Baroque (band)
| baroque | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Genres | alternative rock, rap rock, post-rock, electronic rock |
| Years active | 2001–2004, 2011, 2012–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts |
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| Website | Official site |
| Members | ryo Kei |
| Past members | Naru Yuji Bansaku Akira |
Baroque (stylized as BAROQUE and previously as baroque) is a Japanese rock band originally formed in 2001. Originally signed to S'Cube, a sub-division of the independent record label Free-Will, the band later switched to the company's Firewall Division, with distribution handled by Sony Music Entertainment Japan. After releasing two albums, along with a greatest hits compilation, several singles and home video releases, baroque disbanded in 2004.
They became the newest band to play at the prestigious Nippon Budokan after just two years and three months into their career. They have also been credited as one of the bands that started oshare kei, a subgenre of visual kei that features more colorful outfits and utilizes upbeat and "happy" music.
baroque reunited for a free concert in 2011 and fully restarted activities in January 2012. That same month, baroque became the first independent band to have three of the top five positions on Oricon's main chart. However, bassist Bansaku left the group several months later and guitarist Akira followed in 2013, leaving only the duo of vocalist ryo and guitarist Kei.
baroque was formed in May 2001 by guitarist Akira and bassist Bansaku, after vocalist ryo and guitarist Kei joined in June, they had their first concert in August. The following month saw the demo "Hitei Derikashi" released and around the same time drummer Naru joined. The band released the mini-album Tokyo Stripper at their first one-man concert on January 12, 2002. However, Naru left the band in March and was replaced by Yuji.
Even thou they were still an independent band, baroque was able to play at NHK Hall and Akasaka Blitz. They signed to a major label in Spring 2003, however, Yuji officially left the band in May 2003 due to problems with his brain/memory. Their first major single was July 2003's "Gakidou". When baroque went major, their sound shifted and included a drum machine; also their style shifted to casual clothing. Their second major single "Ila" (2004) particularly had a trance/electronica sound. After an August 20, 2003 concert at the Nippon Budokan, which made baroque the fastest band to play the prestigious venue after just two years and three months of activity, Kei was arrested due to a drunken fight with the venue crew. Their single was delayed, several concerts cancelled, and their website temporarily closed.
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