Plastic Tree
Encyclopedia
Plastic Tree is a Japanese rock
band
which formed in December 1993 in Chiba Prefecture
, Japan. They released their first mini-album in December 1995, and in 1997, they debuted by releasing their first single on a major label.
Early in their career, they frequently performed live and handed out free copies of their demo tapes.
In 1995, they released their first mini-album Kimyou na Kajitsu: Strange Fruits after changing drummers twice.
Two years later, they released their first single, "Wareta Mado", with Warner Music Japan, marking their official debut and first release on a major label.
Plastic Tree planned their first overseas tour in 2006, named the Chandelier Tour, and performed concerts in France
, Germany
, and Finland
.
On February 23, 2009, Hiroshi Sasabuchi announced his resignation as the band's drummer after being with the band for seven years. On July 3, 2009, Kenken Sato was announced as the band's new drummer.
Since forming, they have had four different drummers.
influences. As time went on, their sound seemed to change and evolve with every album. Due to this, the band does not think that they should be placed into any certain genre.
Plastic Tree has stated that their sound has been considerably influenced by British bands such as Radiohead
and The Cure
.
The most easily recognizable signature of Plastic Tree's music is the melodic, child-like voice of Ryūtarō Arimura. Their sound is also aided by Arimura's abstract lyrics.
All four band members collaborate to write songs and lyrics, with Arimura writing most of the lyrics.
Plastic Tree's current sound revolves around alternative rock.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
which formed in December 1993 in Chiba Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
, Japan. They released their first mini-album in December 1995, and in 1997, they debuted by releasing their first single on a major label.
Biography
Plastic Tree, also known as or to fans, was formed in December 1993.Early in their career, they frequently performed live and handed out free copies of their demo tapes.
In 1995, they released their first mini-album Kimyou na Kajitsu: Strange Fruits after changing drummers twice.
Two years later, they released their first single, "Wareta Mado", with Warner Music Japan, marking their official debut and first release on a major label.
Plastic Tree planned their first overseas tour in 2006, named the Chandelier Tour, and performed concerts in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, 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...
, and 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...
.
On February 23, 2009, Hiroshi Sasabuchi announced his resignation as the band's drummer after being with the band for seven years. On July 3, 2009, Kenken Sato was announced as the band's new drummer.
Since forming, they have had four different drummers.
Sound and style
Early in their career, their music had heavy visual keiVisual 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...
influences. As time went on, their sound seemed to change and evolve with every album. Due to this, the band does not think that they should be placed into any certain genre.
Plastic Tree has stated that their sound has been considerably influenced by British bands such as Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
and The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
.
The most easily recognizable signature of Plastic Tree's music is the melodic, child-like voice of Ryūtarō Arimura. Their sound is also aided by Arimura's abstract lyrics.
All four band members collaborate to write songs and lyrics, with Arimura writing most of the lyrics.
Plastic Tree's current sound revolves around alternative rock.
Band members
Current members
| Member | Instrument |
|---|---|
| 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... |
|
| backup guitar | |
| lead guitar Lead guitar Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure... |
|
| bass guitar Bass guitar The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... |
|
| 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 .... |
Former members
| Member | Instrument | Start year | End year |
|---|---|---|---|
| drums | 2001 | 2009 | |
| drums | 1996 | 2001 | |
| Shin | drums | 1993 | 1996 |
Albums
- Kimyou na Kajitsu: Strange Fruits (1995.12.11)
- Hide and SeekHIDE and SEEK (Album)HIDE and SEEK is the first full-length album by the Japanese rock group Plastic Tree released on July 10, 1997.-Track listing:#痛い青 itai ao#エーテルノート ETHER NOTE#割れた窓 wareta mado#クローゼットチャイルド CLOSET CHILD#スノーフラワー SNOW FLOWER...
(1997.07.10) - Puppet ShowPuppet Show (album)Puppet Show is the second full-length album by the Japanese rock group Plastic Tree released on August 28, 1998.- Track listing :#Intro#May Day#リセット Reset#絶望の丘 Zetsubou no oka#幻燈機械 Gentou Kikai#ぬけがら nukegara#本当の嘘 Hontou no uso...
(1998.08.26) - Parade (2000.08.23)
- Cut: Early Songs Best Selection (2001.03.27)
- Plastic Tree Single Collection (2001.11.14)
- トロイメライ (TRÄUMEREI [toroimerai]) (2002.09.21)
- Best Album (Premium Best) (2002.11.07)
- シロクロニクル (Shiro Chronicle) (2003.10.22)
- Cell (2004.8.25)
- 白盤 [Shiro Ban] (Greatest Hits) (2005.10.26)
- 黒盤 [Kuro Ban] (Greatest Hits) (2005.10.26)
- ChandelierChandelier (album)Chandelier is Japanese rock band Plastic Tree's sixth full-length album. Those who ordered the first press limited edition of this album also received a poster.-Track listing:-References:...
(2006.06.28) - 「ネガとポジ」(Nega to Poji) (2007.06.27)
- Plastic Tree "e.p" (What is "Plastic Tree"?) (2007.07.13)
- B面画報 (B-Men Gahō) (2007.09.05)
- ウツセミ (Utsu Semi) (2008.09.24)
- ゲシュタルト崩壊 (Gestalt Houkai) (2009.08.26)
- ドナドナ (Dona Dona) (2009.12.23)
- Ammonite (2011.04.06)
Singles
- リラの樹 Rira no ki (1996.09.25)
- 割れた窓 Wareta Mado (1997.06.25)
- 本当の嘘 Hontō no Uso (1998.02.15)
- 絶望の丘 Zetsubō no Oka (1998.06.25)
- トレモロ Tremolo (1999.03.10)
- Sink (1999.08.25)
- ツメタイヒカリTsumetai Hikari (1999.12.10)
- スライド Slide (2000.04.19)
- ロケット Rocket (2000.07.12)
- プラネタリウム Planetarium (2001.01.07)
- 散りユク僕ラ Chiriyuku Bokura (2001.09.14)
- 蒼い鳥 Aoi Tori (2002.06.26)
- バカになったのに Baka Ni Natta Noni (2003.05.21)
- もしもピアノが弾げたなら Moshimo Piano ga Hiketanara (2003.06.25)
- 水色ガールフレンド Mizuiro Girlfriend (2003.10.1)
- 雪蛍 Yuki Hotaru (2004.01.12)
- 春咲 センチメンタル Harusaki Sentimental (2004.03.10)
- メランコリック Melancholic (2004.07.28)
- 讚美歌 Sanbika (2005.5.11)
- 名前のない花 Namae no Nai Hana (2005.10.12)
- Ghost (2005.11.16)
- 空中ブランコ Kūchū Buranko (2005.12.14)
- ナミダ ドロップ Namida Drop (2006.05.10)
- スピカ Spica (2007.01.23)
- 真っ赤な糸 Makka Na Ito (2007.05.16)
- アローンアゲイン、ワンダフルワールド Alone Again, Wonderful World (2008.04.09)
- リプレイ/DOLLY Replay/dolly (2008.08.13)
- 梟 Fukurō (2009.6.10)
- サナトリウム Sanatorium (2009.10.28)
- ムーンライト ――――。 Moonlight----- (2010.07.28)
- みらいいろMirai Iro (2010.12.15)
DVD
- 二次元ヲゴール③ Nijigen Orgel 3 (2004.12.22)
- 黒テント② Kuro Tent 2 (2002.12.18)
- 黒テント (2002.03.21)
- 二次元ヲゴール② Nijigen Orgel 2 (2000.11.22)
- 二次元ヲゴール Nijigen Orgel (2005.07.28)
- 花燃えて、亡霊の涙、天幕に堕ちる。- Live & Clips 2005 (2006.03.09)
- Zero 10th Anniversary Live at Budokan (2007.09.08)
- Merry Go Around The World (2008.12.24)
- Tent (Tento) Live performance at Budokan (2009.08.30)
In popular culture
- Plastic Tree's single "Sink" was used as the eighth ending song for the anime Kindaichi Case FilesKindaichi Case Filesis a serialized Japanese mystery manga series based on the crime solving adventures of a high school student, Hajime Kindaichi, the supposed grandson of the famous private detective Kosuke Kindaichi. They are written by Yōzaburō Kanari or Seimaru Amagi and illustrated by Fumiya Satō...
. - Plastic Tree's single "Namida Drop" was used as the first ending song for the anime Garasu no Kantai.
- Plastic Tree's single "Mirai Iro" was used as the fifth ending song for the anime Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D'sYu-Gi-Oh! 5D'sis a Yu-Gi-Oh! series which aired in Japan between April 2, 2008 and March 30, 2011, following the previous series, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, and was succeeded by Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal, on April 11, 2011...
.