Japanese music stars kind band ‘to make the world rock’

4 of Japan’s largest rock stars shaped a brand new band, The Final Rockstars, in a race towards time to protect the spirit of rock music.

“We’ve come collectively to begin this problem for the world out of Japan,” Yoshiki of X Japan informed reporters Friday.

Wearing black, Yoshiki, Miyavi, Sugizo and Hyde introduced their new group onstage in Tokyo, saying the concept developed naturally.

Sugizo, guitarist for rock band Luna Sea who additionally performs with X Japan, mentioned he feels the defiant spirit of rock music must proceed, noting that the members are getting older. Other than Miyavi, who’s 41, the others are all of their 50s.

Guitarist Miyavi appeared as an actor in Angelina Jolie’s 2014 biographical battle movie, “Unbroken.”

“This can be our final likelihood at this problem,” Sugizo mentioned. “We need to put what’s left of our lives on the road to make the world rock with our music.”

They’re collaborating on writing songs whereas persevering with work with their very own bands, they mentioned. Concert events are scheduled for Tokyo, New York and Los Angeles early subsequent 12 months. The musicians have labored collectively on varied tasks through the years, however that is the primary time the 4 have dedicated to 1 group.

“Lastly, at the present time has come,” mentioned Hyde, the lead vocalist of rock band L’Arc-en-Ciel. “I am so excited.”

Yoshiki, who sings and performs the drums and piano, is the brand new group’s chief. He and X Japan, which dates again to the Eighties, nonetheless command a big and dependable following, and the musicians with whom he’s becoming a member of forces are additionally well-liked.

Japanese media responded with enthusiasm to the announcement, calling it a “dream group,” whereas some questioned the band’s identify and why there was no bassist.

Hyde has bought out the Tokyo Dome stadium 16 instances, has greater than 60 top-10 singles on the Japanese Oricon Music Charts and bought greater than 40 million albums. And Sugizo’s inventive attain expands past bands right into a broad vary of fields together with film scores, appearing and up to date dance.

Often called the “samurai guitarist,” Miyavi is legendary for his “slap type” of guitar enjoying that does not use a choose. He has toured the world six instances, is in demand as a trend mannequin and has created TV business music for Uniqlo, Nissan and different manufacturers.

X Japan has bought over 30 million albums and singles, and Yoshiki has carried out at Madison Sq. Backyard and Carnegie Corridor, and composed a tune for Japan’s emperor.

Yoshiki mentioned he has skilled coming near loss of life many instances, and felt time was working out for brand new alternatives. His former bandmate Cover died of suicide in 1998, as did his father when Yoshiki was a baby.

“It is as if that is the final second,” he mentioned of the type of power he and others had been placing into the brand new band.

“As if,” he mentioned.