For a long time I’ve wanted to start this … thing on the site, where we can random choose bands that we love and support to ‘feature’ and share with the readers. Kind of like a band profile. At the bottom of the profile is a rating… thing. So please rate the band (on a scale of one to five)!
So here we go! If you have any suggestions on what should be added or taken away, let me know! I’d like this to be a ‘thing’ on the site, so input is always appreciated.
The band I chose to start with is バビロン (Babylon). They’re one of my favourite bands and I feel that they’re not always recognized on the visual or even Japanese rock scene.
Basics
Japanese: バビロン [Babiron]
Label: TEMPLE Music Entertainment
OHP: http://www.baby-lon.net
VISUNAVI: http://www.visunavi.com/artist/preview.php?id=523
LJ Community: http://community.livejournal.com/knot_theory/
Fanlisting: http://fan.pink-spider.net/babylon/
Members (From Left to Right)
Dr. 良一 (
Ryouichi), Gu. ミサ
(Misa), Vo. タクマ (
Takuma), Ba. 珀 (
Haku), Gu. 麻耶
(Maya)
Biography
The band had a very interesting start; they officially formed in November 2003 but instead of running the circuit and doing lives, they released their first single and first mini-album before they even performed on stage. Luckily for the band, their CDs had done pretty well in the sales and their first live in March of 2004 was successful. Since then they’ve released nineteen CDs and participated various omnibus albums.They’ve gone through numerous line-up changes, however, タクマ (
Takuma), 珀 (
Haku) and ミサ (
Misa) have always remained at the core of the band. Former bandmates include 雍希(
Youki) who was also in RusH with Takuma and Misa, 荒姫 (
Aki) who has most recently done support for Siva, KAZUKI of Due’le Quartz and 【FIGURE;】, 美景 (
Mikage) who’s supported for pretty much every band imaginable (just kidding, but he has helped with HIZAKI grace project, KISAKI PROJECT and Juka) and finally 刻 (
Toki) who is currently in DIXIES.
Their newest members, drummer 良一 (Ryouichi) who was previously in otoiro and who they jokingly call “Good One” (Get it… the kanji for his name consists of the kanji for good, and the kanji for one) and guitarist 麻耶 (Maya) who previously was in 人格ラヂオ (Jinkaku Radio) and カラス天狗 (Karasu Tengu) both joined in May of 2006.
As of April 22nd 麻耶 (Maya) will be a former member of the band as he has decided to withdraw and try his hand in other areas of the music scene. More information on his departure can be found here. However, at the beginning of March they added their newest guitarist, 冴 (Sae) to their lineup.
What’s up with them now?
Actually, the band has not really been doing much as of late… it’s been long enough for people to start thinking that they’ve disbanded or are going to. However, they seem to have their lulls where you don’t hear much from them and then BOOM release, release, release. Oneman, oneman, oneman. And another DVD to buy. Their OHP hasn’t been updated in a while… but I hope we’ll hear from them soon. At least they’re updating their journals.
How I got into them: I’d seen their name around on the internet for a few months, but never paid them much attention. I think I just thought of them as ‘that band with the bald guy’. Then sometime in 2004 I happened to catch them live and the interest grew from there; the more I saw them the more interested I became so I started listening to more and more of their music, and … well now here I am writing about them, haha.
Why I like them: They’re really are a talented band; speaking in both a musical and performance context. ミサ (Misa) is an absolutely amazing guitarist and you won’t find many guitarists on the visual scene who can even come close to him in talent. I feel like they have a good variation to their music, but there’s always that Babylon flare. I also really like listening to タクマ (Takuma)’s voice and 珀 (Haku) never fails to bring a smile to my face. He always seems so content. The atmosphere of the band is great; you can really tell they all work well together.
And at lives, they’re a lot of fun. Not to mention they sound great! Which… as much as I hate to say it, doesn’t really happen as often as you’d think. That’s not a criticism, but there are a lot of bands that have a huge gap in what they sound like on CD and what they truly sound like live. They have great audience interaction (moreso at oneman lives than at a taiban) and you feel like you’re actually part of the live. Besides, who couldn’t grin back when 珀 (Haku) smiles so widely!
I know I’m rambling like mad. But I have to say, their style is cool. (Come on, how can you not love suits?) They’re not overdone by any means, they all match, but at the same time each member has something that makes it their look. And the fact that タクマ (Takuma) wears these ridiculously low rise pants (that I swear involve shaving and duct tape) never hurt… or the fact that he randomly likes to take off his shirt for no apparent reason, which makes 珀 (Haku) make ths surprised, omgwtf put your clothing back on face. The fact that they’re all very nice also helps; they’re personable and they’re human. They don’t come off as a band who’s trying to prove something to you, they’re performing their music and that’s all there is to it.
Who couldn’t love a band whose members do this? (Click to enlarge)
And yes, that’s タクマ (
Takuma) riding 良一 (
Ryouichi).Oh, and they like butterflies. Well, タクマ (
Takuma) likes butterflies (he has a tattoo of one even) and you see butterflies a lot in their lyrics, which is kind of interesting. Their lyrics are also very interesting, but I’ve found them difficult to translate.Okay okay, I know I’ve written A LOT about them.
So now it’s time for some sound samples! I chose four of my favourite songs and then the last one a friend picked (she’s into them too, but we generally like different songs). These are only 30 second clips so if you’re interested in the band please support them by purchasing their CDs.
Song title: 激情に濡れた華の名 (Gekijou ni Nureta Hana no Na)
Album: Garnet Children
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Song title: Ray
Album: 「繭空の下は孤独と空白」 (Mayuzora no Shita wa Kodoku to Kuuhaku)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Song title: 「華の都、我、散りけり」 (Hana no Miyako, Ware, Chirikeri)
Album: CLAN GENE
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Song title: Celeb
Album: CLAN GENE
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Song title: Teddy
Album: BABYLON～伍～ (～Go～)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
If you want to support them, you can purchase their CDs at Brand-X, ThirdStage Amazon, CDJapan or PureSound. I’d recommend CLAN GENE because it’s a collection of their songs. The second press was created with their current line-up.
I hope that you guys enjoyed this! And I’d love to hear your feedback on them if you’re a fan, or if you’re not. What you like or even don’t like about them plus any other thoughts of opinions related to the band.
And! DON’T FORGET TO RATE THEM!
Please don’t rate them without listening to anything first (that’s pretty unfair).
[ratings]
Now as I’ve said numerous times before, I love this band. The band, of course, is バビロン (Babylon).
