FAKE?

Although FAKE? currently consists of English vocalist Ken Lloyd (Oblivion Dust) and support members, most of the band's work includes the talents of the acclaimed guitarist INORAN (Tourbillon, LUNA SEA), who left in 2005. When the concept of the two musicians joining forces was first realized in 2001, fans of the more melodic LUNA SEA and fans of the hard rock band Oblivion Dust were united in excitement and anticipation.

In 2002, the band started off playing shows in Liquid Room Shinjuku, and on February 27th, they released their first single. TASTE MAXIMUM established their sound as punk-influenced rock drawing from various styles, mixing heavy, loud areas with soft, beautiful moments, the lyrics primarily in English. They released their first album, BREATHE IN, in July and by August had the great opportunity of playing in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Osaka for SUMMERSONIC 2002. That month they also played a three-day tour in Nagoya, Osaka, and Akasaka, followed by their LIVE TOUR 2002 which brought them to Sendai and Fukuoka as well.

2003 started out with a new album from the band, TOMORROW TODAY. That spring they returned to the same cities as the previous year for their LIVE TOUR 2003, followed in August by a two-date tour at AKASAKA BLITZ, though surprisingly they didn't put out any singles that year.

The band didn't release any DVDs until 2004, but when they did, they put out four throughout the year: one with music videos and the others with footage from the concerts that year, which were numerous. In April for their TWO DAY SHRINE tour, FAKE? added Kawasaki to their list of performance spots, and that summer saw the beginning of a series of tours, which brought them to many new cites including Sapporo, Kobe, and Hiroshima, plus the tour final early in 2005. Perhaps recognizing INORAN's departure was approaching, the band was particularly productive in the studio, and 2004 saw the release of a mini-album, a full album, and two singles.

In 2005 they finished the series up with the TOUR OF LOSING TOUCH -FINAL- and continued to play shows throughout the remainder of the year. After their LIVE TOUR '?' FINAL on September 25th, INORAN left FAKE? due to creative differences. He was then able to work with his new band, Tourbillon, and concentrate on his solo career. That year also saw the release of FAKE?'s album, MADE WITH AIR, their most recent single PULSE, and in December, a self-titled best-of album.

FAKE?'s most recent major tour was LIVE FROM BEELZEBUB, which took place during the summer of 2006, where they promoted their album that came out in May, SONGS FROM BEELZEBUB. Musically the departure of Inoran resulted in a heavier, harder sound more suited to Ken. Their last signs of life were in November when another full album, MARILYN IS A BUBBLE, went on sale. That month they also put out a DVD with the live footage from their tour that summer.

The band has been on hiatus since 2007, and Ken has resumed activities with Oblivion Dust. Though some feared this would be the end of FAKE?, the band held a live show, LIQUID PILL, on July 4, 2008 at the LIQUIDROOM ebisu.

Now in 2009 they are also scheduled to perform at the large anime convention animeNEXT in New Jersey, United States, in July. How active the group may be from now on is unclear as Ken will be juggling both bands, but it seems there will be continued sporadic performances.