WANDS

Super detailed introduction to the WANDS band

1. What is WANDS?

WANDS was founded in 1991. It is a three-person band composed of lead singer, keyboardist and guitarist. It is a famous band under Being (Being's full name is BMF, famous bands such as B'z, ZARD , BAAD, ZYYG, etc., as well as current Mai Kuraki, Miho Komatsu, etc. are all owned by Being Company). After experiencing the replacement of 6 members, the evolution of three periods, and ten years of music exploration, the unique WANDS style was formed, which proudly rode throughout the 1990s, leaving behind a series of popular classics. This group of young people with passionate musical ideals shocks the hearts of every listener with their passionate melodies and simple and true lyrics, inspiring every teenager to ignore setbacks and strive for their life ideals.

WANDS band disbanded in June 2000. It is a great regret for both this group of musicians who are obsessed with music ideals and the majority of music fans.

2. The name and meaning of WANDS

"WANDS" comes from the "Wand" in Tarot card (tarot card, a magic card used for fortune telling), which means " The stick of happiness.” The name of the band contains the meaning of "passion", "courage" and "moving towards the ideal".

"W and S" said:

After the first generation WANDS's keyboard player Oshima Yasuke quit the band, the name of the lead singer Uesugi Noboru on the CD cover was changed from the original "Uesugi" Shou" becomes "Wesugi Show". So it was said that Weiwei and guitarist Shibasaki Hiroshi collaborated to form "W and S".

Coincidentally, the third period vocalist Waku Jiro and guitarist Sugimoto Issei also formed "W and S".

But this is always a rumor among music fans.

3. What is WANDS style?

That is, a unique musical style that combines sensual and pleasant pop melody lines with tough hard rock, and directs passion, ideals and a sense of endless struggle into it.

The band was more pop-oriented when it was first established, and gradually developed in the direction of rock through constant exploration and exploration. By the time of the fourth album "PIECE OF MY SOUL", the mature and steady WANDS style has reached its peak of perfection. WANDS then entered the third generation. Although the changes in musical style reduced the inheritance from the first and second generations due to the drastic changes in members, they developed the music to a refined and refined level while adhering to the inherent overall style of WANDS. A new level of inner show.

Off-topic: When WANDS was founded in 1991, it was at the time when the Japanese bubble economy collapsed and the economic myth was shattered. Yesterday, we were immersed in the joy of rapid development, but today we have to face the consequences of a sharp decline. For the suffering young people, WANDS is undoubtedly the best spiritual motivation to encourage them to face reality, restore confidence and regain their dreams.

When WANDS disbanded in 2000, Japan had been struggling in the quagmire of a sustained economic downturn for a full decade. The young people in their twenties who had grown up listening to WANDS's music had become more mature and gradually succumbed to it. The reality of long-lasting depression and high unemployment; and today's young people are aimless, spiritually empty, and chasing immediate pleasure. That's why decadent Shiina and the like are so popular...

Sometimes I can't help but think: Even if Noboru Uesugi and the others return to WANDS, even if the WANDS style of the past remains the same, can they still save the decline in Japanese social values ??and outlook on life following the economic downturn?

4. About al.ni.co

al.ni.co (アルニコ) is a new band formed after the original members of WANDS, Noboru Uesugi and Hiroshi Shibasaki, quit. For Noboru Uesugi, who pursues his own musical ideals, it may be a freer and broader development after breaking through the WANDS framework. The band was formed in November 1997 and disbanded in August 2001. The two are currently working independently.

5. WANDS member combinations in three periods

Oshima Yasuyu Uesugi Noboru Shibasaki Hirokimura Shinya and Kujiro Sugimoto Issei

Issue 1 1 1< /p>

（1991-1992）

Second Issue 2 2 2

（1992-1997）

Third Issue 3 3 3< /p>

(1997-2000)

6. WANDS member resume

Oshima Yasuyu

The center of the first WANDS period. During his time in the team, he was responsible for composing and arranging many works. In 1992, he quit WANDS because he wanted to form his own band SO-Fi. But until the second issue, Oshima's influence still existed. Oshima participated in the arrangement of B'z's "May"...

Now it seems that "Oshima Yuki" provides music for Bon-Bon, Blanco, etc.

Date of birth: September 4, 1970

Place of birth: Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

Uesugi Noboru

I watched the After borrowing a Guns & Roses video from a friend, Uesugi decided to pursue a career in music. He once organized his own band and accumulated a lot of experience in live events in concert halls in markets. The name of the band that can be confirmed is "EXPLODE". He was discovered at the music school where he was attending when he was around 19 years old, and officially debuted as a member of WANDS on December 4, 1994. During his time in the band, he was responsible for composing the lyrics of all works. He combined his humane lyrics based on his own life experiences with his unique and charming voice to rise in the music scene as an outstanding musician. Later, taking the suicide of Kurt (NIRVANA) as an opportunity, he re-examined his musical attitude. ...So, on June 30, 1996, I quit WANDS citing differences in musicality.

During personal activities, Noboru Uesugi and Hiroshi Shibasaki, who quit the WANDS era at the same time, were attracted to each other and formed al.ni.co on November 23, 1997. On March 21, 1998, he made his debut again with the song "TOY$!". The album "Siren" released later can be said to be the rock album that fulfilled his childhood dream.

In August 2001, al.ni.co was dissolved. On September 1, 2001, Uesugi's official website wesugi.net was opened.

Date of birth: May 24, 1972

Place of birth: Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

Blood type: Type A

Height: 172cm Weight: 60kg

Shibasaki Hiroshi

He became interested in music from the sheet music he asked his sister to buy. When I was in the third grade of junior high school, I did activities to imitate bands such as ALFEE. Very good at tennis. I started practicing guitar after being impressed by LOUDNESS. When he entered college, he decided to drop out of school because he wanted to do what he wanted to do, and instead enrolled in a music college. Selected for "B.A.D Audition" and debuted as WANDS's guitarist. He has composed music for many of WANDS's works, including guitar, giving full play to his talents. However, when faced with Uesugi's promotion and withdrawal from the team in 1996, he also quit due to differences in musicality. After that, he formed the band al.ni.co with Uesugi.

After al.ni.co disbanded, Hiroshi Shibasaki was in solo activities.

Date of birth: December 13, 1969

Place of origin: Tokyo, Japan Blood type: Type A

Height: 167cm Weight: 50kg

The center of the third generation WANDS. In September 1992, the second generation of WANDS began to be added. Influenced by his parents who ran musical instrument stores and music classrooms, Shinya Kimura received classical music education from an early age. Kimura, who had never considered a life path other than being a musician, went straight from the music department of high school to the piano department of a music university. But gradually he became attracted to pop music. So he dropped out of Music University after seeing the closed boundaries of classical music. In order to immerse myself in a more practical and direct music world, I joined a jazz band and continued to play keyboard for various bands, gaining experience.

Shinya Kimura, who has a wide range of musical talents such as classical, jazz, and rock, grasped the pop part and rock part of WANDS from an objective perspective, and created a new WANDS style while inheriting the original WANDS style.

Date of birth: July 28, 1969

Place of birth: Aomori Prefecture, Japan

Wakujiro

The third generation of WANDS Lead singer. When I was 18 years old, I was impressed after watching a concert by Bono Koro at Tokyo DOME. "I want to become a popular singer among the audience," and I decided to specialize in this area. I usually conduct self-singing training and send samples to the review office. Therefore, the powerful voice left a deep impression on people. Under the introduction of Kimura, he became an official member of WANDS.

Date of birth: December 11th Blood type: Type B

Issey Sugimoto

The third generation WANDS guitarist. When I was in the third grade of junior high school, I participated in a band activity at the school art festival and became interested in band activities. At that time, he was the lead singer and imitated the works of bands such as Booway, and gradually developed his talents as a guitarist. After entering college, Sugimoto formed a pop band, composed his own lyrics and composed music, and served as the guitarist and lead singer. At that time, Hou had composed more than 50 works on his own. After graduating from college, I worked as an English tutor while waiting for the opportunity to make my professional debut. So one day, my demo tape was appreciated, and I was introduced by Shinya Kimura to become an official member of the third generation WANDS.

Date of birth: May 8 Blood type: O

7. Detailed introduction of each generation of WANDS bands

The first generation of WANDS bands

September 1991

It was organized and produced by Daiko Nagato, together with Yasuke Oshima (keyboardist), Noboru Uesugi (vocalist), and Hiroshi Shibasaki (guitarist). Formed the band WANDS. As for the name of the band, it contains the meaning of "enthusiasm" and "moving towards ideals". This is exactly the name given to inspire this young band to be positive.

These three young people, each with different music styles and life concepts, began to build their own music careers as they got to know each other better.

I still feel that "WANDS" is a name with incredible magic power. Among the various explanations, perhaps the above one is the most ideal - it places high hopes on the company Being and is also full of young people. A musician’s dream to shine. This group of young people in their early 19s and early 20s, with childish faces, soon used the magic wand in their hands to mark the glorious Being dynasty of the 1990s, and also lit up the brightest stars in the music sky.

December 4, 1991

Debuted with the first single "The Color of Autumn".

May 13, 1992

The second single "ふりむいてEmbrace" was released.

On June 17, 1992

The first album "WANDS" was officially released. From then on, the WANDS band's style of fast and heavy guitar accompaniment and popular melodies was basically established, and it gradually began to become a widely accepted rock band.

July 1, 1992

The third single "もっと强くEmbraceきしめたなら" was released. The single was so popular that it became WANDS's first million-selling single and topped the singles chart about seven months after its release. However, just after the release of this album, keyboardist Oshima Yasuke quit because he joined a new group (now SO-Fi).

September 1992

Guitarist Hiroshi Shibasaki's friend Kimura Shinya replaced Oshima as the new keyboardist and joined WANDS. Since then, WANDS has entered its second generation.

The first generation WANDS band was centered around Oshima Yasuyu: firstly, most of the compositions and arrangements were performed by Oshima, and big-name composers such as Oda Tetsuro had not yet joined; secondly, in the works The taste of Oshima keyboard is particularly strong compared to later periods. Regarding Oshima's withdrawal, one theory is that it was because he was unwilling to cooperate with WANDS and Miho Nakayama. We cannot completely deny the possibility of this rumor, because it seems to reveal the friction and contradiction between the purity of the musician and the commercial nature of the production company from a certain aspect.

However, Oshima only withdrew from WANDS and did not seem to have withdrawn from Being. From this point of view, the reason for forming his own new group is more tenable. But having said that, "Who in the World" is indeed a very successful work. It not only made WANDS famous, it can also be said to be the beginning of the glorious era of WANDS and the Being dynasty. But this is already the second generation of WANDS.

The second generation WANDS band

October 28, 1992

"Who in the World" was released.

February 26, 1993

The fourth single "The Gate of Time" was released. With this single WANDS, the popularity skyrocketed.

April 17, 1993

The second album "The Gate of Time" was officially released. As a well-prepared album, people's expectations for it are particularly high. The results lived up to expectations, and the album sold more than 2 million copies. The fifth single "爱を语るより口づけをかわそう" was also released on the same day.

July 7, 1993

The sixth single "Love Otome" was released. At this time, WANDS's band style has been completely finalized, and they have risen in the Japanese music scene with this style that adds a hard rock flavor to personal melody lines and pop.

October 6, 1993

The third album "Little Bit..." was officially released.

November 17, 1993

The seventh single "Jumpin' Jack Boy/White Memories" was released.

December 1993

Secret live.video shooting (a secret concert attended only by music fans around Tokyo) was held at Shibuya ON AIR.

The second generation of WANDS can be called the standard period of WANDS. Although lead singer Noboru Uesugi's personal charm is more prominent, and although the word "W and S" (Uesugi & Shibasaki) is also very expressive, the three of them are still integrated into one, both in terms of appearance and division of labor. The configuration is a perfect combination. The second generation of WANDS can be subdivided into two stages: the above is the former stage. This stage is the rapid growth stage of WANDS. On the one hand, while Oshima's influence is still exerting its influence, Hiroshi Shibasaki's composition talent is also becoming increasingly prominent; on the other hand, famous Japanese composers and arrangers such as Oda Tetsuro and Hayama Mikoto have created a number of songs. This is a very melodic and popular masterpiece, and Uesugi Noboru's lyrics at this stage still tend to have a bright and positive tone. This stage is the popularity stage of WANDS style. The albums "The Gate of Time" and "Little Bit..." are standard products of this stage.

April 1994

The first concert "LIVE-JUNK#0" was held at Shibuya ON AIR.

June 8, 1994

The eighth single "The End of the World" (the second ending theme of "Slam Dunk", Mitsui Totobacco) was released theme music). ***1.21 million copies sold. From then on the band's style began to shift towards heavier rock.

June 1994

Tickets for the first lobby concert "LIVE-JUNK 1st KEEP MY ROCK'N ROAD" held at Shibuya Public Hall and Nakano Sun Plaza are on sale It was sold out within a few hours, and the entire concert was grand and grand. Since then, WANDS has once again focused on live events. After all, live events have had a great impact on them. During that time, there were some minor changes in WANDS's music style. In constant exploration, WANDS spent 1994.

February 13, 1995

The ninth single "Secret Night ~It's My Treat~" was released.

April 24, 1995

The fourth album "PIECE OF MY SOUL" was released. This original soundtrack, released a year and a half later, not only hides the unique pop style of WANDS but is also full of a deeper and broader rock style.

It is a controversial piece between fans who want WANDS to have a pop style and fans who want WANDS to have a rock style.

April 1995

At the same time as the album was released, the first nationwide concert tour "LIVE-JUNK #2 PIECE OF MY SOUL" was launched. The concerts were held in seven cities across the country, with 11 concerts in total. From this tour, WANDS confirmed that their style began to develop towards alternative rock. After this tour, WANDS entered a mature period with its own musical style.

December 4, 1995

The tenth single "Same Side" was released. This new work, released eight months later, essentially declares that the second issue of WANDS can no longer develop in a popular direction.

1994 and 1995 were the mature and heyday stage of WANDS. The charm of "The End of the World" is needless to say, and "Secret Night ~It's My Treat~" has set a new high in the history of WANDS. The album "PIECE OF MY SOUL" personally thinks it is the most perfect work in the history of WANDS. It has matured WANDS's creative power while getting rid of the shackles of impetuous popularity in the past. It fully demonstrates the strength of this powerful rock band with a mature and steady rock style. Inner charm. So this stage is the "rock and roll" stage of WANDS. Uesugi's psychological contradictions became increasingly obvious in his lyrics during this period. In addition, the activeness of concert activities is an obvious feature of this stage.

February 16, 1996

The eleventh single "WORST CRIME ~About a rock star who was a swindler~" was released. At the same time, Uesugi Noboru's psychological Fujikuzu, who wanted to further develop, and guitarist Hiroshi Shibasaki's musical style changes began to become increasingly significant.

March 16, 1996

The disc "SINGLES COLLECTION+6", which records the development trajectory of WANDS and can be called a masterpiece, was released. This is an album that records the ever-changing and developing musical style of WANDS. But since then, WANDS has fallen silent again.

If "白く色まれ" from "SINGLES COLLECTION+6" and the last unpublished work "Tayo no Breath" are continued to be released as a single, together with the previous "Same Side" and "Worst Crime" two pieces are the letter of intention to resign that Uesugi sent to Being step by step. In fact, on June 30, 1996, Noboru Uesugi withdrew from WANDS, and Hiroshi Shibasaki also withdrew immediately. This didn't happen overnight. Fine cracks had slowly formed during WANDS's heyday. I don’t know what conflicts there are within the band, I think it’s mainly due to the differences in the company’s creation intentions. Perhaps Oshima Yasuyu's withdrawal could have foreshadowed Uesugi Noboru and Shibasaki Hiroshi taking the same path later. It's just that these two went more completely, even quitting such a powerful company.

At this point, all three original members of WANDS have been lost. For Being, which once relied on the power of WANDS to a large extent to rise and has already dominated the world, this loss may not be a big deal, but what is regrettable is that WANDS has indeed It’s dead in name only!

The purpose of "SINGLES COLLECTION+6" is essentially to highlight the status of Noboru Uesugi and Hiroshi Shibasaki, because when describing the lyrics and composition it is obvious: "words: Show Wesugi (except ×××), music:Hiroshi Shibasaki (except×××)” [Careful friends will understand after looking at it] Is this Being’s final intention to retain Uesugi and Shibasaki?

The irony is that after the decline of WANDS, starting from around 1996 or 1997, the Being dynasty gradually began to embark on the path of decline...

The third generation of WANDS

In early 1997

Using different musical styles as reasons, vocalist Noboru Uesugi and guitarist Hiroshi Shibasaki expressed their intention to quit the band. WANDS encountered a life and death crisis. However, Shinya Kimura, who was alone, did not disband the band, but decided to continue activities. While searching for new band members, I met vocalist Wakujiro and guitarist Issey Sugimoto who were currently working on their own activities.

In May 1997

The new band began to enter the recording studio to record records. Moreover, while the demo tape was being produced, the first single of the third phase of WANDS was completed.

September 3, 1997

The twelfth single of the WANDS band, the first single of the third generation WANDS band, and the new work "锖" after a year and a half. "びついたマシンガンで金を撃ち抜こう" is officially released. From this single, we seem to see the WANDS band's personal melody line and pop style with a hard rock flavor in 1993.

November 6, 1997

WANDS band's comprehensive album "WANDS BEST～HISTORICAL BEST ALBUM～" was released.

December 1997

Production started in September 1997. For the third issue of WANDS, it is the second and thirteenth single. Final moments.

February 11, 1998

The thirteenth single "Brand New Love" was released. This is an unprecedented work by WANDS written by Izumi Sakai (lead singer of ZARD) and full of rock and rap styles in arrangement.

June 10, 1998

The first BALLAD style fourteenth single of the third issue of WANDS was released. Izumi Sakai is still responsible for the majestic ROCK·BALLAD style words. Since 1998, WANDS activities have become more active. It can be said that this single inherits one of the characteristics of the previous WANDS band. People are looking forward to higher and greater development of the third generation WANDS band.

"WANDS BEST~HISTORICAL BEST ALBUM~" was released by Being against the wishes of Noboru Uesugi and Hiroshi Shibasaki. Everyone has heard about it for a long time, so the information on its official website has also been passed by.

I don’t know what kind of support Kimura had to persist in WANDS. It always makes outsiders feel the sadness of being abandoned (Kimura was originally introduced by Hiroshi Shibasaki, but in the end they gave up and left Shinya Kimura alone to support WANDS...), but Shinya Kimura has always been the most cheerful one. One of them, compared to the other two, is more humble and less self-centered, and he also maintains the same persistence and enthusiasm for the pursuit of music. After all, the past activities of the band WANDS had a huge impact and deep feelings on him, so he had the determination to continue the band. Wakujiro may have been chosen out of Shinya Kimura's "Nostalgia Complex". Sugimoto also has certain creative abilities throughout his life, but this is a completely different band under the same sign.

When I first listened to "Tomorrow's Tomorrow", I didn't know about the changes in WANDS members. In the work, Kujiro and Kujiro are very similar to Uesugi Noboru in both voice and singing style. This is the most successful work of the third generation of WANDS, but the tragic flavor of the work makes people think of Noboru Uesugi. The rap at the end of "Brand New Love" was performed by Oshima Yasuyu who came out from SO-Fi to help out, which makes people feel the slightest warmth and nostalgia.

March 31, 1999

The fifteenth single "Today, Nana's music" was released. The opening section has an organ fragment that is as flavorful as Doors' famous song "Light the Fire in the Heart", coupled with the concise, bright and tough guitar accompaniment and powerful lead vocals, trying to show the new WANDS music style in every aspect. realm.

October 27, 1999

The seventh album "AWAKE" was released. As the first album jointly created by these three people, they tried their best to show their best level in order to make everyone accept it 100% no matter what. Under the guidance of this kind of thinking, I tried my best to implement the "WANDS style" album.

2000

In the nearly 10 years since March 1991, WANDS has built the "WANDS style" from various angles and should continue to deepen its development, indicating the meaning of "disintegration" . The album "AWAKE", which is full of hard work, has become an opportunity for the members to enter a new stage in the future. For their own future development, the members began to embark on their own activities.

The third generation WANDS masterpiece "AWAKE" is indeed very different from the past. Rather than saying it is a new "WANDS style", it is better to say it is "Kimura Shinya's style". The work as a whole tends to be gorgeous and meticulously arranged, and the addition of original piano and violin is a feature that has never been seen in previous works. After all, as a keyboard player, Kimura Shinya probably pays more attention to the expression of musical color itself than the expression of thoughts and emotions in previous works. But I don’t know why, if you savor it carefully, the seemingly relaxed and fast rhythm that covers this album can’t hide the deep sadness and desolation permeating the lower part of the melody!

Perhaps the third generation WANDS completed its journey amidst the dissatisfied complaints of many music fans. Shinya Kimura is indeed having a hard time supporting him. Wakujiro and Sugimoto have never been able to get rid of the shadow of the influence of their former members throughout their lives. Although they have tried their best, the problem does not lie with them, but in the minds of music fans. The complex or mindset - "WANDS = Noboru Uesugi". I once thought that if the third generation of WANDS was re-launched under a different name, it might not have the same ending.

June 2000

The eighth album "BEST OF WANDS HISTORY" (CD selection) and the DVD "BEST OF WANDS VIDEO HISTORY" recording the historical trajectory of WANDS were released as WANDS history has come to an end. I remember that a corner of the 20th issue of "Rhyme of the Day" brought the news of WANDS's disbandment, "This is their eighth and last time appearing on the album list" (referring to "BEST OF WANDS HISTORY", At that time, it was No. 17 on the ORICON album chart).

10. The WANDS track I recommend:

"Who in the World" - The WANDS band cooperated with the then-rising diva Miho Nakayama, which not only gained in sales The success made WANDS more famous! Single sales reached 1.98 million! This song ranks over 60th among the "Top 100 Songs of the Last Century". This is also an example of successful cooperation between BEING and external departments! !

"The End of the World" (the second ending theme of "Slam Dunk", Mitsui Kotobuki's theme music) - the most familiar work to Chinese people! There are very few people in our generation who have not heard this song! ! The spiritual shock this song brings to people is impossible to express in words.

Whenever I hear this song, I suddenly feel like I'm shocked! !

"明日もし君が壊れても (Yu-Gi-Oh Theme Song)" - with a touch of sadness!

10. Summary

WANDS is a great band!

This group of young people with passionate musical ideals shocks the hearts of every listener with their passionate melodies and simple and true lyrics, inspiring every teenager to look down on setbacks and strive for themselves. strive for the ideal of life. What they sing is their own music! They will not change themselves because of the market, they will always pursue their dreams!

Oshima Yasuyu: Firmly opposed to cooperation with Nakayama Miho and broke away. Noboru Uesugi and Hiroshi Shibasaki: They left because they thought WANDS was no longer the music they pursued.

Their pursuit of dreams seems to be not facing reality now. But think about the times they lived in! Their songs were like a shot in the arm, encouraging young people at that time who were immersed in the joy of rapid development yesterday but today have to face the pain of rapid decline to face the reality. WANDS's songs were of the time. The best spiritual motivation for young people to regain their confidence and regain their dreams.