Mucc
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese visual kei
rock band formed in 1997. Named after a character from the Japanese children's TV show Hirake! Ponkikki
, the band is also known by the nickname 69 since "six nine" can be pronounced "muku" in Japanese
. As of 2011, the band has released ten studio albums, two live albums, two EPs
, twenty four singles and eight DVDs, some of which were also released in Europe.
and Glay
covers. In 1999 Hiro left and was replaced by Miya's childhood friend Yukke. In December Mucc made their first official release, the EP Antique. They released their first album, Tsūzetsu in January 2001. In 2002 they signed to Danger Crue, but to their own sublabel Shu, and released their second album Hōmura Uta.
Mucc debuted in Europe
in August 2005, including a performance at Wacken Open Air
. The following year, they performed in the United States
at the Otakon
anime convention. They returned to the United States in 2007 for the JRock Revolution Festival.
They participated on the Taste of Chaos 2008 tour, which stopped at forty cities across the United States and Canada
from February to May, along with fellow Japanese bands D'espairsRay and the Underneath. After returning to Japan in May, Mucc performed at the hide
memorial summit alongside other famous rock groups such as X Japan
, Luna Sea
, Versailles
and heidi.
. In October the Taste of Chaos tour went to Europe, the band performed in the Netherlands
, Germany
, Denmark
, Sweden
, Finland
and the UK.
Mucc performed at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza on December 7, 2008 and the House of Blues
in Los Angeles on December 10.
In 2009, they once again went to Europe for their "Solid Sphere Tour" starting with a live in Russia
on October 3, and for the first time performed two shows in Latin America (Chile
and Mexico
). The band completed the tour on November 16 in Japan at the JCB Hall
, with a total of 18 songs.
Mucc started 2010 with a concert on February 14 at the NHK Hall
, where they announced they would release a new album that fall. Karma
was released on October 6 and has a post-disco
or dance
sound mixed with Mucc's usual hard rock
and metal
.
On May 21, 2011, at their "Mucc History Gigs 97～11" Nippon Budokan
show, Mucc announced they would be switching labels to Sony Music Associated Records
. Their single "Akatsuki" was first sold exclusively at that concert and the following day's, later being available as a digital download with all proceeds donated to aid the victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
.
, harmonica
1Diorama isn't included on Karma.
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 formed in 1997. Named after a character from the Japanese children's TV show Hirake! Ponkikki
Gachapin
is a popular Japanese television character who appeared in the children's program Hirake! Ponkikki on Fuji TV. He is a green, bucktoothed dinosaur, and is usually accompanied by his friend Mukku, a red Yeti.-Summary:...
, the band is also known by the nickname 69 since "six nine" can be pronounced "muku" in Japanese
Japanese language
is 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...
. As of 2011, the band has released ten studio albums, two live albums, two EPs
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, twenty four singles and eight DVDs, some of which were also released in Europe.
History
Formed in 1997 by Miya, Tatsurou (then called "Tattoo"), Satochi and Hiro, they originally played The Blue HeartsThe Blue Hearts
was a popular Japanese punk rock band that performed from the mid-1980s to the early-1990s. In 2003, they were ranked by HMV Japan as number 19 on their list of 100 most important Japanese pop acts...
and Glay
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...
covers. In 1999 Hiro left and was replaced by Miya's childhood friend Yukke. In December Mucc made their first official release, the EP Antique. They released their first album, Tsūzetsu in January 2001. In 2002 they signed to Danger Crue, but to their own sublabel Shu, and released their second album Hōmura Uta.
Mucc debuted in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in August 2005, including a performance at Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
. The following year, they performed in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at the Otakon
Otakon
Otakon is a fan convention in the United States focusing on East Asian popular culture and its fandom. The name is a portmanteau derived from convention and the Japanese word otaku...
anime convention. They returned to the United States in 2007 for the JRock Revolution Festival.
They participated on the Taste of Chaos 2008 tour, which stopped at forty cities across the United States and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
from February to May, along with fellow Japanese bands D'espairsRay and the Underneath. After returning to Japan in May, Mucc performed at the hide
Hide (musician)
, better known by his stage name hide , was a popular Japanese musician. He was primarily known for his work as lead guitarist of the heavy metal band X Japan from 1987 to 1997...
memorial summit alongside other famous rock groups such as X Japan
X Japan
is a Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1982 by Yoshiki and Toshi. Originally named X , the group achieved their breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second album Blue Blood...
, Luna Sea
Luna Sea
Luna Sea is a rock band from Kanagawa, Japan, formed in 1989. The band was initially founded by bassist J and rhythm guitarist Inoran, when they were in high school. They soon recruited lead guitarist and violinist Sugizo, drummer Shinya and vocalist Ryuichi, a lineup that has remained the same...
, Versailles
Versailles (Japanese band)
Versailles is a Japanese visual kei metal band formed in 2007. Their key characteristics are their rococo-esque costumes, dueling guitars and heavy but melodic arrangements....
and heidi.
Heidi.
Heidi. is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in February 2006.- History :Heidi.'s first one-man show, titled "「Birth・Day」", was on June 3, 2006. Their first single, "Yuuyake to Kodomo/Maria", was also sold at that show...
. In October the Taste of Chaos tour went to Europe, the band performed in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
and the UK.
Mucc performed at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza on December 7, 2008 and the House of Blues
House of Blues
House of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
in Los Angeles on December 10.
In 2009, they once again went to Europe for their "Solid Sphere Tour" starting with a live in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
on October 3, and for the first time performed two shows in Latin America (Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
). The band completed the tour on November 16 in Japan at the JCB Hall
JCB Hall
Tokyo Dome City Hall is a sport, fashion show, circus, and live music hall located in Tokyo, inside of Tokyo Dome City. It is on the opposite corner of the Tokyo Dome, and has a variety of events at any given time, including Boxing and live concerts...
, with a total of 18 songs.
Mucc started 2010 with a concert on February 14 at the NHK Hall
NHK Hall
NHK Hall is a part of the NHK Broadcasting Center, located in Jinnan, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. Address is 2-2-1, Jinnan, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-8001. This facility has a 3677-seat capacity.* 1955, NHK Hall opened in Tokyo's Uchisaiwai-cho district...
, where they announced they would release a new album that fall. Karma
Karma (Mucc album)
Karma is Mucc's tenth full-length album, it was released on October 6 2010. It features a variety of genres "mixing the best of many worlds while keeping the sound their own." The album reached number 11 on the Oricon chart. Tracks 2 & 3 were arranged by Miya and Space Walkers, while track 14 was...
was released on October 6 and has a post-disco
Post-disco
Post-disco refers to a historically significant period in popular music history beginning with the commercial death of disco music in the late 1970s and ending with the mainstream appearance of house music in late 1980s.The stripped-down musical trends followed from the DJ- and producer-driven,...
or dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
sound mixed with Mucc's usual hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
and metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
.
On May 21, 2011, at their "Mucc History Gigs 97～11" 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...
show, Mucc announced they would be switching labels to Sony Music Associated Records
Sony Music Entertainment Japan
is Sony's music arm in Japan. SMEJ is directly owned by Sony Corporation and independent from the United States-based Sony Music Entertainment due to its strength in the Japanese music industry....
. Their single "Akatsuki" was first sold exclusively at that concert and the following day's, later being available as a digital download with all proceeds donated to aid the victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
.
Members
The members of Mucc are credited by their given or stage names. – vocalsSinging
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...
, harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
-
- Also in the supergroupSupergroup (music)In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
, that formed in 2009 with Hiroto (Alice Nine), Mizuki (SadieSadie (band)is a visual kei rock band from Japan, formed in 2005. Sadie is signed to Face Music and Mijinko Records.-Biography:Sadie was founded by Mao, Tsurugi, Aki, Mizuki and Sora in February 2005, and comes from the English word "sad", according to vocalist, Mao...
), Dunch (JealkbJealkbJealkb is a Japanese visual kei rock band made up of seven members, all of them comedians including London Boots Ichi-go Ni-go's Atsushi Tamura. Their debut single Metronome hit number 1 on the indies Oricon chart and sold out the same day. The band's name itself is a joke...
) and Kenzo (AyabieAyabie, was a Japanese visual kei band signed to the label Tokuma Japan Communications. Their music consisted of a wide variety of sounds and moods, ranging from catchy and upbeat to heavy and hard-edged punk songs. Many of the band's costumes were designed by ID Japan or H. Naoto...
). - seven-string electric guitar, acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
, backing vocals - Also in the group , that formed in 2003 with Nezaki (La Vie En Rose), Tsuyoshi (Jully) and Yoshida (Three 9). – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, contrabassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
, electric upright bassElectric upright bassThe electric upright bass is an electronically amplified version of the double bass that has a minimal or 'skeleton' body, which greatly reduces the size and weight of the instrument. The EUB retains enough of the features of the double bass so that double bass players are comfortable performing...
– 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 ....
- Also in the supergroup
Albums
| Album | Japanese | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| Tsūzetsu | 痛絶 | January 7, 2001 |
| Hōmura Uta | 葬ラ謳 | September 6, 2002 |
| Zekū | 是空 | September 3, 2003 |
| Kuchiki no Tō | 朽木の灯 | September 1, 2004 |
| Hōyoku | 鵬翼 | November 23, 2005 |
| 6 | April 26, 2006 | |
| Gokusai Gokusai is an album released by Mucc on December 6, 2006. The first press edition comes with a second disc, containing two bonus tracks. These were also included on the single disc of the European release. The album reached number 22 on the Oricon chart.-Track listing:... |
極彩 | December 6, 2006 |
| Shion Shion (album) - Personnel :*Mucc**Tatsurou - Vocals**Miya - Guitar & Chorus**Yukke - Bass**Satochi - Drums*Atsushi Koike - Manipulation *Sakura - Percussion *Crusher Kimura - Strings *Shinji Asakura - Percussion... |
志恩 | March 26, 2008 |
| Kyūtai | 球体 | March 4, 2009 |
| Karma Karma (Mucc album) Karma is Mucc's tenth full-length album, it was released on October 6 2010. It features a variety of genres "mixing the best of many worlds while keeping the sound their own." The album reached number 11 on the Oricon chart. Tracks 2 & 3 were arranged by Miya and Space Walkers, while track 14 was... |
カルマ | October 6, 2010 |
Extended Plays
| Album | Japanese | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| Antique | アンティーク | December 25, 1999 |
| Aishū | 哀愁 | December 25, 2001 |
Live albums
| Album | Release date |
|---|---|
| Kuchiki no Tō Live at Roppongi |
January 26, 2005 |
| Psychedelic Analysis |
March 28, 2007 |
Compilations
| Album | Release date |
|---|---|
| Cover Parade | June 6, 2006 |
| Best of Mucc Best of Mucc Best of Mucc is a compilation album released by Mucc on June 6, 2007. It contains 16 tracks compiling the "best" songs of the band. It was released simultaneously with the Worst of Mucc compilation. A limited edition version of the album was also released, featuring a bonus six track acoustic disc... |
June 6, 2007 |
| Worst of Mucc | June 6, 2007 |
| Coupling Best | August 12, 2009 |
| Coupling Worst | August 19, 2009 |
Singles
| Date | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "Shōfu/Hai" | Tsūzetsu |
| 2001 | "Aoban" | No featured album |
| "Akaban" | Hōmura Uta | |
| 2002 | "Fu o Tataeru Uta" | |
| "Suisō" | ||
| 2003 | "Ware, Arubeki Basho" | Zekū |
| 2004 | "Rojiura Boku to Kimi e" | Kuchiki no Tō |
| "Monokuro no Keshiki" | ||
| 2005 | "Kokoro no Nai Machi" | Hōyoku |
| "Ame no Orchestra" | ||
| "Saishū Ressha" | ||
| 2006 | "Gerbera" | Gokusai Gokusai is an album released by Mucc on December 6, 2006. The first press edition comes with a second disc, containing two bonus tracks. These were also included on the single disc of the European release. The album reached number 22 on the Oricon chart.-Track listing:... |
| "Ryūsei" | ||
| "Utagoe" | ||
| "Horizont" | ||
| 2007 | "Libra" | Shion Shion (album) - Personnel :*Mucc**Tatsurou - Vocals**Miya - Guitar & Chorus**Yukke - Bass**Satochi - Drums*Atsushi Koike - Manipulation *Sakura - Percussion *Crusher Kimura - Strings *Shinji Asakura - Percussion... |
| "Flight" | ||
| "Fuzz" | ||
| 2008 | "Ageha" | Kyūtai |
| 2009 | "Sora to Ito" | |
| "Freesia" | Karma Karma (Mucc album) Karma is Mucc's tenth full-length album, it was released on October 6 2010. It features a variety of genres "mixing the best of many worlds while keeping the sound their own." The album reached number 11 on the Oricon chart. Tracks 2 & 3 were arranged by Miya and Space Walkers, while track 14 was... |
|
| "Diorama"1 | ||
| 2010 | "Yakusoku" | |
| "Falling Down" | ||
| 2011 | "Akatsuki" | |
| 2011 | "Arcadia" |
1Diorama isn't included on Karma.
V/A Compilations
| Album | Release date |
|---|---|
| Hot Indies Best Selection Vol. 1 | August 25, 1998 |
| Non Standard File: @6Sight | July 16, 2000 |
| Shock Edge 2001 | September 1, 2001 |
| Boøwy Boøwy Boøwy was a Japanese rock group consisting of Kyosuke Himuro , Tomoyasu Hotei , Tsunematsu Matsui and Makoto Takahashi . They were a rock band that reached legendary status in Japan during the 1980s... Respect |
December 24, 2003 |
| Rock Nippon Noriko Shoji Selection | January 24, 2007 |
| Luna Sea Memorial Cover Album -Re:birth- | December 19, 2007 |
| Cloverfield: Rob's Party Mix | January 17, 2008 |
| Detroit Metal City Detroit Metal City is a vulgar comedy manga series, serialized in Young Animal from 2005 to 2010. An anime OVA series, twelve episodes of approximately 13 minutes each, was released starting on August 8, 2008. A live film adaptation directed by Toshio Lee appeared in Japanese theaters on August 23, 2008... Tribute Album: Ikenie Metal Mix |
March 28, 2008 |
| This is for You: The Yellow Monkey The Yellow Monkey The Yellow Monkey , often abbreviated as Yemon , was a Japanese rock band active from 1989 to 2001. They officially disbanded on July 7, 2004.... Tribute Album |
December 9, 2009 |
Videos
- Japanese Archipelago Konton Heisei Kokoro no Naka (日本列島混沌平成心ノ中, December 10, 2003)
- 2003 Natsu no Tour (December 10, 2003)
- Mucc History DVD The Worst (December 22, 2004)
- Tonan no Hōyoku (図南の鵬翼, March 29, 2006)
- Mucc World Tour Final 666 at Nippon Budokan (December 10, 2006)
- Mucc -Live Chronicle- (November 28, 2007)
- Mucc -Live Chronicle 2- (December 24, 2008)
- The Clips -Track of Six Nine- (August 5, 2009)
- Mucc -Live Chronicle 3 - "Kyūtai" in Nippon Budokan- (December 23, 2009)
- Winter Circuit 2010 @ NHK Hall (February 14, 2011)
- Mucc Tour "Chemical Parade" Complete (November 23, 2011)
Demos
- "No!?" (October 1997)
- "Aika" (March 20, 1998)
- "Tsubasa o Kudasai" (December 1, 1998)
- "Shūka" (February 14, 1999)
- "Aka" (July 24, 1999)