Janne Da Arc

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Janne Da Arc: Ka-yu, Shuji, Yasu, Kiyo, You.
Janne Da Arc: Ka-yu, Shuji, Yasu, Kiyo, You.

Janne Da Arc is a popular J-Rock group on the avex trax label. They were originally an indies band under the cutting edge label. The group is named after a manga character of the same name from Devilman and not after Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc) as their name appears. They are now on hiatus, and each person is working on their own solo projects, with Yasu in a new band called Acid Black Cherry.

Contents

Career

On record, Janne da Arc began their activities as a band in 1991. However, the truth is that Yasu, Kiyo and Ka-yu had started the band 2 years prior. It was nameless and only became Janne da Arc when You joined in 1991. The name was chosen one day after reading Go Nagai’s Violence Jack manga. Janne is one of it’s main characters and is inspired by the famous historical French heroine.

Between the years of 1992 and 1997, the band released 4 demo tapes and performed in numerous live-houses in hopes of making it in the Japanese music scene. However, things failed to pick up and the only people who really knew about the band were the live-house regulars.

Things began looking up in 1998, however, as the boys performed their first one-man at Hiragata Blow Down. They managed to snag an indie contract with it, leading to their first mini-albums, DEARLY and RESIST. Both spawned a small tour that managed to get their name out on the scene, which in turn lead to a third mini album entitled CHAOS MODE.

Mild indie success was not enough to calm the boys’ souls, however. They needed something more. They wanted a major contract so that their music would reach every home in the Land of the Rising Sun. Seeing an opportunity in visual kei, the band changed their look to match more popular bands at the time.

Although their music remained the same, their first single as a “visual” band sky-rocketed into the top 50 of the Oricon charts, where it remained for three consecutive weeks. It was official; Janne da Arc was finally getting the recognition it deserved. They even snagged their coveted major contract in 1999 from Cutting Edge Records, a sub-division of Avex Records.

Their first major record, D.N.A., blew Japan away and cemented itself in J-rock history as one of the best records of the new millennium. Having found the fan base they sought, the band slowly abandoned the “visual” look and returned to their rock roots, sporting buttoned shirts, leather pants and a lot less makeup.

Things just progressed exponentially for the outfit afterwards, leading to countless albums/singles/DVDs and hundreds of sold-out concerts. Regardless of one’s personal musical preferences, it’s hard to ignore the powerhouse that is Janne da Arc. Spanning more than 15 years of musical excellence, they stand as a testament that hard work and perseverance can definitely pay off.

The band is currently signed on the motorod record label, a subsidiary of avex trax. They have released three indies albums, nine major-label albums (including single collections), 26 singles, and 13 DVDs.

On May 9, 2006, they celebrated their tenth anniversary of their formation, the date marking when the final member, shuji, became an official fixture of the band's lineup. The band was not named after historical figure Joan of Arc, despite their song "Kyuuseishu --Messiah--" being about her; rather, yasu named the band after a character in the manga "Devilman" by Go Nagai. A picture series of the character can be seen on the art for the band's limited edition Janne Da Arc 10th ANNIVERSARY INDIES COMPLETE BOX, released March 15, 2006.

Their sound is self-described as "pop-rock", and vocalist yasu takes many musical cues from his musical idol, MORRIE of the 1980's Japanese rock band DEAD END. However, Janne Da Arc has proven themselves to be very versatile as well as proficient at their chosen instruments, and draws influence from the favorite bands and musical styles of all of their members.

As of January 26 2007, the members of Janne Da Arc are pursuing solo projects, concurrent with their work in the band. See official announcement http://www.janne.co.jp/oshirase070126_popup.html in Japanese or an unofficial fan translation http://community.livejournal.com/heavens_place/114235.html into English, and below for an itemization of solo activities by member.

Members

  • Yasu (Vocal), born 1975.01.27, A bloodtype.
  • You (Guitar), born 1974.07.24, O bloodtype.
  • Ka-yu (Bass), born 1975.01.21, A bloodtype.
  • Kiyo (Keyboard), born 1974.06.27, A bloodtype.
  • Shuji (Drums), born 1974.11.21, O bloodtype.

Discography

Janne Da Arc
Janne Da Arc
Janne Da Arc
Janne Da Arc
Janne Da Arc
Janne Da Arc

Albums

Mini-Albums

Compilations

Singles

VHS

DVD

Yasu and Ka-yu in Live 2006 DEAD or ALIVE -SAITAMA SUPER ARENA 05.20-
Yasu and Ka-yu in Live 2006 DEAD or ALIVE -SAITAMA SUPER ARENA 05.20-

External Links


Janne Da Arc    (edit) Janne Da Arc
Members: Yasu | You | Ka-yu | Kiyo | Shuji
Albums: D・N・A | Z-HARD | GAIA | ANOTHER STORY | ARCADIA | JOKER
Mini-Albums (Indies): Dearly | Resist | CHAOS MODE
Compilations: SINGLES | ANOTHER SINGLES | Janne Da Arc 10th Anniversary INDIES COMPLETE BOX | SINGLES 2
Singles: RED ZONE | Lunatic Gate | EDEN ~Kimi ga Inai~ | Heaven's Place / Vanity | will ~Chizu ni Nai Basho~ | Mysterious | Dry? | NEO VENUS | seed | Sylvia | feel the wind | Shining ray | Maria no Tsumeato | Kasumi Yuku Sora Sei ni Shite | Rainy ~Ai no Shirabe~ | Ueta Taiyou | FREEDOM | Kiss Me | DOLLS | ROMANCﾖ | BLACK JACK | Love is Here | Gekkouka | Diamond Virgin | Furimukeba... / Destination | HEAVEN / Möbius
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