DJ Sharpnel
Encyclopedia
DJ Sharpnel is the collective alias for Japanese electronic artists Jea and Lemmy. Via their Dōjin
label Sharpnelsound, they release albums consisting of their own speedcore
, gabber
, happy hardcore
and trance
works as well as guest tracks from acquaintances of the group, such as DJ Chucky, m1dy, and M-Project.
scene has helped form a new genre of music known as J-Core. Although DJ Sharpnel never describes Lemmy as a DJ or producer, she has created several songs, such as those listed on SRPC-0004. The style of DJ Sharpnel’s music differs from that of other hardcore artists. Its aggressive overtones are often brightened up with sped-up Japanese popular music
or spoken voice samples from various anime
. These are also often fused with more Western influences, such as lyrics from American hip hop music and cartoons.
Much of the sales of Sharpnel Sound records, as well as management of the hardrave online radio station and promotion of Sharpnelsound events, is done through Guhroovy, a primarily-hardcore record store located in Shibuya
and operated by DJ Chucky. Aside from their prolific discography on the Sharpnelsound label, DJ Sharpnel has also provided tracks for other Japanese labels such as Maddest Chickn’dom, Ravin Beatz Japan, and Gabba Disco.
, speedcore
, and breakcore
style, with just Jea). SHARPNEL.NET is the name for the collaborative "performance project
" of the Sharpnelsound label, with Jea as live DJ and Lemmy as live VJ. Although, according to their MySpace page, DJ Sharpnel is the name on the produced albums, Killingscum is occasionally credited to tracks, separating Jea from Lemmy. In addition to Killingscum, Jea also uses "DJ Jea" as a solo alias when he performs "hard style" music and tracks related to the SPRH series.
Other group aliases have been used when Jea and Lemmy collaborated with other artists prior to the creation of the DJ Sharpnel name, such as Project Gabbangelion (which included Jea, Viscion, and Tangion) and High Speed Music Team Sharpnel (which included Jea, La-Quebrata, Jun-Q, Quebradora, and Lemmy). Still other albums are credited to "DJ Sharpnel & V.A" indicating that various other artists produced tracks on the album.
The name "DJ Sharpnel" is commonly used to refer to any combination of musicians led by Jea (with or without Lemmy), even those prior to 2000 and those on albums not associated with the Sharpnelsound label.
), Western recognition of Japanese hardcore has increased. Many up-and-coming new artists have acknowledged DJ Sharpnel's influence, including DJ Zaiaku, T2Kazuya, Spy47 and Shingo DJ. Some western acts have even contributed works to J-Core compilation albums, including the aforementioned artists and other artists such as DJ CLONEPA to the compilation series J-Core Masterz.
is very large, tallying to over 53 albums in which the duo has contributed to (most likely not together at all times) and at least 10 albums in which they are the primary or sole contributor. Below is the primary discography associated with the Sharpnelsound label, with DJ Sharpnel as the primary artist (albeit with varying aliases used throughout). For most albums in the SRPC series, there are two versions. First, a CDr version released at Comiket
, then later a pressed CD version to be sold at shops. The CDr versions are produced in smaller quantities and are therefore rarer, and usually have a tracklist differing somewhat from the final pressed version.
Dojin music
, also called in Japan, is a sub-category of dōjin activity. Dōjin are basically non-official self-published Japanese works which can be based on official products or completely original creations...
label Sharpnelsound, they release albums consisting of their own speedcore
Speedcore
Speedcore is a form of hardcore techno that is characterized by a high rate of beats per minute and aggressive themes. The name originates from the high BPM rate, which rarely drops below 300 BPM. Earlier Speedcore tracks averaged at about 250 BPM, whereas more recent tracks sometimes exceed 1000 BPM...
, gabber
Gabber
Gabber , is a style of electronic music and a subgenre of hardcore techno. "Gabber" is a slang word of Yiddish origin that means "mate", "buddy" or "friend"....
, happy hardcore
Happy hardcore
Happy hardcore, also known as happycore, is a genre of music typified by a very fast tempo , often coupled with solo vocals and sentimental lyrics. Its characteristically 4/4 beat "happy" sound distinguishes it from most other forms of hardcore techno, which tend to be "darker". It is typically in...
and trance
Trance music
Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that developed in the 1990s.:251 It is generally characterized by a tempo of between 125 and 150 bpm,:252 repeating melodic synthesizer phrases, and a musical form that builds up and breaks down throughout a track...
works as well as guest tracks from acquaintances of the group, such as DJ Chucky, m1dy, and M-Project.
History and style
The beginnings of DJ Sharpnel came in 1996 when Jea joined up with Project Gabbangelion and later released the album "sharpnel vs Project Gabbangelion" in 1998. DJ Sharpnel's most recent album, Bassline Dangerous, was released on August, 2011. DJ Sharpnel's active contribution to the Japanese underground hardcore technoHardcore techno
Hardcore techno is a type of electronic music typified by the rhythmic use of distorted and atonal industrial-like beats and samples...
scene has helped form a new genre of music known as J-Core. Although DJ Sharpnel never describes Lemmy as a DJ or producer, she has created several songs, such as those listed on SRPC-0004. The style of DJ Sharpnel’s music differs from that of other hardcore artists. Its aggressive overtones are often brightened up with sped-up Japanese popular music
J-pop
, an abbreviation for Japanese pop, is a musical genre that entered the musical mainstream of Japan in the 1990s. Modern J-pop has its roots in 1960s music, such as The Beatles, and replaced kayōkyoku in the Japanese music scene...
or spoken voice samples from various anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
. These are also often fused with more Western influences, such as lyrics from American hip hop music and cartoons.
Much of the sales of Sharpnel Sound records, as well as management of the hardrave online radio station and promotion of Sharpnelsound events, is done through Guhroovy, a primarily-hardcore record store located in Shibuya
Shibuya, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2008, it has an estimated population of 208,371 and a population density of 13,540 persons per km². The total area is 15.11 km²....
and operated by DJ Chucky. Aside from their prolific discography on the Sharpnelsound label, DJ Sharpnel has also provided tracks for other Japanese labels such as Maddest Chickn’dom, Ravin Beatz Japan, and Gabba Disco.
Aliases
DJ Sharpnel has used various artist names throughout their releases, depending on the specific style of the track or album. The main aliases are "DJ Sharpnel" (standard hardcore and happy hardcore style, with Lemmy) and "Killingscum" (terrorTerrorcore
Terrorcore, terror is a music genre. It originated in Frankfurt in 1994 with the birth of the record label Kotzaak . For a short time, terrorcore artists began to appear in Europe, with Netherlands and Germany having the largest terror scenes. Terrorcore is a faster variant of hardcore techno...
, speedcore
Speedcore
Speedcore is a form of hardcore techno that is characterized by a high rate of beats per minute and aggressive themes. The name originates from the high BPM rate, which rarely drops below 300 BPM. Earlier Speedcore tracks averaged at about 250 BPM, whereas more recent tracks sometimes exceed 1000 BPM...
, and breakcore
Breakcore
Breakcore is a style of electronic music largely influenced by hardcore techno, drum and bass and Intelligent dance music. Its sound is largely characterized by a high-tempo, well-timed mingling of distorted kick drums , break beats arranged from samples of the Amen break, and audio samples from a...
style, with just Jea). SHARPNEL.NET is the name for the collaborative "performance project
Rave
Rave, rave dance, and rave party are parties that originated mostly from acid house parties, which featured fast-paced electronic music and light shows. At these parties people dance and socialize to dance music played by disc jockeys and occasionally live performers...
" of the Sharpnelsound label, with Jea as live DJ and Lemmy as live VJ. Although, according to their MySpace page, DJ Sharpnel is the name on the produced albums, Killingscum is occasionally credited to tracks, separating Jea from Lemmy. In addition to Killingscum, Jea also uses "DJ Jea" as a solo alias when he performs "hard style" music and tracks related to the SPRH series.
Other group aliases have been used when Jea and Lemmy collaborated with other artists prior to the creation of the DJ Sharpnel name, such as Project Gabbangelion (which included Jea, Viscion, and Tangion) and High Speed Music Team Sharpnel (which included Jea, La-Quebrata, Jun-Q, Quebradora, and Lemmy). Still other albums are credited to "DJ Sharpnel & V.A" indicating that various other artists produced tracks on the album.
The name "DJ Sharpnel" is commonly used to refer to any combination of musicians led by Jea (with or without Lemmy), even those prior to 2000 and those on albums not associated with the Sharpnelsound label.
Western Influence
Due to DJ Sharpnel's extended time and dedication to the J-Core music scene (as well as the increased popularity of anime in the WestWestern culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
), Western recognition of Japanese hardcore has increased. Many up-and-coming new artists have acknowledged DJ Sharpnel's influence, including DJ Zaiaku, T2Kazuya, Spy47 and Shingo DJ. Some western acts have even contributed works to J-Core compilation albums, including the aforementioned artists and other artists such as DJ CLONEPA to the compilation series J-Core Masterz.
Discography
DJ Sharpnel's discographyDiscography
Discography is the study and listing of the details concerning sound recordings, often by specified artists or within identified musical genres...
is very large, tallying to over 53 albums in which the duo has contributed to (most likely not together at all times) and at least 10 albums in which they are the primary or sole contributor. Below is the primary discography associated with the Sharpnelsound label, with DJ Sharpnel as the primary artist (albeit with varying aliases used throughout). For most albums in the SRPC series, there are two versions. First, a CDr version released at Comiket
Comiket
, otherwise known as the , is the world's largest self-published comic book fair, held twice a year in Tokyo, Japan. The first Comiket was held on December 21, 1975, with only about 32 participating circles and an estimated 600 attendees. Attendance has since swelled to over a half million people....
, then later a pressed CD version to be sold at shops. The CDr versions are produced in smaller quantities and are therefore rarer, and usually have a tracklist differing somewhat from the final pressed version.
| Number | Title | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRPC-0001 | Sharpnel vs Project Gabbangelion | 1998-08-16 | |
| SRPC-0002 | ダブル ダッチ (Double Dutch) | 1998-10-?? | Very limited release |
| SRPC-0003 | フロム・ザ・はあと 地獄編 ( From The Heart Compilation) | 1998-12-?? | |
| SRPC-0004 | アタック ザ シャープネル (Attack The Sharpnel) | 1999-08-?? | Two-CD album. |
| SRPC-0005 | レイヴ☆スペクター (RAVE☆SPECTER) | 1999-12-31 | |
| SRPC-0006 | Endless Summer | 2000-08-13 | |
| SRPC-0007 | Genesis:0 | 2000-12-30 | Under "Neon Genesis Gabbangelion" alias. |
| SRPC-0008 | S.E.X. -Sound of EXtreme- | 2001-08-12 | First album under "DJ Sharpnel" alias. |
| SRPC-0009 | p2p. ピアッツーピアッ! (P2P PEER-To-PEER!) | 2001-12-30 | |
| SRPC-0010 | X-Rated -クロスレートっ!- ( X-Rated -Cross Rate!-) | 2002-08-11 | |
| SRPC-0011 | Early Style of Otakuspeedvibe 1996–1998 | 2002-10-?? | Compilation of Project Gabbangelion tracks. |
| SRPC-0012 | PPPH – Phat, Pinky, Powerful＆Hard!! | 2002-12-30 | |
| SRPC-0013 | Anime Gabba it! | 2003-08-17 | |
| SRPC-0014 | No Style? No Policy!? | 2003-12-12 | Under Jea's "Killingscum" alias. |
| SRPC-0015 | Sharpnelsound Collection -One- | 2004-05-?? | Collection of earlier tracks. |
| SRPC-0016 | 悩殺! ハードブレイク (Bewitching! Hardbreak) | 2004-08-15 | |
| SRPC-0017 | UG☆Psyclone | 2004-12-30 | |
| SRPC-0018 | Yonderdome | 2005-08-14 | Mix CD of tracks from the first 7 albums |
| SRPC-0019 | Mad Breaks | 2005-08-14 | |
| SRPC-0020 | Brain Violation.感脳侵食 | 2006-08-13 | |
| SRPC-0021 | オタクオーバークロックス21 (Otaku Overclocks) | 2006-12-31 | |
| SRPC-0022 | ランニング★オールナイトッ!! (Running All Night) | 2007-12-31 | |
| SRPC-0023 | 二次元サティスファクション (2 Dimensional Satisfaction) | 2008-08-16 | |
| SRPC-0024 | 妄殺オタクティクス (Delusion O-Tactics) | 2009-08-15 | |
| SRPC-0025 | SHARPNELSOUND COLLECTION VOL.2 | 2009-12-30 | |
| SRPC-0026 | Cyclick | 2010-08-14 | |
| SRPC-0027 | 危ないベースライン (Bassline Crisis) | 2011-08-13 |