Guitar Vader

Guitar Vader is a Japanese underground indie rock band. Formed in 1998, the band is probably most well known in the west for their participation in the soundtracks of Sega's Jet Set Radio and Jet Set Radio Future. Until 2002, they were signed to Berry Records, a subsidiary of Sony. They then left to create their own record label, Plugs House. They have released two albums under that label, and have also formed a partnership with YesJapan.com [http://www.yesjapan.com/] to sell these albums to Western customers, as well as individual tracks, videos, and live performances via JapanFiles.com.

The band classifies them self as "indie rock", with predominantly western influences. Guitarist Miki has, on numerous occasions, cited The Beatles as a primary influence. Bassist Ujuan has said Nirvana and Talking Heads are among his favorite inspirations. Others have likened elements of their sound to The B-52's and Smashing Pumpkins.

Their music is usually very playful, mixing humor and abruptly oscillating between poppy melodies and crunching guitar riffs. While their sound is not easily classified, it could probably be likened to post-punk. More recent albums have delved into electronica in certain tracks, as well, with electronica programming sequenced by Ujuan.

Timeline

1998: Band formed with Shozo Ujuan, Miki Tanabe and Takumiya (family name unknown).

1999: The two-tape set "DIE HAPPY" is released

2000: The seven-song album "WILD AT HONEY" is released. Takumiya leaves the band.

2001: GV songs are used in the Dreamcast game Jet Set Radio (aka Jet Grind Radio). "Remixes GVR" and "From Dusk" are released. New drummer Suzuki Yoshifumi joins the band.

2002: GV songs are featured in the Xbox game Jet Set Radio Future.

2003: Self label "PLUGS HOUSE" is established, and the new album "DAWN" is released. In November the band went on a brief tour of England, hosted by Pixelsurgeon.

2004: Album "HAPPY EAST" is released in October. Steve Laity joins Guitar Vader as a keyboarder for live performances.

2006: The band is invited as a musical guest FanimeCon but is forced to pull out when bassist Ujuan falls ill with what Laity referred to later as "some kind of viral infection of the heart." According to Steve Laity, the band's new album is nearing completion and live shows will resume next year ( [http://www.guitarvader.com/english/index.mv?&ref=forums&f=cmts&t=50&l=E&fm=&st=44A0AAD90004C6680000604B00000000&ah=1 Laity's post on guitarvader.com] ).

2007: Very little is known about the band's present status. Ujuan has not fully recovered from his health issues and, while the new album had been recorded, it remains unreleased, possible because it has not been mixed. In a recent [http://www.guitarvader.com/english/index.mv?&ref=forums&f=cmts&t=50&l=E&fm=&st=46C07EB5000A2649000066CA00000000&ah=1 post] on the Guitar Vader website, Laity indicated that the band's status may be in jeopardy.

Band members

Ujuan Shozo: Vocals/Bass, born 28 November 1974 in Kagoshima, Japan

Miki Tanabe: Vocals/Guitar, born 2 December 1974 in Yokohama, Japan

Suzuki Yoshifumi: Drums, born 22 August 1977 in Shizuoka, Japan

Steve Laity: Live Keyboards, born 11 March 1980 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Discography

Demos

*1998 Guitar Vader Volume 1
*1998 Guitar Vader Volume 2
*1998 Guitar Vader Volume 3

Albums

*1998 Die Happy !
*2000 Wild At Honey
*2002 From Dusk
*2003 Dawn
*2004 Happy East

ingles

*2000 Beach Panic!
*2001 Baby T/GVTV/Shimanagasgi

Remixes

*2001 REMIXES_GVR

External links

* [http://www.guitarvader.com/ Guitar vader website]
* [http://www.keikaku.net/ Keikaku] - English Feature/interviews: Guitar Vader and Steve Laity.
* [http://www.japanfiles.com/guitarvader/ Guitar Vader] - Guitar Vader's page on JapanFiles