The beginning of the legend
L'Arc~en~Ciel is formed since Feb. 1991 and the fonder is Tetsu. L'Arc~en~Ciel this name is a French word, means "rainbow". Tetsu watched a French
movie and was inspired from it. So he chose L'Arc~en~Ciel as the band name. The initial members of Laruku was Tetsu, Hyde, Pero and Hiro. Tetsu was the bassist and the
leader, Hyde was the vocalist, Pero was the drummer and Hiro was the guitarist. In fact, before asking Hyde to join Laruku, Tetsu was the vocalist for awhile. It was because
Tetsu's position was vocalist before grouping Laruku. Hyde and Pero were from Jersarems Rod. Hyde was a guitarist in JR actually. Tetsu asked Hyde to join his band because he
thinks he is the best person to be the vocalist for his band. Hyde refused Tetsu, he did not want to let down his members. JR disbanded. Hyde and Pero joined L'Arc~en~Ciel.
In fact, Hyde did not think he can be a vocalist but he enjoys to be vocalist now.
The obstacles
March 10, 1992, the opened their first live and had very good reaction. It was a big encouragement to their goal(Tokyo Dome). However,
everything does not always go smoothly.
In June 1992, Hiro left the band for some reason. Then Tetsu contacted his childhood friend, Ken and
asked him to join L'Arc~en~Ciel. At that time, Ken was still attending in one university in Nagoya. He was studying Constructing Studies and he
had half more year to graduate. Actually Ken did not have any plan what to do after graduating university and he is very interested in music.
At last, Ken joined Laruku and did not go to university anymore.
Then, they released a single, "Flood of Tears" on Nov. 1992. It was 1000 limited
copies only so it is very hard to find now. Soon ater, the drummer, Pero left. Sakura joined the band on Jan. 1993. At that time, because L'Arc~en~Ciel
has an unique style of image and music, they were already very popular in the "Indies Band Kai". They signed with Danger Crue company and released
their debut album, "Dune" in Apr. 1993.
Disband?
In 1993 autumn, because it is easier for work in Tokyo, Ken and Sakura(he moved from Tokyo to Osaka for working with Laruku) moved to Tokyo, then
Hyde and Tetsu(last one) also moved to Tokyo. Everything was going fine in these few years. Also the members among the group were full of tacit agreement.
They all becomes very good friends. Especially Sakura and Ken. They always joked and tricked in interviews and even when recording video. Such as in "Heavenly~Films~",
you will see their joke. Until 1997, the drummer, Sakura was caught by police because keeping drugs illegally. L'Arc~en~Ciel were ready to release their new single,
"the forth avenue cafe" and the song was put on the TV as an ending theme of a famous animation series, "Rurouni Kenshin".(After the people used T.M.R.'s song instead
os "the Forth Avenue Cafe". Because of this, they had to stop all the activities for half a year.
During that time, the members felt very sad and ever thought to dismiss
the band. Of course, Sakura also felt very guilty and sorry to the members of L'Arc~en~Ciel and the fans. Then, Sakura also quitted in Nov. 1997.
New member
Same year, Tetsu found Yukihiro(good Tet-chan^^) as L'Arc~en~Ciel's drum supporter. Why Tetsu could reach Yukihiro? They became good friends because they both
have the same interest... on animation and PlayStation. And Tetsu also admiers Yukihiro's drum ability. Yukihiro was actually from an every-popular band, DIE IN CRIES. Before
joining DIE IN CIRES, he was also a drummer in another famous band, Zi.I.Kill(which made a song for Fatal Fury II movie, but Yukihiro already left). Yukihiro's fabulous drum
ability is already famous. He had his own live and released live video. Before Yukihiro officially joined Laruku. He only participated on composing single "Niji" and as a guest
drummer in Laruku's live in Tokyo Dome. After, the members of Laruku all admitted Yukihiro is their ideal drummer. Then Tetsu invited Yukihiro as Laruku official drummer(in 1998 spring).
Member in L'Arc~en~Ciel all called Yukihiro as senpai,(smile) because he has much of experience.
Busy, busy, busy...
Since 1998, L'Arc~en~Ciel becomes busier and gets more attention from public.
After they released single "Niji", album "Heart" and opened live "1997 REINCARNATION". They released singles
"winter fall" and "DIVE TO BLUE". Then Laruku broke a new record in Japan music history, they released three singles at the same date(July 8, 1998). The old record were GLAY and SHAZNA(2
singles each group). The three singles Laruku released are "shinshoku~loose control"(1020 yen), "HONEY"(611yen), "Kasou"(611yen). "lose control" is GOZILLA movies theme song. Then they opened live tour,
"Heart ni hi wo tsukero!", 47 places, 56 stages, 230,000 people watched the live. Also, Laruku released two singles "snowdrop" and "forbidden lover" in October. The reaction of the live was
obviously very good. And the book of documentary photos of the live tour and backstages, LIVE released on Jan. 20, 1999.(4800 yen) Another book about Laruku's living, LIFE released on Feb.
20, 1999.(4800 yen)
Bad news again?
L'Arc~en~Ciel becomes one of the most popular band in Japan.
Their popularity is not weaker than GLAY and Luna Sea. Even in 1999, they become more famous. Also, they made a big surprise to fans
on CM promotion. From Mar. 3 to Apr.2, 1999, those three days,
a series of about 15 seconds CM came out on TV. No L'Arc~en~Ciel members, only five different scenes came out separately. They are
Shibuya scene, swans in the lake scene, evening Hamasaki Bridge, midnight Hamasaki Bridge scene and a meeting room scene. And a few sentences shown on the screen. It said, "L'Arc~en~Ciel will
announce their newest move on Apr. 2." This series of CM was like making a joke to all Laruku fans. Of course, it did attracted many people's attention. Some fans cried and thought if Laruku was
going to disband. Also some fans inquired what was going on and some asked about the
time when the CMs brocast because they wanted to record all CMs of Laruku... for collection.(smile) The annoucement
had not came out, another "bad news" attempted to make all the Laruku fans worry again. On Apr. 2, a big advertisement of L'`Arc~en~Ciel appeared in Asahi Shibun(Asahi Newspaper). It was actually not
a very big surprise, but the four members all had got a very very very shory hair cut(in the ad)... Tetsu looks most funniest in the ad, looks like one character in Star Trek.(smile)
Result?
Fortunately, it was a good news to all Laruku fans. In Apr. 4, another CM came out on the TV.
The background music is HEAVEN's DRIVE(^_^, they were promoting their new song.)A middle age man was wearing
black suit, appeared in a meeting room. He gave out three big announcement to the public in the press conference. 1) two albums, 'ark' and 'ray' will be released on Jul. 1; 2) L'Arc~en~Ciel will appear in Music Station
Special(Apr. 2 night); 3) L'Arc~en~Ciel's Japanese spelling changed to raruku-an-shieru from raruku-an-sheru. Those news brought much happiness to the fans(smile) but the fans were still very nervous
because of the "short hair" advertisement. It was actually computer graphic effect. L'Arc~en~Ciel appeared in Music Station Special at night... with their nice nice hair.(smile)
Succes
On Apr. 21, 1999, HEAVEN's DRIVE is released and another single "Pieces" released on June. They both had good ranking on Oricon Chart. Then two albums 'ark' and 'ray' are released since Jul.1, released
in the same date in 7 countries, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Philipine. So, Laruku broke a new record in Japan music history again.(two albums released in the same date) In
the summer time, Laruku also opened their concert tour, 1999 Grand Cross Tour. Osaka's Cosmos Square Special Stage was the first stage(Jul. 17) and Tokyo's Big Side Car Park Special Stage was the last stage
of the tour.(Aug. 22)
Don't call us visual band!
Some people may think L'Arc~en~Ciel is a visual band. Visual band means a group of members who put lots of make up and dress different. To satisefy the audience by their image and music. e.g. La'cryma Christi,
Dir en grey, Laputa, Pierrot, LARIENE, they are all Visual bands. In fact, L'Arc~en~Ciel really do not like to be called a visual band and they had already announced to public about that
in a musical show. But there are still some people called them is a visual band. In April 19, in NHK Hall, L'Arc~en~Ciel was one of the guests in NHK's "POP JAM". Because the host called L'Arc~en~Ciel is a a visual
band. In fact, Laruku was going to perform two songs in the show. At last they only performed one song and left then. However, NHK has already apologized to L'Arc~en~Ciel and their office(Danger Crue). So, no more
visual band for Laruku, call rock band from now on.^_^;
Millenium
In 2000, L'Arc~en~Ciel's success goes to higher level. They opened a millenium live in Tokyo which was very successful. There were 55,000 people celebrating millenium with L'Arc~en~Ciel. Then they also released
a double side single, NEO UNIVERSE/finale. After a rest for few months, they released a hit single, STAY AWAY and a PlayStation game, Tomalaruku V.S. L'Arc~en~Ciel, which are welcomed by their dearest fans. They also
will release an album at the end of August, which summarize their works in late 1999- mid 2000.
L'Arc~en~Ciel is formed since Feb. 1991 and the fonder is Tetsu. L'Arc~en~Ciel this name is a French word, means "rainbow". Tetsu watched a French
movie and was inspired from it. So he chose L'Arc~en~Ciel as the band name. The initial members of Laruku was Tetsu, Hyde, Pero and Hiro. Tetsu was the bassist and the
leader, Hyde was the vocalist, Pero was the drummer and Hiro was the guitarist. In fact, before asking Hyde to join Laruku, Tetsu was the vocalist for awhile. It was because
Tetsu's position was vocalist before grouping Laruku. Hyde and Pero were from Jersarems Rod. Hyde was a guitarist in JR actually. Tetsu asked Hyde to join his band because he
thinks he is the best person to be the vocalist for his band. Hyde refused Tetsu, he did not want to let down his members. JR disbanded. Hyde and Pero joined L'Arc~en~Ciel.
In fact, Hyde did not think he can be a vocalist but he enjoys to be vocalist now.
copies only so it is very hard to find now. Soon ater, the drummer, Pero left. Sakura joined the band on Jan. 1993. At that time, because L'Arc~en~Ciel
has an unique style of image and music, they were already very popular in the "Indies Band Kai". They signed with Danger Crue company and released
their debut album, "Dune" in Apr. 1993.
you will see their joke. Until 1997, the drummer, Sakura was caught by police because keeping drugs illegally. L'Arc~en~Ciel were ready to release their new single,
"the forth avenue cafe" and the song was put on the TV as an ending theme of a famous animation series, "Rurouni Kenshin".(After the people used T.M.R.'s song instead
os "the Forth Avenue Cafe". Because of this, they had to stop all the activities for half a year.
During that time, the members felt very sad and ever thought to dismiss
the band. Of course, Sakura also felt very guilty and sorry to the members of L'Arc~en~Ciel and the fans. Then, Sakura also quitted in Nov. 1997.
have the same interest... on animation and PlayStation. And Tetsu also admiers Yukihiro's drum ability. Yukihiro was actually from an every-popular band, DIE IN CRIES. Before
joining DIE IN CIRES, he was also a drummer in another famous band, Zi.I.Kill(which made a song for Fatal Fury II movie, but Yukihiro already left). Yukihiro's fabulous drum
ability is already famous. He had his own live and released live video. Before Yukihiro officially joined Laruku. He only participated on composing single "Niji" and as a guest
drummer in Laruku's live in Tokyo Dome. After, the members of Laruku all admitted Yukihiro is their ideal drummer. Then Tetsu invited Yukihiro as Laruku official drummer(in 1998 spring).
Member in L'Arc~en~Ciel all called Yukihiro as senpai,(smile) because he has much of experience.
After they released single "Niji", album "Heart" and opened live "1997 REINCARNATION". They released singles
"winter fall" and "DIVE TO BLUE". Then Laruku broke a new record in Japan music history, they released three singles at the same date(July 8, 1998). The old record were GLAY and SHAZNA(2
singles each group). The three singles Laruku released are "shinshoku~loose control"(1020 yen), "HONEY"(611yen), "Kasou"(611yen). "lose control" is GOZILLA movies theme song. Then they opened live tour,
"Heart ni hi wo tsukero!", 47 places, 56 stages, 230,000 people watched the live. Also, Laruku released two singles "snowdrop" and "forbidden lover" in October. The reaction of the live was
obviously very good. And the book of documentary photos of the live tour and backstages, LIVE released on Jan. 20, 1999.(4800 yen) Another book about Laruku's living, LIFE released on Feb.
20, 1999.(4800 yen)
some fans inquired what was going on and some asked about the
time when the CMs brocast because they wanted to record all CMs of Laruku... for collection.(smile) The annoucement
had not came out, another "bad news" attempted to make all the Laruku fans worry again. On Apr. 2, a big advertisement of L'`Arc~en~Ciel appeared in Asahi Shibun(Asahi Newspaper). It was actually not
a very big surprise, but the four members all had got a very very very shory hair cut(in the ad)... Tetsu looks most funniest in the ad, looks like one character in Star Trek.(smile)
The background music is HEAVEN's DRIVE(^_^, they were promoting their new song.)A middle age man was wearing
black suit, appeared in a meeting room. He gave out three big announcement to the public in the press conference. 1) two albums, 'ark' and 'ray' will be released on Jul. 1; 2) L'Arc~en~Ciel will appear in Music Station
Special(Apr. 2 night); 3) L'Arc~en~Ciel's Japanese spelling changed to raruku-an-shieru from raruku-an-sheru. Those news brought much happiness to the fans(smile) but the fans were still very nervous
because of the "short hair" advertisement. It was actually computer graphic effect. L'Arc~en~Ciel appeared in Music Station Special at night... with their nice nice hair.(smile)
in the same date in 7 countries, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Philipine. So, Laruku broke a new record in Japan music history again.(two albums released in the same date) In
the summer time, Laruku also opened their concert tour, 1999 Grand Cross Tour. Osaka's Cosmos Square Special Stage was the first stage(Jul. 17) and Tokyo's Big Side Car Park Special Stage was the last stage
of the tour.(Aug. 22)
Dir en grey, Laputa, Pierrot, LARIENE, they are all Visual bands. In fact, L'Arc~en~Ciel really do not like to be called a visual band and they had already announced to public about that
in a musical show. But there are still some people called them is a visual band. In April 19, in NHK Hall, L'Arc~en~Ciel was one of the guests in NHK's "POP JAM". Because the host called L'Arc~en~Ciel is a a visual
band. In fact, Laruku was going to perform two songs in the show. At last they only performed one song and left then. However, NHK has already apologized to L'Arc~en~Ciel and their office(Danger Crue). So, no more
visual band for Laruku, call rock band from now on.^_^;