Biography

S

30/03/2009 2009-03-30 12:00:00 JaME Author: J

S

S

S was formed in 1998 by O-Zekki (later changed to Zekki-) on bass, Yuna, and Itsuki (whose name used to be Luka) on guitar. The three were ex-R'via members that left to create their own basic visual group "with plenty of makeup and bondage wear." They met Reina (drums) in college, and through a mutual friend met Miyamichi (vocals). With Miyamichi's arrival, the first line-up of S was set.

In the beginning, S's style was undefined and wild, as were Miyamichi's vocals. Their very first live was December 1998 and their first demo tape, Kumo, was released shortly after. Kaiki from the Soleil label spotted S during one of their live shows and felt that they had potential. He signed them to his label and became their producer. The band appeared on the Soleil omnibus Decadence alongside artists like Azalea and DAS:VASSER.

After their one-man at Nagoya Music Farm, Miyamichi left the band. Not ones to be discouraged, S continued on without a vocalist. Itsuki and Yuna took turns on the microphone until Dai (ex-D'reysir) was recruited.

The band's first release with the new vocalist was their second demo, Sasori. Afterward, S participated in many tours in 1999 including the Soleil event Face of Soleil, which would later become a live VHS and CD. The band's look underwent some changes, and the "bondage wear" gave way to extremely flashy outfits and spiky hair. S finished up the year with a two month, thirty-four date tour with La'Mule.

S continued on with their anti-conformist ways and released their first album, Yojigen zukan in October of 2000. Again, the outfits they wore drew much attention, as they were very brightly colored with kanji written on them. Some fans complained that they were distasteful and tacky, but quickly changed their minds when groups like Vasalla and even Kisaki's new band, Syndrome, started wearing them as well. It was around the same time that S's official website and fan club, both entitled Pretty Pets, opened.

2001 began badly for S and their fans. Dai was in a car accident and sustained a broken jaw. Their -Ichinensei- maxi, which was scheduled for an April 1st release, was postponed until September 23rd. Instead of rescheduling their spring tour, they went on with the shows, Yuna again acting as vocalist. Much to their fan's pleasure, Dai made an appearance at the tour's final show on May 27th. Things began to pick up again for S. With Dai's return, the band became even more insane and childish (if at all possible), but it was all in good fun. During the live version of 1+1=3, Dai choreographed a pom-pom routine for himself and the audience to perform together. The band also started selling odd objects at their events like multicolored balloons and giant stuffed animals. S held the event Hop Step Jump!! in Nihon Seinenkan on August 23rd and took the opportunity to sell their first calendar as well as other new goods like trading card sets and so on. It was a lively and hilariously fun time for the group and their fans.

Early 2002 saw the release of Chikyuu and the band participated in many tours until the end of the Soleil label in the fall. Left to themselves, the boys planned several one-man events in many small venues across Japan.

S stayed relatively quiet until mid-2003 when Yamada Nao (Ladies Room) became their new producer. The band released a new maxi in September, and months later, their first live DVD, DVS~Densetsu nante iranai was released. A few tours and events followed but no news of new releases followed, leaving 2004 to be a quiet year for S.

At the beginning of 2005, Itsuki announced that S was disbanding. The only reason that was given was that Itsuki wanted to create a new band, NO.13, and that he and Dai just didn't want to continue on with S anymore. Their final live was March 12th in Shibuya.

Since disbanding, Itsuki has stuck with NO.13 and changed his name to Sawada Yuuki. Miyamichi has been in Jakura (as Sai) and ~Ruephy-Alive~ (as Miyamichi). He had been in the Under Code band pasha (as Tomo) though he's recently announced that he's leaving the band, as well as the music scene, for the time being. No news thus far about the other members.

Although S has disbanded, their music remains, reminding fans of the days when they could look forward to a live where you could never guess what S would do next. For now, fans can keep track of the members and their individual endeavors, but S will always be there in spirit.
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