ZORO

Zoro (ゾロ) is a colorful oshare kei band that has already gained a number of followers in the indies scene. The up-beat music contains interesting synthesizers, heavy bass lines and energetic drumming. The looks differ from pure white through glittery gold to neon colors, and the album covers are filled with wild animals and stylistic patterns.

The band's uniqueness lies in their prior experience and pure talent, and the singer Ryuuji has a very distinctive voice. The band could be compared to the popular oshare kei band An Cafe, albeit Zoro takes their music to a slightly more bizarre direction.

Zoro was founded in January 2007 on the ashes of Soroban, to which singer Ryuuji, bassist Tatsuhi and drummer Yuuya (all ex-Primrose) belonged. Guitarist Taizo (ex-Mouse) joined from outside the band.

Their first performance was at Liquidroom Ebisu on March 5th, and at first the band lacked a drummer. Amidst touring, the song 1888 was published in April on the V.A. album Hevn Ura Kaizoku Ban 004. 1888 was surprisingly different from the music of Soroban, and the poppish song caused some stir among fans. Still, Zoro received a good amount of dedicated followers.

Fans made wild guesses about the drummer, and many wished Yuuya to return to his former band mates. In June the name of the new drummer saw daylight, and as many had thought, it was Yuuya. The band also announced the release of their first mini album, and in August the two different versions of APOLLO hit the record shops. The mini album was everything it was expected to be: a bundle of up-beat, original songs. The band toured actively throughout the year, and 2008 was no different. Zoro’s first oneman was at Ikebukuro Cyber on February 2nd, and it was sold out. Soon after that, exactly one year after their first performance, the maxi single Lost Technology was published. The CD continued their success story with wild tunes and colorful style. The band kept touring, and by the end of the spring the release of a full length album was announced.

The 20th of August was the release day for COSMO -Stainless Music-, that came with the band's first PV for the song KITSUNE. Naturally, the video was a riotous one. In addition to making music, the members have also modeled for brands such as Putumayo and SEX POT ReVeNGe in magazines like V!nyl Syndicate and Gl!tter. 2008 continues with a lot of gigs - including onemans. Zoro is not simply a one hit wonder, and the band deserves a long and successful career.

Members:

Vo: 龍寺 (Ryuuji) [Ｐｒｉｍｒｏｓｅ→ Soroban (そろばん)→ Zoro (ゾロ)]

Ba: たつひ (Tatsuhi) [Ｐｒｉｍｒｏｓｅ→ Soroban (そろばん)→ Zoro (ゾロ)]

Gu: タイゾ(Taizo) [Mausu (マウス as TaizO)→ Zoro (ゾロ)]

Dr: 裕哉 (Yuuya) [Ｐｒｉｍｒｏｓｅ→ Soroban (そろばん)→ Zoro (ゾロ)] · close