L'Arc-en-Ciel
| L'Arc-en-Ciel | |
|---|---|
 |
|
 L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel, 2012 at Madison Square Garden |
|
| General information | |
| Genre (s) | J-skirt |
| founding | February 1991 in Osaka , Japan . |
| Website | www.larc-en-ciel.com |
| Current occupation | |
| Hyde (Hideto Takarai) | |
| Ken (Ken Kitamura) | |
| Tetsuya (Tetsuya Ogawa) | |
| Yukihiro (Yukihiro Awaji) | |
L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel (also Japanese ラ ル ク ア ン シ エ ル Raruku An Shieru ) is a J-rock band ( Japanese rock music) that has existed since 1991 . The band has sold over 13 million albums and over 16 million singles. On the list of the Top 100 Japanese Pop Acts published by HMV Japan in 2003, L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel found themselves at number 58.
Band history
1991–1996: beginnings
L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel was founded in February 1991 in Osaka by bassist and bandleader Tetsu (Tetsuya Ogawa). The other founding members were the singer Hyde (Hideto Takarai, then called HIDE), drummer Pero and guitarist Hiro, but the latter left the band on June 12, 1992. Tetsu then persuaded his friend Ken (Ken Kitamura), who studied in Nagoya, to join as a guitarist. Sakura replaced drummer Pero in 1993 after he left the band on December 30, 1992.
The band's first single, Floods of Tears , was limited to 1,000 copies and was released on November 25, 1992, followed by the first album, Dune, on April 10, 1993 ( Danger Crue Records ). The album was a success for the young band and landed at number 1 on the Oricon Indies Charts in May . L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel signed a recording contract with Sony's label Ki / oon Records in 1994 , and the second album Tierra was released that same year . Heavenly followed closely in 1995. The fourth album True from 1996 was the first release with more than a million copies sold.
1997: Sakura's exit
In February 1997, drummer Sakura was arrested for heroin possession and left the band shortly thereafter in October. The resulting media echo led to all record sales of the group being temporarily suspended. The ending song The Fourth Avenue Cafe for the anime Rurouni Kenshin was replaced by the previous song Heart of Sword after just four episodes , and the release of the single was postponed indefinitely, ultimately fans had to wait until 2006 for it.
The remaining three members continued their activities anyway, u. a. as a self-cover band under the name The Zombies . But you covered u. a. also Marilyn Manson's Irresponsible Hate Anthem . The band's comeback was heralded with Reincarnation 97 Live in Tokyo Dome , where the new drummer Yukihiro (ex- Zi: Kill and Die in Cries ) performed for the first time . The comeback was a complete success: all 56,000 tickets for their first concert in the Tokyo Dome were sold out within four minutes, which was a new record.
At the end of 1997 the single Niji was released , with the release of which it was also announced that Yukihiro would stay as a permanent member of the band.
1998–2000: successes
The eleventh single HONEY , released in 1998, was the band's first single to sell over a million copies, and Winter Fall from the same year was their first number 1 hit on the Oricon charts. This was followed by the albums Heart (February 25, 2008) and ark and Ray , both of which were released on July 1, 1999 and also outside of Japan in Asia. The two albums took the first two places in the charts and sold over two million copies each. During the Grand Cross tour in the same year, the band also performed in Hong Kong , Taiwan and Thailand .
The next and, for the time being, last album by Laruku, as the band is called by Japanese fans, was Real (August 30, 2000), the last single was Spirit Dreams Inside (Another Dream) (September 5, 2001), the English version of which is the ending song for the cinema film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within .
2001–2003: Hiatus and solo projects
The band break, which was to last almost four years, was bridged with five different compilations, starting with ectomorphed works 2000 and followed by Clicked Singles Best 13 2001, the twelve songs of which were selected by fans through online voting. A 13th track was the previously unreleased song Anemone . On March 19, 2003 appeared The Best of L'Arc-en-Ciel 1994-1998 , The Best of L'Arc-en-Ciel 1998-2000 and The Best of L'Arc-en-Ciel C / W , on which all previous singles are included except for Spirit Dreams Inside (Another Dream) .
During the band break, Hyde started his solo career with the albums Roentgen and 666 , he also took a first leading role in the film Moon Child , in which singer Gackt directed and took on another leading role. Furthermore, Hyde played Adam in the film Kagen no Tsuki (Last Quarter of the Moon), which is based on the manga of the same name.
Ken formed the band Sons of All Pussys with L'Arc-en-Ciel's ex-drummer Sakura. Tetsuya started Tetsu69 , and Yukihiro started Acid Android .
2004: Comeback and US debut
In June 2003 L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel played a series of concerts called Shibuya Seven Days . In that year the band compensated the fans with a whole range of new releases: The expected new single Ready Steady Go was released in February 2004, soaring to number one on the charts. and was used as the opening for the anime Fullmetal Alchemist . A cover of the song is featured in the Nintendo DS video game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan played. Another single, Hitomi no Juunin , was released in March , followed by the album Smile (March 31st) and another single, Jiyuu e no Shoutai . The band also showed their alter ego p'unk-en-ciel for the first time on the single with the b-side Milky Way .
In 2004, the band ventured for the first time across the pond and played on the Anime - Convention Otakon in Baltimore , Maryland , before about 12,000 visitors in the 1st Mariner Arena . On May 31, 2005 Tofu Records , the US label of Sony Music Japan followed up with the live recording Live in USA . On June 25, 2007, L'Arc-en-Ciel also signed with HMV America .
2005–2006: Asia tour and solo projects
In 2005, the band was bursting with energy and released the singles Killing Me , New World and Jojoushi , which can also be found on the album Awake (June 22), alongside Lost Heaven , the ending for the anime film Fullmetal Alchemist - The movie: The Conqueror of Shamballa . The single Link , which was found on the next album Kiss , provided the opening song for the film.
In August 2005 the band showed themselves politically on their Japan tour Awake , during which they underlined the critical lyrics of the album songs with anti-war decorations. Their Asia Live 2005 tour took the band to Seoul and Shanghai .
The rest of the year and part of 2006 were dedicated to solo projects again: Tetsuya worked with Dead Ends singer Morrie on his solo project Creature Creature . Yukihiro released the single Let's Dance with Acid Android . You also played with Mucc at two concerts in Shanghai. Hyde composed Glamorous Sky , the theme song for the film Nana with pop star Mika Nakashima in the lead role, which was based on the manga of the same name . Hyde's own album Faith was released on April 26, 2006, which also took him solo to America.
2006–2008: 15th band anniversary and Europe
The band celebrated their 15th band anniversary on November 25th and 26th in the Tokyo Dome under the name L'Anniversary . They topped their old record, because the concerts were sold out within two minutes. The songs that were played were selected by the fans via an internet vote. The concert was also televised on December 23rd on Japanese broadcaster WOWOW and on February 8th 2007 on MTV Korea.
L'Arc-en-Ciel recorded their song Shine in 2007 , which was supposed to be the opening for the anime Guardian of the Spirit . In the spring of the same year, the Mata Heart ni hi wo Tsukero tour started in 2007 . The charts were also conquered again, this time with the singles Seventh Heaven , My Heart Draws a Dream and Daybreak's Bell , which also joins the list of anime opening songs because it was used for Mobile Suit Gundam 00 . In November and December the quartet followed up with the limited edition single Hurry Xmas , the two DVDs 15th L'Anniversary Live and Chronicle 3 as well as their album Kiss . This album also reached the top spot on the Oricon charts.
The new album was promoted with the Theater of Kiss tour, which lasted from December 22, 2007 to February 17, 2008. The song Drink It Down , the Japanese opening for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 game Devil May Cry 4 , was another great success.
The band first came to Europe as part of their 2008 tour L'7: Trans Asia via Paris . In the same year the single Nexus 4 / Shine and the DVD tour 2007-2008 Theater of Kiss followed before L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel broke up again.
2009–2010: Live show hiatus
Despite the break, L'arc ~ en ~ Ciel were not easy to forget, as new material kept coming. Since May 20, 2009 fans can purchase the DVD Live in Paris . The band also contributed the song Bless for the NHK broadcast of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver .
Hyde and KAZ (including Ex- hide with Spread Beaver ) formed the hard rock band Vamps and released their debut album of the same name in 2009. Tetsu changed his stage name to Tetsuya and published a book.
On March 10th the 5th Best-Of of the band was released, Quadrinity: Member's Best Selections . Each of the four CDs contains seven songs chosen by the individual members, which have also been remastered by them.
2011 – today: 20th band anniversary and world tour
On January 1st, 2011, L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel celebrated their 20th anniversary and New Year with the L'A Happy New Year! Show in the Makuhari Messe . On February 16, the compilation Twenity followed , which consists of three parts: Twenity 1991-1996 , Twenity 1997-1999 and Twenity 2000-2010 . The whole thing was also released as a box set Twenity Box on March 9th.
The band also contributed the song for the latest Fullmetal Alchemist film Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: The Sacred Star of Milos , making the song Good Luck My Way their fourth franchise song.
It was also celebrated at the 20th L'Anniversary Concert in the Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo in May 2011. Although the planning for the concert had already been completed, all proceeds after the Tōhoku earthquake on March 11th 2011 went into the reconstruction.
On October 12, 2011 the single XXX (read: Kiss Kiss Kiss) was released and the stops for the world tour were released: Hong Kong, Bangkok, Shanghai, Taipei, New York, London, Paris and Seoul. Their concert in New York was originally supposed to take place in the theater at Madison Square Garden , but was moved to the main hall of Madison Square Garden, making L'Arc-en-Ciel the first Japanese band to perform there. In addition, she released the single Chase on December 21 , 2012 , which was used as the theme song for the Japanese film "Wild 7".
L'Arc-en-Ciel also announced the new studio album Butterfly and the first album of their alter ego band entitled P'unk is Not Dead with the single .
L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel's 12th album, Butterfly , was released on February 8, 2012 and includes four new songs in addition to pre-released singles. In addition, the band's first world tour took place, which ended with six concerts in Japan and two appearances in Hawaii. The concerts in Japan took place at Nissan Stadium , Japan's largest stadium, Universal Studios Japan and the Tokyo Olympic Stadium.
At the beginning of 2014 it was announced that L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel would return to the Tokyo Olympic Stadium for two more concerts before it was converted for the 2020 Olympic Games. The concerts took place on March 21st and 22nd, 2014.
Fans currently have the opportunity to take part in an official voting for the band's next world tour.
Origin of name
The band name comes from French and means "rainbow".
According to the Japanese pronunciation of the name ( raruku an shieru ), the band is also known by western fans under the nickname Laruku .
The name of the official fan club is based on the band name LE-CIEL ("heaven").
Discography
Albums
- 1993 - DUNE [Limited Edition], DUNE
- 1994 - Tierra
- 1995 - heavenly
- 1996 - True
- 1998 - HEART
- 1999 - ark
- 1999 - ray
- 2000 - REAL
- 2004 - SMILE, SMILE (CD + DVD) [Limited Edition]
- 2005 - AWAKE
- 2007 - KISS
- 2012 - BUTTERFLY
More albums and best of
- 2000 - ectomorphed works
- 2001 - Clicked Singles Best 13
- 2003 - The Best of L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel 1994-1998, The Best of L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel 1994-1998 (CD + DVD) [Limited Edition]
- 2003 - The Best of L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel 1998-2000, The Best of L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel 1998-2000 (CD + DVD) [Limited Edition]
- 2003 - The Best of L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel c / w, The Best of L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel c / w (CD + DVD) [Limited Edition]
- 2004 - DUNE 10th Anniversary Edition
- 2006 - 『ark』 15th Anniversary Expanded Edition (CD + DVD) [Limited Edition]
- 2006 - 『ray』 15th Anniversary Expanded Edition (CD + DVD) [Limited Edition]
- 2010 - Quadrinity
- 2011 - Twenity 1991-1996
- 2011 - Twenity 1997-1999
- 2011 - Twenity 2000-2010
- 2011 - Twenity Box [Limited Edition]
- 2012 - WORLD'S BEST SELECTION
- 2012 - Vivid Covers
- 2012 - L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel Tribute
Singles (selection)
- 1992 - Floods of tears / Yasouka [Indies Single] (Limited of 1000)
- 1994 - Blurry Eyes (theme song of the anime series DNA² )
- 1995 - Vivid Colors
- 1995 - Natsu no Yu-utsu [time to say good-bye]
- 1996 - Kaze ni Kienaide
- 1996 - flower
- 1996 - Lies and Truth
- 1997 - Niji ( Rainbow ) (theme song of the anime series Rurouni Kenshin )
- 1998 - winter fall
- 1998 - DIVE TO BLUE
- 1998 - Shinshoku ~ lose control ~
- 1998 - HONEY
- 1998 - Kasou
- 1998 - snow drop
- 1998 - forbidden lover
- 1999 - HEAVEN'S DRIVE
- 1999 - Pieces
- 1999 - Driver's High (theme song from the anime series GTO )
- 1999 - LOVE FLIES
- 2000 - NEO UNIVERSE / finale (song for the movie " Ring 0 - Birthday ")
- 2000 - STAY AWAY
- 2001 - Spirit dreams inside-another dream- (final song to the movie Final Fantasy: The powers in you )
- 2004 - READY STEADY GO (theme song of the anime series Fullmetal Alchemist )
- 2004 - Hitomi no Juunin
- 2004 - Jiyuu eno Shoutai
- 2005 - Killing Me
- 2005 - New World
- 2005 - Jojoushi
- 2005 - Link, Link (CD + DVD) [Limited Edition]
- 2006 - 15 old singles as a new edition for the 15th Anniversary (Blurry Eyes ~ forbidden lover + the Fourth Avenue Café)
- 2007 - SEVENTH HEAVEN
- 2007 - MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM
- 2007 - DAYBREAK'S BELL (theme song of the anime series Gundam 00 )
- 2007 - Hurry Xmas [Limited Edition], Hurry Xmas (CD + DVD) [Limited Edition]
- 2008 - DRINK IT DOWN (theme song for "Devil May Cry 4")
- 2008 - NEXUS 4 / SHINE (theme song of the anime series Guardian of the Spirit )
- 2008 - Hurry Xmas (CD + DVD) [Limited Edition] (new edition)
- 2009 - Hurry Xmas (CD + DVD) [Limited Edition] (new edition)
- 2010 - BLESS
- 2011 - Good Luck My Way
- 2011 - XXX
- 2011 - CHASE
- 2014 - Everlasting
- 2015 - Wings Flap
VHS
- 1992 - L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel (Free Distribution) [Limited]
- 1993 - TOUCH OF DUNE [Limited]
- 1994 - Nemuri ni Yosete
- 1994 - Siesta ~ Film of Dreams ~
- 1995 - And She Said
- 1996 - heavenly ~ films ~
- 1997 - The Zombies Live Tour NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE [Limited]
- 1998 - A PIECE OF REINCARNATION
- 1998 - Heart ni Hi wo Tsukero!
- 1999 - CHRONICLE
- 1999 - 1999 GRAND CROSS CONCLUSION
- 2001 - CHRONICLE 2
- 2001 - CLUB CIRCUIT 2000 REALIVE -NO CUT-
DVD
- 1999 - CHRONICLE
- 1999 - A PIECE OF REINCARNATION
- 1999 - Heart ni Hi wo Tsukero!
- 1999 - 1999 GRAND CROSS CONCLUSION
- 2001 - CHRONICLE 2
- 2001 - CLUB CIRCUIT 2000 REALIVE -NO CUT-
- 2003 - 7 ~ Shibuya Seven Days 2003 ~
- 2004 - LIVE IN USA ~ At 1st Mariner Arena July 31, 2004 ~
- 2005 - SMILE TOUR 2004 ~ Zenkoku Hen ~
- 2005 - AWAKE TOUR 2005
- 2006 - ASIALIVE 2005 (DVD × 2)
- 2007 - CHRONICLE 0 -ZERO-
- 2007 - FIVE LIVE ARCHIVES (DVD × 5)
- 2007 - 15th L'Anniversary Live (DVD × 2)
- 2007 - CHRONICLE 3
- 2008 - Are you ready? 2007 Mata Heart ni Hi wo Tsukero! in OKINAWA (DVD × 2)
- 2008 - TOUR 2007-2008 THEATER OF KISS (DVD × 2)
- 2009 - CHRONICLE 4
- 2009 - DOCUMENTARY FILMS ~ Trans ASIA via PARIS ~ (DVD × 2)
- 2009 - LIVE IN PARIS (DVD × 2)
- 2010 - TOUR 2008 L'7 ~ Trans ASIA via PARIS ~ (DVD × 2)
- 2011 - Five Live Archives 2 [Limited Release]
- 2011 - 20th L'Anniversary Live Day 1
- 2011 - 20th L'Anniversary Live Day 2
- 2012 - Live Twenity
- 2012 - WORLD TOUR Live at Madison Square Garden
- 2013 - 20th L'Anniversary WORLD TOUR 2012 THE FINAL LIVE at NATIONAL STADIUM
BluRay
- 2013 - 20th L'Anniversary WORLD TOUR 2012 THE FINAL LIVE at NATIONAL STADIUM
Web links
- Official website of L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel (Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean)
Individual evidence
- ^ L'Arc-en-Ciel 15th Anniversary Broadcast, WOWOW, November 2006
- ↑ a b Top 100 Japanese pops Artists - No.58 . HMV Japan . October 4, 2003. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ↑ Ｌ'Ａｒｃ ～ ｅｎ ～ Ｃｉｅｌ の プ ロ フ . oricon. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ↑ ア ー テ ィ ス ト プ ロ フ ィ ー ル L'Arc ～ en ～ Ciel . uta-net. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ↑ Big in Japan / page 2 . Phoenix New Times . December 16, 1999. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ↑ 【カ オ ス 通信】 「ア ニ ソ ン と J-POP の 微妙 な 関係」 . livedoor . November 28, 2006. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ↑ a b the zombies . J-Rock.com. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ↑ L'Arc ～ en ～ Ciel: バ イ オ グ ラ フ ィ ー . BARKS. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ↑ Winter song special '07 . Biglobe music . Retrieved December 1, 2008.
- ↑ ｗｉｎｔｅｒ ｆａｌｌ . Oricon. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ↑ 1999 年 に 「音 楽」 ジ ャ ン ル で 起 こ っ た 主 な で き ご と . goo . Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 31, 2009.
- ↑ な か な か の 威力 発 揮 す る J-POP 若 手 ア ー テ ィ ス ト が 善 戦 . The Chosun Ilbo . February 19, 2004. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ↑ ラ ル ク の シ ン グ ル コ レ ク シ ョ ン 盤 収録 曲 発 表 !! . Famitsu . February 14, 2001. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ↑ ＲＥＡＤＹ ＳＴＥＡＤＹ ＧＯ . oricon. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ^ Fullmetal Alchemist OP by L'Arc-en-Ciel . Anime News Network . December 13, 2003. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ^ L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel Concert . Anime News Network . August 12, 2004. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ↑ ワ ー ル ド ツ ア ー で 欧 州 ・ 米 国 で 人 気 ム ッ ク ク ニ ュ ー ス . oricon. November 15, 2006. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ↑ L'Arc-en-Ciel profile . Yahoo! Japan . 2007. Archived from the original on November 23, 2007. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ↑ L'Arc〜en〜Ciel 15th L'Anniversary Live . WOWOW . Archived from the original on December 6, 2006. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ↑ L'Arc ～ en ～ Ciel 、 怒涛 の 5 ヶ 月 連 続 リ リ ー ス 決定！ . oricon. June 12, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ↑ ＭＹ ＨＥＡＲＴ ＤＲＡＷＳ Ａ ＤＲＥＡＭ . oricon. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ↑ ＤＡＹＢＲＥＡＫ'Ｓ ＢＥＬＬ . oricon. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ↑ Gundam 00 Opening Theme Tops Japanese Singles Chart . Anime News Network . October 18, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ↑ ラ ル ク 、 ニ ュ ー ア ル バ ム で 1 位。 通 算 7 作 目 . Oricon. November 27, 2007. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ↑ ＤＲＩＮＫ ＩＴ ＤＯＷＮ . oricon. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ↑ L'Arc ～ en ～ Ciel 虹 环 魅力 长存 . Ta Kung Pao . May 11, 2008. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ↑ tetsuya's Artist Book to Rank No. 6 in Talent Book Charts! . MusicJapanPlus. January 31, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
- ↑ L'Arc-en-Ciel to Open Online Quiz in Celebration for their Best-Of Album !! . MusicJapanPlus. March 2, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
- ^ L'arc ~ en ~ ciel * Twenity * . jpopasia. January 19, 2011. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
- ^ L'Arc-en-Ciel Once Again Providing Theme Song for FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST . MusicJapanPlus. March 28, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
- ^ L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel announces their world tour . Tokyohive. October 17, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ L'ARC-EN-CIEL Finally Making New York City Debut with Headling Show at Madison Square Garden. . Tokyohive. January 26, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
- ↑ Live Stream of L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel's New Album Mastering . Anime News Network . October 7, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ P'UNK-EN-CIEL to release their first album, “P'UNK IS NOT DEAD” . October 17, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ L'arc ~ en ~ Ciel Announced New Album Release and 20th L'Anniversary Final Performance Dates . December 27, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
- ^ L'Arc ~ en ~ Ciel reveals details on new album + live concert in Hawaii . December 26, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
- ↑ Kokuritsu Live March 2014 . L Arc en Ciel . January 12, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ^ Next World Tour Voting . L Arc en Ciel . June 1, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
