9mm Parabellum Bullet
Encyclopedia
9mm Parabellum Bullet is a rock band formed in March 2004 from Yokohama
, Japan
. It consists of; vocalist and rhythm guitarist Takuro Sugawara, guitarist and backing vocalist Yoshimitsu Taki, bassist Kazuhiko Nakamura, and drummer Chihiro Kamijo, who came up with the band's name. Piano pieces included in some songs are performed by Taki, while the characteristic shouts are provided by Nakamura.
in 2005 and Phantomime
in 2006, and played live shows in Yokohama
and Tokyo
.
and two new tracks, "The World" and "Heat-Island". At the end of 2007 they released their first full album, Termination
, after which they began their first one-man tour.
's "Nano-Mugen Festival" that year at the Yokohama Arena
, a festival notable for featuring up-and-coming acts alongside more well known and foreign acts.
In October the band released their second full album, Vampire, and proceeded onto the "Vampire Empire Tour 08/09". In April 2009 the band released their first live DVD, Act I, which contained 4 concerts from different points in their career. The limited edition came with a copy of the "Vampire Empire Tour" VIP pass and a photobook of the band.
as a B-side.
2009 also saw 9mm Parabellum Bullet's first nomination at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan
for "Best Rock Video", where they were nominated for the video of their song "Living Dying Message". They also performed this song live at the show.
9mm Parabellum Bullet appeared at numerous rock festivals across Japan notably including "Rock in Japan Festival
", "Rising Sun Rock Festival
" and Space Shower's "Sweet Love Shower".
On September 9, 2009, 9mm Parabellum Bullet had their first show at the Nippon Budokan
titled "999". This performance would appear as a B-side on the Cold Edge e.p., released on September 30.
9mm Parabellum Bullet were invited to play at "Countdown Japan 09/10". In mid-January, they released their new single, "Inochi no Zenmai", to be featured as the theme for the live action adaptation of the Higanjima manga.
It was announced that April 21, 2010, would be the date of 9mm Parabellum Bullet's third full album release, titled Revolutionary
. It was followed by a tour across Japan. In late March, a music video was shot for the last track of the new album, called "The Revolutionary".
They also will be playing a live show in Yokohama Arena
on June 26.
, rhythm guitar
– lead guitar
, piano
, backing vocals – bass
, screams
– drums
drums, Remo
drumheads, and Zildjian
cymbals and drumsticks. Kamijo was a former user of Ludwig
drums (notably the Vistalite
series) prior to his switch to Yamaha, and has his signature model of drumsticks on Zildjian's website.
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It consists of; vocalist and rhythm guitarist Takuro Sugawara, guitarist and backing vocalist Yoshimitsu Taki, bassist Kazuhiko Nakamura, and drummer Chihiro Kamijo, who came up with the band's name. Piano pieces included in some songs are performed by Taki, while the characteristic shouts are provided by Nakamura.
Formation and early releases (2005–2006)
The band signed with Reverb Records (on the under_bar label) and released two early mini-albums, GjallarhornGjallarhorn (album)
is the first mini-album of Japanese rock band 9mm Parabellum Bullet released on December 8, 2005. The song "Marvelous", as well as "Talking Machine" and " Disaster", were later re-recorded in The World e.p..-Tracklist:-Personnel:...
in 2005 and Phantomime
Phantomime
-Personnel:*Takuro Sugawara - Lead vocals, lyricist, rhythm guitar*Yoshimitsu Taki - Backing vocals, lead guitar*Kazuhiko Nakamura - bass guitar, screaming *Chihiro Kamijo - drums...
in 2006, and played live shows in Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
and Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
Signing to EMI and Termination (2007)
2007 saw the band signed to EMI Music Japan and the releases of the Discommunication e.p., which featured the song "Discommunication" and a 35 minute live recording, and The World e.p. which featured newly recorded version of songs from GjallarhornGjallarhorn (album)
is the first mini-album of Japanese rock band 9mm Parabellum Bullet released on December 8, 2005. The song "Marvelous", as well as "Talking Machine" and " Disaster", were later re-recorded in The World e.p..-Tracklist:-Personnel:...
and two new tracks, "The World" and "Heat-Island". At the end of 2007 they released their first full album, Termination
Termination (album)
-Personnel:*Takuro Sugawara - Lead vocals, lyricist, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar *Yoshimitsu Taki - Backing vocals, lead guitar*Kazuhiko Nakamura - bass guitar, screaming *Chihiro Kamijo - drums...
, after which they began their first one-man tour.
Vampire (2008–2009)
In the summer of 2008 the band released the double A-side single "Supernova/Wanderland", which also included piano instrumentals of both songs, and a third song called "Wildpitch". 9mm Parabellum Bullet were invited to play at Asian Kung-Fu GenerationAsian Kung-fu Generation
, typeset as ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, is a Japanese rock band formed in Yokohama, Japan in 1996. For nearly its entire career, the band has consisted of vocalist Masafumi Gotō, guitarist Kensuke Kita, bassist Takahiro Yamada, and drummer Kiyoshi Ijichi...
's "Nano-Mugen Festival" that year at the Yokohama Arena
Yokohama Arena
is an indoor sporting arena located in Yokohama, Japan. The capacity of the arena is 17,000 and was opened in 1989. The arena was modeled after US sports venue Madison Square Garden in New York City. It is a five minute walk from the closest subway station, Shin-Yokohama Station on the JR/Yokohama...
, a festival notable for featuring up-and-coming acts alongside more well known and foreign acts.
In October the band released their second full album, Vampire, and proceeded onto the "Vampire Empire Tour 08/09". In April 2009 the band released their first live DVD, Act I, which contained 4 concerts from different points in their career. The limited edition came with a copy of the "Vampire Empire Tour" VIP pass and a photobook of the band.
"999" and Revolutionary (2009–2010)
In late spring of 2009, the band released the single "Black Market Blues", which also included a recording of their free live performance at Yoyogi ParkYoyogi Park
is one of the largest parks in Tokyo, Japan located adjacent to Harajuku Station and Meiji Shrine in Shibuya.What is now Yoyogi Park was the site of the first successful powered aircraft flight in Japan, on December 19, 1910, by Captain Yoshitoshi Tokugawa, after which it became an army parade ground...
as a B-side.
2009 also saw 9mm Parabellum Bullet's first nomination at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan
MTV Video Music Awards Japan
The MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
for "Best Rock Video", where they were nominated for the video of their song "Living Dying Message". They also performed this song live at the show.
9mm Parabellum Bullet appeared at numerous rock festivals across Japan notably including "Rock in Japan Festival
Rock in Japan Festival
The Rock in Japan Festival is an annual three-day rock festival held during early August in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, organized by Rockin'on. At this festival appear many J-pop artists. Rock in Japan Festival is the biggest rock festival in Japan....
", "Rising Sun Rock Festival
Rising Sun Rock Festival
Rising Sun Rock Festival is an annual rock festival held in Ishikari, Hokkaido, Japan. The two-day event is organized by WESS. The festival sells itself as "A True Rock Festival", referring to the fact that only Japanese artists perform at this event...
" and Space Shower's "Sweet Love Shower".
On September 9, 2009, 9mm Parabellum Bullet had their first show at the Nippon Budokan
Nippon Budokan
The , often shortened to simply Budokan, is an indoor arena in central Tokyo, Japan.This is the location where many "Live at the Budokan" albums were recorded...
titled "999". This performance would appear as a B-side on the Cold Edge e.p., released on September 30.
9mm Parabellum Bullet were invited to play at "Countdown Japan 09/10". In mid-January, they released their new single, "Inochi no Zenmai", to be featured as the theme for the live action adaptation of the Higanjima manga.
It was announced that April 21, 2010, would be the date of 9mm Parabellum Bullet's third full album release, titled Revolutionary
Revolutionary (album)
is the third full-length album of the Japanese rock band 9mm Parabellum Bullet released on April 21, 2010.-Tracklist:-Personnel:*Takuro Sugawara - Lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lyricist*Yoshimitsu Taki - Backing vocals, lead guitar...
. It was followed by a tour across Japan. In late March, a music video was shot for the last track of the new album, called "The Revolutionary".
Movement (2011–present)
On May 18, 2011, their latest single, "Atarashii Hikari", was released. The band's fourth album Movement was released on June 15.They also will be playing a live show in Yokohama Arena
Yokohama Arena
is an indoor sporting arena located in Yokohama, Japan. The capacity of the arena is 17,000 and was opened in 1989. The arena was modeled after US sports venue Madison Square Garden in New York City. It is a five minute walk from the closest subway station, Shin-Yokohama Station on the JR/Yokohama...
on June 26.
Band members
– vocalsSinging
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
– lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, backing vocals – bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, screams
Screaming (music)
Screaming is a vocal technique that is most popular in subgenres of heavy metal, punk and hard rock, including metalcore, deathcore, post-hardcore, groove metal, black metal, and grindcore...
– drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Sugawara
- Guitars - ESP
- ESP Snapper-S/AL (Black, Vintage White)
- Gibson Les Paul SpecialGibson Les Paul SpecialThe Gibson Les Paul Special is a variation of the Gibson Les Paul guitar. It was introduced in 1955 as a model to be an intermediate between the Gibson Les Paul Junior and the more expensive Gibson Les Paul Standard...
- EdwardsESP Edwards SeriesThe ESP Edwards brand instruments are produced for the Japanese market, originally consisting of Fender and Gibson replicas. They are generally considered to be of almost equal quality to the main ESP brand, the fundamental difference being the tonewoods...
Jr. Custom - Navigator N-LP-480CTM
- Navigator N-LP-480LTD
- ESP TYG (Takuro Sugawara Signature Model)
- ESP Bricoleur (Takuro Sugawara Signature Model)
- ESP Truckster (James HetfieldJames HetfieldJames Alan Hetfield is the rhythm guitarist, co-founder, main songwriter, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering a classified advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler,...
Signature Model)
- Amps - MarshallMarshall AmplificationMarshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...
, FenderFender AmplifiersFender Amplifiers have a long history. Leo Fender began building guitar amps before he started manufacturing guitars. The first of these amps were the K&F models, which were produced between 1945 and 1946...
- Fender TwinFender TwinThe Fender Twin is a guitar amplifier made by Fender. It was introduced in 1952, two years before Fender began selling Stratocaster electric guitars. The amps are known for their characteristically clean tone....
Reverb - Marshall JCM2000
- Marshall Vintage Modern 2466 Amp Head
- Marshall 1960AV
- Marshall JCM800Marshall JCM800The JCM800 series is a line of guitar amplifiers made by Marshall Amplification. First built in 1981, the JCM800 became a staple of 1980s hard rock music; notable users include "Anthrax, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and about any other '80s hard rock/metal band."-History:In 1981, Marshall finally...
2203 - Marshall 1960X
- Fender Twin
Taki
- Guitars - ESP
- ESP Snapper-S/AS (Honey Blond, Burner)
- ESP Snapper-S/AS Matte Black (SUFFER Protomodel)
- ESP Potbelly-STD (Amber Cherry Sunburst)
- ESP Suffer (Yoshimitsu Taki Signature Model)
- ESP Suffer Proto Type
- ESP Max Cavalera AX (Max CavaleraMax CavaleraMassimiliano Antonio "Max" Cavalera is a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the heavy metal band Sepultura, before forming Soulfly in the late 1990s...
Signature Model)
- Amps - Mesa/Boogie
- Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
- Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier
- Mesa/Boogie F-100
- Yamaha F50-112
Nakamura
- Guitars - ESP
- ESP AP 220 (Black)
- ESP AP Custom Mat Black (Untitled Protomodel)
- ESP Untitled (Kazuhiko Nakamura Signature Model)
- ESP PBFender Precision BassThe Fender Precision Bass is an electric bass.Designed by Leo Fender as a prototype in 1950 and brought to market in 1951, the Precision was the first electric bass to earn widespread attention and use. A revolutionary instrument for the time, the Precision Bass has made an immeasurable impact on...
Type Custom - ESP Amaze-CTM (See Thru Black)
- ESP X-JBFender Jazz BassThe Jazz Bass was the second model of electric bass created by Leo Fender. The bass is distinct from the Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange and treble with less emphasis on the fundamental harmonic...
(Acrylic Body) - Sepia Crue EAB-430 Acoustic BassAcoustic bassThe term acoustic bass may refer to one of the following bass instruments:*Double bass - an upright contrabass violin*Acoustic bass guitar - the acoustic version of the bass guitar...
- Landscape SWB-Artist Electric Upright Bass
- Amps - SWR
- SWR 750x
Kamijo
Kamijo is a full endorser of YamahaYamaha Drums
Yamaha Drums is a subsidiary of the Yamaha Corporation founded in 1967. The company manufactures acoustic and electronic drum kits as well as percussion instruments, marching band equipment, and drum hardware.-Production:...
drums, Remo
Remo
Remo is a male given name of Latin origin - see Romulus and Remus.Remo may also refer to:* Remo, an American drum skin company* Remo , another name for the German wine grape Riesling* Remo language, a Panoan language of Brazil and Peru...
drumheads, and Zildjian
Avedis Zildjian Company
The Avedis Zildjian Company is a cymbal manufacturer founded in Istanbul by Armenian Avedis Zildjian in the 17th century during the Ottoman Empire. At nearly 400 years old, Zildjian is one of the oldest companies in the world...
cymbals and drumsticks. Kamijo was a former user of Ludwig
Ludwig-Musser
Ludwig-Musser is a drum and percussion instrument manufacturer that is part of the Conn-Selmer division of Steinway Musical Instruments.The first product made by the Ludwig brothers, William and Theobaldner , was a bass drum pedal capable of playing faster beats than was typical of products of the...
drums (notably the Vistalite
Vistalite Drums
Vistalite drums were a line of acrylic PET drums produced by the Ludwig Drum company, introduced in 1972. The name Vistalite refers to the translucent plastic that the shells were made out of...
series) prior to his switch to Yamaha, and has his signature model of drumsticks on Zildjian's website.
- Drums - YamahaYamaha DrumsYamaha Drums is a subsidiary of the Yamaha Corporation founded in 1967. The company manufactures acoustic and electronic drum kits as well as percussion instruments, marching band equipment, and drum hardware.-Production:...
Birch Custom Absolute, Blue Ice Sparkle- 8"x10" Tom
- 8"x12" Tom
- 13"x14" Floor Tom
- 15"x16" Floor Tom
- 22"x18" Bass Drum (x2)
- 6"x14" Snare Drum (as side snare)
- 6.5"x14" Copper Snare
- Cymbals - ZildjianAvedis Zildjian CompanyThe Avedis Zildjian Company is a cymbal manufacturer founded in Istanbul by Armenian Avedis Zildjian in the 17th century during the Ottoman Empire. At nearly 400 years old, Zildjian is one of the oldest companies in the world...
- 14" A Custom Hi-Hats
- 6" Zil-Bel Small
- 8" A Custom Splash
- 10" A Custom Splash
- 12" Z3 Splash
- 12" A Zildjian Special Recording Hi-hat Bottom
- 18" A Custom Projection Crash
- 19" Z3 Rock Crash
- 19" Z3 Thrash Ride
- 20" A Custom China
- 20" FX Oriental China "Trash"
- Drumheads - RemoRemoRemo is a male given name of Latin origin - see Romulus and Remus.Remo may also refer to:* Remo, an American drum skin company* Remo , another name for the German wine grape Riesling* Remo language, a Panoan language of Brazil and Peru...
- Bass Drums - Powerstroke 3 Clear (batter) | Ebony Powerstroke 3 (reso)
- Toms - Emperor Clear (batter) | Ambassador Clear (reso)
- Snare - Controlled Sound Reverse Dot (main, batter) / Black Suede Emperor (side, batter) | Ambassador Snare Side (reso)
- Hardware – Yamaha, DWDrum WorkshopDrum Workshop is a drum and hardware manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Their slogan is "The Drummer's Choice".-History:...
- Yamaha FP9500 Direct Drive Single Pedal (x2)
- DW 9000 Pedal (x2)
- Drumsticks – Zildjian
- Zildjian 3A Wood Tip
- Zildjian Chihiro Kamijo Artist Series Drumsticks
- Guitar – Gibson
- Gibson Les PaulGibson Les PaulThe Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
Standard (Blue)
- Gibson Les Paul
Albums
- TerminationTermination (album)-Personnel:*Takuro Sugawara - Lead vocals, lyricist, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar *Yoshimitsu Taki - Backing vocals, lead guitar*Kazuhiko Nakamura - bass guitar, screaming *Chihiro Kamijo - drums...
(November 14, 2007) - Vampire (October 15, 2008)
- RevolutionaryRevolutionary (album)is the third full-length album of the Japanese rock band 9mm Parabellum Bullet released on April 21, 2010.-Tracklist:-Personnel:*Takuro Sugawara - Lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lyricist*Yoshimitsu Taki - Backing vocals, lead guitar...
(April 21, 2010) - MovementMovement (9mm Parabellum Bullet album)is the fourth full-length album of the Japanese rock band 9mm Parabellum Bullet released on June 15, 2011.-Tracklist:...
(June 15, 2011)
Mini-albums
- GjallarhornGjallarhorn (album)is the first mini-album of Japanese rock band 9mm Parabellum Bullet released on December 8, 2005. The song "Marvelous", as well as "Talking Machine" and " Disaster", were later re-recorded in The World e.p..-Tracklist:-Personnel:...
(December 8, 2005) - PhantomimePhantomime-Personnel:*Takuro Sugawara - Lead vocals, lyricist, rhythm guitar*Yoshimitsu Taki - Backing vocals, lead guitar*Kazuhiko Nakamura - bass guitar, screaming *Chihiro Kamijo - drums...
(September 9, 2006) - The World e.p.The World e.p.-Personnel:*Takuro Sugawara - Lead vocals, lyricist, rhythm guitar*Yoshimitsu Taki - Backing vocals, lead guitar*Kazuhiko Nakamura - bass guitar, screaming *Chihiro Kamijo - drums...
(May 16, 2007) - Discommuication e.p. (October 10, 2007)
- Black Market Blues e.p. (June 3, 2009)
- Cold Edge e.p. (September 30, 2009)
- Kamome e.p. (September 7, 2011)
Singles
- "Supernova/Wanderland" (May 21, 2008)
- "Inochi no Zenmai (Spring of Life)" (January 6, 2010)
- "Atarashii Hikari (New Light)" (May 18, 2011)
DVDs
- Act I (April 1, 2009)
- Act II (September 9, 2010)
- Act III (September 9, 2010)
- Act II and Act III (September 9, 2010)