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An Cafe

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An Cafe
Also known asAntic Cafe
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresPop rock, dance rock, power pop
Years active2003–2010, 2012–present
LabelsLoop Ash, MusicRay'n, Red Cafe
Gan-Shin (EU)
Sony BMG (KR)
Maru Music (US)
MembersMiku
Kanon
Teruki
Takuya
Yu-ki
Past membersBou
Websitewww.ancafe-web.com

Antic Cafe (アンティック-珈琲店-, Antikku Kafe, nicknamed An Cafe)[1] is a Japanese rock band formed in 2003[2] and signed to the independent label Loop Ash. Their visual image is oshare kei,[2][3] and they describe their music as "Harajuku Dance rock".[1] The group has released five full-length albums and three EPs. On September 1, 2009, the band announced that after their live on January 4, 2010 at the Nippon Budokan, they would suspend activities and put the group on hiatus, however they stated they will not disband.[4] On April 1, 2012, after two year break, the team announced the resumption of activity[5].

History

An Cafe was formed in May 2003 by vocalist Miku, guitarist Bou and bassist Kanon. Miku's former band, Revirii, had disbanded two months earlier in April, and even though the band did not have a drummer at this point, they started to perform at several events. They were later joined by Teruki after he left his former band, Feathers-Blue.

In 2004, An Cafe released their first demos and signed a record deal with Loop Ash. Their first release, "Candyholic", was released in March and reached the second spot on the Oricon indies single chart.[6] The band continued touring and releasing, including their first album, Shikisai Moment, in 2005. The band released even more singles in 2006 until their second studio album, Magnya Carta (a play on "Magna Carta").

In 2007, the band announced their first overseas appearance at Project A-Kon. The announcement of this was followed shortly by the departure of guitarist Bou. The last performance with Bou was on April 30, 2007, and was featured in a DVD titled Hibiya On ☆The☆ 0 New Sekai. After Bou left the band, two new members were announced: Takuya was to replace Bou as the guitarist and Yu-ki was to join An Cafe as a keyboardist. The first single with their new lineup was announced as "Kakusei Heroism" followed by "Ryūsei Rocket". At the end of 2007, An Cafe announced their first overseas tour, taking place in Europe in 2008.

Kanon at Japan Expo 2010

In the opening weeks of 2008, An Cafe announced their upcoming single, "Cherry Saku Yuki!!", in February, as well as their next studio album, Gokutama Rock Cafe, which was released on April 9, 2008.[7]

An Cafe's EP, Harajuku Dance Rock, was released by the Los Angeles based Maru Music on March 13, 2009. This special release was made exclusively for overseas fans in North America and Europe.[8]

BB Parallel World, An Cafe's fourth studio album, was released in Japan on September 9, 2009; and in Europe on October 2, 2009.[needs update] It contains title track singles "Aroma", "Summer Dive" and "Natsu Koi ★ Natsu Game", and eight other songs.

In 2010, An Cafe announced that they will be taking a break from activities. It is unknown as to how long they will be on hiatus, but they have not stated they will be disbanding. The message, issued on their official homepage, claims that "after the Budokan show, each member will concentrate on their own activity to be prepared for the band to restart in the future." The aforementioned Nippon Budokan show took place on January 4, 2010.[9]

In wake of the hiatus, several members are now involved in other projects. Kanon is heading a mobile phone game called Pinky☆Distortion, which is to be released in July 2010.[10] He will also be a guest at Otakon 2010 as a panelist and a guest DJ, as well as pairing up with Kanon Wakeshima to form a duo act called kanonxkanon.[11] Miku is serving as the vocalist for the new visual-kei band, Lc5, which started in June 2010.[12] Teruki is playing as a support drummer for the band DOG in the parallel world orchestra.

On April 1st 2012, An Cafe announced that they will be resuming activities and will be doing a world tour in November in Europe and the UK, the tour being named "ANCAFESTA '12 SUMMER DIVE". An Cafe also announced that they will be releasing 2 new singles this year, although no dates will be given as of yet. On the 30th of May, An Cafe also announced that they will be releasing a mini-album (currently untitled)on August 8th.

Members

  • Miku (みく) – vocals (2003–present)
  • Kanon (カノン) – bass (2003–present)
  • Teruki (輝喜) – drums (2003–present)
  • Takuya (タクヤ) – guitar (2007–present)
  • Yu-ki (ゆうき, Yūki) – keyboard, programming (2007–present)
Former Members
  • Bou (坊) – guitar (2003–2007)

Equipment

Yu-ki (keyboards) uses a Korg X50 and a Yamaha MO6 in a firm Ultimate AX48B rack. His speaker is a Roland Jazz-Chorus 120 and he has a Mackie 1202-VLZ PRO mixing panel as well. A lot of functions are used, for instance the excessive use of pitch bend in Respect Mommy on the Yamaha MO6 and the use of his arpeggiator (on the Yamaha MO6 as well) in Cherry Saku Yuki!!.

Takuya (guitar) uses a White-brown Fender, a Paul Reed Smith, a G&L Telecaster, a Dean and some stompboxes, including the Boss Super Chorus and MXR/Phase 90.

Kanon (bass) uses two kinds of Fender Jazz Basses, a EBS/Multi Comp and a Basson speaker.

Teruki (drums) has the following setup: one Splash Cymbal (Paiste 10"), two Crash Cymbals (Paiste 16" and 18") Cymbals, one China Cymbal (Paiste 18"), one Ride Cymbal (Zildjian 20"), one Hi-Hat (Zildjian 14"), one Hi-Hat stand (Pearl), a Bass Drum (Pearl 22" x 16"), a Snare (Pearl 14" x 5,5"), one Mid Tom (Pearl 12" x 8"), one Floor Tom (Pearl 16" x 16"), two Pedals (Pearl) and Behringer amplification

Endorsements

An Cafe has been a long time supporter and endorser of popular Japanese fashion label Sex Pot Revenge, and they are frequently seen wearing clothing from that label. They have appeared on the cover of Sex Pot Revenge free company magazine, V!nyl Syndicate.

In 2008, An Cafe vocalist Miku hosted Volume 2 of Visual Kei DVD Magazine alongside the magazine's mascot, Biju.

International recognition

An Cafe has gained great success in Japan. It has also gained moderate success in Europe, mainland Asia (Korea, China), Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Canada and the United States.

In 2008, the band visited Finland, Sweden, Germany, France, the UK, Spain, the US, and Korea on their first overseas tour, "Live Cafe-Tour '08 - Nyappy Go Around World". They played a total of twelve concerts in the eight countries.[13]

As of November 2008, An Cafe confirmed an overseas tour, "Live Cafe Tour '09 Nyappy Go Around the World Ⅱ -Harajuku Dance Rock Night-" which encompassed twelve countries: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Germany, the UK, France, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Mexico and the USA. This tour took place over March and April, playing a total of 17 dates.[14]

Discography

Albums
EPs
Singles
DVDs
  • Like An Cafe (ライカ・カフェ, October 10, 2004)
  • 20051203 Shikisai a On (20051203色彩亜音, December 3, 2005)
  • Yagai de Nyappy (野外でニャッピー, December 17, 2006)
  • Hibiya on ★the★ o New World (HIBIYA ON★ザ★御NEW世界, July 2, 2007)
  • Nyappy Go Around Fever (April 25, 2008)
  • AnCafesta '08 Summer Dive (December 24, 2008)
  • Live Cafe - Tour '08 Nyappy Go Around the World (March 11, 2009)
  • Finale of Nyappy - Kawayusu Rock de Go Gogo!! (November 4, 2009)
  • Live Cafe 2010 King of Harajuku Dance Rock Ikinari Nyappy Legend (August 22, 2010)

References

  1. ^ a b Oricon.co.jp Antic Cafe Artist Profile Retrieved Nov 4, 2010
  2. ^ a b Oricon.co.jp Antic Cafe Band History Retrieved Nov 4, 2010
  3. ^ Shoxx Bis No 3 October 2004 issue, pg 69
  4. ^ shattered-tranquility.net Antic Cafe goes on pause retrieved Nov 4, 2010
  5. ^ [1] AN CAFE in YATTAR JAPAN retrieved Apr 1, 2012
  6. ^ An Cafe Goes to A-KON 06.16.2007 by Cynthia, retrieved Jun 26, 2008
  7. ^ "An Cafe's Upcoming Album". jame-world.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ An Cafe - Harajuku Dance Rock 05.20.2009 by Ruka, retrieved April 24, 2010
  9. ^ "An Cafe suspends activities". Retrieved 2009-08-31.
  10. ^ "Pinky☆Distortion homepage". Archived from the original on 18 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "Otakon 2010 guests - Kanon". Archived from the original on 6 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Lc5 (band) homepage". Retrieved 2010-07-06.
  13. ^ Teichi, Naoko; Shimizu, Motoko (April 2008). "Gokutama Rock Cafe (極魂ROCK CAFE)". PATi・PATi (パチ パチ). pp. 10–24.
  14. ^ "Live Report (LIVE情報)". 2008-11. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Oricon.co.jp Antic Cafe Single Rankings Retrieved Nov 4, 2010
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