Sugizo

Name: Yuune “Sugizo” Sugihara

Former band(s):
Luna Sea, The FLARE, Sugizo & the Spank Your Juice, S.T.K., SHAG

Current band:
S.K.I.N.

Position:
Guitar

CD(s):
Albums
Truth?
Parallel Side of Soundtrack
H・ART・CHAOS ～垂直の夢～
Silent Voice ～Acoustic Songs of Soundtrack～
C:LEAR

Singles/Remixes
LUCIFER
A PRAYER
REPLICANT LUCIFER
REPLICANT PRAYER
REPLICANT TRUTH?
Rest in Peace & Fly Away
SUPER LOVE
Dear LIFE
NO MORE MACHINE GUNS PLAY THE GUITAR
Website:
Official
Myspace

Images:

Despite his father’s disapproval, Sugizo taught himself the guitar, and then began playing bass in a high school band named Pinnochio. The internal structure of Pinnochio was not cohesive, however, and soon Sugizo and his friend and the drummer Shinya Yamada left Pinnochio to join up with rival bandmembers J and Inoran. With the addition of Ryuichi Kawamura, the vocalist from the band Slaughter, the five formed the Visual Kei rock unit “Lunacy”.

With J already a bass player, Sugizo switched to the electric guitar, and as Inoran preferred to play rhythm guitar, he became Lunacy’s lead guitar (and invented his familiar stage name). The five performed in Machida Playhouse and other clubs, persisting in their live performances despite exceptional sales of their demo tapes. Soon enough they were scouted out by one hide of X Japan fame and signed to Extasy Records. The band’s name was then changed to “Luna Sea” and shortly thereafter came the release of their first full-length album.

Throughout the course of Luna Sea’s joint career, they became one of the most beloved bands in all of Japan, China, and Taiwan, and gained many Western fans as well. Sugizo in particular became a female fan-favorite, being something of a narcissist and very aware of his public sexuality. However, with the birth of daughter Luna in 1996, Sugizo’s image mellowed considerably; although upon the death of mentor hide, he dyed his hair bright pink again as a tribute to his fellow guitarist. While with Luna Sea, Sugizo played the guitar and violin, although over the years he has learned many other instruments as well.

Since the group’s dissolution in 2000, Sugizo has incorporated many of these other talents into his solo works (including symphonic collaborations with Ryuichi Sakamoto). He also tried his hand at acting and appeared in the art-fantasy film “Soundtrack” with Kou Shibasaki, besides writing and performing its evocative score. His love of rock music has not been forgotten, however, despite Sugizo’s expressed desire to be remembered as more of a poetic singer/songwriter than a sexually aggressive, androgynous rock star.

In past years he has formed and performed in a number of rock units, including Sugizo & The Spank Your Juice, with which he wrote a number of scathing anti-war songs condemning injustice and politicians who pursue power instead of peace. More recently, Sugizo has joined forces with young Japanese vocalist Yuna and created The FLARE. Sugizo is now a member of the band S.K.I.N along with Yoshiki, Gackt, and Miyavi.