MY FAVORITE JAPANESE BAND

Aqua Timez

Aqua Timez (アクア タイムズ ?) adalah grup musik Jepang yang dibentuk tahun 2003. Mereka terdiri dari 4 pria dan seorang wanita. Nama Aqua Timez diambil dari nama majalah ...Timez yang mereka baca. Sementara kata Aqua mereka tambahkan dengan terburu-buru karena grup mereka harus memiliki nama.[1] Aqua Timez berada di bawah label EPIC Records Japan (Sony Music Entertainment).
Pada 24 Agustus 2005 mereka merilis mini album Sora Ippai ni Kanaderu Inori dengan label indie. Mini album perdana dengan label mayor, Nana Iro no Rakugaki dirilis 5 April 2006.
Anggota
Futoshi (太志 ?): vokal
Lahir di kota Gifu, 10 Mei 1980, lulusan Sekolah Menengah Atas Prefektur Gifu Nagara.
Daisuke (大介 ?): gitar, vokal latar
Lahir di Tomioka, Prefektur Fukushima, 12 April 1977, lulusan Universitas Chuo.
Nama asli: Daisuke Hasegawa (長谷川大介 Hasegawa Daisuke?)
OKP-Star (おーけーぴーすたー ?): gitar bass, vokal latar
Lahir di Iwaki, Prefektur Fukushima, 25 Maret 1977, lulusan Universitas Asia
mayuko (まゆこ ?): kibor
Lahir di Tomioka, Prefektur Fukushima, 18 September 1977, lulusan Universitas Chuo
Tasshi (たっしー ?): drum
Lahir di kota Kōchi, Prefektur Kochi, 21 Agustus 1978, lulusan Sekolah Menengah Tosa.
Nama asli Tomoyuki Tashima (田島 智之 Tashima Tomoyuki?)
Vokal latar
Ebis (えびす ?): vokal latar
Lahir di Kobe, Prefektur Hyogo, 12 November 1978
Nama asli: Miho Ebisu (戎 三穂 Ebisu Miho?)
Mayumi Fujita (藤田真由美 Fujita Mayumi?): vokal latar
Mantan anggota
Abiko (drum)
Kelahiran Kumano, Prefektur Mie, keluar dari Aqua Timez setelah dirilisnya "Nana Iro no Rakugaki"
Karier
Aqua Timez didirikan tahun 2003 oleh vokalis Futoshi dan pemain bass OKP-Star. Mereka dibantu pemain kibor Mayuko dan pemain gitar Daisuke sebagai musisi pendukung. Keduanya kemudian dijadikan anggota tetap. Dalam kontes band Chance! yang diadakan Shinseido, mereka berturut-turut menang sebanyak dua kali, tahun 2003 dan 2004. Mereka merekam sendiri album Kanashimi no Hateni Tomoru Hikari, dan mengadakan pertunjukan di tepi-tepi jalan di Tokyo, seperti di Kichijōji dan Shibuya.[2]
Album Sora Ippai ni Kanaderu Inori dirilis 24 Agustus 2005 dengan label indie Megaforce Corporation. Salah satu lagunya, "Tōshindai no Love Song" masuk ke dalam daftar lagu yang sering ditanyakan oleh pendengar radio kabel USEN.[2]
Pada bulan Januari 2006, lagu "Sora Ippai ni Kanaderu Inori" masuk dalam urutan 10 teratas tangga lagu Oricon hingga menempati urutan nomor satu pada 20 Februari 2006.[2] Masih di bulan Juli tahun yang sama, lagu "Ketsui no Asa ni" dijadikan lagu tema film anime Brave Story, dan pemain drum Tasshi diterima sebagai anggota resmi. Pada bulan Agustus, mereka melakukan konser keliling di 7 kota besar Jepang. Singel kedua, "Sen no Yoru o Koete" yang dirilis 22 November 2006 dijadikan lagu tema film Bleach. Mereka mengakhiri tahun 2006 dengan merilis album perdana Kaze o Atsumete (6 Desember 2006). Pada malam pergantian tahun, mereka tampil dalam acara NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen membawakan lagu "Ketsui no Asa ni".
Singel ke-4, "Alones" yang dirilis 1 Agustus 2007 dijadikan lagu pembuka anime Bleach di TV Tokyo. Setelah itu mulai 4 Agustus 2007, mereka mengadakan konser the "BiG BaNG" tour '07 yang sempat dibatalkan setelah Futoshi mengalami radang pita suara akut.[3] Singel ke-5, "Chiisana Tenohira" dipakai sebagai lagu tema serial drama Joshideka! yang dibintangi Yukie Nakama dan Pinko Izumi di televisi TBS.
Dari 15 Maret hingga 30 Mei, Aqua Timez mengadakan konser keliling "evergreen tour 2008" yang berlangsung sebanyak 17 kali pertunjukan. Singel ke-6 yang dirilis 8 Mei 2008, "Niji" dipakai sebagai lagu serial drama Gokusen. Sementara singel ke-7, "Natsu no Kakera" dipakai sebagai lagu tema film Hurray Hurray Shōjo yang dibintangi Yui Aragaki.
Aqua Timez is a Japanese pop and rock band signed to Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The band is well known for their inspirational lyrics and their use of unique musical techniques.
History
Aqua Timez was formed in 2000 after two of the original members, the vocalist and bassist, met on the internet and discovered that they attended the same university. At the time of their formation with all their current members in 2003, the band's name was Aqua Times, the correct spelling of their current name. During this period, the band released a mini-album and a single, but they were self-produced and did not sell many copies.
The band renamed themselves to Aqua Timez in 2005. Their first release under this name was Sora Ippai ni Kanaderu Inori, a mini-album which was released on August 24, 2005 It charted well, peaking at #1 on the Oricon weekly album charts in February 2006.
In 2006, the group signed the major label Sony Music Entertainment Japan and went on to release Nanairo no Rakugaki, their second mini-album with seven songs. Their first single, "Ketsui no Asa Ni", was then used as a song in the movie adaptation of Brave Story. Later in the same year, it was announced that they would provide the theme song to Bleach: Memories of Nobody, the movie version of the anime and manga series Bleach.[1] The song, "Sen no Yoru wo Koete" (千の夜をこえて?, lit. "Passing Over a Thousand Nights"), entered the Oricon singles chart at number 5 and went on to sell over 100,000 copies.
Later that year, the band's first full length album, Kaze o Atsumete, was released and reached a peak position of third on the Oricon charts. Since its release, the album has sold over 200,000 copies. "Shiori", their third single, was used in commercials for a brand of soft drink known as Mitsuya Cider and was number 5 on the Oricon charts.
The following year in 2007 the band returned to Bleach. Their fourth single, "Alones", was used as the 6th opening song for the anime and climbed to the #3 spot on the Oricon.[2]
More recently in 2007, the band produced their 5th single Chiisana Tenohira (#5 on the Oricon), and their second full-length album Dareka no Chijōe was released on November 21.[3]
Half a year after the release of their last single, they released their 6th single "Niji", which was used as the theme song for Gokusen 3.
On October 1, 2008, their 7th single "Natsu no Kakera" was released.
On January 14, 2009, Aqua Timez released a single called "Velonica", which was used as the 9th opening of Bleach.
On March 4, 2009, they released their 9th single "Stay Gold" followed by their third full album Utai Sarishi Hana on the 11th which has been certified Gold by RIAJ for shipment of 100,000 copies.[4]
The band released their 10th single "Plumeria: Hana Uta" on 29 July 2009 in which it was used as the theme song for the movie Gokusen.
They have also released a compilation album of their best songs on October 14, 2009. The album contained a newly recorded song called "Saigo Made". This album scored the band's first #1 on the Oricon weekly chart since they signed the major label Sony.

Diskografi
Singel
Tanggal rilis Judul
Buatan sendiri Oktober 2004 "Itsumo Issho"

1 5 Juli 2006 "Ketsui no Asa Ni"

2 22 November 2006 "Sen no Yoru o Koete"

3 9 Mei 2007 "Shiori"

4 1 Agustus 2007 "Alones"

5 31 Oktober 2007 "Chiisana Tenohira"

6 8 Mei 2008 "Niji"

7 1 Oktober 2008 "Natsu no Kakera"

8 14 Januari 2009 "Velonica"

Album mini
Tanggal Judul
Buatan sendiri 2004 Kanashimi no Hateni Tomoru Hikari

1 24 Agustus 2005 Sora Ippai ni Kanaderu Inori

2 5 April 2006 Nana Iro no Rakugaki

Album studio
Tanggal rilis Judul
1 6 Desember 2006 Kaze o Atsumete

2 21 November 2007 Dareka no Chijō e

Lagu unduh
Tanggal rilis Judul
1 1 November 2006 "Itsumo Issho"

2 9 Februari 2008 "Honto wa ne"

Singles
1. Ketsui no Asa Ni (決意の朝に) (Released July 5, 2006; Oricon: #4)
1. Ketsui no Asa Ni (決意の朝に; In the Morning of Decision)
2. Ayumi (歩み; Walking)
3. Sabishiki Warera (淋しき我ら; Lonely Us)
4. Ketsui no Asa Ni (Instrumental Mix)
2. Sen no Yoru wo Koete (千の夜をこえて) (Released November 22, 2006; Oricon: #5)
1. Sen no Yoru wo Koete (千の夜をこえて; Passing Over the Thousandth Night)
2. Sen no Yoru wo Koete (Instrumental Mix)
3. Shiori (しおり) (Released May 9, 2007; Oricon: #4)
1. Shiori (しおり; Bookmark)
2. Yume Fuusen (夢風船; Dream Balloon)
4. ALONES (Released August 1, 2007; Oricon; #3)
1. ALONES
2. Akatsuki (暁; Daybreak)
3. Mr. Roadrunner (DJ Mass'Skate Sonic* Remix)(Mr.ロードランナー; Mr.Roodorannaa)
4. ALONES(Instrumental Mix)
5. Chiisa na Tenohira (小さな掌) (Released October 31, 2007; Oricon: #4)
1. Chiisa na Tenohira (小さな掌; Little Palm)
2. Chiisa na Tenohira (Instrumental Mix)
6. Niji (虹) (Release date: May 7, 2008; Oricon: #2)
1. Niji (虹; Rainbow)
2. Yasashii Kioku ~evalasting II~ (優しい記憶～evalastingⅡ～; Kind Memory ~EverlastingⅡ~)
3. Honto wa Ne (ほんとはね; The Real Truth)
4. No Live, No Life
5. Niji -Instrumental-
7. Natsu no Kakera (夏のかけら) (Release date: October 1, 2008; Oricon: #8)
1. Natsu no Kakera (夏のかけら; Fragments of Summer)
2. Aki ni Naru Noni (秋になるのに; Although it is Becoming Fall)
3. on the run
4. Natsu no Kakera -Instrumental-
8. Velonica (Release date: January 14, 2009; Oricon: #2)
1. Velonica
2. Kanade Ai (奏であい; Playing Together)
3. Kaori (薫; Fragrance)
4. Velonica -Instrumental-
9. STAY GOLD (Release date: March 4, 2009 ; Oricon: #11)
1. STAY GOLD
2. STAY GOLD -Instrumental-
10. Plumeria ~Hana Uta~ (プルメリア ～花唄～) (Release date: July 29, 2009 ; Oricon: #7)
1. Plumeria ~Hana Uta~ (プルメリア ～花唄～; Purumeria ~Flower Song~)
2. Nagasugita Yoru Ni (長すぎた夜に; In the Overly Long Night)
3. Perfect World -blue forest ver.-
4. Plumeria ~Hana Uta~ -Instrumental-
11. Ehagaki No Haru (絵はがきの春) (Release date: January 27,2010 ; Oricon: #8)
1. Ehagaki No Haru (絵はがきの春)
2. Nagareboshi No Uta (流星のうた; Shooting Star Song)
3. Sora Ni Chikai Machi (空に近い街; A City Close to the Sky)
4. Ehagaki No Haru -Instrumental-
Albums
1. 2006: Kaze wo Atsumete
2. 2007: Dareka no Chijōe
3. 2009: Utai Sarishi Hana
Mini-albums
1. Sora Ippai ni Kanaderu Inori
2. Nanairo no Rakugaki
Compilation album
1. The Best of Aqua Timez
*Disc One: Tracks 1-13
1. Sen no Yoru wo Koete (千の夜をこえて)
2. Niji (虹)
3. Hachimitsu~Daddy, Daddy~ (ハチミツ ～Daddy,Daddy～)
4. STAY GOLD
5. Chiisa na Tenohira (小さな掌)
6. ALONES
7. Velonica
8. Ayumi (歩み)
9. Hitotsu Dake (ひとつだけ)
10. Honto wa Ne (ほんとはね)
11. Aki no Shita de (秋の下で)
12. Aoi Sora (青い空)
13. Saigo Made (最後まで)
*Disc Two: Tracks 1-13
1. Toushindai no Love Song (等身大のラブソング)
2. Shabondama Days (シャボン玉Ｄａｙｓ)
3. Sekai de Ichiban Chiisa na Umi Yo (世界で一番小さな海よ)
4. Ketsui no Asa ni(決意の朝に)
5. Shiori (しおり)
6. Kibou no Saku Oka Kara(希望の咲く丘から)
7. Isshun no Chiri (一瞬の塵)
8. Natsu no Kakera (夏のかけら)
9. Itsumo Issho (いつもいっしょ)
10. Hoshi no Mienai Yoru (星のみえない夜)
11. Plumeria~Hana Uta~(プルメリア～花唄～)
12. Himawari (向日葵)
13. Shiroi Mori (白い森)
*Limited Edition Only: Disc Three DVD (21 PVs)
1. Chiisa na Tenohira (小さな掌)
2. Toushindai no Love Song (等身大のラブソング)
3. Ketsui no Asa ni(決意の朝に)
4. Sen no Yoru wo Koete (千の夜をこえて)
5. Shiori (しおり)
6. ALONES
7. Niji (虹)
8. Natsu no Kakera (夏のかけら)
9. Velonica
10. STAY GOLD
11. Plumeria~Hana uta~(プルメリア～花唄～)
12. Saigo Made (最後まで)
13. Yasashii Kioku ~evalasting II~ (優しい記憶～evalastingⅡ～)
14. Honto wa Ne (ほんとはね)
15. on the run
16. B with U
17. itsumo issho (いつもいっしょ)
18. Ayumi (歩み)
19. Hitotsu Dake (ひとつだけ)
20. Shabondama Days (シャボン玉Ｄａｙｓ)
21. Kibou no Saku Oka Kara (希望の咲く丘から)
• Release date: October 14, 2009
• Oricon position: #1 (83,464)
• Certification - Gold