Kishidan


Kishidan is a Japanese rock band, formed in 1997. They have a retro image, wearing gakuran school uniforms and pompadour hairdos in the style of 1980s Japanese yankīs. In 2006, the members had differences of opinions and decided to take a break as being in the band was losing its enjoyment. After three years, during which time lead singer Show Ayanocozey began a solo career as the "DJ Ozma" character that he created at Kishidan shows, Kishidan announced their comeback on January 27, 2009. Their song "Omae Dattanda", released on November 10, 2009, is the 11th ending theme song of Naruto Shippuden. They are signed to Avex Trax and are managed by Sony Music Artists. Their song "Warera Omou, Yue ni Warera Ari", released on December 9, 2015, is the opening theme song of Kamen Rider Ghost.

Members

  • DJ Ozma — Vocals, Dragon Voice, Emcee and Guitar; born June 24, 1979
  • Hikaru Saotome — Dance and Scream
  • Hitomi "Tommy" Saionji — Guitar
  • Hoshi "Ranma" Grandmarnier — Guitar. Joined the group in late 1998.
  • Showchikubai "Matsu" Shiratori''' — Bass guitar. Joined the group January 1999.

    Currently suspended

  • Yukinojoe "Yukki" Shiratori — Drums. On February 9, 2013 it was announced via Twitter that Yukki was taking time off to be treated for dystonia. In March 2014 the band's management stated that he would continue to be on an indefinite leave of absence.

    Former members

  • Ai "Love-chan" Dokumamushi — Guitar. Member from 1997 to 1998.

    Stage personas

Their various uniforms, modeled after the short and long-coat bōsōzoku-preferred versions of old Japanese gakuran, their matching bōsōzoku uniforms —everything is done with a touch of humor and a nostalgic fondness for the gangs and values of days not-long gone by. Since the band started touring again in 2009, they have started wearing different styles of gakuran, as well as outfits from Tokyo-based fashion group, Saturday Nite.
The group's lyrics are predominantly about motorcycles, being with your gang, conflicts with school, and adolescent love. Though Kishidan has something of a comic approach to their presentation and performances, their songs are often sincere and about issues that are generally important to young people.
Kishidan's hit songs "One Night Carnival" and "Zoku" were featured in Nintendo's Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, and Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2, respectively, which are games about ouendan. The song "One Night Carnival" is even used for a level that was inspired by one of Kishidan's live performances. Coincidentally, the characters wear long gakuran coats and dance like Kishidan. The dancing style is based on actual ouendan cheering routines, and long gakuran coats are often worn by ouendan cheer teams. It is possible that Kishidan's lively and powerful dance routines were inspired by the tradition of ouendan cheering, a subject that is unique to Japanese culture.

Controversies

A February 2011 appearance on MTV Japan's Mega Vector program was heavily criticized by the Simon Wiesenthal Center after the band appeared in costumes resembling Nazi SS uniforms. The band's agency, Sony Music Artists, issued a statement of apology, noting that the band members "deeply regretted" their attire and that the clothing "was not meant to carry any ideological meaning whatsoever". Avex Group, the band's current record label, also sent an apology through its homepage.

Live show

Kishidan embraces the theatrics of rock music in their live performance, and make extensive use of pop dancing and theatrics. Members of the band will sometimes pretend to perish mid-concert in battle with rival school gangs. Kishidan is also known to parody current popular Japanese songs, such as Matsudaira Ken's "Matsuken Samba II", and Nakashima Mika's "Glamorous Sky" from the film adaptation of Nana.

Use of ''ateji''

Since transferring to Avex, the band started to use ateji to promote their singles. In every promotional video, the band uses the ateji character for their Avex Trax sub-label, .

Discography

Albums

  • 房総与太郎路薫狼琉
  • One Night Carnival
  • 1/6 Lonely Night
  • Boys' Color
  • Too Fast to Live Too Young to Die
  • 死無愚流 呼麗苦衝音+3
  • 愛 羅 武 勇
  • Six Senses
  • Kishidan Grateful EMI Years 2001-2008 房総魂: Song for Route 127
  • 木更津グラフィティ
  • 日本人
  • 氣志團入門
  • 不良品
  • 万謡集
  • ONE WAY GENERATION
  • ''THE YⒶNK ROCK HERØES''

    Singles

  • "One Night Carnival"
  • "恋人/Love Balladは歌えない"
  • "スウィンギン・ニッポン"
  • "Secret Love Story"
  • "キラ キラ！"
  • "結婚闘魂行進曲「マブダチ」"
  • "族"
  • "夢見る頃を過ぎても"
  • "俺達には土曜日しかない"
  • "You & Me Song"
  • "The アイシテル"
  • "さよなら世界/おまえだったんだ"
  • "愛してナイト!"
  • "Super Boy Friend"
  • "我ら思う、故に我ら在り"
  • "No rain, No rainbow"

    DVD

  • 氣志團現象－外伝－DVD「恋人」
  • 氣志團現象完全版－2000－2002－
  • 氣志團万博2003木更津グローバル・コミュニケーション！！～Born in the toki no K-city～
  • 氣志團現象大全: Samurai Spirit Suicide
  • 氣志團現象最終章"The Last Song"in 東京ドーム
  • 氣志團現象番外編 Never Ending Summer
  • 氣志團万博2006 極東 Never Land
  • 氣志團列島-Japanolomania- NHKスーパーライブRe-edit
  • 氣志團現象2009 Again and Again

    Other

  • 氣志團現象（1）～さよならの果実たち～
  • 氣志團現象（2）～肌色だけのエンジェル～
  • 氣志團現象（3）～朝日の中のレクイエム～
  • 族
  • 夢見る頃を過ぎても
  • 俺達には土曜日しかない
  • You & Me Song
  • The アイシテル