Vidoll

Infobox musical artist
Name = Vidoll


Img_capt = Clockwise from left to right: Shun, Rame, Giru, Jui, Tero.
Img_size = 200
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Osaka, Japan
Genre = Rock, Visual Kei
Years_active = 2002–present
Label = Sword Records (JP, 07-)
Under Code (JP, 03-07)
Matina (JP, 02-03)
Gan-Shin (EU)
Mabell (EU)
Associated_acts =
URL =
Current_members = Jui, Rame, Tero, Shun, Giru
Past_members = Ayano, Yukine, Hide
Notable_instruments =

nihongo|Vidoll|ヴィドール|Vidōru is a Japanese rock band signed to the independent label Under Code Productions.

The name Vidoll is a play on words. Written phonetically, the name can take on multiple meanings, examples of which can be seen in a monthly editorial by members of the band in Shoxx mangazine called ヴィドールの [美] 微doll (Vidoll no Bidoll). V and B are pronounced in the same way in Japanese. The 美 symbol (beauty) is crossed out, with the 微 symbol (delicate, minute, insignificant) replacing it. 人形 (ningyou) means doll or puppet. Just by changing the characters used to write the name, it can mean "Beautiful Doll" (美人形) or "Insignificant Puppet" (微人形). Both themes (and play on words in general) are reflected in lyrics, releases, and tour names.

History

2002: Formation

On February 2, 2002 Vidoll was formed by Rame, who had recruited the other members starting with Tero followed by Jui and Ayano. Vidoll signed to Kisaki's Matina record label in 2002, and for their first release, Vidoll released two complementary EPs on July 21, 2002, "Face Mayura" and "Face Pisaroto".

While on Matina, Vidoll also released their first single, "Occult Proposal", starting a tradition of Christmas Day single releases, and contributed to several compilation CDs.

2003

After the Matina label shut down, the label founder, Kisaki, formed a smaller label in March 2003, Under Code Production. Vidoll then released another pair of singles followed by an EP release, "If...Yakubutsu Ranyou Bokumetsu Campaign". The release was followed by the band's first national tour in Japan, as well as their first solo live show. The band then released their first DVD, "Doll Mansion 209 Goushitsu", showcasing their music videos. Later that year guitarist Ayano left the band for "musical differences". Hide was recruited as the new guitarist on September 7.

2004

On March 10, the single "Wagahai wa, Korosuke Nari..." was released. This first press was limited to 10,000 and only available through mail order. This release would sell out, and a second pressing of 10,000 would later be released. On April 28, the French label Mabell released "Bijinkei," an 11 track compilation album of Vidoll songs for the European market. On June 30 both the single Ningyo and the Live DVD Gyaku went on sale.

The tour final "Ningyou Enzetsu" was held on September 11 in front of an audience of 900, and was the final stop in their one-man tour. A special copy of Romanesque Gothic was released with a special (all black) cover. The First press (red cover) went on sale September 29, along with the second press of Waghai wa, Korosuke Nari...". A live DVD of the event went on sale November 17, "Ningyou Enzetsu 2004.9.11 Liquidroom Ebisu".

Toward the end of the year several more one-man performances were held, and on December 15 "Mukashi Natsukashi Ningyoushuu~sono ichi," and "Mukashi Natsukashi Ningyoushuu~sono ni," were released. These two mini-albums were new recordings of songs from previously sold out releases. On this day the DVD "Ningyoukai PV" (containing two Music Videos) was also released.

2005

On January 1, Vidoll's official fan club "Ningyou Kan" began. In March Vidoll had a One-man tour only for members of their fan club, for a total of 8 shows.

The Live DVD "Mijin Kakumei~Saishuu Kaukumei Yokokubi 1229~ was released, with over 3 hours of live footage. A special single and Music video (Remind Story) was released in two versions, the Osaka version and Tokyo version on April 22 and 26th, sold at two of their one-man shows.

On June 8, Mukashi Natsukashi Soushuuhen + Omake Tsuki was released. This is a re-release of the songs on the two "Mukashi Natsukashi Ningyoushuu" mini-albums, combined into one album, as the previous albums had quickly sold out all 10,000 copies. The "extra" was a music video on a DVD. On July 13 another Live DVD, from their "Roman Kokuhaku" live was released.

On April 26, at the Roman Kokuhaku one-man live, Jui announced that members Hide and Yukine were leaving Vidoll at the end of June. Messages from each band member were quickly posted on Vidoll's official website confirming the band was staying together. Hide's message stated that though he loved the band, the members, and the fans, the hectic tour schedule was effecting his health. Yukine left for personal reasons.

The band took one last tour "Toumeihanzai" before Hide and Yukine left on 6.26. This was a fan club only tour. The last concert with all the members was recorded and later released as a set of two DVDs through the fan club.

2006

On June 13, two new members: Shun (of CalorZe and Gossip) and Giru (Lilith), joined Vidoll.Kisaki, the executive manager of Vidoll's label, Under Code Productions, announced that three of the label's bands, including Vidoll, would be "graduating" from the label.

2007

During Memorial Day weekend, spring of 2007, Vidoll had their US premier at J-rock Revolution in Los Angeles, California. Yoshiki, of X Japan fame, hosted the event, and several other visual kei bands also had their US debut during the course of both nights.

2008

On January 7, 2008, Megacon posted information on their official website confirming that Vidoll will be present at Megacon (March 7-9, 2008) for 2 autograph signings, 2 photo sessions, and a Q & A. Vidoll will release a DVD of their live show held at C.C. Lemon Hall on December 2nd, 2007. The two hour long DVD from Sword Records will go on sale for 4500 yen on March 5th.

Members

*Jui (ジュイ) – vocals
*Shun (シュン) – guitar
*Giru (ギル) – guitar
*Rame (ラメ) – bass guitar
*Tero (テロ) – drums

;Former members
*Ayano – guitar (2002–2003)
*Yukine - Guitar (Left on June 26, 2005)
*Hide - Guitar (2003– [2005] )

Discography

Albums and EPs

*"Face Pisaroto" (July 21, 2002)
*"Face Mayura" (July 21, 2002)
*"If...Yakubutsu Ranyou Bokumetsu Campaign" (April 29, 2003)
*"Bijinkei (July 29, 2004)
*"Romanesque Gothic (September 11, 2004)
*"Mukashi Natsukashi Ningyoushu Sono Ichi" (December 15, 2004)
*"Mukashi Natsukashi Ningyoushu Sono Ni" (December 15, 2004)
*"Mukashi Natsukashi Soushuuhen Omake Tsuki" (June 8, 2005)
*"Deathmate" (January 1, 2006)
*"V.I.D" (November 22, 2006)
*"Proposal -Sotsugyou Kokuhaku-"(February 28, 2007)
*"Bastard" (November 21, 2007)

ingles

*Occult Proposal (December 12 2002)
*If... Rebotomin (Y LV25 25) 475mg (March 14 2003)
*If... Torikabuto (Shikibetsu Code Nashi) 120mg (March 14 2003)
*Kana na no Chikai Mimi (April 26 2003) Contained a band message and one live song
*Genjou Teki ni Kiken na Title no Tame Ima wa Dekimasen... (July 21 2003)
*Ishoku Doumei (August 1 2003) Calimero/Vidoll CD, each with one song and one cover.
*Boku, Shimobe (December 19 2003)
*Hitokiri no Kurixxxxsu (December 12 2003)
*Wagahai wa, Korosuke Nari... (1st Press March 10 2004) (2nd Press September 29 2004)
*Kichigai TV (March 19 2004)
*Giza-Giza Heart no Komoriuta (March 19 2004)
*Boku, White Day mo Hitorikiri (March 29 2004)
*Ningyo (June 30 2004)
*Hiiragi no Sou (December 25 2004)
*Homo-Crash-Trap@ (December 29 2004)
*Remind Story (April 22 2005)
*Shutdown (September 28 2005)
*Chocoripeyes (October 26 2005)
*SinAI～右手のカッターと 左手のドラッグと薬指の深い愛と～ (May 24, 2006, 3 Types)
*Nectar (August 2 2006)
*Junengo no Kyo Koko de . . . (March 28 2007)
*Message Card (March 28 2007)
*INNOCENT TEENS (June 13 2007)
*Cloud (July 18 2007)
*Blue star (July 2 2008)

DVDs

*Doll Mansion 209 Goushitsu (May 30 2003)
*Shigatsu Nijuuroku Nichi, Hatsutaiken (October 1 2003)
*Gyaku-Tsutsumotase (June 30 2004)
*Ningyou Enzetsu-2004.9.11 Liquid Room Ebisu- (November 17 2004)
*Ningyoukai PV (December 15 2004)
*Bijinkakumei~Saishuu Yokokubi 1229~ (March 16 2005)
*Daini me Zenkoku Ningyougeki -Rurou- FINAL «Rouman Kokuhaku» 2005.4.26 Nihon Seinenkan (April 26 2005)
*3℃StormTV-suna arashi housou-2006.8.29 SHIBUYA-AX(November 22 2006)
*V.I.D seat for "Lastlovers" 2006.12.29 Shibuya Kokaido (February 28 2007)
* [Flashback] (February 28 2007)
*Genei Bijin Kan - 2006.11.25 SHIBUYA O-EAST(August 29 2007)
*~The game of buster~ 2007.12.02 C.C.Lemon HALL(March 5 2008)

References

[http://vidoll.jrocksaga.com/content/intro.php KOKESHI:DECONSTRUCTER (VIDOLL@THE J-ROCK SAGA)]
[http://www22.big.or.jp/~yunisan/vi/vidoll.html Vidoll's Page at Grass Thread]

External links

* [http://www.vidoll.jp Vidoll Official Homepage]
* [http://www.under-code.jp Official Webpage for Under Code Production]
* [http://www.hearjapan.com/store/group/Vidoll/ Vidoll at HearJapan]
* [http://www.sword-records.com/ Sword Records]