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 Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:36 am
1/2/10 - BEING UPDATED
12/30/09 - UPDATE FINISHED
Added a few more bands to the DO list [start under Lolita23q] and a "Things You Should Know" sectionINTRODUCTION
Soooo...I mainly made this to please myself. I generally ramble on and on about VK but never really break it down fully. Here's where those willing to expand their horizons and ignore the stereotypes can learn the basics: the history of Visual Kei, its origins, the subgenres, and bands that are a "MUST LISTEN" and a "MUST UNHEAR", as well as tips on deciphering lyrics and meaning when dealing with those clever songwriters (KYO... >:[ ).
So, grab your leather, your make-up, your hair extensions, and your slightly androgynous and eccentric costumes and, uh, let's go.
.::Quick Jumps::.
Post 1. [History and Origins]
Post 2. [The Subgenres]
Post 3. [VK Do's and Don'ts]
Post 4. [Things You Should Know]
Post 5. COMING SOON
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Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:37 am
HISTORY & ORIGINS
Well, if it was not already obvious, the Visual Kei genre originated right smack dab in Japan, it's origins lying in the famous Kabuki theatre, in which artists of yesterday and today stylize their costumes and make-up from. Kabuki is highly stylized, highly elaborate form of Japanese drama, performed in the form of various plays and dances.
Though Visual Kei was recognized fully in the 1980s, strands of it could be traced back to the '70s. The term "Visual Kei" itself translates literally as “visual type” which refers to the dramatic, attention grabbing costumes and imagery used by bands that jump started the scene in the early 1990s as more bands arose and the costumes become more and more unique to the bands' sounds, styles, and themes. People may find these costumes and occasional cross-dressing "weird" or "gay", but one must understand that that's what makes Visual Kei unique. without the costumes, the styles, the make-up...it's not Visual Kei. The look is almost as important as the lyrics and the artists that compose the music.
The music and sounds itself originally came from a blend of glam rock, punk, and metal, but today can be anywhere to "dance rock", as used by bands like Antic Cafe, who formed its base in Harajuku, to describe their music, to symphonic metal, to hard rock, to aristocratic classical styles. I'll go more in depth on this when I get into the sub-genres.
The term "Visual Kei" gets its roots from on of the earliest, most famous, and contributing bands, X Japan, whose slogan was "PSYCHEDELIC VIOLENCE CRIME OF VISUAL SHOCK". X-Japan formed in 1982 by vocalist Toshi and drummer Yoshiki, who contributed a lot to the VK scene, starting his own record label and even produces bands to this day.
Though they were the big contributors of Visual Kei, they aren't one of what are called "the four Visual Gods", based on the four Heavenly Kings of Buddhism. They are Malice Mizer, Shazna, La' cryma Christi, and Fanatic Crisis. Other bands that increased the Visual Kei popularity are bands like Glay and Luna Sea.
I'll get more into a few of these bands, particularly Malice Mizer, who helped monstrously increase VK popularity in the early '90s.
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Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:39 am
THE SUBGENRES
Aww, yeah. Here's how we weeeeeed 'em out.
Don't know what to look for? What style would suit the tastes of that of VK's American counterparts? Well let's take it slow, using a steady process of elimination, one by one. I will really only focus on three main ones because there are so many things I could talk about and have so little time. So let's do this.KOTE KEIThe most common, traditional and the oldest form of Visual Kei, Kote Kei bands have the appeal of European history, and tend to get their inspiration of aristocratic, elegant, dark styles and sounds from French Renaissance periods. They styles of Kote Kei bands inspired the common Lolita style, created and promoted by Mana-sama, leader of former Malice Mizer and current leader of Moi dix Mois. Elegance is key in Kote Kei, not only in appearance, but in musical composition. Bands like Malice Mizer used a beautiful combination of pianos, organs, and symphonic melodies to create their well-known, well-respected blend of aristocratic rock music. Though Malice Mizer went through three different eras [each named for the vocalists the band acquired throughout time]: the Tetsu, Gackt, and Klaha eras [in that order, respectively], Mana-sama never failed in composing and writing a blend of lyrics and music to match the vocal ranges and styles and uniqueness to each vocalist, and he would later prove this with Moi dix Mois. Unlike Malice Mizer, Moi dix Mois is a symphonic metal band. With a combination of two guitars, skilled death vocals by second guitarist K and vocalist Seth, Mana proves he's still got it.
Other bands, like D. and Versailles, play a mix of symphonic metal and hard rock. Versailles is well-known by even some of the listeners of hard rock for the skills each member possess, all perfected and, when combined, a naturally metallic symphony for your ears. Well known for guitarist Hizaki of the former Hizaki Grace Project, and vocalist Kamijo of the former Lareine, Versailles is dynamic, sharp, and on point and have a lavish and incredibley unique Renaissance style. Kamijo once said "The fashion is very important, equally as important as the music. Both in terms of our music and our image, we want to be as aesthetically extreme as possible. We don't play wearing T-shirts and jeans because I don't think it's possible to show our concept of aesthetic beauty with them. But if we do come to find a sort of beauty in T-shirts and jeans one day, we might start wearing them on stage. I feel wonderful about the community vibe. I find myself looking around at fans who are wearing costumes like us during our shows. The clothes are very heavy, we sometimes have to pay an extra charge for our baggage on tour! But having such a tangible weight on stage brings value and beauty to what we do."
Think this suits you? Try listening to the following songs:
Aristocrat's Symphony by Versailles
Serenade by Versailles {NEW song}
Metaphysical by Moi dix Mois
Au Revoir by Malice Mizer [Gackt Era]
Shiroi by Malice Mizer [Klaha Era]
OSHARE KEIWHEE! What's Oshare Kei? To put it slightly...Oshare Kei is the following:
-the sugar in your cereal
-the rainbow protruding from your cloud
-the smiling face on your sun
-the friend holding your hand
...? Oshare Kei is the token peace lover if you will. The term "Oshare Kei" literally means "fashion conscience". A lot of Oshare Kei bands get their outlandish bright styles from the famed Harajuku district, it's home in Tokyo. Upbeat, happy and energetic: the best way to describe "OK" music. The lyric generally focus on relationships, friendship, sillyness, having fun, and complete randomness with catchy tunes and characters in the form of band members.
Though the members tend to look girly, don't be fooled. Without the make-up and the clothes, they all look like your typical dude...and act like them too...or like big a** kids. Most notable are bands like Antic Cafe, LM.C, and ayabie.
Antic Cafe has a huge fanbase. Not only are they loved for their music, their lyrics, and their constantly changing, wild, and creative costumes, but for their closeness with their fans and how much they like to include them in whatever they do. Being a fan of all three of the focused subgenres, I can honsetly say Oshare Kei bands tend to be the ones who are the most enthusiastic about meeting fans and hearing what they have to say. I suppose it comes in part with their quacky personalities. Antic Cafe can often be heard describing their style as "Harajuke Dance Rock" or "Dance Rock" and with good reason. Being fresh from Tokyo in 2003, they grab a lot of their costume ideas right from their home, Harajuku. In fact, the drummer Teruki, could often be heard joking about how much he misses "home" when he's on tour, showing how connected they are to it. Even though the band has gone through conflicting times in the past, like the loss of cross-dressing, bubbly guitarist Bou, and the happy addition of replacement Takuya [called the "Shy Prince"] and "Yukiki" Yuuki on keyboard, they show their loyalty to their fans no matter what.
LM.C...well, what can I say...LM.C is great. They use a blend of electronic rock with an occasional hip-hop flow [most noted in "Rock the LM.C"] and quirkyness to establish their music. ayabie's sound is sometimes closely similar to a mix of An Cafe and LM.C. Both ayabie and An Cafe have used some form of "parapara dancing" in their PVs and performances. Antic Cafe's PV for Natsu Koi Natsu GAME is heavily influenced by parapara, and ayabie's vocalist Aoi generally incorporates parapara into the lives they do [most recognizably i n "Masquerade"].
Sound like a winner? Try out a few songs first.
Maple Gunman by Antic Cafe [Bou "era"]
SummerDive by Antic Cafe [Takuya/Yuuki "era"]
Rock the LM.C by LM.C
Punky❤Heart by LM.C
Masquerade by ayabie [LIVE version...so you can view the parapara]
EROGURO KEI
AWW THAT'S JUST...SICK...and WRONG...GROTESQUELY DISGUSTING...EXTREMELY...EROTIC? WHAT?
Not technically a "kei", but a common descriptive term for bands who would probably fall under Kote Kei, Ero Guro focuses on the sick...the grotesque...the disturbing...and the down right just wrong to create their looks, their musical styles, and lyrics, though there are varieties in the extremities of the bands.
Dark harsh tones, heavy metal, growl, shouting, screeching, and roaring obscene and suggestive lyrics combined with the leather, the chains, dark, obscure make-up, and erotic and outrageously weird fanservice in lives, you could say Ero Guro's main focus is shock value. But keep in mind, it all ties together and perfectly suits each member of each EG band. How odd would it be for Antic Cafe to pseudo-vomit on stage? Probably not odd to Dir en grey's vocalist Kyo. Dir en grey, when they were still a Visual Kei [they are now strictly metal], were the top dogs. Grotesque in nature, obscure in musical composition, and clever in word play, Kyo and his bandmates were masterminds at taking taboo subjects like rape, abortion, abuse, and the media and skewering them into ideas for meaningful lyrics on how these things often go ignored in Japan. Take the song "Mitsu to Tsuba" for instance, a song about rape. When you take the kanji of the title they are read as "Honey and Saliva", but when turned backwards, the kanji says "Batsu to Tsumi" meaning "Crime and Punishment". Kyo USED to go so far as to pseudo-vomit on stage and self-mutilate himself, send the crowd roaring with insane glee, but he has long since stop self mutilation. People who have review his performances say the same thing...this guy has INCREDIBLE range. He can croon, growl, screech, caw, cackle, and make nearly INHUMAN noises better than anyone in the VK scene. You'd think he was in a mental institute. Other bands such as Cali≠gari, and Girugamesh [which, btw, is pronounced like "Gilgamesh" with an Engrish twang, the "r" taking the place of the "l" in the Japanese language...there is no "l" in the Japanese language] are examples of Ero Guro.
This more like you, you crazy fiend? Try these out for size.
Obscure by Dir en grey [WATCH AT RISK HAHA]
Mitsu to Tsuba by Dir en grey
Don't worry; if you still want to give it a chance but want to free wing it, stick around. I'll give you some VK Do's and absolute DON'TS.
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Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:40 am
VK: THE DO'S AND THE DON'TS
Now, let us be purely honest: EVERY genre of music has its OUTSTANDING and its "WHY"STANDING.
Let's break it down further, and maybe, if you haven't, you may find something suitable for your tastes. I'll let you know if I'm being a little bias, but in this case, I think bias might be helpful, especially since I've known of this genre for years.
VK DONT'S
In a nutshell, these bands, unless you just like the way they function, are needy of a quick banhammer from your iTunes playlist...Ugh
SuG --------> REALLY? The vocalist is an annoying TOO overly excited crackhead. AVOID AT ALL COSTS...
Alice Nine ---------> They aren't all THAT bad. I just don't really favor them. I will leave those willing to look them up to decide that...
12012 ----------uhyeano
Plastic Tree --------> They sound extremely EMO.
Kra --------> THEY IS EMO TOO. EW.
Exist Trace ------> Only because a lot of their music sounds incoherent and inconsistent within songs to me. I DONT KNOW. They are a metal-like all female band. If you interested...Youtube 'em.
KINDA YES AND NO
miyavi --------> He's half and half. HE isn't a don't, but not a complete do. He is an EXCELLENT guitar player. He has really good slapping skills. But I don't like his singing voice. But he is an all around sweetie, he's a character, exciting and spazzy and keeps things fun.
There are a few more that I could probably think of...but can't place them. I have a lot of bands that are extremely overrated too, but that's for another list...
VK DO'S
If you do one thing right...it's listening to the following bands
Malice Mizer
Versailles
Hizaki Grace Project
X-Japan
Moi dix Mois
D.
Matenrou Opera
L'arc~en~Ciel
Luna Sea
the GazettE
Girugamesh
Nightmare
Kaya
D'espairsRay
Dir en grey
DIO - Distraught Overlord
Art Cube
Brain Hacker
La'cryma Christi
Antic Cafe
LM.C
ayabie
Lolita23q [preference]
Deathgaze
Mucc
Kaya
Megamasso
Kozi
I should have a more complete list for you soon
C:
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Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:42 am
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
I've given you all the information about the music. Now let's break down what's generally practiced by most bands.
ABOUT LIVES
Of course...ALL bands preform live. That's...something you should know already. VK artists make concerts very fun. They belt out their songs, some of them dance, and they infuse interactions with the audience: talking to them, entertaining them with jokes and what not.
FANSERVICE
What's fanservice? It's just that: service to the fans. It may or may not have any relation to what's going on or have anything to do with the band itself, but it's done to excite fans and get them hyped up. WARNING: Though it doesn't always have to be, fanservice CAN and usually IS something sexual...Uh, I'll let you know in the future if you ever want to see a band perform live and are worried about running into that. But fanservice can be anything from Antic Cafe's "Pantsu [Underwear] Check" where they get the fans to pick which member's underwear are checked [like what color they are], to ayabie bringing out people in animal suits and giving the fans a laugh, to the eerie self mutilation and pseudo-vomiting on stage courtesy of Dir en grey's Kyo, to well...making out on stage [Beware of Fatima xDD]. I actually...enjoy fanservice...BUT THAT'S BESIDES THE POINT. D<
PVs/COMMENTS/INTERVIEWS
PV [promotional video] is the video that is used to promote the artist's new songs -- music video basically. Generally following the making of the PV, the artists have photoshoots in their new costumes and make a comment about the song, the PV, promoting the CD or EP that the song will be on, and giving the fans a few good laughs.
Comments...are just that...comments. It can range from speaking out on a new CD they are releasing, or will be releasing, new EPs, singles, tour dates, talking about their new PVs, or to welcome in the New Year and provide an enjoyable moment for viewers. These generally tend to be the moments most caught and stuck in fanvideos solely because they are generally their wackiest moments.
Interviews...well, VK artists are usually pretty entertaining and open when being interviewed, but there have been times where the looks on their faces just read "KILL ME NOW". Hot Wave is a music show in Japan most notorious for its annoying a** interviews, who cackle and laugh loudly, make the artists fell really annoyed and uncomfortable, and tend to be 10x worse than fangirls. So...if you ever watch a Hot Wave interview, especially of Malice Mizer, prepare to be uber annoyed.
VK/J-ROCK MUSIC VOCABULARY
PV - Promotional Video. The music video accompinied by the new song being released by the artist/band.
EP - Extended Play. Not quite a full album, extended plays generally provide a few songs that the artist released around the same time. Think of it as a mini album to hold the fans over until the real deal is out.
Single - A release of just one or two songs [occasionally three]. The first song is always the one being promoted b y the PV, will generally be portrayed [meaning the band will be wearing any related costumes and have any related themes] on the cover art, and is the main focus. The second song might be a song out already or a special track. For instance, Antic Cafe released their debut single "Candyholic" in 2004, and the song of course was Candyholic. But the single came with two more songs, 3P and Mousou Aikouka.
Fanservice - The method by which the band excites the crowd.
Budokan - The holiest of all holies, Budokan is where every artist dreams of playing at. Once you reach Budokan it's like being on cloud 9.
Nyappy - Antic Cafe's main trademark, "nyappy" is a word created by Miku to mean...anything. It's mainly a way for fans of Antikku to communicate their love, to say they are happy, or when gretting the members.
Tiramisu - It's really just an Italian dessert, but Antic Cafe uses this as kind of a way to say goodbye to their fans. After the end of each concert, each and every member in the audience joins hands with each other, as well as the members on stage, and swinging their arms shouting "Tiramisu! Tiramisu!" After this, they generally take a picture with the audience. I'll find one and post it soon.
Diru - The shortened form of Dir en grey, used by fans. Spelled the way it is pronounced using romaji, the romanticized form of Japanese [very common]
Giru - The shortened form of Girugamesh, used by fans. On sites like last.fm, it has become common for fans to extend this further into a joke when expressing feelings...for instance, instead of someone typing *chokes you*, they would type *chokegamesh you* Weird I know. xD
Antikku - Antic Cafe's shortened, or one of their shortened names.
"Leader-sama" - "Leader-sama" literally is the leader of the band, the honorific -sama being the of one of the highest standings. Ex. Mana is usually, and always, referred to as Mana-sama.
MYV/MYB - Shortened name of guitarist and singer, Miyavi...whose name used to be "Miyabi"...Confusing, I know...
OHP - Official Home Page. This is where the band's info, bios, and updated member pictures can be found.
Kanji/Romaji - When dealing with lyric translations on YouTube for videos, or any lyrics website, the kanji lyrics are the written Japanese characters; the romaji are the romanticized forms of the kanji, used to help you learn to pronounce the words of the lyrics. On YouTube you can generally find subbed Romaji/English videos with the kanji lyrics as well for the video or song.
More to come...
PEOPLE TO KNOW
These are some of the more famous and well-known people in the VK scene, or who were a big part of the VK scene, or are really big among fans. I'll provide explanations when needed. I will update it, as their are a lot more, but I'm going off the top of my head in the wee hours of the morning xD. Bare with me.
Yoshiki, X-Japan
hide, X-Japan [deceased]
Mana-sama, ex-Malice Mizer [leader], Moi dix Mois [leader]
Gackt, ex-Malice Mizer, S.K.I.N., solo
Tetsu, ex-Malice Mizer
Kozi, ex-Malice Mizer, solo
Kami, ex-Malice Mizer [deceased]
Klaha, ex-Pride of Mind, ex-Malice Mizer, solo
HYDE, L'arc~en~Ciel, VAMPS
Kaya, solo
Hizaki, ex-Hizaki Grace Project [leader], Versailles [leader; still disputed]
KAMIJO, ex-Lareine [leader], Versailles [leader; still disputed]
Jasmine You, Versailles [deceased]
Bou, ex-Antic Cafe
Miyavi...I can't even RECALL ALL THE BANDS HE'S BEEN A PART OF AND ALL HIS SIDE ACTS *bookmarks*
THOSE NOW GONE...
Over the last decade or so, the Visual Kei scene has lost 3 very missed souls...
They were all alike in many ways:
They brought smiles to their fans faces
They always knew what to say at the right time
They were beyond talented
They had a contagious, positive spirit
hide, guitarist of X-Japan, committed suicide; Kami, drummer of Malice Mizer, died in his sleep of a subarachnoid hemorrhage at a young age; Jasmin You, bassist of Versailles, passed this summer of a still unknown sickness.
Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but I figured it's best for you to know, in case you ask the wrong questions of these bands onYouTube and get ravaged by fangirls who think everyone who watches the videos of the band know all about them -____-...
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Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:43 am
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mr cloudies best friend Captain
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Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:02 am
I can't research any of the bands now. (I'm at my coffee house at the moment)
But if i'm ever in the mood to try something different i'll just skim through some of the "do" bands and give em a try! n_n
Very detailed explanations!
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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:00 am
mr cloudies best friend I can't research any of the bands now. (I'm at my coffee house at the moment) But if i'm ever in the mood to try something different i'll just skim through some of the "do" bands and give em a try! n_n Very detailed explanations! Well, that's nice to hear.
I still have a lot to add though xD
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:19 pm
I've been awayy!
Dx
But I am gradually coming back.
Please, keep watch.
:3
Suma
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:41 pm
Sweet its good to see ya again. :3
 
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mr cloudies best friend Captain
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