VAMPS

VAMPS is a unit formed by HYDE and K.A.Z. under the label VAMPROSE.

A new unit announced on February 2008 (though the name was withheld until March 25, 2008). Their first single LOVE ADDICT will be released in July. A Zepp tour will soon follow in August, consisting of 46 shows.

Singles
[2008.07.02] LOVE ADDICT #2



MEMBERS:
HYDE (vocals)
KAZ (guitar)

HYDE

hyde [always spelled with a lower case 'h'] (pronounced hide in English, or hai-do in Japanese, not to be confused with X Japan's hide) (possibly born January 29, 1969, in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan) is the vocalist of the rock band L'Arc~en~Ciel. Because hyde does not release much of his personal information, almost everything about him is unofficial. However, fans have speculated that his real name is Takarai Hideto and have also speculated his birth date. There have been interviews with his parents in the past which more or less confirm these facts.

In addition to being lead singer, main lyricist, and second guitarist (as needed) of L'Arc~en~Ciel since the band was formed in 1991, hyde has a solo project under the name HYDE that he runs on the side. Though L'Arc~en~Ciel is not disbanded, they have started the tradition of taking breaks to work on solo activities.

In 2003, hyde starred alongside Gackt (a popular J-Rock artist), in the film Moon Child. hyde and Gackt sang the ballad "オレンジの太陽" ("Orenji no Taiyou") which was used as the first ending song of the movie. The song was later released on Gackt's album, Crescent.

In 2004, hyde took on the role of the guitarist Adam in the movie 下弦の月～ラスト・クォーター (Kagen no Tsuki - Last Quarter), a movie based on the manga by Yazawa Ai. The movie's theme song, THE CAPE OF STORMS, was a song from his first album ROENTGEN. The director had continuously thought of ROENTGEN while reading the manga in preparation for the movie so his choice of hyde as Adam was not entirely spontaneous.

During the summer of 2005, while L'Arc~en~Ciel was still working, hyde composed the music for the song GLAMOROUS SKY for the movie NANA, yet another movie based on a manga by Yazawa Ai. The song was sung by the J-Pop vocalist Nakashima Mika with lyrics written by Yazawa Ai herself. In August, HYDE (and his solo band) performed the song on Music Station with Nakashima Mika. Hyde played the guitar for this performance.

After L'Arc~en~Ciel had finished touring for 2005, hyde's COUNTDOWN was released on October 5th, 2005. The tracklisting including Japanese & English versions of the song COUNTDOWN, which was made for the movie Stealth, and also a special rock version of evergreen (originally from ROENTGEN).

For Halloween that month, hyde hosted HALLOWEEN OF THE LIVING DEAD, a three night event held at CLUB CITTA on October 29th, 30th, and 31st. Each night featured performances by HYDE himself, a guest artist/band and JACK-O-LANTERN. Artists/bands who took part in the Halloween performances are MONORAL, UVERworld, OLIVIA, HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR, Yasu of Janne Da Arc, and Nakashima Mika. The group JACK-O-LANTERN consisted of HYDE and the group MONORAL and played many Halloween favorites such as the theme from the movie Ghostbusters. All of the artists involved, except OLIVIA, performed in full costume.
In 2006, hyde released his 7th single, SEASON'S CALL on February 22nd. It was used as the opening theme to the anime Blood+ It is composed by KAZ, guitarist of hyde's solo band, making it the first song of hyde's solo career not composed by himself. On April 26th hyde released his third original album FAITH, which will be released in the US by Tofu Records as well on June 27th. As an extension of his lengthy FAITH Tour he will be performing four concerts in California between 7-2 and 7-6 as well as taking a Q&A session at Anime Expo on 7-1. In late 2008, KAZ will join HYDE once again in a new unit called VAMPS.



Facts about hyde
hyde keeps much of his personal information secret, including his real name and birth date.
He is the only child in his family. His parents owned a pub with a karaoke box and were married very young.
He was in the band Jerusalem's Rod before joining L'Arc as vocalist.
He married Oishi Megumi on December 25, 2000. He had stated that he had always admired Oishi and that she has a beautiful face. hyde was introduced to Oishi on Utaban after a performance of DIVE TO BLUE. They have one child, who was recently revealed by Oishi to be a boy. His name has not been released.
He originally wanted to become a cartoonist, but is color blind.
He has a big appetite and always tries the local cuisine of the countries he travels to.
Hyde's favorite foods include watermelon, chocolate, ramen, pizza, curry
Hyde stated that his least favorite food is Korean Barbeque and Kimchi which is Korean cabbage.

Albums
[2002.03.27] ROENTGEN #5
[2002.07.10] Roentgen Overseas Edition (English)
[2003.12.03] 666 #2
[2004.10.14] ROENTGEN.english #5
[2006.04.26] FAITH #2
Singles
[2001.10.17] evergreen #1
[2001.12.12] Angel's tale #2
[2002.02.27] SHALLOW SLEEP #2
[2003.06.04] HELLO #1
[2003.11.06] HORIZON #6
[2005.10.05] COUNTDOWN #1
[2006.02.22] SEASON'S CALL #1


KAZ

KAZ is a Japanese musician, producer and guitarist.
When he was a child, he was very competitive and absolutely hated to be defeated in anything. He can be an extremely obsessive person and can totally commit himself to something. However, if he's not interested in something, he just won't bother about.

He was guitarist of Gemmy Rockets and The Lovers, later of Oblivion Dust, until September of 2001, where Oblivion Dust disbanded.

In early 1998, he joined in hide with Spread Beaver as guitarist (although, he follows as Oblivion Dust member).

In 2001, he started working with L'Arc~en~Ciel's bassist tetsu on tetsu's solo project TETSU69.

In 2002, he formed the rock unit Spin Aqua with vocalist/model/actress Tsuchiya Anna. After producing three singles and one album, they dispersed in middle 2004.

In 2003, KAZ being Spin Aqua member began to work along HYDE as co-producer and guitarist in various singles and the album of 2006 FAITH, also supporting HYDE as support guitarist of his tours.

In late 2004, he started Sonic Storage with I.N.A. of Dope HEADz.

In late 2006 he produced a remix song from FAKE? and was released as a bonus.

In June 28th, 2007 was announced that KAZ is reuniting as Oblivion Dust member again.



Real Name: Iwaike Kazuhito (岩池一仁)
Stage Name: KAZ
Birthday: October 11, 1968
Birth Place: Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
Height: 1.70cm
Weight: 55kg
Blood type: O
Favourite band: Meat Beat Manifesto
Hobby: fishing (he likes to go fishing on the mornings before they do a live performance)
Siblings: He has an older sister.