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The Gazette (band)

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The Gazette
OriginJapan
GenresHeavy metal, alternative rock, hard rock, punk rock, pop rock, alternative metal, nu metal, metalcore
Years active2002–present
LabelsMatina, King, PS Company, CLJ, Sony Music
MembersRuki
Uruha
Aoi
Reita
Kai
Past membersYune
Websitepscompany.co.jp/gazette
The Gazette's logo

The Gazette (ガゼット, Gazetto, stylized as the GazettE) is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in early 2002.[1] The band is currently signed to Sony Music Japan's VVV Records. In addition to being one of the more popular bands in the visual kei scene, The Gazette has gained a large international following and to some degree managed to break into the mainstream Japanese music industry.[citation needed]

Biography

2002: Conception and early work

The band began with Ruki (vocals), Reita (bass), and Uruha (guitar). After being involved with other bands in the visual scene, the trio decided that The Gazette would be their last band.[2] They recruited Aoi (guitar) and Yune (drums) from disbanded visual band Artia and formally became The Gazette in January 2002.[2]

Originally signed to Matina, they released their first single, "Wakaremichi", and released their first music video on April 30, 2002. They re-released "Wakaremichi" in June. By September they had released "Kichiku Kyoushi (32sai Dokushin) no Nousatsu Kouza" and their second PV. In October, they played their first solo live. On Christmas, the 5-song compilation 妖幻鏡 moon and the song "Yougenkyou" were released.

2003: New drummer and Cockayne Soup

In early 2003, Yune left the band and was replaced by Kai and he volunteered to be the leader. Shortly after this, The Gazette signed with the PS Company label and in May, released their first EP, Cockayne Soup. They started their first tour with the band Hanamuke, and during the tour the bands collaborated on two songs.

A second tour followed with the band Vidoll. The bands were featured together on the November issue of Cure, a magazine focusing on Visual Kei bands.[3]

In early December, they played a co-headlining show with Deadman. On December 28, they performed at Fool's Mate magazine's Beauti-fool's Fest. Afterwards, the performance was released on DVD.

2004: Disorder

On January 16, 2004, the band recorded a solo performance at the Shibuya-AX, released on DVD as Tokyo Saihan -Judgment Day-. On March 30, 2004, they released their fifth EP Madara, which reached #2 on the Oricon Indie Charts. Madara was followed on May 26 by a companion DVD that included six music videos and an in-the-studio documentary. In the same month, The Gazette was featured in Shoxx magazine's Expect Rush III, a catalogue of independent visual kei artists.[4]

A second concert DVD, Heisei Banka, was released on August 25. During September and October, they toured with fellow PS Company bands Kra and BIS. Their first studio album, Disorder, was released on October 13th and subsequently made it to the top 5 of the indies Oricon Daily Charts.

2005–2006: Nil and Nameless Liberty Six Guns tour

In early 2005, The Gazette embarked on their Japan-wide spring tour called Standing Tour 2005 Maximum Royal Disorder. The final tour was held at Shibuya Kokaido on April 17. On March 9, The Gazette released the new single "Reila".

After the DVD release of their concert July 6, the band released their sixth EP, Gama, and embarked on the Standing Tour 2005 (Gama) the Underground Red Cockroach. On October 20, The Gazette released their first photobook, Verwelktes Gedicht, which included an exclusive CD containing the song "Kare Uta" (枯詩; Withered Poem). On December 7, 2005, the band released their first single under a major label, "Cassis". The promotional video of "Cassis", was shot in Austria. On December 11, The Gazette performed with other bands signed to the PS Company label to celebrate the record label's fifth Anniversary Peace and Smile Carnival 2005 Tour.

Starting 2006 with a name change from Japanese characters to a romanized script, The Gazette released their second studio album, Nil, on February 8. Shortly afterward, they embarked on another Japanese tour named Standing Tour 2006 Nameless Liberty Six Guns and the tour ended at the venue Nippon Budokan.[5] In May, they released their first compilation album, Dainihon Itangeishateki Noumiso Gyaku Kaiten Zekkyou Ongenshuu; the album included songs from 2002 until 2004. In the next month they released their second music video compilation DVD, Film Bug I. On July 29, The Gazette performed at the Beethovenhalle in Bonn, Germany, their first show outside of Asia. The concerts were arranged in conjunction with the AnimagiC anime and manga convention.[6]

On August 6, The Gazette held a festival called Gazerock Festival in Summer 06 (Burst into a Blaze) at Tokyo Big Sight West Hall. Later that month, the band released two new singles, "Regret" on October 25, and "Filth in the beauty" on November 1. To promote the singles, they embarked on another tour, Tour 2006-2007 Decomposition Beauty. In the middle of tour, they announced location for the final of the tour to be at Yokohama Arena.

2007–2009: Stacked Rubbish and Dim

The single, "Hyena" was released in early 2007. "Chizuru" (千鶴; A Thousand Cranes), the B-side of "Hyena", was used as the ending song for the horror Korean movie, Apartment. The band's third studio album, Stacked Rubbish followed on July 4, 2007. The album reached #2 on the Oricon charts within a day from the release. The album was followed by a long time promotional tour named Tour 2007-2008 Stacked Rubbish (Pulse Wriggling to Black) from July 2007 until April 2008. In the midst of tour in October, The Gazette embarked on their first European tour, performing in England, Finland, France, and Germany. The tour finale was held in Yoyogi National Gymnasium on April 19 and April 20, 2008

In the beginning of 2008, The Gazette collaborated with GemCerey for jewelry. They released a single, "Guren" (紅蓮; Crimson Lotus), on February 13, 2008, which reached #1 on the Oricon charts. The DVD for their Stacked Rubbish Grand Finale (Repeated Countless Error) at Yoyogi National Gymnasium was released on August 6. The single "Leech" released on November 12, 2008, which also landed a #1 spot on the Oricon daily charts. On July 14,[7] the band performed in the event Music Japan 2008 (a TV program on NHK) with other bands such as Alice Nine, Plastic Tree, LM.C and Mucc.

On August 23. The Gazette held a festival called Gazerock Festival in Summer 08 (Burst into a Blaze) at Fuji-Q Conifer Forest. The Gazette went on a fanclub tour throughout October called Standing Live Tour 08 (From the Distorted City), referencing the song "Distorted Daytime" from their "Leech" single, which portrayed Tokyo as a "distorted city," in terms of the societal and political crises sweeping over Japan.

On November 15, 2008, The Gazette hosted their first secret show in Shinjuku Station. Originally, around two-hundred fifty people were to be anticipated, but instead, over seven thousand attended, the most in the band's history. Due to the amount of people on the streets, the police were forced to shut it down after two songs.[7][8]

On January 3, 2009, The Gazette performed alongside fellow PS Company bands in the Peace and Smile Carnival 2009 Tour to celebrate the record label's 10th Anniversary in Nippon Budokan, where they announced they would release a new single called Distress and Coma on March 25. The release was preceded by a 7th Anniversary performance called Live 09 (7-Seven-) at Makuhari Messe Convention Hall.

The band released their 4th studio album, Dim on July 15, followed by another Japan-wide summer tour starting in July, for which the tour's final show was held at Saitama Super Arena on September 5. On October 7, 2009, they released their single Before I Decay. After that, The Gazette performed at V'Rock Festival 2009 at Makuhari Messe Convention Hall on October 24.

In December, The Gazette held a Christmas Eve live to close out the year called Live 09 (A Hymn of the Crucifixion) at Tokyo Big Sight.[9]

2010–2011: Label change and Toxic

On March 17, 2010, the band embarked Standing Live Tour 10 (The End of Stillness) at Zepp Tokyo.[9] After the fan club tour, the band then announced a new single and a live tour, which is named Tour 10 Nameless Liberty Six Bullets starting in July with two consecutive nights at Nippon Budokan.[10] Among all of these events, the band has also announced that they would be transferring from King Records to Sony Music Records. "Shiver" is the first single with new label Sony Music Records and was also selected as the opening theme song to the Sony anime series Kuroshitsuji II.[11] On August 4, 2010, they released 3rd music video on DVD titled Film Bug II which included 10's PV from "Regret" to "Before I Decay".

Right after the release of "Shiver", the band announced the final stop of the Tour 10 Nameless Liberty Six Bullets would be held at Tokyo Dome, and two new singles "Red" and "Pledge" would be released.[12][13]

On March 2011, the band embarked on a fanclub only tour named Live Tour 11 (Two Concept Eight Nights -Abyss/Lucy-) and 9th Birth (Day 9 -NINE-) at Zepp Tokyo in March 10. On March 23, The Gazette released a compilation album titled Traces Best of 2005-2009 and a live concert DVD named The Nameless Liberty at 10.12.26 Tokyo Dome.

The Gazette has postponed the releases of their best-of album Traces Best of 2005-2009 and live DVD The Nameless Liberty at 10.12.26 Tokyo Dome which contains footage of their final concert at Tokyo Dome due to the catastrophe in Japan. Both were released on April 6.[14]

Their single "Vortex" was released on May 25, 2011. On July 2011, Ruki and Aoi will join in PS Carnival Tour 2011 Summer 7 Days at Shibuya. Ruki will include on session band named "Lu/V" and Aoi will include on session band named "Aoi with Bon:cra-z". The Gazette will also be performing at the 2011 Summer Sonic Festival that will be held on August 13 and 14, in Tokyo and Osaka.[15] On September 18, 2011, The Gazette performed at the Inazuma Rock Festival 2011 with TM Revolution.[16]

The Gazette finally announced the release of their new single "Remember the Urge" in August 31, the new album Toxic on October 5 and the Live Tour11 Venomous Cell. The tour will start on October 10 in Tokyo at the International Forum Hall A and will lead the band through 27 cities with a total of 28 performances until the end of the year.[17] The tour finale was held in Yokohama Arena with the title named Tour11-12 Venomous Cell -the Finale- Omega in January 14, 2012. On October 3, The Gazette was rewarded "The Most Requested Artist 2010" from J-Melo Awards 2011.[18]

2012-present: Division

In the final concert of the Venomous Cell tour, The Gazette announced that they will hold a 10th anniversary concert called Standing Live 2012 10th Anniversary -The Decade- at Makuhari Messe on March 10, 2012. They also announced the release of a new album called Division. The album will come out on August 29 and, as previously revealed, will be made up of entirely new songs. Division will be promoted during the nationwide tour Live Tour12 -Division- Groan of Diplosomia 01, which will start on October 8 and finish on November 29.

Before this, the band will also embark on a fanclub-only tour, titled Standing Live Tour12 -Heresy Presents- Heterodoxy. It will start on July 4 and will end on August 9.[19]

Musical style

The Gazette's musical style varies greatly, but it is generally considered to be a form of rock music while delving into the genres of heavy metal found in songs like "Ogre". They have dabbled in alternative metal with the likes of "Taion", "Carry" and "The Invisible Wall" and they have also dabbled in nu metal with the likes of "Burial Applicant", "The Suicide Circus" and "Agony". Other songs like "Silly God Disco", "Swallowtail on the Death Valley" and "Shadow VI II I" feature a funk rock sound with the use of jazzy chords and upbeat choruses. "Leech" and "Hyena" feature a hard rock sound, "Zakurogata no Yūutsu" and "Best Friends" feature a pop rock sound, "Shiikureta Haru, Kawarenu Haru" and "Wakaremichi" feature a glam rock sound and "Nakigahara" and "Dim Scene" feature a progressive rock sound. Songs like "Murder's TV", "Kantō Dogeza Kumiai", "Anti-pop" and "Sugar Pain" feature an experimental form of punk. "Filth in the Beauty" features female R&B vocals and bass, Spanish guitar with techno beat, crunchy metal riffs, harmonized choruses and a headbanging riff right in the middle - all within the same song. The songs "Maggots", "Discharge", "Headache Man" and "Maximum Impulse" dwell into heavier forms of music, in particular, metalcore and crossover thrash. The band also uses experimental metal sounds in songs like "The Social Riot Machines" and "Mad Marble Hell Vision". There is also a sound reminiscent of the hip-hop music scene present in their song "Defective Tragedy". The Gazette also uses a wide range of synthesized sounds during their songs to achieve interesting effects as well as create new listening dynamics and atmospheres. The Gazette is also known for utilizing various tunings to achieve a wide variety of sounds and styles. The Gazette has also produced a number of ballads such as "Reila", "Cassis","Kare Uta" "Calm Envy", "Guren", "Pledge", "Without a Trace" and "Untitled". The latest album included even dubstep in the song "Infuse Into". The Gazette also mix techno into songs such as "Venomous Spiders Web."

Members

Former member
  • Yune – drums, percussion (2002–2003)

Discography

The Gazette discography
Studio albums5
EPs6
Compilation albums2
Singles21
Video albums3

Albums and EPs

Date Title Type Chart positions
2003-05-28 Cockayne Soup EP 99
2003-06-25 Akuyuukai (悪友會 ～あくゆうかい～; Meeting Bad Company) EP 100
2003-07-30 Spermargarita (スペルマルガリィタ) EP 78
2003-10-01 Hankou Seimeibun (犯行声明文; Letter of Responsibility) EP 62
2004-03-30 Madara (斑蠡 ～MADARA～) EP 38
2004-10-13 Disorder Studio album 19
2005-08-03 Gama (蝦蟇 (がま); Toad) EP 24
2006-02-08 Nil Studio album 4
2006-05-03 Dainihon Itangeishateki Noumiso Gyaku Kaiten Zekkyou Ongenshuu Compilation album 34
2007-07-04 Stacked Rubbish Studio album 3
2009-07-15 Dim Studio album 5
2011-04-06 Traces Best of 2005-2009 Compilation album
2011-10-05 Toxic Studio album 6
2012-08-29 Division Studio album

Singles

  • "Wakaremichi" (別れ道; Crossroads) (April 30, 2002)
  • "Kichiku Kyoushi (32sai Dokushin) no Nousatsu Kouza" (鬼畜教師(32才独身)の悩殺講座; Fascinating Courses of a (32 Year-Old Single) Brutish Teacher) (August 30, 2002)
  • "Gozen 0-ji no Trauma Radio" (午前0時のとらうまラヂヲ; The Radio of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at 0:00) (November 1, 2003)
  • "Zakurogata no Yuutsu" (ザクロ型の憂鬱; Pomegranate Styled Despression) (July 28, 2004)
  • "Zetsu" (舐～zetsu～; Lick) (July 28, 2004)
  • "Miseinen" (未成年; Minor) (July 28, 2004)
  • "Dainippon Itangeishateki..." (大日本異端芸者的脳味噌逆回転絶叫音源集) (July 28, 2004)
  • "Reila" (March 9, 2005)
  • "Cassis" (December 7, 2005)
  • "Regret" (October 25, 2006)
  • "Filth in the beauty" (November 1, 2006)
  • "Hyena" (February 7, 2007)
  • "Guren" (紅蓮; Crimson Lotus) (February 13, 2008)
  • "Leech" (November 12, 2008)
  • "Distress and Coma" (March 25, 2009)
  • "Before I Decay" (October 7, 2009)
  • "Shiver" (July 21, 2010)
  • "Red" (September 22, 2010)
  • "Pledge" (December 15, 2010)
  • "Vortex" (May 25, 2011)
  • "Remember the Urge" (August 31, 2011)

Compilations

  • Yougenkyou (妖幻鏡, Moon) (December 25, 2002, Eternal)
    • (With the song "Okuribi" (おくり火))
  • Kaleidoscope (May 1, 2003, PS Company)
    • (With the songs "Back Drop Junkie [Nancy]" and "Akai One Piece" (赤いワンピース))
  • Hanamuke & Gazette Live (男尻ツアーファイナル) (May 6, 2003, PS Company)
    • (With the song "Machibouke no Kouen de" (待ちぼうけの公園))
  • Japanesque Rock Collectionz (July 28, 2004)
    • (With the song "Okuribi" (おくり火))
  • Rock Nippon Shouji Nori ko Selection (ロックNIPPON 東海林のり子セレクション) (January 24, 2007)
  • Fuck the Border Line (Tribute for Kuroyume) (February 16, 2011, Avex Trax)
    • (With the song "C.Y.Head")

Other releases

  • "Doro Darake no Seishun." (泥だらけの青春。; Mud Covered Youth) (October 8, 2003)
  • "Juuyon sai no Knife" (十四歳のナイフ; Fourteen Year-Old's Knife) (September 11, 2004, King Records)
  • "Chigire" (チギレ; Torn) (August 10, 2005, King Records)
  • "Verwelktes Gedicht" Photobook (October 20, 2005, PS Company)
    • (With the song "Kare uta"(枯詩; Withered Poem))
  • "NIL Band Score" Book (April 28, 2006, King Records)
  • "Dainippon Itan Geisha-teki Noumiso Gyaku Kaiten Zekkyou Ongen Shuu Band Score" Book (March 13, 2007, King Records)
  • "Stacked Rubbish Band Score" Book (March 1, 2008, King Records)
  • "Dim Band Score" Book (September 14, 2009, King Records)

Videography

  • Shichoukaku Shitsu (視聴覚　質) (August 30, 2002)
  • Sentimental Video (センチメンタルビデオ) (March 1, 2003)
  • -Matina- Final Prelude Live (April 10, 2003) (Various artists)
  • Hyakkiyagyou (百鬼夜行) (October 1, 2003)
  • Tokyo Saihan -Judgement Day- (東京裁判-Judgement Day-) (April 28, 2004, PS Company)
  • Madara (斑蠡-Madara-) (May 26, 2004, PS Company)
  • Heisei Banka (平成挽歌) (August 25, 2004, PS Company)
  • Peace & Smile Carnival Tour 2005 (～笑顔でファッキュー～) (2006, King Records) (with Miyavi, Kagrra, Kra, Alice Nine)
  • Standing Tour 2005 Final Maximum Royal Disorder at 2005.4.17 Shibuya Kokaido Live (Standing Tour 2005 Final 「M.R.D」 at 2005.4.17 渋谷公会堂) (July 6, 2005, King Records)
  • Film Bug I (June 7, 2006, King Records)
  • Standing Tour 2006 Nameless Liberty. Six Guns... -Tour Final- at Nippon Budokan (日本武道館) (September 6, 2006, King Records)
  • Tour 2006-2007 Decomposition Beauty—Final "Meaningless Art That People Showed" at Yokohama Arena (June 13, 2007, King Records)
  • Tour 2007-2008 Stacked Rubbish Grand Finale [Repeated Countless Error] at Yoyogi National Gymnasium (August 6, 2008, King Records)
  • Peace & Smile Carnival Tour 2009 at Nippon Budokan (日本武道館) (April 15, 2009, King Records) (with Miyavi, Kagrra, Kra, Alice Nine, Screw & Sug)
  • Tour09 -Dim Scene- Final at Saitama Super Arena (December 16, 2009, King Records)
  • Film Bug II (August 4, 2010, King Records)
  • The Nameless Liberty 10.12.26 at Tokyo Dome (April 6 , 2011, Sony Music Records)

References

  1. ^ Shoxx Vol 106 June 2007 pg 40-45
  2. ^ a b Fool's Mate April 2006 April 2006
  3. ^ Cure Vol 2 Nov 2003
  4. ^ Expect Rush III
  5. ^ Gazette at the Top JAME News Retrieved August 19, 2007
  6. ^ Gazette in Germany This Summer JAME News Retrieved on August 19, 2007
  7. ^ a b Sponichi Annex ガゼットが街頭ライブ！当局指示で即中止に Nov 16 2008 News report Retrieved December 7, 2008 (Japanese)
  8. ^ Daily Sports Online Nov 16 2008 News report ガゼット 新宿駅前で７０００人ライブ Retrieved December 7, 2008 (Japanese)
  9. ^ a b "Dec 25 2009 Live report The Gazette、初のクリスマスイヴライブで雪 (Japanese)". Barks.jp. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  10. ^ "The Gazette Will Continue Running as a Live Band in 2010!". Musicjapanplus. 2010-04-01. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
  11. ^ "GazettE moves to Sony Music with their new single". Asia Pacific Arts. 2010-06-07. Retrieved 2010-07-05.
  12. ^ "The Gazette to Perform at TOKYO DOME in August!". MusicJapanPlus. 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
  13. ^ "The Gazette、東京ドーム公演直前にニュー・シングルをリリース". Tower Records. 2010-10-12. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  14. ^ "Postponement of The Gazette's Releases". Jame-world. 2011-03-24. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
  15. ^ "The Gazette at SUMMER SONIC 2011". musicjapanplus. 2011-05-09. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  16. ^ "The Gazette at INAZUMA ROCK FESTIVAL 2011". Inazumarock. 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  17. ^ "The Gazette Announce Album, Single and a New Tour for 2011!". musicjapanplus. 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  18. ^ "The Gazette get Awards from J-Melo". J-Melo. 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
  19. ^ "News from the GazettE". JameWorld. 2012-03-11. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
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