Inoran

Inoran (b. September 29, 1970) - birth name Kiyonobu Inoue but sometimes also referred to as Shinobu Inoue (井上清信, both names of "kanji" are the same), is a Japanese rock musician from Hadano, Kanagawa Prefecture. He was the rhythm guitarist and co-founding member with J for the band Luna Sea. After Luna Sea disbanded in 2000, he started Fake? in the late 2001 with former Oblivion Dust vocalist Ken Lloyd.

Inoran also became a solo artist during his time in Luna Sea but put it on pause while in Fake? until he left the band in October 2005 ,citing musical differences with the vocalist Ken Lloyd. Then ,he founded Tourbillon with former Luna Sea vocalist Ryuichi Kawamura and Hiroaki Hayama. In the summer of 2006, he began his solo career again and released a new album "Photograph". After releasing another new album "Nirai Kanai" in July 2007, he has performed many live concerts in Japan and released a new live concert "Tour 2007 Determine" DVD along with "The Best" album, which covers his favorite music selected by himself and his fanclub. The album also features a new song, "I swear".

On December 24, 2007, Inoran reunited with Luna Sea to play a one-night concert in front of around 55,000 people at the Tokyo Dome.

Inoran is currently in Tourbillon and also working as a solo artist. In March, Inoran also released his first official book, "Monophonic". Inoran is scheduled to perform overseas for the first time in July in Taiwan and South Korea (for the Formoz Festival 2008 and Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival 2008, respectively). He will release his next original album, titled "apocalypse", on September 24, 2008.

Discography

ingles

*1997.09.25 Sou
*2001.06.13 Won't Leave My Mind
*2004.01.01 Waves / Felicidad

Albums

*1997.10.22 Sou
*2001.07.25 Fragment
*2001.11.21 Landscape of Fragment
*2006.09.26 Photograph
*2007.07.11 Niraikanai
*2008.01.23 The Best

DVD

*2001.08.08 Won't Leave My Mind
*2003.06.25 The Last Night
*2005.04.26 Another Room
*2007.03.07 Tour 2006 photograph
*2008.01.23 INORAN Live Tour 2007 Determine

VHS

*2001.08.08 Won't Leave My Mind

Book

*2008 Monophonic

Equipment

Inoran endorses the guitar brand ESP and has around 8 signature models.
* [http://www.espguitars.co.jp/gallery/inoran/index.html Inoran Brand New Guitar Project at ESP Japan]

Personal life

Inoran has two younger brothers. He also has two cats.

Inoran loved playing baseball when he was in school. The nickname 'INORAN' came into existence when he was in baseball game; he hit the ball and a fan kept shouting "INO! RUN!!" which sound "INORAN". Also, he was said to be popular among school girls in his school. Because of his good manner and looks, Tokyo Pop contacted him to be an idol but Inoran refused.

At the age of 16, Inoran became a big fan of Takigawa Ichiro, the guitarist of the band CRAZE when he went to see one of Ichiro's live concerts. Inoran said in an interview that Ichiro is a person who changed his life.

He has been good friends with J since high school.

Though Inoran is left-handed, he said he's more comfortable playing guitar with his right hand.

In an interview, Inoran admitted to being a heavy smoker, but less a drinker. He's a sensitive person to the point that he always cried when watching sad movies.

INORAN is claustrophobic, which made him to compose the song Claustrophobia, the c/w of LUNA SEA's 1st single BELIEVE.

Inoran owns Ferrari car and is a big fan of F-1 racing.

He is close friends with Ryuichi Kawamura, Ken Lloyd and Aikawa Nanase.

ee also

*Ryuichi Kawamura
*Sugizo
*J
*Shinya Yamada
*Ken Lloyd

External links

* [http://inoran.org/ Official Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/inoranofficial Official MySpace]
* [http://www.geocities.com/illusive_by_inofan ILLUSIVE] Inoran Fan Site (US)