Kiyoharu
Encyclopedia
, better known by his given
and stage name
, is a Japanese musician
and singer-songwriter
, known for his work with Kuroyume
and Sads
. In 2003 he began his solo career, performing as both a singer and guitarist.
. Kuroyume began in the beginning days of the visual kei
movement. They progressed from a typical dark image and sound, to a heavy sound influenced by punk rock
. The band ended as only a duo with Kiyoharu and Hitoki remaining. After tension on how the band should be managed and health problems for Hitoki, the duo ended the band in 1999.
in 1999. Sads produced a post-punk
sound with a heavy surf rock influence. The band eventually formed their own record label
, Fullface Records, in 2001, releasing their own material on the label. The label would sign its first act outside Sads, Merry, for their first album Gendai Stoic.
Sads' drum
mer, Eiji Mitsuzono announced his departure from the band in 2003, leaving the band on an indefinite hiatus.
ist as well. He has collaborated with many artists, including Pierrot
frontman, Kirito
.
In 2006, Kiyoharu released two singles, as well as a new album, Vinnybeach -Kakuu no Kaigan-, followed by two long, promotional tours. The following single, "Slow", was featured as the opening song for the anime
series The Wallflower
.
He released another studio album, Forever Love, in 2007. It is dedicated to his father, who died. Kiyoharu released "Aibu" in early 2008, and in May the next single, Samidare, was released.
Singles
Best of albums
Compilations
DVDs
Given name
A given name, in Western contexts often referred to as a first name, is a personal name that specifies and differentiates between members of a group of individuals, especially in a family, all of whose members usually share the same family name...
and stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
, is a Japanese musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, known for his work with Kuroyume
Kuroyume
Kuroyume is a rock group that formed in Nagoya, Japan during May 1991, currently consisting of vocalist Kiyoharu and bassist Hitoki. They began as a visual kei group and carried similar looks throughout their career...
and Sads
SADS (band)
Sads is a post-punk and glam rock band formed in Japan in 1999. The band made its debut with the single "Tokyo". They released nine singles and four albums before their disbandment in 2003. In 2010, Sads reformed with a more metal sound and signed to the Avex label...
. In 2003 he began his solo career, performing as both a singer and guitarist.
Independent career and Kuroyume (1980s - 1999)
Kiyoharu's musical career began in the 1980s as a member of independent bands, Sus4 and later Garnet. After the disbandment of Garnet in 1990, Kiyoharu, as well as former Garnet bassist, Hitoki, formed KuroyumeKuroyume
Kuroyume is a rock group that formed in Nagoya, Japan during May 1991, currently consisting of vocalist Kiyoharu and bassist Hitoki. They began as a visual kei group and carried similar looks throughout their career...
. Kuroyume began in the beginning days of the 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...
movement. They progressed from a typical dark image and sound, to a heavy sound influenced by punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
. The band ended as only a duo with Kiyoharu and Hitoki remaining. After tension on how the band should be managed and health problems for Hitoki, the duo ended the band in 1999.
Sads and Fullface establishment (1999-2003)
Kiyoharu picked up again with his musical career, forming SadsSADS (band)
Sads is a post-punk and glam rock band formed in Japan in 1999. The band made its debut with the single "Tokyo". They released nine singles and four albums before their disbandment in 2003. In 2010, Sads reformed with a more metal sound and signed to the Avex label...
in 1999. Sads produced a post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
sound with a heavy surf rock influence. The band eventually formed their own record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, Fullface Records, in 2001, releasing their own material on the label. The label would sign its first act outside Sads, Merry, for their first album Gendai Stoic.
Sads' drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
mer, Eiji Mitsuzono announced his departure from the band in 2003, leaving the band on an indefinite hiatus.
Solo career (2004-present)
After the pause in Sads' activities in 2003, Kiyoharu began releasing solo work. His debut album, Poetry, was released in 2004, showcasing not only his vocal skills, but his talent as a guitarGuitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist as well. He has collaborated with many artists, including Pierrot
Pierrot (band)
Pierrot was a Japanese visual kei rock band, originally founded as Dizy-Lizy in 1994 by Kirito and Jun in Nagano. The original band members were Hidelow on vocals, Kirito and Jun on guitar, Kohta on bass and Luka on drums. After changing their name to Pierrot, Luka left in November and Takeo joined...
frontman, Kirito
Kirito
Shinya "Kirito" Murata was born in Sapporo, Hokkaidō on February 24. Formerly vocalist of the rock band Pierrot, he is now the vocalist of Angelo and also holds a solo career.- Bands :...
.
In 2006, Kiyoharu released two singles, as well as a new album, Vinnybeach -Kakuu no Kaigan-, followed by two long, promotional tours. The following single, "Slow", was featured as the opening song for the anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series The Wallflower
The Wallflower (manga)
, a.k.a Perfect Girl Evolution, is a manga series written by Tomoko Hayakawa. The individual chapters have been serialized in Bessatsu Friend since its premiere in 2000, and in 27 tankōbon volumes in Japan by Kodansha...
.
He released another studio album, Forever Love, in 2007. It is dedicated to his father, who died. Kiyoharu released "Aibu" in early 2008, and in May the next single, Samidare, was released.
Other careers
Aside from his work at Fullface Records, Kiyoharu is also a fashion designer, designing his own clothing, accessories, and jewelry.Discography
Albums- Poetry (7 April 2004), Universal JapanUniversal Music GroupUniversal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
- Mellow (30 March 2005), Tokyo Rips Pro
- Kannou Boogie (7 December 2005), Bouncy
- Vinnybeach (12 July 2006), Bouncy
- Forever Love (14 November 2007), Mid Field
- Rhythmless & Perspective light~saw the light & shade (10 September 2008)
- Rhythmless & Perspective shade~saw the light & shade (10 September 2008)
- Medley (28 January 2009),Avex
- Madrigal Of Decadence (29 July 2009),Avex
Singles
- "Emily" (9 February 2004), Universal Japan
- "Last Song" (16 February 2005), Fullface
- "Horizon" (16 March 2005), Tokyo Rips Pro
- "Layra" (20 July 2005), Bouncy
- "Bask in Art" (9 November 2005), Bouncy
- "Wednesday" (30 November 2005), Bouncy
- "Seiza no Yoru/Cyclamen no Kahori" (8 March 2006), Bouncy
- "Kimi no Koto ga" (17 May 2006), Bouncy
- "Slow" (22 November 2006), Bouncy
- "Carnation" (13 December 2006), Bouncy
- "Tattoo" (22 August 2007), Mid Field
- "Rinne" (19 September 2007), Mid Field
- "Melodies" (31 October 2007), Mid Field
- "Aibu" (23 January 2008), Mid Field
- "Samidare" (14 May 2008)
- "loved" (29 October 2008), Mid Field
- "Kurutta Kajitsu" (13 May 2009),Avex
- "Darlene" (25 June 2009),Avex
- "You" (4 August 2009), Live distribution
- "Law's" (13 January 2010),Avex
Best of albums
- Singles (24 December 2008), Mid Field
- Kuroyume Cover Album "Medley" (28 January 2009), Mid Field/Avex
Compilations
- Tribute SpiritsTribute SpiritsTribute Spirits is a hide tribute album released on May 1, 1999. It collects cover versions by various artists, among them most members of hide's former band X Japan....
(1 May 1999) - Parade -Respective Tracks of Buck-Tick-Parade -Respective Tracks of Buck-Tick-Parade -Respective Tracks of Buck-Tick- is a Buck-Tick tribute album, released on December 21, 2005. It collects cover versions of their songs by various artists.- Tracklisting :...
(21 December 2005) - Tsuchiya Kohey's 25th Celebration "Get Stoned" (21 January 2009), tearbridge Records
DVDs
- Aurora (30 October 2003),Universal Japan
- Daisan no Tobira (7 April 2004)
- Kagefumi (15 September 2004)
- Tenshi no Uta (20 July 2005),Bouncy
- Mellow (31 August 2005),Bouncy
- Groover (February 2006)
- Tenshi no Uta '06 'Travel'" (24 January 2007),Toshiba EMI
- Clips (27 August 2008),Universal Japan
- Kiyoharu 5.21 Performance at Kudan Kaikan RHYTHMLESS & Perspective Live "Light and Shade" (10 September 2008), Mid Field
- Forever Love (2009)
- The 40th Birthday (24 December 2008), Mid Field
- Kuroyume The End ~Corkscrew A Go Go~(2009), Avex
- 15 (Documentary of his 15 Anniversary Concerts) (2009), Avex
- Play of Medley (2009), Avex
- The 41st Birthday (December 30, 2009), Avex
External links
- Kiyoharu official site
- Kiyoharu on Avex Group