Kagrra

Revision as of 05:04, 12 July 2008

Kagrra,, (followed by a comma) are a visual kei band. The word 'kagura' is a type of traditional Japanese style dance (it literally means "the place of God") and the costumes of the band reflect this idea in their flamboyant kimonos. Kagrra, base their costumes and concepts on different periods in Japanese history, varying with each piece of music. They play melodic dark rock, with most of their songs written by Akiya and often sung in Isshi’s falsetto voice. Isshi adopts a female persona in many of his songs.

They formed in 1998 by Isshi, Izumi and Nao, who advertsied for guitarists. Akiya and Shin joined, and the band was born under the name of Crow, with a sister band called Lar~Mia. Both bands were part of Key Party Records, and referred to themselves as "black feathers" and "white feathers."

From mid 1999, Kagrra adopted "nothingness" (mu) as another theme. That year, they also released a demotape entitled Hyakuyae. This led to them leaving Key Party and signing with PS Company. At this point they adopted the name Kagrra (in 2004, PS Company added a comma to their name).

They gave the first performances as Kagrra in 2000 and released their first album, Nue, the same year. High sales figures led to more live performances and a second album, Sakura, shortly afterwards. During 2001, the band released four singles tied to the themes of the four seasons. A tour of Hong Kong was followed by a third album, Irodori.

A number of successful releases followed, and Kagrra produced their last independent work, Ouka Ranman in 2003 before turning major with the single Urei in 2004. In 2006 they broke into the Japanese major charts with its single Utakata.

Members

• Vocals: Isshi
• Guitar: Akiya
• Guitar: Shin
• Bass: Nao
• Drums: Izumi

Singles

• Kotodama (2000)
• Genwaku no Joukei (2001)
• Memai (2001)
• Kamiuta (2001)
• Tsurezure Naru Mama Ni... (2001)
• Yume Izuru Chi (2002)
• Iro wa Nioedo (2002)
• Kakashi (2002)
• Sakura Mai Chiru Ano Oka De (2002)
• Kotodama (2002)
• Haru Urara (2003)
• Yotogi Banashi (2003)
• Urei (2004)
• Rin (2004)
• Omou (2004)
• Sarasouju no Komoriuta (2005)
• Gen'ei no Katachi (2005)
• Chikai no Tsuki (2006)
• Utakata (2006)

Albums and EPs

• Nue (2000)
• Sakura (2001)
• Irodori (2001)
• Kirameki (2002)
• Gozen (2002)
• Ouka Ranman (2003)
• Miyako (2004)
• San (2005)
• Shizuku (2007)

Videos and DVDs

• Kagura-fuu Unroku (2002)
• Yume Izuru Chi (2002)
• Hisai (2003)
• Kaika Sengen Ouka Ranman (2004)

• Official Website (Japanese)