D'erlanger
Encyclopedia
D'erlanger is a Japanese
rock band considered to be important to the formation of visual kei
. The band was active from 1983 to 1990 when they disbanded, they reunited in 2007.
They released 3 demo tapes by 1985, "Tonight", "The Birth of Splendid Beast!!" and "Blue". On October 26, 1986 they participated in an event at Meguro Rokumeikan, called "The New Power Metal Audition". Which was organized by Mandrake Root Records to celebrate the first anniversary of the independent label. D'erlanger won the contest and the label released their single "Girl" on February 20, 1987, it was limited to 3000 copies. They also appeared on the live omnibus album Hungry Days, with the song "Like a Beast". They then distributed another demo tape for free on February 22, it contained only the song, "Sadistic Emotion".
On August 1, 1987, D'erlanger had their first one-man concert at Meguro Rokumeikan. Soon after, Shi-Do decided to leave the band, he was replaced by Tetsu. Dizzy then left the band in June 1988. On July 1, Kyo became the new vocalist of the band. He had previously played with Tetsu in the short lived Dead Wire and in Saver Tiger.
After their first show with Kyo on July 22, they went on their "Sadistical Punk Tour". While touring in 1989, they released their first album La Vie En Rose, on the Danger Crue label on February 10. All copies were sold out just by pre-orders, so they released another press eleven days later. They then went on the short "Incarnation of Eroticism Tour".
The year 1990 started off with the band signing to the major label Ariola
, at the time a sub label of BMG. During their "Ai to Shi to Koh-Kotsu Tour" at the beginning of 1990, they released their first major single, "Darlin'" on January 24. On March 7, they released their second album Basilisk
. They then started the "Moon and the Memories Tour", during which they released the single "Lullaby -1990-". The tour ended on October 31, at Koseinenkin Kaikan in Osaka.
Then on December 24, D'erlanger shocked their fans by announcing that they were disbanding. On March 6, 1991, they released a home video and two separate live albums entitled Moon and the Memories... the Eternities Last Live 1 & 2. All of which were recorded from their shows on October 27 & 28, 1990 at Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo in Tokyo.
On April 21, 1995, both their studio albums were remastered and re-released.
Tokyo, which was released on DVD on September 19.
On September 22, 2007, D'erlanger held "Abstinence's Door #001", which was an event where themselves, Mucc
and Merry performed.
On March 19, 2008, they released the single "Zakuro", which includes a re-recorded version of "Telephon", originally on the "Blue" demo tape, renamed "Love Anymore". They released their fourth album The Price of Being a Rose is Loneliness
on April 30. They then embarked on the "D'erlanger Tour '08 -A Rose Insane-" tour. The tour started on May 6 with the "D'erlanger 25th Anniversary" concert at the Nihon Budokan. Footage from this concert was released on December 10, as the Bara Iro no Jinsei -La Vie en Rose- DVD.
D'erlanger held "Abstinence's Door #002" on September 21, 2008, Inoran, Merry and heidi.
performed. "Abstinence's Door #003" was held on November 8, with the Underneath and La;Cen-zhow. performing. The following day was "Abstinence's Door #004", where lynch., Sadie
and the Underneath performed.
On July 25 they played in Taipei
, Taiwan
, it was the band's first performance in a foreign country. D'erlanger performed at the "V-Rock Festival '09" on October 24, 2009. The festival was broadcast live worldwide on its official website. They also held a show in South Korea
on October 30.
The band then released their fifth album, the self titled D'erlanger
, on November 11, 2009. The album includes a studio version of "Easy Make, Easy Mark", a song they wrote and played back in the '80s.
On September 19 and 20, 2010, "Abstinence's Door #005" and "Abstinence's Door #006" took place. Head Phones President
, defspiral
and Girugamesh
performed the first night, where as Acid Android
and Pia
performed the second night. Each concert was streamed worldwide live on Ustream.tv. "Abstinence's Door #007" was held three days later in Taipai, Taiwan, with Taiwanese band Overdose and Korean Pia performing.
D'erlanger announced they would release an album entitled A Fabulous Thing in Rose, on September 29, 2010. It contains eleven tracks: 8 self-cover versions of songs from their first 2 studio albums, an English version of "La Vie En Rose", plus the new tracks "Everything is Nothing" (a song they wrote and played back in the '80s) and the instrumental "Adameve". It is available in two versions. The regular edition only includes the three "best tracks": "XXX for You", "Zakuro" and "Angelic Poetry" (which were selected from the three albums released after their comeback), and the "bonus track: "Dummy Blue (English Lyrics)". Where as the limited edition includes the same three "best tracks", the three "bonus tracks": "Dummy Blue (English Lyrics)", "La Vie En Rose" and "An Aphrodisiac (Trance Rock Remix)", a special book, a 64-page photobook, a poster and more.
On December 13, it was announced on their official website that D'erlanger would be performing in Moscow
, Russia
at the XO-Club on April 30, 2011. However on March 29, after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
that occurred on March 11 in Japan, the band decided to postpone the show until a new date can be announced. This will be the band's first concert in a European country.
s. – vocals
1988–1990, 2007–present (ex:Runaway Boys, Dead Wire, Saver Tiger, Ba-Ra,→Die in Cries
, Bug) – guitar
1983–1990, 2007–present (→Body, Craze) – bass
1983–1990, 2007–present (→Fix, Vinyl, Atomic Zaza, No Stars Innovation) – drums
1987–1990, 2007–present (ex:Rabbit, Dead Wire, Saver Tiger, Mephistopheles,→Zi:Kill
, Body, Craze)
1983–1984 – drums
1983–1987 – vocals
1984–1988 (→Strawberry Fields, Vinyl)
Live albums
Compilation albums
Demos
DVDs
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
rock band considered to be important to the formation of 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...
. The band was active from 1983 to 1990 when they disbanded, they reunited in 2007.
Formation to Disbandment: 1983–1990
D'erlanger was formed in December 1983 by Cipher and Seela on guitar and bass respectfully. Vocalist Kaoru and drummer Shi-Do, from the same high school, soon joined to complete the line-up. They had their first performance in May 1984 at the Osaka Bourbon House, when Cipher was just fifteen years old. In August 1984, Kaoru left the band and was replaced by Dizzy.They released 3 demo tapes by 1985, "Tonight", "The Birth of Splendid Beast!!" and "Blue". On October 26, 1986 they participated in an event at Meguro Rokumeikan, called "The New Power Metal Audition". Which was organized by Mandrake Root Records to celebrate the first anniversary of the independent label. D'erlanger won the contest and the label released their single "Girl" on February 20, 1987, it was limited to 3000 copies. They also appeared on the live omnibus album Hungry Days, with the song "Like a Beast". They then distributed another demo tape for free on February 22, it contained only the song, "Sadistic Emotion".
On August 1, 1987, D'erlanger had their first one-man concert at Meguro Rokumeikan. Soon after, Shi-Do decided to leave the band, he was replaced by Tetsu. Dizzy then left the band in June 1988. On July 1, Kyo became the new vocalist of the band. He had previously played with Tetsu in the short lived Dead Wire and in Saver Tiger.
After their first show with Kyo on July 22, they went on their "Sadistical Punk Tour". While touring in 1989, they released their first album La Vie En Rose, on the Danger Crue label on February 10. All copies were sold out just by pre-orders, so they released another press eleven days later. They then went on the short "Incarnation of Eroticism Tour".
The year 1990 started off with the band signing to the major label Ariola
Ariola Japan
, is a Japanese record label precedently part of BMG Japan and now subsidiary of Sony Music Japan. It is home to both former BMG Japan artists and new artists, including Buck-Tick, The Cro-Magnons, Deen, GO!GO!7188, Kenichi Asai, AZU, Takako Matsu, Misia, Kazumasa Oda, Seamo, Shikao Suga, Sukima...
, at the time a sub label of BMG. During their "Ai to Shi to Koh-Kotsu Tour" at the beginning of 1990, they released their first major single, "Darlin'" on January 24. On March 7, they released their second album Basilisk
Basilisk (D'erlanger album)
Basilisk is the second album by D'erlanger released on March 7, 1990, it reached number 5 on the Oricon charts. The album was remastered, along with La Vie En Rose, and released on April 21, 1995. It, along with the rest of the band's albums, was remastered and released again on April 18, 2007...
. They then started the "Moon and the Memories Tour", during which they released the single "Lullaby -1990-". The tour ended on October 31, at Koseinenkin Kaikan in Osaka.
Then on December 24, D'erlanger shocked their fans by announcing that they were disbanding. On March 6, 1991, they released a home video and two separate live albums entitled Moon and the Memories... the Eternities Last Live 1 & 2. All of which were recorded from their shows on October 27 & 28, 1990 at Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo in Tokyo.
On April 21, 1995, both their studio albums were remastered and re-released.
Reunited: 2007–present
On March 14, 2007, the greatest hits album and DVD Pandora was released. Also released that same day on Cutting Edge, a sub label of Avex Group, was D'erlanger's first release of new material in 17 years, their third album Lazzaro. On April 22, they played their "rejuvenation performance" entitled "Bara Iro no Sekai - Rosy Eyesight" at ZeppZepp
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, which was released on DVD on September 19.
On September 22, 2007, D'erlanger held "Abstinence's Door #001", which was an event where themselves, Mucc
Mucc
is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in 1997. Named after a character from the Japanese children's TV show Hirake! Ponkikki, the band is also known by the nickname 69 since "six nine" can be pronounced "muku" in Japanese...
and Merry performed.
On March 19, 2008, they released the single "Zakuro", which includes a re-recorded version of "Telephon", originally on the "Blue" demo tape, renamed "Love Anymore". They released their fourth album The Price of Being a Rose is Loneliness
The Price of Being a Rose is Loneliness
The Price of Being a Rose is Loneliness is the fourth album by D'erlanger, released on April 30, 2008. It reached number 22 on the Oricon chart...
on April 30. They then embarked on the "D'erlanger Tour '08 -A Rose Insane-" tour. The tour started on May 6 with the "D'erlanger 25th Anniversary" concert at the Nihon Budokan. Footage from this concert was released on December 10, as the Bara Iro no Jinsei -La Vie en Rose- DVD.
D'erlanger held "Abstinence's Door #002" on September 21, 2008, Inoran, Merry and heidi.
Heidi.
Heidi. is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in February 2006.- History :Heidi.'s first one-man show, titled "「Birth・Day」", was on June 3, 2006. Their first single, "Yuuyake to Kodomo/Maria", was also sold at that show...
performed. "Abstinence's Door #003" was held on November 8, with the Underneath and La;Cen-zhow. performing. The following day was "Abstinence's Door #004", where lynch., Sadie
Sadie (band)
is a visual kei rock band from Japan, formed in 2005. Sadie is signed to Face Music and Mijinko Records.-Biography:Sadie was founded by Mao, Tsurugi, Aki, Mizuki and Sora in February 2005, and comes from the English word "sad", according to vocalist, Mao...
and the Underneath performed.
On July 25 they played in Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, 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...
, it was the band's first performance in a foreign country. D'erlanger performed at the "V-Rock Festival '09" on October 24, 2009. The festival was broadcast live worldwide on its official website. They also held a show in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
on October 30.
The band then released their fifth album, the self titled D'erlanger
D'erlanger (album)
D'erlanger is the self titled fifth album by D'erlanger, released on November 11, 2009. It reached number 19 on the Oricon chart. The limited edition came with a DVD of the music video for "Angelic Poetry" and other material...
, on November 11, 2009. The album includes a studio version of "Easy Make, Easy Mark", a song they wrote and played back in the '80s.
On September 19 and 20, 2010, "Abstinence's Door #005" and "Abstinence's Door #006" took place. Head Phones President
Head Phones President
Head Phones President is a Japanese metal band formed in 1999. Their sound is a mix between experimental metal, alternative metal, nu metal and hard rock...
, defspiral
Defspiral
Defspiral is a Japanese visual kei rock band composed of most of the former members of the Underneath. When the Underneath disbanded in 2010, most of the group was signed to Avex Mode to perform songs for the Kamen Rider Series...
and Girugamesh
Girugamesh
is a Japanese visual kei rock band, formed in 2003. The name is derived from the ancient king Gilgamesh, and is sometimes typeset with a metal umlaut as girugämesh.-2004-2006: Formation:...
performed the first night, where as 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...
and Pia
Pia (band)
Pia, which has a meaning of 'Universe and I' or 'You and I', is a nu metal band from South Korea. They began in Busan, in 1998 with the original band made up of Hullang , Kibum and Yohan . They have had several changes on drums but have had SimZ on Piano/fx and Hyeseung on drums for some time...
performed the second night. Each concert was streamed worldwide live on Ustream.tv. "Abstinence's Door #007" was held three days later in Taipai, Taiwan, with Taiwanese band Overdose and Korean Pia performing.
D'erlanger announced they would release an album entitled A Fabulous Thing in Rose, on September 29, 2010. It contains eleven tracks: 8 self-cover versions of songs from their first 2 studio albums, an English version of "La Vie En Rose", plus the new tracks "Everything is Nothing" (a song they wrote and played back in the '80s) and the instrumental "Adameve". It is available in two versions. The regular edition only includes the three "best tracks": "XXX for You", "Zakuro" and "Angelic Poetry" (which were selected from the three albums released after their comeback), and the "bonus track: "Dummy Blue (English Lyrics)". Where as the limited edition includes the same three "best tracks", the three "bonus tracks": "Dummy Blue (English Lyrics)", "La Vie En Rose" and "An Aphrodisiac (Trance Rock Remix)", a special book, a 64-page photobook, a poster and more.
On December 13, it was announced on their official website that D'erlanger would be performing in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
at the XO-Club on April 30, 2011. However on March 29, after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
that occurred on March 11 in Japan, the band decided to postpone the show until a new date can be announced. This will be the band's first concert in a European country.
Members
The members of D'erlanger are credited exclusively by their stage nameStage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
s. – vocals
Singing
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...
1988–1990, 2007–present (ex:Runaway Boys, Dead Wire, Saver Tiger, Ba-Ra,→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:...
, Bug) – 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...
1983–1990, 2007–present (→Body, Craze) – bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
1983–1990, 2007–present (→Fix, Vinyl, Atomic Zaza, No Stars Innovation) – 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 ....
1987–1990, 2007–present (ex:Rabbit, Dead Wire, Saver Tiger, Mephistopheles,→Zi:Kill
Zi:Kill
Zi:Kill was an influential Japanese 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...
, Body, Craze)
Former 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...
1983–1984 – 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 ....
1983–1987 – vocals
Singing
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...
1984–1988 (→Strawberry Fields, Vinyl)
Albums
- La Vie En RoseLa Vie En Rose (album)La Vie En Rose is the debut album by D'erlanger released on February 10, 1989. The first press sold out by pre-order alone, so another press was made just 11 days later, which had a different cover. That version was reissued one month later on March 21. On December 10, another press was released in...
(February 10, 1989) - BasiliskBasilisk (D'erlanger album)Basilisk is the second album by D'erlanger released on March 7, 1990, it reached number 5 on the Oricon charts. The album was remastered, along with La Vie En Rose, and released on April 21, 1995. It, along with the rest of the band's albums, was remastered and released again on April 18, 2007...
(March 7, 1990) - LazzaroLazzaro (album)Lazzaro is the third album by D'erlanger, released on March 14, 2007. Their first release in 17 years, it reached number 32 on the Oricon chart.- Track listing :# "Kain"# "Dummy Blue"# "XXX for You"# "Baby I Want You"# "Divina Commedia"...
(March 14, 2007) - The Price of Being a Rose is LonelinessThe Price of Being a Rose is LonelinessThe Price of Being a Rose is Loneliness is the fourth album by D'erlanger, released on April 30, 2008. It reached number 22 on the Oricon chart...
(April 30, 2008) - D'erlangerD'erlanger (album)D'erlanger is the self titled fifth album by D'erlanger, released on November 11, 2009. It reached number 19 on the Oricon chart. The limited edition came with a DVD of the music video for "Angelic Poetry" and other material...
(November 11, 2009)
Live albums
- Moon and the Memories... the Eternities Last Live 1 (March 6, 1991)
- Moon and the Memories... the Eternities Last Live 2 (March 6, 1991)
Compilation albums
- Pandora (March 14, 2007, greatest hits compilation with DVD)
- A Fabulous Thing in Rose (September 29, 2010, self-cover album)
Singles
- "Girl" (February 20, 1987)
- "La Vie En Rose" (January 1989)
- "Darlin'" (January 21, 1990)
- "Lullaby -1990-" (September 5, 1990, cassette & CD contain different b-sides)
- "Zakuro" (柘榴, March 19, 2008)
Demos
- "Tonight" (1984)
- "The Birth of Splendid Beast!!" (December 26, 1985)
- "Blue" (1985)
- "Sadistic Emotion" (February 22, 1987)
Videos
- An Aphrodisiac (October 15, 1989)
- La Vie En Rose (October 28, 1989, given by lottery at a Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo gig)
- Incarnation of Eroticism ~Live at Hibiya Yaon~ (February 7, 1990)
- Kid's Blue PYX '90 SPR (March 1990, sold with a magazine)
- Kindan no Tobira ~Abstinence's Door~ (禁断の扉 ~Abstinence's Door~, October 3, 1990)
- Moon and the Memories... the Eternities/Last Video (March 31, 1991)
DVDs
- Incarnation of Eroticism ~Live at Hibiya Yaon~ (May 23, 2001)
- Kindan no Tobira ~Abstinence's Door~ (禁断の扉 ~Abstinence's Door~, May 23, 2001)
- Moon and the Memories... the Eternities/Last Video (May 23, 2001)
- Bara Iro no Sekai (薔薇色の視界, September 19, 2007)
- Bara Iro no Jinsei -La Vie En Rose- (薔薇色の人生 -La Vie En Rose-, December 10, 2008)
- 13e Cross Intoxication (March 24, 2010)
- Deep Inside of You (September 28, 2011, DVD & CD)