Psycho le Cému were visually perhaps the most radical of all Japan’s “visual-kei” bands. Their vivid sci-fi costumes, extreme make-up, wild hair, piercings and masks would cause nearly anybody to do a double take. Many visual-kei bands feature goth looking metrosexuals, but Psycho le Cému's image was more distinctive, influenced as it was by animation and game characters. Some said they looked like models in a fashion show from another galaxy. They created new costumes for each single, and seemed to find a way to be more outrageous each time. The group's five members were vocalist Daishi, lead guitarist and main songwriter Lida , the girly looking guitarist Aya, the monster-esque bass player seek (always written in lower case), and drummer Yura-sama. The members each had roles of sorts, which were usually reflected in their videos, with seek for example often resembling a creature from outer space, and Yura-sama portraying a flamboyant high priest or wizard. The group first came together in early 1999, and were playing out in the Kansai area by mid-year. In March 2000 they released their first maxi-single “Kronos” independently, and started playing further from home, including a sold-out show and Tokyo's famed visual-kei venue Rock May Kan. The group then linked up with the strong indie Limited Records, who released their November 2000 maxi single “Risokyu Ryokou Guide Disc”. The group toured behind the release and sold out all 15 shows, including the finale ...
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Psycho le Cému were visually perhaps the most radical of all Japan’s “visual-kei” bands. Their vivid sci-fi costumes, extreme make-up, wild hair, piercings and masks would cause nearly anybody to do a double take. Many visual-kei bands feature goth looking metrosexuals, but Psycho le Cému's image was more distinctive, influenced as it was by animation and game characters. Some said they looked like models in a fashion show from another galaxy. They created new costumes for each single, and seemed to find a way to be more outrageous each time. The group's five members were vocalist Daishi, lead guitarist and main songwriter Lida , the girly looking guitarist Aya, the monster-esque bass player seek (always written in lower case), and drummer Yura-sama. The members each had roles of sorts, which were usually reflected in their videos, with seek for example often resembling a creature from outer space, and Yura-sama portraying a flamboyant high priest or wizard. The group first came together in early 1999, and were playing out in the Kansai area by mid-year. In March 2000 they released their first maxi-single “Kronos” independently, and started playing further from home, including a sold-out show and Tokyo's famed visual-kei venue Rock May Kan. The group then linked up with the strong indie Limited Records, who released their November 2000 maxi single “Risokyu Ryokou Guide Disc”. The group toured behind the release and sold out all 15 shows, including the finale at Shibuya’s On Air West. The group was clearly picking up steam when they released their first album
Doppelganger in September 2001, and began to play nationally and in larger venues. The group was managed by Sweet Heart, who specialize in “visual-kei”, and have previous brought the world
Luna Sea, Shazuna, La’cryma Christi, Pierrot, and Plastic Tree. They expertly cultivated their fan base, and some releases and events were done exclusively for members of Kronos, the band’s fan club. In 2003 Psycho le Cému was signed by Crown, who are considered a “major label” in Japan, and their next two singles went into the top ten of Oricon’s singles chart. The group was also drawing some interest internationally. In mid 2004 they made appearances at American anime festivals in Anaheim and Dallas, and documented the trip in the form of a DVD
Psycho le Cému in USA Live & Document released in September 2003. The group also kept active in Japan, amongst other shows, they appeared later that year at a festival sponsored by Japan’s visual-kei oriented magazine
Fool’s Mate. The group returned to the States in early 2005, and made visits to Arlington, Virginia, Orlando, Florida and San Francisco, California. However, just as things seemed on course to make the band world famous, the Psycho le Cému went off the rails. In June 2005 singer Daishi was arrested for using amphetamines, and the band’s career suddenly went on the skids. In September, Daishi received a suspended sentence, but the damage to his career had already been done. A planned DVD had its release canceled and the band’s CDs were pulled from shops, as is the custom in the Japanese music business when an artist is convicted of a crime. The group also split from their management company. However barely losing a step, the other four members of the group formed a new band, Synetics, in which they have completely changed their images, and now appear as stylish punk rockers. Their first release will be October 20, 2005.
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