Sex-rock like fireworks display
Note: This piece was originally published on my discontinued LiveJournal blog: the Secret Garden Shimbun by GacktPause...It is now happily re-posted here on SECRET GARDEN for your viewing pleasure!
Originally posted October, 2007
BUCK-TICK is:
Sakurai Atsushi (櫻井 敦司): vocals
Imai Hisashi (今井 寿): guitar, electronics, and miscellaneous noise
Hoshino Hidehiko (星野 英彦): guitar and keyboard
Higuchi Yutaka (桶口豊): bass
Yagami Toll (ヤガミ・トール): drums and percussion
So Netflix (my ultimate anime source god, thank you Netflix I love it) had this great thing going, where they had three discs of the anime Trinity Blood (a rendition of the popular manga by Sunao Yoshida, who unfortunately died an untimely death halfway through the series’ life, and his course was passed on to an artist friend). They had discs 1, 2, and 4. Why? I have no idea. But anyway, I was definitely watching Trinity Blood, and they had this low-key, jazzy, super chill opening theme. The singer had a definitely sexy, smoky, unique voice.
To note, the Trinity Blood opening theme, Doressu: Bloody trinity Mix (English- “Dress”) was actually written long before the creation of the anime (and was released on the single Doressu). But I digress. For those who don’t “Get” the process, you always watch the opening theme for anime, unless, of course, it really sucks. Usually they don’t, but, well, you get the idea. So several episodes later and I find myself on the computer thinking, “Buck-Tick, what?”
Pronounced Baakku-Chiikoo by the Japanese, it is apparently pronounced like the Japanese word for a certain type of firework. If you don’t get it at first, take one look at the guitarist for BUCK-TICK, then it kind of makes more sense. Or at least, you see why it was named that. Anyway, pronounced Baaku-Chiikoo by the Japanese, BUCK-TICK began in 1984 as a Japanese pop/rock/Goth-rock five-man band. They super-debuted in 1987 with the album Sexual xxxxx! To great applause.
While other bands such as Luna: Sea and XJapan were wearing squid-wigs to make Marie Antoinette burn with fish-department-envy, and wailing out whiny lyrics, a blonde, leather-pants-clad Atsushi was prancing around the stage making some kind of risqué statement. Their music from this era sounded upbeat, punk-popish and sported titles such as Sexual xxxxx! And Taboo.
Come the early ‘90s BUCK-TICK took on a darker look, and left the ‘80s hair and disco-lights behind for a classier, more elegant style. Titles turned to themes like "La Vie En Rose", "I HATE YOU ALL" and other such dark, blood-red and black velvet-image-inspiring subject matter. By 2005, BUCK-TICK was climaxing their darker side with what I dub Vampire Hunter D rock, i.e. brimmed D hat and black cane.
Part of the greatness of BUCK-TICK is the inability to place them in a genre. Their style covers a spread of punk, Goth-rock, Visual Kei, pop, Vampire Hunter D, rock, and sex-rock* (don't raise eyebrows, their debut album was named Sexual xxxxx!).
Their sometimes drugged-up electronica, moody melodies and morbid lyrics, paired with Sakurai Atsushi’s versatile, gorgeous voice and commanding on-stage presence make for a unique, colorful bouquet of vocal music that is a definite refreshment from today’s unvaried schemes. One can go from Kiss Me Goodbye, ‘80s pop, to Muma: The Nightmare, where Atsushi creates an unbelievable performance complete with a candlelit, fabulous venue, historical costume, cultic chanting and writhing possession.
In light (ha-ha) of the darker tones of October and November, moving into the moody melancholy of late autumn and winter, watching their 2005 13th Floor With Diana Live concert consumes most of my time and energy.
BUCK-TICK’s repertoire includes 26 singles, 15 albums, and 15 special releases.
Sakurai Atsushi’s solo website
Please support this artist by buying, and not downloading, their albums. Domo arigatou, Cowboy~
NOTE: I HAVE PASTED THIS WRITE-UP FROM MY DISCONTINUED SHIMBUN. I HAVE DONE MY BEST TO RE-FORMAT IT, INCLUDING RE-SIZING AND COLORING FONTS, AND UNLINKING A FEW LINKS. ANY DISCREPANCIES ARE NOT NECESSARILY MY FAULT!
