If you like Jrock this might be of interest to you. X-Japans drummer Yoshiki, solo artist Gackt, Sugizo from Luna Sea and an currentlly undeterminded two others are forming a band thats going to be touring the U.S next year.

Heres a link to an article disscusing the band:

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainm.../12/28/03.html

And heres a translation of that article

Sponichi announced December 27 that SUGIZO (ex-Luna Sea) will join forces with YOSHIKI (ex-X JAPAN) and popular singer Gackt as part of a five-member band whose name and details will be revealed in an official announcement early next year.

SUGIZO, who together with Ryuichi Kawamura formed the core of LUNA SEA, was YOSHIKI’s choice for the guitarist. He was raised in a musical household headed by parents who played in an orchestra and is also proficient on the violin. During LUNA SEA’s indies days the band was affiliated with YOSHIKI’s record label and quickly gained renown as talented composers. The two have known each other for twenty years and are very close.

“At first glance, SUGIZO seems like some mysterious visitor from another world. But his feelings about music are really pure,” YOSHIKI said.

SUGIZO described YOSHIKI as “ a great older brother who I can always depend on. I’m honored that he asked me to be a part of his new project.”

SUGIZO and Gackt met for the first time at a music event four years ago. Although they initially saw each other as rivals, they have come to respect each other’s musical ability.

“The first time we met ended on a sour note,” Gackt said, laughing. “We parted fighting and I felt like it was really too bad that we didn’t get along so I’m happy that we get to work together.”

“Gackt has a really strong personality and lots of charisma. It’s hard to imagine what his life is like but when you meet him you really come to trust him,” SUGIZO said.

X JAPAN broke up in 1997, Gackt left MALICE MIZER in 1999 to become a solo artist, and SUGIZO has been constantly working since LUNA SEA’s breakup in 2000. It’s a dream come true for many people to see three members of the most influential bands of the Visual Kei era working together. YOSHIKI will play drums and piano, and Gackt, who is also committed to NHK’s drama “Fuurin Kazan” until Autumn, will hold down vocals.

“I think that we’ll end up having five members,” YOSHIKI said. “It’s great that we’ve got some big names on board and I hope that we’re able to make it big worldwide.”

“Each of us has a strong personality and is somewhat selfish. I’m sure everyone thinks that our band will fall apart, but we really want to become the first Asian band to top the world charts,” said Gackt.

“Look out for high-impact, explosive rock music,” said SUGIZO.

What sort of chemical reaction will result from the mixing of these three intense individuals? They’re definitely going to cause waves in the music world next year.

band of freaks lol..

didn't yoshiki and gackt appear together once in hey!hey!hey!

lol, sounds pretty insane but am interested in seeing what the end results will be. Am a fan of Gackt and Luna Sea personally, so am pretty pleased.

SDS is going to like this

Sugizo gonna play in X Japan's concert. And this collaboration sounds exciting, I hope I won't be dissappointed.

He's adding Sugizo too? Hmm...this sounds like it could be interesting....

Forget this collab.
I say hurry up and finish up Violet UK already!

Ahh, you got me!

I hope this turns out great. Yoshiki is my music idol, and Sugizo is one of my favorite instrumentalist. Can't say much for Gackt, but he has a good voice in most of his songs.

....omg...
that would be awesome big fan of sugizo

The bands MV will look like a plastic surgeon's commercial.

so they just need a basist and another guitarist rite

I can't wait to hear who will fill in for that.

im kinda shocked by this. good for them though.

..

I wonder what genre of music they'll be. Anybody think Yoshiki's planning to re-start X-Japan? I doubt it, since hide's passed away, but it'd be great if Pata and Heath joined this new band.

WOOT!! never would have thought it possible....


WOOOOOT~!~!!@!~!!

So I hope it's gonna be good.

That is pretty insane.

I can only hope the extent of their music reaches beyond Japanese audiences. I hope they find a bassist and an accompanying guitarist soon. Heath and Pata would be dope to have on the band setup.

Vocals: Gackt or Sugizo
Drums and Piano (Maybe guitar as well): Yoshiki
Lead Guitar and Violin: Sugizo
Bass: J (Luna Sea), Heath or Taiji (Yoshiki! Make amends, man!)
Accompanying Guitar and Secondary Lead: Pata

Other choices for Instrumentals:

Drums: Shinya (Luna Sea)

It's a shame Daita from Siam Shade doesn't really have room (or desire maybe as well) to get involved, I think he's a class guitarist.

A few youtube clips of him in action...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeXQo72rbSM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxb-xZPNze0...ted&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7xf9zIe1BI

^Yeah true.

I think some one from Sex Machineguns should join, that's gonna kick arse on so many levels.

I've always liked Siam Shade, but I've only heard one song of theirs. I'm assuming they aren't the hardrock type, but more of a cool lounge-type rock.

^They are more like melodic/pop hard rock.

I might up load some stuff.

You do that, bro.

So far, I've only seen one music video, and that was when the Anime Network was still working on my cable box OnDemand.

^would that be the song for Rurouni Kenshin by any chance?

No clue. All I know is they all had acoustic instruments and sang in this nice condo reminiscent of a Singaporean sunrise...

Siam Shade remind me of Luna Sea (who apparently they admire) and are definately influenced by old heavy metal.

I think Daita was very heavily used in their music as pretty much every song they did had him doing a solo.

I suppose I have to listen to them more if they were fans of Luna Sea.

Oh definetely. If they could get Anchang or Circuit V. Panther, that would be awesome.

How about Loudness? I don't hear much about them anymore, but apparently Wikipedia or some site had a hge article about them.

I'm thinking the band isn't around anymore, but maybe Yoshiki can recruit some of them.

^No they're still around actually. They're like dinosaurs.

Yes

How old are they? I remember my friend telling me he used to listen to them when he was playing as a freelance guitarist in bars when he still lived in Singapore.

They've been around since the early 80's.

Ah-ha! Old people!