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Free-Will
is an independent Japanese independent record label, record label founded in 1986 by Color (band), Color vocalist Hiroshi "Dynamite Tommy" Tomioka, with branches predominantly in Japan and the United States, as well as previously in Europe. The company also provides band management and continues to co-manage many of its artists after they have signed with a Record label#Major labels, major record label. Free-Will and Extasy Records are credited by Bounce Magazine as two important labels that helped promote visual kei. Free-Will also produced the 2001 anime adaptation of the long running manga series ''Grappler Baki''. Sub-divisions The company operates several sub-divisions, some of them for a single band or purpose only. For example, ''Firewall Div.'' solely handles material which is released in collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Sony Music. Under Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Sony Music * ''Back Coat'' – 12012 * ''Firewall Div.'' – Dir En Grey, Merry ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Color (band)
Color (stylized as COLOR) was a Japanese punk rock band formed in Osaka in 1985 by vocalist Dynamite Tommy, who founded the Free-Will record label a year later.''Free-Will and Groove Productions Press Release'' Retrieved Sep 12 2007 They are considered to be important to the formation of visual kei, with the phrase comparing the importance of the Kansai band to that of X Japan in Kantō region, Kantō. Their debut album ''Gekitotsu'' was named one of the top albums from 1989–1998 in a 2004 issue of the music magazine ''Band Yarouze''. History Color was formed Osaka, Japan in 1985 by vocalist Dynamite Tommy. In 1986, he formed the Free-Will record label, which published the band's ...[...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Visual Kei
, abbreviated , is a category of Japanese musicians that have a strong focus on extravagant stage costumes that originated in Japan during the early 1980s. Koji Dejima of '' Bounce'' wrote that visual kei is not a specific sound, but rather it "revolves around the creation of a band's unique worldview and/or stylistic beauty through visual expressions in the form of makeup and fashion". While visual kei acts can be of any music genre, it originated with bands influenced by glam rock, heavy metal, punk rock and gothic rock. Visual kei was pioneered by groups such as X Japan, Dead End, Buck-Tick, D'erlanger, and Color, and gained further notoriety in the 1990s through the success of groups like Luna Sea, Glay, L'Arc-en-Ciel, and Malice Mizer. The movement's success continued through the 2000s with Gackt and more musically broad bands such as Dir En Grey, the Gazette, Alice Nine, Girugamesh, and Versailles, a period which some critics term . Many acts tone-down their appea ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dynamite Tommy
, better known by his stage name Dynamite Tommy, is a Japanese musician, record producer and businessman. He first rose to prominence as vocalist of the punk rock band Color in the late-1980s and early-1990s, but now predominantly works behind the scenes running his record label Free-Will. Career Dynamite Tommy formed the punk rock band Color in 1985, for which he was initially the guitarist before quickly taking over the role of vocalist. In 1986, Tommy formed the independent record label Free-Will to distribute his band's work. It is one of two labels credited with helping to spread Japan's visual kei movement. It has also been a major contributor in spreading modern visual kei outside Japan. During a break in Color activities in 1992, Tommy teamed up with Kenzi of the recently disbanded Kamaitachi to form Sister's No Future. In 1998, Tommy produced La'Mule's major label debut album, '' Inspire''. In 2008, Tommy wrote and directed the music film ''Attitude'', with various Ja ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Baroque (band)
BAROQUE (previously stylized as Baroque and baroque) was a Japanese rock band originally formed in 2001.baroque's Biography at CD Journal Retrieved August 27, 2007Bounce ''Di(s)ctionary Number 13 - Visual Kei'' Retrieved November 19, 2008 Originally signed to S'Cube, a sub-division of the independent record label , the band later switched to the company's Firewall Division, with distribution handled by |
Kagerou (band)
was a Japanese visual kei rock band, formed in September 1999 by vocalist Daisuke and bassist Masaya, with guitarist Yuana joining shortly afterward. In 2000 Kagerou left their record label Loop Ash to sign with Lizard, a sub-label of Free-Will. After experiencing success within Japan, the band set their sights abroad and in 2005 they played in both Germany and France. History Kagerou means "mayfly" in the Japanese language. Mayflies can be as old as three years. However, when mayflies reach their adulthood, their life span varies from two hours to three days. The short lifespan of a mayfly was thought to be symbolic of vocalist Daisuke. He suffered heart problems since infancy and knowing that his heart could stop any day the band was named Kagerou in honor of him. At their live on September 16, 2006, at Liquid Room Ebisu, Kagerou announced that they would disband. Member comments on their official website stated that their last live would take place on January 8, 2007 at Zep ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dir En Grey
Dir En Grey (stylized as DIR EN GREY and previously as Dir en grey) is a Japanese Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in February 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. With a consistent lineup of guitarists vocalist Kyo (musician), Kyo, Kaoru (musician), Kaoru and Die (musician), Die, bassist Toshiya (musician), Toshiya, and drummer Shinya (Dir En Grey musician), Shinya, they have released eleven full-length albums. Numerous stylistic changes have made the genre of their music difficult to determine, though it is generally considered to be a form of metal. Originally a visual kei band, the members later opted for more subtle attire, but have continued to maintain a dramatic image on stage. History 1997–1999: Early career Dir En Grey was preceded by the Indie (music), independent rock band La:Sadie's, which was formed by vocalist Kyo (musician), Kyo and bassist Kisaki in November 1995. They were joined by guitarists Die and Shio, as wel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
12012
is a Japanese visual kei rock band. Formed in 2003 in Osaka Prefecture, the group centers its work around the concept of "madness inside a human" (人間の内面における狂気 '). 12012 is also the penal code for the possession of a dangerous weapon in California. The group sometimes performs as , which is a translation of that offense. Musical styles The band's musical style has changed over the years. Starting out as a hardcore punk band — and later an alternative metal band with some punk elements — after its first two albums '' Not Obtain+1'' and '' Play Dolls'' the band's music shifted to a more radio-friendly sound which could be described as a mix of pop and hard rock. After guitarist Suga left, the band slowly drifted back to heavier terrain. The band's current style could be described as heavy metal with alternative and progressive rock influences. History In 2007, the band performed the ending theme, "Cyclone", to the Gonzo anime television series '' R ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Grappler Baki
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki. It was originally serialized in the ''shōnen'' manga magazine ''Weekly Shōnen Champion'' from 1991 to 1999 and collected into 42 ''tankōbon'' volumes by Akita Shoten. The story follows teenager Baki Hanma as he trains and tests his fighting skills against a variety of different opponents in deadly, no-rules hand-to-hand combat. The series was followed by five sequels in the same magazine; , which was serialized from 1999 to 2005 and collected into 31 volumes, , which was serialized from 2005 to 2012 and collected into 37 volumes, , which was serialized from 2014 to 2018 and collected into 22 volumes, a fifth series, also named but with Baki's name written in ''katakana'' instead of ''kanji'', serialized from 2018 to 2023 and collected into 17 volumes, and , serialized from 2023. A 45-minute original video animation (OVA) was released in 1994. A 24-episode anime aired on TV Tokyo between Janua ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Merry (band)
is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in Tokyo in 2001. The current member lineup consists of Gara on vocals, Yuu on guitar, Tetsu on bass, and Nero on the drums. History 2000~2004 In late 2000, after the disbandment of their bands After effect and Shiver respectively, vocalist Gara and guitarist Yuu, only briefly acquainted through a few live events, contacted each other in hopes of a fresh beginning. In the following months of 2001, a series of meetings and discussions over the phone eventually led to the recruitment of the three other members, Tetsu, Nero and Kenichi in that order, and the five of them formed in October 2001 what was to be known as Merry today. Early activities as an obscure indies band included the distribution of 500 copies of a 2-track MD in indie CD stores nationwide, accompanied by a number of secret live shows held in Tokyo and Nagoya. Regular "serious" activities only began in 2002. Following more live shows, the band created their own indepe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Extasy Records
Extasy Records is a Japanese record label founded in April 1986 by Yoshiki Hayashi, co-founder of the heavy metal band X Japan. The label's first release was X's 1986 single "Orgasm". Over the next few years, the label signed several then-little-known bands, among them future million-selling Glay and Luna Sea. Extasy along with Free-Will are credited with helping to spread the visual kei movement. The label also hosted a series of events to promote the groups, called Extasy Summits, which would also feature formerly signed bands that had already moved on to a major label. History Yoshiki Hayashi founded Extasy Records in Japan in 1986, using money he received from his mother when she sold her business. His band X Japan (then still named X) released their second single, "Orgasm", as the label's first release. In 1988, their debut album '' Vanishing Vision'' came out and was a huge success for an independent band. Over the next couple of years Extasy signed many bands that wou ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Avex Group
Avex Inc. ( kabushiki gaisha , commonly known as Avex and stylized as avex) is a Japanese Conglomerate (company), entertainment conglomerate led by founder Max Matsuura and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1988, the company manages J-pop talents like Ayumi Hamasaki, TVXQ! and internet sensation PikoTaro. It has also shifted into other business domains like anime, video games and live music events, partnering with Ultra Music Festival and hosting the annual A-nation. The company is a member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) ''keiretsu''. Name AVEX is an Acronym and initialism, acronym of the English words Audio Visual EXpert. Since its foundation, its corporate name was Avex digital distribution, D.D., Incorporated, and ten years later it was changed to Avex, Incorporated. The current name, Avex Group Holdings, Incorporated, was adopted in 2004 as part of reconstruction process after Tom Yoda's resignation. Avex Group Holdings, Incorporated was used for the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
