Takara (band)
Encyclopedia
Takara is an American
rock
band, formed in 1987. Throughout the years, Takara has frequently changed their look and line-up. The only band member still standing is guitarist Neal Grusky.
. As they entered the studio it became apparent that the current singer was not ready to record. In order to finish the new Takara demo, Soto was asked to help out, and sing on the demo. Thus then began the relationship between the band and Jeff Scott Soto.
. In 1992 Takara regrouped and added new members that would perform in Eternal Faith. The line-up was now complete with Jeff Scott Soto
on vocals, Neal Grusky on guitar, Gary Schutt on bass and Bob Duda on drums. In August 1993, Zero Corporation (Japan) and Now and Then records (Europe) offered Takara a deal to release Eternal Faith in December 1993.
After a short break the band began to work on what was to become their second album. Before rehearsals began, bassist Carl Demarco joined Takara and they returned to the studio to record Taste of Heaven
. The band enlisted Bob Daisley
on bass for guest performances on two songs. Taste of Heaven was released in May 1995 by Zero Corporation (Japan) and Long Island records (Europe). Upon its release, Taste of Heaven had commercial success, and Long Island records brought Takara to Germany for a promo tour.
In 1996 Saraya Recordings, a new US label, asked to release Eternal Faith and Taste of Heaven as its first releases. The band felt that there was momentum starting to build and wasted no time in working on their third release. In 1998 they released Blind in Paradise through Zero Corporation (Japan), Point Music (Europe), and Saraya Recordings (US). Shortly after the release of ‘Blind in Paradise’, all of Takara's labels released a greatest hits album Eternity: Best of 93 - 98.
and keyboardist Brook Hansen. Brook and Neal had known each other for years and always shared similar ideas on music. Finally, the last to come aboard was vocalist Michael J. Flatters, who Neal found through a mutual friend.
With the band complete, Takara re-entered the studio in February 2000 to record their fourth album, Perception of Reality
. One year later, it was completed and released.
In 2008 the band released a new album Invitation To Forever with a new line-up once again. This lineup includes Neal Grusky (Guitars), Bjorn Englen (bass), Patrick Johannson (drums), Brook Hansen (keyboards) and vocalist Gus Monsanto. Jeff Scott Soto
also returned after ten years to provide harmony vocals for this latest effort. This album marked a turning point in Takara with Neal Grusky Takara's main songwriter taking his powerful songwriting talent into a much harder edge than on previous Takara albums. Thus, gaining the mass approval by the fans, and critices alike.
Shortly after the release of Invitation To Forever guitarist, and bandleader Neal Grusky once again made some very tough band lineup decisions. This time the Neal opted to changed the entire band lineup completely. With the successful release of Invitation To Forever he gambled on a new lineup that featured even more amazing talent, something of which he has been become quite good at. His first new member to come aboard was Drummer Gene Mcewen. Next, was vocalist Jamie Kelli, and finally Neal reunited with original Takara bassist Carl Demarco. With this lineup in place Takara proceeded to prepare for its first live shows in its history. Takara set up a short west coast tour of Southern California. Takara celebrated this short tour by performing a great hits set. They performed all of their most popular songs from each of their 6 studio albums.
On October 30, 2010, Takara finally performed their first live show to kick off their mini tour of Southern Californai with new vocalist Jaime Kelli at Paladino's in Los Angeles, California. The band posted video clips of the entire concert on the popular internet video site Youtube. Takara went on the perform several more shows.
Once the mini tour ended, Takara announced it had began work on its 7th studio album Wicked and Beautiful. They promised one of the best,and most melodic album of theirs to date.
Takara stated it would release an album called Invitation to Faith a collection of rare and unreleased songs spanning the course of the history of Takara. This package will contain rare live DVD footage that has never been released.
Takara announced it would be contributing the song "Little Dolls" from the lengendary Blizzard of Ozz album "Diary of a Madman" to a Randy Rhoads/ Ozzy tribute album due to be released in early 2012
Takara now also connects with its fans via its new facebook account. www.facebook.com/takara
along with this is its regular site www.takararocks.com
It also still maintains it's www.myspace.com/takararocks
Last but not least Takara announced that all of its music is now available via
Itunes, rhapsody, amazon, and all other pay download sites.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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, formed in 1987. Throughout the years, Takara has frequently changed their look and line-up. The only band member still standing is guitarist Neal Grusky.
1980s - Early days
Takara was originally formed in August 1987. After a few months of rehearsals the band made their debut in October with a show in Hollywood, California. The band proceeded to play many more shows throughout 1987-88. In November of 1988, Takara went into the studio to record their first demo with producer Jeff Scott SotoJeff Scott Soto
Jeff Scott Soto is an American rock singer of Puerto Rican descent. He is best known for being the lead singer for the group Talisman from 1990 till the end of Talisman in 2007, the vocalist on Yngwie Malmsteen's first two albums, and for stepping up to the job of lead vocalist for Journey on...
. As they entered the studio it became apparent that the current singer was not ready to record. In order to finish the new Takara demo, Soto was asked to help out, and sing on the demo. Thus then began the relationship between the band and Jeff Scott Soto.
1990s - The Soto era
In 1990, Takara went back into the studio to record what would eventually become their debut album, Eternal FaithEternal Faith
Eternal Faith was the 1st studio album by hard rock band Takara released in December 1993 on Now and Then Records.The album was released to a very receptive audience. This new album entered the Burrn! Charts at #16 and European charts at #8....
. In 1992 Takara regrouped and added new members that would perform in Eternal Faith. The line-up was now complete with Jeff Scott Soto
Jeff Scott Soto
Jeff Scott Soto is an American rock singer of Puerto Rican descent. He is best known for being the lead singer for the group Talisman from 1990 till the end of Talisman in 2007, the vocalist on Yngwie Malmsteen's first two albums, and for stepping up to the job of lead vocalist for Journey on...
on vocals, Neal Grusky on guitar, Gary Schutt on bass and Bob Duda on drums. In August 1993, Zero Corporation (Japan) and Now and Then records (Europe) offered Takara a deal to release Eternal Faith in December 1993.
After a short break the band began to work on what was to become their second album. Before rehearsals began, bassist Carl Demarco joined Takara and they returned to the studio to record Taste of Heaven
Taste of Heaven
Taste of Heaven was the second studio album by hard rock band Takara released in May 1995 on Long Island Records.Upon its release the album was selling so well that Long Island Records brought Takara to Germany for a promo tour...
. The band enlisted Bob Daisley
Bob Daisley
Robert John "Bob" Daisley is an Australian musician, bassist and lyricist who has performed in genres of rock, blues, R&B, hard rock and metal.-Early career:...
on bass for guest performances on two songs. Taste of Heaven was released in May 1995 by Zero Corporation (Japan) and Long Island records (Europe). Upon its release, Taste of Heaven had commercial success, and Long Island records brought Takara to Germany for a promo tour.
In 1996 Saraya Recordings, a new US label, asked to release Eternal Faith and Taste of Heaven as its first releases. The band felt that there was momentum starting to build and wasted no time in working on their third release. In 1998 they released Blind in Paradise through Zero Corporation (Japan), Point Music (Europe), and Saraya Recordings (US). Shortly after the release of ‘Blind in Paradise’, all of Takara's labels released a greatest hits album Eternity: Best of 93 - 98.
2000s - New line-up
In late 1998, the Takara line-up went through an enormous change. Two thirds of Takara had left the band for various reasons. All that was left was guitarist leader Neal Grusky and bassist Carl Demarco. The band found drummer Chad ClarkChad Clark
Chad Clark is an American drummer raised in Marshalltown, IA and based in Los Angeles. He is most known as the drummer for hard rock act Heaven Below, drummer/manager for hard rock act Lexington and was editor of the band's music video "Drowning"...
and keyboardist Brook Hansen. Brook and Neal had known each other for years and always shared similar ideas on music. Finally, the last to come aboard was vocalist Michael J. Flatters, who Neal found through a mutual friend.
With the band complete, Takara re-entered the studio in February 2000 to record their fourth album, Perception of Reality
Perception of Reality
Perception of Reality was the 4th studio album by hard rock band Takara released in 2001 on Lion Music & Saraya Recordings.-Track listing:# "Miles Away"# "Shadows In The Night"# "Tomorrow"# "Without You"# "Ready To Promise"# "L.I.E.S."...
. One year later, it was completed and released.
In 2008 the band released a new album Invitation To Forever with a new line-up once again. This lineup includes Neal Grusky (Guitars), Bjorn Englen (bass), Patrick Johannson (drums), Brook Hansen (keyboards) and vocalist Gus Monsanto. Jeff Scott Soto
Jeff Scott Soto
Jeff Scott Soto is an American rock singer of Puerto Rican descent. He is best known for being the lead singer for the group Talisman from 1990 till the end of Talisman in 2007, the vocalist on Yngwie Malmsteen's first two albums, and for stepping up to the job of lead vocalist for Journey on...
also returned after ten years to provide harmony vocals for this latest effort. This album marked a turning point in Takara with Neal Grusky Takara's main songwriter taking his powerful songwriting talent into a much harder edge than on previous Takara albums. Thus, gaining the mass approval by the fans, and critices alike.
Shortly after the release of Invitation To Forever guitarist, and bandleader Neal Grusky once again made some very tough band lineup decisions. This time the Neal opted to changed the entire band lineup completely. With the successful release of Invitation To Forever he gambled on a new lineup that featured even more amazing talent, something of which he has been become quite good at. His first new member to come aboard was Drummer Gene Mcewen. Next, was vocalist Jamie Kelli, and finally Neal reunited with original Takara bassist Carl Demarco. With this lineup in place Takara proceeded to prepare for its first live shows in its history. Takara set up a short west coast tour of Southern California. Takara celebrated this short tour by performing a great hits set. They performed all of their most popular songs from each of their 6 studio albums.
On October 30, 2010, Takara finally performed their first live show to kick off their mini tour of Southern Californai with new vocalist Jaime Kelli at Paladino's in Los Angeles, California. The band posted video clips of the entire concert on the popular internet video site Youtube. Takara went on the perform several more shows.
Once the mini tour ended, Takara announced it had began work on its 7th studio album Wicked and Beautiful. They promised one of the best,and most melodic album of theirs to date.
Takara stated it would release an album called Invitation to Faith a collection of rare and unreleased songs spanning the course of the history of Takara. This package will contain rare live DVD footage that has never been released.
Takara announced it would be contributing the song "Little Dolls" from the lengendary Blizzard of Ozz album "Diary of a Madman" to a Randy Rhoads/ Ozzy tribute album due to be released in early 2012
Takara now also connects with its fans via its new facebook account. www.facebook.com/takara
along with this is its regular site www.takararocks.com
It also still maintains it's www.myspace.com/takararocks
Last but not least Takara announced that all of its music is now available via
Itunes, rhapsody, amazon, and all other pay download sites.
Studio albums
- 1993 - Eternal FaithEternal FaithEternal Faith was the 1st studio album by hard rock band Takara released in December 1993 on Now and Then Records.The album was released to a very receptive audience. This new album entered the Burrn! Charts at #16 and European charts at #8....
- 1995 - Taste of HeavenTaste of HeavenTaste of Heaven was the second studio album by hard rock band Takara released in May 1995 on Long Island Records.Upon its release the album was selling so well that Long Island Records brought Takara to Germany for a promo tour...
- 1998 - Blind in ParadiseBlind in ParadiseBlind in Paradise was the 3rd studio album by hard rock band Takara released in 1998 on Point Music & Saraya Recordings.-Track listing:# "Take U Down"# "Your Love 2night"# "Fly 2 Your Arms"# "Love Is Gone"# "What Do U Want From Me"...
- 2001 - Perception of RealityPerception of RealityPerception of Reality was the 4th studio album by hard rock band Takara released in 2001 on Lion Music & Saraya Recordings.-Track listing:# "Miles Away"# "Shadows In The Night"# "Tomorrow"# "Without You"# "Ready To Promise"# "L.I.E.S."...
- 2008 - Invitation to Forever