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BUCK-TICK, one of the pioneering bands of VK, have a sound that is uniquely their own.
With lyrics covering topics from the uselessness of life, to love, to the death of a parent, BUCK-TICK always have something to say, and they say it in their own way.
These 20 year veterans easily carry a wide variety of styles under their belts, both in music and in fashion. From pop, to goth, to experimental, this band does it all. In each song there is a special BUCK-TICK "je ne sais quoi" that makes the group identifiable before vocalist Sakurai Atsushi sings a note.
In the early years the band could often be found sporting foot tall hair, gas masks, fish-net stockings, ladies' scarves and matador gear. Happily, as the band has matured, they have settled in to a sleeker, more sophisticated style, featuring classic suits, trench coats, and darker, more goth apparel. With the exception of drummer Yagami Toll, BUCK-TICK's hair styles no longer pose a threat to society.
In 1983, high school students Imai Hisashi and Higuchi Yutaka (U-ta) decided to start a band together. After recruiting Hoshino Hidehiko (bass), Sakurai Atsushi (drums), and Araki (Vocals), the new band was born.
The following year, sporting the new name Hinan Go Go, the boys played several amateur events throughout their native Gunma. At this point they didn't have any original songs and played only cover songs.
Later in the year, Imai, Sakurai and Araki all graduated from high school, leaving Hoshino and Higuchi to finish their last year. It was also this year that saw the name of the band change to BUCK-TICK, meaning "fire-cracker", perhaps to echo the straight up, stiff as a board hair styles the members seemed to favor at the time.
1985 saw two changes for the band, the move to Tokyo and the departure of Araki as vocalist. After much arguing and work to convince his bandmates, Sakurai switched from drums to vocals. U-ta then returned home to recruit his older brother for the now drummer-less BUCK-TICK.
Yagami Toll was certainly the most experienced, having previously been in other bands, but his most recent band SP had just broken up. Toll was less than enthusiastic about the prospect of joining his younger brother's band, but in the end U-ta succeeded in convincing him. With Toll finally recruited on drums, the BUCK-TICK as we know it was born. The band's new line up played their first show together that winter.
The following years saw a flurry of activity for BUCK-TICK. The band signed with Indies label Taiyo Records in 1986, then major label Victor in '87. The group was touring non-stop, and the steady release of albums and videos (including their first major label release SEXUAL XXXXX! in 1987) kept them in the public eye, where their popularity continued to grow.
Four tours, multiple single live performances, 3 albums, and a non-stop stream of media exposure took their toll on the band, and in April of 1989, Imai was arrested for drug possession. However, after a forced break of several months, the band was back on top once more when they re-emerged in December and sold out the Tokyo Dome.
The band continued on their rise to stardom over the next several years, with no less than 8 tours between 1990 and 1997, and 11 album releases in the same time period.
BUCK-TICK became well-known for their amazing live shows, in which the stage sets themselves are worth the price of admission. From intricately decorated Egyptian themed sets to deadly looking steel rods and terrifying circus acts, a BUCK-TICK live is like no other. Throw in the band's endlessly changing wardrobe styles, and BUCK-TICK gives "Visual Kei" a whole new, or perhaps rather a literal, meaning.
1997 saw the end of BUCK-TICK's long relationship with Victor records when they signed with Mercury Music Entertainment. During these next years, the band members branched out and began the first of many side projects and guest appearances, including Imai's collaboration with Maki Fujii (Soft Ballet): Schaft. Already 10 years had elapsed since their major label debut, and the band showed no signs of slowing down.
In 1998 was the band's first foray into the world of anime when they released the song Gessekai, which was used as the theme for "Night Walker". A remix of their hit Dress would later be used (2005) as a theme for "Trinity Blood".
Once again the band changed labels in 2000. One Life, One Death was their first release on the BMG-Funhouse label and they remain with them to this day.
The next several years saw even more side projects, which included the bands Schwein & Lucy, solo work, guest appearances, and more tours. There were 8 more tours between 2000 and 2007, as well as numerous single live shows and another 9 albums.
In their 20+ year career, BUCK-TICK has undergone the evolution from a spiky haired Indies band to polished professionals. Between births and deaths, marriages and divorces, BUCK-TICK has grown up in the public eye.
Their musicianship improves with each new release, and luckily for fans, the band shows no signs of stopping. Whether it be side projects like Lucy & Dropz, or solo work like Sakurai's Planet of love, BUCK-TICK's members never fail to please and surprise their fans. With any luck, they'll be entertaining for at least another 20 years.
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English
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