The Gazette (band)

the GazettE

The Gazette in Tokyo, 2009
Background information
Also known as Gazette (ガゼット)
Origin Kanagawa, Japan
Genres
Years active 2002–present
Labels
Website the-gazette.com
Members Ruki
Uruha
Aoi
Reita
Kai
Past members Yuune

The Gazette (stylized as the GazettE), originally known as Gazette (ガゼット Gazetto), is a Japanese visual kei rock band from Kanagawa formed in early 2002.[4] The band is currently signed to Sony Music Records.

Biography

2002: Conception and early work

The band began in 2002 with Ruki (vocals), Reita (bass) and Uruha (lead guitar) in Kanagawa Prefecture. After being involved with other bands in the visual kei movement, the trio decided that the Gazette would be their last band.[5] They recruited Aoi (rhythm guitar) and Yuune (drums) from disbanded visual band Artia and formally became the Gazette in January 2002.[5]

Originally signed to Matina, they released their first single, "Wakaremichi", and first music video on April 30, 2002. "Wakaremichi" was re-released in June. By September, they had released "Kichiku Kyoushi (32sai Dokushin) no Nousatsu Kouza" and their second PV. In October 2002, they played their first solo live, and on Christmas 2002, the 5-song compilation Yougenkyou with the song "Okuribi" was released.

2003–2004: New drummer, Cockayne Soup and Disorder

In early 2003, Yuune left the band and was replaced by Kai (who at the time was a rookie drummer) who volunteered to be the leader of the band. Shortly after this, the Gazette signed with the PS Company label and in May, released their first EP, Cockayne Soup. They started their first tour with the band Hanamuke, during which the two bands collaborated on two songs.

A second tour followed with the band Vidoll. The bands were featured together on the November issue of Cure, a magazine focusing on visual kei bands.[6]

In early December 2003, they played a co-headlining show with Deadman. On December 28, they performed at Fool's Mate magazine's Beauti-fool's Fest. The performance was later released on DVD.

On January 16, 2004, the band recorded a solo performance at the Shibuya-AX, released on DVD as Tokyo Saihan -Judgment Day-. On March 30, 2004, they released their fifth EP Madara, which reached No. 2 on the Oricon Indie Charts. Madara was followed on May 26 by a companion DVD that included six music videos and an in-the-studio documentary. In the same month, the Gazette was featured in Shoxx magazine's Expect Rush III, a catalogue of independent visual kei artists.[7]

A second concert DVD, Heisei Banka, was released on August 25, 2004. In September and October, they toured with fellow PS Company bands Kra and BIS. Their first studio album, Disorder, was released on October 13, 2004 and subsequently made it to the top 5 of the indies Oricon Daily Charts.

2005–2006: Nil and Nameless Liberty Six Guns tour

In early 2005, the Gazette embarked on their Japan-wide spring tour called Standing Tour 2005 Maximum Royal Disorder. The final performance of the tour was held at Shibuya Kokaido on April 17, 2005. On March 9, the Gazette released the new single "Reila".

After the DVD release of their concert on July 6, 2005, the band released their sixth EP, Gama, and embarked on the Standing Tour 2005 (Gama) the Underground Red Cockroach. On October 20, the Gazette released their first photobook, Verwelktes Gedicht, which included an exclusive CD containing the song "Kare Uta" (枯詩; Withered Poem). On December 7, 2005, the band released their first single under a major label, "Cassis". The promotional video of "Cassis", was shot in Austria. On December 11, 2005, the Gazette performed alongside other bands signed to the PS Company label to celebrate the record label's fifth anniversary Peace and Smile Carnival 2005 Tour.

The Gazette's logo

With a name change in 2006 from Japanese characters to a romanization, the Gazette released their second studio album, Nil, on February 8, 2006. Shortly after, they embarked on another Japanese tour called Standing Tour 2006 Nameless Liberty Six Guns. The final performance of the tour was held at Nippon Budokan.[8] In May 2006, they released their first compilation album, Dainihon Itangeishateki Noumiso Gyaku Kaiten Zekkyou Ongenshuu, which included songs that had been released from 2002 through 2004. In the next month, they released their second music video compilation DVD, Film Bug I. On July 29, 2006, the Gazette performed at the Beethovenhalle in Bonn, Germany, their first show outside of Asia. The concerts were arranged in conjunction with the AnimagiC anime and manga convention.[9]

On August 6, 2006, the Gazette held a festival called Gazerock Festival in Summer 06 (Burst into a Blaze) at Tokyo Big Sight West Hall. Later that month, the band released two new singles, "Regret" on October 25, and "Filth in the Beauty" on November 1. To promote the singles, they began another tour, Tour 2006-2007 Decomposition Beauty. In the middle of tour, they announced that the final of the tour would be held at Yokohama Arena.

2007–2009: Stacked Rubbish and Dim

In early 2007, the single "Hyena" was released. "Chizuru" (千鶴?, A Thousand Cranes) , the B-side of the "Hyena" single, was used as the ending song for the horror Korean movie, Apartment. The band's third studio album, Stacked Rubbish followed on July 4, 2007. The album reached No. 2 on the Oricon charts within a day of the release. The album was followed by a long promotional tour called Tour 2007-2008 Stacked Rubbish (Pulse Wriggling to Black) that went from July 2007 until April 2008. In the midst of the tour in October, the Gazette embarked on their first European tour, performing in England, Finland, France, and Germany. The tour finale was held in Yoyogi National Gymnasium on April 19 and April 20, 2008

In the beginning of 2008, the Gazette collaborated with GemCerey for jewellery. They released the single, "Guren" (紅蓮?, Crimson Lotus) on February 13, 2008, which reached No. 3 on the Oricon charts. The DVD for their Stacked Rubbish Grand Finale (Repeated Countless Error) at Yoyogi National Gymnasium was released on August 6, 2008. The single "Leech",released on November 12, 2008, landed a No. 2 spot on the Oricon charts. On July 14, 2008,[10] the band performed in the event Music Japan 2008 (a TV program on NHK) with other bands such as Alice Nine, Plastic Tree, LM.C and Mucc.

On August 23, 2008, the Gazette held a festival called Gazerock Festival in Summer 08 (Burst into a Blaze) at Fuji-Q Conifer Forest. The Gazette went on a fanclub tour throughout October called Standing Live Tour 08 (From the Distorted City), referencing the song "Distorted Daytime" from their "Leech" single, which portrayed Tokyo as a "distorted city," in terms of the societal and political crises sweeping over Japan.

On November 15, 2008, the Gazette hosted their first secret show in Shinjuku Station. Around two-hundred fifty people were originally anticipated to attend, but instead over seven thousand attended, the most in the band's history. Due to the amount of people on the streets, the police were forced to shut it down after two songs.[10][11]

On January 3, 2009, the Gazette performed alongside fellow PS Company bands in the Peace and Smile Carnival 2009 Tour to celebrate the record label's 10th Anniversary in Nippon Budokan, where they announced they would release a new single called Distress and Coma on March 25. The release was preceded by a 7th Anniversary performance called Live 09 (7-Seven-) at Makuhari Messe.

The band released their 4th studio album, Dim on July 15, 2009 followed by another Japan-wide summer tour starting in July, for which the tour's final performance was held at Saitama Super Arena on September 5, 2009. On October 7, 2009, the single "Before I Decay" was released. After that, the Gazette performed at V Rock Festival 2009 at Makuhari Messe on October 24.

In December, the Gazette held a Christmas Eve live to close out the year called Live 09 (A Hymn of the Crucifixion) at Tokyo Big Sight.[12]

2010–2011: Label change and Toxic

On March 17, 2010, the band began the Standing Live Tour 10 (The End of Stillness) at Zepp Tokyo.[12] After the fan club tour, the band then announced a new single and live tour, which was called Tour 10 Nameless Liberty Six Bullets starting in July with two consecutive nights at Nippon Budokan.[13] Among all of these events, the band has also announced that they would be transferring from King Records to Sony Music Records. "Shiver" was the first single released by the Gazette under new label Sony Music Records. The single was also selected as the opening theme song to the Sony anime series Kuroshitsuji II (Black Butler).[14] On August 4, 2010, they released their third music video on DVD titled Film Bug II, which included ten PV's from "Regret" to "Before I Decay".

Right after the release of "Shiver", the band announced the final stop of the Tour 10 Nameless Liberty Six Bullets would be held at Tokyo Dome, and hat two new singles, "Red" and "Pledge", would be released.[15][16]

In March 2011, the band embarked on a fanclub-only tour called Live Tour 11 (Two Concept Eight Nights -Abyss/Lucy-) and 9th Birth (Day 9 -Nine-) at Zepp Tokyo on March 10, 2011. On March 23, 2011, the Gazette released a compilation album titled Traces Best of 2005-2009 and a live concert DVD called The Nameless Liberty at 10.12.26 Tokyo Dome.

The Gazette postponed the releases of their best-of album Traces Best of 2005-2009 and live DVD The Nameless Liberty at 10.12.26 Tokyo Dome which contains footage of their final concert at Tokyo Dome due to the catastrophic earthquake that occurred in Japan in March 2011. Both were later released on April 6, 2011.[17]

The single "Vortex" was released on May 25, 2011. On July 2011, Ruki and Aoi joined in on PS Carnival Tour 2011 Summer 7 Days at Shibuya. Ruki was in a session band named "Lu/V" and Aoi was in a session band named "Aoi with Bon:cra-z". The Gazette also performed at the 2011 Summer Sonic festival that was held on August 13–14, 2011 in Tokyo and Osaka.[18] On September 18, 2011, the Gazette performed at the Inazuma Rock Festival 2011 with TM Revolution.[19]

The Gazette announced the release of their new single "Remember the Urge" on August 31, as well as the release of the album Toxic on October 5 and the Live Tour11 Venomous Cell. The tour started on October 10, 2011 in Tokyo at the International Forum Hall A and led the band through 27 cities with a total of 28 performances held through the end of 2011.[20] The tour finale was held in Yokohama Arena with the title named Tour11-12 Venomous Cell -the Finale- Omega in January 14, 2012. On October 3, the Gazette was rewarded "The Most Requested Artist 2010" from J-Melo Awards 2011.[21]

2012: Division and Groan of Diplosomia tour

In the final concert of the Venomous Cell tour, the Gazette announced that they will hold a 10th anniversary concert called Standing Live 2012 10th Anniversary -The Decade- at Makuhari Messe on March 10, 2012. They also announced the release of a new album called Division.[22] The album was released on August 29, 2012 in Japan and on October 1, 2012 in the UK and Europe, via JPU Records. Division was promoted during the nationwide tour Live Tour12 -Division- Groan of Diplosomia 01, which began on October 8, 2012 and came to a close on November 29, 2012.

Before the tour, the band also embarked on a fanclub-only tour, titled Standing Live Tour12 -Heresy Presents- Heterodoxy. The tour started on July 4, 2012 and ended on August 29, 2012.[23]

The Gazette performed at A-Nation Musicweek 2012 at Yoyogi National Stadium on August 4, 2012.[24] The Gazette also played at the Kishidan Banpaku 2012, on September 16 and 17 in Chiba.[25] On October 11, 2012, the Gazette joined in on a music festival event called Rising Sun Rock Festival 2012 in Ezo.[26]

The Gazette released a new live DVD,10th Anniversary: The Decade on January 9, 2013. The DVD contains the full footage from the band's 10th anniversary live, the Decade, which took place on March 10, 2012 at Makuhari Messe. The band also announced their first tour for 2013, Live Tour13 Division Groan of Diplosomia 02, which started on February 2, 2013 at Sapporo Shimin Hall and ended March 10, 2013, with their anniversary concert the Gazette Live Tour12-13 Division Groan of Diplosomia Melt, which was held at Saitama Super Arena.[27]

The Gazette performed at the Russian rock festival Kubana, which was held for the fifth time in Anapa at the Black Sea. The event was held from August 1–7, 2013 and featured international stars like Die Ärzte, Scooter, the Guano Apes, Bullet For My Valentine, System of a Down and many more. For the Gazette, it will be their first time to ever perform in Russia and the first time they have gone overseas since their European Tour in 2007.[28] On February 24, 2013, the Gazette was rewarded as the "The Most Requested Artist 2012" from J-Melo Awards 2012 for the second time.

2013-2014: Beautiful Deformity and Magnificent Malformed Box tour

After the final concert of their 11th anniversary celebrations, the Gazette announced their plans for 2013. Firstly, they released a DVD featuring footage from the aforementioned performance. Titled Live Tour12-13 Division Final Melt, the DVD came out on June 26, 2013. The band also released new single, titled "Fadeless", in August and new album, titled Beautiful Deformity, in October 23. The GazettE also announced a tour to promote these new releases. Titled The Gazette Live Tour13 Beautiful Deformity Magnificent Malformed Box, it started on November 2 and finished on December 28.[29]

As part of their world tour September 2013, the Gazette returned to Europe for concerts. In September, the band went to four Latin American countries: Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. They did two shows in France, two in Germany and one in Finland.

During 2014, the GazettE held a trilogy of tours entitled "Redefinition" dedicated to their past albums and limited to Heresy members only. In March 2014, they held concerts showcasing Disorder and NIL ("Nameless Liberty Disorder Heaven"), July saw a second tour for Stacked Rubbish and DIM ("Pulse Wriggling to Dim Scene"), and a final tour in November entitled "Groan of Venomous Cell" hosting songs from Toxic and Division. This tour began on the day of the bands 12th anniversary, and was dedicated to the work they have achieved together over the last decade. During the first show of "Groan of Venomous Cell", Ruki announced that all 3 Redefinition tours are to be published in a DVD box entitled "STANDING LIVE TOUR14 HERESY LIMITED — 再 定 義 — COMPLETE BOX", which will be released on 2015.03.11.[30]

On December 24, 2014 Sony released Film Bug lll, featuring the GazettE's newest Music Video, To Dazzling Darkness.

2015-2016: 13th Anniversary & Project: Dark Age

The Gazette performing in 2015.

On March 10, the GazettE held their 13th anniversary at Nippon Budokan. They also opened a special exhibition divided on panels in which they displayed members' instrument models, showed the band's history and placed a message board where fans could write a message to the band. The exhibition was open for everyone even for fans who didn't attend the concert.

After their 13th anniversary, the GazettE announced a musical cycle called "Project: Dark Age" consisting of a 13 movements including the overture and a grand finale.[31][32] The 2nd movement is a tour promoting their latest album. The tour title is "Dogmatic: Un". It started on September 5. The 3rd movement is a new single called Ugly. The release date is November 18. The 4th movement is a next tour called "Dogmatic: Due". It will start on December 1 and end on 24 January. The 5th movement was revealed on December 1 to be the DOGMATIC tour final, which will be held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium on February 28, 2016. The 6th and final movement was revealed on the same day to be another single release entitled Undying, to be released in spring 2016. To follow this in the "Dogmatic" tour the Gazette will be going to the U.S. for the first time in their careers for a live performances.Their first US show was performed April 25, 2016 at The Bomb Factory in Dallas Texas. The live will be held in Los Angeles on May 3 at the Wiltern Theatre, where back in 2007 X Japan drummer Yoshiki held the "J-Rock Revolution" concert. Other concerts in other cities will also be recorded. After the U.S, the band will tour Latin America, Taiwan, China, France, Germany and Finland.

Members

Current
Former

Discography

The Gazette discography
Studio albums 8
Compilation albums 2
Video albums 3
EPs 6
Singles 24
Studio albums
Title Release Date Label Oricon Charts
Disorder October 13, 2004 PS Company 19
Nil February 8, 2006 King Records 4
Stacked Rubbish July 4, 2007 King Records 3
Dim July 15, 2009 King Records 5
Toxic October 5, 2011 Sony Music 6
Division August 29, 2012 Sony Music 4
Beautiful Deformity October 23, 2013 Sony Music 8
Dogma August 26, 2015 Sony Music 3
EPs
Title Release date Label Oricon Charts
Cockayne Soup May 28, 2003 PS Company 99
Akuyuukai (悪友會 ～あくゆうかい～; Meeting Bad Company) June 25, 2003 PS Company 100
Spermargarita (スペルマルガリィタ) July 30, 2003 PS Company 78
Hankou Seimeibun (犯行声明文; Letter of Responsibility) October 1, 2003 PS Company 62
Madara (斑蠡 ～MADARA～) March 30, 2004 PS Company 38
Gama (蝦蟇 (がま); Toad) August 3, 2005 PS Company 24
Singles
Title Release date Label Oricon Charts
Wakaremichi (別れ道; Crossroads) April 30, 2002 Matina
Kichiku Kyoushi (32sai Dokushin) no Nousatsu Kouza August 30, 2002 Matina
Gozen 0-ji no Trauma Radio November 1, 2003 Matina 273
Zakurogata no Yuuutsu (ザクロ型の憂鬱; Pomegranate Styled Depression) July 28, 2004 PS Company 23
Zetsu (舐～zetsu～; Lick) July 28, 2004 PS Company 24
Miseinen (未成年; Minor) July 28, 2004 PS Company 25
Dainippon Itangeishateki Noumiso Chuzuri Zecchou Zekkei Ongenshuu July 28, 2004 PS Company 102
Reila March 9, 2005 PS Company 8
Cassis December 7, 2005 King Records 6
Regret October 25, 2006 King Records 9
Filth in the Beauty November 1, 2006 King Records 5
Hyena February 7, 2007 King Records 4
Guren (紅蓮; Crimson Lotus) February 13, 2008 King Records 3
Leech November 12, 2008 King Records 2
Distress and Coma March 25, 2009 King Records 3
Before I Decay October 7, 2009 King Records 2
Shiver July 21, 2010 Sony Music 2
Red September 22, 2010 Sony Music 6
Pledge December 15, 2010 Sony Music 2
Vortex May 25, 2011 Sony Music 5
Remember the Urge August 31, 2011 Sony Music 6
Fadeless August 21, 2013 Sony Music 4
Ugly November 18, 2015 Sony Music 16
Undying April 27, 2016 Sony Music
Compilation albums
Title Release date Label Oricon Charts
Dainihon Itangeishateki Noumiso Gyaku Kaiten Zekkyou Ongenshuu May 3, 2006 King Records 34
Traces Best of 2005-2009 April 6, 2011 King Records 19
Compilations
Books
Other releases

Videography

Live DVD
Title Release date Label Chart Positions
Matina Sai Shusho -Final Prelude- (Various artists) April 10, 2003 Matina
Tokyo Saiban -Judgment Day- (東京裁判〜JUDGMENT DAY〜) April 28, 2004 PS Company 33
Madara (斑蠡〜MADARA〜) May 26, 2004 PS Company 54
Heisei Banka (平成挽歌) August 25, 2004 PS Company 45
Standing Tour 2005 Final [M.R.D] at 2005.4.17 Shibuya Kokaido Live (渋谷公会堂) July 6, 2005 PS Company 25
Standing Live Tour 2006 [Nameless Liberty.Six Guns...] Tour Final at Nippon Budokan (日本武道館) September 6, 2006 King Records 9
Tour 2006-2007 [Decomposition Beauty] Final Meaningless Art That People Showed at Yokohama Arena June 13, 2007 King Records 5
Tour 2007-2008 Stacked Rubbish Grand Finale [Repeated Countless Error] in Yoyogi National Gymnasium August 6, 2008 King Records 3
Peace & Smile Carnival Tour 2005 (～笑顔でファッキュー～) December 24, 2008 King Records 83
Peace & Smile Carnival Tour 2009 at Nippon Budokan (日本武道館) April 15, 2009 King Records 7
Tour09 -Dim Scene- Final at Saitama Super Arena December 16, 2009 King Records 13
The Nameless Liberty 10.12.26 at Tokyo Dome April 6, 2011 Sony Music 10
Tour11-12 Venomous Cell Finale Omega Live at 01.14 Yokohama Arena May 9, 2012 Sony Music 1
The Gazette 10th Anniversary The Decade at 03.10 Makuhari Messe January 9, 2013 Sony Music 4
Live Tour 12-13 [Division] Final Melt Live at 03.10 Saitama Super Arena June 26, 2013 Sony Music 10
The Gazette World Tour 13 Documentary February 26, 2014 Sony Music 6
Live Tour 13-14 [Magnificent Malformed Box] Final Coda Live at 01.11 Yokohama Arena May 21, 2014 Sony Music 3
Standing Live Tour 14 HERESY LIMITED－ 再 定 義 －Complete Box March 11, 2015 Sony Music 34
PV Compilation
Title Release date Label Chart Positions
Film Bug I June 7, 2006 King Records 10
Film Bug II August 4, 2010 King Records 7
Film Bug III December 24, 2014 Sony Music 25
VHS

References

  1. ↑ "The GazettE at AllMusic"
  2. ↑ Daisuke Kikuchi (18 October 2012). "Fans of the GazettE spread news abroad". The Japan Times. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  3. ↑ Eremenko, Alexey. "The Gazette – Stacked Rubbish". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  4. ↑ Shoxx Vol 106 June 2007 pg 40-45
  5. 1 2 Fool's Mate April 2006 April 2006
  6. ↑ Cure Vol 2 Nov 2003
  7. ↑ Expect Rush III
  8. ↑ Gazette at the Top JAME News Retrieved August 19, 2007
  9. ↑ Gazette in Germany This Summer JAME News Retrieved on August 19, 2007
  10. 1 2 Sponichi Annex ガゼットが街頭ライブ！当局指示で即中止に Nov 16 2008 News report Retrieved December 7, 2008 (Japanese)
  11. ↑ Daily Sports Online Nov 16 2008 News report ガゼット 新宿駅前で７０００人ライブ Retrieved December 7, 2008 (Japanese)
  12. 1 2 "Dec 25 2009 Live report The Gazette、初のクリスマスイヴライブで雪 (Japanese)". Barks.jp. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  13. ↑ "The Gazette Will Continue Running as a Live Band in 2010!". Musicjapanplus. 2010-04-01. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
  14. ↑ "GazettE moves to Sony Music with their new single". Asia Pacific Arts. 2010-06-07. Retrieved 2010-07-05.
  15. ↑ "The Gazette to Perform at TOKYO DOME in August!". MusicJapanPlus. 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
  16. ↑ "The Gazette、東京ドーム公演直前にニュー・シングルをリリース". Tower Records. 2010-10-12. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  17. ↑ "Postponement of The Gazette's Releases". Jame-world. 2011-03-24. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
  18. ↑ "The Gazette at SUMMER SONIC 2011". musicjapanplus. 2011-05-09. Retrieved 2011-07-05.
  19. ↑ "The Gazette at INAZUMA ROCK FESTIVAL 2011". Inazumarock. 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  20. ↑ "The Gazette Announce Album, Single and a New Tour for 2011!". musicjapanplus. 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  21. ↑ "The Gazette get Awards from J-Melo". J-Melo. 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
  22. ↑ "Division (the GazettE sixth album)" at iTunes".
  23. ↑ "News from the GazettE". JameWorld. 2012-03-11. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
  24. ↑ "VAMPS and the GazettE to Perform at a-nation musicweek in August 2012!". MusicJapanPlus. 2012-05-11. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  25. ↑ "The GazettE to Perform at "Kishidan Bandpaku 2012"!!". MusicJapanPlus. 2012-05-15. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  26. ↑ "the GazettE, Perfume, ASIA KUNG-FU GENERATION and More Announced for RISING SUN ROCK FES!". MusicJapanPlus. 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
  27. ↑ "Live DVD from the GazettE". JameWorld. 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  28. ↑ "the GazettE to perform at KUBANA Festival in Russia this August!". MusicJapanPlus. 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2013-02-04.
  29. ↑ "New Releases from the GazettE". JameWorld. 2013-03-10. Retrieved 2013-03-15.
  30. ↑ http://www.pscompany.co.jp/gazette/
  31. ↑ Mandah. "DOGMA / PROJECT DARK AGE analysis". VerdamMnis Magazine. Mandah FRENOT.
  32. ↑ http://www.jpurecords.com/thegazette-dogma/

External links

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