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| BHAFAS Plans February 26th- Visual Kei @ Borders @ 5pm March -Shuro/ Kuro Lolita April- Hime Geru |
Update 2/6/2010
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Visual kei lit. "visual style" refers to 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
J-rock (a term referring to Japanese rock in general), with its own
particular sound, related to glam-rock, punk and metal. However
other sources state that Visual Kei's unique clothing, make-up,
fashions, and participation in the related sub-culture is equally as
important as the sound of the music itself in the use of the term.
Visual Kei emerged in the late 1980's (however, evidence of
presence in even the early 70's should be noted,) pioneered by
bands such as X Japan, D'erlanger, Buck-Tick, and Color.
The word called Visual Kei was created with "PSYCHEDELIC
VIOLENCE CRIME OF VISUAL SHOCK" that was a slogan of X
Japan.
Color vocalist "Dynamite Tommy" formed his record company
Free-Will in 1986, which has been a major contributor in
spreading modern Visual Kei outside Japan.
In 1992, X Japan launched an attempt to enter the European and
American markets, but it would take another 8 years until
popularity and awareness of Visual Kei bands would extend
worldwide.
In the mid 1990s, Visual Kei received an increase in popularity
throughout Japan, and album sales from Visual Kei bands
started to reach record numbers. The most notable bands to
achieve success during this period included, X Japan, Glay, and
Luna Sea, however a drastic change in their appearance
accompanied their success.
During the same period, bands such as Kuroyume, Malice Mizer,
and Penicillin, gained mainstream awareness, although they were
not as commercially successful.
By 1999, mainstream popularity in Visual Kei was declining, X
Japan had disbanded, and the death of lead guitarist Hideto
Matsumoto in 1998 had denied fans a possible reunion. It was not
long before Luna Sea decided to disband in the year 2000.
In 2007 the genre has been revitalized, as Luna Sea performed a
one-off performance, and X Japan reunited for a new single and a
world tour. With these developments, Visual Kei bands enjoyed a
boost in public awareness, described by the media as "Neo-
Visual Kei".
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
J-rock (a term referring to Japanese rock in general), with its own
particular sound, related to glam-rock, punk and metal. However
other sources state that Visual Kei's unique clothing, make-up,
fashions, and participation in the related sub-culture is equally as
important as the sound of the music itself in the use of the term.
Visual Kei emerged in the late 1980's (however, evidence of
presence in even the early 70's should be noted,) pioneered by
bands such as X Japan, D'erlanger, Buck-Tick, and Color.
The word called Visual Kei was created with "PSYCHEDELIC
VIOLENCE CRIME OF VISUAL SHOCK" that was a slogan of X
Japan.
Color vocalist "Dynamite Tommy" formed his record company
Free-Will in 1986, which has been a major contributor in
spreading modern Visual Kei outside Japan.
In 1992, X Japan launched an attempt to enter the European and
American markets, but it would take another 8 years until
popularity and awareness of Visual Kei bands would extend
worldwide.
In the mid 1990s, Visual Kei received an increase in popularity
throughout Japan, and album sales from Visual Kei bands
started to reach record numbers. The most notable bands to
achieve success during this period included, X Japan, Glay, and
Luna Sea, however a drastic change in their appearance
accompanied their success.
During the same period, bands such as Kuroyume, Malice Mizer,
and Penicillin, gained mainstream awareness, although they were
not as commercially successful.
By 1999, mainstream popularity in Visual Kei was declining, X
Japan had disbanded, and the death of lead guitarist Hideto
Matsumoto in 1998 had denied fans a possible reunion. It was not
long before Luna Sea decided to disband in the year 2000.
In 2007 the genre has been revitalized, as Luna Sea performed a
one-off performance, and X Japan reunited for a new single and a
world tour. With these developments, Visual Kei bands enjoyed a
boost in public awareness, described by the media as "Neo-
Visual Kei".
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