Plastic Tree

Plastic Tree are a Japanese alternative rock band. Formed in December 1993 in Chiba Prefecture,[1] they released their first mini-album in December 1995, and in 1997, they released their first single on a major label.[2]

Plastic Tree
Plastic Tree performing in 2014
Background information
OriginChiba Prefecture, Japan
Genres
Years active1993–present
LabelsGio Records (1995–1997)
Warner Music Japan (1997–2001)
Entrance (1997–1998)
Sweet Heart Records (2001 and 2003)
Atmark Corporation (2002)
Universal Music Japan (2003–2004 and 2006–2010)
Sick Room Records (2003–2005)
J-Rock (2005)
Akatsuki label (2007–present)
Tokuma Japan Communications (2010-2012)
Flying Star (2012-2015)
CJ Victor (2015-present)
Associated actsTatsuya Nishiwaki (1998)
Shinobu Narita (1999-2002)
Seiji Kameda (2003-2004)
Masataka Kitaura (2007)
Masao Akashi (2007-current)
MembersRyutaro Arimura
Akira Nakayama
Tadashi Hasegawa
Kenken Sato
Past membersShin (Drums) (left 1996)
Takashi (Drums) (left 2001)
Hiroshi "Bucchi" Sasabuchi (Drums) (left 2009)

History

Biography

Plastic Tree, also known as PuraTuri (プラトゥリ) or Pura (プラ) to fans, was formed in December 1993 originally under the name of CAM-FLAGE. The band was renamed to NTT FUCKS then later decided on Plastic Tree, aiming for "something abstract and natural at the same time", as Ryutaro puts it.[3][4]

In 1995, they released their first mini-album Kimyou na Kajitsu: Strange Fruits after changing drummers twice.[5] Two years later, they released their first single, "Wareta Mado", with Warner Music Japan, their first release on a major label.[6]

Plastic Tree made their first overseas tour in 2006, named the Chandelier Tour, and performed concerts in France, Germany and Finland.[7]

On February 23, 2009, Hiroshi Sasabuchi announced his resignation as the band's drummer after having been with the band for seven years. On July 3, 2009, Kenken Sato was announced as the band's new drummer. Since forming, the band has had four drummers.

Sound and style

Early in their career, their music had heavy visual kei influences. As time went on, their sound seemed to change and evolve with every album. Plastic Tree combine alternative rock with art rock, electronic, and heavy metal. Their sound is a blend of raw melody, with the occasional orchestral backing track. However, the band does not think that they should be placed into any specific genre.[8] Plastic Tree claim that their sound has been considerably influenced by British bands such as Radiohead and The Cure.[8]

The most easily recognizable signature of Plastic Tree's music is the melodic, childlike voice of Ryūtarō Arimura. Their sound is also aided by Arimura's abstract lyrics. All four band members collaborate to write songs and lyrics, with Arimura writing most of the lyrics.

Band members
Arimura at an autograph session at Japan Expo 2007

Current members
Member Instrument
Ryūtarō Arimura (有村 竜太朗) Vocals, backup guitar
Akira Nakayama (ナカヤマ アキラ) Lead guitar
Tadashi Hasegawa (長谷川 正) Bass guitar
Kenken Sato (佐藤 ケンケン) Drums

Former members
Member Instrument Start year End year
Hiroshi Sasabuchi (ササブチ ヒロシ) Drums 2001 2009
Takashi Ōshōdani (大正谷 隆) Drums 1996 2001
Shin Drums 1993 1996

Discography

Singles
Release date Title
Indie September 25, 1996 Rira no ki
1st June 25, 1997 Wareta Mado
2nd February 15, 1998 Hontō no Uso
3rd June 25, 1998 Zetsubō no Oka
4th March 10, 1999 Tremolo
5th August 25, 1999 Sink
6th December 10, 1999 Tsumetai Hikari
7th April 19, 2000 Slide
8th July 12, 2000 Rocket
9th January 7, 2001 Planetarium
10th September 14, 2001 Chiriyuku Bokura
11th June 26, 2002 Aoi Tori
12th May 21, 2003 Baka ni Natta Noni
13th March 25, 2003 Moshimo Piano ga Hiketanara
14th October 1, 2003 Mizuiro Girlfriend
15th January 12, 2004 Yuki Hotaru
16th March 10, 2004 Harusaki Sentimental
17th July 28, 2004 Melancholic
18th May 11, 2005 Sanbika
19th October 12, 2005 Namae no Nai Hana
20th November 16, 2005 Ghost
21st December 14, 2005 Kūchū Buranko
22nd May 10, 2006 Namida Drop
23rd January 23, 2007 Spica
24th May 16, 2007 Makka na Ito
25th April 9, 2008 Alone Again, Wonderful World
26th August 13, 2008 Replay/dolly
27th June 10, 2009 Fukurō
28th October 28, 2009 Sanatorium
29th July 28, 2010 Moonlight-----.
30th December 15, 2010 Mirai Iro
31st February 29, 2012 Jōmyaku
32nd June 20, 2012 Kuchizuke
33rd September 5, 2012 Shion
34th September 4, 2013 Dōkō
35th September 3, 2014 Mime
36th March 4, 2015 Slow
37th September 2, 2015 Rakka
38th August 17, 2016 Silent Noise
39th January 25, 2017 Nenriki
40th June 21, 2017 Uchū Yūei
41st July 25, 2018 Inside Out
42nd September 4, 2019 Senzou

Albums
Release date Title
1st October 9, 1997
August 25, 2010 (Re-edition)		 Hide and Seek
2nd August 26, 1998
August 25, 2010 (Re-edition)		 Puppet Show
3rd August 23, 2000
August 25, 2010 (Re-edition)		 Parade
4th September 21, 2002 Träumerei
5th October 27, 2003 Shiro Chronicle
6th August 25, 2004 Cell
7th June 28, 2006 Chandelier
8th June 27, 2007 Nega to Poji
9th September 24, 2008 Utsusemi
10th December 23, 2009 Dona Dona
11th April 6, 2011 Ammonite
12th December 12, 2012 Ink
13th December 23, 2015 Hakusei
14th March 7, 2018 doorAdore
15th March 25, 2020 Toshiki Theorem

Mini albums
Release date Title
Indie December 11, 1995 Strange Fruits -Kimyō na Kajitsu-
1st March 5, 2014 echo

"Best of" albums
Release date Title
1st March 27, 2001 Cut ~Early Songs Best Selection~
2nd November 14, 2001
September 6, 2006 (Re-edition)		 Single Collection
3rd November 7, 2002
August 25, 2010 (Re-edition)		 Premium Best
4th October 26, 2005 Best Album Shiro Ban
5th October 26, 2005 Best Album Kuro Ban
6th September 5, 2007 B-Men Gahou
7th August 26, 2009 Gestalt Houkai
8th July 7, 2010 ALL TIME THE BEST
9th February 13, 2019 Zoku B-Men Gahou

Other albums
Release date Title
Overseas release July 13, 2007 Plastic Tree "e.p." What is "Plastic Tree"?

DVD
Type Release date Title
Live April 3, 1996 Alice's sleeping bag
PV Collection March 23, 1997 Innocent Picture Show
PV Collection October 19, 2011 (VHS)
February 9, 2005 (DVD)		 Nijigen Orugōru
PV Collection November 8, 2000 (VHS)
November 22, 2000 (DVD)		 Nijigen Orugōru 2
Live March 21, 2002 Kuro Tent
Live December 18, 2002 Kuro Tent 2
PV Collection December 22, 2004 Nijigen Orugōru 3
Live March 29, 2006
November 21, 2007 (Re-edition)		 Hana moete, bourei no namida, tenmaku ni ochiru.
Live December 19, 2007
November 12, 2008		 Zero
Live December 24, 2008
November 4, 2009 (Limited re-edition)		 Merry Go Around The World
Live November 25, 2009 Tent
PV Collection December 23, 2009 Gestalt houkai -Eizou hen-
Live July 7, 2010 Shugyoku to himitsu kouen
Live October 27, 2010 Ch.P
Live September 7, 2011 Yuku pura kita pura
Live December 14, 2011 Ammonite Jitsuen-Ban
Live March 20, 2013 Hide and Seek" -Tsukai Kouen
Live June 19, 2013 Tent 3
TV program December 17, 2014 Plastic Tree no Sen Pura
Live February 11, 2015 Soshite Parade wa Tsuzuku

References
  1. "Interview With Plastic Tree". JaME (jame-world.com). Archived from the original on 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  2. "Zy 38: Ryutaro Arimura (Interview)". JaME (jame-world.com). Archived from the original on 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  3. "History". Schwarzes Zelt. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  4. "Band Biography". SickRoom. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  5. "Plastic Tree". Kiraku.tv (kiraku.tv). Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
  6. "Plastic Tree Discography". Warner Music Japan. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
  7. "Plastic Tree World Tour". JaME (jame-world.com). Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
  8. "Interview with Plastic Tree". JaME (jame-world.com). Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.