Anzen Chitai
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese rock band
, formed in 1973 by five musicians in Asahikawa, Hokkaidō
, Japan
. It debuted in 1982 in Tokyo, Japan. They became one of Japan's most successful rock bands in the 1980s.
, its original members included vocalist Koji Tamaki, guitarist Yutaka Takezawa and guitarist/keyboardist Toshiya Takezawa, who is also Yutaka's brother. Later, in late 1973, Koji's brother and drummer, Kazuyoshi Tamaki and bassist Takahiro Miyashita joined. In 1977, the band changed its name to Anzen Chitai ("Safety Zone"), and Kazuyoshi Tamaki left the group to be replaced by Ichiji Ohira. By December 1977, Anzen Chitai merged with another band, the , and added three more members: bassist Haruyoshi Rokudo, guitarist Wataru Yahagi, and drummer Yuji Tanaka. By this point, they had expanded to an eight-member group. Within the next three years, Toshiya Takezawa and Takahiro Miyashita would leave. Yuji Tanaka would also leave at this point.
, and released their debut single, under the Kitty Records in February 1982. However, the final personnel change would occur as Ichiji Ohira would leave, and Yuji Tanaka would return in his place, establishing the current lineup.
Under the guidance of their producer and co-arranger , lead guitarist and vocalist of the psychedelic rock group The Mops
, the band continued to refine their craft in the studio. Their status as a backup band would soon change: in 1984, reached No. 1 on the Oricon
charts, to be followed by among others, "Kanashimi ni Sayonara" (悲しみにさよなら) and "Suki Sa" (好きさ) (featured on the popular Rumiko Takahashi
anime series Maison Ikkoku
). "Wine Red no Kokoro" was composed by Koji Tamaki with lyrics by Yōsui Inoue. Koji Tamaki was credited as the sole composer in virtually all of Anzen Chitai's music, with Gorō Matsui
being the lyricist frequently. Their popularity in the 1980s culminated in a five-day soldout concert tour at the Nippon Budokan
in 1987, which had a total attendance of 60,000.
As of 2006, Koji Tamaki remains active as a solo performer and television actor, with Wataru Yahagi performing in both his solo albums and concerts. Yutaka Takezawa is also active in the music business as a composer, producer, arranger and session guitarist.
On April 28, 2008, fan club members were notified that Tamaki has announced his retirement from music, as well as the closing of the official Koji Tamaki & Anzenchitai fan club, Star. Illness that requires long-term treatment was cited for his decision.
During the second half of 2009, the band held secret meetings and decided to regroup. Similar to their amateur days, band members lodged together to practise and compose music.
. Switching back to Universal Music Japan (which has absorbed their former label Kitty Records and is the distributor of their pre-Sony Music Japan catalog) as their record label, a music video for their new single "Aoi Bara" was released.
Their double A-side single "Aoi Bara/Wine Red no Kokoro (2010 version)" was released on March 3, 2010. Tamaki wrote the lyrics and music of "Aoi Bara." The single debuted at #9 on Oricon weekly charts, becoming their first Top 10 single in 21 years 6 months since their single "Hohoemi ni Kanpai" in 1988.
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...
ese rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
, formed in 1973 by five musicians in Asahikawa, Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, 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...
. It debuted in 1982 in Tokyo, Japan. They became one of Japan's most successful rock bands in the 1980s.
Members
- Vocals, Guitars & Percussion (1973–present) - Guitars (1973–present) - Guitars (1977–present) Bass, Piano & Keyboards (1977–present) - Drums (1977–1978, 1982–present)Past members
- Guitars, Keyboards (1973–1981) - Bass (1973–1978) - Drums (1973–1977) - Drums (1977–1982)1970s: Beginnings
Formed in 1973 as the high-school garage band Invader in Asahikawa, HokkaidōHokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, its original members included vocalist Koji Tamaki, guitarist Yutaka Takezawa and guitarist/keyboardist Toshiya Takezawa, who is also Yutaka's brother. Later, in late 1973, Koji's brother and drummer, Kazuyoshi Tamaki and bassist Takahiro Miyashita joined. In 1977, the band changed its name to Anzen Chitai ("Safety Zone"), and Kazuyoshi Tamaki left the group to be replaced by Ichiji Ohira. By December 1977, Anzen Chitai merged with another band, the , and added three more members: bassist Haruyoshi Rokudo, guitarist Wataru Yahagi, and drummer Yuji Tanaka. By this point, they had expanded to an eight-member group. Within the next three years, Toshiya Takezawa and Takahiro Miyashita would leave. Yuji Tanaka would also leave at this point.
1980s: Commercial success
In 1981, they began work as a backup band for singer-songwriter Yōsui InoueYosui Inoue
is a Japanese singer, lyricist, composer, guitarist and record producer, who is an important figure in Japanese music. He is renowned for his unique tone, eccentric lyrics, and dark sunglasses which he always wears....
, and released their debut single, under the Kitty Records in February 1982. However, the final personnel change would occur as Ichiji Ohira would leave, and Yuji Tanaka would return in his place, establishing the current lineup.
Under the guidance of their producer and co-arranger , lead guitarist and vocalist of the psychedelic rock group The Mops
The Mops
The Mops were a Japanese psychedelic rock/garage rock group active in the late 1960s and early 1970s.-History:The Mops were formed in 1966 by a group of high schoolers: Mikiharu Suzuki , Taro Miyuki , Masaru Hoshi , and Kaoru Murakami...
, the band continued to refine their craft in the studio. Their status as a backup band would soon change: in 1984, reached No. 1 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...
charts, to be followed by among others, "Kanashimi ni Sayonara" (悲しみにさよなら) and "Suki Sa" (好きさ) (featured on the popular Rumiko Takahashi
Rumiko Takahashi
is a Japanese manga artist.Takahashi is one of the wealthiest individuals, and the most affluent manga artists in Japan. The manga she creates are popular worldwide, where they have been translated into a variety of languages...
anime series Maison Ikkoku
Maison Ikkoku
is a Japanese seinen manga written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi and serialized in the manga magazine Big Comic Spirits from 1980 through 1987. Maison Ikkoku is a bitter-sweet comedic romance involving a group of madcap people who live in a boarding house in 1980s Tokyo...
). "Wine Red no Kokoro" was composed by Koji Tamaki with lyrics by Yōsui Inoue. Koji Tamaki was credited as the sole composer in virtually all of Anzen Chitai's music, with Gorō Matsui
Goro Matsui
is a Japanese lyricist born 11 December 1957 in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, though he considers Tokyo to be his hometown. Beginning with participation in the Yamaha Popular Song Contests, he made his debut writing the lyrics for the 1981 Chage and Aska album ....
being the lyricist frequently. Their popularity in the 1980s culminated in a five-day soldout concert tour at the Nippon Budokan
Nippon Budokan
The , often shortened to simply Budokan, is an indoor arena in central Tokyo, Japan.This is the location where many "Live at the Budokan" albums were recorded...
in 1987, which had a total attendance of 60,000.
1990s and 2000s: Frequent hiatuses
Despite a couple of hiatuses for the sake of solo careers (July 1988-March 1990, 1993–2001), Anzen Chitai continued to record and tour. A new studio album was released in October 2003, titled Anzen Chitai X (their tenth studio album). After their Japanese concert tour in support of the "Anzen Chitai X" album, the band announced at the end of 2003 that they are taking yet another indefinite hiatus.As of 2006, Koji Tamaki remains active as a solo performer and television actor, with Wataru Yahagi performing in both his solo albums and concerts. Yutaka Takezawa is also active in the music business as a composer, producer, arranger and session guitarist.
On April 28, 2008, fan club members were notified that Tamaki has announced his retirement from music, as well as the closing of the official Koji Tamaki & Anzenchitai fan club, Star. Illness that requires long-term treatment was cited for his decision.
During the second half of 2009, the band held secret meetings and decided to regroup. Similar to their amateur days, band members lodged together to practise and compose music.
2010–present: Returning from hiatus
On January 8, 2010, the band announced the resumption of their career along with making apprearance on the television program Tokudane!Tokudane!
Tokudane! is a weekday morning news program airing on Fuji Television, a television station in Japan. It was first broadcast on 1 April 1999, and currently airs from 08:00 to 09:55 Mondays to Fridays.-Main presenters:* Tomoaki Ogura...
. Switching back to Universal Music Japan (which has absorbed their former label Kitty Records and is the distributor of their pre-Sony Music Japan catalog) as their record label, a music video for their new single "Aoi Bara" was released.
Their double A-side single "Aoi Bara/Wine Red no Kokoro (2010 version)" was released on March 3, 2010. Tamaki wrote the lyrics and music of "Aoi Bara." The single debuted at #9 on Oricon weekly charts, becoming their first Top 10 single in 21 years 6 months since their single "Hohoemi ni Kanpai" in 1988.
Discography
Albums| Title | Japanese | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Anzen Chitai I Remember to Remember | 安全地帯 I Remember to Remember | 25/01/1983 |
| Anzen Chitai II | 安全地帯 II | 01/05/1984 |
| Anzen Chitai III ~Dakishimetai | 安全地帯 III 〜抱きしめたい | 01/12/1984 |
| Anzen Chitai IV | 安全地帯 IV | 24/11/1985 |
| Anzen Chitai V | 安全地帯 V | 14/12/1986 |
| Anzen Chitai VI ~Tsuki no Nureta Futari | 安全地帯 VI 〜月に濡れたふたり | 10/04/1988 |
| Anzen Chitai VII ~Yume no Miyako | 安全地帯 VII 〜夢の都 | 25/07/1990 |
| Anzen Chitai VIII ~Taiyou | 安全地帯 VIII 〜太陽 | 11/12/1991 |
| Anzen Chitai IX | 安全地帯 IX | 07/08/2002 |
| Anzen Chitai X ~Ame Nochi Hare~ | 安全地帯 X 〜雨のち晴れ〜 | 22/10/2003 |
| Anzen Chitai XI ☆STARTS☆ "Mata ne...." | 安全地帯 XI ☆STARTS☆「またね…。」 | 26/05/2010 |
| Anzen Chitai XII | 安全地帯 XII | 14/09/2011 |
External links
- Anzen Chitai's Official Website (in JapaneseJapanese languageis a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
)