Vamps
Encyclopedia
Vamps is a Japan
ese rock
band formed in 2008 by Hyde and K.A.Z
, and signed to Hyde's record label Vamprose.
(Oblivion Dust
) in 2008. They had been working together on Hyde's solo work since 2003. After years of collaboration, the two finally decided to form their own band and agreed that there was no better way to announce Vamps than getting out in front of the fans right away. Their first material was the single "Love Addict
", released on July 2, 2008.
Their first nationwide tour, "Vamps Live 2008", kicked off at Zepp
Tokyo. The band, having only released one single, played mostly songs from Hyde's solo career. Between August 1 and October 28, they played 46 shows at the Zepp live houses throughout Japan. The band played 6 to 10 shows at each venue and every single show was sold out. Vamps' second single, "I Gotta Kick Start Now", was released on March 13, 2009. Their next single, "Evanescent", released on May 13.
In July 2009, Vamps went on their "Vamps Live 2009 U.S.A. Tour". The tour covered 10 cities in the United States
from July 11 - August 1. Stopping in the following cities: New York, Baltimore, two Warped Tour 2009
shows (Hartford & Columbia), Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas, San Diego, and finishing off in Los Angeles. They had an additional finale US show in Pearl Harbor
, Oahu, Hawaii on board the battleship
USS Missouri
on September 19. On June 10, 2009, they released their self-titled debut album, Vamps
, followed by their fourth single, "Sweet Dreams
", on September 30.
On January 31, 2010, the band was awarded the "Billboard Japan Ranking International 2009" award for their efforts and success with their tour in the US. After releasing the DVD of their US tour on March 17, they released their single "Devil Side
" on May 12. Their sixth single, "Angel Trip
", was released on June 9, followed by their second album, Beast
, on July 28.
Vamps embarked on their first world tour in the fall of 2010. Making stops in the following countries: Taiwan
, United States, Spain
, France
, China
and Chile
. Their seventh single, "Memories
", was released on December 15, 2010, featuring "Get Up -Japanese Ver.-", which is an alternative version of "Get Up" that translates some of the English lyrics into Japanese and was used in the Bakuman
anime.
On July 13, 2011, Vamps released their fourth DVD, Vamps Live 2010 World Tour Chile, which was recorded in Santiago
, Chile
on November 6, 2010 at Caupolican Theatre.
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 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...
band formed in 2008 by Hyde and K.A.Z
K.A.Z
, better known by his stage name K.A.Z, is a Japanese musician and songwriter. He is known for his work with Oblivion Dust, hide with Spread Beaver and Vamps.- Career :...
, and signed to Hyde's record label Vamprose.
History
Vamps was formed by Hyde (L'Arc-en-Ciel) and K.A.ZK.A.Z
, better known by his stage name K.A.Z, is a Japanese musician and songwriter. He is known for his work with Oblivion Dust, hide with Spread Beaver and Vamps.- Career :...
(Oblivion Dust
Oblivion Dust
Oblivion Dust is a Japanese post-grunge/alternative rock band very influenced by early 90’s American rock bands, but with a trademark sonority that makes the band unique...
) in 2008. They had been working together on Hyde's solo work since 2003. After years of collaboration, the two finally decided to form their own band and agreed that there was no better way to announce Vamps than getting out in front of the fans right away. Their first material was the single "Love Addict
Love Addict (Vamps song)
"Love Addict" is the debut single by Vamps, released on July 2, 2008. The limited edition came with a DVD that includes the music video of the title track and its making of. The single reached number 2 on the Oricon chart.- Track listing :...
", released on July 2, 2008.
Their first nationwide tour, "Vamps Live 2008", kicked off at Zepp
Zepp
The Zepp music halls are a group of Japanese music halls covering every area of the country. The Zepp halls play host to many international tours and are a popular stop among Japanese musicians. Each venue takes the Zepp name, along with the city in which it is located...
Tokyo. The band, having only released one single, played mostly songs from Hyde's solo career. Between August 1 and October 28, they played 46 shows at the Zepp live houses throughout Japan. The band played 6 to 10 shows at each venue and every single show was sold out. Vamps' second single, "I Gotta Kick Start Now", was released on March 13, 2009. Their next single, "Evanescent", released on May 13.
In July 2009, Vamps went on their "Vamps Live 2009 U.S.A. Tour". The tour covered 10 cities in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from July 11 - August 1. Stopping in the following cities: New York, Baltimore, two Warped Tour 2009
Warped Tour 2009
Warped Tour 2009 was the 15th installment of the annual Summer Warped Tour festival. Vans Shoes was again the tour's primary sponsor. Tour founder/organizer Kevin Lyman announced that this year's tour would feature only one main stage with bands playing 40 minutes each instead of two main stages...
shows (Hartford & Columbia), Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas, San Diego, and finishing off in Los Angeles. They had an additional finale US show in Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
, Oahu, Hawaii on board the battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
USS Missouri
USS Missouri (BB-63)
|USS Missouri is a United States Navy Iowa-class battleship, and was the fourth ship of the U.S. Navy to be named in honor of the U.S. state of Missouri...
on September 19. On June 10, 2009, they released their self-titled debut album, Vamps
Vamps (album)
Vamps is the debut album by Vamps, released on June 10, 2009. The limited edition includes a DVD with the music videos for the album's three singles: "Love Addict", "I Gotta Kick Start Now", and "Evanescent", as well as the video for "Trouble" , which features Anza.The album reached number on 3...
, followed by their fourth single, "Sweet Dreams
Sweet Dreams (Vamps song)
"Sweet Dreams" is the fourth single by Vamps, released on September 30, 2009. This single version is slightly different than the album's. The limited edition came with a DVD of the music videos for both songs. The single reached number 2 on the Oricon chart....
", on September 30.
On January 31, 2010, the band was awarded the "Billboard Japan Ranking International 2009" award for their efforts and success with their tour in the US. After releasing the DVD of their US tour on March 17, they released their single "Devil Side
Devil Side
"Devil Side" is the fifth single by Vamps, released on May 12, 2010. It includes a cover of the 1982 song "Live Wire" by Mötley Crüe. The limited edition came with a DVD that includes two versions of the music video for the title track.- Track listing :...
" on May 12. Their sixth single, "Angel Trip
Angel Trip
"Devil Side" is the sixth single by Vamps, released on June 9, 2010. The B-side is a cover, with some lyrics changed, of "Satsugai", a song K.A.Z wrote for the Detroit Metal City live action film. The limited edition came with a DVD that includes the music video for the title track and its making...
", was released on June 9, followed by their second album, Beast
Beast (Vamps album)
Beast is the second album by Vamps, released on July 28, 2010. The limited edition includes a DVD with the music videos for the songs: "Devil Side", "Angel Trip", "Revolution" and "My First Last". The album reached number 3 on the Oricon chart....
, on July 28.
Vamps embarked on their first world tour in the fall of 2010. Making stops in the following countries: Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, United States, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. Their seventh single, "Memories
Memories (Vamps song)
"Memories" is the seventh single by Vamps, released on December 15, 2010. The limited edition came with a DVD that includes the music videos for "Piano Duet" and "Memories". The single reached number 4 on the Oricon chart....
", was released on December 15, 2010, featuring "Get Up -Japanese Ver.-", which is an alternative version of "Get Up" that translates some of the English lyrics into Japanese and was used in the Bakuman
Bakuman
Bakuman, stylized as , is a shōnen manga written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, the same creative team responsible for Death Note...
anime.
On July 13, 2011, Vamps released their fourth DVD, Vamps Live 2010 World Tour Chile, which was recorded in Santiago
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. Santiago may also refer to:*Santiago *Santiago , a Spanish given name*Santiago!, a shortened form of the Reconquista battle cry "Santiago y cierra, España"...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
on November 6, 2010 at Caupolican Theatre.
Members
- Hyde – vocalsSingingSinging 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...
, guitarGuitarThe 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... - K.A.ZK.A.Z, better known by his stage name K.A.Z, is a Japanese musician and songwriter. He is known for his work with Oblivion Dust, hide with Spread Beaver and Vamps.- Career :...
– guitarGuitarThe 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...
- Ju-kenJu-kenJu-ken is a Japanese session bassist. He is a member of GacktJob, The Wanderers and Anna Tsuchiya. He is one of the most in-demand bassists in Japan.- Career :...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Arimatsu – drumsDrum kitA 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 ....
- Jin – keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
Albums
- VampsVamps (album)Vamps is the debut album by Vamps, released on June 10, 2009. The limited edition includes a DVD with the music videos for the album's three singles: "Love Addict", "I Gotta Kick Start Now", and "Evanescent", as well as the video for "Trouble" , which features Anza.The album reached number on 3...
(June 10, 2009) OriconOricon, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
Albums Ranking: #3 - BeastBeast (Vamps album)Beast is the second album by Vamps, released on July 28, 2010. The limited edition includes a DVD with the music videos for the songs: "Devil Side", "Angel Trip", "Revolution" and "My First Last". The album reached number 3 on the Oricon chart....
(July 28, 2010) #3
Singles
- "Love AddictLove Addict (Vamps song)"Love Addict" is the debut single by Vamps, released on July 2, 2008. The limited edition came with a DVD that includes the music video of the title track and its making of. The single reached number 2 on the Oricon chart.- Track listing :...
" (July 2, 2008) Oricon Singles Ranking: #2 - "I Gotta Kick Start Now" (March 13, 2009) #6
- "Evanescent" (May 13, 2009) #4
- "Sweet DreamsSweet Dreams (Vamps song)"Sweet Dreams" is the fourth single by Vamps, released on September 30, 2009. This single version is slightly different than the album's. The limited edition came with a DVD of the music videos for both songs. The single reached number 2 on the Oricon chart....
" (September 30, 2009) #2 - "Devil SideDevil Side"Devil Side" is the fifth single by Vamps, released on May 12, 2010. It includes a cover of the 1982 song "Live Wire" by Mötley Crüe. The limited edition came with a DVD that includes two versions of the music video for the title track.- Track listing :...
" (May 12, 2010) #2 - "Angel TripAngel Trip"Devil Side" is the sixth single by Vamps, released on June 9, 2010. The B-side is a cover, with some lyrics changed, of "Satsugai", a song K.A.Z wrote for the Detroit Metal City live action film. The limited edition came with a DVD that includes the music video for the title track and its making...
" (June 9, 2010) #4 - "MemoriesMemories (Vamps song)"Memories" is the seventh single by Vamps, released on December 15, 2010. The limited edition came with a DVD that includes the music videos for "Piano Duet" and "Memories". The single reached number 4 on the Oricon chart....
" (December 15, 2010) #4
DVDs
- Vamps Live 2008 (February 4, 2009) Oricon DVDs Ranking: #2
- Vamps Live 2009 U.S.A. (March 17, 2010) #4
- Vamps Live 2009 (May 12, 2010) #2
- Vamps Live 2010 World Tour Chile (July 13, 2011) #2
- Vamps Live 2010 Beauty and the Beast Arena (February 15, 2012)