Alice Nine ~ Profile & History

Alice Nine (アリス九號., or alicenine. is a visual kei band, formed in 2004 and originally signed to PS Company, a sub-division of Free-Will. They were formerly signed to King Records until 2010. As of 2010, the band is signed to both PS Company and Tokuma Japan Communications in Japan, as well as to German label CLJ Records in Europe and has released three full-length records, along with several EPs, singles and DVDs

History

2004-2005: Conception and early work

In August 2004, Alice Nine formed after the disbandment of the band Givuss, and the band's vocalist, Shou, and guitarist Tora continued on to search for members to form a new band. Saga, the bassist for the band Delta Ark, and Nao, drummer for the bands Fatima and RusH, were also seeking bandmates as well, and the four members eventually joined together. Hiroto was the last member to join after Shou, Tora, Saga, and Nao spotted him at a performance with his band at the time, Baquepia. Shou explains that the "Alice" in the band's name was something that they believed sounded "very visual kei" to them, while the "Nine" is written in kanji and represents their origins as a Japanese band. 

Their first concert was held at the Ikebukuro Cyber on May 11, 2004 and soon after they released their first single, Namae wa, Mada Nai in July, and they soon toured with fellow PS Company band BIS. In November, their first EP, Gion Shouja no Kane ga Naru, was released, and later that month, they did a nation-wide tour with the band Karen from Under Code Productions

In 2005, the pace of CD releases increased; the band released the singles "Gin no Tsuki Kuroi Hoshi," "Yami ni Chiru Sakura," and "Yuri wa Aoku Saite" consecutively for three months. These singles were eventually compiled onto their first major EP, Kasou Musou Shi, through a joint deal with PS Company and King Records. Alice Nine also went on tour with several bands throughout the year, including Ayabie, Kra, and Kagrra. Following these events, the band had its first solo tour, Alice in Wonder Tour, in August that year.

2007: Alpha and mainstream success

A turning point for the band came when the single "Jewels" was released in March. The single allowed the band to land their first magazine cover and feature article with volume 171 of Shoxx Magazine.  Later that month on April 28, the band released "Dive into the Sun," a photobook that included an exclusive CD containing the song "Gekkou Yoku." Another landmark was Alice Nine's first performance outside of Japan at the JRock Revolution festival in Los Angeles, California on May 25, 2007. They joined with several other Japanese bands and became the closing performance of the Friday that weekend.

The release of the "White Prayer" single in June marked another milestone for the band's development; vocalist Shou explained in an interview with Shoxx Magazine that the song defined the style that the band was aiming for and hoped to maintain in the future. The process of the song's creation also came about more naturally than usual, as many songs until then were made through trial and error. Later that year, on October 24, the group's single "Tsubasa" was released and peaked at number six on the Oricon charts, making it one of their successful singles to date and landing the band a guest appearance on the Fuji Television variety show Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ for the first time.

On November 28, 2007, their second full-length album, Alpha, was released. The title for the album originated as a means to describe the band's return to their roots and beginning anew. The uppercase first letter of the Greek alphabet, Α, was chosen to symbolize this idea. Aside from the singles to be compiled onto the album, recording for songs began in September and lasted for approximately one month. The album reached the ninth position on the Oricon weekly chart, selling over 17,000 copies in its first week.

2008: Vandalize

Alice Nine started off the year with another tour, alice nine. 2008 standing tour "A to U". However, complications arose when guitarist Tora was diagnosed with a spinal disc hernia, which had worsened over time to the point of numbness throughout the left side of his body. Finally seeking medical help, the tour had to be postponed until Tora recovered enough for the band to resume activities in Tokyo

The band released a new single, titled "Mirror Ball" on March 26, 2008. The title song of the single was used in the live-action movie adaptation of the manga Aquarian Age.

Two compilations of the band's music videos, "Alice in Pictures I" and "Alice in Pictures II", were released on July 2, 2008. The DVDs contain approximately 8 music videos in chronological order of their original release, with "Alice in Pictures I" including the videos from "Gin no Tsuki Kuroi Hoshi" to "Number Six". "Alice in Pictures II" contains videos from "Jewels" to "Eraser -Memoire d'une fleur-", and also includes a new music video for "Gekkou Yoku", a song which was exclusively included with the "Dive into the Sun" photobook

On August 6, the band released their latest single, "Rainbows." The single reached a peak mark of #3 on the Japanese Oricon daily charts which is currently the band's current top position on mainstream Japanese charts. The band also started their tour called "Discotheque play like 'A' Rainbows" which coincided with the new single. The tour lasted the entire month, and the concert footage was released on their live DVD, Discotheque play like "A" Rainbows -enter&exit-, on October 29, 2008.

The band's fourteenth maxi-single, "Cross Game," was released on December 10, 2008. The title song was used as the ending theme song for the second season of the anime Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D'S and was released in two versions. On December 19, 2008, the band's tour at the time culminated in the grand final, named "Crossing the Supernova", at NHK Hall.

A blog entry by vocalist Shou announced that the band was in recording sessions for a third album named Vandalize, which was released on January 14, 2009. "Cross Game" is the third single to be featured on the album, along with "Mirror Ball" and "Rainbows" for a total of 11 tracks. The album's title comes from the theme of "the destruction of culture."

2009: Fifth anniversary

In the following weeks of the release of Vandalize, the band started their tour for the year, Untitled Vandal(ism). The first half of the tour ran from February to April, while its second half ran throughout the month of July. The tour's finale, "Graced the Beautiful Day," occurred on August 23, 2009 at the Tokyo International Forum Hall. Footage from the finale, as well as live studio performance footage, is set to be released on the live DVD, "Untitled Vandal(ism) #Finale 'Graced the Beautiful Day,'" on November 11, 2009.

On June 2, 2009, a blog entry by vocalist Shou announced the changing of their name from "アリス九號." or "alice nine." to "Alice Nine" for media reasons. He explained that the Japanese transcription was beginning to lose its purpose as a means to "represent aesthetics" and that the English transcription was closest to the band's original intention. The Japanese transcription could also not be read as the band's proper name without the use of furigana or other means of alternative text. The entry also announced new work for the band's fifth anniversary—a new single and a new book, which would use the new English transcription upon release. Alice Nine's fifteenth maxi-single, "Hana," was released on August 5, 2009. Shou describes the titular track as a "danceable song with a sweet and oriental feeling." "Piece of 5ive Elements 'The Book' ~Alice Nine 5th~" is a book containing interviews, reports on the band's concert activities during 2009, photography, and more, and was released on August 24, 2009.

On December 16, Alice Nine held their last concert for 2009. During the three-hour-long event, they performed a variety of songs from their entire career. For the very first song of the night, the band also performed a cover of The Beatles' hit song, "All You Need Is Love."

2010-present: Gemini

The band began its activities in 2010 with the announcement of a compilation album, Alice Nine Complete Collection 2006-2009, which contains the title songs from each of the band's maxi-singles released since 2006. The compilation album was released on March 24, 2010. The band also finished their first tour of the year, Kikagaku no Kotowari (幾何学ノ理), that same month.

In January 2010, the band would also begin broadcasting programs on their own channel, "Alice 9 Channel," on the popular Japanese video sharing website Nico Nico Douga. The monthly program, hosted by guitarist Tora, features live interviews and announcements with members of the band, as well as broadcasts of concert footage and music videos. The live structure of the broadcast also allows users to comment on the program and give real-time feedback on questions directed towards the audience. The first installment of the program aired on January 15, 2010 and was viewed by over 16,000 users.

On April 4, 2010, during the final live of the Kikagaku no Kotowari tour, the band announced the release of a new single on August 4, 2010. However, the official website stated a slight delay of the single's release, pushing the release date to August 25, 2010. In the same announcement, the single was officially titled "Senkou." Filming of the music video for "Senkou" began in May 2010.

The band's official 2010 tour, Flash Light from the past, began on July 5, 2010. The tour spanned over the following four months with 30 performances in 27 live houses across Japan. The tour ended with a concert on January 6, 2011 at the Nippon Budokan.The final performance was aired on January 31st on WOWOW, and a DVD containing footage of the concert is to be released on May 2, 2011. The bass guitars and outfit that Saga used during the tour were displayed at ESP Ochanomizu Technical House in Tokyo, Japan until January 23.

In the November 2010 edition of "Alice 9 Channel," Saga accidentally revealed the title and tentative release date for the band's fourth studio album, Gemini, earlier than planned. Details of the album followed soon after, and Gemini was released on February 9, 2011. The album ranked at number 3 on the Oricon Weekly Charts upon release, making the album their highest ranking release yet. A tour coinciding with the release of the album, entitled "Spring Circuit -Prelude to 'GEMINI'-," will run from April to May 2011.

Style

Alice Nine's musical style can mainly be described as rock, with touches of pop, and a few instances of dance music. Their works range diversely, including heavier songs that were more prevalent in their early career, slow ballads and medium tempo songs, and the lighter rock sound marked with more melodic instrumentation and synthesizers that is present on their 2007 album, Alpha. As they progressed through the years, the band began releasing songs that focus more on appealing to the mainstream public.

The band's appearance and shift from a heavy visual kei look also took place over the length of their career. In early work, Alice Nine's clothing in promotional footage and live concerts was a stylized take on traditional Japanese clothing, along with moderate makeup, piercings, and bright hair colors such as red and pale blonde. However, in 2006, the look began to fade out and essentially disappeared the year after, having been replaced with leather and the onset of street fashion, clothing that would appeal to popular culture. Music videos for "Blue Planet" and "Gekkou Yoku" show off a relaxed and casual look, while videos such as those for "Cosmic World" and "Rainbows" are examples of forays into street fashion.

Members

Shou (将)

Part: Lead Vocal DOB: July 5th

Hiroto (ヒロト)

Part: Electric & Acoustic guitar DOB: May 4th

Tora (虎)

Part: Electric & Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals and Piano DOB: September 17th

Saga (沙我)

Part: Bass, Guitar, Synthesizer&Programming and Backing vocals DOB: June 24th

Nao (ナオ)

Part: Drums and Leader DOB: July 31st

Members Profile

Screen Name: Shou
Real Name: Kohara Kazumasa
Position in the band: Vocalist
Born: July 5, 1981
Blood type: O
Height: 177cm
Weight: 58kg
Foot size: Actual size is 26 but usually wear 27.
Favorite brand store: DIET BUTCHER SLIM SKIN, UNDER COVER, And A, Vivienne Westwood
Favorite music: LUNASEA, KORN, Atari Teenage Riot, The Used, MUSE
Fragrance: BVLGARI black
Hobby: TV Game/shop for secondhand clothing ,and Coffee
My　phrase: WAKARUYoo (I feel that.)
Something will never give up on: Sleeping hours
My boom: Going to take a walk
My future enthusiasm: Want to be the effective artist in a nice way to the fans. I..ll work hard for that.

Screen Name: Hiroto
Real Name: Ogata Hiroto
Position in the band: Guitarist
Born: May 4, 1985
Blood type: O
Height: 166cm
Weight: 51Kg
Foot size: 26cm
Favorite brand store: Effect, Addidas
Favorite music: Post Rock, Something HOT
Fragrance: None
Hobby: Go around to see the sight in Japan, photos
My　phrase: IKERUDARO (Can you GO!?)
Something will never give up on: My belief and Guitar
My boom: Skateboard, collecting shoes
My future enthusiasm: I..ll go toward to the scene I..d never seen.

Screen Name: Tora
Real Name: Amano Shinji
Position in band: Guitarist
Born: September 17, 1982
Blood type: O
Height: 182cm
Weight: 70kg
Foot size: 26cm
Favorite brand store: GUCCI
Favorite music: Korn
Fragrance: Burberry
My　phrase: MENDOKUSeeI (means bothersome..)
Hobby: Skateboard/BMX
Something will never give up on: My beliefs
My boom: 長州小力(cho-shu-koriki)
My future enthusiasm: Make 2008, the Alice Nine Year

Screen Name: Saga
Real Name: Sakamoto Takasi
Position in the band: Bassist
Born: June 24, 1982
Blood type: AB
Height: 175cm
Weight: 55kg
Foot size: 27.0cm
Favorite brand store: NCYHAIT/abx
Favorite music: UNDERWORLD/downy/NUMBER GIRL/and the music with a hot & a floaty sound
Fragrance: DOLCE&GABBANA
My phrase: OKUSAN!(Maam !)
Hobby: Walk with a dog.
Something will never give up on: Something I am proud of
My boom: Clothing
My future enthusiasm: Go over my limit. View things widely

Screen Name: Nao
Real Name:Murai Naoyuko
Position in the band: Drummer, leader
Born: July 31, 1980
Blood type: A
Height: 170cm
Weight: 53Kg
Foot size: 26.0cm
Favorite brand store: PATRICK COX、RUPERT
Favorite music: Alternative music
Fragrance: BVLGARI BLACK、BVLGARI BLUE
My phrase: Wa-ka-ru-(I know, understand)
Hobby: HIKIKOMORI
Something will never give up on: My　time in HIKIKOMORI
My boom: Onii-kei　（mature looking)
My future enthusiasm

Discography

Studio albums

[2006.04.26] Zekkeishoku (絶景色; Vivid Scenery of Colors) Oricon Weekly Album Chart Position: 13

[2007.11.28] Alpha Oricon Weekly Album Chart Position: 9

[2009.01.14] Vandalize Oricon Weekly Album Chart Position: 7

[2011.02.09] Gemini Oricon Weekly Album Chart Position: 1

Extended plays

[2004.11.17] Gion Shouja no Kane ga Naru (祇園盛者の鐘が鳴る; The Gion Temple's Bells Toll) Oricon Weekly Album Chart Position: 62

[2005.07.27] ALICE IN WONDEЯLAND Oricon Weekly Album Chart Position: 55

[2005.11.23] Kasou Musou Shi (華想夢想紙; Flower Fancying Dream Fancying Paper) Oricon Weekly Album Chart Position: 47

Compilation albums

[2010.03.24] Alice Nine Complete Collection 2006-2009 Oricon Weekly Album Chart Position: 46

Singles

[2004.07.05] Namae wa, Mada Nai (名前は、未だ無ひ。; I Don't Yet Have a Name) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 94

[2005.03.30] Gin no Tsuki Kuroi Hoshi (銀の月 黒い星; Silver Moon, Black Star) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 45

[2005.04.27] Yami ni Chiru Sakura (闇ニ散ル桜; Cherry Blossoms Scattered in the Darkness) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 54

[2005.05.25] Yuri wa Aoku Saite (百合は蒼く咲いて; Lilies Bloom Palely) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 51

[2006.01.25] Kowloon Nine Heads Rodeo Show (九龍; Nine Dragons) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 22

[2006.02.22] FANTASY Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 20

[2006.02.22] Akatsuki/Ikuoku no Chandelier (暁/幾億のシャンデリア; Dawn/Several Million Chandeliers)Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 24

[2006.10.04] Blue Planet

[2006.10.04] Number Six

[2007.03.21] Jewels Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 15

[2007.06.06] White Prayer Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 12

[2007.10.24] Tsubasa Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 6

[2008.03.26] Mirror Ball Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 6

[2008.08.06] Rainbows Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 6

[2008.12.10] Cross Game Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 8

[2009.08.05] Hana (華【hæ･nə】) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 8

[2010.08.25] Senkou (閃光) Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 12

[2010.11.10] Stargazer: Oricon Weekly Single Chart Position: 10

[2011.06.08] Blue Flame