It has just been announced that Kiyoharu will be releasing his first solo-single in over two years on May 23rd this year. The single will be a double A-side single titled "Ryuusei / the sun" and is the follow-up to his 2010 release "LAWS". The single had already been performed during concerts and had been greatly anticipated in physical form by Kiyoharu's fans. This time both songs are also theme songs for TV series. The record will be available as a regular and limited edition, whereas the latter will be including the respective music clips of the title track. Moreover, from March 27th, Kiyoharu will be performing five consecutive days in Tokyo, starting out at LIQUIDROOM Ebisu and moving on to Daikanyama UNIT. The circuit will be titled "APRIL ONE WEEK" and more details are to be announced on the official homepage in the following days.
Today is March 22nd, the birthday of Shin Suzuki (鈴木新).
In order to get to know about Shin better, I decided to write a brief history of Shin and Kuroyume.
Brief History of Kuroyume (1991-1994 era)
Shin is well-known as the former guitarist of Kuroyume (1991-1995). Shin joined Kuroyume in 1991, after he was replacing Masaru who later joins Oblivion Dust. After Shin joined the band, Kuroyume had been participated in several multi-band indies event and released two demo tapes in 1991. After that, they released a maxi-single "chuuzetsu" on Haunted House records, which then followed by releasing their mini album entitled "ikiteita chuuzetsuji" which was a remastered of an old demo tape. Then, Kuroyume also participated in a large indies event entitled "Shock Age" that took place on August 23rd in Shibuya Kokaido. They played alongside bands like Eins:Vier, L'Arc~en~Ciel and Silver Rose. They also appeared on the accompanying omnibus album that was sold at the event. Later on, Kiyoharu collaborated with L'Arc~en~Ciel vocalist, Hyde, and the duo performed a cover of the Gastunk song "Husk".
Kuroyume Perform Chuuzetsu
A year later, second album "Nakigara o" was released and clearly showed the group progressing in a more melodic direction by leaning further toward the goth side of things and doing away completely with any resemblance of metal music. The song "Shinainaru DEATH MASK" from their first album had been rerecorded and the band's first PV was filmed for the song.
shinainaru DEATH MASK PV
Later on, 1994 Kuroyume signed with EMI Toshiba records and release their first major single "For Dear" to promote their new album "Mayoeru Yuritachi ~Romance of Scarlet". Two PV is recorded for the album, which is "For Dear" and "Autism~jiheishou". However, because there's an objection from an autism care foundation due to the misuse term of autism in the song, the song "Autism~jiheishou" was later removed on the re-issue of the "Mayoeru Yuritachi" album.
For Dear PV
Autism~jiheishou PV
Shortly after that signed, Kuroyume music began to change from gothic style to become more less goth than before. They were performing with the short-hair Kiyoharu and on the late 1994, they released mini-album Cruel which also introduced "Ice My Life" as their single. The band now dressed more conservatively, the new look was reminiscent of 1980's New Romantic fashion and seemed to give off a more palatable image to mainstream buyers. The music on Cruel was again pop, but still loud and abrasive, which helped give the new songs universal appeal.
About Shin Suzuki
Shin is also well-known as Kuroyume's composer that time. Mostly of their singles was composed by Shin. For example, the music in "For Dear" and "Ice My Life" both composed by Shin. "Shinainaru DEATH MASK" is also one of the songs that composed by him.
Besides being the music composer for Kuroyume, Shin was also known for his fanservice with Kiyoharu on stage (^^)
jyujika tono tawamure and MISSING GLORY perform 1994
Yes, they are often doing the fanservice on stage that time. In my opinion, Shin is kind of cheerful person and his part in Kuroyume makes him get a lot of fangirls that time (^^). But in 1995, Shin decided to leave Kuroyume due to the musical differences and began to create his own music with his new band Vinyl. Vinyl is a duo which consists of Shin and Fukui Yoshifumi as their vocalist, ex- D'ERLANGER and now in STRAWBERRY FIELDS band.
Vinyl was once contributed in an omnibus album titled "LEMONed collected by hide" in May 1996 in the song BE. Vinyl make their debut single in November 1997 with the release of the song とまらない鼓動 (tomaranai kodo) under the label New Taurus records.
VINYL - とまらない鼓動 The song is also used as an ending song for a TV program in Nippon Television entitled 『進め!電波少年』 Soon after the released of tomaranai kodo, in December 20th, 1997, Vinyl released their first album [Go to VINYL] which consists of 13 tracks. In the next year, Vinyl released their single 20世紀のマスタード on March and continued with another single ずっとそばにいて on May. However, zutto soba ni ite is their last single before they decided to disband on 1999. After the disbandment of Vinyl, Shin joined another band titled SUPER DROP BABIES. In this band, he was again collaborated with Hitoki who create the band after the indefinite hiatus of Kuroyume. SUPER DROP BABIES itself consist of 4 members which are Masatoshi on vocal, Shin on guitar, Hitoki on bass and Amiya on drums. SUPER DROP BABIES (SDB) is still an indies band and to get their album, you must order it via their official web. However, they already released their first album titled Welcome to The Destruction on September 2004 followed by their maxi-single "自由への階段 ". On 2005, they also released another maxi-single official bootleg titled 'Special' on February then joined the omnibus CD 'kokorowa itsumo Lamuneiro 10th anniversary' with the song 'welcome to the destruction' on March. They also released another maxi-single on September entitled 'A Dearest Strawberry'. The latest released from SDB is the maxi-single + extra DVD entitled 'SDB Launcher' which include the PV of 'jiyuu e no kaidan' plus the making off and also their live.
SUPER DROP BABIES - 自由への階段 PV
RANDOM FACTS
Shin changed the kanji name from 臣 into 鈴木新 after he left Kuroyume.
Shin was born on March 22, 1968 and he is from Seto-shi, Aichi.
Shin makes his last live with Kuroyume in NHK Hall on December 1994 and then left Kuroyume on February 1995.
Shin has his own twitter account in @SHiN_0322 and official Facebook account plus the Youtube account HERE where he upload several Kuroyume videos, along with Vinyl and SUPER DROP BABIES videos.
Shin is now joined the Tears Music since March 22nd, 2011 and from that has began his solo career.
Kuroyume has announced a screening of their January 14th Daikanyama UNIT live house performance at select theaters throughout Japan. The feature, called “Kuroyume 1.14″, will only show once at these theaters — on April 23rd at 9:00 pm. “Kuroyume 1.14″ April 23 (Mon), Open 20:30 / Start 21:00 *Each theater will only show it once *Each TOHO Cinemas theater will open at 20:40 Assigned seating, ￥3,000
Tickets are available via online lottery
Lottery entry period: March 23 (Fri) at 11:00 am to March 27 (Tue) at 11:00 am.
Venues:
・KANTO
TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills
TOHO Cinemas Shibuya
109 Cinemas MM Yokohama
109 Cinemas Kawasaki
TOHO Cinemas Ichikawa Colton Plaza
Cineplex Makuhari
United Cinema Urawa
・KANSAI
TOHO Cinemas Umeda
TOHO Cinemas Namba
TOHO Cinemas Nijo
・CHUBU
109 Cinemas Nagoya
・KYUSHU
United Cinema Canal City 13
・HOKKAIDO & TOHOKU
United Cinema Sapporo
109 Cinemas Tomiya
・CHUGOKU
109 Cinemas Hiroshima
・NORTH SHINETSU
United Cinema Kanagawa
United Cinema Niigata
Kuroyume will released a new Live DVD from their latest concert titled [Headache and Dub Reel Inch Live at Nippon Budokan] on May 2nd. The DVD will include their live on January 13th and also a special footage (limited edition only). The limited edition itself will also include a digipak booklet.
Below is the details of the DVD: 2012.05.02 Kuroyume DVD
Headache and Dub Reel Inch 2012.1.13 Live at 日本武道館 (Nippon Budokan)
＜Tracklist DISC 1-2＞
Enter Loop
13 new ache
White Lush Movie
Someone
ミザリー
Born To Be Wild
I Like You
Spazzy Addiction
D.P.I.D.C.
Starlet
Bass Solo
BARTER
C.Y HEAD
heavenly
Glass Valley’s Oar
アロン
Love Me Do
Walkin' on the edge
ROCK'N'ROLL
CANDY
SICK
Plastic Tree blog has been updated with Kenken comment for all fans, please check the translation below: [Official] Today we received a message from Satou Kenken himself for all of the fans.
--------------------------
I have caused everyone so much worry over my sickness this time.
I'm really sorry.
I look out the window everyday.
Honestly, I can't find the right words to properly convey my current feelings. But I think I should start at the beginning.
Under the current conditions, I'm not sure when I'll be discharged from the hospital, but while I wait to hear "tadaima" from everyone when I finally recover, I'll rest.
I've troubled everyone with so much worry, so I truly apologize.
Together with this tour "Ao no unmeisen," please continue to look after me.
And all of the members.
Thank you.
Of course I wanted to meet everyone on this tour.
These feelings and everyone's support are important and will be my provisions until I recover.
Until then, it would make me happy if everyone has fun on this tour.
Plastic Tree
Satou Kenken
Let's hope that Kenken will be better soon. And don't forget to keep support Plastic Tree (^^)
Plastic Tree just announced that they will still continue their National Tour (Ao no Unmeisen) but without Satou Kenken because Kenken must still hospitalized until the next two weeks. Here is the translation of their announcement on the official website athttp://www.plastic-tree.com
[Official] Regarding Plastic Tree's spring tour "Ao no unmeisen," we previously announced that Dr Satou Kenken was hospitalized with acute hepatitis.
As the result of a thorough examination, the diagnosis has determined that he needs rest and must be hospitalized for two weeks without seriously doing anything. We hope he makes a strong recovery, but based on the examination results, Satou Kenken must not perform for the time being.
However, to fulfill the desires of all of the fans looking forward to the spring tour, as a result of a conference with the members, the performances will continue as planned with a friend of Plastic Tree filling as support drummer.
For everyone who has bought tickets, and for all of the fans looking forward to the performances, we deeply apologize for causing you so much worry.
And a message from the Plastic Tree members regarding this decision.
Under the current circumstances with Satou Kenken in the hospital, we are truly sorry to cause everyone to worry so much. We apologize from the bottoms of our hearts.
We have decided to continue this tour "Ao no unmeisen" as planned with a support drummer.
All of the members, including Satou Kenken, exist together as Plastic Tree. And so it greatly troubled us and we thought long and hard about making this decision.
However, without being locked into an option, completely of our own free will, we feel that we have made the best decision for the sake of his recovery, and for the sake of Plastic Tree.
Even though Satou Kenken's absence is truly unfortunate for all of the fans, and for us as Plastic Tree, we will take his spirit on the trip with us.
If we could somehow take that feeling from everyone at all of the venues and through the music, it would make all of the members happy as well.
Still under the tree that never rots.
We hope to meet everyone.
Plastic Tree
Arimura Ryuutarou
Hasegawa Tadashi
Satou Kenken
Nakayama Akira
So if you find that there's a news about Plastic Tree cancelled their National Tour, its definitely NOT TRUE thanks for your attention.
AH- afuredasu minikusa yo midara sa yo boku no koto okashite AH- sarakedasu oroka sa yo aware sa yo boku no koto waratte makuramoto ukabu fukusuu no urami yume namae mo wasureta "dare ka" to iu kioku itten ga kumori tsugi miru kimi kyouzetsushi toki wa urahara to subete ate wa meyou ayafuya na mimi nari ni warikirezu shinjiteta kimi kara wa tsutaetai boku dake no shinjitsu wo kiri ni kakomareta jinkaku wo dashikireba chirabaru IMAGE tadashisa wo moteru hajime kara wakatteta nari kirenu zennin to sore naraba shougai ni yuruganai ashiato wo AH- afuredasu minikusa yo midara sa yo boku no koto okashite AH- sarakedasu oroka sa yo aware sa yo boku no koto waratte CRYING MY XXXX HEART AH- afuredasu minikusa yo midara sa yo boku no koto okashite AH- sarakedasu oroka sa yo aware sa yo boku no koto waratte AH- nijimideru muryoku sa yo munou sa yo boku dake wa okashite AH- koborederu memeshisa yo hakujaku yo boku dake wo waratte
ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
AH- my overflowing ugliness and obsceneness, ravish me AH- exposing folly and pitifulness, laugh at me
Some malice dreams floating around my pillow. I even forget the name. I only remember someone.
A point of my view clouds, and I deny you who watch the next. Let's apply the opposite to the time.
Because of ambiguous noises, I believed it unable to divide them clearly. I want to tell you my own truth.
If I showed the personality surrounded by mist, I would have righteousness for scattered images.
I knew it from beginning, that I'm a good man that can't become it fully. If so, in my life, I'll leave unquestioned footsteps.
AH- my overflowing ugliness and obsceneness, ravish me AH- exposing folly and pitifulness, laugh at me
CRYING MY XXXX HEART
AH- my overflowing ugliness and obsceneness, ravish me
AH- exposing folly and pitifulness, laugh at me
AH - my oozing ineffectuality and ineptness, ravish only me
AH - my spilling effeminateness and tenuity, laugh at only me.
Here is another old video of Kiyoharu when he was invited to be the guest at Ayumi Hamasaki's show titled AyuReady in 2003. This is the first time they met on stage and Ayumi said that after she met Kiyoharu, her opinion about Kiyoharu before has changed (^^) You can see that Ayumi often laughing because of something that Kiyoharu said. (Somehow I think she's cute). They talk about food, type of girls, the artists that influenced Kiyoharu, his fashion and about the tattoo that he made. Also you can see that Kiyoharu get a little bit shy when they played his history (especially when it starts with a seconds of For Dear PV). That time Kiyoharu already in sads and they're going to released an album. Then it closed with Kiyoharu and Ayumi performed a duet. The song is Masquerade and its really really good.
Curious with the duet? check the video below...
Full Video of Ayuready 28
You can also download the full version of the show
Explosive would be an understatement for iconic bandKUROYUME’s revival tour final at legendary Nippon Budokan. Following the release of their new albumHeadache And Dub Reel Inch,KUROYUMEvisited some of Japan’s main cities for a fiery tour that brought together fans of old and new, culminating in an over three hour show filled with surprises in the heart of Tokyo. The crowd waited patiently for the start of the show when, with no warnings, an explosion got everyone out of their seats in surprise. “Are we at war? Is this an alien invasion?” Giving the crowd no time to understand what had just happened, the lights went down and the two massive screens placed on each side of the stage came to life. Pictures of a racing car were replaced by a stop watch as the electro intro ofEnter Loopengulfed the hall. The watch stopped and the lights went frantic as one the band came on stage.HitokiandKiyoharuwere last, welcomed by a loud roar, and wasting no time dove into the newly released13 new ache. Smoke crept on stage as the beat grew stronger for the metal beat underKiyoharu’s threatening growls.Hitokihead-banged and the crowd soon followed, accompanying him with pumping fists. The cloud of smoke silently spread to the arena surrounding the vocalist in a mass of white smoke and adding a dark tinge to the performance and his diabolical roars. The tempo eased and purple fell on the stage forWhite Lush Movie. The lighter rock’n’roll beat got the crowd moving and made the transition toSomeonesmooth. The song was accompanied by fast drums and acoustic guitars, the darker beat causing the crowd to pulse. The bass work was simply superb and the vocalist showed good energy as he danced and growled throughout the song. The heated bass solos continued forMiseryandBorn To Be Wild. AsHitokikept it cool behind his bass,Kiyoharumoved around vigorously adopting dramatic poses as he drowned in the beat. The crowd lent a hand singing with the band before the vocalist announced the next song, repeating the wordsI Like Youthree times. Under green lights the hot bass took the lead for the intro. The pain and anger contained in the vocalist's voice materialized, matched by the strong instrumentals. The emotions kept flowing across the stage now with the appropriately titledSpazzy Addiction. The rise and fall of both tune and lyrics took us on a roller-coaster ride of emotions that, like a wave, went from slow and depressive to angry and demanding. The tempo got faster forD.P.I.D.C.which took the hall on a frenetic spiral.Kiyoharu's voice control and stage presence, undeniable throughout the show, were particularly obvious during the fast paced, angry lament ofStarlet. The transition from soft to heavy was well accomplished with the bass and guitars complementing the emotions conveyed in the lead-man’s voice. The stage went blue for the melancholic~Bass Solo~. Three white beams of light fell onHitoki, who took off, driving into a hot, potent solo. The bass work was simply awesome, no surprise considering who was playing. The song built up and the bassist head-banged earnestly. Taking the center of the stage,Hitokiwas received by a fervent ovation before the drummer joined him for a drum and bass battle. With everyone back on stage and a cloud of white fog smoke threateningly covering the stage and descending towards the crowd, the band moved on toBARTER.KUROYUMEcompletely took over the crowd in a visually powerful performance that continued throughC.Y.HEAD, with both band and fans pulsing and jumping to the beat. “Good afternoon, we areKUROYUME!”Kiyoharushouted before adding with a grin, “I finally introduced the band!” The vocalist addressed the crowd in a very intimate, casual tone as he introduced the members and talked about the new album. The band soon got back to business withHeavenlyand its rock beat. The positive mood didn’t last long though and purple lights and a cloud of white smoke invaded the stage for the anguished balladGlass Valley’s Oar.Kiyoharu’s yells turned into growls as the song became more and more demanding, the faithful bass close behind in a hauntingly beautiful performance. The groovy electro beat ofAlonegot the crowd moving, waving hands turning into dancing forLove Me Do. With the tour logo flashing fiercely on the wall the heavy songs returned.Walkin’ on the edgewas followed byROCK’N’ROLL,Kiyoharuteasing the camera-man as he yelled out the song’s name over and over. The song was a little all over the place but worked very well getting the crowd moving. As the bassist head-banged zealously, the others moved around the stage,Kiyoharueven throwing water bottles to the fans. With the audience on fire,CANDYtransported us to the next level, setting the crowd ablaze. The strong beat was accompanied by hand-choreographies as the hall sang with the lead-man, all contributing to an impressive visual piece. Machinegun-like lights set the tempo for the moving bodies asKiyoharucommanded his army throughSick. Leaving a euphoric crowd behind, the band bid their farewells, returning soon after in reply to the encore demand that went on like a mantra. “I get shy singing by myself so let’s call a special guest!” the vocalist stated with a smirk as he called Japanese comedianHoriuchi Kento sing with him the outrageousKuroyume ga yattekita. Before the song, there was time for fun interactions asHoriuchiexplained he decided to come in wearing a shrimp shaped hat to honor Kiyoharu, who loves shrimp. Hearing this, the hall started cheering forKiyoharuto try the hat on. Despite the crowd’s demands he evaded the task and it was nowHitoki’s name being shouted. Shyly the bassist refused, shouts of “kawaii” echoing throughout the venue. With the comedian acting like a fan-girl and showing excessive excitement as he drank throughKiyoharu‘s water bottle, the two explained how the lyrics were written byHoriuchi,Kiyoharulater deciding to contribute with the instrumental composition. After the amusing performance that got the vocalist literally on his knees from laughing, the band left the stage, returning a second time with another guest. Looking very hip-hop with a shiny silver track-suit and a cap,Kiyoharucalled “Samurai guitarist”-MIYAVI-to the crowd's surprise. In a dramatic opening with-MIYAVI-on acoustic guitar with a leather hat covering half his face, the band moved on toShounen. The guest guitarist accompanied them for the next couple of songs,DRIVEputting-MIYAVI-andHitokiface to face for a friendly duel as the crowd excitedly moved to the beat. With the bass on the lead,Kamakirifollowed, the crowd singing with the band in unison in a strong ending. Even after the two encores the audience showed no signs of tiredness or wanting to go home, and with full force the hall yelled for another encore.KiyoharuandHitokireturned, causing quite a stir with their cute yet fashionable hats, as the vocalist put it himself. The shouts of “kawaii” never ceased as the bassist showed up head down as to hide his shyness as all eyes stood on the adorable strawberry hat he was wearing. The vocalist showed no signs of shyness and kept it cool displaying his panda hat and the two pandas adorning each shoe, petting the panda as he spoke. Taking the mic,Hitokirevealed thatKiyoharuhad chosen the hats, the latter apologizing with a wide teasing grin.BEAMSset the crowd on fire, the screams and yells shaking the ground as the hall sang in unison all hands up. For the finale,Hitokitook the mic singing the last bit withKiyoharu, ending the song with a hug that produced a roar from the emotive fans. Again the band left, returning a few minutes later (minus the cute hats) for the night’s final set. Announcements of the upcoming Asian tour preceded a passionate speech that ended with a promise: “We will continue being ourselves, doing the things we do!”Kiyoharupromised. “We love music and hope that you continue loving music too!” With a heart-felt shout of “Good bye Budokan!” the band dove into the appropriately titledSEE YOU. All hands rose as the fans sang with the vocalist. And with the crowd singing, the band said goodbye withLike A Angel. It was a stunning and moving finale that indeed confirmedKUROYUMEas one of the strongest and most influential bands in the v-kei music scene, bringing a tinge of 90ies rock back to life in a memorable show that will stay in the fans' hearts in the years to come. We look forward to more adventures and surprises withKUROYUMEand wish them the best in their Asian tour! Set list: SE: Enter Loop 1. 13 new ache 2. White Lush Movie 3. Someone 4. Misery 5. Born To Be Wild 6. I Like You 7. Spazzy Addiction 8. D.P.I.D.C. 9. Starlet 10. ~Bass Solo~ 11. BARTER 12. C.Y.HEAD 13. Heavenly 14. Glass Valley’s Oar 15. Alone 16. Love Me Do 17. Walkin’ on the edge 18. ROCK’N’ROLL 19. CANDY 20. Sick EN1 (guest: Horiuchi Ken) 21. Kuroyume ga yattekita EN2 (guest: -MIYAVI-) 22. Shounen 23. DRIVE 24. Kamakiri EN3 25. BEAMS EN4 26. SEE YOU 27. Like A Angel
