Color (band)
Encyclopedia
Color was a Japan
ese punk
band formed in 1985 by Dynamite Tommy, who founded the Free-Will record label a year later. They are considered to be important to the formation of visual kei
.
(then called Crown Records) and released their only major studio album a couple months later, Ask the Angels. However, in January 1990 at a concert on the album's tour, in their hometown of Osaka, a fan was accidentally stomped to death. The band decided to lay low and avoid media, they ended up losing their contract with Crown. During this hiatus, Tommy formed Sister's No Future with Ken-chan (Kamaitachi
), while Marry started Goatcore with You Adachi (Dead End
).
Color returned with a concert in August, and in July 1991 released the single "The Exhibition". They held a coupling tour with Genkaku Allergy
in March 1993. In 1994 they released their last album, Galaxy, which has a electronic dance
sound instead of their usual punk. In 1995 Color held what would be their last concert, after which the band disappeared without any announcement. The music magazine J-Rock published an article in 1997, saying Color was disbanded due to inactivity.
On June 14, 2002, bassist Marry died in a car accident. On the one year anniversary of his passing, the remaining members organized and performed at the first "Marry Memorial" concert. It has been held every year since, with Color reuniting again at the 2008 concert.
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 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...
band formed in 1985 by Dynamite Tommy, who founded the Free-Will record label a year later. They are considered to be important to the formation of visual kei
Visual Kei
is 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 Japanese rock, with its...
.
History
After releasing their second album, Fools! Get Lucky!!, they signed to Nippon CrownNippon Crown
is a Japanese record label originally established as Crown Records on 6 September 1963. It is a spin-off of Nippon Columbia and is currently owned by karaoke maker Daiichikosho.-Artists:Artists signed to Nippon Crown Music include:* Hanaboy* Kimeru* Metis...
(then called Crown Records) and released their only major studio album a couple months later, Ask the Angels. However, in January 1990 at a concert on the album's tour, in their hometown of Osaka, a fan was accidentally stomped to death. The band decided to lay low and avoid media, they ended up losing their contract with Crown. During this hiatus, Tommy formed Sister's No Future with Ken-chan (Kamaitachi
Kamaitachi (band)
was an influential Japanese visual kei punk band formed in October 1985 by drummer Ken-chan and bassist Mogwai. After several member changes, vocalist Sceana and guitarist Kazzy joined completing the final lineup. They signed with Free-Will in 1989 and released their debut album, Itachigokko, in...
), while Marry started Goatcore with You Adachi (Dead End
Dead End (band)
is an influential Japanese metal/rock band formed in Tokyo in 1984. They were one of few Japanese metal bands who had international exposure in the United States during the eighties...
).
Color returned with a concert in August, and in July 1991 released the single "The Exhibition". They held a coupling tour with Genkaku Allergy
Genkaku Allergy
Genkaku Allergy was a Japanese visual kei rock band started by ex-Kamaitachi members Sceana and Kazzy, in 1992. Its sound mixes elements from punk rock, heavy metal, hardcore, and industrial metal. They signed with Victor Entertainment in 1994...
in March 1993. In 1994 they released their last album, Galaxy, which has a electronic dance
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
sound instead of their usual punk. In 1995 Color held what would be their last concert, after which the band disappeared without any announcement. The music magazine J-Rock published an article in 1997, saying Color was disbanded due to inactivity.
On June 14, 2002, bassist Marry died in a car accident. On the one year anniversary of his passing, the remaining members organized and performed at the first "Marry Memorial" concert. It has been held every year since, with Color reuniting again at the 2008 concert.
Members
- Hiroshi "Dynamite Tommy" Tomioka – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(1985–1995, 2003, 2008, originally guitarist) - Tatsuya Niimi – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(1986–1995, 2003, 2008) - Cindy – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(1986–1995, 2003, 2008) - Naotaka "Marry" Nakano – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1988–1995)† - Toshi – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1988–1995, 2003, 2008)
Former members
- Iku – vocals (1985)
- Bell – bass (1985)
- Hide – drums (1985)
- Ikuo – bass (–1986)
- Hideki – drums (–1986)
- Takahashi – drums (–1988)
- Remmy – bass (–1988), support bass on June 14, 2008
- Den – support bass on June 14, 2003 (former roadie, By-SexualBy-SexualBy-Sexual was a Japanese visual kei punk band from Osaka. They were active from 1988 to 1995, when vocalist Sho left the band and they went on hiatus. In August 1996, the remaining members restarted the group under the name By-Sex with Ryo changing to vocals and guitar...
, ZigzoZigzoZigzo is a Japanese rock supergroup that originally started activities in 1999 and disbanded in 2002. Each member came from a prominent band and they became very popular in the indies scene...
)
Singles
- "Molt Grain" (March 23, 1987)
- "Sandbag Baby I" (November 23, 1988)
- "Sandbag Baby II" (November 26, 1988)
- "Broken Tavern" (June 6, 1989) OriconOricon, 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...
Weekly Singles Chart Peak Position: #65 - "Back Tonight 5th Moon" (February 21, 1990) #27
- "Some Become Stranger" (August 21, 1990) #31
- "The Exhibition" (July 21, 1991)
Albums
- Gekitotsu (激突, January 21, 1988)
- Fools! Get Lucky!! (March 8, 1989)
- Ask the Angels (December 5, 1989) Oricon Weekly Albums Chart Peak Position: #16
- Cherry's World (July 31, 1992)
- Galaxy (October 1994)
Other albums
- Extremism: Best of Color (March 16, 1991, compilation album) #43
- Color Live! Shock Treatment and Rebirth (August 21, 1991, live album) #98
- Remind (December 25, 1992, self-cover album)
- The Best (December 16, 1996, compilation album)
- Memoir 5 (回顧録5, September 14, 2005, tribute album)
Videos
- Shock Treatment (October 7, 1989)
- Overwhelming Superiority (May 21, 1990)
- Rebirth (大復活, December 16, 1990)
- Land of Revolution (May 21, 1991)
- The Exhibition (July 17, 1991, freely distributed at Kawasaki Club live)