Rain (Japanese band)

Last updated
Ra:IN
RaIN 20090703 Japan Expo 05.jpg
Ra:IN at Japan Expo in Paris, 2009.
Background information
Origin Japan
Genres
Years active2002–present
Labels Danger Crue
Members Pata
Michiaki
DIE
Ryu
Past membersTetsu
Website Official site

Ra:IN (an acronym for "Rock and Inspiration") [1] is a Japanese instrumental rock band. Formed in 2002 by guitarist Pata, bassist Michiaki and drummer Tetsu, the group is signed to the Danger Crue label. Former hide with Spread Beaver keyboardist DIE joined the band in May 2007, and Tetsu left in April 2014, being replaced on the drums by Ryu. They have released three albums, a single and a two track EP, and have toured extensively, including international shows in China, Taiwan, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Russia.

Contents

History

Ra:IN was formed as a power trio in summer 2002 with Pata on guitar, Michiaki on bass and Tetsu on drums. [2] They were named by Masayoshi Kabe, Michiaki's bandmate in Zoku Zoku Kazoku. [1] [2] They went on their first tour in December, with their debut maxi-single "The Border" released in April of next year. [3] It was followed by their first album The Line in November. They had their first overseas performances in 2004; Shanghai on April 24–25 and one in Taipei in July. RaIN performed three shows in Paris in May 2005, and at the closing of the hide museum on September 9 back in Japan. [3] [4] At the museum show, they were joined by former hide with Spread Beaver keyboardist DIE as a guest. [1]

They released their second album Before the Siren, their first on popular independent record label Danger Crue, in March 2006 and embarked on tour in support of it, which included two more shows in Taipei. In 2007 they released the DVD Hard Rain and Rocks Live and performed two shows in Beijing, one of which was at the Beijing Pop Festival. That year, DIE officially joined the band as keyboardist. [3] Their third album Metal Box was released in Japan in April 2008 and in France the following month. They also performed at the hide memorial summit at Ajinomoto Stadium on May 3. [5]

In June 2009 Ra:IN began a lengthy European tour which took them to Rome, Ljubljana, Budapest, Warsaw, Gdynia, Berlin, Cologne, Moscow, Paris, Madrid, and ended in Hradec Králové at the Rock for People festival. The band released a special single sold only on the tour, titled "Circle/Psychogenic". [6] They held the two man Rock’n Roll Vaudeville 2011 show together with Der Zibet on June 24, 2011. [7] In September 2012, Ra:IN performed alongside Der Zibet, Ladies Room and Tokyo Yankees at the Yokohama Summer Rock Fes. – Revolution Rocks 2012. [8]

It was announced on April 17, 2014 that Tetsu had left the group. Ra:IN performed in the United States at A-Kon on June 6–8, [9] and Ryu officially joined the band as drummer on June 28. In January 2020, Ra:IN had to cancel two shows after Pata caught influenza. [10]

Members

The members of Ra:IN are credited exclusively by their given or stage names.

Former members

Discography

DVDs

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">X Japan</span> Japanese rock band

X Japan is a Japanese heavy metal band from Chiba, formed in 1982 by drummer and pianist Yoshiki and lead vocalist Toshi. Starting as a predominantly power/speed metal band with heavy symphonic elements, they later gravitated towards a progressive sound with an emphasis on ballads. Besides being one of the first Japanese acts to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label, the group is widely credited as one of the pioneers of visual kei, a movement among Japanese musicians comparable to Western glam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malice Mizer</span> Japanese rock band

Malice Mizer was a Japanese visual kei rock band active from August 1992 to December 2001. Formed by guitarists Mana and Közi, their earlier music and themes were characterized by their strong French and classical influences, later moving away from deliberate French romanticism and incorporating Gothic aspects after several difficulties befell the band. Their official fan club is named "Ma chérie".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanoi Rocks</span> Finnish rock band

Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979. They were the first Finnish band to chart in the UK and they were also popular in Japan. The band broke up in June 1985 after drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley died in a drunk driving accident with Vince Neil behind the wheel during their first US tour in December 1984. After their initial break-up, Michael Monroe was the first Finnish artist to chart on the American Billboard 200 in 1989. Original vocalist Michael Monroe and guitarist Andy McCoy reunited in 2001 with a new lineup that lasted until 2009. Although musically closer to traditional rock n' roll and punk, the band have been cited as a major influence in the glam metal genre for bands such as Guns N' Roses, Skid Row and Poison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hide (musician)</span> Japanese musician (1964–1998)

Hideto Matsumoto, known professionally as hide, was a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the rock band X Japan from 1987 to 1997 and a solo artist from 1993 onward. He also formed the United States-based rock supergroup Zilch in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Közi</span> Japanese musician

Közi is a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter and DJ. He is best known as one of the guitarists for the 1990s visual kei rock band Malice Mizer. After they went on indefinite hiatus in 2001, he formed the industrial rock duo Eve of Destiny and also started a solo career. Közi is currently in the bands Dalle, XA-VAT, ZIZ and Vamquet, while occasionally performing solo shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pata (musician)</span> Japanese musician (born 1965)

Tomoaki Ishizuka, known exclusively by his stage name Pata, is a Japanese musician. He is best known as rhythm guitarist of the visual kei rock band X Japan. He joined the band in 1987, stayed with them until their dissolution in 1997, and rejoined when the band reunited in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galneryus</span> Japanese power metal band

Galneryus is a Japanese power metal band, formed in Osaka in 2001 by guitarist Syu and vocalist Yama-B. Originally the only official members, the two utilized several support musicians until bassist Tsui, keyboardist Yuhki, and drummer Jun-ichi officially joined for the release of their debut album in 2003. Yama-B left the group in 2008 citing musical differences, and Yu-To, who replaced Tsui in 2006, left the following year. Galneryus recruited Sho on vocals and Taka on bass, and released the album Resurrection in 2010. Jun-ichi left in 2016, and the following year the band released their highest-charting studio album, Ultimate Sacrifice, which reached number 13. In 2017, Loudwire named Galneryus one of the 10 Best Japanese Metal Bands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heath (musician)</span> Japanese musician (born 1968)

Hiroshi Morie, known exclusively by his stage name Heath, is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as bass guitarist of the rock band X Japan. He joined the group in August 1992, replacing Taiji Sawada who left earlier in the year. Heath stayed with X Japan until their dissolution in 1997 and reunited with the band in 2007.

<i>Blue Blood</i> (X Japan album) 1989 studio album by X Japan

Blue Blood is the second studio album by Japanese rock band X Japan, then known as simply X. It was released on April 21, 1989, by CBS/Sony as the band's major label debut. Blue Blood sold more than 700,000 copies, reached number 6 on the Oricon chart and stayed on the chart for more than 100 weeks. The album's singles would also reach the top five on the chart. In 2007, Rolling Stone Japan ranked Blue Blood number 15 on their list of the "100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time".

<i>Vanishing Vision</i> 1988 studio album by X Japan

Vanishing Vision is the debut studio album by Japanese heavy metal band X Japan, then known as simply X. It was released on April 14, 1988 by Extasy Records, topped the Oricon indies chart and reached number 19 on the main chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pink Spider</span> 1998 single by hide with Spread Beaver

"Pink Spider" is the ninth single by Japanese musician hide, the second to bear the hide with Spread Beaver name, released on May 13, 1998, eleven days after his death. It debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Singles Chart and was the 11th best-selling single of the year, being certified Million by the RIAJ. It was also named "Song of the Year" at the 13th Japan Gold Disc Awards.

<i>Hide Your Face</i> 1994 studio album by hide

Hide Your Face is the debut album by Japanese musician hide, released on February 23, 1994. It reached number 1 on the Oricon Albums Chart and was certified Double Platinum by the RIAJ for sales over 500,000 copies. It was named one of the top albums from 1989-1998 in a 2004 issue of the music magazine Band Yarouze.

"I.V." is a song by Japanese rock band X Japan, released on January 23, 2008, as a digital download. It was the group's first new material since "The Last Song," released almost a decade earlier in 1998. "I.V." is the main theme for the American film Saw IV, which was released on October 26, 2007.

Zi:Kill was a Japanese visual kei rock band active from 1987 to 1994. The core members were vocalist Tusk, bassist Seiichi and guitarist Ken. Zi:Kill achieved moderate success, with their three major label studio albums reaching the top ten on the Oricon chart. They were featured in a chapter of Karl Taro Greenfeld's novel Speed Tribes that documents the writer's time spent with the band and the events that nearly caused their break up.

"Tell Me" is the fourth single by Japanese musician hide, released on March 24, 1994. It reached number 4 on the Oricon Singles Chart. The B-side "Scanner " is a different version of "Scanner" from Hide Your Face, as it features vocals by Ryuichi from Luna Sea. The single was certified Gold by the RIAJ in April 1994, and Double Platinum in February 2020 for sales over 500,000.

Tokyo Yankees is a Japanese heavy metal band that formed in Tokyo in 1988. Vocalist Soichiro "Ume" Umemura died in 2007 after nearly twenty years fronting the band. Tokyo Yankees however continue to perform with the other members sharing vocals. Japanese pop culture website Real Sound noted that they are sometimes referred to as the "Japanese Motörhead," whose sound bridged heavy metal and punk rock.

D'erlanger is a Japanese rock band from Kyoto Prefecture, formed in 1983 by guitarist Cipher and bassist Seela. While they originally played speed and power metal, after recruiting drummer Tetsu and vocalist Kyo they switched to an alternative rock sound for their debut album La Vie En Rose in 1989. Although it was on an indie label, it sold out and was reissued three times that year, earning them a major label record deal with BMG Japan the following year. They released Basilisk in March 1990 and it reached the top five on the charts. However, in December the group suddenly announced their disbandment.

Tetsu Takano is a Japanese rock musician and singer-songwriter. He first became known as vocalist of the visual kei rock band Malice Mizer from 1992 to 1994. After leaving them, Tetsu formed and performed with Mega8Ball from 1995 to 1997. From 1999 to 2002 he was part of the supergroup Zigzo, who became quite popular despite being an independent band and reunited in 2012. In addition to Zigzo, Tetsu is currently active in the bands Nil, The JuneJulyAugust, The Black Comet Club Band, and Disco Volante, all of which are on his record label Afro Skull Records.

Heidi. is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in Tokyo in February 2006. They gained popularity after performing at the memorial concert on the 10th anniversary of the death of the musician hide on May 4, 2008, to tens of thousands of people. Their third album was released in Europe by Gan-Shin records in 2009 and the following year Heidi. signed to major label Geneon Universal Entertainment.

Der Zibet is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in 1984, which made its debut in 1985. They went on an indefinite hiatus in 1996, but resumed activities in 2007.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Exclusive interview with Ra:IN". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
  2. 1 2 "元X-JAPANのPATA率いるバンドが１年半ぶりにワンマン開催！". Barks (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  3. 1 2 3 "Ra:IN profile". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
  4. ↑ "Last Ra:IN for the hide MUSEUM". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
  5. ↑ "hide Memorial Summit Day 1 - Part A". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
  6. ↑ "Interview with Ra:IN". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
  7. ↑ "Ra:IN's Rock'n'Roll Vaudeville Set Shibuya Aflame!". rokkyuu.com. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
  8. ↑ "YOKOHAMA SUMMER ROCK FES "Revolution Rocks 2012″: Ra:IN 2012 Tour Final". rokkyuu.com. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
  9. ↑ "Ra:IN at A-Kon". jame-world.com. Retrieved 2014-06-28.
  10. ↑ "PATAがインフルエンザ発症、Ra:INの大阪＆東京公演が中止に". Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-10-23.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.