Zi:Kill
Encyclopedia
Zi:Kill was an influential Japan
ese visual kei
rock band active from 1987 to 1994 . The core members were vocalist Tusk, bassist Seiichi and guitarist Ken. They were featured in a chapter of Karl Taro Greenfeld
's novel Speed Tribes
. The chapter documents the writer's time spent with the band and the events that nearly caused their break up.
, whose founder Yoshiki was introduced to the band by his X Japan
bandmate hide
. After a May 3 concert at Meguro Live Station Masami left the group.
Their first album proved to be successful, with the band becoming one of the more popular groups in Japan's emerging visual kei
scene. In 1990, after recruiting new drummer Yukihiro
and singing to Extasy, they released their second album Close Dance. The album was an even greater success; it reached the first position of Oricon
's indies chart, with 30,000 copies pre-ordered. During an October 10 show at Shibuya Kōkaidō, Zi:Kill announced their signing with major label Toshiba EMI, who also gave the band their own label, Planet Earth.
After a small tour Zi:Kill went to London, where they worked on their major label debut. The group had become known for infighting within the band, and upon completing the album, Yukihiro was fired at a December 28, 1990 gig at Kawasaki Club Citta.
Desert Town, their major label debut, appeared to be the bands breakthrough album when it was released in 1991. It hit the Oricon top ten, and their debut single "Lonely" sold 40,000 copies. However after recruiting new drummer Tetsu and starting a nationwide tour, the band began a bitter dispute with Toshiba EMI that led to Zi:Kill leaving the label. The band ceased promotion of Desert Town, spending the rest of the year playing only a handful of shows. On September 24, 1991 Tetsu announced he was leaving the group.
In The Hole, a new album recorded that summer, was released on King Records October 28, 1992. It hit the 8th position on the Oricon, with "Slow Down" as its lead single. After another national tour, they appeared at Extasy Records
' Extasy Summit at the Osaka-jō Hall
and Nippon Budokan
, and had their own one-man performance at the Budokan on December 17, 1993.
For the recording of 1993's Rocket, Zi:Kill went back to London. Ranking 5th on the Oricon, it marked their highest chart appearance. The single "Calling" was also a success, being used as "Tony's Theme" in the anime Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle
.
After a nationwide tour titled "Flying Rocket 1993", they performed at the Nippon Budokan again on January 11, 1994. This was their last performance, as in May 1994 Zi:Kill disbanded.
and Eby. He also formed the bands Vast and Cry Baby, but currently is a studio musician and producer, as is Eby.
Ex-drummer Yukihiro
went on to form prominent 90's visual kei
band Die in Cries
, active 1991–1995. Since 1998 he is drummer for the hugely successful L'Arc-en-Ciel, after he famously replaced Sakura who was arrested for drug possession in 1996. In 2001 he formed his own solo project, Acid Android
.
In 1994 ex-drummer Tetsu formed the short lived band Body, with his fellow ex-D'erlanger
member Cipher. In 1995 Seiichi teamed up with them both to form Craze.
Tusk initially formed a solo unit, with ex-Zi:Kill drummer Tetsu and Kyoji Yamamoto
of Bow Wow supporting him. He released one single titled "3 Songs" in 1996, but ceased solo activities after its release. He then joined The Slut Banks, who released four albums between 1996 and 2000 before disbanding.
Tusk then joined Seiichi and Tetsu in Craze in 2000. He left them in 2005 and in 2007 The Slut Banks reunited.
In 2006 Craze ended activities, Seiichi would join Nakada Band, who later changed their name to The Heavenly Curve, with former members of Deep and By-Sexual
's Nao. 2007 brought the revival of D'erlanger
, and Tetsu rejoined accordingly. In 2010 Seiichi formed Johnny Loves Brautigan.
(→Solo, Amnesia, The Slut Banks, Craze, Shinjuku Shin'on Kai [新宿心音会]) – guitar
(→Solo, Vast, Cry Baby, Studio Musician) – bass
(→Craze, Nakata Band/The Heavenly Curve, Johnny Loves Brautigan) – drums
(→Studio Musician)
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 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...
rock band active from 1987 to 1994 . The core members were vocalist Tusk, bassist Seiichi and guitarist Ken. They were featured in a chapter of Karl Taro Greenfeld
Karl Taro Greenfeld
Karl Taro Greenfeld is a journalist and author known primarily for his articles on life in modern Asia and both his fiction and non-fiction in The Paris Review....
's novel Speed Tribes
Speed Tribes
Speed Tribes: Days and Nights with Japan's Next Generation is a 1995 book by Karl Taro Greenfeld. It is a collection of fiction short stories, each focusing on a specific Japanese youth in the early 1990s, a turbulent time in Japan following the collapse of the late 1980s "bubble" economy...
. The chapter documents the writer's time spent with the band and the events that nearly caused their break up.
Early Years and Rise: 1987–1991
Zi:Kill (originally called G-Kill) was formed in November 1987 with Ken on guitar and Seiichi on bass. Tusk joined in February 1988 and soon after Masami joined on drums. On April 20 they played their first show at Meguro Rokumeikan. In 1989 they released their first album, Shin Sekai ~Real of the World~ on the label Ghost Disc. The album was produced by Extasy RecordsExtasy Records
Extasy Records is a Japanese record label founded in April 1986 by Yoshiki Hayashi, co-founder of the heavy metal band X Japan...
, whose founder Yoshiki was introduced to the band by his X Japan
X Japan
is a Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1982 by Yoshiki and Toshi. Originally named X , the group achieved their breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second album Blue Blood...
bandmate hide
Hide (musician)
, better known by his stage name hide , was a popular Japanese musician. He was primarily known for his work as lead guitarist of the heavy metal band X Japan from 1987 to 1997...
. After a May 3 concert at Meguro Live Station Masami left the group.
Their first album proved to be successful, with the band becoming one of the more popular groups in Japan's emerging 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...
scene. In 1990, after recruiting new drummer Yukihiro
Yukihiro (musician)
yukihiro is a Japanese musician, best known as drummer of the rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel. He also sings for his solo project, Acid Android. Before joining L'Arc he was in several other popular bands, such as Zi:Kill and Die in Cries.- Early life :yukihiro was born on November 24, 1968 in Ichikawa,...
and singing to Extasy, they released their second album Close Dance. The album was an even greater success; it reached the first position of Oricon
Oricon
, 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...
's indies chart, with 30,000 copies pre-ordered. During an October 10 show at Shibuya Kōkaidō, Zi:Kill announced their signing with major label Toshiba EMI, who also gave the band their own label, Planet Earth.
After a small tour Zi:Kill went to London, where they worked on their major label debut. The group had become known for infighting within the band, and upon completing the album, Yukihiro was fired at a December 28, 1990 gig at Kawasaki Club Citta.
Desert Town, their major label debut, appeared to be the bands breakthrough album when it was released in 1991. It hit the Oricon top ten, and their debut single "Lonely" sold 40,000 copies. However after recruiting new drummer Tetsu and starting a nationwide tour, the band began a bitter dispute with Toshiba EMI that led to Zi:Kill leaving the label. The band ceased promotion of Desert Town, spending the rest of the year playing only a handful of shows. On September 24, 1991 Tetsu announced he was leaving the group.
Regrouping and Final Years: 1992–1994
In January 1992, Zi:Kill announced they had resumed activity with new drummer Eby. As free agents they collaborated with Extasy Records on a history compilation album of songs from their indies albums, along with their newest single "Hero" and new songs "Crack Eye" and "Don't Ask Me!" especially for the record. Tomorrow... was released in 1992 and hit number 34 on the Oricon charts, a monumental success for an indies album. In retaliation, Toshiba EMI released its own Zi:Kill compilation album, Disgrace - The Best, two months later.In The Hole, a new album recorded that summer, was released on King Records October 28, 1992. It hit the 8th position on the Oricon, with "Slow Down" as its lead single. After another national tour, they appeared at Extasy Records
Extasy Records
Extasy Records is a Japanese record label founded in April 1986 by Yoshiki Hayashi, co-founder of the heavy metal band X Japan...
' Extasy Summit at the Osaka-jō Hall
Osaka-jo Hall
, or Osaka Castle Hall, is a multi-purpose arena, in the Kyōbashi area, of Osaka, Japan. The hall opened in 1983 and can seat up to 16,000 people...
and 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...
, and had their own one-man performance at the Budokan on December 17, 1993.
For the recording of 1993's Rocket, Zi:Kill went back to London. Ranking 5th on the Oricon, it marked their highest chart appearance. The single "Calling" was also a success, being used as "Tony's Theme" in the anime Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle
Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle
is an anime TV Special based on the Neo Geo SNK video game, Fatal Fury 2 and is a sequel to the previous TV movie, Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf. The movie was directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi and once again features character designs by Masami Ōbari...
.
After a nationwide tour titled "Flying Rocket 1993", they performed at the Nippon Budokan again on January 11, 1994. This was their last performance, as in May 1994 Zi:Kill disbanded.
Post Zi:Kill
Ken went on to release a number of solo efforts, featuring ex-Zi:Kill drummers YukihiroYukihiro (musician)
yukihiro is a Japanese musician, best known as drummer of the rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel. He also sings for his solo project, Acid Android. Before joining L'Arc he was in several other popular bands, such as Zi:Kill and Die in Cries.- Early life :yukihiro was born on November 24, 1968 in Ichikawa,...
and Eby. He also formed the bands Vast and Cry Baby, but currently is a studio musician and producer, as is Eby.
Ex-drummer Yukihiro
Yukihiro (musician)
yukihiro is a Japanese musician, best known as drummer of the rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel. He also sings for his solo project, Acid Android. Before joining L'Arc he was in several other popular bands, such as Zi:Kill and Die in Cries.- Early life :yukihiro was born on November 24, 1968 in Ichikawa,...
went on to form prominent 90's 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...
band Die in Cries
Die in Cries
Die in Cries was a prominent visual kei rock band of the 90's, whose members have all played in other prominent Japanese bands.-History:...
, active 1991–1995. Since 1998 he is drummer for the hugely successful L'Arc-en-Ciel, after he famously replaced Sakura who was arrested for drug possession in 1996. In 2001 he formed his own solo project, Acid Android
Acid Android
Acid Android is the solo project of yukihiro, drummer of the popular Japanese rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel. They are signed to yukihiro's Tracks on Drugs label, a division of Ki/oon Records. Acid Android releases, as with the other L'Arc-en-Ciel members' solo projects, take place when they are on hiatus...
.
In 1994 ex-drummer Tetsu formed the short lived band Body, with his fellow ex-D'erlanger
D'erlanger
D'erlanger is a Japanese rock band considered to be important to the formation of visual kei...
member Cipher. In 1995 Seiichi teamed up with them both to form Craze.
Tusk initially formed a solo unit, with ex-Zi:Kill drummer Tetsu and Kyoji Yamamoto
Kyoji Yamamoto
is a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter and record producer who is the leader of the hard rock/metal bands Bow Wow and Wild Flag...
of Bow Wow supporting him. He released one single titled "3 Songs" in 1996, but ceased solo activities after its release. He then joined The Slut Banks, who released four albums between 1996 and 2000 before disbanding.
Tusk then joined Seiichi and Tetsu in Craze in 2000. He left them in 2005 and in 2007 The Slut Banks reunited.
In 2006 Craze ended activities, Seiichi would join Nakada Band, who later changed their name to The Heavenly Curve, with former members of Deep and By-Sexual
By-Sexual
By-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...
's Nao. 2007 brought the revival of D'erlanger
D'erlanger
D'erlanger is a Japanese rock band considered to be important to the formation of visual kei...
, and Tetsu rejoined accordingly. In 2010 Seiichi formed Johnny Loves Brautigan.
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...
(→Solo, Amnesia, The Slut Banks, Craze, Shinjuku Shin'on Kai [新宿心音会]) – guitar
Guitar
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...
(→Solo, Vast, Cry Baby, Studio Musician) – bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(→Craze, Nakata Band/The Heavenly Curve, Johnny Loves Brautigan) – 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 ....
(→Studio Musician)
Former members
- Masami – drums (ex:Aura)
- YukihiroYukihiro (musician)yukihiro is a Japanese musician, best known as drummer of the rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel. He also sings for his solo project, Acid Android. Before joining L'Arc he was in several other popular bands, such as Zi:Kill and Die in Cries.- Early life :yukihiro was born on November 24, 1968 in Ichikawa,...
– drums (→Die in CriesDie in CriesDie in Cries was a prominent visual kei rock band of the 90's, whose members have all played in other prominent Japanese bands.-History:...
, L'Arc-en-Ciel, Acid AndroidAcid AndroidAcid Android is the solo project of yukihiro, drummer of the popular Japanese rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel. They are signed to yukihiro's Tracks on Drugs label, a division of Ki/oon Records. Acid Android releases, as with the other L'Arc-en-Ciel members' solo projects, take place when they are on hiatus...
) – drums (ex:Saver Tiger, D'erlangerD'erlangerD'erlanger is a Japanese rock band considered to be important to the formation of visual kei...
,→Body, Craze)
Albums
- Shin Sekai ~Real of the World~ (真世界 ~REAL OF THE WORLD~, March 21, 1989)
- Close Dance (March 25, 1990)
- Desert Town (March 21, 1991), 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 Chart Peak Position: #10 - Tomorrow... (July 29, 1992, history compilation)
- Disgrace - The Best (September 30, 1992, greatest hits compilation), #71
- In the Hole (October 28, 1992), #8
- Rocket (June 9, 1993)
- Best Box (March 16, 1995, greatest hits compilation), #16
- Early Best - Final I (September 27, 1995, live album), #73
- Still Alive - The Best I (September 3, 1999, greatest hits compilation)
Singles
- "Lonely" (March 6, 1991), Oricon Singles Chart Peak Position: #14
- "Hero" (September 27, 1991), #26
- "Slow Down" (October 21, 1992), #24
- "Calling" (July 21, 1993), #51
- Also on the Fatal Fury 2: The New BattleFatal Fury 2: The New Battleis an anime TV Special based on the Neo Geo SNK video game, Fatal Fury 2 and is a sequel to the previous TV movie, Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf. The movie was directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi and once again features character designs by Masami Ōbari...
soundtrack as "Tony's Theme")
- Also on the Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle
- "Hero" (August 23, 1995, Remix versions), #70
V/A compilations
- Emergency Express Metal Warning 2 (1989, "Yuuutsu")
- History of Extasy 15th Anniversary (June 21, 2000, "Tero" and "I 4 U")
- Genten (October 6, 2010, "Hero")
VHS
- Desert Town Tour 1991 (October 9, 1991)
- 1992 Open the Gate ~ Tengoku no Kaidan (1992 Open The Gate ~ 天国の階段, March 17, 1993)
- Video Rocket London Side (November 26, 1993)
- Video Rocket Tokyo Side (December 22, 1993)
- Live Rocket (March 16, 1994)
- First and Second Step at Budokan (September 2, 1994)
DVDs
- 1992 Open the Gate ~ Tengoku no Kaidan (1992 Open The Gate ~ 天国の階段, April 4, 2001)
- Video Rocket London Side (April 4, 2001)
- Live Rocket (April 4, 2001)