Wands (band)
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese rock
band formed in 1991 as a three-member group. The band, throughout nine years of activity, had two vocalists, guitarists and keyboardists. Show Wesugi (vocalist), Hiroshi Shibasaki (guitarist), Kousuke Oshima (keyboardist) are the original member of the band. Shinya Kimura joined them after Oshima separate early. In 1997, Wesugi and Hiroshi left the band, so then Shinya reformed the band with Jiro Waku (vocalist) and Issei Sugimoto (guitarist). However, the group was officially disbanded in 2000. Wands belonged to the Being
music agency.
and Oshima was a guest member of Japanese rock band Loudness
. The band was named after wands
of tarot
. They made a debut with single "Sabishisa wa Aki no Iro" (literally "Loneliness is autumn color"). Their 1992 single "Motto Tsuyoku Dakishimeta Nara" (literally "If I Hug You More Strongly") reached the number-one position and was charted for 44 weeks on the Japanese Oricon
charts.
However, Oshima withdrew from the band and Shinya Kimura joined the band in 1992. Collaborating with Miho Nakayama, in October 1992, they released "Sekaijū no Dare yori Kitto" (lit. "Certainly more than everybody in the world"), which became one of standard "J-pop
" songs. In 1992, they took part in Japanese famous year-end show called Kōhaku Uta Gassen
by the song. Along with their songs, Wesugi wrote Deen's debut song "Konomama Kimidake wo Ubaisaritai" (lit. "Now, I want to make off with only you"), which was released in March 1993 and sold over a million copies. In April 1993, their album Toki no Tobira (lit. "Temporal Door") and single "Ai wo Kataru yori Kuchizuke wo Kawaso" (lit. "Let's kiss more than talking love") debuted at the number-one positions at the same time on the Oricon charts, making them the second artist to achieve this following Seiko Matsuda
. "Ai wo Kataru yori Kuchizuke wo Kawaso" spent in number-one spot for four consecutive weeks. Toki no Tobira was charted for 33 weeks on the Oricon album charts. They sold over 4.11 million singles and 3.18 million albums in a year, winning the "artist of the year" award at the 8th Japan Gold Disc Award
.
Their 1994 single "Sekai ga Owaru made wa..." (lit. "Until the End of the World...") reached number-one on Oricon charts and was certified as a million-selling single by Recording Industry Association of Japan
(RIAJ). It was the ending theme of anime series Slam Dunk
. However, Wesugi loved grunge
and wanted to turn into alternative rock
. "Sekai ga Owaru made wa..." became his last song written by his former style because he felt that many musicians around him were doing the same thing. The tune of their next single "Secret Night (It's My Treat)" was more shifted into melodic hardcore
, making controversies. However, their 1995 studio album Piece of My Soul also debuted at the number-one position on the Oricon album charts, with the first week sales of over 542,000 copies.
Wesugi's image continued to be changed with song "Same Side". His new style was said to be "painterly" and their new album was nearing completion. According to Wesugi, their new album was influenced by punk
and blues
. After they released single "Worst Crime (About a rock star who was a swindler)" in February 1996, however, Wesugi and Shibasaki withdrew from the band, which was said to have been its actual disbandment. Their withdrawals were officially announced in 1997.
Wesugi continued his music career and took part in the sixth anniversary of Hide
's death as the last singer in 2004. Shibasaki formed rock band Abingdon Boys School
with Takanori Nishikawa
in 2005. Oshima also associated with Nishikawa on the 2006 album Under Cover.
) in Johnny & Associates
. Their debut song "Sabitsuita Machine Gun de Ima o Uchinukō
", written by Miho Komatsu
, was adopted for theme of anime series Dragon Ball GT. Their next single "Brand New Love" was written by Izumi Sakai
. Sakai also wrote their song "Ashita moshi Kimi ga kowaretemo" (lit. "Even if you shatter tomorrow"), which was adopted for theme of anime series Yu-Gi-Oh!. Their next single "Kyo, Nanika no Hazumi de Ikiteiru" (lit. "Today, I live by some chance") was written by Nana Azuki, a future member of Garnet Crow
. However, their first studio album Awake, released on October 27, 1999, was charted for only three weeks, peaking at number 18 on the Oricon charts. The band finally disbanded in 2000.
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...
band formed in 1991 as a three-member group. The band, throughout nine years of activity, had two vocalists, guitarists and keyboardists. Show Wesugi (vocalist), Hiroshi Shibasaki (guitarist), Kousuke Oshima (keyboardist) are the original member of the band. Shinya Kimura joined them after Oshima separate early. In 1997, Wesugi and Hiroshi left the band, so then Shinya reformed the band with Jiro Waku (vocalist) and Issei Sugimoto (guitarist). However, the group was officially disbanded in 2000. Wands belonged to the Being
Being (company)
, d.b.a. Being Giza Group, is a Japanese private entertainment conglomerate based in Tokyo's Roppongi district, founded on November 1, 1978 by musician Daiko Nagato. Being Inc. and its subsidiaries are the main supplier of theme music for the anime series Case Closed. As of May 2011, 77 theme tunes...
music agency.
Members
- Issei "Suginho" Ambo (Real name: , Former stage name: ) (born 8 May 1972)
1991–1996: commercial success
The band founded in 1991 by main vocalist Show Wesugi, guitarist Hiroshi Shibasaki, and keyboardist Kousuke Oshima. Wesugi was a fan of Axl RoseAxl Rose
W. Axl Rose is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is the lead vocalist and only remaining original member of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he enjoyed great success and recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before disappearing from the public eye for several years...
and Oshima was a guest member of Japanese rock band Loudness
Loudness (band)
is a Japan-based heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Akira Takasaki and drummer Munetaka Higuchi. They were the first Japanese heavy metal act signed to a major label in the United States, releasing twenty-three studio albums...
. The band was named after wands
Suit of wands
In tarot, the suit of wands or batons can be used like one of the suits of playing cards or as a divination tool. It corresponds to the suit of clubs in conventional playing cards....
of tarot
Tarot
The tarot |trionfi]] and later as tarocchi, tarock, and others) is a pack of cards , used from the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe to play a group of card games such as Italian tarocchini and French tarot...
. They made a debut with single "Sabishisa wa Aki no Iro" (literally "Loneliness is autumn color"). Their 1992 single "Motto Tsuyoku Dakishimeta Nara" (literally "If I Hug You More Strongly") reached the number-one position and was charted for 44 weeks on the Japanese 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...
charts.
However, Oshima withdrew from the band and Shinya Kimura joined the band in 1992. Collaborating with Miho Nakayama, in October 1992, they released "Sekaijū no Dare yori Kitto" (lit. "Certainly more than everybody in the world"), which became one of standard "J-pop
J-pop
, an abbreviation for Japanese pop, is a musical genre that entered the musical mainstream of Japan in the 1990s. Modern J-pop has its roots in 1960s music, such as The Beatles, and replaced kayōkyoku in the Japanese music scene...
" songs. In 1992, they took part in Japanese famous year-end show called Kōhaku Uta Gassen
Kohaku Uta Gassen
, more commonly known as simply Kōhaku, is an annual music show on New Year's Eve produced by Japanese public broadcaster NHK and broadcast on both television and radio, nationally and internationally by NHK's networks and some overseas broadcasters which bought the program...
by the song. Along with their songs, Wesugi wrote Deen's debut song "Konomama Kimidake wo Ubaisaritai" (lit. "Now, I want to make off with only you"), which was released in March 1993 and sold over a million copies. In April 1993, their album Toki no Tobira (lit. "Temporal Door") and single "Ai wo Kataru yori Kuchizuke wo Kawaso" (lit. "Let's kiss more than talking love") debuted at the number-one positions at the same time on the Oricon charts, making them the second artist to achieve this following Seiko Matsuda
Seiko Matsuda
is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter. Due to her popularity in the 1980s and her long career, she has been dubbed the "Eternal idol" by the Japanese media.- Biography :...
. "Ai wo Kataru yori Kuchizuke wo Kawaso" spent in number-one spot for four consecutive weeks. Toki no Tobira was charted for 33 weeks on the Oricon album charts. They sold over 4.11 million singles and 3.18 million albums in a year, winning the "artist of the year" award at the 8th Japan Gold Disc Award
Japan Gold Disc Award
The Japan Gold Disc Awards for Music sales in the Recording Industry Association of Japan, is major music awards held annually in Japan also released as a CD.- List of the Artists of the Year :************...
.
Their 1994 single "Sekai ga Owaru made wa..." (lit. "Until the End of the World...") reached number-one on Oricon charts and was certified as a million-selling single by Recording Industry Association of Japan
Recording Industry Association of Japan
The Recording Industry Association of Japan is an industry trade group composed of Japanese corporations involved the music industry...
(RIAJ). It was the ending theme of anime series Slam Dunk
Slam Dunk (manga)
is a sports-themed manga series written by Takehiko Inoue about a basketball team from Shōhoku High School. It was first serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in Japan from 1990 to 1996 and had also been adapted into an anime series by Toei Animation which had been broadcast worldwide,...
. However, Wesugi loved grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
and wanted to turn into alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
. "Sekai ga Owaru made wa..." became his last song written by his former style because he felt that many musicians around him were doing the same thing. The tune of their next single "Secret Night (It's My Treat)" was more shifted into melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore is a subgenre of hardcore punk with a strong emphasis on vocal melody. The genre is commonly defined with fast hardcore drum beats, complex guitar riffs and melodic singing with occasional screaming and shouting.-History:...
, making controversies. However, their 1995 studio album Piece of My Soul also debuted at the number-one position on the Oricon album charts, with the first week sales of over 542,000 copies.
Wesugi's image continued to be changed with song "Same Side". His new style was said to be "painterly" and their new album was nearing completion. According to Wesugi, their new album was influenced by punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
and blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
. After they released single "Worst Crime (About a rock star who was a swindler)" in February 1996, however, Wesugi and Shibasaki withdrew from the band, which was said to have been its actual disbandment. Their withdrawals were officially announced in 1997.
Wesugi continued his music career and took part in the sixth anniversary of 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...
's death as the last singer in 2004. Shibasaki formed rock band Abingdon Boys School
Abingdon boys school
Abingdon Boys School, stylized as abingdon boys school and abbreviated as a.b.s, is a Japanese rock band fronted by Takanori Nishikawa....
with Takanori Nishikawa
Takanori Nishikawa
is a renowned Japanese singer and actor. He performs as T.M.Revolution , which stands for although the name stems from the famous 80s pop electronic band TM Network...
in 2005. Oshima also associated with Nishikawa on the 2006 album Under Cover.
1997–2000: Alteration and disbandment
Shinya Kimura re-formed the group with vocalist Jiro Waku and guitarist Issei Sugimoto. Jiro Waku, whose real name is Jiro Matsumoto, was the first leader of twelve skateboarding boys (predecessor of SMAPSMAP
SMAP is a Japanese boy band formed by Johnny & Associates. While originally consisting of six members, the current group members are Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Shingo Katori...
) in Johnny & Associates
Johnny & Associates
is a talent agency formed by Johnny Kitagawa in 1962. Johnny & Associates trains and promotes groups of male idols, collectively known as , in Japan.-1962–1989:...
. Their debut song "Sabitsuita Machine Gun de Ima o Uchinukō
Sabitsuita Machine Gun de Ima o Uchinuko
is the fourth and final closing theme song of the anime series Dragon Ball GT and is the 12th single by Jpop band Wands. It was released on 8 cm cd on September 3, 1997 in Japan only. It is coupled with the first song "Try Again". The song is used for episodes 51-64 of the series...
", written by Miho Komatsu
Miho Komatsu
, is a Japanese pop singer. She was in the band Keyboard when a demo tape had been sent to Giza Studio. They signed her, and with her debut single, "謎" , she became an immediate success. Four of her songs were included in The Best of Detective Conan, a soundtrack album for the anime Detective...
, was adopted for theme of anime series Dragon Ball GT. Their next single "Brand New Love" was written by Izumi Sakai
Izumi Sakai
, born 6 February 1967 in Kurume, Japan – 27 May 2007 was a Japanese Pop singer, song writer, and member of the group Zard.- Biography :Born in Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan, Sakai grew up in Hadano, Kanagawa. Her father was a driving instructor, and she had a younger brother and younger sister...
. Sakai also wrote their song "Ashita moshi Kimi ga kowaretemo" (lit. "Even if you shatter tomorrow"), which was adopted for theme of anime series Yu-Gi-Oh!. Their next single "Kyo, Nanika no Hazumi de Ikiteiru" (lit. "Today, I live by some chance") was written by Nana Azuki, a future member of Garnet Crow
GARNET CROW
Garnet Crow is a Japanese pop/rock band formed in 1999 and associated with the Giza Studio record label. Members include Yuri Nakamura, Hitoshi Okamoto, Nana Azuki, and Hirohito Furui, with Nakamura leading on vocals...
. However, their first studio album Awake, released on October 27, 1999, was charted for only three weeks, peaking at number 18 on the Oricon charts. The band finally disbanded in 2000.
Singles
| Release date | Title | Album information | Oricon charts | |
| 4 December 1991 | Sabishisa wa Aki no Iro |
Lyrics: Show Wesugi Music: Seiichirou Kuribayashi Arrangement: Masao Akashi |
Weekly ranking: Number 63 | |
| 13 May 1991 | Furimuite Dakishimete |
Lyrics: Show Wesugi Music: Kousuke Ohshima Arrangement: Kousuke Ohshima |
Weekly ranking: Number 80 | |
| 1 July 1992 | Motto Tsuyoku Dakishimetanara |
Lyrics: Show Wesugi, Tsutomu Uozumi Music: Yoshio Tatano Arrangement: Takeshi Hayama |
Weekly ranking: Number 1 (2-week period) 1992 ranking: Number 59 1993 ranking: Number 11 |
|
| 26 February 1993 | Toki no Tobira |
Lyrics: Show Wesugi Music: Kousuke Ohshima Arrangement: Masao Akashi |
Weekly ranking: Number 1 1993 ranking: Number 7 |
|
| 17 April 1993 | Ai wo Kataru Yori Guchidzuke wo Kawasou |
Lyrics: Show Wesugi Music: Tetsurou Oda Arrangement: Masao Akashi |
Weekly ranking: Number 1 (4-week period) May 1993 ranking: Number 1 1993 ranking: Number 14 |
|
| 7 July 1993 | Koiseyo Otome |
Lyrics: Show Wesugi Music: Kousuke Ohshima Arrangement: Takeshi Hayama |
Weekly ranking: Number 1 (2-week period) July 1993 ranking: Number 1 1993 ranking: Number 25 |
|
| 17 November 1993 | Jumpin' Jack Boy |
Lyrics: Show Wesugi Music: Seiichirou Kuribayashi Arrangement: Takeshi Hayama |
Weekly ranking: Number 2 1993 ranking: Number 106 1994 ranking: Number 44 |
|
| 8 June 1994 | Sekai ga Owaru Made wa... |
Lyrics: Show Wesugi Music: Tetsurou Oda Arrangement: Takeshi Hayama |
Weekly ranking: Number 1 (2-week period) 1994 ranking: Number 10 |
|
| 13 February 1995 | Secret Night: It's My Treat |
Lyrics: Show Wesugi Music: Seiichirou Kuribayashi Arrangement: Daisuke Ikeda |
Weekly ranking: Number 1 1995 ranking: Number 53 |
|
| 4 December 1995 | Same Side |
Lyrics: Show Wesugi Music: Show Wesugi, Hiroshi Shibasaki Arrangement: Wands |
Weekly ranking: Number 2 1996 ranking: Number 128 |
|
| 1 February 1996 | Worst Crime: About a Rock Star who was a Swindler |
Lyrics: Show Wesugi Music: Hiroshi Shibasaki Arrangement: Hiroshi Shibasaki |
Weekly ranking: Number 9 1996 ranking: Number 183 |
|
| 3 September 1997 | Sabitsuita Machine Gun de Ima wo Uchinikou |
Lyrics: Miho Komatsu Music: Miho Komatsu Arrangement: Daisuke Ikeda |
Weekly ranking: Number 4 | |
| 11 February 1998 | Brand New Love |
Lyrics: Izumi Sakai Music: Masaaki Watanuki Arrangement: Wands |
Weekly ranking: Number 17 | |
| 10 June 1998 | Ashita Moshi Kimi ga Kowaretemo |
Lyrics: Izumi Sakai Music: Aika Ohno Arrangement: WANDS |
Weekly ranking: Number 8 1998 ranking: Number 189 |
|
| 31 March 1999 | Kyo, Nanika no Hadzumi de Ikiteiru |
Lyrics: Azuki Nana Music: Makoto Miyoshi Arrangement: Wands |
Weekly ranking: Number 32 |
Collaborations
| Release date | Title | Album information | Oricon charts |
| 28 October 1992 | Sekaijuu no Dare Yori Kitto with Miho Nakayama |
Lyrics: Show Wesugi, Miho Nakayama Music: Tetsurou Oda Arrangement: Takeshi Hayama |
Weekly ranking: Number 1 1992 ranking: Number 31 January 1992 rRanking: Number 1 1993 ranking: Number 10 |
| 9 June 1993 | Hateshinai Yume wo with ZYYG, REV, Zard featuring Shigeo Nagashima |
Lyrics and music: Show Wesugi Izumi Sakai Masayuki Deguchi Seiichirou Kuribayashi |
Weekly ranking: Number 2 |
Original albums
| Release date | Title | Oricon charts | |
| 17 June 1992 | Wands | Weekly ranking: Number 10 | |
| 17 April 1993 | Toki no Tobira | Weekly ranking: Number 1 (4-week period) 1993 ranking: Number 2 |
|
| 6 October 1993 | Little Bit... | Weekly ranking: Number 2 1993 ranking: Number 10 |
|
| 24 April 1995 | Piece of My Soul | Weekly ranking: Number 1 (2-week period) May 1995 ranking: Number 1 1995 ranking: Number 16 |
|
| 27 October 1999 | Awake | Weekly ranking: Number 18 |
Best Albums
| Release date | Title | Oricon charts | |
| 16 March 1996 | Singles Collection +6 | Weekly ranking: Number 1 1996 ranking: Number 26 |
|
| 6 November 1997 | Wands Best: Historical Best Album | Weekly ranking: Number 1 1997 ranking: Number 81 |
|
| 9 June 2000 | Best of Wands History | Weekly ranking: Number 17 | |
| 25 August 2002 | Complete of Wands at the Being Studio | Weekly ranking: Number 47 | |
| 12 December 2007 | Best of Best 1000 Wands | Weekly ranking: Number 52 | |
| 27 May 2008 | Wands Best Hits |