About MUCC
MUCC or ムック (Mukku) is a Japanese visual kei rock band, formed in Ibaraki in 1997. The band's name, decided upon by guitarist Miya, was originally the name of a character from a Japanese children's program Ponkickies.
The band is also known as 69 from a play on words, since six-nine can be pronounced "muku" (六九) in Japanese.
Members
逹瑯 / Tatsuro (Vo.)
• Name: Iwagami Tatsurou (岩上逹瑯)
• Birthday: 21 Aug
• Birthplace: Mito, Ibaraki
• Blood type: A
ミヤ / Miya (G.)
• Name: Yaguchi Masaaki (矢口雅哲)
• Birthday: 26 Jul
• Birthplace: Ishioka, Ibaraki
• Blood type: O
YUKKE (B.)
• Name: Fukuno Yuusuke (福野優介)
• Birthday: 5 Nov
• Birthplace: Ishioka, Ibaraki
• Blood type: A
SATOち / Satochi (Dr.)
• Name: Takayasu Satoshi (高安悟史)
• Birthday: 12 Aug
• Birthplace: Mito, Ibaraki
• Blood type: A
History
In 1997, the band was formed in Ibaraki under the name MUCC (not "MUKKU"). The original member line-up was TATTOO (Tatsurou) on vocals, Miya on guitar, HIRO on bass and Satochi on drums. In the following year, two demotapes were distributed, "NO?!", and "Tsubasa wo kudasai" (翼をください). "Aika" (哀歌) was released under Misshitsu Neurose records.
In February 1999, the band had their first one-man live at Mito Lighthouse. Bassist HIRO left the band and was replaced by YUKKE, a childhood friend of Miya. Their second demotape, "Shuuka" (愁歌) was released, and "Aka" was distributed in a series of lives. In December, their first CD album "Antiiku" (アンティーク) was released.
In 2000, the band had their first interview in the monthly publication FOOL'S MATE, issue 221. TATTOO changed his name to Tatsurou, and the band's name MUCC was changed to MUKKU (ムック). On 6/9 (9 June, known as MUCC day), they released their first CD single "Shoufu/Hai" (娼婦/廃) and a second press of "Antiiku" (アンティーク). They also contributed two songs to the omnibus CD "NON-STANDARD FILE ~@6sight~".
In January 2001, MUCC puts out their first full album "Tsuuzetsu" (痛絶). A remastered and remixed version of this album was later released in June, titled "Tsuuzetsu ~inshouchigai~" (痛絶~印象違~). A pair of singles "Akaban" (赤盤) and "Aoban" (青盤) were out in July, and a mini-album "Aishuu" (哀愁) in December.
In 2002, MUCC started their own original label "Shu" (朱), under Danger Crue records, under which a new maxi- single "Fu wo tataeru uta" (負ヲ讃エル謳) was released. During this time an official fanclub "Shuu no to" (朱ゥノ吐) was formed as well. On 6/9, a single "Suisou" (水槽) was sold by the members themselves at Like an Edison in Shinjuku. On 9/6 (reverse MUCC day), a second album "Houmurauta" (葬ラ謳) was released. First press of the album was quickly sold out, so a second press was released in the following month, which included the band's first PV (promotional video) of the song "Zetsubou" (絶望).
In August of 2006, MUCC was the one of the musical guests of the anime convention Otakon in Baltimore, Maryland, playing two concerts at the Ram's Head Live with Nana Kitade. The third honored guest of the convention was Yoshiki (formerly of X Japan), who did not perform. In addition to their two live performances, the band also participated in a panel on Friday, August 4th, where fans asked them various questions, and held an autograph session immediately before their August 5th show.