TOKYO — A brand new Japanese rock supergroup known as The Last Rockstars is taking goal on the worldwide market with a take care of Universal Music Group and a mission assertion “to preserve the spirit of rock music.”
The group – drummer-pianist Yoshiki (X Japan), singer-songwriter Sugizo (Luna Sea, X Japan), vocalist Hyde (L’Arc-en-Ciel, Vamps) and guitarist-actor Miyavi — has signed a world distribution take care of Ingrooves, which is a part of UMG’s Virgin Music Group. It begins with the quartet’s debut single, “The Last Rockstars (Paris Mix),” which is scheduled to be launched on Dec. 23, a spokesperson for the group tells Billboard.
The Last Rockstars introduced their formation in November in Tokyo. Speaking to Billboard, Yoshiki says the 4 artists mentioned making a brand new band collectively earlier than the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We all wanted to aim at the international market, beyond Japan,” he says. “During the pandemic, we talked even more about it and decided to go for it because we all had the same dreams and goals.”
The Japanese artists bonded across the mission to “preserve the spirit of rock music,” Yoshiki says. “Hip-hop and pop have really taken over in recent decades,” he says. “[Rock is] there, but not standing out like it should be.”
While noting that modern teams akin to Italy’s Maneskin are carrying the style’s torch, Yoshiki says The Last Rockstars also can assist stimulate the worldwide rock scene — which is why they selected their provocative moniker to depart an impression. “I came up with it, and surprisingly the other members didn’t hesitate in choosing it,” Yoshiki says.
The Last Rockstars will make their reside debut at a sequence of 4 exhibits in Tokyo from Jan. 26 to Jan. 30, earlier than coming to the U.S. with two exhibits at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom (Feb. 3 and 4) and Los Angeles’ Hollywood Palladium (Feb. 10).
The particular person members of The Last Rockstars have all cultivated robust followings outdoors of Japan, with every having performed exhibits in North America. Yoshiki and Sugizo’s X Japan have carried out at Coachella and Lollapalooza, whereas Hyde’s L’Arc-en-Ciel turned the primary Japanese band ever to headline Madison Square Garden in 2012. Miyavi, who as an actor appeared as a psychotic jail guard in Angelina Jolie’s drama “Unbroken,” has recorded in Nashville and toured internationally in a minimum of 30 international locations, together with the U.S.
Hyde and Sugizo are signed to UMG for solo work. Miyavi is tied to Purple One Star and Yoshiki is at present unsigned for solo initiatives, a spokesperson for the group tells Billboard.
Yoshiki’s 2013 album Yoshiki Classical peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Classical Albums Chart. Hyde noticed his 2019 full-length album Anti high the Billboard Japan Download Albums Chart, with the songs “Who’s Gonna Save Us,” “After Light” and “Fake Divine” touchdown on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 at No. 17, No. 24 and No. 20, respectively. Subsequent 2020 singles “Believing In Myself” and “Let It Out” charted on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 at No. 43 and No. 50, respectively.
Miyavi’s had a smattering of singles on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, highlighted by his 2011 collaboration with rapper Kreva, “Strong,” which peaked at No. 15.
“I have enormous respect for each member,” Yoshiki says. “I’m really honored to be working with these three amazing rockers, and I think we can make some kind of miracle happen.”
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