Guniw Tools
Encyclopedia
Guniw Tools began in 1989 as Tomo Furukawa
's creative outlet called Guniw that incorporated artwork and music, becoming what it’s known as today after Jake joined the band in 1992. Asaki joined the group as a support guitarist several years later, but was made an official member after gaining popularity with the fans. Having created a substantial line-up, Guniw Tools was signed to Victor Entertainment
, a major record company and quickly released their first album Niwlun.
On their first three albums, Jake was responsible for writing nearly all of the songs. Asaki added an electronic-industrial influence to many songs and provided back-up vocals as well. He, however, would take on a much more prominent role following Jake's departure from the band.
Guniw Tools' music ranges all over the map, from alternaive rock to electronic-industrial, to jazz-influenced, to inspired by countries like Nepal
and India
. The visuals were rather all over the place as well. Guniw Tools never really had a typical visual kei
image (or sound for that matter), instead preferring to be more quirky and fanciful, often employing the use of surreal or dream-like sequences which fit perfectly with the whimsical tales Full would tell through his lyrics.
The band's theme was "Integrated Art Direction featuring visual images that come forth from sound." The band's name Guniw Tools was created from the Japanese phrase for "flimsy tool".
Tomo Furukawa
Tomo Furukawa is a Japanese musician best known for being the lead vocalist of Guniw Tools. He is currently working on a solo project called Shilfee and Tulipcorobockles, as well as Nookicky and TafucaMadara.- Projects :* Darwin 4078...
's creative outlet called Guniw that incorporated artwork and music, becoming what it’s known as today after Jake joined the band in 1992. Asaki joined the group as a support guitarist several years later, but was made an official member after gaining popularity with the fans. Having created a substantial line-up, Guniw Tools was signed to Victor Entertainment
Victor Entertainment
is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
, a major record company and quickly released their first album Niwlun.
On their first three albums, Jake was responsible for writing nearly all of the songs. Asaki added an electronic-industrial influence to many songs and provided back-up vocals as well. He, however, would take on a much more prominent role following Jake's departure from the band.
Guniw Tools' music ranges all over the map, from alternaive rock to electronic-industrial, to jazz-influenced, to inspired by countries like Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The visuals were rather all over the place as well. Guniw Tools never really had a typical 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...
image (or sound for that matter), instead preferring to be more quirky and fanciful, often employing the use of surreal or dream-like sequences which fit perfectly with the whimsical tales Full would tell through his lyrics.
The band's theme was "Integrated Art Direction featuring visual images that come forth from sound." The band's name Guniw Tools was created from the Japanese phrase for "flimsy tool".
Members
- Full (Tomo FurukawaTomo FurukawaTomo Furukawa is a Japanese musician best known for being the lead vocalist of Guniw Tools. He is currently working on a solo project called Shilfee and Tulipcorobockles, as well as Nookicky and TafucaMadara.- Projects :* Darwin 4078...
): Vocals - Asaki: Lead guitar & programming
- Jake: lead guitar & lyrics
Support Members
- Dinah: Dancer
- Hiropon: Dancer
- Miyo Ken: Bass
- Katsushige Okazaki: Drums
- Jyuichi Watanabe: Guitar
- Wataru Daiko: Drums
- Ryuji Hase: Bass
Albums
- Niwlun Apr 4 1996 (Oricon Style Weekly Rank 78)
- Other Goose Jan 22 1997 (Oricon Style Weekly Rank 40)
- Sparky Aug 21 1997 (Oricon Style Weekly Rank 45)
- Live Sparky Mar 21 1998
- Dazzle Aug 21 1998 (Oricon Style Weekly Rank 63)
- Fickle Boon Oct 21 1999 (Oricon Style Weekly Rank 79)
- GUNIW 2000Ls BEST Nov 22 2000
Singles
- "Yomogi no kokoro" 「ヨモギの心」 Jan 22 1997 (Oricon Style Weekly Rank 49)
- "Dada" Dec 17 1997 (Oricon Style Weekly Rank 44)
- "Hush and Cool" Aug 21 1998 (Oricon Style Weekly Rank 92)
- "Shinchuuran" 「真鍮卵」 Apr 21 1999 (Oricon Style Weekly Rank 67)
- "Green Carnival" July 23, 1999
- "Fancy Pink" Oct 23 1999 (Oricon Style Weekly Rank 60)
- "Cullucoo Vision" May 24, 2000 (Oricon Style Weekly Rank 73)
Videos
- 1992－1994
- VV NIWLUN
- VV FANCY PINK
- VV OTHER GOOSE
- VV SPARKY
- VV DADA
- VV LIVE SPARKY
- VV HUSH and COOL
- VV DAZZLE
- VV SINGLES