Dir en grey

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Template:Infobox band Dir en grey is a popular Japanese rock band formed in 1997. Starting out as a Visual Kei act the group has since experimented with various styles while maintaining the steady lineup of Kyo (京) (vocals), Kaoru (薫) (guitar), Die (guitar), Toshiya (bass) and Shinya (drums). Their current music has become quite eclectic and is difficult to categorize, though generally they play a form of Hard rock music.

1 History
2 Lineup
3 Original Tour and Show Names
4 Discography
5 External links

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History

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1996-1999: Early Career

Dir en grey‘s roots can be traced back to La:Sadie's, which eventually included four of Dir en grey's five current members. In 1996, La:Sadie’s disbanded and a year later from their ashes Kyo, Die, Kaoru, Shinya emerged to form Dir en grey, recruiting bassist Toshiya from Nagano.

In 1998, the band gained major attention by becoming the first indies band to have a single place in the top ten on Japan's Oricon music charts. They played a sold-out performance at Osakajo Hall on December 18, 1999 after the release of their first full major album. This remains one of the band's most memorable solo performances to date.

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2000-2003: Setbacks, International touring, and Evolution

The band featured setbacks in 2000 when the tour for their upcoming album “MACABRE” was postponed until the next year. Kyo was hospitalized with hearing trouble, and remains partially deaf in his left ear. After Kyo being hospitalized, Dir en grey started their long awaited tour, TOUR 00>>01: MACABRE, in late 2000 and played all of the postponed shows in early 2001. When their latest single, ain't afraid to die, was released, they ended the whole tour at the Nihon Budokan of the same year.

In 2002 and when their 3rd full length major album was released, Dir en grey's "Rettou Gekishin Angya (A Pilgrimage Capsizing the Islands)" tour brought the band their first international performances. The tour took them to several countries in Asia, including China and South Korea. In Shanghai fans became so excited that authorities attempted to cancel a planned second concert. The band and their management resisted, and the concert was played as scheduled. The tour ended with the strong performance at Yokohama Arena in 2003 known as Rettou Gekishin Angya FINAL 2003 5 Ugly KINGDOM which is promoting their 2nd mini album known as six Ugly.

A couple of months after their show at Yokohama Arena, Dir en grey performed at Akasaka Blitz for their 5-day length show, BLITZ 5DAYS. Each day had a variety of songs from the Gauze age to the introduction of their metal-inspired 4th album known as Vulgar. On the 5th day, fans got to experience some of the songs from the Vulgar album just before its release on September 10th, 2003.

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2005: European recognition

The year 2005 was a significant year in the band's history. Dir en grey played their first non-Asian shows. Their "It Withers and Withers" tour was brought from Japan to Europe. The band played shows in three European countries - Belgium, France, and Germany. Two of these performances were MTV's Rock im Park and Rock am Ring festivals. Dir en grey also played a solo live concert in Germany.

The band had not played shows with other bands since they signed to a major label, these events brought a major change in the band's show lineup. Beside playing with many bands at the European festivals, Dir en grey also hosted a French national band, Eths, at their French show. Later that year they invited long-time associate Wednesday 13 and his band to play a show in Japan. They were also included in the Japanese leg of the international "Taste of Chaos" tour.

In 2005. The band's album “Withering to death.” reached #31 on the Official Finnish Album Chart, and the single “Clever Sleazoid” reached #15 on its Singles Chart. These were the first times Dir en grey had placed on a non-Asian music chart. Also, the band joined international record labels; Gan-Shin (Germany), and Free-Will America / Warcon Records (United States).

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Current events

In 2006 Dir en grey played their first American concert at SXSW06 in Austin, Texas. They also have officially completed their second concert at the Avalon Club in New York, where they played with Still Life Decay. The Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, California was their last concert of this tour where they reportedly played a new, unidentified song whose title is currently unknown at the time. This new song was also played at the Avalon in New York. Both of their US dates sold out, and brought in people from all over the world for attendance.

The American release of Dir en Grey's latest album, Withering to Death, will be offered for sale at Hot Topic on May 16, 2006. This summer they will go on their first full tour in America Joining Korn, Deftones and others in the Family Values Festival.

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Lineup

京 (Kyo) - Vocals
薫 (Kaoru) - Lead Guitar
Die - Rhythm Guitar
Toshiya - Bass Guitar
Shinya - Drums

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Original Tour and Show Names

Album ｢MISSA｣ Released Anniversary Live 2Days (1997)
Neo Behind the Mask (1997)
Dir en grey Presents MAZOHYST OF DECADENCE SHOW (1997)
CRUCIFY OF MARIA.･･･TO“MISSA” I reminisce Your beauty・desire・scent (1997)
「KAEDE」～if trans･･･～ Mechanism For Leave-the scene of the tragedy- (1998)
「KAEDE」～if trans･･･～ Mechanism For Leave-Unknown･･･Despair･･･a Lost･･･- ～Blood stage of judgment～ (1998)
A Birth (1998)
～in the secret cradle～A wax lizard and a glass bee (1998)
TOUR Deep [sink], Deep [gaze], Deep [agonize], Deep [-] (1998)
TOUR Deep [sink], Deep [gaze], Deep [agonize], Deep [-] Final More Deep [sympathy]～meet evil with evil～ (1998)
PSYCHONNECT ～A reckless run before a storm～ (1999)
PSYCHONNECT-mode of “GAUZE” ？- (1999)
Dir en grey YELLOW SPECIAL EVENT (1999)
SHIWASU NO YORU NI ASHI YONNOJIGATAME!? (1999)
The Eve EVENT (1999)
Are you really sure about this?　Yes.　This is your how many??　My first.　I have killed so many children, I don’t even remember how many. Do you think you can you forgive? ・・・・・　I will ask you again, are you really sure about this?　Yes.　Are you ready?　Yes. Then lets begin. (Also known as 1999.12.18 Osaka Jo Hall) (1999)
TOUR 2000 “The Type of Deity” (2000)
TOUR 00>>01　MACABRE　brain gain(er) brain drain(er) (2000, postponed due to Kyo being partially deaf)
TOUR 00>>01　MACABRE　Deep [-], Deep [-], Deep [-], Deep [er] (2000)
TOUR 00>>01　MACABRE　brain gain(er) brain drain(er) (2001)
TOUR 00>>01　MACABRE　FINAL　More　Deep【quake】 (2001)
SEITEN NO HEKIREKI (2001)
RETTOU GEKISHIN ANGYA 2002 The Japanese Fucker Family (2002)
RETTOU GEKISHIN ANGYA 2002 -ASIA- The Japanese Fxxker Family (2002)
RETTOU GEKISHIN ANGYA 2002 KAIKASHINGAN (2002)
RETTOU GEKISHIN ANGYA 2002 MASTER OF MONSTER (2002)
RETTOU GEKISHIN ANGYA 2002 MASTER OF MONSTER　5 Ugly Heads (2002)
RETTOU GEKISHIN ANGYA 2002 5 Ugly KINGDOM (2002)
RETTOU GEKISHIN ANGYA FINAL 2003 5 Ugly KINGDOM (2003)
CHIKARYUUSYUTU DENEIYUUGIKAI (2003)
BLITZ 5DAYS (2003)
TOUR03 OVER THE VULGAR SHUDDER (2003)
TOUR03 OVER THE VULGAR SHUDDER FINAL (2003)
TOUR04 THE CODE OF VULGAR[ism] (2004)
TOUR04 KEEN UNDER THE SUN (2004)
TOUR04 KEEN UNDER THE SUN -ANOTHER- (2004)
THE MANIPULATED LIFE (2004)
TOUR05~06 It withers and withers (2005-2006)
TOUR05~06 It withers and withers FINAL (2006)
Showcase Tour (2006)
TOUR06 INWARD SCREAM (2006)