)
  • 蒼い鳥　aoi tori (2002.06.26)
  • バカになったのに　baka ni natta noni (2003.05.21)
  • もしもピアノが弾げたなら　MOSHIMO PIANO GA HIKETA NARA (2003.06.25)
  • 水色ガールフレンド　mizuiro GIRLFRIEND (2003.10.1)
  • 雪蛍 yuki hotaru (2004.01.12)
  • 春咲 センチメンタル harusaki SENTIMENTAL (2004.03.10)
  • メランコリック　MELANCHOLIC (2004.07.28)
  • 讚美歌 sanbika (2005.5.11)
  • 名前のない花 namae no nai hana (2005.10.12)
  • GHOST (2005.11.16)
  • 空中ブランコ kuuchuu buranko (2005.12.14)
  • ナミダ ドロップ namida doroppu (2006.05.10)
  • スピカ spica (2007.01.23)
  • 真っ赤な糸 makka na ito (2007.05.16)
  • アローンアゲイン、ワンダフルワールド alone again, wonderful world (2008.04.09)

[edit] DVD

  • 二次元ヲゴール③ nijigen orgel 3 (2004.12.22)
  • 黒テント② kuro tent 2 (2002.12.18)
  • 黒テント (2002.03.21)
  • 二次元ヲゴール② nijigen orgel 2 (2000.11.22)
  • 二次元ヲゴール nijigen orgel (2005.07.28)
  • 花燃えて、亡霊の涙、天幕に堕ちる。- Live & Clips 2005 (2006.03.09)
  • ZERO 10th Anniversary LIVE at budoukan (2007.09.08)

[edit] External links

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