Free-Will (label)
Encyclopedia
Free-Will is a Japan
ese independent record label
founded in 1986 with branches predominantly in Japan and the United States
, as well as in Europe
previously. It manages, among others, several visual kei
themed rock
bands and also continues to co-manage many of its artists after they have signed recording contracts with one of the major record labels. The label also produced the 2001 anime adaptation of the long running manga series Grappler Baki.
.
Under Sony Music
advertising agency
. The trio is accused of defrauding the agency of 324 million yen (approximately US$ 2.8 million) by appearing to order the agency to produce music video
s, which were then delegated to subcontract firms. Kaku has since confessed to the charges, while Tomioka denied any involvement.
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...
ese independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
founded in 1986 with branches predominantly in Japan and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, as well as in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
previously. It manages, among others, several visual kei
Visual Kei
is a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that visual kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of Japanese rock, with its...
themed rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
bands and also continues to co-manage many of its artists after they have signed recording contracts with one of the major record labels. The label also produced the 2001 anime adaptation of the long running manga series Grappler Baki.
Sub-divisions
The company operates several sub-divisions, some of them for a single band or purpose only. For example, Firewall Div. solely handles material which is released in collaboration with Sony MusicSony Music Entertainment Japan
is Sony's music arm in Japan. SMEJ is directly owned by Sony Corporation and independent from the United States-based Sony Music Entertainment due to its strength in the Japanese music industry....
.
Under Sony MusicSony Music Entertainment Japanis Sony's music arm in Japan. SMEJ is directly owned by Sony Corporation and independent from the United States-based Sony Music Entertainment due to its strength in the Japanese music industry....
- Firewall Div. – Baroque, Dir en greyDir en greyDir En Grey is a Japanese metal band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. As of 2011, they have recorded eight full-length records...
, Merry - Lizard – KagerouKagerou (band)Kagerou were a Japanese visual kei alternative metal/rock band, formed in September 1999 by vocalist Daisuke and bassist Masaya, with guitarist Yuana joining shortly afterward. In 2000 Kagerou left their record label Loop Ash to sign with Lizard, which is an imprint of Free-Will...
- PS Company – The Gazette
Under King Records
- PS Company – KraKra (band)Kra is a Japanese visual kei band on the PS Company label. Their music is a unruly combination of pop, alternative, indie rock, with a sprinkle of funk.Kra made their major label debut with the single Heart Balance on September 21, 2006.-History:...
, formerly managed MiyaviMiyavi, better known by his stage name , is a Japanese visual kei musician. His work as guitarist for Dué le Quartz and his successful solo career have established him as an accomplished musician in the Japanese music scene.- Early life :...
& Kagrra- Indie PSC – ScrewScrew (band)Screw is a Japanese visual kei rock band signed to Indie PSC after leaving their previous label, Speed-Disk.-Members: – vocals – lead guitar – rhythm guitar – bass – drums -Albums:* Fusion of the Core * X-Rays * Duality...
, Born
- Indie PSC – Screw
- S'Cube – Eile de Mu, Puppet Mammy, Ruvie, Tokyo Michael, Cooky
Bands managed directly
Past- Amphibian
- BISBis (band)Bis are a Scottish indie pop band composed of Steven Clark , John Clark , and Amanda MacKinnon . Formed in 1994, the band broke up in 2003, but reformed briefly in 2007 for a series of concerts.-History:...
- BellzllebBELLZLLEBBellzlleb is a Japanese heavy metal band, formed in Chiba, Japan in 1985 by Tetsu and Yuji. Their sound mixed elements from heavy metal, black metal and hardcore with influences from Aleister Crowley, the occult, horror, satanism and the dark, heavy sound of Black Sabbath...
- Billy & The Sluts
- By-SexualBy-SexualBy-Sexual was a Japanese visual kei punk band from Osaka. They were active from 1988 to 1995, when vocalist Sho left the band and they went on hiatus. In August 1996, the remaining members restarted the group under the name By-Sex with Ryo changing to vocals and guitar...
- ColorColor (band)Color was a Japanese punk band formed in 1985 by Dynamite Tommy, who founded the Free-Will record label a year later. They are considered to be important to the formation of visual kei.- History :...
- Decameron
- Dir En GreyDir en greyDir En Grey is a Japanese metal band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. As of 2011, they have recorded eight full-length records...
- Genkaku AllergyGenkaku AllergyGenkaku Allergy was a Japanese visual kei rock band started by ex-Kamaitachi members Sceana and Kazzy, in 1992. Its sound mixes elements from punk rock, heavy metal, hardcore, and industrial metal. They signed with Victor Entertainment in 1994...
- Gilles de Rais
- KamaitachiKamaitachi (band)was an influential Japanese visual kei punk band formed in October 1985 by drummer Ken-chan and bassist Mogwai. After several member changes, vocalist Sceana and guitarist Kazzy joined completing the final lineup. They signed with Free-Will in 1989 and released their debut album, Itachigokko, in...
- Lovemania
- Red Tail Cat
- Rentrer en SoiRentrer en Soiwas a visual kei rock band from Japan. In French, the band's name can be literally translated as "to return to oneself," although this is not grammatically correct. The band was composed of five members, and had seen only one member change...
- Sea Monkey
- Speed-ID
- Vogue
- Youka
Scandal
On September 14, 2007, the label's founder Hiroshi "Dynamite Tommy" Tomioka was arrested, along with fellow Free-Will official Kazunori Murasaki and Koichi Kaku, a former employee of the Asatsu-DKAsatsu-DK
, often abbreviated simply as ADK or sometime calls , is a Japanese advertising agency. Headquartered in Chūō, Tokyo, the firm is Japan's third largest advertising agency, after Dentsu and Hakuhodo. The agency has 38 offices in over 15 countries. One of the offices, Asatsu-DK Europe, was...
advertising agency
Advertising agency
An advertising agency or ad agency is a service business dedicated to creating, planning and handling advertising for its clients. An ad agency is independent from the client and provides an outside point of view to the effort of selling the client's products or services...
. The trio is accused of defrauding the agency of 324 million yen (approximately US$ 2.8 million) by appearing to order the agency to produce music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s, which were then delegated to subcontract firms. Kaku has since confessed to the charges, while Tomioka denied any involvement.