Sug
Encyclopedia
Sug is a Japanese rock
band
that formed in 2006. They are also part of the visual kei
movement of Japan. The band has released two EPs
, two full-length studio album
s, and several singles. Until 2009, the band was signed to "Indie PSC", a subdivision of PS Company. As of 2010, they have signed onto a major label, Pony Canyon
, and joined the forefront of major bands on PS Company.
The band's tagline in promotional work is Heavy Positive Rock.
Shouta left the band in February and was replaced by Chiyu on bass. Their first release was "7th Breeze" on the compilation album
Cannonball Vol. 03. The band signed to the visual-kei label PS Company, and in August 2007, the band released their first single, "Scheat". Months after the release of their first single, Sug released their first EP
entitled Love Scream Party. To promote their music outside of Japan, Sug performed at "J-Rock Invasion" in Germany alongside Kagrra, Kra
, Alice Nine, and Screw—all of whom are also signed to CLJ Records, a German label.
Mitsuru left Sug after their live on May 9, 2009. It is supposed that Mitsuru left citing creative differences to the remaining band members. Their support drummer at the time, Shinpei, became a full-time member of the band after Mitsuru's departure.
Following the announcement of their single "Gr8 Story
," Sug announced their move onto major label PS Company during the live event called "Sug Fes 2009 Alternative POP Show ~ Vol.6" on November 30, 2009. "Gr8 Story
" was released through Pony Canyon
, and the title track was used as the ending song for the anime
Reborn!
According to the band, the song is "rather punkish", yet with a catchy tune and an "easy-listening appeal".
Their second studio album and their first album through Pony Canyon, Tokyo Muzical Hotel
, was released on March 9, 2010. Their third studio album and their second album through Pony Canyon Thrill Ride Pirates, wad released a year later, also on March 9.
Former members – bass (2006–2007)
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
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
that formed in 2006. They are also part of the 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...
movement of Japan. The band has released 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...
, two full-length studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
s, and several singles. Until 2009, the band was signed to "Indie PSC", a subdivision of PS Company. As of 2010, they have signed onto a major label, Pony Canyon
Pony Canyon
is a Japanese company, established on October 1, 1966 , which publishes music, DVD and VHS videos, movies and video games. It is a subsidiary of Japanese Media Group, Fujisankei Communications Group.-History:...
, and joined the forefront of major bands on PS Company.
The band's tagline in promotional work is Heavy Positive Rock.
History
Vocalist Takeru and guitarists Masato and Yuji had previously performed in a band called Travel. After Travel disbanded, they joined with AmeriA's bassist, Shouta, to form Sug in October 2006. The drummer Mitsuru then joined in November of the same year.Shouta left the band in February and was replaced by Chiyu on bass. Their first release was "7th Breeze" on the compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
Cannonball Vol. 03. The band signed to the visual-kei label PS Company, and in August 2007, the band released their first single, "Scheat". Months after the release of their first single, Sug released their first EP
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...
entitled Love Scream Party. To promote their music outside of Japan, Sug performed at "J-Rock Invasion" in Germany alongside Kagrra, Kra
Kra (band)
Kra is a Japanese visual kei band on the PS Company label. Their music is a unruly combination of pop, alternative, indie rock, with a sprinkle of funk.Kra made their major label debut with the single Heart Balance on September 21, 2006.-History:...
, Alice Nine, and Screw—all of whom are also signed to CLJ Records, a German label.
Mitsuru left Sug after their live on May 9, 2009. It is supposed that Mitsuru left citing creative differences to the remaining band members. Their support drummer at the time, Shinpei, became a full-time member of the band after Mitsuru's departure.
Following the announcement of their single "Gr8 Story
Gr8 Story
Gr8 Story is a single by Japanese visual kei band Sug. It is part of the album Tokyo Muzical Hotel, released on March 9, 2010...
," Sug announced their move onto major label PS Company during the live event called "Sug Fes 2009 Alternative POP Show ~ Vol.6" on November 30, 2009. "Gr8 Story
Gr8 Story
Gr8 Story is a single by Japanese visual kei band Sug. It is part of the album Tokyo Muzical Hotel, released on March 9, 2010...
" was released through Pony Canyon
Pony Canyon
is a Japanese company, established on October 1, 1966 , which publishes music, DVD and VHS videos, movies and video games. It is a subsidiary of Japanese Media Group, Fujisankei Communications Group.-History:...
, and the title track was used as the ending song for the 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....
Reborn!
Reborn!
Reborn!, known in Japan as , is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Akira Amano. The plot revolves around the life of a young boy named Tsunayoshi Sawada, who finds out that he is next in line to become the boss of the most powerful Mafia organization called Vongola, the Vongola Family...
According to the band, the song is "rather punkish", yet with a catchy tune and an "easy-listening appeal".
Their second studio album and their first album through Pony Canyon, Tokyo Muzical Hotel
Tokyo Muzical Hotel
Tokyo Muzical Hotel is the second full-length album by Sug. It is the band's first album release since their major label debut on Pony Canyon...
, was released on March 9, 2010. Their third studio album and their second album through Pony Canyon Thrill Ride Pirates, wad released a year later, also on March 9.
Name
The name "Sug" is derived from the transliteration of the English word "thug", written (and pronounced) in Japanese as . The name is then simplified to the slightly more romantic "Sug".Members
– 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...
- Masato – guitarGuitarThe 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...
- Yuji – guitar
- Chiyu – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Shinpei – drums
Former members – bass (2006–2007)
- Mitsuru – drums (2006–2009)
Albums and EPs
- I Scream PartyI Scream PartyI Scream Party is the first EP by Sug, released December 19, 2007. It includes 5 tracks and DVD, which included the music video and making of footage for "Love Scream Party".-Track listing:Disc one...
(19 December 2007) - N0iz StarN0iz StarN0iz Star is the first full-length album by Sug, released May 14, 2008. It includes 11 tracks, a DVD with the music video for "Vi-Vi-Vi" and a forty-page booklet.-Track listing:Disk one #Chocoholic N0iz - 1:08...
(14 May 2008) - PunkitschPunkitschPunkitsch is the second EP by SuG, released September 3, 2008. It includes 5 tracks and a DVD, which included the music video for "butterfly BoY", and making of footage for "butterfly BoY".-Track listing:Disc one #butterfly BoY - 3:07...
(3 September 2008) - Tokyo Muzical HotelTokyo Muzical HotelTokyo Muzical Hotel is the second full-length album by Sug. It is the band's first album release since their major label debut on Pony Canyon...
(9 March 2010) - Thrill Ride Pirates (9 March 2011)
Singles
- Scheat (1 August 2007)
- Yumegiwa Downer (2 September 2007)
- Alterna. (5 September 2007)
- Tricolour Color (3 December 2008)
- 39GalaxyZ (15 April 2009)
- Life 2DieLife 2Die"Life♥2Die" is the sixth single released by the Japanese visual kei band Sug. The song was released on 14 October 2009. This was the band's first single with Shinpei as the drummer, after former drummer Mitsuru left on 9 May 2009.- Music video :...
(14 October 2009) - Pink MasqueradePink Masquerade"Pink Masquerade" is the seventh single released by the Japanese band Sug. The song was released on 18 November 2009.- Music video :The video starts with an emergency news cast on a fictional news channel called "SuG Dollar Television" in which a news presenter named Kerwin, in terribly broken...
(18 November 2009) - Gr8 StoryGr8 StoryGr8 Story is a single by Japanese visual kei band Sug. It is part of the album Tokyo Muzical Hotel, released on March 9, 2010...
(27 January 2010) - Koakuma Sparkling (30 June 2010)
- R.P.G.: Rockin' Playing Game (1 September 2010)
- Crazy Bunny Coaster (12 January 2011)
- Madship (5 February 2011)
- Gimme Gimme (15 June 2011)
- Toy Soldier (26 October 2011)