-alice nine.-
Introduction
alice nine. (アリス九號.) is a Visual-Kei, Oshare-Kei band under PS Company that was formed by the leader and drummer, Nao. Their music varies between soft alternative rock and harder rock. When bis was still with PS Company, they were often coupled as performers.
(NOTE: i dont understand why they wrote alice nine as Oshare-kei, but i dont think they are O_O?)
Biography
alice nine. (アリス九號.) debuted on August 24, 2004, formed by drummer Nao who is the band's leader. Their first concert was held at the Ikebukuro Cyber on May 11, 2004. After a few concerts, they began to tour with other artists/bands such as Miyavi, Ayabie, Karen, Kagrra,, Kra, and bis. They completed their first solo (one-man) tour between August 8 and August 31, 2005. Their third solo tour hit 14 stops across Japan in August of 2006.
The band produced their first single, Namae wa, Mada Muhi (名前は、未だ無ひ。) on July 5, 2004 with three tracks on the list. They then came out with their first mini-album, Gion Shousha no Kane ga Naru (祇園盛者の鐘が鳴る) on November 17, 2004.
Akatsuki from their sixth single, Akatsuki / Ikuoku no Chandelier, was used as the opening and ending song for the anime, Meine Liebe Weider.
January 12, 2005, alice nine. released their first one man tour live DVD ALICE IN WONDEЯFILM.
On April 25, 2006, alice nine. produced their first full-length album, Zekkeishoku (絶景色). It comes with two edition. The "First Press Limited Edition Type-A" version comes with an exclusive DVD that features the PV clip of Velvet.
They produced their second DVD single, NUMBER SIX, which is a short movie, on October 4, 2006. All of the members starred in it. NUMBER SIX centers around friendship. The DVD contains the song, the movie and the making of the movie.
After they finished their one-man tour 'BLACK JEWEL, WHITE ROSE 2007', they have been continuing to improve and develop new ways of making music.
alice nine. have produced a full length second album ALPHA which was released on November 28, 2007. The album contains a few tracks from previous albums and singles, such as Jewels, Number Six, White Prayer and Blue Planet. The album was ranked 9th on the Oricon Weekly for 2007 week 49.
The band held a 2008 standing tour across Japan, 'A to U'(Alpha to U), starting from Zepp Sendai on January 10, 2008 until it ends on February 9, 2008. But it was postponed three stops on the tour when Guitarist Tora had been in critical condition with spinal disc hernia. He was numb from his head to his left hand and his entire left arm had gone cold. The tour has been resumed with Tora's persistence wanting to go on with the tour. The other members of alice nine had quoted on their blogs that Tora has gained his strength. However, he has not fully recovered. No further information was released after that.
March 26, 2008 marks their single released titled MIRROR BALL with one track 'Eraser -Memoire d'une fleur- (イレイザー-Memory of a Flower-, Eraser-Memory of a Flower-) ' from their latest second album ALPHA. MIRROR BALL ranked 6th on the Oricon Weekly for 2008 week 14. MIRROR BALL was used as an OST for the recent Japanese movie Aquarian Age (アクエリアンエイジ).
Members
Artist name: Shou (将)
Real name: Kohara Kazumasa
Nick name: None
Part: Vocals
Diary(jp): http://ameblo.jp/alice-syou
Age: 26
Birthday: 5th July 1981
Blood type: O
Height: 177cm
Weight: 58kg
Foot size: 26cm (but uses 27cm)
Hobby: Playing video-games, searching for old clothes/second hand clothes, drinking coffee
Favorites
Color: Blue
Brand: DIET BUTCHER SLIM SKIN, UNDER COVER, And A, Vivienne Westwood
Music: LUNA SEA, KoRn, Atari Teenage Riot, The Used, MUSE
Manga: Nana, 20th century Boy, Berserk
Food: Potatoes
Drink: Soy Milk
Karaoke song: Shiina Ringo and Boowy
Phrase: Wakaruyo~! (I understand), Nemuriiii! (Sleepy)
Pets: 3 cats (one is called Chirori)
Perfume: BVLGARI black
My Boom: Walking
First musical instrument learned: Guitar
Childhood hero: Dancouga
Sports engaged in: Baseball
Greatest influence: Toshi-low
Strongest point: Long Places
Weakest point: Short Places
Something he'll never give up: The time to Sleep
Something he currently likes: Collecting shoes
Past bands: lost age, Givuss (with Tora), kijintan (session band)
Fun Facts:
- Got his teeth fixed somewhere between the October 3-6. (He says that he can sing much better now)
- Knows how to cut hair (evidence below)
- Always thanked everyone and the fans in his diary.
- Mixed up his words in a live when he came in and said: “Hello Super New View” (supposed to be Hello New Super View) Everyone just thought that it was supposed to be like that.
- Doesn’t go anywhere with out his iPod and/or his Gameboy Advance
- Loves video games
- “Always plays” with his bandmates hair
- He responses alot to the word “adult”
- His name means a Military Officer
- Uses glasses (evidence below)
- He’s the one who makes the set lists
- 2 holes on the left ear, 1 hole on the left side of his lip(Past)
- Can't stand waiting for others.
- Hate those that don't give up their seats to those who needed it more inside the train.
- Hate girls who puts on make up inside the train.
- harass Saga to relieve stress(LOL, great way)
- doesnt smoke!
evidences:
1) shou can cut hair
the man in black and white printing at 0:37 is Shou cutting Saga's hair!!!
2) uses glasses
... dont look like shou, right ^^;?
Artist name: Hiroto (ヒロト)
Real name: Ogata Hiroto
Nick name: Pon
Part: Left Stage Guitar
Diary(jp): http://ameblo.jp/alice-hiroto/
Age: 23
Birthday: 4 May 1985
Blood type: O
Height: 167cm
Weight: 51kg
Foot size: 26cm
Hobby: Visit famous places in Japan and photographing them(Past), clothing and watching a movie(Current)
Favorites
Favourite Food: Ramen(well, he seldom eats it now - SHOXX vol 183)
Color: Red, gold
Brand: Effect clothes, ADIDAS(Past),
Velvet Lounge, John Lawrence Sullivan(Current)
Artist: NINE INCH NAILS, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Clammbon
Music: Hot Post-Rock music
Manga: DragonBall Z
Drink: O-cha(Green Tea), Healthya, 100% Peach juice
Karaoke song: Songs from Kinki Kids, hide
Phrase: Ikeru darou? (Shall we go?)
Perfume: None.
My Boom: Skateboarding and collecting shoes
First musical instrument learned: Acoustic guitar
Childhood hero: Gundam
Sports engaged in: Running
Greatest influence: Hide-san(X-Japan)
Strongest point: "I can't lie. Immediately feels heat."
Weakest point: "I can't lie. Immediately feels heat."
Something he'll never give up: He's beliefs and his guitar
Something he currently likes: Collecting shoes
Past bands: BAQUEPIA
Guitar using: Gibson Les Paul
Taste in Women: Person who is holding my hot heart straight.
Fun Facts:
- Carried/Lifted Shou up in the backstage during PSC Tour(evidence below)
- Loves everything about stars
- Has grown up most in the band(told by his all bandmates - SHOXX vol.183)
- He heard once that a teacher said that they didn’t care about their students, and that broke his heart totally
- Was still in High School when he was in alice nine. (cool~)
- Keeps the energy in the band
- He’s the person who will do a lot if he can.
- He says that when he shouts something to a microphone, his teeth always hits hard on the mic(LOL. cute pon)
- Only one in the band to use his own real name
- Ripped off his T-shirt in a live (evidence below)
- Does the sound effects in the album Zekkeishoku
- look up at the sky to relieve stress
- he smokes VITA COOL which changes nicotine into vitamin B. is that something to be sad of... ?
evidences:
1) hiroto hold shou
ROAR~ shou, i hold you!
opps... still okay!
erm! tora, come help me!
LOL. hiroto hit tora and tora hit back him xDD
2) Hiroto ripped off his shirt
should be this one ;).
Artist name: Tora (虎)
Real name: Amano Shinji
Nick name: None
Part: Right Stage Guitar
Diary(jp): http://ameblo.jp/alice-tora/
Age: 27
Birthday: 17 September 1980
Blood type: O
Height: 182cm
Weight: 70kg
Foot size: 27.5cm
Hobby: Skateboarding and reading BMX
Favorites
Color: White, Black
Brand: GUCCI(Past), ADIO(Current)
Music: KoЯn
Manga: Kyo Kara Ore Wa
Drink: Oolong Tea
Karaoke song: Shiina Ringo and Boowy
Phrase: Mendokusai(annoying)
Pets: A Cat
Perfume: Burberry(Past), his own composition(Current)
My Boom: Authority's apparent lack of power
First musical instrument he learned to play: Bass guitar
Childhood hero: None
Sports engaged in: None
Greatest influence: Dimebag Darell
Strongest point: Secret
Weakest point: Secret
Something he'll never give up: The time to sleep
Something he currently likes: Nagasu Koriki
Past bands: Karasu, arakune, Givuss (with Shou)
Fun Facts:
- Cried in Alice in Wonderland live Shibya-AX in 31.8.2005(evidence below)
- His name Tora means Tiger
- I have never seen him smiling in the ends of a live
- He almost never writes in his diary
- Adds English words to songs.
- He’s the biggest KoЯn fan
- He’s the one how got the idea to put the backwards R in Alice in WondeЯland (he got the idea from KoЯn)
- He bought a guitar just for recording
- He has a heartagram tattoo on his right forefinger, he got it in October(I think)
- Uses glasses(evidence below)
- Smokes (evidence below)
- He’s the strongest band member(can tell :DDD)
- He dyed his hair blood once (O_O!!)
- Plays the piano (for example in ‘FANTASY’)
- 1 hole on the right side of his lips, 1 hole on the middle of his lips(Past)
- Calls himself “The lonely wolf” (LAUGHS)
- He's 1/4 American as his grandmother or grandfather is an American (no wonder! i always think that he looked like a mix-blood :D)
evidences:
1) Tora cried in Alice in Wonderland live
(although he's crying, he looked so shuai can (>_<))
it was said that tora's parents disagree him for forming alice nine as he was unsuccessful with his previous bands and also that they wanted him to be a lawyer, but he made it till now with alice nine. cheers to Tora!
2) uses glasses
3) smokes
Artist name: Saga (沙我)
Real name: Sakamoto Takashi
Nick name: Saga-sama (teasing name) and Daikon-san (Radish-san, Shou made it up)
Part: Bass, backup vocals
Diary(jp): http://ameblo.jp/alice-saga/
Age: 25
Birthday: 24. June 1982
Blood type: AB
Height: 175cm
Weight: 55kg
Foot size: 27cm
Hobby: Walking with his Dog
Favorites
Color: White, black, red, silver, purple
Brand: NCYHAIT, abx,(Past)
Lounge Lizard, Dior Homme, LAD MUSICIAN, PUERTA DEL SOL(Current)
Music: UNDERWORLD, downy, NUMBER GIRL, a combination of hot and floathy -feeling music
Manga: Doraemon (:DD!)
Drink: Water
Karaoke song: Shiina Ringo and Boowy
Phrase: Okusan! (means: a wife. Someone's wife. O_o; ? )
Pets: A dog, Chiko(fries)(evidence below)
Perfume: DOLCE&GABBANA(Past), BVLGARI black(Current)
My Boom: Clothes(Past), Wine(Current)
First musical instrument learned: Guitar
Childhood hero: His own father
Sports engaged in: Baseball
Greatest influence: None
Strongest point: Patience
Weakest point: Change
Something he'll never give up: Things he's proud of
Something he currently likes: Clothes
Past bands: Vall'na racill, Visage, Delta Ark
Fun Facts:
- He thinks he knows more about Gundam than Nao does(just LOL)
- Nao and saga are very good friends
- He says that Nao looks like a Pooh Bear when he sleeps. (arhh, i wanna see it!)
- Kissed Hiroto and Shou in Alice in Wonderland live Shibya-AX in 31.8.2005 (evidence below)
- Never speaks loud enough in interviews(agrees!)
- Hates to be called Saga-SAMA
- When they finished their first full album “Zekkeishoku”, Saga took a guitar and started to sing "Heeeeey, We finished, the aaaaaaaaalbum."(LOL. shou-kun reveals that when Saga is tired, he acts like a fool.)
- Writes various songs
- Sing with Shou in the song Q(listen carefully and you can tell.)
- ‘‘Slept together with Nao’’
- Plays with a 5 stringed bass at times
- Uses glasses (evidence below)
- 3 Holes on the right ear, one hole on the right side of his lip
- Keeps claming that he has a dead body in his room(look at saga's drawing of his room...)
- He's a fcuking hot bass licker (evidence below)
- Nao reveals that Saga ate the most but is the slimmest (nice figure~)
evidence:
1) Saga's dog
(wouldn't it be thinking that 'wth is saga-sama doing it's dark i cant see~'. LOL, it actually stays still and took a pic...) chiko~ hey saga-sama, dont give your dog odd names (>_<).
2) kissed shou and hiroto in Alice in Wonderland live
3) uses glasses
4) hot bass licker
Artist name: Nao (ナオ)
Real name: Murai Naoyuki
Nick name: Otakkii, Winnie the Pooh, Devil Nao, Pooh San
Part: Drums
Diary(jp): http://ameblo.jp/alice-nao/
Age: 27
Birthday: 31. July 1980
Blood type: A
Height: 170cm
Weight: 55kg
Foot size: 26cm
Hobby: Hikikomori (Social Withdrawal)(Past), PSP and Nintendo DS, to explore(Current)
Favorites:
Color: Pink
Brand: PATRIC COX, RUPERT(Past), LORD CAMELOT(Current)
Music: Orutana/Alternative/Jazz/Soul
Manga: 3X3 Eyes
Drink: Coffee = Starbuck's caramel macchiato
Karaoke song: He doesn't sing
Phrase: Wakaru! (I understand)(Past), hungry- (´┏_┓`)(Current)
Perfume: BVLGARI black, BVLGARI blue
My Boom: His Buddy System
First musical instrument learned: Bass. Still know how to play it!
Childhood hero: Ultraman
Sports engaged in: Baseball, Soccer
Greatest influence: "There are many"
Strongest point: His strongest point is the weakest point
Weakest point: His weakest point is the strongest point
Something he'll never give up: Hikikomori (is spending time alone, social withdrawal)
Something he currently likes: O-anikei (Older brother)
Past bands: Fatima, RusH
Fun Facts:
- Got left behind two times (In a tour when they were just making a stop on the gas station)(LAUGHOUTLOUD, what are you doing, pooh-san??)
- He always need to use the bathroom in the wrong time, like before interviews.
- Writes into his diary mostly about food(yeah, you can check it out at here.)
- Tumbled in Hello Dear Numbers Live(evidence below)
- Doesn’t sing when the band is going out to sing in to a karaoke bar.
- Was the lead singer in a band when he was in High school.
- Loves Gundam
- His “icon” -> (´┏_┓`)
- Loves to tease his band mates
- ‘‘Slept together with Saga’’
- Uses glasses(evidence below)
- Hates fish
- Has a action figure of him
- Feels safe behind the drums (HAHA xD)
- Had a fake dragon tattoo on his neck (Kowloon -Nine Heads Rodeo Show-) (evidence below)
- Played the bass in his former band Rush
- doesn't smoke!
1) tumbled in Hello Dear Numbers Live
LOL, how cute can nao be :D! he rubbed his tailbone and kick the platform that made him tumble, LOL. everyone came out to help and hiroto was pointing at nao, and later, if you noticed, he fall himself!!
2) uses glasses
it's his dressing from Shunka shuutou~
3) fake dragon tatoo
Member's ex bands
Shou→ lost age→ GIVUSS(ギブス)→ alice nine.(アリス九號)
Tora→ カラス(karasu)→ Arakune[アラクネ(Support)]→ GIVUSS[ギブス(天野虎)][]→ alice nine.(アリス九號)
Hiroto→ BAQUEPIA→ alice nine.(アリス九號)
Saga→ Vall'na racill→ Visage→ Delta Ark(鎖河)→ alice nine.(アリス九號)
Nao→ Fatima→ RusH→ alice nine.(アリス九號)
Band details
band name: lost age(ロストエイジ)
who: Shou (2002)
detail: 02/02/2002 1st demo "obrivion children" limited 200 copies - Taidou
(cool, my birthday! :D)
band name: Kijintan(キジン譚)
who: Shou selection band
details: 2003,
- Members:
- Vocal Shou
- Guitar Ryouhei (ex-Ayabie, current Megamasso)
- Bass Ranmaru (KuRt)
- 13/10/2003 "Isu hime denki"
- 14/01/2004 "readme.txt" sale @ Takadanobaba AREA
band name: Lucy monostones(ルーシーモノストーンズ)
who: Tora section band
details:
- 02/08/2003 live @ Takadanobaba AREA
- Members:
- Vocal Hiro (ex:Visage, current Gossip)
- Guitar Tora
- Guitar Iori (Teroru Kurabu)
- Bass Intetsu (Ayabie)
- Drum Yuu(ex.Givuss)
band name: GIVUSS(ギブス)
who: Shou, Tora
detail: 14/02/2003 ~ 31/03/2004,
- 07/07/2003 1st demo "Juunin kake iro" limited 1000 copies
- 07/08/2003 2nd press "Juunin kake iro" limited1000 copies
- 24/09/2003 Omnibus "Shock Edge 2003" 1st press 5000 copies (Givuss=Trick*star)
- 17/10/2003 - 04/11/2003 " to zairu kousaten" sale @ Visunavi's site
- 03/12/2003 1st maxi single "-hana,tori,kaze,tuki-" 1st press 3000 copy
- Oricon indies chart rack 4 -
10/01/2004 special video *free* from live @ Takadanobaba AREA
- 31/03/2004 last cd "no music,no life"
band name: BAQUEPIA(バクピア)
who: Hiroto
details: 03/2003 ~ 17/04/2004
bandname: Visage (ヴィサージュ)
who: Saga
details: 09/2002 ~ 24/05/2003,
- 12/02/2002 demo "Jingle bell"
- 07/01/2003 demo "Kimyo circle" 50 copies
- 25/01/2003 Omnibus "HYSTERC MEDIA SONE IV" 1st press 1000 copies
- 13/03/2003 demo "Meisai" sale @ Takadanobaba AREA
- 24/05/2003 maxi "Haitoku no osusume" sale @ Urawa NARCISS
bandname: Delta Ark(デルタアーク)
who: Saga
detail: 13/06/2003 ~ 29/11/2003,
- "Kokoro ame" sale @Takadanobaba AREA 100 copies
- "shoujo jigoku" sale @Takadanobaba AREA 100 copies
- "raincoat/Akuhafuri" limited 1000copies
band name: Fatima (ファティマ)
who: Nao
details: 03/09/2001 ~ 27/10/2002,
- 11/05/2002 demo "Aishuu no teihen" one man @Takadanobaba AREA
- 05/04/2002 "M:I-44"
- 21/10/2002 Omnibus "Shock Edge 2002 "
band name: RusH (ラッシュ)
who: Nao
details: 07/05/2003 ~ 24/09/2003
- 07/05/03 dunno name of demo(sorry)
- 28/05/2003 AL "q've" 1000 copies
- 06/2003 "SHOCK JAM CD Edition.2 Brand New Entry"
- 07/07/2003 Omnibus "EGOISM"
- 24/09/2003 Omnibus "Shock Edge 2003"
Discography
Albums
- [2006.04.25] Zekkeishoku (絶景色)
- [2007.11.28] ALPHA
Mini Albums
- [2004.11.17] Gion Shousha no Kane ga Naru (祇園盛者の鐘が鳴る)
- [2005.07.27] ALICE IN WONDEЯLAND
- [2005.11.23] Kasou Musou Shi (華想夢想紙)
Singles
- [2004.07.05] Namae wa, Imada Nai (名前は、未だ無ひ。)
- [2005.03.30] Gin no Tsuki Kuroi Hoshi (銀の月 黒い星)
- [2005.04.27] Yami ni Chiru Sakura (闇ニ散ル桜)
- [2005.04.27] Yuri wa Aoku Saite (百合は蒼く咲いて)
- [2006.01.25] Kuuron -NINE HEADS RODEO SHOW- (九龍-NINE HEADS RODEO SHOW)
- [2006.02.22] Akatsuki / Ikuoku no Chandelier (暁/幾億のシャンデリア)
- [2006.02.22] FANTASY
- [2006.10.17] Blue Planet
- [2007.03.21] JEWELS
- [2007.06.06] WHITE PRAYER
- [2007.10.24] TSUBASA.
- [2008.03.26] MIRROR BALL
- [2008.08.06] RAINBOWS
VHS/DVDs
- [2005.xx.xx] Peace & Smile Carnival tour 2005
- [2006.01.12] ALICE IN WONDEЯFILM
- [2006.10.04] NUMBER SIX.
- [2007.01.24] HELLO, DEAR NUMBERS(concert)
PVs
Gradation
tora-kun, you should put in more effort and draw something that fans can understand...
Saga
... saga-sama, is that really how your room looks like? quite empty... and so that's the corpse you're talking aobut (>_<)
Nao
i think pooh bear-san really made an effort in his drawing(smiles), however, his room's kinda messy... LOL.
Links
Official website(jp)
http://www.pscompany.co.jp/alicenine
Official MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/alicenineofficial
diary translations
http://community.livejournal.com/alice9_diaries/
english fan sites
http://www.alicenineworld.co.nr
http://www.freewebs.com/givuss/tenshi.htm
lyric tranlations
http://akatsuki.wareta.net/a9/
Comments
the first time when i saw alice nine was their pv - White Prayers.
i was first attracted by Shou's outstanding looks, however, i didnt like their music at first, because i wasnt a fan of visual kei... but i think they're really cool(smiles).
i became a fan of visual bands, and started downloading their songs, watching all their pvs and which every interview of cd comments that is subbed.
i soon begun to admire hiroto most in alice nine, and i couldnt tell the reason. perhaps is his looks and guitar playing? i really wanted to play guitar as well as hiroto does, someday. if hide is his inspiration, hiroto would be mine, and he'll always be a guitarist that i look up to.
everytime when i read their diary or interviews, i felt that i got closer to them and know them more, it's a special feeling that i cant discribe. they're the band that i wont let it cold, and i'm always looking forward to their news. they are always growing and is a band that is full of ideas and potential. also, it is most enjoyable to see them at backstage and lives, cos they simply look like hyper little kids(laugh).
alice nine, is a great visual band, and i will be supporting them in whatever they do.
cheers, love you guys.
Credits
www.wikipedia.com
www.wiki.theppn.org
Member's profile from http://www.alicenineworld.co.nr/
member's ex-bands informations and
member's room drawings from http://www.freewebs.com/givuss/tenshi.htm
evidences provided by me!
vidoes from http://www.youtube.com/ and http://www.veoh.com/
Labels: alice nine.