Sugizo
Encyclopedia
, born , is a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. Referred to by his stage name
Sugizo, he is best known as lead guitarist of the rock band Luna Sea
, who were popular in the 1990s. He started his solo career in 1997 and has since collaborated with many artists. In 2007 he became a member of the trance
/world music
act Juno Reactor
, and in 2009 officially joined the heavy metal band X Japan
.
In addition to being known to experiment with many musical genres, mostly rock
, psychedelic
and electronica
, he is known for his political ideas and views, as well being an anti-war, anti-nuclear and environmental
activist
.
, Kanagawa
, in Japan
. His father, who is Japanese-Chinese, played trumpet
in the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
, and his mother, who is Japanese-German played cello
in the same orchestra. From a young age, he was brought up on classical music
and had to study classical music theory
. At the age of three, he was forced by his father to learn to play the violin
. At that time it was quite a difficult period for him, his father forced him to practice violin for 3 hours per day,
and being unable to find the right type of music or composer, he would usually cry while continuing to play. During this period he began to hate music, and coercion from his parents aggravated such feeling of repulsion. The situation persisted until the age of ten, when he was again able to enjoy music; his early favorite composers included Ludwig van Beethoven
, Béla Bartók
, and J.S. Bach
.
When Sugizo was eleven or twelve years old, around the beginning of junior high school, he began to play the trumpet. As he became a more rebellious and delinquent child, he preferred the trumpet's "dirty" image more, as it was during the 1950s and through to the 1970s, in comparison with the violin, which was seen as something for higher-profiled people or class. It was during his junior high school days that he became more exposed to non-classical music types, such as the synthpop
group Yellow Magic Orchestra
, the British new wave
group Japan
, David Bowie
's glam rock
, and the London punk scene
, making his base for rock'n'roll.
formed a band called Pinocchio, where he played as the bassist. Since the internal structure of Pinocchio was not cohesive, they soon left, and on January 16, 1989, joined another band which performed at the same live houses, called Lunacy, formed by J and Inoran. With a later addition of Ryuichi Kawamura
, the vocalist from the band Slaughter, the five formed the visual kei
rock unit Lunacy. Since J was already the bass player and Inoran preferred to play rhythm guitar, Sugizo became the lead guitarist and invented his stage name.
The five performed at Machida Playhouse and other clubs in Tokyo. Soon they were discovered by the late hide
(then lead guitarist of X Japan
), who got them signed by X Japan co-founder Yoshiki, to his independent label
Extasy Records
, on which they released their debut album in 1991.
Upon their first album release, the band changed their name from Lunacy to Luna Sea
. They became one of the most popular bands of the 1990s in Japan, selling more than nine million records, as well performing in China
and Taiwan
.
The first solo activity Sugizo had was in 1993, when he wrote his first solo song "Revive", for the album Dance 2 Noise 004 featuring many musicians, including the group M*A*S*S, which consisted of hide, J and Inoran. The coming three years held a variety of less known musical collaborations for him. Then in 1996, Sugizo hosted the radio show "Ελευθερία" , the program introduced high-quality music for all ages. Sugizo, including Ryuichi Kawamura, also participated in a compilation album Life in the Tokyo - A Tribute to Japan, featuring tribute cover versions of the 80s British band Japan
.
went on break in 1997, Sugizo started his own solo project and opened the independent label "Cross" to produce other artists, as well as releasing his own records. He points out that the opening of his record label was one of his very important projects at the time, but not anymore. On July 9, his debut single "Lucifer" was released and reached number 8 on the Oricon
singles chart. It was followed by his first solo tour "Abstract Day" which lasted until the final performance in August at Akasaka Blitz
, where he was joined by DJ Krush
, Masami Tsuchiya
and members of Japan
. Then on September 10 he released his second single, "A Prayer", which reached number 7 on the charts. On November 19, his first solo album Truth? was released, and reached number 12 on the album charts. It was met with mixed reviews, largely because of the unexpected musical style which mixed different genres with electronica beats. A variety of artists participated in the album, from Ryuichi Sakamoto
and Mick Karn
, to Lou Rhodes
and Valerie Etienne. Towards the end of the year, remix editions of his two maxi singles and album were released.
Between 1998 and 2000, as Luna Sea resumed activities, Sugizo collaborated in the studio with actresses Miki Nakatani and Tomoe Shinohara
, singers Miu Sakamoto
and Vivian Hsu
, and others. On August 11, 1999 a compilation album titled "Grand Cross 1999", which was sponsored by Sugizo's record label "Cross", was released, featuring many musicians with whom he had worked with before and many for the first time.
In 2001, he participated in Ryuichi Sakamoto
's N.M.L. ("No More Landmines"), a campaign to promote awareness of the problems of land mine
s and promote a ban on them, and helped in the making of the album Zero Landmine
. He starred in Ken Nikai's movie Soundtrack and composed the music for the film. On November 14, a compilation album inspired by the film, titled Parallel Side of Soundtrack was released, and the following year he released the single "Rest in Peace & Fly Away" featuring bice on vocals. That same year he produced the music for and danced in Suichoku no Yumeof, a production by the popular contemporary dance company H. Art Chaos.
's film Rock'n'roll Mishin, and the television series RedЯum, directed by Ken Nikai.
In 2003, following the release of "No More Machineguns Play the Guitar", Sugizo released his second album C:Lear. It peaked at the number 56 on the album charts.
In March 2004, Sugizo formed the rock band The Flare with vocalist Yuna Katsuki. He also created a new record label called "Embryo", which receives major distribution from Universal Music Group
for music of The Flare. They performed at Earth Day
in Tokyo, Japan's largest event devoted to environmental and peaceful causes. The band would last until 2006, releasing four singles and one album.
In May 2005, Sugizo organized the event "Neo Ascension Groove", with psychedelic jam session
act Shag. In the band he plays guitar, violin and percussion, while the music is avant-garde with concentration on rhythm.
In April 2006, collaborated with trumpeter Toshinori Kondo
and celebrated Earth Day by participating in three shows held on April 9, 22 and 23 at the Yoyogi Koen in Tokyo. He later had his first performance with Juno Reactor
at the Tokyo Techno Festival.
In 2007, Sugizo participated in the project Stop Rokkasho
run by the Japanese NGO Boomerang Net and headed up by Ryuichi Sakamoto
. The project was created to bring attention to the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant
in Aomori Prefecture
. In April, he played at the Nagisa Music Festival with Shag. June 29 at the 2007 Anime Expo convention in Long Beach, California
was the debut, and only, performance of S.K.I.N
, a supergroup
of Sugizo, Yoshiki, Gackt
and Miyavi
. In July, Juno Reactor performed as the White Stage's main act on the final day of the Fuji Rock Festival
.
On December 5, he released the remix album Spirituarise, in which artists from both Japan and overseas remixed his original tracks. On December 24, 2007, Luna Sea
reunited for a one-night only concert at the Tokyo Dome
.
's two reunion concerts as a stand-in along Wes Borland
and Richard Fortus
for the deceased hide
. In April, he took part in Juno Reactor's European tour. On May 2, he reunited with Luna Sea again at the "hide memorial summit", a two-day concert in memory of hide, at the Ajinomoto Stadium.
On July 23, Sugizo released a greatest hits compilation album titled Cosmoscape. The album shows off his various types of music genres, such as rock, trance, jazz, classic, bossa nova, among others, and spans his ten years of solo work. During the year, Sugizo wrote a song titled "Enola Gay", named after the Boeing B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb
on Hiroshima
. He wrote the song to convey his feelings and thoughts toward the people who suffered from the aftermath of nuclear war, and to the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
. In September joined Juno Reactor on the USA leg of their tour.
On December 19, at the 1,500-seat Shibuya-AX
concert hall, he held the solo concert "Rise to Cosmic Dance" playing songs from Cosmoscape, and including the new song. On December 31, Sugizo played with X Japan at their New Years countdown gig at Akasaka Blitz.
On May 1, 2009, Sugizo officially joined X Japan as lead guitarist, violinist and backing vocalist. In December, Sugizo with Juno Reactor performed in Holland, twice in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland.
Upon returning to Japan, he released two new digital singles, "Messiah" and "Tell Me Why You Hide the Truth?", via iTunes on December 16. They topped iTunes electronic music charts with first and second place. On December 24 and 25, he held the concert "Next Phase of Cosmic Dance" in Taipei, Taiwan
.
Nemuri Kyoshiro Buraihikae, beginning with a live theater production in June.
In April he performed at the Nagisa Music Festival.
On July 8, Sugizo announced that he would help his friend Mick Karn
, who was diagnosed with cancer, by remixing his song "Missing". The song was renamed "Missing Link" and was available for download in return for a donation on Mick's official website to help fund the expensive medical treatment. Mick Karn died on January 4, 2011.
On August 29, he held a fan club only event called "Soul's Mate Day IV". The show featured an acoustic set which has been given the name "Soul's Mate Quintet". On August 31, Sugizo and the rest of Luna Sea
attended a press conference in Hong Kong
, where they announced that they would be touring worldwide after 10 years of inactivity.
From November 5 to 8, Sugizo teamed up with drummers Budgie
, Leonard Eto and Mabi, and multi-instrumentalist Knox Chandler
in Hong Kong, to participate in a project called "The Butterfly Effect: East-West Percussive Parade", as part of the "New Vision Arts Festival".
On April 13, 2011, Sugizo released two singles, "No More Nukes Play the Guitar" and "The Edge". On June 29, he released the single "Miranda", followed by "Neo Cosmoscape" on July 27, which was remixed by System 7
, "Enola Gay" on August 15, and "Pray for Mother Earth" on September 9, a song he wrote with Toshinori Kondo
for Earth Day 2006.
On December 14, Sugizo will release two new albums, Flower of Life and Tree of Life. The first will be totally instrumental with psychedelic
and electronica
songs., while the second will include remixed songs and those done in collaboration with other artists. In December he will hold a four-date tour called "Stairway to the Flower of Life", with two concerts overseas, in Taipei, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Sugizo finds all religions very interesting, and loves to read lots of books about them. Since his father was a Buddhist
, while his mother was a Protestant
, from the young age he has often been in contact with things related to church and Protestantism. Currently he's more into Buddhism, or more specifically, Buddha
himself. Ever since he was little he was curious about occult subjects and mysterious things (paranormal phenomena, psychics). While in Elementary School, he became obsessed with the ancient civilizations of Egypt, the Maya's Easter Islands and the Inca. One of the very important moments were when he was around 18 or 19 years old, after reading Shirley MacLaine
's book Out on a Limb
, he became even more intrigued about the spiritual world. Noting "As I grew older, I was able to better understand the things that caught my attention when I was young".
Sugizo in the interview said that "there are secrets held by a small elite who control the world... We spend our lives without ever being aware of the truth that is hidden from us", and so through the song "Tell Me Why You Hide The Truth?" meant "We have to liberate freedom and rebuild it by ourselves. I think the world is in need of a revolution. To know what to believe, to know what's really going on in this world we have to take the initiative. That's the sort of signal I'm trying to send". Also added "The thing I seriously want to do the most is make society, the whole world, clean. That's the duty we must fulfill for the next generation".
and has around sixteen signature models with them. For his solo projects he often uses Fender
guitars and basses.
Remix albums:
Compilation albums:
Soundtracks:
Singles:
With The Flare
With Juno Reactor
With X Japan
Session discography
Tribute album appearances:
Various artists compilation appearances:
Stage 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:...
Sugizo, he is best known as lead guitarist of the rock band Luna Sea
Luna Sea
Luna Sea is a rock band from Kanagawa, Japan, formed in 1989. The band was initially founded by bassist J and rhythm guitarist Inoran, when they were in high school. They soon recruited lead guitarist and violinist Sugizo, drummer Shinya and vocalist Ryuichi, a lineup that has remained the same...
, who were popular in the 1990s. He started his solo career in 1997 and has since collaborated with many artists. In 2007 he became a member of the trance
Trance music
Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that developed in the 1990s.:251 It is generally characterized by a tempo of between 125 and 150 bpm,:252 repeating melodic synthesizer phrases, and a musical form that builds up and breaks down throughout a track...
/world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
act Juno Reactor
Juno Reactor
Juno Reactor is a musical and performing act known for the cinematic fusion of electronic, orchestral, and global music. Central to the project is Ben Watkins and his collaborations with a constantly changing ensemble of musicians from across the world, including percussionist Mabi Thobejane from...
, and in 2009 officially joined the heavy metal band 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...
.
In addition to being known to experiment with many musical genres, mostly rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, psychedelic
Psychedelic music
Psychedelic music covers a range of popular music styles and genres, which are inspired by or influenced by psychedelic culture and which attempt to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues-rock bands in the...
and electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
, he is known for his political ideas and views, as well being an anti-war, anti-nuclear and environmental
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
activist
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
.
Early life and musical education
Sugizo, as Yūne Sugihara was born on July 8, 1969, to a musical family, in HadanoHadano, Kanagawa
is a city in west-central Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2010, Hadano has an estimated population of 170,293 and a population density of 1,640 persons per km²; it had a total area of 103.61 km².-Geography:...
, Kanagawa
Kanagawa Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period...
, in Japan
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...
. His father, who is Japanese-Chinese, played trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
in the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
The , also known as Tokyō , is one of the representative symphony orchestras of Japan. The Orchestra was founded in 1965 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, to commemorate the Tokyo Olympics ....
, and his mother, who is Japanese-German played cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
in the same orchestra. From a young age, he was brought up on classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
and had to study classical music theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
. At the age of three, he was forced by his father to learn to play the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
. At that time it was quite a difficult period for him, his father forced him to practice violin for 3 hours per day,
and being unable to find the right type of music or composer, he would usually cry while continuing to play. During this period he began to hate music, and coercion from his parents aggravated such feeling of repulsion. The situation persisted until the age of ten, when he was again able to enjoy music; his early favorite composers included Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
, Béla Bartók
Béla Bartók
Béla Viktor János Bartók was a Hungarian composer and pianist. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century and is regarded, along with Liszt, as Hungary's greatest composer...
, and J.S. Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
.
When Sugizo was eleven or twelve years old, around the beginning of junior high school, he began to play the trumpet. As he became a more rebellious and delinquent child, he preferred the trumpet's "dirty" image more, as it was during the 1950s and through to the 1970s, in comparison with the violin, which was seen as something for higher-profiled people or class. It was during his junior high school days that he became more exposed to non-classical music types, such as the synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
group Yellow Magic Orchestra
Yellow Magic Orchestra
Sakamoto first worked with Hosono as a member of his live band in 1976, while Takahashi recruited Sakamoto to produce his debut solo recording in 1977 following the split of the Sadistic Mika Band...
, the British new wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
group Japan
Japan (band)
Japan were a British New Wave group, formed in 1974 in Catford, South London. The band achieved success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when they were often associated with the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement .- History :The band began as a group of friends...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
's glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
, and the London punk scene
Punk subculture
The punk subculture includes a diverse array of ideologies, and forms of expression, including fashion, visual art, dance, literature, and film, which grew out of punk rock.-History:...
, making his base for rock'n'roll.
1989–96: Luna Sea, first solo activities
Despite his father's disapproval, Sugizo acquired a bass guitar and an electric guitar, and began to teach himself how to play. When he was around the age of 17, then in high school, Sugizo with his friend Shinya YamadaShinya Yamada
, referred to as simply , is a Japanese musician. He is best known as drummer of the rock band Luna Sea.- History :Before joining Luna Sea in 1989, high school friends Shinya and Sugizo were in the band Pinoccio....
formed a band called Pinocchio, where he played as the bassist. Since the internal structure of Pinocchio was not cohesive, they soon left, and on January 16, 1989, joined another band which performed at the same live houses, called Lunacy, formed by J and Inoran. With a later addition of Ryuichi Kawamura
Ryuichi Kawamura
is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor and record producer. He is best known as lead singer of the rock band Luna Sea. After the group disbanded in 2000, Ryuichi went on to a successful solo career. In 2005 he formed Tourbillon with, fellow Luna Sea member, Inoran and Hiroaki Hayama...
, the vocalist from the band Slaughter, the five formed the 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 unit Lunacy. Since J was already the bass player and Inoran preferred to play rhythm guitar, Sugizo became the lead guitarist and invented his stage name.
The five performed at Machida Playhouse and other clubs in Tokyo. Soon they were discovered by the late 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...
(then lead guitarist of 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...
), who got them signed by X Japan co-founder Yoshiki, to his independent label
Indie (music)
In music, independent music, often shortened to indie music or "indie" is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries, and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing....
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...
, on which they released their debut album in 1991.
Upon their first album release, the band changed their name from Lunacy to Luna Sea
Luna Sea
Luna Sea is a rock band from Kanagawa, Japan, formed in 1989. The band was initially founded by bassist J and rhythm guitarist Inoran, when they were in high school. They soon recruited lead guitarist and violinist Sugizo, drummer Shinya and vocalist Ryuichi, a lineup that has remained the same...
. They became one of the most popular bands of the 1990s in Japan, selling more than nine million records, as well performing in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and 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...
.
The first solo activity Sugizo had was in 1993, when he wrote his first solo song "Revive", for the album Dance 2 Noise 004 featuring many musicians, including the group M*A*S*S, which consisted of hide, J and Inoran. The coming three years held a variety of less known musical collaborations for him. Then in 1996, Sugizo hosted the radio show "Ελευθερία" , the program introduced high-quality music for all ages. Sugizo, including Ryuichi Kawamura, also participated in a compilation album Life in the Tokyo - A Tribute to Japan, featuring tribute cover versions of the 80s British band Japan
Japan (band)
Japan were a British New Wave group, formed in 1974 in Catford, South London. The band achieved success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when they were often associated with the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement .- History :The band began as a group of friends...
.
1997–2001: Debut solo album and collaborations
After Luna SeaLuna Sea
Luna Sea is a rock band from Kanagawa, Japan, formed in 1989. The band was initially founded by bassist J and rhythm guitarist Inoran, when they were in high school. They soon recruited lead guitarist and violinist Sugizo, drummer Shinya and vocalist Ryuichi, a lineup that has remained the same...
went on break in 1997, Sugizo started his own solo project and opened the independent label "Cross" to produce other artists, as well as releasing his own records. He points out that the opening of his record label was one of his very important projects at the time, but not anymore. On July 9, his debut single "Lucifer" was released and reached number 8 on the 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...
singles chart. It was followed by his first solo tour "Abstract Day" which lasted until the final performance in August at Akasaka Blitz
Akasaka BLITZ
Opened in April, 1996, Akasaka BLITZ is a so-called music "live-house" in Minato, Tokyo, owned and operated by Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc. Until the opening of Shibuya-AX in 2000, it was the only concert space that in the metropolitan area that could accommodate 1500 people...
, where he was joined by DJ Krush
DJ Krush
, better known as DJ Krush, is a producer and DJ. He is known for his atmospheric instrumental production which incorporates sound elements from nature and extensive use of jazz and soul samples.-Biography:...
, Masami Tsuchiya
Masami Tsuchiya
Masami Tsuchiya is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician. He came to prominence in the late 1970s as the lead vocalist and guitarist in the group Ippu-Do. His subsequent output includes solo work and collaborations...
and members of Japan
Japan (band)
Japan were a British New Wave group, formed in 1974 in Catford, South London. The band achieved success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when they were often associated with the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement .- History :The band began as a group of friends...
. Then on September 10 he released his second single, "A Prayer", which reached number 7 on the charts. On November 19, his first solo album Truth? was released, and reached number 12 on the album charts. It was met with mixed reviews, largely because of the unexpected musical style which mixed different genres with electronica beats. A variety of artists participated in the album, from Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakamoto
After working as a session musician with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1977, the trio formed the internationally successful electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978. Known for their seminal influence on electronic music, the group helped pioneer electronic genres such as...
and Mick Karn
Mick Karn
Andonis Michaelides , better known as Mick Karn, was an English multi-instrumentalist musician and songwriter, who came to fame as the bassist for the art rock band Japan, from 1974 to 1982....
, to Lou Rhodes
Lou Rhodes
Lou Rhodes is an English singer and songwriter from Manchester, now living in Wiltshire. In addition to providing vocals and lyrics for the band Lamb, Rhodes has released three solo albums: Beloved One, Bloom and One Good Thing...
and Valerie Etienne. Towards the end of the year, remix editions of his two maxi singles and album were released.
Between 1998 and 2000, as Luna Sea resumed activities, Sugizo collaborated in the studio with actresses Miki Nakatani and Tomoe Shinohara
Tomoe Shinohara
is a Japanese singer, actress, fashion designer, producer and artist. She is notable for her flamboyant fashion sense and bubbly personality, as well her distinctive squealing speaking voice. She is also a close friend of singer Eiko Matsumoto.- Career :In October 1996, Shinohara began as a...
, singers Miu Sakamoto
Miu Sakamoto
is a Japanese pop singer. She is the daughter of musicians Ryuichi Sakamoto and Akiko Yano.- Albums :* aquascape * DAWN PINK * Harmonious...
and Vivian Hsu
Vivian Hsu
Vivian Hsu is a Taiwanese singer, actress, and model who has gained remarkable popularity in East Asia, mainly in Taiwan and Japan.Hsu rose to prominence in Japan, where she made her first appearance in 1995 and has become a highly-recognized celebrity with her countless appearances in media...
, and others. On August 11, 1999 a compilation album titled "Grand Cross 1999", which was sponsored by Sugizo's record label "Cross", was released, featuring many musicians with whom he had worked with before and many for the first time.
In 2001, he participated in Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakamoto
After working as a session musician with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1977, the trio formed the internationally successful electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978. Known for their seminal influence on electronic music, the group helped pioneer electronic genres such as...
's N.M.L. ("No More Landmines"), a campaign to promote awareness of the problems of land mine
Land mine
A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
s and promote a ban on them, and helped in the making of the album Zero Landmine
Zero Landmine
Zero Landmine is an Extended play recording created to promote awareness of the problem of landmines and to promote a ban on landmines...
. He starred in Ken Nikai's movie Soundtrack and composed the music for the film. On November 14, a compilation album inspired by the film, titled Parallel Side of Soundtrack was released, and the following year he released the single "Rest in Peace & Fly Away" featuring bice on vocals. That same year he produced the music for and danced in Suichoku no Yumeof, a production by the popular contemporary dance company H. Art Chaos.
2002–07: Forming solo project and bands, joining Juno Reactor, S.K.I.N. concert
Around late 2001 he formed the solo project Sugizo & the Spank Your Juice, with whom he toured with until 2004 and released three singles; "Super Love", "Dear Life" and "No More Machineguns Play the Guitar", which entered top 50 on the charts. His acting career also continued in 2002, when he starred in Isao YukisadaIsao Yukisada
from Kumamoto, Japan is a Japanese film director. He served as assistant director on Shunji Iwai's Love Letter, April Story, and Swallowtail Butterfly.-Director:* OPEN HOUSE * A Closing Day...
's film Rock'n'roll Mishin, and the television series RedЯum, directed by Ken Nikai.
In 2003, following the release of "No More Machineguns Play the Guitar", Sugizo released his second album C:Lear. It peaked at the number 56 on the album charts.
In March 2004, Sugizo formed the rock band The Flare with vocalist Yuna Katsuki. He also created a new record label called "Embryo", which receives major distribution from Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
for music of The Flare. They performed at Earth Day
Earth Day
Earth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. The name and concept of Earth Day was allegedly pioneered by John McConnell in 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. The first Proclamation of Earth Day was by San Francisco, the...
in Tokyo, Japan's largest event devoted to environmental and peaceful causes. The band would last until 2006, releasing four singles and one album.
In May 2005, Sugizo organized the event "Neo Ascension Groove", with psychedelic jam session
Jam session
Jam sessions are often used by musicians to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one...
act Shag. In the band he plays guitar, violin and percussion, while the music is avant-garde with concentration on rhythm.
In April 2006, collaborated with trumpeter Toshinori Kondo
Toshinori Kondo
Toshinori Kondo is an avant-garde jazz and jazz fusion trumpeter. He resides in Tokyo, New York City, and Amsterdam....
and celebrated Earth Day by participating in three shows held on April 9, 22 and 23 at the Yoyogi Koen in Tokyo. He later had his first performance with Juno Reactor
Juno Reactor
Juno Reactor is a musical and performing act known for the cinematic fusion of electronic, orchestral, and global music. Central to the project is Ben Watkins and his collaborations with a constantly changing ensemble of musicians from across the world, including percussionist Mabi Thobejane from...
at the Tokyo Techno Festival.
In 2007, Sugizo participated in the project Stop Rokkasho
Stop Rokkasho
Stop Rokkasho is a project run by the Japanese NGO Boomerang Net and headed up by musician Ryuichi Sakamoto. In order to bring attention to the nuclear reprocessing plant in Rokkasho in Aomori Prefecture, they get artists to contribute songs and other art to the cause. The music and other media are...
run by the Japanese NGO Boomerang Net and headed up by Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakamoto
After working as a session musician with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1977, the trio formed the internationally successful electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978. Known for their seminal influence on electronic music, the group helped pioneer electronic genres such as...
. The project was created to bring attention to the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant
Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant
The is a nuclear reprocessing plant with an annual capacity of 800 tons of uranium or 8 tons of plutonium, owned by Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited located in the village of Rokkasho in northeast Aomori Prefecture, Japan approximately 17 miles north of the US Air Force's Misawa Air Base...
in Aomori Prefecture
Aomori Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region. The capital is the city of Aomori.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Aomori prefecture was known as Mutsu Province....
. In April, he played at the Nagisa Music Festival with Shag. June 29 at the 2007 Anime Expo convention in Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
was the debut, and only, performance of S.K.I.N
Skin (Japanese band)
Skin is a music project founded by several Japanese rock musicians in 2007. They are Yoshiki, Gackt, Sugizo and Miyavi, all being important to the visual kei movement or closely related to it, but everyone being from a different generation.Its debut performance was on June 29, 2007, in Long Beach,...
, a supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
of Sugizo, Yoshiki, Gackt
Gackt
is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, voice actor and author. Usually referred to by his mononymous stage name, he is known for his career as a solo artist and as the former vocalist for the defunct visual kei rock band Malice Mizer....
and Miyavi
Miyavi
, better known by his stage name , is a Japanese visual kei musician. His work as guitarist for Dué le Quartz and his successful solo career have established him as an accomplished musician in the Japanese music scene.- Early life :...
. In July, Juno Reactor performed as the White Stage's main act on the final day of the Fuji Rock Festival
Fuji Rock Festival
Fuji Rock Festival is an annual rock festival held in Naeba Ski Resort, in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. The 3 day event, organized by Smash Japan, features more than 200 Japanese and international musicians, making it the largest outdoor music event in Japan...
.
On December 5, he released the remix album Spirituarise, in which artists from both Japan and overseas remixed his original tracks. On December 24, 2007, Luna Sea
Luna Sea
Luna Sea is a rock band from Kanagawa, Japan, formed in 1989. The band was initially founded by bassist J and rhythm guitarist Inoran, when they were in high school. They soon recruited lead guitarist and violinist Sugizo, drummer Shinya and vocalist Ryuichi, a lineup that has remained the same...
reunited for a one-night only concert at the Tokyo Dome
Tokyo Dome
Tokyo Dome is a 55,000-seat baseball stadium located in Bunkyo Ward of Tokyo, Japan.The stadium opened for business on March 17, 1988. It was built on the site of the Velodrome which was next door to the site of the predecessor ballpark, Kōrakuen Stadium...
.
2008–09: Joining X Japan, on tour with Juno Reactor, Cosmoscape
On March 28 and 29, 2008, Sugizo played at X JapanX 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...
's two reunion concerts as a stand-in along Wes Borland
Wes Borland
Wesley Louden Borland is an American musician and artist, best known as the guitarist for the band Limp Bizkit. He has been in several other bands as well including: Black Light Burns, The Damning Well, Goatslayer, Big Dumb Face, and Combichrist...
and Richard Fortus
Richard Fortus
Richard Fortus is a professional guitarist who is most famous for being rhythm guitarist in Guns N' Roses.Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Fortus cut his teeth throughout the Midwest with his band, The Eyes. The four-piece alternative band independently released "Freedom in a Cage", which was...
for the deceased 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...
. In April, he took part in Juno Reactor's European tour. On May 2, he reunited with Luna Sea again at the "hide memorial summit", a two-day concert in memory of hide, at the Ajinomoto Stadium.
On July 23, Sugizo released a greatest hits compilation album titled Cosmoscape. The album shows off his various types of music genres, such as rock, trance, jazz, classic, bossa nova, among others, and spans his ten years of solo work. During the year, Sugizo wrote a song titled "Enola Gay", named after the Boeing B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
on Hiroshima
Hiroshima
is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...
. He wrote the song to convey his feelings and thoughts toward the people who suffered from the aftermath of nuclear war, and to the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Nagasaki
is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. Nagasaki was founded by the Portuguese in the second half of the 16th century on the site of a small fishing village, formerly part of Nishisonogi District...
. In September joined Juno Reactor on the USA leg of their tour.
On December 19, at the 1,500-seat Shibuya-AX
Shibuya-AX
Shibuya-AX is a concert hall in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, near the Yoyogi National Gymnasium.It is the only purpose-built concert hall or "live house" in the Tokyo metropolitan area that can accommodate 1,500 people...
concert hall, he held the solo concert "Rise to Cosmic Dance" playing songs from Cosmoscape, and including the new song. On December 31, Sugizo played with X Japan at their New Years countdown gig at Akasaka Blitz.
On May 1, 2009, Sugizo officially joined X Japan as lead guitarist, violinist and backing vocalist. In December, Sugizo with Juno Reactor performed in Holland, twice in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland.
Upon returning to Japan, he released two new digital singles, "Messiah" and "Tell Me Why You Hide the Truth?", via iTunes on December 16. They topped iTunes electronic music charts with first and second place. On December 24 and 25, he held the concert "Next Phase of Cosmic Dance" in Taipei, Taiwan
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...
.
2010–11: X Japan and Luna Sea tours, Flower of Life and Tree of Life
Upon returning to Japan, on January 27 Sugizo released two digital singles, "Fatima" and "Do-Funk Dance", another on February 24 entitled "Prana", which also topped the iTunes electronic charts, and one more on March 31 named "Dear Spiritual Life". In February it was announced that Sugizo will be the music director for the soundtrack (with both traditional Japanese musical instruments and modern ones) of the jidaigekiJidaigeki
is a genre of film, television, and theatre in Japan. The name means "period drama" and is usually the Edo period of Japanese history, from 1603 to 1868. Some, however, are set much earlier—Portrait of Hell, for example, is set during the late Heian period—and the early Meiji era is also a popular...
Nemuri Kyoshiro Buraihikae, beginning with a live theater production in June.
In April he performed at the Nagisa Music Festival.
On July 8, Sugizo announced that he would help his friend Mick Karn
Mick Karn
Andonis Michaelides , better known as Mick Karn, was an English multi-instrumentalist musician and songwriter, who came to fame as the bassist for the art rock band Japan, from 1974 to 1982....
, who was diagnosed with cancer, by remixing his song "Missing". The song was renamed "Missing Link" and was available for download in return for a donation on Mick's official website to help fund the expensive medical treatment. Mick Karn died on January 4, 2011.
On August 29, he held a fan club only event called "Soul's Mate Day IV". The show featured an acoustic set which has been given the name "Soul's Mate Quintet". On August 31, Sugizo and the rest of Luna Sea
Luna Sea
Luna Sea is a rock band from Kanagawa, Japan, formed in 1989. The band was initially founded by bassist J and rhythm guitarist Inoran, when they were in high school. They soon recruited lead guitarist and violinist Sugizo, drummer Shinya and vocalist Ryuichi, a lineup that has remained the same...
attended a press conference in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, where they announced that they would be touring worldwide after 10 years of inactivity.
From November 5 to 8, Sugizo teamed up with drummers Budgie
Budgie (drummer)
-External links:*...
, Leonard Eto and Mabi, and multi-instrumentalist Knox Chandler
Knox Chandler
Knox Chandler is mostly known as a session guitarist and cellist, he has worked with such acts as Depeche Mode , Lori Carson, The Golden Palominos, The Psychedelic Furs, Ultra Vivid Scene, The Creatures and R.E.M....
in Hong Kong, to participate in a project called "The Butterfly Effect: East-West Percussive Parade", as part of the "New Vision Arts Festival".
On April 13, 2011, Sugizo released two singles, "No More Nukes Play the Guitar" and "The Edge". On June 29, he released the single "Miranda", followed by "Neo Cosmoscape" on July 27, which was remixed by System 7
System 7 (band)
System 7 are a British ambient dance band. Due to the existence of another band called System Seven, they were initially marketed as 777 in North America...
, "Enola Gay" on August 15, and "Pray for Mother Earth" on September 9, a song he wrote with Toshinori Kondo
Toshinori Kondo
Toshinori Kondo is an avant-garde jazz and jazz fusion trumpeter. He resides in Tokyo, New York City, and Amsterdam....
for Earth Day 2006.
On December 14, Sugizo will release two new albums, Flower of Life and Tree of Life. The first will be totally instrumental with psychedelic
Psychedelic music
Psychedelic music covers a range of popular music styles and genres, which are inspired by or influenced by psychedelic culture and which attempt to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues-rock bands in the...
and electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
songs., while the second will include remixed songs and those done in collaboration with other artists. In December he will hold a four-date tour called "Stairway to the Flower of Life", with two concerts overseas, in Taipei, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Personal life
Sugizo has a daughter. In a interview he said that her birth has transformed him the most and "when you love your daughter, you begin to love all children. Although this might sound grandiose, nothing will make me happier than seeing all children around the world lead joyous lives. I'll be more than satisfied if I can become a tool towards that goal".Sugizo finds all religions very interesting, and loves to read lots of books about them. Since his father was a Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, while his mother was a Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
, from the young age he has often been in contact with things related to church and Protestantism. Currently he's more into Buddhism, or more specifically, Buddha
Buddha
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
himself. Ever since he was little he was curious about occult subjects and mysterious things (paranormal phenomena, psychics). While in Elementary School, he became obsessed with the ancient civilizations of Egypt, the Maya's Easter Islands and the Inca. One of the very important moments were when he was around 18 or 19 years old, after reading Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine is an American film and theater actress, singer, dancer, activist and author, well-known for her beliefs in new age spirituality and reincarnation. She has written a large number of autobiographical works, many dealing with her spiritual beliefs as well as her Hollywood career...
's book Out on a Limb
Out on a Limb (Shirley MacLaine book)
Out on a Limb is an autobiographical book written by American film actress Shirley MacLaine in 1983. It details MacLaine's journeys through New Age spirituality. The book follows McLaine from California to various locations including New York, Hawaii, and Europe, culminating in a life-changing...
, he became even more intrigued about the spiritual world. Noting "As I grew older, I was able to better understand the things that caught my attention when I was young".
Sugizo in the interview said that "there are secrets held by a small elite who control the world... We spend our lives without ever being aware of the truth that is hidden from us", and so through the song "Tell Me Why You Hide The Truth?" meant "We have to liberate freedom and rebuild it by ourselves. I think the world is in need of a revolution. To know what to believe, to know what's really going on in this world we have to take the initiative. That's the sort of signal I'm trying to send". Also added "The thing I seriously want to do the most is make society, the whole world, clean. That's the duty we must fulfill for the next generation".
Guitars
While in Luna Sea, Sugizo almost exclusively used ESP guitarsESP Guitars
, located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation...
and has around sixteen signature models with them. For his solo projects he often uses Fender
Fender
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, commonly referred to as simply Fender, of Scottsdale, Arizona is a manufacturer of stringed instruments and amplifiers, such as solid-body electric guitars, including the Stratocaster and the Telecaster...
guitars and basses.
| Brand | Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ESP ESP Guitars , located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation... |
Eclipse S-I | Is a basic model of the Eclipse lineups. Traditional body shape, with 3 single-coiled pick up, all around type, which can respond to various styles of music. |
| ESP | Eclipse S-II | The Eclipse S-II's feature is the heavy & thick bass sounds of a Humbucker Humbucker A humbucker is a type of electric guitar pickup, first patented by Seth Lover and the Gibson company, that uses two coils, both generating string signal. Humbuckers have higher output than a single coil pickup since both coils are connected in series... and ample mid-range. When it first time appeared in public, the constitution was of through-neck, EMG-81 for its rear pick-up, and EMG-SA for its front pick-up, made its debut in Luna Sea's 1996 Unending Style tour. Later remodeled edition was introduced in song "Inside You Gravity (Luna Sea song) "Gravity" is a single by Luna Sea, released on March 29, 2000. It reached the number one position on the weekly Oricon chart.-Tracks:All songs composed and arranged by Luna Sea... " for 2000 Brand New Chaos tour. |
| ESP | Eclipse S-III | The Eclipse S-III first time appeared with Luna Sea's 1996 Unending Style tour, when Sugizo played the solo for "Forever & Ever Style (Luna Sea album) Style is the fifth album by Luna Sea, released on April 22, 1996. It reached number 1 on the Oricon chart. The single versions of "End of Sorrow" and "Luv U" are slightly different than the album's... ". It was also used in Sugizo's 1996-1997 Abstract Day tour. The present front pick-up was placed on the middle pick-up position with its style like the S-S-H design. The pick-up then was the same as the S-I in the same year, equipped with Lasesensor. On the 1998 Shinging Brightly tour, front pick-ups were placed next to the sustainer driver pick-up. At that time, the front pick-up was equipped on the bridge side. After that, there was an improvement of the driver pick-up by Floyd Rose Floyd Rose The Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo, or simply Floyd Rose, is a type of locking vibrato arm for a guitar. The first of its kind, Floyd D. Rose invented the locking vibrato in 1977, and it is now manufactured by a company of the same name... Sustainer. Since December 1999, it developed into its present style. |
| ESP | Eclipse S-IV | The Eclipse S-IV is the 12 stringed model of the Eclipse lineup. Used for the song "Velvet Shine (Luna Sea album) Shine is the sixth album by Luna Sea, released on July 23, 1998. It reached number one on the Oricon chart, and is the band's highest selling studio album; selling over 1,000,000 copies and being certified Million by the RIAJ... " on the 1998 Shining Brightly tour. As with the other models, the same body shape had its feature in the construction of a semi-hollow body with all-maple. The bridge equipped with 12 parts, which can be adjusted to an Octave with independent major & minor strings. This is the sole model equipped with tone control. |
| ESP | Eclipse S-V | The Eclipse S-V's main feature is the original sound of pick-up P-90, which made its appearance with electric guitars in the 1940s, and being one of the most favorable throughout electric guitar history. Debuted in Slave limited Gig on August 1998. This model lasted from the first stage of the Shining Brightly tour, until Luna Sea's final tour. It supported some main songs like "Storm Storm (Luna Sea song) "Storm" is a single by Luna Sea released on April 15, 1998. The single reached number 1 on Oricon's single charts. The song was covered by pop singer Nami Tamaki on the Luna Sea Memorial Cover Album -Re:birth-... " and "I for You I for You "I for You" is the eleventh single by Japanese rock band Luna Sea. It was released on July 1, 1998, and its highest ranking reached second place on the weekly Oricon chart... ". Currently is set up with SP-90-1 (Seymour Duncan). |
| ESP | Eclipse S-VI | The Eclipse S-VI development based on Sugizo's concept, started in 1999 through making prototypes, and was completed in 2001. The 6-stringed model, one octave lower than the other orthodox models, has the same sound range as bass guitars. |
| ESP | Eclipse S-VII | The Eclipse S-VII was completed in 2000, for making its debut on the Brand New Chaos tour. Was also used for Sugizo & the Spank Your Juice performances. A thin 45mm nut-width was made for the first time for a 7-stringed guitar. Bridge-string pitch 9.6mm, nut side-string pitch 6.5mm, 7-stringed bridge & rock nut. Also was attached a unique 3 single-coiled pick-up. |
| ESP | Eclipse R-I | The Eclipse R-I was developed based on a concept Sugizo had cherished for a long time. It made its debut on the 2000 Brand New Chaos Act II tour, but more than a year had been spent before the model was finally completed in 2001. Its constitution was of single-coiled pick-up and a Floyd Rose Bridge. Its 42mm thin flattop Adler body with broad-surfaced body design has its quick sound response (a bit different from Eclipse S-I) and also has ability to emphasize wide range sounds. |
| ESP | Eclipse E-I | The Eclipse E-I made its debut at Sugizo's solo project performance Abstract Day in 1997. Its a semi-acoustic Sugizo model but equipped with Floyd Rose Bridge. |
| ESP | Eclipse S-I Brilliant -Mixed Media- | The Eclipse S-I Brilliant -Mixed Media-, appeared on July 30, 1996 on the Unending Style tour, as a custom version of Eclipse S-I. Created as a collaboration between the ESP manufacturing staff and Sugizo. This model was equipped with vintage Lase Blue of Lasesensor for the rear pick-up which was modeled exactly by Sugizo himself. In 1997, after the tour, it was sold as a signature model with a limited number produced. |
| ESP | Eclipse S-I Python | The Eclipse S-I Python made its debut on December 23, 1998 at the Tokyo Dome on the Shining Brightly tour. This model was used for both Asian tours and the 2000 Brand New Chaos tour. In 2000, its sales were limited to 40 because of difficulty to get the real leather of Diamond Pison, but the number of products was increased up to 120. |
| ESP | Eclipse S-III Brilliant -Mixed Media- | The Eclipse S-III Brilliant -Mixed Media-, as of September 1999, it was put on the market with a limited production of 100. But because of its popularity, two month later 50 more were announced. When it went on the market, Seymour Duncan SJAG-1 carried on the pick-up. |
| ESP | Eclipse S-III Custom -Fretless- | For the Eclipse S-III Custom -Fretless-, Sugizo originated the idea that fit sustainers to the fretless guitars, and often uses it for his recordings. Its basic components are the same as the S-III. Black-binding is used, which is rare for Eclipse series. |
| ESP | PR - Triple Neck | The three necks are (each from high to low) 12-stringed guitar, sustainer attached fretless guitar and the Floyd Rose 6-stringed fretted guitar. The pick-ups on each three necks are set to instantaneously change. Presently, the standard models are the same as S-I with Seymour Duncan Antiquity Strat Custom Bridge. Sugizo performed with this triple neck guitar for Luna Sea's openings from 1995's Mother of Love tour, up to the last stage of Epilogue 2000, with the songs "Loveless Mother (Luna Sea album) Mother is the fourth album by Luna Sea, released on October 26, 1994. It reached number two on the Oricon chart. The single versions of "Rosier" and "Mother" are slightly different than the album's... " and "Genesis of Mind ~Yume no Kanata e~ Mother (Luna Sea album) Mother is the fourth album by Luna Sea, released on October 26, 1994. It reached number two on the Oricon chart. The single versions of "Rosier" and "Mother" are slightly different than the album's... . |
| ESP | PR - Double Neck | The combination of a 6-string and a fretless guitar started only with Sugizo. Its pick-ups are EMG-SA for the fretless, and Seymour Duncan Antiquity Strat Custom Bridge for the fretted. The bridges are a combination of Tune-matic-bridge (black nickel coating) and Stop-tailpiece. The first time it was used was for song "4:00 AM Lunacy (album) Lunacy is the seventh album by Luna Sea, released on July 12, 2000. It reached number three on the Oricon chart and was the band's last original studio album before disbanding in late 2000... " on Luna Sea's 2000 "Brand New Chaos" tour. |
| Seymour Duncan Seymour Duncan Seymour Duncan is a company that is best known for manufacturing of guitar pickups, and currently has a line of effects pedals. The company was founded in 1976 by guitarist and luthier Seymour W. Duncan and his then-wife Cathy Carter Duncan in Goleta, California, USA... |
DG-300R CTM | Sugizo used a Jaguar Fender Jaguar The Fender Jaguar is an electric guitar introduced in 1962. A descendant of the Jazzmaster, the Jaguar quickly caught on in the emerging Surf music scene... -type black guitar (made by Seymour Duncan Seymour Duncan Seymour Duncan is a company that is best known for manufacturing of guitar pickups, and currently has a line of effects pedals. The company was founded in 1976 by guitarist and luthier Seymour W. Duncan and his then-wife Cathy Carter Duncan in Goleta, California, USA... ) for Luna Sea's 2000 Brand New Chaos tour. It was a developed type of a Jaguar with new tensions & sustains. The secret to its success was in the scale change from short to medium. It's bridge was equipped with ST's synchronized tremolo. |
| Seymour Duncan | DS-280M-RV | Built for right-handers from a left-hand body and neck, which Sugizo pursued as newer possibilities than the Stratocaster Fender Stratocaster The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top... . Results are both mellower tones in higher-tone strings and tighter low tones in lower-tone strings. He started using this model on Luna Sea's "Brand New Chaos" tour, at the live in Yokohama Arena on July 15, 2000. It's known responsible for the reversible-strato-tones in "Virgin Mary Lunacy (album) Lunacy is the seventh album by Luna Sea, released on July 12, 2000. It reached number three on the Oricon chart and was the band's last original studio album before disbanding in late 2000... ". |
| ESP | Edwards & GrassRoots | List of five Edwards ESP Edwards Series The ESP Edwards brand instruments are produced for the Japanese market, originally consisting of Fender and Gibson replicas. They are generally considered to be of almost equal quality to the main ESP brand, the fundamental difference being the tonewoods... guitars, and four GrassRoots gutiars Sugizo used on lives respectively. |
| ESP | (Electric Violin) Kranz EV-75 | The violin Sugizo plays on his performances. |
Concerts
- 1997: "Sugizo Abstract Day"
- 2001: "Sugizo & The Spank Your Juice Abstract Day 2001"
- 2008–2009: "Sugizo Gig 2008 〜Rise To Cosmic Dance〜"
- 2009–2010: "Sugizo Gig 2009 〜Next Phase of Cosmic Dance〜"
- 2011: "Stairway to the Flower of Life"
Discography
Studio albums:- Truth? (November 19, 1997)
- C:Lear (October 1, 2003)
- Flower of Life (December 14, 2011)
- Tree of Life (December 14, 2011)
Remix albums:
- Replicant Lucifer (August 27, 1997)
- Replicant Prayer (November 6, 1997)
- Replicant Truth？ (December 21, 1997)
- Spirituarise (December 5, 2007)
Compilation albums:
- Sugizo meets Frank Zappa (December 22, 1999)
- Cosmoscape (July 23, 2008)
Soundtracks:
- Parallel Side of Soundtrack (November 14, 2001)
- H・Art・Chaos ～Suichoku no Yume～ (December 31, 2001)
- Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (February 27, 2002)
- Silent Voice ～Acoustic Songs of Soundtrack～ (May 9, 2002)
- Nemuri Kyoshiro Burai-hikae
Singles:
- "Lucifer" (July 9, 1997)
- "A Prayer" (September 10, 1997)
- "Rest in Peace & Fly Away" (April 10, 2002)
- Sugizo feat. bice
- "Super Love" (August 21, 2002)
- Sugizo & the Spank Your Juice
- "Dear Life" (November 20, 2002)
- Sugizo & the Spank Your Juice
- "No More Machine Guns Play the Guitar" (January 24, 2003)
- Sugizo & the Spank Your Juice
- "Tell Me Why You Hide the Truth?" (December 16, 2009)
- "Messiah" (December 16, 2009)
- "Do-Funk Dance" (January 27, 2010)
- "Fatima" (January 27, 2010)
- "Prana" (February 24, 2010)
- "Dear Spiritual Life" (March 31, 2010)
- "Missing Link" (July 2010)
- "No More Nukes Play the Guitar" (April 13, 2011)
- "The Edge" (April 13, 2011)
- "Miranda" (June 29, 2011)
- Sugizo feat. MaZDA
- "Neo Cosmoscape" (July 27, 2011)
- Remixed by System 7System 7 (band)System 7 are a British ambient dance band. Due to the existence of another band called System Seven, they were initially marketed as 777 in North America...
- Remixed by System 7
- "Enola Gay" (August 15, 2011)
- "Pray for Mother Earth" (September 11, 2011)
- Sugizo feat. Toshinori KondoToshinori KondoToshinori Kondo is an avant-garde jazz and jazz fusion trumpeter. He resides in Tokyo, New York City, and Amsterdam....
- Sugizo feat. Toshinori Kondo
Other discography
With Luna SeaLuna Sea
Luna Sea is a rock band from Kanagawa, Japan, formed in 1989. The band was initially founded by bassist J and rhythm guitarist Inoran, when they were in high school. They soon recruited lead guitarist and violinist Sugizo, drummer Shinya and vocalist Ryuichi, a lineup that has remained the same...
With The Flare
- "Inner Child" (August 25, 2004)
- "Uetico" (December 1, 2004)
- "Positivity" (June 1, 2005)
- "Manatsu no Koibito" (August 31, 2005)
- The Flare (February 8, 2006)
With Juno Reactor
Juno Reactor
Juno Reactor is a musical and performing act known for the cinematic fusion of electronic, orchestral, and global music. Central to the project is Ben Watkins and his collaborations with a constantly changing ensemble of musicians from across the world, including percussionist Mabi Thobejane from...
- Gods & MonstersGods and Monsters (Juno Reactor album)Gods & Monsters is the seventh album by the electronic goa trance band Juno Reactor. The album was released on April 22, 2008, though Metropolis began shipping it in early April.- Track listing :# "Inca Steppa" – 7:45# "Tokyo Dub" – 7:07...
(April 22, 2008)
With 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...
- "Scarlet Love SongScarlet Love Song"Scarlet Love Song" is a song released by X Japan on June 8, 2011 as a digital download. It was composed specifically to be the theme song for the animated movie adaptation of the Buddha manga, which was released May 28, 2011. The song, first performed at "" on March 6, 2011 at Yoyogi National...
" (June 8, 2011) - "Jade" (June 28, 2011)
Session discography
- Issay; Flowers (1994) - violin on "Asamade Matenai"
- Media Youth; Spirit (1995)
- GlayGlayGlay is a rock/pop band from Hakodate, Hokkaidō, Japan formed by guitarist Takuro and vocalist Teru in high school in 1988. Glay primarily composes songs in the rock and pop genres, but they have also composed songs using elements of different styles such as reggae and gospel...
; Pure Soul (1998) - guitar on "Yuuwaku" - D.I.E.; Progressive (1999)
- Miki Nakatani; "Chronic Love", "Frontier" (1999)
- Tomoe ShinoharaTomoe Shinoharais a Japanese singer, actress, fashion designer, producer and artist. She is notable for her flamboyant fashion sense and bubbly personality, as well her distinctive squealing speaking voice. She is also a close friend of singer Eiko Matsumoto.- Career :In October 1996, Shinohara began as a...
; Deep Sound Channel (1999) - Miu SakamotoMiu Sakamotois a Japanese pop singer. She is the daughter of musicians Ryuichi Sakamoto and Akiko Yano.- Albums :* aquascape * DAWN PINK * Harmonious...
; Dawn Pink (1999) - Coldfeet; Flavors (1999)
- Redrum; "Redrum" (1999) - recording engineer
- Honeydip; Another Sunny Day (2000)
- Vivian HsuVivian HsuVivian Hsu is a Taiwanese singer, actress, and model who has gained remarkable popularity in East Asia, mainly in Taiwan and Japan.Hsu rose to prominence in Japan, where she made her first appearance in 1995 and has become a highly-recognized celebrity with her countless appearances in media...
; Jiaban de TianshiJiaban de Tianshi假扮的天使 is an album by Taiwanese singer/actress/model Vivian Hsu, released September 19, 2000 on the BMG label. This is Vivian's first album that prominently features hard rock songs...
(2000) - 3 tracks composed by Sugizo - Paul Wong; Yellow Paul Wong (2001) - guitar on 3 tracks
- N.M.L. (No More Landmines); Zero LandmineZero LandmineZero Landmine is an Extended play recording created to promote awareness of the problem of landmines and to promote a ban on landmines...
(2001) - guitar - Nicholas TseNicholas TseNicholas Tse is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter, actor and musician, and son of actor Patrick Tse. He is a member of the Emperor Entertainment Group...
; Jade Butterly (2001) - Red; "Saga" (2001) - produced by Sugizo
- Miu Sakamoto; "Sleep Away" (2002) - composed and arranged by Sugizo
- KiyoharuKiyoharu, better known by his given and stage name, is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter, known for his work with Kuroyume and Sads. In 2003 he began his solo career, performing as both a singer and guitarist.- Independent career and Kuroyume :...
; Poetry (2004) - guitar on "Melancholy" - D'espairsRay; BornBorn (D'espairsRay album)Born is an EP released by D'espairsRay on April 28, 2004. The CD was re-released, excluding the DVD on July 21, 2004 because the album had sold out within a small amount of time.-Track listing:Disc OneDisc Two...
(2004) - violin on "Marry of the Blood" - Miu Sakamoto; Oboro no Kanata, Akari no Kehai (2007) - produced by Sugizo
- MiyaviMiyavi, better known by his stage name , is a Japanese visual kei musician. His work as guitarist for Dué le Quartz and his successful solo career have established him as an accomplished musician in the Japanese music scene.- Early life :...
; "Hi no Hikari Sae Todokanai Kono Basho DeHi no Hikari Sae Todokanai Kono Basho De-Personnel:* Miyavi – vocals and lyrics, acoustic and electric guitar, tambourine, gigpig, producer* Sugizo – electric guitar * Tyko – MC, beatbox, rapping* DJ 1, 2 – turntable* Masahide Sakuma – bass guitar* Soul Toul – drums...
" (2008) - guest guitarist - Acid Black CherryAcid Black CherryAcid Black Cherry is Janne Da Arc vocalist Yasu's solo project, formed in 2007 when they went on hiatus. The band's name is often seen shortened to A.B.C..-Background:...
; Black List (2008) - guitar - ToshIToshi (musician), better known by his stage name Toshi , is a Japanese singer and musician. He is best known as vocalist and co-founder of the heavy metal group X Japan. The band elevated to legendary status in Japan, until its disbanding in 1997. Toshi then went on to have an extensive solo career...
; Samurai Japan (2010) - Tezya; Life My Babylon (2010) - on "Cosmo of Love"
- M.o.v.e.; "Overtakers" (2011) - guitar
Tribute album appearances:
- Auto-Mod; Tribute to Auto-Mod ~Flower in the Dark~ (1994) - on "Smell" and "Deathtopia"
- JapanJapan (band)Japan were a British New Wave group, formed in 1974 in Catford, South London. The band achieved success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when they were often associated with the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement .- History :The band began as a group of friends...
; Life in Tokyo - A Tribute to Japan (September 4, 1996) - "Quiet Life" and on "Le Fou" by The Experience of Swimming - Osamu TezukaOsamu Tezukawas a Japanese cartoonist, manga artist, animator, producer, activist and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Black Jack...
; Atom Kids Remix ~ 21 Century Boys and Girls (February 24, 1999) - remixed "Fushigi na Merumo" by Cibo MattoCibo MattoCibo Matto are a New York City-based band formed by two Japanese women, Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori, in 1994... - Anarchy; Q:Are we Anarchist? (June 23, 1999) - on "Reformation Child (Revolution Kids)"
- Yellow Magic OrchestraYellow Magic OrchestraSakamoto first worked with Hosono as a member of his live band in 1976, while Takahashi recruited Sakamoto to produce his debut solo recording in 1977 following the split of the Sadistic Mika Band...
; YMO Remixes Technopolis 2000-00 (November 3, 2000) - remixed "Perspective" - Yellow Magic Orchestra; Tribute to YMO (September 8, 2004) - remixed "1000 Knives"
- GundamGundamThe is a metaseries of anime created by Sunrise studios that features giant robots called "Mobile Suits" ; usually the protagonist's MS will carry the name Gundam....
; Gundam Unplugged ～Acogi De Gundam A.c.2009～ (December 9, 2009) - "Beginning"
Various artists compilation appearances:
- Dance 2 Noise 004 (January 21, 1993) - "Revive"
- Grand Cross (August 11, 1999) - "Aquarius After the Le Fou", "Luna-tica ~Life on the Hill Mix~ (Remixed by 4Hero)"
- Mother Earth I (March 27, 2002) - "Anna Tumoru" and on "Devil's Tear" by Vivian HsuVivian HsuVivian Hsu is a Taiwanese singer, actress, and model who has gained remarkable popularity in East Asia, mainly in Taiwan and Japan.Hsu rose to prominence in Japan, where she made her first appearance in 1995 and has become a highly-recognized celebrity with her countless appearances in media...
- Sugizo Compiles Global Music I (October 23, 2002)
Videography
- A.D.2001 Final (November 27, 2002)
- Brilliant Days (January 11, 2005)
- Rise To Cosmic Dance (March 25, 2009)