Hisashi (musician)
Encyclopedia
Hisashi Tonomura is the lead guitarist for the popular Japanese rock band GLAY
. He used to be in a band named Ari (蟻) but they broke up before he joined GLAY. Together with his bandmate Jiro, the two of them are known for their visual kei
looks. However in recent years the pair have toned down their image, wearing more casual clothing and hairstyles.
Before GLAY became famous, Hisashi used to work in a game centre and convenience store, meeting with the rest of the band to perform in live houses in the night. His father, a surgeon, died while Hisashi was in high school.
Glay
Glay is a rock/pop band from Hakodate, Hokkaidō, Japan formed by guitarist Takuro and vocalist Teru in high school in 1988. Glay primarily composes songs in the rock and pop genres, but they have also composed songs using elements of different styles such as reggae and gospel...
. He used to be in a band named Ari (蟻) but they broke up before he joined GLAY. Together with his bandmate Jiro, the two of them are known for their 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...
looks. However in recent years the pair have toned down their image, wearing more casual clothing and hairstyles.
Before GLAY became famous, Hisashi used to work in a game centre and convenience store, meeting with the rest of the band to perform in live houses in the night. His father, a surgeon, died while Hisashi was in high school.
Songs by Hisashi
- Cynical (single "Ikiteku tsuyosa")
- Doku Roku (album "REVIEW", with Takuro)
- Neuromancer (single "a Boy ~zutto wasurenai)
- ai (single "Soul Love")
- Surf Rider (single "Missing You")
- Denki Iruka Kimiyouna Shikou (album "ONE LOVE")
- Prize (album "ONE LOVE")
- Giant Strong Faust Super Star (single "Mata Kokode aimashou")
- Brothel Creepers (single "Aitai Kimochi", with Takuro)
- coyote, colored darkness (album "THE FRUSTRATED")
- THE FRUSTRATED (album "THE FRUSTRATED", with Takuro, under the pseudonym "Kombinat-12")
- HIGH COMMUNICATIONS (album "THE FRUSTRATED" with Takuro, under the pseudonym "Kombinat-12")
- World's End (album "LOVE IS BEAUTIFUL")
Other works
- Hisashi founded side-band rally, with TeruTeru (musician)Teruhiko "Teru" Kobashi is the vocalist of Japanese rock band GLAY. He married singer Ami Onuki from pop group PUFFY in April 2002, and she gave birth to their daughter in March 2003...
(GlayGlayGlay is a rock/pop band from Hakodate, Hokkaidō, Japan formed by guitarist Takuro and vocalist Teru in high school in 1988. Glay primarily composes songs in the rock and pop genres, but they have also composed songs using elements of different styles such as reggae and gospel...
), Kouji Ueno (The HiatusThe HiatusThe Hiatus is a Japanese rock band formed by Takeshi Hosomi; the former lead vocalist of Ellegarden. Their official site defines The Hiatus as "a project of music and art, depicters."...
and ex-Thee Michelle Gun ElephantThee Michelle Gun ElephantThee Michelle Gun Elephant was a Japanese garage rock band formed in 1991.-History:The band was formed in 1991, while the members were students at Tokyo's Meiji Gakuin University. They later drew influence from The Roosters...
) and Motokatsu Miyagami (The Mad Capsule MarketsThe Mad Capsule MarketsThe Mad Capsule Markets were a Japanese band that formed in 1990 and were active until 2006...
). The band recorded the song "Aku no Hana" for Parade -Respective Tracks of Buck-Tick-Parade -Respective Tracks of Buck-Tick-Parade -Respective Tracks of Buck-Tick- is a Buck-Tick tribute album, released on December 21, 2005. It collects cover versions of their songs by various artists.- Tracklisting :...
, a tribute album to Buck-TickBuck-TickBuck-Tick is a rock band formed in 1983 in Fujioka, Japan. The band has consisted of Atsushi Sakurai , Hisashi Imai , Hidehiko Hoshino , Yutaka Higuchi and Toll Yagami for the majority of its existence...
. They've played in festivals.
- He's been featured in works by other musicians: Yukinojo Mori's Poetic Revolution (track "Ango", with Takuro and TeruTeruTeru is one of the 29 woredas in the Afar Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Administrative Zone 4, Teru is bordered on the south by Aura, on the southwest by Gulina, on the west by Yalo, and on the north and east by the Administrative Zone 2...
), "Letters", by Hikaru Utada, "Say Something", from the album In the Mood, and "Keep the Faith", from the album JUST MOVIN' ON～ALL THE -S-HIT, both by Kyosuke Himuro.
- He made a short cameo in the movie Casshern, along with TakuroTakuro (musician)Takuro Kubo is one of the guitarists and leader of the popular Japanese rock band Glay. He is the main composer and lyricist of Glay's songs....
.
- In 2007 Hisashi stopped his radio show "Cyber Net City", which was on air since 1999.
- On December 12, 2008, Hisashi was the special guest in the Blue Man GroupBlue Man GroupBlue Man Group is an organization founded by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton. The organization produces theatrical shows and concerts featuring popular music, comedy and multimedia; recorded music and scores for film and television; television appearances for shows such as The Tonight...
show "Rock Day", They played "Time to Start" and GlayGlayGlay is a rock/pop band from Hakodate, Hokkaidō, Japan formed by guitarist Takuro and vocalist Teru in high school in 1988. Glay primarily composes songs in the rock and pop genres, but they have also composed songs using elements of different styles such as reggae and gospel...
's song "However".
- In January 2009, Hisashi starts his first TV regular segment "RX-72 - Hisashi (GLAY) VS 茂木淳一~", every last Monday of each month on "Music-On" TV channel, with comedian Junichi Mogi.