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[[Image:Malice Mizer - Au Revoir 01.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Malice Mizer]], an example of visual kei during the 1990s.]] |
[[Image:Malice Mizer - Au Revoir 01.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Malice Mizer]], an example of visual kei during the 1990s.]] |
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{{nihongo|'''Visual kei'''|ヴィジュアル系|vijuaru kei|lit. "visual System"}} refers to a type of rock music, originating from Japan. |
{{nihongo|'''Visual kei'''|ヴィジュアル系|vijuaru kei|lit. "visual System"}} refers to a type of rock music, originating from Japan. |
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The Visual Kei sound, is often a mix between [[Pop music|pop]] music, [[Hard Rock]], and [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]. |
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{{cite web |
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It is often characterised by the use of feminine [[Cosmetics|make-up]] worn by men, unusual hair styles and elaborate [[costume]]s. |
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| title = International Music Feed feature "J Rock" |
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| work = imf.com |
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| url = http://www.imf.com/link_player.html?video_id=2283 |
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| accessdate = 2007-07-31 |
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}} |
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</ref><ref name="amg_dir_en_grey"> |
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{{cite web |
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| last = Monger |
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| first = James Christopher |
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| title = All Music Guide biography of Dir en grey |
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| work = allmusic.com |
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| url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:w9ftxql0ldde~T1 |
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| accessdate = 2007-07-31 |
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}} |
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</ref> that is characterized by the use of eccentric, sometimes flamboyant looks. This usually involves striking [[Cosmetics|make-up]], unusual hair styles and elaborate [[costume]]s, often, but not always, coupled with [[Androgyny|androgynous]] aesthetics.<ref name="nytimes_matsumoto"> |
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{{cite web |
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| last = Strauss |
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| first = Neil |
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| title = "The Pop Life: End of a Life, End of an Era" |
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| work = nytimes.com |
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| date = [[1998-06-18]] |
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| url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00EFD7103DF93BA25755C0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |
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| accessdate = 2007-07-31 |
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}} |
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</ref><ref name="grammy_kabuki"> |
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{{cite web |
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| last = Reesman |
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| first = Brian |
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| title = "Kabuki Rock " |
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| work = grammy.com |
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| date = [[2006-11-30]] |
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| url = http://www.grammylive.com/Latin/News/Default.aspx?newsID=2278 |
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| accessdate = 2007-08-07 |
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}} |
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</ref> |
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Bands credited with starting Visual Kei, include [[X Japan]], [[D'erlanger]]. and [[Dead End]]. |
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These looks have enjoyed popularity among [[Indie (music)|independent]] underground projects, as well as artists achieving [[mainstream]] success, with influences from Western phenomena, such as [[Glam rock|glam]], [[Goth subculture|goth]] and [[cyberpunk]].<ref name="grammy_kabuki" /><ref name="blistering_deg">{{cite web |
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While most artists remain underground, some Visual Kei bands have achieved [[mainstream]] success in Japan, and throughout Asia. |
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| last = Mascia |
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Notable bands that achieved this success include, [[X Japan]], [[Glay]], [[Luna Sea]], and [[L'Arc~en~Ciel]]. |
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| first = Mike |
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However their mainstream popularity was achieved after changing from the stereotyped Visual Kei appearance, to a more commercially accepted appearance. |
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| title = Dir en grey feature interview |
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| work = blistering.com |
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| url = http://www.blistering.com/fastpage/fpengine.php/link/1/templateid/12842/tempidx/5/menuid/3 |
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| accessdate = 2007-08-07 |
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}} |
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</ref> The music performed encompasses a large variety of [[Music genre|genres]], i.e. [[Pop music|pop]], [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] and [[electronica]].<ref name="jmf_jrock" /><ref name="grammy_kabuki"/> Magazines published regularly in Japan with visual kei coverage are ''Arena 37°C'', ''Fool's Mate'' and ''[[Shoxx magazine|Shoxx]]''. Noted bands who at least at some point sported a visual kei theme include [[Dir en grey]],<ref name="amg_dir_en_grey" /> [[Luna Sea]]<ref name="ymusic_luna_sea"> |
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{{cite web |
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| title = Luna Sea at Yahoo Music |
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| work = music.yahoo.co.jp |
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| url = http://music.yahoo.co.jp/shop/p/12/14750 |
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| language = Japanese |
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| accessdate = 2007-08-21 |
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}} |
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</ref> and [[Malice Mizer]].<ref name="ymusic_malice_mizer"> |
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{{cite web |
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| title = Malice Mizer at Yahoo Music |
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| work = music.yahoo.co.jp |
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| url = http://music.yahoo.co.jp/shop/p/12/15645/ |
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| language = Japanese |
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| accessdate = 2007-08-21 |
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}} |
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</ref> |
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In 1992, [[X Japan]] launched an attempt to enter the European and American markets, but it would take another 8 years until popularity and awareness of Visual Kei bands would reach worldwide. |
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Popularity and awareness of such groups outside of Japan is sparse, but has seen an increase in recent years. While the successful [[X Japan]] launched an attempt to enter the international market as early as 1992,<ref name="billboard_x_92> |
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{{Citation |
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| last = Duffy |
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| first = Thom |
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| title = Home and Abroad: Warner Marks X from Japan for Int'l Success |
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| newspaper = Billboard |
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| pages = p. 46 |
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| date = [[1992-09-05]] |
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}} |
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</ref> it would still take another decade until live concerts and regular domestic releases by visual kei themed bands in Europe and North America came to pass. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
Revision as of 07:41, 8 September 2007
Visual kei (ヴィジュアル系, vijuaru kei, lit. "visual System") refers to a type of rock music, originating from Japan. The Visual Kei sound, is often a mix between pop music, Hard Rock, and heavy metal. It is often characterised by the use of feminine make-up worn by men, unusual hair styles and elaborate costumes.
Bands credited with starting Visual Kei, include X Japan, D'erlanger. and Dead End. While most artists remain underground, some Visual Kei bands have achieved mainstream success in Japan, and throughout Asia. Notable bands that achieved this success include, X Japan, Glay, Luna Sea, and L'Arc~en~Ciel. However their mainstream popularity was achieved after changing from the stereotyped Visual Kei appearance, to a more commercially accepted appearance.
In 1992, X Japan launched an attempt to enter the European and American markets, but it would take another 8 years until popularity and awareness of Visual Kei bands would reach worldwide.