Glay is possibly the most popular of Japan’s “visual-kei” acts (rivaled only by
Luna Sea,
L’Arc-en-Ciel, and
X ), and are definitely one of the most successful rock groups in the country. Formed in 1988, the band shot to stardom in 1994, and have showed remarkable staying power by retaining their immense popularity. Musically Glay are a rock band, but their hits tend to be dramatic, sweeping power ballads. While considered “visual-kei” they do not go for the garish or ghouly - they are more in the model-perfect, well-groomed and well-dressed category. Glay’s line-up today consists of Takuro (guitar), Hisashi (guitar), Teru (vocals) and Jiro (bass). Takuro and Teru met in elementary school, and after Teru took up guitar a few years later, the two cemented their friendship over a shared love of music. In 1987, Hisashi joined the duo in high school. The three friends joined forces as a band in 1989, with Teru switching to drums before deciding to move on to lead vocals. In 1990, another friend named Shingo joined on bass, but later became their drummer. The following year, the band was completed when Jiro, formerly of the band Pierrot (which had a considerable fan base among young girls) came in as the bassist. In 1992 Shingo left the band and was replaced by Akira on drums. In 1993, one of Glay’s demo tapes made its way to Yoshiki of X, who offered to produce the band. This collaboration resulted in the band’s debut album,
Hai to Daiyamondo (Ashes and...
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Glay is possibly the most popular of Japan’s “visual-kei” acts (rivaled only by
Luna Sea,
L’Arc-en-Ciel, and
X ), and are definitely one of the most successful rock groups in the country. Formed in 1988, the band shot to stardom in 1994, and have showed remarkable staying power by retaining their immense popularity. Musically Glay are a rock band, but their hits tend to be dramatic, sweeping power ballads. While considered “visual-kei” they do not go for the garish or ghouly - they are more in the model-perfect, well-groomed and well-dressed category. Glay’s line-up today consists of Takuro (guitar), Hisashi (guitar), Teru (vocals) and Jiro (bass). Takuro and Teru met in elementary school, and after Teru took up guitar a few years later, the two cemented their friendship over a shared love of music. In 1987, Hisashi joined the duo in high school. The three friends joined forces as a band in 1989, with Teru switching to drums before deciding to move on to lead vocals. In 1990, another friend named Shingo joined on bass, but later became their drummer. The following year, the band was completed when Jiro, formerly of the band Pierrot (which had a considerable fan base among young girls) came in as the bassist. In 1992 Shingo left the band and was replaced by Akira on drums. In 1993, one of Glay’s demo tapes made its way to Yoshiki of X, who offered to produce the band. This collaboration resulted in the band’s debut album,
Hai to Daiyamondo (Ashes and Diamonds), released on the Yoshiki-related indie label Exstacy Records. Soon they were able to get some of their single tracks onto television commercials and appear on various TV programs, and by the end of the year they had moved from playing small clubs to larger halls in major cities around the country. In March of 1995 they released
Speed Pop, their major label debut on Victor, which rocketed into the Oricon top 10. Later that year D.I.E. joined as a “supporting member” on keyboards, and their then drummer Akira left. Japanese bands are usually very precise about who is an “official member” and who is a “support member”, thus Glay does not officially have a drummer at present. In some cases “support members” play with a band for five years or more without becoming members, and because of their lower status they are not featured in interviews, photos and other PR for the band. In January 1996 they released their second album
Glorious, which became their first #1 album on the Oricon chart. As before, TV commercial theme songs and TV appearances were a big part of promoting the band. Glay also did a roaring business in band related merchandise. They became so successful that they could afford to be a bit extravagant, so in keeping with their opulent image, they began flying to London, Iceland and other exotic locations to make videos. In November of 1996 they released their third album
Beloved, which became their first to hit the million unit mark, and sales of their videos and picture books soared. Glay supported the album with their “Groovy Tour,” and later the same year did an arena tour. Even now, the band tours regularly, often releasing a video documenting each trek. In October 1997, only two and a half years after their major label debut, Glay released their “best of” collection entitled
Review - the timing which, by American standards, would seem odd since most acts wait several years before putting together a greatest hits package. The result, however, was incredible-
Review reached sales of over 3 million copies which gave Glay the notable distinction of becoming the first Japanese band ever to reach that number. The band has largely sustained this level of popularity since that period. In 1999, Glay had a support member change, with D.I.E. leaving to try a solo career. Komori, previously a keyboard player with Fumiya Fuji, joined the lineup as yet another support member. Later that year, the band did a series of shows (dubbed “The Dome Tour”) at Japan’s largest indoor venues, to support their sixth album
Pure Soul, released the previous summer. They continue to play mega-events periodically, and in July 2004 the band played to over 100,000 people for “Glay Expo 2004” at Osaka’s Universal Studios.
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