Siam Shade
| Siam Shade | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Ataru, Power |
| Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1991–2002, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015–2016 |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts |
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| Website | siamshade.jp |
| Members | Hideki Natchin Kazuma Daita Jun-ji |
| Past members | Ataru A |
Siam Shade (stylized as SIAM SHADE) is a five-piece Japanese rock band, formed in Tokyo in 1991. They broke onto the visual kei scene alongside a multitude of other artists in the early 1990s and enjoyed a decade of relative popularity before disbanding in early 2002. The members have reunited several times since 2007 for one-off concerts and short tours. Outside Japan, Siam Shade is best known for "1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou", one of the many ending themes of the Rurouni Kenshin anime.
The band, originally called Power, was formed in 1991 by Natin and Hideki (then known as Chack), two high school friends with an affinity for music. Their aspirations started to become a reality in 1992, when they met guitarist Kazuma at a talent show. After seeing his performance, they recruited the guitarist into the band and changed their name to Ataru. In 1993, guitarist Ataru and drummer A, completed the lineup and the group began touring, playing small clubs and local venues. Shortly after, they changed their name again, settling on Siam Shade. They released a demo on May 1, shortly after which Ataru left. Hideki then called on his former roommate and one-time band member Daita to fill in the lead guitar slot. The band became close with Luna Sea, with Ryuichi Kawamura promoting the band in 1994 by playing their demo tape on his radio show.
Siam Shade underwent a brief lineup change in 1994 when A left the band and was replaced by Jun-ji, solidifying the group's lineup until their disbandment. Jun-ji was a roadie for Luna Sea drummer Shinya Yamada. Later that year, the band released their first self-titled album. In 2004, it was named one of the top albums from 1989-1998 in an issue of the music magazine Band Yarouze. Roughly one year later, the band signed with Sony Music Entertainment Japan and released their second album, Siam Shade II. The album was met with favorable reactions, and the success of the album's two singles, "Rain" and "Time's", helped to solidify the band's presence in the rock scene.
The band burst into the mainstream in late 1996 when "1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou", a single from their latest album Siam Shade IV, was selected as an ending theme for the Rurouni Kenshin anime series. The song's popularity led to increased ticket sales, concert DVDs, and television appearances.
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