ART-SCHOOL

Formed in 2000, Art-School are your textbook indy-rock band. They don't rely on flashy guitar tricks or complicated time signatures. Instead they just do what so many other great rock bands have been doing for ages: write some really great songs.

While still a relatively young band, Art-School has risen in popularity rather quickly. Their first album Requiem for Innocence was released in 2002, and they've continued to pump out excellent albums every single year since. They've also been able to play larger and more popular music festivals in very short order.

Their style is a bit middle-of-the-road. They generally stick to mid-tempo songs full of earnest lyrics and straight-forward chords. While they are a bit modest in the composition department, they more then make up for it in intensity. Not to be confused with your typical emo/scremo band, Art-School has a much more mature sound, relying more on their top-notch song-writing instead of trendy posing or in-you-face antics. Singer Riki Kinoshita may not be the most versatile singer, with his voice cracking and occasionally just barely missing the note he's aiming for. Of course this fits perfectly into the role of the tortured indie soul, and Kinoshita hits all the marks.

They certainly are emotional, but in an honest, non-commercialized way. Perhaps they would be a fair representation of an art-school band, but only if you took out the “arty” pretensions and left the heightened scene of preciousness and innocent feelings. Hopefully they won't burn out from the increasing attention and demand, and will continue to create their rare form of raw and honest rock.

1997-1999

Guitarist Riki Kinoshita was a solo artist from Osaka from 1997-1999. With the help of supporting musicians Hinata Hidekazu and Sakurai Yuichi, he released his first album, Teenage Last, in 1999, along with two other demo tapes. Kinoshita later asked both of the musicians to join the band he was starting, and he later recruited guitarist Oyama Jun for the band.

2000

The band formally started in March of the year 2000 with the members Riki Kinoshita (vocal and guitar), Oyama Jun (guitar), Hinata Hidekazu (bass), and Sakurai Yuichi (drums)

Art-School quickly rose in popularity after traveling to Tokyo and playing their first performance at Shelter in Shimokitazawa. They released their first album, Sonic Dead Kids, in September 2000, under the indie label 123 Records.

2001

2001 was a busy and crucial year for Art-School.
They later released a free demo tape in Febuary 2001, and two months later they released Mean Street , their first mini-album. To accompany the release of Art-School's first single, Miss World, their first PV was filmed.

2002

Art-School's performance at the Fuji Rock Festival proved to be the one that led them away from their quiet indie days.
Art-School's growing popularity attracted the attention of Toshiba's Entertainment and Music Industry, who then licensed them in 2002.

Later that year in 2002, Art-Schoool released a split tape with Straightener.

Diva (Oct..2002) was the first single to be released by Toshiba EMI.

2003

The dawn of 2003 marked Art-School's first completely sold-out performance and their uphill journey to fame in the competitive music world of Japan. The Love/Hate tour was sold out in many locations.

Bassist Hinata Hideaki and guitarist Oyama Jun announced their departure from the band later that year. Oyama intended to leave because of fatigue, and Hideaki sought out other projects to pursue. Hideaki has since joined Zazen Boys and Straightener.

After this shocking impact on the band, Kinoshita and Sakurai began a search for a new guitarist and bassist.

2004

In March of 2004, Art-School found itself with two newly recruited members- Bassist Takeshi Uno and Guitarist Todaka Masafumi.

2005

A year later, in 2005, Art-School switched its labels to Pony Canyon/Rocker Room and released Ato 10byo de.

They flew to Glasgow, Scotland to record the album "Paradise Lost" with Tony Doogan, Aco, and Mogwai. "Sleep Flowers (Disk 2)" is a recording of their stay there.

2006

Freesia was the first single to be released by Art-School ever since they switched labels.

*Note

Throughout the years, Art-School has been invited to perform at many significant music festivals and music events, including the Rock in Japan Festival and the Countdown Japan Festival. They have also been featured on the cover the FACE magazine, and appeared on SSTV many times. · close