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| '''Visual kei''' is a phenomenon, usually related to ], referring to bands which have as one of their primary focuses of interest the dressing and appearance of the members. Inside ], their fans are almost exclusively ] girls, and as such they can be somewhat considered a uniquely Japanese version of a ]. In other countries, the small quantity of Japanese ''visual kei'' followers is equally comprised by male and female adolescents and young adults. A notable difference between ''visual kei'' and ''boy bands'' is that boy bands usually are prefabricated and start with a strong marketing campaign, while there are a lot of cash-less indie visual kei bands that won't get promoted unless they first gain popularity and sign with a major label. | '''Visual kei''' is a phenomenon, usually related to ], referring to bands which have as one of their primary focuses of interest the dressing and appearance of the members. Inside ], their fans are almost exclusively ] girls, and as such they can be somewhat considered a uniquely Japanese version of a ]. In other countries, the small quantity of Japanese ''visual kei'' followers is equally comprised by male and female adolescents and young adults. A notable difference between ''visual kei'' and ''boy bands'' is that boy bands usually are prefabricated and start with a strong marketing campaign, while there are a lot of cash-less indie visual kei bands that won't get promoted unless they first gain popularity and sign with a major label. | ||
| Members of ''visual kei'' bands often wear striking makeup, style their hair with disparate but meticulously done dyes, and wear elaborate costumes. A look that recently has became popular within this trend is called ]. Although the whole appearance can appear feminine, almost all band members are male. ''Visual kei'', being based upon visual style, is a ] of band but not a genre of ], and the bands may play standard ] (this is the most common kind) (i.e. ]), or ] <!-- Anybody know an example? I knew one such band but forgot their name -->, or American-style ] (i.e. ]). | Members of ''visual kei'' bands often wear striking makeup, style their hair with disparate but meticulously done dyes, and wear elaborate costumes. A look that recently has became popular within this trend is called ]. Although the whole appearance can appear feminine, almost all band members are male. ''Visual kei'', being based upon visual style, is a ] of band but not a genre of ], and the bands may play standard ] (this is the most common kind) (i.e. ]), or ] <!-- Anybody know an example? I knew one such band but forgot their name -->, or American-style ] (i.e. ]). | ||
| 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 gothic, 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 gothic, and there is very little cultural crossover between Japanese ''visual kei'' fans and Japanese goths. | ||
Revision as of 12:35, 23 September 2004
Visual kei is a phenomenon, usually related to Japanese rock music, referring to bands which have as one of their primary focuses of interest the dressing and appearance of the members. Inside Japan, their fans are almost exclusively teenage girls, and as such they can be somewhat considered a uniquely Japanese version of a boy band. In other countries, the small quantity of Japanese visual kei followers is equally comprised by male and female adolescents and young adults. A notable difference between visual kei and boy bands is that boy bands usually are prefabricated and start with a strong marketing campaign, while there are a lot of cash-less indie visual kei bands that won't get promoted unless they first gain popularity and sign with a major label.
Members of visual kei bands often wear striking makeup, style their hair with disparate but meticulously done dyes, and wear elaborate costumes. A look that recently has became popular within this trend is called Gothic Lolita. Although the whole appearance can appear feminine, almost all band members are male. Visual kei, being based upon visual style, is a genre of band but not a genre of music, and the bands may play standard J-Rock (this is the most common kind) (i.e. Luna Sea), or synth-pop , or American-style heavy metal (i.e. Sex Machineguns).
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 Sex Machineguns Velvet Eden X Japan
External links
- Midi:Nette - record company started by Mana that produces visual kei bands.