Psycho le Cému
Encyclopedia
Psycho le Cému was a Japan
ese visual
rock
band. Its members are Aya, Daishi, Lida, Seek, and Yuraサマ (Yura-sama). Formed in 1999, Psycho le Cému distinguished themselves in the visual kei scene via their cosplay
, with its members dressing in colorful, extravagant outfits inspired by anime
and video game characters, some of which are reminiscent of the characters from the fantasy RPG Dragon Quest
.
Psycho le Cému's cosplay inspired a dedicated niche fanbase, with fans who shared the band's interest in anime and cosplay, and some releases and events were done exclusively for members of Kronos, the band’s fan club. The band creates a new set of costumes for each single. Promotional music videos often have storylines based on anime
or literature
. The band also performs as an alter-ego band called "Bad Boys, Be Ambitious!"
In September 2001, Psycho le Cému released their first album, Doppelganger, and began to play nationally and in larger venues. The group was managed by visual kei
specialists Sweet Heart, who have also managed Luna Sea
, Shazna
, La'cryma Christi
, Pierrot
, and Plastic Tree
.
In 2003, Psycho le Cému was signed by major Japanese label Crown
, and their next two singles went into the top ten of Oricon
's singles chart. In mid-2004 the band made appearances at Pacific Media Expo
and Project A-kon
and documented the trip in the form of the Psycho le Cému in USA Live & Document DVD, which was released in September 2004. The group also kept active in Japan, among other shows they appeared later that year at a festival sponsored by Japan’s visual-kei oriented magazine Fool’s Mate. The group returned to the States in early 2005 and performed at three anime conventions: Katsucon
in Arlington, Virginia, Megacon
in Orlando, Florida, and AOD: The San Francisco Animation Convention in San Francisco, California.
On May 31, 2005, singer Daishi underwent a urinalysis
that showed up positive for methamphetamine
and was arrested by Kanagawa
police. When the story broke in the media, all of the band's merchandise was removed from shelves in Japan. Daishi's solo tour was cancelled, and his solo EP was removed from shelves. On June 5, the band announced via their official website that they would be on hiatus due to Daishi's arrest. On September 30, Daishi was sentenced to one year and ten months probation
with a suspended sentence
of three years by a court in Yokohama.
The members have formed side projects in the meantime; Aya and seek are in the band ISABELLE with three other musicians, and Lida and Yura-sama are in Dacco
. They have ended their relationship with their label, Crown Records, as well as with their management, Sweet Child Entertainments, and are pursuing their projects independently. Aya was in Isabelle before Psycho le Cému formed, and re-formed the group for a tour and a live DVD in 2005. Seek and Aya are currently in the group Mix.Speaker's,Inc
, and Seek is an active blogger.
In May 2006 Psycho le Cému toured to support the release of new album ~Epilogue ~ Kataritsugareru Monogatari. In addition, all of the merchandise that had been pulled from store shelves has been reinstated, and the Live in the USA II DVD, which was delayed due to Daishi's arrest, has finally been released. Although as soon as the tour was over, Psycho le Cému went on what seems to be a permanent hiatus, until on their Ameblo blog, Psycho le Cemu announces "Psycho le Cemu will be going on a short tour to celebrate 10 years since their formation. The tour will be called 「Legend of Sword」, kicks off in June.".
Daishi, now freed from jail, has started a single career. On March 21, 2007, he released God Japanese Monster, his first solo album, accompanied of a Japanese tour. In 2009, Psycho le Cému members reunited again for the anniversary of the creation of the band with a tour called 10th Anniversary - Legend of Sword, with new costumes and a tour started in June of that year.
Musicians credits' are as per the liner notes of the group's own records. Yura-sama is always credited with vocals, although his only lead vocal spot is the song "Area" and "Janus", which he shares with Daishi, while Lida is never credited with vocals, although he raps a verse in many songs. All members may take backing vocals. Many songs have a pre-recorded or sequenced backing track, to which Aya and Yura-sama will dance a para para
routine during live performances.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese visual
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
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. Its members are Aya, Daishi, Lida, Seek, and Yuraサマ (Yura-sama). Formed in 1999, Psycho le Cému distinguished themselves in the visual kei scene via their cosplay
Cosplay
, short for "costume play", is a type of performance art in which participants don costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Characters are often drawn from popular fiction in Japan, but recent trends have included American cartoons and science fiction...
, with its members dressing in colorful, extravagant outfits inspired by 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....
and video game characters, some of which are reminiscent of the characters from the fantasy RPG Dragon Quest
Dragon Quest
, published as Dragon Warrior in North America until 2005,Due to the inconsistent usage by sources since Square Enix obtained the naming rights to Dragon Quest in North America. Dragon Quest has been used by sources to refer to games released solely under the Dragon Warrior titles...
.
Psycho le Cému's cosplay inspired a dedicated niche fanbase, with fans who shared the band's interest in anime and cosplay, and some releases and events were done exclusively for members of Kronos, the band’s fan club. The band creates a new set of costumes for each single. Promotional music videos often have storylines based on 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....
or literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
. The band also performs as an alter-ego band called "Bad Boys, Be Ambitious!"
History
Psycho le Cému formed in early 1999, and released their first maxi-single “Kronos” independently in March 2000. After playing a sold-out gig at Tokyo's famed visual-kei venue Rock May Kan, the band joined strong indie label Limited Records, who released their November 2000 maxi single “Risokyu Ryokou Guide Disc”. All 15 tour shows supporting this release were sold-out, including the finale at Shibuya’s On Air West.In September 2001, Psycho le Cému released their first album, Doppelganger, and began to play nationally and in larger venues. The group was managed by 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...
specialists Sweet Heart, who have also managed 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...
, Shazna
Shazna
Shazna was a Japanese visual kei rock band originally active from 1993 to 2000. The band started on the relatively harder side of rock, but upon signing to a major label switched to a softer more pop sound. They became one of the most popular visual kei bands of the 1990s, together with Malice...
, La'cryma Christi
La'cryma Christi
La'cryma Christi was a Japanese visual kei rock band, which formed in 1993 and disbanded in January 2007. They reunited for a concert in 2009 at the "V-Rock Festival", and for their short reunion tour in 2010.- History :...
, Pierrot
Pierrot (band)
Pierrot was a Japanese visual kei rock band, originally founded as Dizy-Lizy in 1994 by Kirito and Jun in Nagano. The original band members were Hidelow on vocals, Kirito and Jun on guitar, Kohta on bass and Luka on drums. After changing their name to Pierrot, Luka left in November and Takeo joined...
, and Plastic Tree
Plastic Tree
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.-Biography:...
.
In 2003, Psycho le Cému was signed by major Japanese label Crown
Nippon Crown
is a Japanese record label originally established as Crown Records on 6 September 1963. It is a spin-off of Nippon Columbia and is currently owned by karaoke maker Daiichikosho.-Artists:Artists signed to Nippon Crown Music include:* Hanaboy* Kimeru* Metis...
, and their next two singles went into the top ten of Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
's singles chart. In mid-2004 the band made appearances at Pacific Media Expo
Pacific Media Expo
The Pacific Media Expo is a multi-genre convention in California that focuses on anime and manga, Japanese rock and pop, Gothic Lolita, Japanese drama/Korean drama, Asian cinema and East Asian/Pacific Rim pop cultures. It was started in 2003 in by Mike Tatsugawa, one of the founders of Anime...
and Project A-kon
Project A-Kon
A-Kon, formerly known as Project: A-Kon, is a three day anime convention held annually in Dallas, Texas usually on the last weekend of May. First held in 1990 with just 380 people in attendance, A-Kon is North America's longest running national anime convention.-Departments:A-Kon consists of...
and documented the trip in the form of the Psycho le Cému in USA Live & Document DVD, which was released in September 2004. The group also kept active in Japan, among other shows they appeared later that year at a festival sponsored by Japan’s visual-kei oriented magazine Fool’s Mate. The group returned to the States in early 2005 and performed at three anime conventions: Katsucon
Katsucon
Katsucon is a fan convention for anime, manga and Japanese culture enthusiasts. It is an annual three-day event held in or around Washington D.C.. Katsucon is traditionally held in February over Presidents Day weekend.-History:...
in Arlington, Virginia, Megacon
MegaCon
MegaCon, short for Mega Convention, is a large convention that caters to the comic book, sci-fi, anime, fantasy, gaming, and multi-genre community, occurring between late February and early March at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, USA.An attendee will find over of exhibit...
in Orlando, Florida, and AOD: The San Francisco Animation Convention in San Francisco, California.
On May 31, 2005, singer Daishi underwent a urinalysis
Urinalysis
A urinalysis , also known as Routine and Microscopy , is an array of tests performed on urine, and one of the most common methods of medical diagnosis...
that showed up positive for methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
and was arrested by Kanagawa
Kanagawa Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period...
police. When the story broke in the media, all of the band's merchandise was removed from shelves in Japan. Daishi's solo tour was cancelled, and his solo EP was removed from shelves. On June 5, the band announced via their official website that they would be on hiatus due to Daishi's arrest. On September 30, Daishi was sentenced to one year and ten months probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
with a suspended sentence
Suspended sentence
A suspended sentence is a legal term for a judge's delaying of a defendant's serving of a sentence after they have been found guilty, in order to allow the defendant to perform a period of probation...
of three years by a court in Yokohama.
The members have formed side projects in the meantime; Aya and seek are in the band ISABELLE with three other musicians, and Lida and Yura-sama are in Dacco
Dacco
Dacco are a Japanese band formed by former Psycho le Cému members, Lida and YURAサマ . Most of the band's songs consist of acoustic guitar and tambourine . Also whenever the duo are seen as Dacco they always wear black and white suits...
. They have ended their relationship with their label, Crown Records, as well as with their management, Sweet Child Entertainments, and are pursuing their projects independently. Aya was in Isabelle before Psycho le Cému formed, and re-formed the group for a tour and a live DVD in 2005. Seek and Aya are currently in the group Mix.Speaker's,Inc
Mix Speakers, Inc
Mix Speaker's, Inc. is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in early 2007. Their members are Aya , Seek , Keiji , S , Miki , and Yuki . Though relatively new to the Japanese visual kei scene, Mix Speaker's, Inc...
, and Seek is an active blogger.
In May 2006 Psycho le Cému toured to support the release of new album ~Epilogue ~ Kataritsugareru Monogatari. In addition, all of the merchandise that had been pulled from store shelves has been reinstated, and the Live in the USA II DVD, which was delayed due to Daishi's arrest, has finally been released. Although as soon as the tour was over, Psycho le Cému went on what seems to be a permanent hiatus, until on their Ameblo blog, Psycho le Cemu announces "Psycho le Cemu will be going on a short tour to celebrate 10 years since their formation. The tour will be called 「Legend of Sword」, kicks off in June.".
Daishi, now freed from jail, has started a single career. On March 21, 2007, he released God Japanese Monster, his first solo album, accompanied of a Japanese tour. In 2009, Psycho le Cému members reunited again for the anniversary of the creation of the band with a tour called 10th Anniversary - Legend of Sword, with new costumes and a tour started in June of that year.
Members
| Name | Real Name | Birthdate | Costume Role | Defining characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daishi - Lead Vocals | Daishi Kajinaga (梶永大士) | February 5, 1976 | "The Hero" | Shortest band member |
| Aya - Guitar, dance | Naoki Okawa | March 17, 1980 | "The girl" | Pink hair |
| Lida - Lead guitar | Tatsuya Akeda | January 16, 1976 | Sidekick, "Whatever's left over". | Bright orange hair |
| Seek - Bass | Takuma Shiramizu | September 14, 1979 | Monster | His many piercings |
| Yura-sama - Drums, vocals, dance | Takeshi Kuroiwa | September 12, 1979 | Warrior, mystic | Platinum Hair |
Musicians credits' are as per the liner notes of the group's own records. Yura-sama is always credited with vocals, although his only lead vocal spot is the song "Area" and "Janus", which he shares with Daishi, while Lida is never credited with vocals, although he raps a verse in many songs. All members may take backing vocals. Many songs have a pre-recorded or sequenced backing track, to which Aya and Yura-sama will dance a para para
Para Para
is a synchronized group dance that originated in Japan. Unlike most club dancing and rave dancing there are specific synchronized movements for each song much like line dancing...
routine during live performances.
Discography
- Doppelganger ~mou hitori no jibun~ (26 September 2000)
- Prism (mini-album) (17 July 2002)
- Frontiers (27 August 2003) - An original mini-figure was included with the first pressing
- Beautiful World ~Kono hitomi ni utsuranai mono~ (11 October 2004)
- Psycho le Cemu Best (Greatest Indies Hits) (26 April 2006)
- ~Epilogue ~ Kataritsugareru Monogatari - A card signed by all the members was included with the pre-orders between 20 February - 24 April (Only available through mail order in Japan) (15 May 2006)
- Psycho le Cemu Best (Greatest Major Hits) (23 August 2006)
Singles
- "-Kronos-" (21 March 2000)
- "Risoukyou ryokou Guide Disc" (22 November 2000)
- "A Trip to the Arcadia" (18 July 2001) - A double single disk set
- "Remembrance" (8 January 2001)
- "Ai no uta" (2 October 2002)
- "Gekiai Merry-Go-Round / Shunkashuutou" (16 January 2003)
- "Roman Hikō" (23 April 2003) (1 May 2003) - A limited first print had special packaging.
- "Miracle High Tension!" (21 May 2003)
- "A Trip to the Arcadia" (8 October 2003) - Re-Release
- "Omoide aruki" (18 February 2004)
- "Michi no sora" (9 June 2004)
- "Yume kazaguruma" (6 October 2004)
- "Love is Dead A-type and B-type" (27 April 2005)
Demo Tapes
- Self Analysis (7 July 1999)
- Genesis (18 January 2001)
- Genesis (9 June 2001) - Re-release
DVD
- Psycho le Cému Majikaru BOX (25 December 2003) - In addition to the DVD, it has five character figures of the band, a pen with a LED light, a traveling pouch, a "magical" towel, and a set of twelve post cards.
- Psycho le Cému in USA - LIVE & DOCUMENT - (15 September 2004) - Psycho le Cému's tour of two anime and manga conventions in Anaheim, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Dallas, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. - ~Risoukyou ryokou Zepp~ (9 March 2005) - Live footage from their January 2003 performance at Zepp Tokyo.
- Psycho le Cému in USA II (19 April 2006) - Psycho le Cému's second DVD of their U.S. tour which took place between February 18, 2005 and March 6, 2005. Includes concert footage and behind-the scenes video.
- Psycho le Cemu ~Saishuu Banashi~ Mata Aeru Sono Hi Made... ~EPILOGUE~ Kataritsugareru Monogatari - Two-disc DVD covering their last tour through Japan. (October 11, 2006)
Books
- Psycho le Cému Magical Party Daihyakka (Magical Party Encyclopedia) (30 November 2003) - A compilation of Party #'s 1-31 that were organized by B-Pass magazine. Includes a bonus DVD of Party 26-31.
- The Magical Photograph Daizenshu (The Magical Photograph Collection) - (25 June 2004) - Psycho le Cemu's first photobook.
- Psycho le Cemu ~The birth of everyting [sic] ~ (October 2005) - An artbook of original drawings by Lida of all of PLC's indies costumes up to Gobou Hoshi Fantasy. Included with the book was a 2-song CD by Lida titled "CRIMSON."