| Revision as of 19:39, 10 September 2004 edit219.17.48.130 (talk) I hope my English is ok again... There was some confusion in the previous article about what Visual Kei really means in Japan.← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:41, 10 September 2004 edit undo219.17.48.130 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit → | ||
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| '''Visual kei''' is a phenomenon usually related to ] where that the primary focus of the band is upon the dress and appearance of the members. Their fans are almost exclusively teenage girls, and as such they can be considered a uniquely Japanese equivalent of ]. | '''Visual kei''' is a phenomenon usually related to ] where that the primary focus of the band is upon the dress and appearance of the members. Their fans are almost exclusively teenage girls, and as such they can be considered a uniquely Japanese equivalent of ]. | ||
| Members of visual kei bands often wear striking makeup, style their hair with elaborate colors, and wear theatrical-looking costumes. Recently a popular look is called ]. Although the whole appearance can appear feminine, almost all visual kei bands members are male. Visual Kei, being based upon visual style, is |
Members of visual kei bands often wear striking makeup, style their hair with elaborate colors, and wear theatrical-looking costumes. Recently a popular look is called ]. Although the whole appearance can appear feminine, almost all visual kei bands members are male. Visual Kei, being based upon visual style, is not a ] of ], and the bands may play standard J-Rock (this is the most common), or ], or American-style ]. | ||
| Western observers sometimes confuse Visual Kei bands with ] bands because of the makeup and clothing, but most Japanese Goths do not consider Visual Kei to be ], and there is very little cultural crossover between Japanese Visual Kei fans and Japanese Goths. | Western observers sometimes confuse Visual Kei bands with ] bands because of the makeup and clothing, but most Japanese Goths do not consider Visual Kei to be ], and there is very little cultural crossover between Japanese Visual Kei fans and Japanese Goths. | ||
Revision as of 19:41, 10 September 2004
Visual kei is a phenomenon usually related to Japanese rock music where that the primary focus of the band is upon the dress and appearance of the members. Their fans are almost exclusively teenage girls, and as such they can be considered a uniquely Japanese equivalent of Boy Bands.
Members of visual kei bands often wear striking makeup, style their hair with elaborate colors, and wear theatrical-looking costumes. Recently a popular look is called Gothic Lolita. Although the whole appearance can appear feminine, almost all visual kei bands members are male. Visual Kei, being based upon visual style, is not a genre of music, and the bands may play standard J-Rock (this is the most common), or synth-pop, or American-style Heavy Metal.
Western observers sometimes confuse Visual Kei bands with Goth bands because of the makeup and clothing, but most Japanese Goths do not consider Visual Kei to be Gothic, and there is very little cultural crossover between Japanese Visual Kei fans and Japanese Goths.
This trend was almost single-handedly started by X Japan in the 1980s and became popularized by 1990s bands like Malice Mizer and Dir En Grey.
Some Visual Kei Bands
- Aliene Ma'riage
- Baiser
- Blam Honey
- Blood
- Dir En Grey
- hide
- Kuroyume
- Lareine
- Luna Sea
- Madeth Gray'll
- Malice Mizer
- Moi Dix Mois
- Pierrot
- Plastic Tree
- Schwarz Stein
- Velvet Eden
- X Japan
External links
- Midi:Nette - record company started by Mana that produces visual kei bands.