Eight was a Japanese 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...

 rock band from Hokkaido

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...

. They were formed in 2004 by Nachi and Kyotaro after Nachi's previous band Werkmare had disbanded. The band used to be signed to Nachi's own label, Relative+Heart. They disbanded in early 2010.

Biography

Eight was formed by guitarist Nachi (ex-Werkmare) and vocalist Kyotaro(ex-Volark) in 2004, who were soon joined by bassist Mukku (also ex-Werkmare) and drummer Mitsuru (ex-ArcAdiA). Soon after the formation they released two Demo

Demo (music)

A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...

-CDs, followed by another Demo-CD in 2005 as well as several DVDs and contributions to V.A.-releases, most of these independently released. Guitarist Nachi and bassist Mukku were support members of punk band Anti Feminism

Anti Feminism

Anti Feminism is a solo project started by the vocalist Kenzi in 1991. None of the other members are considered official. The rotating supporting members come from various parts of Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Nagoya...

 during 2007, and Nachi and drummer Mitsuru have been support members of The Piass

The Piass

are a Japanese visual kei band who formed in the early 1990s in Sapporo, the current incarnation of the band features only one original member; Takayuki.-History:...

 from 2009 on.

In 2006 they released their first album, Illational, which was co-produced by Kenzi of Anti Feminism

Anti Feminism

Anti Feminism is a solo project started by the vocalist Kenzi in 1991. None of the other members are considered official. The rotating supporting members come from various parts of Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Nagoya...

. At the end of the year they released two more DVDs which showed their tour finals in Sapporo. In 2007 the band was joined by guitarist Ryo (ex-Since1889), and the name of the band was changed to THE EIGHT. They spoke of releasing a new album in late 2007, but this was never realised due to vocalist Kyotaro leaving the band in December to join Black:List. In December 2008, the band Black:List disbanded, and vocalist Kyotaro has decided to retire from music entirely due to family issues.

Shortly after vocalist Kyotaro's leave, guitarist Ryo also left the band. In august of 2008, female vocalist U (ex-Low Head Machine) joined the band. In June 2009, drummer Mitsuru temporarily left the band due to injuries. THE EIGHT used a support drummer, Jun, until drummer Mitsuru returned in august of 2009, the band's fifth anniversary.

On December 24, 2009, the announcement was made that the band would disband after their live show on January 17, 2010. While new projects of the members are unknown, guitarist Nachi and drummer Mitsuru will continue playing as support members for punk band The Piass

The Piass

are a Japanese visual kei band who formed in the early 1990s in Sapporo, the current incarnation of the band features only one original member; Takayuki.-History:...

.

Members

• U - vocals
  Singing
  Singing 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...
  
   (2008–2010)
• Nachi (那智) - guitar
  Guitar
  The 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...
  
   & vocals
  Singing
  Singing 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...
  
   (2004–2010) (Also active in The Piass
  The Piass
  are a Japanese visual kei band who formed in the early 1990s in Sapporo, the current incarnation of the band features only one original member; Takayuki.-History:...
  
  )
• Mukku (ムック) - bass guitar
  Bass guitar
  The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
  
   (2004–2010)
• Mitsuru (みつる) - drums
  Drum kit
  A 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 ....
  
   (2004–2010) (Also active in The Piass
  The Piass
  are a Japanese visual kei band who formed in the early 1990s in Sapporo, the current incarnation of the band features only one original member; Takayuki.-History:...
  
  )

Former members

• Kyotaro (狂太郎) - vocals
  Singing
  Singing 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...
  
   (2004–2007)
• Ryo - guitar
  Guitar
  The 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...
  
   (2007–2008)
• Jun - drums
  Drum kit
  A 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 ....
  
  (support member) (2009)

Demo-CDs

• "Sensen Fukoku" (宣戦布告) (April 17, 2004)
• "Musou Ranbu" (無双乱舞) (August 1, 2004)
• "Saraba Kimi yo" (さらば君よ) (2004)
• "Fake" (2004)
• "Yuigadokuson" (唯我独尊) (March 6, 2005)
• "Hissatsu eight Kiri" (必殺eight斬り) (August 15, 2005)
• "Zouo" (憎悪) (December 31, 2005)
• "No future of the sorrow" (June 1, 2007)

Compilations

CD

• "Individual Insistence" (April 1, 2005)

With the songs "Sanchoume no Yuuhi"(三丁目の夕日), "Down" and "Fake".

• "Resident of Delusion" (July 27, 2005)

With the song "Aa Kugatsu no Sora"(あぁ九月の空).

• "Radicals Charge" (December 12, 2005)

With the song "Hitori Pocchi" (一人ぽっち).

• "Relative+Heart" (December 24, 2005)

With the songs "Kareta Kokoro" (枯れた心) and "Mr. Stalking" (Mr.ストーキング).

• "New Born Kerberos" (September 15, 2006)

With the song "Let me stay".

• "Kiwami Code 02" (極-KIWAMI-code:02, September 1, 2007)

With the song "Yoake no Yami de..."(夜明けの闇で…。).

DVD

• "Sapporo Live Diary eight teki 8 channel vol.1" (札幌LIVE日記eight的8ちゃんねるvol.1) (January 14, 2006)
• "Sapporo Live Diary eight teki 8 channel vol.2" (札幌LIVE日記eight的8ちゃんねるvol.2) (February 25, 2006)
• "Sapporo Live Diary eight teki 8 channel vol.3" (札幌LIVE日記eight的8ちゃんねるvol.3) (March 24, 2006)
• "Sapporo Live Diary eight teki 8 channel vol.4" (札幌LIVE日記eight的8ちゃんねるvol.4) (April 2006)
• "Sapporo Live Diary eight teki 8 channel vol.5" (札幌LIVE日記eight的8ちゃんねるvol.5) (May 28, 2006)
• "Sapporo Live Diary eight teki 8 channel vol.6" (札幌LIVE日記eight的8ちゃんねるvol.6) (July 29, 2006)

VHS

• "Sensen Fukoku" (宣戦布告) (April 17, 2004)
• "Musou Ranbu" (無双乱舞) (August 1, 2004)
• "Isshokusokuhatsu" (一触即発) (October 10, 2004)

DVD

• "Musou Ranbu" (無双乱舞) (August 1, 2004)
• "Isshokusokuhatsu Special DVD" (一触即発) (October 10, 2004)
• "Isshokusokuhatsu" (一触即発) (October 24, 2004)
• "Tengai Kodoku" (天涯孤独)(June 25, 2005)
• "Sensen Fukoku" (宣戦布告) (August 15, 2005)
• "Ware ga Shihaika ni Zairi" (我ガ支配下ニ在リ) (August 20, 2005)
• "Sapporo Live Diary eight teki 8 channel Bessatsu pt. 1" (札幌LIVE日記eight的8ちゃんねる別冊Pt.1) (October 12, 2006)
• "Sapporo Live Diary eight teki 8 channel Bessatsu pt. 2" (札幌LIVE日記eight的8ちゃんねる別冊Pt.2) (October 12, 2006)