I want to give tribute to one of the up-and-coming bands out there who due to unfortunate circumstances may never fulfil their potential. The band is MARIA, formed around Maiko, ex-bassist from one of the most successful Japanese pop bands, ZONE.
The 6 members of the band are:
Maiko (DOB: July 24 , 1986) Instrument: Vocals and Bass Guitar ( formerly from ZONE )
Aika (DOB: October 8 , 1989) Instrument: Vocals and Bass Guitar [also known as the shampoo rocker]
Reina; (DOB: February 26 , 1990) Instrument: Keyboards and Electric Violin
Tattsu; (DOB: October 18 , 1985) Instrument: Drums and back-up vocals
Ayuka; (DOB: September 11 , 1986) Instrument: Electric Guitar [favorite color is yellow]
Sacchin; (DOB: June 27 , 1984) Instrument: Electric Guitar ( LEADER )
One interesting feature of the band is they feature two bassists in the band, Maiko and Aika who also share vocal duties. There are also two guitarists in the band, Ayuka (lead) and Sacchin (rhythm) As their publicity slogan say: twin bass, twin vocals and twin guitars. The band is completed by a keyboardist, Reina and a drummer, Tattsu.
The band was formed in 2005 (shortly after ZONE's breakup) . They released their first single on March 8, 2006, titled "Chiisa na Uta". This song is used as the 3rd opening song of the anime Yakitate!! Japan. Also, their single Tsubomi is used as the theme song of Naruto the Movie 3.
In 2006 came out their first album, entitled "You Go!: We Are Maria", but their popularity really came to raise after "Tsubomi" single release. In 2008, though, Maria came out with their first DVD, featuring a live tour for the first album, and was entitled "Maria Live Tour - We Are Maria 2007", which reached the height of 30th place in Oricon parade.
Their newest release came to be "Day by Day", a full-length album released in the end of 2009.
However MARIA is breaking up in April 2010. According to an announcement on their official website, the group decided to disband due to drummer TATTSU's health.
Around the spring of 2009, TATTSU began experiencing numbness in her arm. She was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, and her doctor advised her to stop straining herself before the disorder progresses beyond recovery. The band discussed it with their staff for half a year, eventually deciding to end their activities this April, when the record contract is set to expire. Even though it was suggested that the band should replace TATTSU with another drummer, the six members refused the idea.
Their last concert is scheduled for April 3 at Akasaka Blitz.
Maria - Chiisa na Uta
Maria - HEARTBEAT
Maria - Ichiban Hoshi
Maria - koi kaze
Maria - Sayonara Daisuki na Hito
Sayonara, MARIA...
The 6 members of the band are:
Maiko (DOB: July 24 , 1986) Instrument: Vocals and Bass Guitar ( formerly from ZONE )
Aika (DOB: October 8 , 1989) Instrument: Vocals and Bass Guitar [also known as the shampoo rocker]
Reina; (DOB: February 26 , 1990) Instrument: Keyboards and Electric Violin
Tattsu; (DOB: October 18 , 1985) Instrument: Drums and back-up vocals
Ayuka; (DOB: September 11 , 1986) Instrument: Electric Guitar [favorite color is yellow]
Sacchin; (DOB: June 27 , 1984) Instrument: Electric Guitar ( LEADER )
One interesting feature of the band is they feature two bassists in the band, Maiko and Aika who also share vocal duties. There are also two guitarists in the band, Ayuka (lead) and Sacchin (rhythm) As their publicity slogan say: twin bass, twin vocals and twin guitars. The band is completed by a keyboardist, Reina and a drummer, Tattsu.
The band was formed in 2005 (shortly after ZONE's breakup) . They released their first single on March 8, 2006, titled "Chiisa na Uta". This song is used as the 3rd opening song of the anime Yakitate!! Japan. Also, their single Tsubomi is used as the theme song of Naruto the Movie 3.
In 2006 came out their first album, entitled "You Go!: We Are Maria", but their popularity really came to raise after "Tsubomi" single release. In 2008, though, Maria came out with their first DVD, featuring a live tour for the first album, and was entitled "Maria Live Tour - We Are Maria 2007", which reached the height of 30th place in Oricon parade.
Their newest release came to be "Day by Day", a full-length album released in the end of 2009.
However MARIA is breaking up in April 2010. According to an announcement on their official website, the group decided to disband due to drummer TATTSU's health.
Around the spring of 2009, TATTSU began experiencing numbness in her arm. She was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, and her doctor advised her to stop straining herself before the disorder progresses beyond recovery. The band discussed it with their staff for half a year, eventually deciding to end their activities this April, when the record contract is set to expire. Even though it was suggested that the band should replace TATTSU with another drummer, the six members refused the idea.
Their last concert is scheduled for April 3 at Akasaka Blitz.
Maria - Chiisa na Uta
Maria - HEARTBEAT
Maria - Ichiban Hoshi
Maria - koi kaze
Maria - Sayonara Daisuki na Hito
Sayonara, MARIA...
