The Gazette (band)

the GazettE
The Gazette performing in 2015
Background information
Also known as	Gazette (ガゼット?)
Origin	Kanagawa, Japan
Genres	Alternative metal hard rock nu metal metalcore
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Matina King PS Company CLJ Sony Music JPU Youkai
Website	the-gazette.com
Members	Ruki Uruha Aoi Reita Kai
Past members	Yune

The Gazette (stylized as the GazettE), originally known as Gazette (ガゼット, Gazetto^?), is a Japanese visual kei rock band from Kanagawa formed in early 2002. The band is currently signed to Sony Music Records.

The band began in 2002 with Ruki (vocals), Reita (bass) and Uruha (lead guitar) in Kanagawa Prefecture. After being involved with other bands in the visual kei movement, the trio decided that the Gazette would be their last band. They recruited Aoi (rhythm guitar) and Yune (drums) from disbanded visual band Artia and formally became the Gazette in January 2002.

Originally signed to Matina, they released their first single, "Wakaremichi", and first music video on April 30, 2002. "Wakaremichi" was re-released in June. By September, they had released "Kichiku Kyoushi (32sai Dokushin) no Nousatsu Kouza" and their second PV. In October 2002, they played their first solo live, and on Christmas 2002, the 5-song compilation Yougenkyou with the song "Okuribi" was released.

In early 2003, Yune left the band and was replaced by Kai (from visual band Mareydi†Creia) who volunteered to be the leader of the band. Shortly after this, the Gazette signed with the PS Company label and in May, released their first EP, Cockayne Soup. They started their first tour with the band Hanamuke, during which the two bands collaborated on two songs.

A second tour followed with the band Vidoll. The bands were featured together on the November issue of Cure, a magazine focusing on visual kei bands.

In early December 2003, they played a co-headlining show with Deadman. On December 28, they performed at Fool's Mate magazine's Beauti-fool's Fest. The performance was later released on DVD.