Siam Shade was a five-piece Japanese rock band, which broke onto the visual kei scene alongside a multitude of other artists in the early 1990s. They enjoyed a decade of relative popularity before disbanding in early 2002. On November 18, 2007, they reunited for a concert in honor of their recently deceased manager. On July 17, 2011, the band will reunite once again for a free concert dedicated to the victims of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami Outside Japan, Siam Shade is best known for "1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou", one of the many ending themes of the Rurouni Kenshin anime.
History
Career
The band was formed in 1991 by Natin and Hideki (then known as Chack), two high school friends with an affinity for music. Their aspirations started to become a reality in 1992, when they met guitarist Kazuma at a talent show. After seeing his performance, Hideki and Natin recruited the guitarist into the band, settling on "Siam Shade" as a moniker. Local drummer Ataru, nicknamed "AA", completed the lineup, and the group began touring, playing small clubs and local venues. Shortly after, Hideki called on his former roommate and one-time band member Daita to fill in the lead guitar slot. Siam Shade soon caught the eye of Luna Sea vocalist Ryuichi Kawamura. Impressed with the band's self-titled demo tape and live performances, he expressed interest in touring with the group. The two bands embarked on a three month tour together at the end of 1993.
Siam Shade underwent a brief lineup change in 1994 when AA left the band and was promptly replaced by Jun-ji, solidifying the group's lineup until their disbandment. Later that year, the band re-released their demo tape to a much wider audience, leaving the indie scene behind en route to major label success. Roughly one year later, the band signed with Sony Music Entertainment Japan and released their second album, Siam Shade II. The album was met with favorable reactions, and the success of the album's two singles, "Rain" and "Time's", helped to solidify the band's presence in the rock scene.
The band burst into the mainstream in late 1996 when "1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou", a single from their latest album Siam Shade IV, was selected as an ending theme for the anime series Rurouni Kenshin. The song's popularity led to increased ticket sales, concert DVDs, and television appearances.
The band continued to release albums and DVDs well into the next decade. In 2002, while touring in support of their recently released compilation albums, the band announced that they would be disbanding in favor of pursuing solo careers. Siam Shade's 10-year career came to an end on March 11, 2002 at the Nippon Budokan. Later that month, the band released their final album, Siam Shade X, a compilation of all their previous releases.
Post projects
After the disbandment Hideki quickly begin his solo career. In 2003, he joined the band Acid, before leaving in 2006 to focus on his solo career again. However, in 2007 he formed Detrox with KAZ (Sads) and they have been releasing work quite frequently.
Kazuma also started his solo career after the disbanding. In 2003, he performed a duet with Vivian Hsu, "Moment", which was used as the second opening theme to the anime Gundam Seed. He has also played support guitar for Anna Tsuchiya and Damijaw (solo project of Janne Da Arc member Ka-yu).
Daita started a solo career, wrote the soundtrack for the movie Volcano High, and played support guitar for Kyosuke Himuro. In 2005 he formed the band Binecks.
Natin, now going by the stage-name "Natchin", has a solo career and in 2008 formed the band Big Bites with Anchang (Sex Machineguns) and Annie (The Yellow Monkey).
Junji has a solo career, was support drummer for TM Revolution, and in 2008 formed the band Bull Zeichen 88. He is also a regular support member for Acid Black Cherry.
Siam Shade held a reunion concert, titled "Heart of Rock", on November 18, 2007 at the Nippon Budokan, in honor of their manager who died the previous April. The band stated that the reunion was a one-off event, and would not pave the way for a new single or album release.
On October 27, 2010 a tribute album to Siam Shade was released, Siam Shade Tribute. It is composed entirely of Western artists such as Sebastian Bach, Richie Kotzen, Mike Vescera and George Lynch.
On April 29, 2011 they announced on their new website, which went online on the same day, that they will reunite once again. This time for a free concert on July 17 at Zepp Sendai, entitled "Siam Shade Spirits ~Return The Favor~", "to bring hope" to the victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
Members
Hideki Imamura (今村栄喜 Imamura Hideki), born January 29, 1972 (age 39) – vocals
Kazuma Endo (遠藤一馬 Endou Kazuma),born February 26, 1972 (age 39) – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Daita Ito (伊藤大太 Itou Daita), born June 19, 1971 (age 39) – lead guitar
Yasushi "Natin" Nakagawa (中川泰 Nakagawa Yasushi), born October 15, 1971 (age 39) – bass
Jun-ji Sakuma (佐久間淳二 Sakuma Junji) born March 30, 1973 (age 38) – drums
Discography
Singles
"Doll" (December 19, 1993)
"Rain" (October 21, 1995)
"Time's" (February 1, 1996)
"Why Not?" (February 21, 1997)
"Risk" (May 21, 1997)
"Passion" (July 30, 1997)
"1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou" (November 27, 1997)
"Glacial Love" (May 13, 1998)
"Dreams" (August 5, 1998)
"Never End" (October 28, 1998)
"Kumori Nochi Hare" (February 24, 1999)
"Black" (September 15, 1999)
"1999" (September 29, 1999)
"Setsuna Sayori mo Tooku he" (April 19, 2000)
"Life" (April 11, 2001)
"Adrenaline" (September 27, 2001)
"Love" (November 28, 2001)
Albums
Siam Shade (December 10, 1994)
Siam Shade II (November 11, 1995)
Siam Shade III (October 2, 1996)
Siam Shade IV - Zero (January 21, 1998)
Siam Shade V (December 2, 1998)
Siam Shade VI (July 26, 2000)
Compilations
Siam Shade VII (November 29, 2000)
Siam Shade VIII: B-Side Collection (January 30, 2001)
Siam Shade IX: A-Side Collection (March 6, 2002)
Siam Shade X: Perfect Collection (November 27, 2002)
Siam Shade XI: Complete Best -Heart Of Rock- (September 26, 2007)
Siam Shade XII -The Best Live Collection- (October 27, 2010)
1 comment:
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