Demon Kakka

Demon Kakka (Japanese: デーモン閣下, Hepburn: Dēmon Kakka, "His Excellency Demon"), previously known as Demon Kogure (デーモン小暮, Dēmon Kogure), is a Japanese musician, songwriter, entertainer, journalist, sumo commentator, actor and voice actor. He first gained fame in the 1980s as vocalist of the heavy metal band Seikima-II, before starting a solo career in 1990 and branching out into other forms of entertainment. His real name is not publicly known and he is noted for always working entirely in character, which includes wearing face paint.

Demon Kakka
Demon Kakka at Japan Expo 2010 in Paris, France.
Background information
Also known asDemon Kogure, Demon Kogure Kakka, Den'emon Kogure, !
BornNovember 10[1]
OriginShinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, actor, voice actor, author, television and radio personality, record producer, critic[1]
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1982–present
LabelsFitzbeat/CBS Sony, Ki/oon, Ariola Japan, BMG Japan, Avex Trax
Associated actsSeikima-II, Grand Illusion, Super Slump
WebsiteOfficial site

Early life and education

Demon attended kindergarten up through his first year of elementary school in New York City.[2] He moved to Tokyo for second grade of elementary school, before moving to Nishi-ku, Hiroshima in 1971 for three years.[2] Returning to Tokyo, Demon grew up there from 6th grade on.[2]

Between 1982 and 1983, Demon attended an acting school in Tokyo.[1][3]

In March 1986, Demon graduated with honors from Waseda University with a degree in social science.[1] A fan of sumo since childhood, he was a member of the university's sumo club.[4] He was also a member of their folk song club.[5]

Career

Music

When Sunplaza Nakano-kun left the Waseda University rock band Super Slump to form Bakufu Slump, Demon replaced him as vocalist.[5][6]

Demon and fellow Waseda University student Damian Hamada formed the heavy metal band Seikima-II in December 1982. The band saw numerous lineup changes in their career, with Demon being the only constant member. They signed to CBS/Sony and released their first album Seikima II – Akuma ga Kitarite Heavy Metal in 1985. Seikima-II went on to release 12 studio albums and sell over 10 million records.[7] In accordance to their fictional "prophecy" and after completing their "world conquest", Seikima-II disbanded at the end of the century on December 31, 1999 at 23:59:59.[7] They have had limited time reunions in 2005, 2010, and 2015.

Demon released his first solo album in 1990, and after Seikima-II disbanded focused on his solo career.

In 1994, Demon appeared on Larry King Live, becoming the first Japanese musician to do so.

In January 2007, Demon released Girls' Rock, a cover album of rock songs by female artists. He released a follow-up, Girls' Rock √ Hakurai, in January 2008 and supported it with a national tour from April to May.[8][9] A third female rock cover album, Girls' Rock ~Tiara~, was released on February 11, 2009.[10] The compilation album Girls' Rock Best, collecting songs from these three albums and some new covers, was released on January 20, 2010.[11]

Demon released Mythology, his first original studio album in nine years, on May 16, 2012. It features several guests, including Yuki Koyanagi and May J., and a song composed by Tetsuya Komuro. The album's June tour featured Koyanagi at every date, while its final day also saw the other contributors perform.[12]

Demon wrote and composed the 2013 song "Heavy Metal Strikes Back ~Chimamire no Messiah-tachi~" (HEAVY METAL STRIKES BACK ~血まみれの救世主(メサイア)たち~) for the idol group Kamen Rider Girls.[13]

For his March 2017 album Existence, Demon had two Akutagawa Prize winning authors (Keisuke Hada and Yū Nagashima) and Terra Formars author Yū Sasuga write song lyrics.[14] His November 2017 album Utadama was built around folk instruments, pianos and other unplugged instruments and includes covers of songs such as "Furusato" and "Kimigayo".[15]

His November 2019 album Uta Dokuro: Gekida☆Shinkansen Gekichūka-shū is a collaboration with the theater company Gekida☆Shinkansen, with whom he has written lyrics for and performed songs with since at least 1995.[16] The album features Demon singing 12 songs he wrote for the company's plays over the last 24 years with some altered lyrics.[17]

Demon collaborated with Arika Takarano (Ali Project) for the May 13, 2020 single "Jikū no Mayoi Hito" (時空の迷い人), which is the opening theme of the anime adaptation of The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?.[18][19] That same year, he provided the song "Naked Men Miro, Hadaka no Oretachi o!" to the stage adaptation of Reiko Okano's sumo manga series Ryōgoku Hananishiki Tōshi.[20]

Sumo

Demon dedicated a section of his radio program Demon Kogure no All Night Nippon to sumo. The section, called "Ōzumō wo 666-bai Tanoshimu Hōhō" (大相撲を666倍楽しむ方法), often featured interviews with active rikishi, most notably Daitetsu Tadamitsu, who became friends with Demon.[21]

Demon wrote a column for the sumo magazine Van Van Sumo Club for 13 years, and was a regular guest commentator on the J Sports TV show Gekisen! Ōzumō for five years.[1] But he was asked not to enter the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in costume so as not to cause a distraction, and complied. However, in 2005 Demon was asked by the Japan Sumo Association to be a guest on Dosukoi FM, the live in-house radio broadcast of sumo tournaments, and to come in costume, ending the ban.[22]

The following year Demon was a guest commentator for NHK's television broadcast of the January 2006 honbasho, and became the first guest to commentate an entire sumo tournament.[4]

Demon was a guest commentator on day 8 of the January 2009 tournament alongside his close friend and former yokozuna Hiroshi Wajima.[23][24] When Wajima died in December 2018, Demon sang a song he wrote at the funeral and was a pallbearer.[25][26]

On day 2 of the January 2011 tournament Demon caused some controversy when he opined publicly on NHK that Kotomitsuki Keiji, who was expelled by the JSA in July 2010 for gambling, should be reinstated.[27]

In April 2012, Demon's alma mater Waseda University appointed him a special counselor of their sumo club which was struggling to recruit new members.[28]

Other activities

Demon hosted the weekly radio program Demon Kogure no All Night Nippon (デーモン小暮のオールナイトニッポン) on Mondays from 25:00 to 27:00 (technically Tuesday mornings) on National Radio Network from April 6, 1987 to May 14, 1990 as part of All Night Nippon.[29][21]

In 2008, Demon wrote, directed and acted in the short film Kona Nishite Fū (コナ・ニシテ・フウ).[30]

Demon voiced the character Zatan in the 2012 Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Wizard & Fourze: Movie War Ultimatum film.[31] He also wrote and performed its theme song, "Forest of Rocks".

In 2017, Demon was selected by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to educate the public on and bring awareness to the harm of illegal radio waves.[32]

In February 2018, Demon took part in a symposium alongside singer Kaori Kishitani, athlete Dai Tamesue and the representative director of the Federation of Music Producers Japan speaking on the problem of ticket scalping.[33] That year Demon provided the voice of the character Dr. Tetsuji Kanie in the anime adaptation of Hinomaru Sumo.[34]

In 2019, Demon was appointed an ambassador for good medical care by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.[35]

Persona

Demon Kakka wears face paint and elaborate costumes to convey his persona of a demon.

Like the other members of Seikima-II, Demon adopted the stage persona of an Akuma ("demon") from the futuristic hyper-evolved dimension Makai ("demon world"), where he was the former Vice Emperor.[36][37] They all wear face paint and elaborate stage outfits. The band preaches a demonic religion called Akumakyō through heavy metal music to conquer the Earth.[38] Originally using the name Demon Kogure (デーモン小暮), he began using Demon Kogure Kakka (デーモン小暮閣下) in 2000, and in 2010 changed his name to Demon Kakka. He has also released material under the name Kogure Den-emon (小暮伝衛門) and the symbol !, which is read as "Exclamation".

On December 10, 2014, a supporter of politician Daisuke Sakamoto (Party for Japanese Kokoro) dressed as Demon during a public event supporting Sakamoto in the 2014 Japanese general election to represent Hiroshima 7th district. When news of the cosplay spread on the internet and TV, Demon wrote a blog post stating that because it was not made clear that it was a fake, any similar acts in the future would result in legal action. Sakamoto apologized stating that it was a "careless" decision.[39]

Discography

Studio albums

Release dateTitleName holderRecord labelOricon[40]
April 21, 1990Koshoku Yorozu Goe Otoko (好色萬声男)Kogure Den-emon (小暮伝衛門)Fitzbeat/CBS Sony7
September 21, 1995Demon as Bad ManDemon KogureKi/oon Records
October 25, 2000Astrodynamics! [Exclamation]Ariola Japan
February 14, 2002SymphoniaHis Excellency Demon KogureBMG Japan
October 8, 2003When the Future Loves the Past: Mirai ga Kako wo Aisurutoki
(WHEN THE FUTURE LOVES THE PAST 〜未来が過去を愛するとき〜)
His Excellency Demon KogureBMG Japan
January 24, 2007Girls' RockDemon KogureAvex Trax29
January 30, 2008Girls' Rock √ HakuraiDemon KogureAvex Trax40
February 11, 2009Girls' Rock ~Tiara~Demon KogureAvex Trax22
May 16, 2012MythologyDemon KakkaAvex Trax22
March 15, 2017ExistenceH.E. Demon KakkaAriola Japan23
November 8, 2017Utadama (うただま)Demon KakkaAriola Japan23
October 16, 2019Uta Dokuro: Gekida☆Shinkansen Gekichūka-shū (うた髑髏 -劇団☆新感線劇中歌集-)Demon KakkaAriola Japan16

Singles

Release dateTitleName holderRecord labelOricon[41]
August 21, 1995"Love Romance"Demon KogureKi/oon Records
September 20, 2000"Age of Zero!"! [Exclamation]BMG Japan
January 14, 2009"Atsuku Nare" (熱くなれ)Demon KogureAvex Trax39
December 12, 2012"Forest of Rocks"Demon KakkaAvex Trax43
December 4, 2019"Neo"H.E. Demon KakkaAriola Japan33
September 15, 2020"Naked Men Miro, Hadaka no Oretachi o!" (Naked Men 見ろ、裸の俺たちを!)Demon KakkaToho Vilage

Compilation albums

Release dateTitleName holderRecord labelOricon[40]
June 8, 2005Le Monde de Demon小暮伝衛門 (Kogure Den-emon), ! [Exclamation], His Excellency Demon KogureBMG Japan
January 20, 2010Girls' Rock BestH.E. Demon KakkaAvex Trax53

Home videos

Release dateTitleRecord labelOricon
DVDs[42]
December 12, 1993Enkai Daiō: His Excellency Demon Kogure Dinner Show (宴会大王 〜デーモン小暮閣下ディナーショー〜)Ki/oon Records
April 26, 2006Demon Kogure: "In The Naked Lens"BMG Japan175
September 26, 2007Demon's Rock Show!Avex Trax87
September 24, 2008√ Hakurai Culture Rock Show!Avex Trax90
January 20, 2010Demon's Rock Expo ~The Live~Avex Trax86

Other work

Release yearSongArtistAlbum/Single
1987"Rolling Boys in Town"Ooe Senri (大江千里)1234
1988"Koi no Benchi Shiito" (恋のベンチシート)Koizumi Kyouko (小泉今日子)Natsumero (ナツメロ)
1991"We are the Sakanaya no Ossan '91" (WE ARE THE 魚屋のおっさん'91)Kamon Tatsuo (嘉門達夫)Utage ()
1992"Venus"Ami Ozaki (尾崎亜美)Points-3
1993"Meikai ~ Hokuto Akira (Zenjyo) he Sasagu" (冥界~北斗晶〈全女〉へ捧ぐ)unknownKokoro no Puroresu ~Kagayakeru Birei no Kakutou Senshi Tachi he Sasagu~ (心のプロレス~輝ける美麗の格闘戦士達へ捧ぐ~)
1995"Maou" (魔王)Sugiura Philharmonia Orchestra (杉浦フィルハーモニーオーケストラ)To on Kigou (ト音記号)
1995"Akuma" (悪魔)unknownOfu.Ofu.Mazaaguusu (オフ・オフ・マザーグース)
1996"" (彼方からの手紙)Eri Hiramatsu (平松愛里)Reborn
1996"Shitsu Rakuen wa Futatabi" (失楽園はふたたび)Damian Hamada (ダミアン浜田)Shou ma Kyou (照魔鏡)
1999"Man on the Silver Mountain"Various artistsSuper Rock Summit Rainbow Eyes
2001"Wisdom of Nature"Ami Ozaki (尾崎亜美)Amii-Phonic
2002"F-U-C-K" (エフ・ユー・シー・ケー, Efu・Yū・Shī・Kē)Various artistsSkill and a Shout It Lets Out
2006"L←→R"Various artistsDeath Note Tribute
2007"Under My Martial Law"MCUA.K.A
2009"Tada Kogoeru Elegy ~The Theme of Freeza~" (ただ凍える挽歌〜The Theme Of FREEZA〜)Various artists

Dragon Ball Kai Song Collection

2010"Damijou no Kyuketsu Akuma (Wara)" (ダーミー城の吸血悪魔(笑))DamijawMuryoku na Jibun ga Yurusenai (無力な自分が許せない)
2010"Search For Light"Grand IllusionBrand New World
2010"Time to Turn Over"Takashi O'HashiIndependent Souls Union
2012"Forest of Rocks (Movie Edit.)"Various artistsKamen Rider × Kamen Rider Wizard & Fourze: Movie War Ultimatum Original Soundtrack
2012"Karappo no Heya -Reset to Zero-" (空っぽの部屋-RESET TO ZERO-)Various artistsAnother Sound of 009 Re:Cyborg
2013"Osharena Tokyo Tower" (おしゃれな東京タワー)Various artistsBakufu Tribute Complete
2013"Nameko no Uta (Jigoku no Nameko no Uta)" (なめこのうた(地獄のなめこのうた))Various artistsNameko no CD 2 (なめこのCD2)
2016"I See the Light featuring Demon Kakka and Jeff Watson"D-Metal StarsMetal Disney
2016"Toki no Sugiyuku Mama ni" (時の過ぎゆくままに)Various artists"Concrete Revolutio: Chojin Genso The Last Song (Anime)" COMPOSITE ALBUM
2018"Midoshi no Pelican" (巳年のぺリカン)Darjeeling8 Shin Futaba ~ Baiō Blend (8芯二葉~梅鶯Blend)
2019"Wasa Wasa Wasa!" (わさわさわさ!)Various artists"Kedama no Gonjiro" (けだまのゴンじろー)

Video games

Release yearGameConsoleNotes
1986Seikima II Akuma no Gyakushū! (聖飢魔II 悪魔の逆襲!)Famicom, MSX2Demon played the main character who needs to save his band members in four areas.
1989DJ BoyArcadeDemon voiced the DJ in the Japanese version of the game.
1993Akuma no Shinpan (悪魔の審判)Pioneer LaserActiveDemon appeared in this game.
1996G.O.D ~Mezame yoto Yobu Koe ga Kikoe~ (G・O・D~目覚めよと呼ぶ声が聴こえ~)Nintendo Super FamicomDemon composed the entire soundtrack for the game.
1996Momotarō Dōchūki (桃太郎道中記)unknownDemon wrote music for one of the characters.
1998Rudra no Hihōunknownunknown
1998G.O.D PureSony PlayStationDemon wrote music for this game.
1998Sankyo Fever Jissen Shimyureeshon (SANKYO FEVER実践シミュレーション 3)Sony PlayStationDemon voiced some characters for this game.
2009Trick x Logic Season 1Sony PSPDemon voiced one of main characters for this game.
2009Trick x Logic Season 2Sony PSPDemon voiced one of main characters for this game.

Filmography

YearTitleCharacter/role
1986Wanna-Be'sHimself
1989Godzilla vs. BiollanteHimself
1989BatmanJoker (Jack Nicholson) (Japanese dub voice)
1990Urotsukidoji II: Legend of the Demon WombMünchhausen II
1992Humane SocietyHimself
2003Jibun Nari (ジブンナリ 〜自分「成り」〜)unknown
2008Kona Nishite Fū (コナ・ニシテ・フウ)Himself, also writer and director of this short film
2012Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Wizard & Fourze: Movie War UltimatumZatan (voice)
2018Hinomaru SumoDr. Tetsuji Kanie (voice)

Bibliography

YearTitlePublisherNotes
1987Ware ha Motome Uttaetari (我は求め訴えたり)NESCO
198810 Kai Quiz Chigaune (10回クイズちがうね)NBSA book with a cassette tape
1988Demon Kogure no Shiken ni deru Nurarihyon Daigaku Nyuushi Series (デーモン小暮の試験に出るぬらりひょん 大学入試シリーズ)NBS
1993Akuma no Ningen Gaku (悪魔の人間学)Madra
1994Demon Ohken no Hustle! Ganryu Jima (デーモン・オーケンのハッスル巌流島)NBS
2015Katte ni Ozumo Shingikai (勝手に大相撲審議会)TBD
2016Demon Kakka Akuma Teki Kasho Ron (デーモン閣下悪魔的歌唱論)Rittor Music

References

  1. "H.E. Demon Kakka's Official Website". Demon-kogure.jp. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  2. "ひろしまEYE 3・11後 愛郷の念再び ミュージシャン デーモン閣下さん". The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). June 6, 2012. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  3. "デーモン閣下が劇団☆新感線とコラボ 提供した劇中歌は24年で20曲以上「素顔が生かせる役があれば出たい」". Oricon (in Japanese). October 15, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  4. "「悪魔の顔も三度まで!」相撲界のご意見番・デーモン閣下が大麻陽性問題に"物言い". Oricon (in Japanese). September 3, 2008. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  5. "サンプラザ中野くん、23年目にして中野サンプラザのステージに". Barks (in Japanese). March 9, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  6. "デーモン閣下が改めて語る聖飢魔IIとスーパースランプ". Tokyo FM (in Japanese). March 25, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  7. "Japan's SEIKIMA-II To Release 'Akuma Nativity – Songs of the Sword' Compilation". Blabbermouth.net. July 16, 2009. Archived from the original on October 9, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  8. "デーモン小暮、ふたたびカバー集で女心を歌い上げる". Natalie (in Japanese). January 28, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  9. "デーモン閣下"北欧の使い魔"を従えたライブがDVD化". Natalie (in Japanese). August 8, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  10. "デーモン閣下、魔暦D.C.11年の幕開けは「熱くなれ」". Natalie (in Japanese). November 27, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  11. "デーモン閣下が女心を熱唱するカバーベスト&ライブDVD". Natalie (in Japanese). December 24, 2009. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  12. "母校で相撲部員勧誘!デーモン閣下9年ぶり新作にヒダカら". Natalie (in Japanese). April 26, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  13. "KAMEN RIDER GIRLS初アルバムにHR/HM界の重鎮集結". Natalie (in Japanese). March 13, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  14. "デーモン閣下5年ぶりソロ作で羽田圭介が作詞家デビュー、悪魔的採点は「666点」". Natalie (in Japanese). January 19, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  15. "穏やかなデーモン閣下があの名曲を歌唱、あなたの心を癒すニューアルバム". Natalie (in Japanese). September 20, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  16. "デーモン閣下のアルバム「うた髑髏」劇団☆新感線作品の劇中歌を収録". Natalie (in Japanese). July 30, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
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  18. "'The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?' Anime's 2nd Promo Video Reveals, Previews Theme Songs". Anime News Network. February 28, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  19. "デーモン閣下×宝野アリカ、シンフォニックメタル「時空の迷い人」MV公開". Natalie (in Japanese). March 18, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  20. "デーモン閣下、伊藤健太郎主演舞台の主題歌「Naked Men 見ろ、裸の俺たちを!」配信". Natalie (in Japanese). September 15, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  21. "【1980年代ラジオ伝説】第25回「悪魔が深夜にラジオする デーモン小暮のオールナイトニッポン」". Livedoor (in Japanese). September 7, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  22. "北の湖親方 デーモン閣下の国技館"出禁"解いていた". Livedoor (in Japanese). December 13, 2015. Archived from the original on December 18, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  23. "輪島さん デーモン閣下と「ドキドキ」解説". Sports Nippon (in Japanese). January 19, 2009. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  24. "デーモン閣下 輪島さんの闘病生活明かす". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). October 9, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  25. "輪島さんデーモン閣下歌う千秋楽と黄金風船で旅立ち". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). October 16, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  26. "元横綱輪島に最後の別れ". Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). October 15, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  27. "Demon Kakka backs Kotomitsuki". Japan Times. January 11, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
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  29. "オールナイトニッポン50周年記念 「オールナイトニッポンPremium」10月から放送決定!パーソナリティは、綾小路 翔、ココリコ、藤井フミヤ、デーモン閣下、藤井隆!". Nippon Broadcasting System (in Japanese). July 12, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  30. "MCUがデーモン小暮閣下、初監督・脚本を務めた映画に主演!". Rockin'On (in Japanese). January 23, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
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  32. "平成29年度電波利用環境保護周知啓発強化期間デーモン閣下のライヴイベントにおける 高市大臣会見の概要(平成29年6月1日)". Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (in Japanese). June 1, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
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  40. "デーモン閣下のアルバム売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved April 24, 2020.
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