Janne Da Arc
Janne Da Arc (ジャンヌダルク, Jannu Daruku?) is a Japanese rock band from Hirakata, Osaka. The band's name is often seen shortened to either "Janne" (ジャンヌ) or "JDA".
Career
The band is currently signed to the Motorod record label, which is owned by Avex Group. They have released three indie albums, nine major-label albums (including single collections), 26 singles, and 14 DVDs.
On May 9, 2006, they celebrated their tenth anniversary, the date marking when the final member, Shuji, became an official member of the band. The band was not named after historical figure Joan of Arc, despite their song "Kyuuseishu (Messiah)" being about her. Yasu named the band after a character in the manga Devilman by Go Nagai. A picture of the character can be seen on the art for the band's limited edition Janne Da Arc 10th Anniversary Indies Complete Box, released March 15, 2006.
Their sound is self-described as "pop rock", and vocalist Yasu takes many musical cues from his musical idol, Motoyuki "Morrie" Ootsuka of the metal band Dead End.[1] However, the members of Janne Da Arc have proven themselves to be very versatile as well as proficient at their chosen instruments, and are influenced by many bands and musical styles.
As of January 26, 2007, the members of Janne Da Arc are pursuing solo projects, concurrent with their work in the band.[2][3]
On May 19, 2009, they released a 10th Anniversary Complete Box Set, which topped the Oricon chart.
Members
- Yasu (Yasunori Hayashi), vocalist, born January 27, 1975 in Hirakata, Osaka, Japan. Favorite artists include Dead End and Boowy. Yasu describes himself as someone who generally likes to remain at home, with a penchant for going out and playing pachinko and reading manga late into the night. Yasu also plays the guitar and keyboard, the latter of which he uses to compose most of his music. In 2007 he started his solo project, Acid Black Cherry.
- You (Yutaka Tsuda), guitarist, born July 24, 1974 in Kobe, Japan. Favorite artists include Unicorn and Nuno Bettencourt. Yasu describes him as a very cool, collected individual. Shuji, however, describes him as the member of the band that rainy weather seems to follow around, thanks to several of Janne Da Arc's live shows being done on days with severe rainfall.
- Ka-yu (Kazuyuki Matsumoto), bassist, born January 21, 1975 in Hirakata, Osaka, Japan. Favorite artists include Crazy Cool Joe (Dead End bassist) and Boowy. Ka-yu is like a brother to Yasu, and is characterized by his more visual kei look in comparison to the rest of the band members, as well as his love for animals. In 2010 he has announced the start of a new project called DAMIJAW, starting out with an album on April 28.[4]
- Kiyo (real name unknown), keyboardist, born June 27, 1974 in Hirakata, Osaka, Japan. Favorite artists include Earth, Wind, and Fire and Keith Emerson. Kiyo is the oldest member of Janne Da Arc, and acts as an older brother to the band.
- Shuji (Shuji Suematsu), drummer, born November 21, 1974 in Kobe, Japan. Favorite artists include X Japan and Loudness. Shuji is often referred to by the other members as "Gramps" because of his older appearance and down-to-earth nature. In contrast to guitarist You, Shuji considers himself to be a fair-weather man.
All the members, with the exception of Ka-yu, graduated from Hirakata West High School in the same class. For the release of their single Furimukeba..., Janne Da Arc returned to their high school to give a special performance, which became the feature film Hirakata.
Discography
Indies
- Dearly - April 17, 1998
- Resist - December 5, 1998
- Chaos Mode - March 17, 1999
Singles
- Red Zone - March 19, 1999 / June 20, 2001
- Lunatic Gate - September 22, 1999
- Eden: Kimi ga Inai (Eden: 君がいない?, Eden: You're Not Here) - January 13, 2000
- Heaven's Place/Vanity - December 4, 2000
- Will: Chizu ni nai Basho (Will: 地図にない場所?, Will: A Place Unmapped) - June 26, 2000
- Mysterious - November 8, 2000
- Dry? - January 31, 2001
- Neo Venus - April 25, 2001
- Seed - July 25, 2001
- Sylvia (シルビア, Shirubia?) - October 24, 2001
- Feel the Wind - December 12, 2001
- Shining ray - August 7, 2002
- Maria no Tsumeato (マリアの爪痕?, Maria's Scar) - November 20, 2002
- Kasumi Yuku Sora Se ni Shite (霞ゆく空背にして?, Turning My Back on the Misty Sky) - January 16, 2003
- Rainy: Ai no Shirabe (Rainy: 愛の調べ?, Rainy: Sense of Love) - May 8, 2003
- Ueta Taiyou (餓えた太陽?, Thirsted Sun) - August 20, 2003
- Freedom - March 24, 2004
- Kiss Me - April 7, 2004
- Dolls - May 19, 2004
- Romance - May 26, 2004
- Black Jack - June 2, 2004
- Love Is Here - November 17, 2004
- Gekkouka (月光花?, Moonlight Flower) - January 19, 2005 - #2
- Diamond Virgin (ダイヤモンドヴァージン, Daiyamondo Vaajin?) - May 18, 2005
- Furimukeba (振り向けば…?, If I Turn Around…)/Destination - February 8, 2006 - #2
- Heaven/Mobius (メビウス, Mobiusu?) - #2 Ranked Platinum (selling more than 250,000 copies) by RIAJ in 2008
Albums
| # |
Information |
1st week sales |
1st /
Debut
Album |
D・N・A
- Released: March 8, 2000
- Format: CD5", CD5"+DVD
- Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #11
|
41,020
copies sold |
| 2nd |
Z-Hard
- Released: February 28, 2001
- Format: CD5", CD5"+DVD
- Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #16
|
25,680
copies sold |
| 3rd |
Gaia
- Release Date: January 23, 2002
- Format: CD5", CD5"+DVD
- Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #6
|
47,060
copies sold |
| 4th |
Another Story
- Release Date: February 13, 2003
- Format: CD5", CD5"+DVD
- Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #4
|
43,122
copies sold |
| 5th |
Arcadia
- Release Date: July 7, 2004
- Format: CD5", CD5"+DVD
- Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #2 (#1 on daily chart)
|
62,502
copies sold |
| 6th |
Joker
- Release Date: June 15, 2005
- Format: CD5", CD5"+DVD
- Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #4
|
100,907
copies sold |
Video
- 1999 Tour "Chaos Mode" (June 30, 1999)
- 5 Stories <Clips & More> (September 27, 2000)
- Fate or Fortune: Live at Budokan (March 28, 2001)
- Six Clips (March 13, 2002)
- 100th Memorial Live Live Infinity 2002 at Budokan (December 26, 2002)
DVD
- 1999 Tour "Chaos Mode" (September 27, 2000)
- 5 Stories <Clips & More> (September 27, 2000)
- Fate or Fortune: Live at Budokan (March 28, 2001)
- Six Clips (March 13, 2002)
- 100th Memorial Live: Live Infinity 2002 at Budokan (December 26, 2002)
- Another Story Clips (March 19, 2003)
- Singles Clips (November 12, 2003)
- Danjiri Night (December 25, 2003)
- Arcadia Clips (September 29, 2004)
- Hirakata (February 16, 2005)
- Live 2005 "Dearly" at Osaka-jō Hall 03.27 (March 27, 2005)
- 10th Anniversary Special Live: Osaka Nanba Rockets 2006.5.9 (September 20, 2006)
- Live 2006 Dead or Alive: Saitama Super Arena 05.20 (September 20, 2006)
- Tour Joker 2005 at Budokan (March 25, 2009)
Blu-ray
- Tour Joker 2005 at Budokan (March 25, 2009)
Box Sets
- Janne Da Arc 10th Anniversary Indies Complete Box (3CD,1DVD) (March 15, 2006)
- Janne Da Arc Complete Box (6CD,3DVD) (May 19, 2009) #1
Other Notes
- Destination was the theme song for the video game Over G Fighters
- Neo Venus was released as the commercial theme song for the video game Rockman EXE.
- Feel the Wind was released as the commercial Theme song for the video game Rockman EXE 2.
- Mysterious was released as the Opening Theme for the anime Sci-Fi Harry.
- Shining Ray was released as the 8th Ending theme for the anime One Piece, and was a cover track for the music arcade video game Drummania 8th Mix.
- Wild Fang was released as the Opening Theme for the video game Rockman X8.
- Gekkouka was released as Opening Theme for the anime Black Jack.
- Kasumi Yuku Sora Se ni Shite was released as the 2nd Ending Theme for the anime Monkey Typhoon.
- Möbius was released as Opening Theme for the anime Bakegyamon.
References
External links