Baroque (band)
baroque | |
---|---|
Origin | Japan |
Genres | Rock |
Years active | 2001–2004, 2011, 2012–present |
Labels | S'Cube, Firewall Div./SMEJ |
Associated acts | Kannivalism |
Website | Official site |
Members |
ryo Kei |
Past members |
Naru Yuji Bansaku Akira |
Baroque (stylized as baroque) is a Japanese rock band originally formed in 2001.[1][2] They have been credited as one of the bands that started oshare kei,[3] a sub-genre of visual kei that features more colorful outfits and utilizes upbeat and "happy" music. Originally signed to S'Cube, a sub-division of the independent record label Free-Will, the band later switched to the company's Firewall Division, with distribution handled by Sony Music Entertainment Japan. After releasing two albums, along with a greatest hits compilation, several singles and home video releases, baroque disbanded in 2004. baroque reunited for a free concert in 2011 and fully restarted activities in January 2012.[4][5]
History
2001–2004: Formation and disbandment
baroque began with the members ryo, Akira, Kei, Bansaku, and Naru. In late 2001, baroque released 2 demotapes. After releasing a mini-album and video tape, Naru left the band in March and was replaced by Yuji.[6][7] In 2002, still as an independent band, baroque released three singles and was able to play at NHK Hall.[1][6] After the singles were released, Yuji left the band due to problems with his brain/memory.[8]
Their first major single was Gakidou.[9] When baroque went major in 2003, their sound shifted and included a drum machine; also their style shifted to casual clothing.[10] Their second major single "Ila" in particular had a trance/electronica sound.[1]
Shortly after their major label debut, the band's bassist announced he was resigning.[11] The band announced on September 11 that they would break up, but they continued activities through the rest of the year.[7][12][13] Their last concert was a sold out performance at Zepp Tokyo on December 25, 2004, titled "baroque Last Live Mumirai -No Future-".[1][10]
Vocalist ryo and guitarist Kei then reformed their previous band Kannivalism in 2006.[11]
2011–present: Reunion and the disappearance of Bansaku
baroque reunited for a free live, titled "Odai ha Kekkou Irimasenkara", on July 17, 2011 at Yokohama Red Brick.[4] On September 28, 2011, they announced that they would fully restart activities at a live called "baroque Re: First Live in Future" on January 6, 2012 at Zepp Tokyo.[5] On January 4, they released three singles, "Rinzen Identity", "Mono Dorama" and "Teeny-Tiny Star".[14] The singles reached third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, on the Oricon chart, making baroque the first independent band to have three of the top five positions on the majors' chart.[14] They then went on a nationwide tour in March, followed by a hall tour in April.[14]
On June 26, baroque posted on their website that bassist Bansaku had been missing since June 24.[15] The band notified the police and even retitled their tour to "Search for Bansaku".[15] A month later, on July 30, a message was posted on their website stating that a representative of Bansaku's contacted the band saying he was safe, but due to his health has decided to leave baroque.[16] However, as the message was not from Bansaku himself, the other members stated that they are trying to arrange a meeting with him in person.[16]
Members
- ryo (怜) – vocals
- Kei (圭) – guitar
- Former members
Discography
- Albums
- Sug Life (September 9, 2004) Oricon Weekly Album Chart Top Position: No. 31[17]
- Non-fiction (ノンフィクション, April 3, 2013) No. 7[17]
- Mini albums
- Tokyo Stripper (東京ストリッパー, January 12, 2002)
- Compilation Albums
- Brq 2001-2004 (December 12, 2004) No. 55[17]
- Complete Collection 2001-2004 (April 3, 2013) No. 57[17]
- Singles
- "Sukebe Boy" (スケベボウイ, August 7, 2002)
- "Caramel Drops" (キャラメルドロップス, November 29, 2002)
- "Chaplin" (February 5, 2003) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Top Position: No. 23[18]
- "Gakidou" (我伐道, July 24, 2003) No. 14[18]
- "ila." (April 7, 2004) No. 17[18]
- "Gariron" (ガリロン, April 21, 2004) No. 18[18]
- "Nutty a Hermit" (July 28, 2004) No. 28[18]
- "Rinzen Identity" (凛然アイデンティティ, January 4, 2012) No. 3[18]
- "Monodrama" (モノドラマ, January 4, 2012) No. 4[18]
- "Teeny-Tiny Star" (January 4, 2012) No. 5[18]
- "Zaza Ori Ame" (ザザ降り雨, June 20, 2012) No. 7[18]
- "Mellow Hollow" (メロウホロウ, July 18, 2012) No. 9[18]
- "Kizuna" (キズナ, December 12, 2012) 10[18]
- "Tatoeba Kimi to Boku" (たとえば君と僕, January 23, 2013) 10[18]
- Videos
- Anakuro Film (あなくろフィルム, August 12, 2001)
- Kamen Final (絶交KAMEN Final, April 3, 2003)
- Brq DVD (December 15, 2004) Oricon Weekly DVD Chart Top Position: No. 55[19]
- Clip Collection (March 23, 2005) No. 130[19]
- Last Live Mumirai No Future (Last Live 無未来 NO FUTURE March 23, 2005) No. 112[19]
- Re:First Live In Future 2012.1.6 Live at Tokyo Dome City Hall (April 25, 2012) No. 87[19]
- Tour Baroque Phenomenon 0th Phenomenon 2013.03.03 (TOUR バロック現象 第0現象 2013.03.03, May 15, 2013) No. 53[19]
- Tour Baroque Phenomenon 4th Phenomenon (TOUR バロック現象 第4現象, May 15, 2013) No. 58[19]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 baroque's Biography at CD Journal Retrieved August 27, 2007
- ↑ Bounce Di(s)ctionary Number 13 - Visual Kei Retrieved November 19, 2008
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 baroque comes back with first live in seven years Retrieved September 29, 2011
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 baroque officially announces their revival Retrieved September 29, 2011
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 baroque's Page on Grass Thread
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 baroque Profile & Bibliography JAME Retrieved August 21 2007
- ↑ Asian Rave JAME news Retrieved August 20, 2007
- ↑ Personal Interview Part 1 Arena 27c Special - Vol 013 August 2003 pg 3 - 25
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Cure magazine, Volume 30, March, released 2006.1.21 pg 38
- ↑ Official Website Announcement Retrieved April 2, 2006
- ↑ Members Comments on their Official Website Retrieved April 2, 2006
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 baroque Entering ORICON Weekly Top 5 with all 3 Singles at Once! Retrieved January 12, 2012
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Update on baroque's Bassist Missing Retrieved August 3, 2012
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Update on baroque's Bansaku Retrieved August 3, 2012
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 baroque Album Ranking Retrieved Nov 12, 2010
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.8 18.9 18.10 18.11 baroque Single Ranking Retrieved Nov 12, 2010
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 baroque DVD Ranking Retrieved July 18, 2013