Dead End (band)
| Dead End | |
|---|---|
Dead End circa late 1987, from left to right:
Minato, Joe, Morrie, You. |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1984–1990, 2009–present |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts | |
| Website | dead-end |
| Members |
Morrie Crazy Cool Joe You |
| Past members | Takahiro Tano Minato |
Dead End (stylized as DEAD END) is a Japanese heavy metal/hard rock band formed in Tokyo in 1984. They were one of few Japanese metal bands who had international exposure in the United States during the eighties. Originally disbanded in 1990, Dead End reunited in 2009 after almost two decades.
Although they achieved only limited commercial success in their homeland, Dead End had a significant impact on its rock scene, influencing numerous musicians in, or related to, the developing visual kei scene in the 1990s. Specifically Morrie who inspired the visual appearance and rough vocal style of many prominent singers.
"The name Dead End to us implied that we will be the last of something. Nothing like us would come after us, really the end, definitive."
Dead End was formed in December 1984 by singer Morrie and guitarist Takahiro, both previously in the band Liar, bassist Crazy Cool Joe coming from the band Rajas, and drummer Tano from Terra Rosa. They had their first show in March 1985, at the Osaka Bourbon House in front of almost 500 people.
In 1986, they went on a nationwide tour called Dademonium Break Tour '86 Vol.1, after which guitarist Takahiro left and was replaced by You from Terra Rosa. In June they released their first records, the singles "Replica" and "Worst Song" on the independent label Night Gallery. Followed by their debut album Dead Line on June 30, which sold 20,000 copies, a rare achievement for a "house" band not yet signed to a major label. To commemorate the release of the album, the band played the Osaka Bourbon House again, and this time had a crowd of 800 people.
In 1987, drummer Tano left the band due to poor health, just before Dead End signed to major label Victor Entertainment. He was replaced by Masafumi Minato from Saber Tiger after an audition held in May, completing the "classic" line-up that remained until their disbandment. On September 8 the band released their most successful album Ghost of Romance, which reached No.14 on the Oricon chart. At the end of the year Dead End signed with the American label Metal Blade Records for releases of Ghost of Romance and their next album. Ghost of Romance was released in December, and although it didn't enter the charts, it received a very good review in Kerrang! magazine.
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