Weekly J-music Feature: Versailles Philharmonic Quintet

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Hello Anime Addicts!  Welcome to my first blog for the Anime Addicts Anonymous!  I am going to be introducing, or reacquainting you with a J-Pop/Rock artist every week.

For our first week, I will be introducing you to Versailles Philharmonic Quintet, my personal favorite Visual Kei band.

The band consists of:
Kamijo- Vocals


Hizaki- Guitar

Teru- Guitar

Yuki- Drums

Masashi- Bass

Jasmine You- The Eternal Member

The band was conceived by Kamijo and Hizaki in 2006, and the band got together in March of 2007.  The band’s concept was a formula of “absolute beauty and extreme aestheticism. The dueling guitars sound like rose vines grown riot over an agitated rhythm. Those sounds sketch the story of “The Descendant of the Roses”.”  (From the band’s myspace)  The band is known for their heavy guitars, and their Rococo styled costumes.  When the band started out they received tons of offers for interviews and shows, but the band turned down all domestic offers they received, and only responded to media from overseas.

They released their first single, “The Revenant Choir” on June 24th of 2007, and their first album “Lyrical Sympathy” on October 31st of the same year.
Versailles The Revenant Choir

 

They had their American debut on May 30th 2008 at A-Kon in Dallas, which had over 3000 in attendance, and the Knitting Factory in LA, California which sold out entirely.

The band’s first full album, “Noble” was released, on July 9th, 2008.  This album serves to tell the band’s concept story of the Descendants of the Rose mentioned in “Revenant Choir”.
Versailles Noble Album Preview

In 2009, the band decided to go major in Japan and Internationally on Warner Music Japan’s label, with the single “Ascendead Master” along with a short film of the same name.

August 3rd of that year, the band announced that their Bass player Jasmine You would be taking time off from all band activities and six days later an announcement on their official site that said.
“2009.8.9 「Versailles」 Urgent Announcement: Though Jasmine You had taken time off in order to rest because of poor physical condition, we received a report that early in the morning on August 9, he died. Because of the extreme abruptness of this news, the members and staff are all dumbfounded and trying hard to accept this it. As soon as his family has been notified and updated as to the details and we receive their permission, we will further report to all of the fans. Moreover, with the current announcement, in regards to activity, please allow us to postpone it.”
The cause of death has still not been released as far as I can find.

The band took a brief break to mourn their band mate, but then resumed work on their next album, “Jubilee” released January 10th 2010, adding Bass player Masashi to the band, and naming Jasmine You the “Eternal Member”.
Versailles Jubilee Album Preview

 

The band has released a few singles and a music video since then, but as far as I can see, a new full album has not yet been released.

So that brings Versailles to the present day,  and they’re still going strong.  I hope you’ve enjoyed this feature, and Versailles music.  You can find them on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/versaillesjp    and on iTunes.

If you enjoyed this post, please let me know, and if there are any J-pop or rock artists you would like to see me feature here, please let me know!

~Mokuren ♥