Glossary

Disclaimer: I wrote a little something on another part of the site but again I must make clear that these are my amateur translations. I speak Japanese and have acted as translator for family/friends while in Japan or the USA but I have never studied the art of translation. With live people, one can always question their meaning or have them clarify words/phrases. With printed matter, it is much more difficult.

Buck-Tick & Project Song/Album Titles Translated

13byou - "13 seconds" (13 is "juusan")

Ai No Sanka - "Hymn of Love" or "Love Hymn", whatever floats your boat (Atsushi solo)

Ai No Uta - "Song of Love" or "Love Song", whatever floats your boat

Aikawarazu No 'Are' No Katamari Ga Nosabaru Hedo No Soko No Fuki Tamari" - "As Usual 'That Thing' Clumps Up and Arrogantly Vomit Spews Pile Up on the Bottom" (bare with me, this is a crazy title which comes from the crazy mind of Hisashi)

Aku No Hana - "The Flowers of Evil". This is the title for both a Buck-Tick song and album. The title comes from "Les Fleurs du Mal" by Charles Baudelaire, a favorite poet of Atsushi. In the remix album Shapeless, the title is translated as "Evil Flowers" but most translations of Baudelaire phrase it as "The Flowers of Evil" so that is what I prefer.

Akuma Ni Natta Tenshi No Blues - "Angel That Became a Devil Blues" (Wild Wise Apes)

Amaon Wa Chopin No Shirabe -I Like Chopin- - "The Sounds of Rain are the Songs of Chopin -I Like Chopin-". This is a cover of a cover. The original is "I Like Chopin" by Gazebo which was released in 1983. Asami Kobayashi covered it in 1984 using the title "Amaon Wa Chopin No Shirabe". (Atsushi solo)

Ao No Sekai - "Blue World"

Ash-ra - The kanji is read as "ashura" and it is the name of the lowest ranks of deities of the Kamadhatu in Buddhism. They are obsessed with force, violence, and other wicked things. Also, Asura in Hinduism are sinful and materialistic dieties. It derives from the Sanskrit where ashu/asu is "inochi" ("life force") and "ra" is "ataeru" ("to bestow").

Atarashii Sekai - "Brand New World" (Lucy)

Bacillus Bomb (Saikin Bakudan) - "Bacillus Bomb (Bacteria Bomb)" is a cover of The Roosters that Lucy has performed live

B.A.K.A.T.O.L.L - "S.T.U.P.I.D.T.O.L.L" (Yagami Toll & The Blue Sky)

Barairo No Hibi - "Rosy Days"

Boukyaku No Kanata - "Edge of Oblivion" (Yagami Toll & The Blue Sky)

Chakumero (Love Forever) - "Ringtone (Love Forever)" (Yagami Toll & The Blue Sky)

Chikashitsu No Melody - "Basement Melody" (for some reason my fingers always want to type 'chikatetsu' (subway) instead of 'chikashitsu' so if you see such typos, please forgive)

Chouchou - "Butterfly"

Cyborg Dolly: Soramimi: Phantom - the kanji for cyborg are being read phonetically sai-bo-gu (literally cell-tool) and soramimi means "mishearing". The chosen kanji for cyborg is quite clever due to the cloned Dolly the Sheep reference in the lyrics.

Detarame Yarou - "Bullshit Bastard" (The Japanese language doesn't have much in terms of foul language or obscenities, but upon heavy contemplation, I believe this is a fitting translation.)

Doukeshi A - "Clown A" - doukeshi is an old way to say clown or fool. It is attributed to the European figure Pulcinella or Punchinello. The modern way to say clown in Japanese is piero (pierrot), but in Europe this is a very specific character whereas in Japan it is a little more loose, sort of like any painted face clown. To tie in with the themes of the album this song is on, it should also be noted that there is the song cycle "Pierrot Lunaire" (Moonstruck Pierrot) by Arnold Schoenberg which is based on the poetry of Albert Giraud. In this, Pierrot is both hero and fool who performs high art as well as cabaret. (See how this incorporates the themes of the album the track is from?)

Gensou No Hana - "Flower of Fantasy"

Genzai - "Original Sin" - on the live album At the Night Side, Atsushi introduces the song by saying "Original Sin" in English

Gessekai - "Moon World"

Gesshoku - "Lunar Eclipse"

Golgatha No Kyu - "Knoll of Golgatha" - this was the original title of the song "Rokugatsu No Okinawa"

Hyeana No Yoru - "Night of the Hyeana" (Lucy)

Henshin (Reborn) - "Metamorphosis (Reborn)"

Hosoi Sen - "The Thin Line"

Ijin No Yoru - "Night of the Foreigner"

Itoshi No Rock Star - "The Beloved Rock Star"

Juusankai Wa Gekkou - "The 13th Floor is Moonlight" (It should be noted that Buck-Tick later translated it slightly different as the tour was entitled in English "13th Floor with Moon Shine". I must point out that I cannot think of any example where one would ever translate "Wa" as "with". If there is, please enlighten me.)

Kaeru - "Frog" (Wild Wise Apes)

Kagerou - dictionary says: a mayfly; the old word for "tonbo" (dragonfly); an ephemera; the 52nd chapter of Genji Monogatari ("The Tale of Genji"), a classic Japanese literary work (since the b-side "Utsusemi" also references "The Tale of Genji", it is probably this)

Kagiri Naku Nezumi - "Mouse Without Limits" (This used to have a different translation on the site because I had asked my mother what the phrase "kagiri naku nezumi" means, just in case it's some sort of saying in Japan and she told me it means "Very Much a Mouse". Who am I to doubt a native speaker? But it has been bugging me and I recently asked her again and this time she agreed with my translation. She even balked at the idea that she would have ever translated it as "Very Much a Mouse". So for that, I apologize for the mistranslation all these years.)

Kalavinka - "Kalavinka" is a word Hide had been toying around with and liked very much. It is a bird in Buddhist belief. I believe the pronunciation of the bird's name has changed over the centuries to now be 'karyoubinga', which are the kanji appearing in the title.

"Kalavinka: a bird said to possess a voice more beautiful and melodious than any other bird. The kalavinka is cited in Buddhist sutras and other works for its beautiful voice, which is often used as a metaphor for the Buddha's voice...The kalavinka is said to start singing even before leaving its shell and to live in the valleys of the Himalayas as well as in Amida's Pure Land of Perfect Bliss. Some have equated it with real birds of India, though its origin is not clear, and some Buddhist art depicts it as having the body of a bird and a human head."
--Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism entry on kalavinka

Kamikaze - literally "Divine Wind"; kamikazes were World War II suicide pilots. (Personally, I feel this word has permeated other cultures and most know or have at least heard of kamikazes so it's not appropriate to translate when speaking about kamikazes. For example, saying many young men died as divine wind in the war is quite odd. Poetic, but odd.)

Kanashii Mirai - "Sad Future" (Wild Wise Apes)

Kawaii Ano Ko - "That Girl is Cute" is cover of The Rockers that Lucy performs

Kick (Daichi Wo Keru Otoko) - "Kick (The Man Who Kicks the Ground)" (My own personal flair wants to translate daichi as "earth" but I don't want to confuse people and have them think planet Earth.)

Kimi Ga Shin..dara - "If You Were to D..ie" (I'm not sure what the periods are for other than the possibility of teasing what the (tense of the) word will be.)

Kimi No Vanilla - "Your Vanilla" (it may seem like an odd title but browse the lyrics and then it will make sense)

Kirameki No Naka De... - "In the Glitter..." (as translated in the remix album Shapeless; I really can't think of a word more suitable than "glitter" so let's stick with that.)

Kodo - "Heartbeat" (I used to translate this as "palipitation", for kodo does mean that as well, but I realized it just sounds awkward and "heartbeat" is more appropriate in English. Afterall, one says palpitation when there is some sort of ailment. Plus, I believe the taiko group Kodo has been pretty consistent with translating it as "heartbeat".)

Koroshi No Shirabe - "Murder Melodies" (I had initially thought shirabe only means "to look up" and "to investigate", but I have done some research and found out that it also has a musical meaning of tone/song/melody, depending on the translation. For example, Atsushi's solo works covered the Japanese version of Gazebo's "I Like Chopin". The title of this song in Japanese uses the musical meaning of shirabe and is roughly "The Sounds of Rain are the Songs of Chopin" ("Amaon Wa Chopin No Shirabe"). Also, there is the movie "Song of Love" (1947) whose release title in Japan was "Ai No Shirabe". Perhaps my translation would not have been so off if I had only consulted a native speaker who is musically aware but I swear I have never heard anyone use the word shirabe in a musical sense and therefore I didn't have any sense to know better.)

Kourin - "The Descent"

Kuroi Boogie - "Black Boogie" (Lucy)

Kurutta Taiyo - "The Sun Went Insane" (I believe this is how they translate it the Picture Product documentary)

Kyokutou I Love You - "The Far East I Love You"

Kyokutou Yori Ai Wo Komete - "From the Far East with Love" (it's printed on the cover art of the single). I believe the title of the song was inspired by the title of the James Bond film "From Russia with Love" (1958) which was released in Japan under the title "Russia Yori Ai Wo Komete".

Lizard Skin No Shoujo - "The Young Lady with Lizard Skin"

Love (Dakishimetai) - "Love (I Want to Make Love to You)" is probably what is best fitting but I must note that oddly the movie "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (1978) was released in Japan as "Dakishimetai" which is not close in my opinion. I would accept "I Want to Hold You" or "Hug You" but not "Hold Your Hand"--there's more to the birds and the bees than holding hands. (Atsushi solo)

Maboroshi No Miyako - "Capital of Illusions"

Madman Blues --Minashigo No Yuuutsu - "Madman Blues --Orphan's Depression"

Manatsu No Hirusagari - "An Early Afternoon in Midsummer" (Wild Wise Apes)

Megami - "Goddess"

Mienai Mono Wo Miyou To Suru Gokai    Subete Gokai Da - "Trying to See Something Which Cannot Be Seen is Wrong--Everything is a Misunderstanding" (notice how I translated gokai two different ways in order to give greater understanding)

Misshitsu - "Secret Room"

Monokuro No Star - "Monochrome Star"

Muchi No Namida - "Tears of Ignorance"

Muma - The Nightmare - "Incubus - The Nightmare". I have issues with translating "Muma". Literally the characters mean "evil demon" but it can mean nightmare and the dictionary prefers the Incubus/Succubus variety of demon, though I dislike the sexual connotation because I'd rather have it more generic like "dream demon". But since Buck-Tick is a 'sexy' band and Atsushi's lyrics are chock full of sex, I chose Incubus since it's a male demon that sleeps with women in their sleep. Also, various names of demons were chosen for the same album, such as the closely spelled Incubo (Latin for "I lie on top"), so perhaps after lengthy contemplation another demon name more suitable could be picked for my desire to have a more generic dream demon but I really couldn't be bothered.

Munashii Kao De Hoeru Inu - "Dog That Barks with an Empty Face" (Wild Wise Apes)

Nakayubi - "Middle Finger"

Neko - "Cat" (Atsushi solo)

Oukoku Kingdom Come -Moon Rise- - oukoku means "kingdom"

Rakuen (Inori Negai) - "Paradise (Prayer Hope)"

Rasenchu - "Turban Shell" (a species of marine snail; it's probably not that widely known so don't be hard on your dictionary if it's not in there, in fact my mother's never heard of it but what does she know, she's not a marine snail scholar)

Roku Gatsu No Okinawa - "Okinawa in June"

Sakebi - "Shout" - this was the original title of the song "Uta"

Sakura - "Cherry Blossom"

Sasayaki - "Whisper"

Schiz•o Gensou - "Schiz•o Fantasy" (the dot is not actually a period; in Japanese it floats in the middle of the line and is often used to separate foreign words; I'm not exactly sure why they chose to put it in the middle of the word)

Shanikusai -Carnival- - shanikusai means "Carnival" (in the Catholic country sense as one dictionary put it, i.e., Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Carnaval in Rio de Janerio, etc.)

Shingetsu - "New Moon" (AKA "Crescent Moon") (Atsushi solo)

Shippuu No Blade Runner - "Gale Blade Runner" (gale as in a type of wind and "Blade Runner" is you know, that movie...)

Taiji - "Embryo" (Atsushi solo)

Taiyo Ni Korosareta - "I Was Killed by the Sun"

Tensei - "Reincarnation" (Atsushi solo)

Tenshi No Revolver - "Angel's Revolver" or as translated on official tour merchandise, "Revolver of the Angel"

Tooi Symphony - "Distant Symphony" (Wild Wise Apes)

Uta - "Song"

Utsusemi - dictionary says: discarded locust/cicada shell; modern way of saying "utsusomi" (man of this world); the 3rd chapter of Genji Monogatari ("The Tale of Genji"), a classic Japanese literary work (since this song is the b-side of "Kagerou", which also references "The Tale of Genji", it is probably this)

Wakusei - "Planet" (Atsushi solo)

Yasou - "Nocturne" (Atsushi solo book)

Yokan - "Premonition" (Atsushi solo)

Yuuwaku - "Temptation"

Zangai - "Remains" (as in wreckage)

Zekkai - "Extinct World" or "Severed World", you get the idea

Guest Musician Song/Album Titles Translated

4-D Vision No Rasen Kaidan - "Spiral Staircase in 4-D Vision" (Der Zebit)

Asa Made Matenai - "I Can't Wait Until Morning" (Issay)

The Devil is Changed Back to an Angel ~Tenshi Ni Modoreta Akuma~ - the Japanese subtitle is the same as the title. (However, without reading the English title I personally might have translated it as "The Devil That Changed Back to an Angel".) (Yukinojo Mori)

Itoshi No Gaitare - "Beloved Foreign Celebrity" (Naoko Nozawa)

Jigsaw Puzzle No Tenshi - "Jigsaw Puzzle Angel" (Yukinojo Mori)

Koi No Hallelujah - "Hallelujah of Infatuation" (Issay)

Mebius No Kagami - "Mirror of Mebius" (Yukinojo Mori)

Mori No Hito (Forest People) - the English subtitles are the equivalent translation to all song titles for this album by Masami Tsuchiya with the exception of certain titles. Without reading the English part, I would have made the following translations:

  • Mori No Prelude (Prelude) - "Forest Prelude", the English bit simply forgot to include the theme word of the album
  • Minami No Mori No Dekigoto (In a Tropical Forest) - "Southern Forest Incident" (simply because a forest is south doesn't make it tropical)
  • Kuroi Mori (Night Creature in Black Forest) - "Black Forest", the Japanese title doesn't include the bit about a night creature
  • Chisana Mori No Hito (Goblin Forest) - "Small Forest People" (goblins are not called "small people" in Japanese, plus the original title to me seems more like "People of the Small Forest" rather than "Small People of the Forest")

Mushi - "Insect" (The Stalin 15)

Sasayaku Tenshi - "The Whispering Angel" (Yukinojo Mori)

Shinda Mono Hodo Aishite Yaru Sa - "I'll Love Ya as Much as a Death Thing" (The Stalin 15)

Shishunki - "Puberty" (Der Zebit)

Sontoku Kanjou - "Emotions Pros and Cons" (at first I translated this as "Loss and Gain Feelings"; I think that you can get the meaning between the two translations) (Shammon)

Super Rock Summit ~Tengoku He No Kaidan~ - "Super Rock Summit ~Stairway to Heaven~", it is a John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) tribute album afterall

Tenshi No Ita Wakusei - "Planet with an Angel" (Yukinojo Mori)

Tonkichi Chinpei Kanta - these are the first names of the Hanamura triplets of the 1960s cartoon show "Maho Zukai Sally" (Naoko Nozawa)

Watashi No Teki - "My Enemy" (Mika Kaneko)

Yuki Ga Tsukuru Tenshi - "Angel That Makes Snow" (Yukinojo Mori)

Buck-Tick's Musical Connections Explained

*I list selected discographies for Japanese bands for the sake of those that cannot read Japanese. If you are reading this page then you can research the non-Japanese bands on your own. I put the pronunciation of Japanese bands because if you ever talk with a Japanese person about music, they will have no idea who the hell you are talking about if you pronounce the band in the proper English way, (unless perhaps if they are fluent in English). For example, I say Buck-Tick when talking with English speaking friends and always say Baku-Chiku when talking with Japanese friends.

Age of Punk - A Japanese band in the 2000s formed by Asaki (vocal & guitar) after Guniw Tools broke up with Katsushige Okazaki (formerly of M-Age) on drums. Japanese pronounce the name as "Eiji Obu Panku". Katsushige plays with Hisashi in the side project band Lucy. Age of Punk contributed a cover for the Buck-Tick tribute album Parade.

They released the following major studio album: Absolute Music (2001).

Anarchy - A Japanese band in the 1970s-1980s who regrouped in 2005 to record a new song. Japanese pronounce the name as "Anakii". The main members were Shigeru Nakano (vocals), Shinichi Fujinuma (guitar), Nobuyoshi Teraoka (bass), and Fujimaru Nagoya (drums). Shigeru played live with Hisashi as a member of Takagi-cho Missiles.

They released the following major studio albums: Anarchy (1980), '80 Ishin (1980), Anarchy City (1981), Ready Steady Go (1981), Anarchism (1982), Rebel Yell (1983), Derashine (1984), and Beat Up Generation (1985).

Daniel Ash - Remixed a song for Buck-Tick. Guitarist/singer. Formerly of Bauhaus, Tones On Tail, Love and Rockets. These bands, Bauhaus in particular, were huge influences to Buck-Tick.

Bryan Black - Musician whose projects include haloblack, H3llb3nt, and Xlover. He played keyboards with Schwein when they toured Japan in summer of 2001. He also remixed a Schwein song for their remix album Son of Schweinstein. He has also worked with other Buck-Tick side projects as a composer for Atsushi's solo album as well as remixer for Hide's side project Dropz.

Boøwy - A Japanese band that were quite successful during the band boom of the 1980s. Japanese pronounce the name like David Bowie. The members were Kyosuke Himuro (vocals), Tomoyasu Hotei (guitar), Tsunematsu Matsui (bass), and Makoto Takahashi (drums). The band were from Takasaki, Gunma, the same as Buck-Tick and after the band broke up, many of their fans became Buck-Tick fans so pay close attention to Buck-Tick's sound and style in the 1980s for comparisons. After Boøwy, Kyosuke and Tomoyasu each had successful solo careers. Buck-Tick played a concert with Kyosuke in 1990 entitled "Great Double Booking". Tomoyasu also had success in the band Complex with Kouji Kikkawa. Additionally, Tomoyasu remixed the Buck-Tick song "Muchi No Namida" for the b-side of "Gessekai".

They released the following major studio albums: Moral (1982), Instant Love (1983), Boøwy (1985), Just a Hero (1986), Beat Emotion (1986), and Psychopath (1987).

Cloud Chair - the name that Masatomo Kawase uses when performing solo. He used to be known as Jake when he was in Guniw Tools so please see the note on them below. He was the guitarist for Atsushi's solo concerts in 2004.

Der Zibet - A Japanese band in the 1980s-1990s. Japanese pronounce the name as "Deru Jibetto". The members were Issay (vocals), Hikaru (guitar), Hal (Bass), and Mayumi (drums). After the band broke up, Issay did solo work and sang for Hamlet Machine so please see the notes for those below. Atsushi and Hisashi made guest appearances on the album Shishunki II ~Downer Side~. Coincidentally, both Der Zibet and Buck-Tick have released songs entitled "Baby, I Want You".

They released the following major studio albums: Violetter Ball (1985), Electric Moon and More (1987), Der Zibet (1988), Garden (1988), Carnival (1989), Homo Demens (1990), Shishunki I ~Upper Side~ (1991), Shishunki II ~Downer Side~ (1991), Trash Land (1993), Pop Mania (1994), Green (1995), and Kirigirisu (1996).

Fake? - Inoran was a member of Fake? after Luna Sea broke up but the band is really just vocalist Ken Lloyd, who is half-Japanese and grew up outside Japan so the songs are in English. Japanese pronounce the name as "Feiku". Hide and U-ta made a guest appearance on the album Marilyn is a Bubble.

They released the following major studio albums: Breathe In... (2002), Tomorrow Today (2003), The Art of Losing Touch (2004), Made With Air (2004), Songs From Bezzlebub (2006), and Marilyn is a Bubble (2006).

Maki Fujii - a member of Soft Ballet. He has been in the Buck-Tick side project Schaft as well as playing synthesizer live for Atsushi's solo concerts in 2004. As Maki Fujii Assembled, he has released Deviation From System. He also had projects called She-Shell and Suiren.

Guniw Tools - A Japanese band in the 1990s. Japanese pronounce the name as "Gunyu Tsuuru". The main members were Full (vocals), Jake (guitar), and Asaki (guitar). Jake (Masatomo Kawase) left during the second album and formed Super Soul Sonics, then went solo under the name Cloud Chair. After Guniw Tools broke up, Asaki formed Age of Punk. Asaki is a fan of and friends with Hisashi and so Hisashi wrote a song for their album Dazzle.

They released the following major studio albums: Niwlun (1996), Other Goose (1997), Sparky (1997), Dazzle (1998), and Fickle Boon (1999).

Hamlet Machine - The band Issay sang with after Der Zibet broke up. The other member was Tatsuya. They contributed a track to the compilation album Dance 2 Noise 001 (1991), (Hide and Schaft also contributed tracks), as well as a Bauhaus tribute album. They released only one studio album entitled Trance-Mission.

Hide (X Japan) - Former guitarist of X Japan. Went on to form the band Hide with Spread Beaver. He committed suicide in 1998 in a very similar manner to INXS frontman Michael Hutchence who died the previous year. Hide continued to release music posthumously. Buck-Tick contributed a track to the tribute album for Hide entitled Hide Tribute Spirits (1999). This is the only cover song Buck-Tick has ever recorded.

Issay - Was the singer for Der Zibet and Hamlet Machine so please see the notes on those bands. Issay did guest vocals on the Buck-Tick song "Itoshi No Rock Star" (Six/Nine). Atsushi and Hide made guest apperances on Issay's album Flowers (1994). He also has been involved with projects Issay Meets Dolly, The Name of the Rose, and Lynx.

Kiyoharu - former vocalist for the Japanese band Kuroyume so please see the note on that band below. Kiyoharu joined Lucy onstage for a song at a show that was subtitled "Lucy x Kiyoharu". Kiyoharu has also covered a song for the Buck-Tick tribute album Parade.

He released the following major studio albums: Poetry (2004), Mellow (2005), Kannou Boogie (2005), Vinny Beach ~Kakuu No Kaigan~ (2006), and Forever Love (2007).

Kuroyume - Japanese band that were quite successful in the 1990s. Their name literally means "black dream" and they have said it means something more like "nothing compares to a dream". The members were Kiyoharu (vocals) and Hitoki (bass) but they did start off with a guitarist and drummer as well. After they broke up, Kiyoharu formed a new band called SADS, went solo, and also had some Buck-Tick ties so please see the note on that above.

They released the following major studio albums: Mayoeru Yuritachi ~Romance of Scarlet~ (1994), Feminism (1995), Fake Star ~I'm Just a Japanese Fake Rocker~ (1996), Drug Treatment (1997), and Corkscrew (1998).

KMFDM - a German group founded in France in 1984 by Sascha Konietzko (Captain K, the father of industrial rock) that later relocated to America. Raymond Watts (Pig) has worked with them over the years. (In fact, his poor German is said to be where the name of the band came from.) Both Raymond and Sascha worked with Atsushi and Hisashi in the side project band Schwein. Though no longer with KMFDM, while Gunter Schulz was in the group he remixed a song for Buck-Tick.

Luna Sea - A Japanese band in the 1990s who were quite popular. Japanese pronounce the name as "Luna Shii". The members were Ryuichi (vocals), Sugizo (guitar/violin), Inoran (guitar), J (bass), and Shinya (drums). Luna Sea toured with Buck-Tick and Soft Ballet for a few dates known as LSB tour. J covered a song for the Buck-Tick cover album Parade.

They released the following major studio albums: Luna Sea (1991), Image (1992), Eden (1993), Mother (1994), Style (1996), Shine (1998), and Lunacy (2000).

The Mad Capsule Markets - A Japanese band in the 1990s-200s, they originally spelled their name The Mad Capsule Market's. Japanese pronounce the name as "Za Maddo Capuseru Maakettsu". The main members are Hiroshi Kyono (vocals), Takeshi Ueda (bass), and Motokatsu Miyagami (drums). Motokatsu was the live drummer for Schaft. He also played live with Hisashi as a member of Takagi-cho Missiles.

They released the following major studio albums: P.O.P (1991), Capsule Soup (1992), Speak!!!! (1992), Mix-ism (1994), Park (1994), 4 Plugs (1996), Digidogheadlock (1997), Osc-Dis (1999), 010 (2001), and CiSTm K0nFLiqT (2004).

M-Age - A Japanese band in the early 1990s. Japanese pronounce the name "Emu Eiji". The members were Koichiro (vocals), Ken Miyo (guitar), Yuji Kajiwaru (bass), and Katsushige Okazaki (drums). They contributed a track to the compilation album Dance 2 Noise 001 (1991), (Hide and Schaft also contributed tracks.) Katsushige then joined Age of Punk and plays with Hisashi in the side project band Lucy. Ken was the second guitarist for Atsushi's solo concerts in 2004.

They released the following major studio albums: Mustard (1992), Vibes (1992), and Interface (1993).

Pig - Pig is a one man project by Raymond Watts. Atsushi and Hisashi have made guest appearances on the Pig albums Wrecked and Sinsation (Hisashi only). Pig opened up for Buck-Tick in 1999 during the "Energy Void Tour".

The Rockers - A Japanese band active in 1978-1982. Japanese pronounce the name as "Za Rokkazu". The members were Takanori Jinnai (vocals), Nobuo Tani (guitar), Hitomi Tsurukawa (guitar), Nikichi Anai (bass), and Shouichi Funakoshi (drums). They reformed briefly in 1990-1991 with a slightly different lineup. Toll was influenced by this band as well as Hisashi's side project band Lucy who have covered their song "Kawaii Ano Ko".

They released the following major studio albums: Who The Rockers (1980), Come On (1981), Shakin' (1981), and Hanky Panky ~ Pop Come Back (1981).

The Roosters - A Japanese band in the 1980s who regrouped in 2004 to play at the Fuji Rock Festival. Japanese pronounce the name as "za ruusutaazu". They changed their name to The Roosterz about halfway into their career. Hisashi and his side project band Lucy seem to be heavily influenced by The Roosters. Lucy covers them live. Consider for a moment that The Roosters' second album was entitled The Roosters a-Gogo. From there you have Hinan Go-Go, Buck-Tick's first name, and the various Lucy songs with "Go Go" in the title. The Roosters would cover the song "Tequila" and so does Lucy.

They released the following major studio albums: The Roosters (1980), The Roosteres a-Gogo (1981), Insane (1981), Dis. (1983), Good Dreams (1984), Ø Phy (1984), Neon Boy (1985), Kaminari (1986), Passenger (1987), and Four Pieces (1988).

Soft Ballet - A Japanese band in the 1980s-1990s who broke up and later reunited in the 2000s. Japanese pronounce the name as "Sofuto Baree". The members are Ryoichi Endo (vocals), Maki Fujii (keyboards, noises, guitars), and Ken Morioka (keyboards). The band was signed to the same indie label, Taiyo Records, that Buck-Tick were and later moved to the same major label, Victor/Invitation. The members are close in age with the members of Buck-Tick and the two bands were friends and made mutual guest appearances as well as performing concerts together (December 31, 1993 joint concert/tv appearance; Shapeless concert; LSB tour). Hisashi made a guest appearance on the album Million Mirrors. Maki Fujii was a member of Buck-Tick side project band Schaft. He also was in the support band for Atsushi's solo concerts.

They released the following major studio albums: Earth Born (1989), Document (1990), Ai to Heiwa (1991), Million Mirrors (1992), Incubate (1993), Form (1995), Symbiont (2002), and Menopause (2003).

The Stalin - One of the premiere Japanese punk bands who have also gone by the name "Stalin" (without "The" in front) and other variations. Japanese pronounce the name as "suta-rin". The key member was Michirou Endou (vocals). They were a huge influence to Buck-Tick in the early days. Before the band wrote original songs, they would perform coveres of Stalin. Later, Hisashi made a guest appearance on the album Shinda Mono Hodo Aishite Yaru Sa. Michirou has also covered a song for the Buck-Tick cover album Parade.

They released the following major studio albums as The Stalin: Trash (1981), Stop Jap (1982), Mushi (1983), Fish Inn (1984), and Shinda Mono Hodo Aishite Yaru Sa (1995).

Theatre Brook - A Japanese band since 1986. Japanese pronounce the name as "Shiataa Burukku". The members are Taiji Sato (guitar/vocals), Takashi Nakajo (bass), Emerson Kitamura (keyboards), Takashi Numazawa (drums). Taiji worked with Atsushi on his solo album; likewise Atsushi has performed with Taiji live.

They released the following major studio albums: Sensemilla (1993), Talisman (1996), Tropopause (1997), Viracocha (1999), I am the Space, You are the Sun (2000), Theatre Brook (2003), and Reincarnation (2005).

Masami Tsuchiya - former vocalist for Ippu-Do in the 1970s-1980s, later went solo. Atsushi is a fan and made a guest appearance on his album Mori No Hito (Forest People) (1998). In turn, Masami wrote a song for Atsushi's solo album as well as produced songs. Masami has also covered a song for the Buck-Tick cover album Parade.

He released the following major studio albums: Rice Music (1982), Tokyo Ballet (1985), Life In Mirrors (1987), Horizon (1988), Time Passenger (1989), Mod' Fish (1997), and Mori No Hito (Forest People) (1998).

Wakusei - A Japanese band from 1995-2007. The members were Kenji Kishida (vocals/guitar), Yoshimazu Shimizu (bass), and Tomomi Hirata (drums). Lucy did a show which was subtitled "Lucy x Wakusei". On the setlist, it is noted that Wakusei joined in on a song. This was probably just the vocalist Kenji and not the entire Wakusei band. Kenji also worked with Atsushi Sakurai on his solo album.

They released the following major studio albums: ku-ro-i-ho-shi (2002), shi-ro-i-to-ri (2002), Wakusei (2003), and Wakusei III (2004).

Raymond Watts - He has been a member of Buck-Tick side project bands Schaft and Schwein. Raymond was introduced through mutual friend Maki Fujii (Soft Ballet). He also remixed a song for the b-side of the "Sasayaki" single. In addition, Raymond has worked with Bryan Black for his project H3llb3nt. Please see also the above entries for Pig and KMFDM.

X Japan - A Japanese band in the 1980s-1990s. Japanese pronounce the name as "Ekkusu". At first they were named X but after trying to release music in America where another band by the same name already existed, they changed their name to X Japan in 1992. The members were Yoshiki (drums, piano), Toshi (vocals), Hide (guitar), Pata (guitar), Taiji (bass until 1992), and Heath (bass 1992-demise). X Japan had a huge following and was one of the most popular if not the most popular rock group in Japan during their heyday. From a fan's perspective, this would be the rival band to Buck-Tick. It is hard to say exactly what the members' relationships were between the two bands but Hisashi seemed to be the most friendly with X's Hide and attended his funeral. Both bands did get along and respect each other to some degree. Of note: a magazine once published interviews with members from both bands in a 'duet' interview if you will, (B-T Atsushi and X Yoshiki; B-T Hisashi and X Hide), once Atsushi was on a talk show ("Waratte Iitomo") where the current guest decides who the next guest will be and personally calls them (he chose Hide of X Japan), X members have attended at least one Buck-Tick concert but I don't know if B-T members did likewise, and of course, Buck-Tick contributed a track to the tribute album for Hide (X Japan) that was released after his death.

They released the following major studio albums: Blue Blood (1989), Jealousy (1991), and Dahlia (1996).

Zilch - A Japanese band from 1998-2002. Japanese pronounce the name as "Jiruchi". The group was founded by Hide of X Japan (see above entries), who died before their debut album was released. The rest of the band carried on however. In 1999, Hisashi and Maki Fujii played a couple songs live with Zilch. It was the first time the two had worked together since Schaft.

Related Japanese Words That May Be of Interest

Arubamu - album

Atari - this word on items purchased is used to designate when someone is a "winner" in contests and giveaways (those who did not win may have "hazure" to indicate that they are not a winner)

Bakuchiku - firecracker. Hisashi named the band and decided it should be written in English as "Buck-Tick".

Bando - band

Bideo - video

Bunka Kaikan - Cultural Hall

Genshou - phenomenon. Buck-Tick used to hold shows in the early days under the banner of "Buck-Tick Genshou".

Hinan Go-Go - Criticism Go-Go. This was the name of the band before they changed to Buck-Tick. "Hinan" could also be translated as 'to censure, to condemn'. You get the gist of the meaning. The band's repertoire in this period consisted of: Freaks, Monokuro No Star, No-No-Boy, Plastic Syndrome, Soldier, and Vacuum Dream.

Kakkoii - cool, as in "Buck-Tick is cool"

Ken - prefecture, as in Gumna-ken, the prefecture Buck-Tick is from (not all prefectures are -ken but most are)

Kenmin Kaikan - Prefecture Citizens' Hall

Kouen - Park

Koukaido - Public Hall

Kusou - shit

Kyoiku Kaikan - Education Hall

Majime - dictionaries often define it as "serious" but I think the definition fails to address the more common meaning in Japan, which I prefer to say in English as "straight-laced". A very majime (kuso majime) teenage student would be very serious about their studies and not go against the mainstream in any way such as alter their uniform, listen to rock n' roll, drink, have sex, dye their hair, and that sort of thing. "Square" is more like it but no one speaks like that anymore. The members often comment that Hide and U-ta are majime, which in another way to put it, they are the goody-goody members of the group.

MC - when written in concert reviews in Japan, it does not mean the artist is a rapper, it means when the vocalist talked to the audience (usually inbetween songs)

Mendoukusai - tasks that are a 'pain in the ass' (a very good word to know)

Omake - extra/bonus. This word is often used at stores for when one purchases something and receives an extra item as a bonus.

Ongaku - music

Raibu - concert ("live")

Santora - soundtrack (one of the millions of contractions of foreign words--get used to it)

SE - when written in concert reviews in Japan, it does not mean "sound effect", it means pre-recorded music that was played (usually before the start of the show)

Shi - city, as in Osaka-shi and so forth

Shimin Kaikan - City Citizens' Hall

Shinguru - single

[this page was last updated on Thursday, 12-Aug-2010 20:46:39 PDT]