History

Here you will find a yearly play-by-play of the history of Buck-Tick. For each year there is detailed information on the key events of the year as well as concert chronology on the side, including setlists/photos when known/available. For those wishing to read something a bit shorter, a condensed summary is below.

Please note that the cities mentioned in the History and Concert Chronology may no longer exist. In recent years, the Japanese government has been incorporating several cities together into a larger city in order to reduce government administration overhead and save money for the national budget overall. Personally, I have noticed that it causes a lot of confusion for those not living in Japan so I just wanted to point this out. If the topic interests you, please read Wikipedia's entry on the Merger and Dissolution of Municipalities of Japan.

Condensed summary of the history of B-T!

1962: Toll Yagami (drums) born on August 19 in Gunma (he uses a stage name)

1965: Hisashi Imai (guitar) born on October 21 in Gunma

1966: Atsushi Sakurai (vocals) born on March 7 in Gunma; Hidehiko "Hide" Hoshino (guitar) born on June 16 in Gunma

1967: Yutaka "U-ta" Higuchi (bass) born on January 24 in Gunma (Toll's younger brother)

1977: Toll joins a band called Shout

1978: Toll drops out of high school

early 1980s: Toll is in a band called Spots, who changed their name to SP

1983: Hisashi wants to form a band and spreads the word. The members start to come together: Hisashi on guitar, U-ta on bass, Hide on guitar, Atsushi on drums, Araki on vocals. None of them know how to play and begin to learn their assigned instruments.

1984: Hisashi and Atsushi graduate from high school. Hisashi names the band Hinan Go-Go. In the spring they play their first show at an amateur band festival in the area called "Little Rock". Hisashi and Araki move to Tokyo. The band's name changes to Buck-Tick.

1985: U-ta and Hide graduate from high school. The band mutually parts with Araki. Atsushi abandons the drums and takes over as vocalist. October: Toll's band SP breaks up. Toll hesistantly joins Buck-Tick as drummer. The new lineup plays their first show on December 4 at Shinjuku Jam.

1986: Buck-Tick records a demo and signed to indie label Taiyo Records. They release a single "To-Search" on October 21. A fan club is started and newsletters (entitled "Full Volume") begin to be issued in November.

1987: Taiyo Records releases the album Hurry Up Mode on April 1. It was the first indie album ever released on CD. "Hurry Up Mode Tour" began in May. Buck-Tick signs with major label Victor/Invitation. Buck-Tick Live at the Live Inn video released on September 21. Their major label album debut Sexual XXXXX! was released on November 21. The following day, a book entitled Buck-Tick was released. Throughout the year they played concerts under the banner "Buck-Tick Genshou". In September, Shaking Hands became the name of their management office and a new fan club was established, "Buck-Tick Club", with the first newsletter published in November.

1988: More Sexual!!!!! video released on February 21. "Buck-Tick Shock Tour" began in March. Seventh Heaven album released on June 21. In September the band fly to London to record their next album. While they are there, they play a small gig at the Greyhound on September 21. "Seventh Heaven Tour" began in October. "Just One More Kiss" single released on October 26. It becomes a hit that opens doors for them. On New Year's Eve, Buck-Tick performed at Nihon Record Taisho, a music awards show broadcast on tv (a very big deal). Hisashi composes songs for the Naoko Nozawa album Tonkichi Chinpei Kanta and the Mika Kaneko album Kick.

1989: Taboo album released on January 18. "Seventh Heaven Tour Final" concerts held in January at the Budokan. Hyper book released on March 7. "Taboo Tour" began in March. Love Me book released on April 4. Sabbat I and Sabbat II live videos released on April 21. On the same day, Hisashi was arrested for possession of LSD, which caused a huge scandal and abruptly ended the supporting tour. The long silence was broken when Buck-Tick played a sold-out show entitled "Buck-Tick Genshou" at Tokyo Dome on December 29 and announced a new album for the following year.

1990: "Aku No Hana" single released on January 24. Aku No Hana album released on February 1. Aku No Hana video released on April 1, containing a music video for each song on the album. For the "Aku No Hana Tour" that began in March, the band leaves mainland Japan and plays Okinawa for the first time. Hurry Up Mode (1990 mix) released on February 8. Tenshi No Zawameki ~My Buck-Tick Story~ book released on March 18. Hyp No. 3 book released on June 15. Buck-Tick's music was orchestrized by the Berlin Chamber Orchestra and released on July 21 as Symphonic Buck-Tick in Berlin. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" concerts held in August. "Great Double Booking" concert with Kyosuke Himuro held in October. "5 For Japanese Babies" tour held in December.

1991: "Speed" single released on January 21. Kurutta Taiyo album released on February 21. "Kurutta Taiyo Tour" began in March. "MAD" single and video released on June 5, featuring a re-recorded "Angelic Conversation" as b-side. "Jupiter" single released on October 30. Dance 2 Noise 001 compilation album released on October 21, features a solo song from Hide and a song from Schaft (side project of Hisashi and Maki Fujii of Soft Ballet). Buck-Tick video is released on November 21. Three "Club Quattro Buck-Tick" shows held in November/December. Atsushi and Hisashi make a guest appearance on the Der Zebit album Shishunki II. Atsushi goes through personal conflict and changes as his mother dies, he gets married to the band's stylist and has a child, and he changes his last name's kanji.

1992: Koroshi No Shirabe ~This is NOT Greatest Hits~ album released on March 21, (Buck-Tick's previous songs re-visioned). "This is NOT Greatest Tour" began in March. Dance 2 Noise 002 compilation album released on March 21, features a collaboration song by Atsushi and Xymox. "Climax Together" shows held in September. Climax Together video released on December 2. BT8992: Buck-Tick's Metamorphosis 1989-1992 book also released on December 2. Hisashi makes a guest apperance on the Soft Ballet album Million Mirrors. Tragedy enters Atsushi's life again as an affair is publicized and he divorces.

1993: "Dress" single released on May 21. Darker Than Darkness --style 93-- album released on June 23. This was possibly the first use of bonus tracks on an album in Japan. "Darker Than Darkness Tour" began in May. "Die" single released on October 21. On New Year's Eve, Buck-Tick plays a show broadcast on television with Soft Ballet.

1994: "Shapeless" concerts held in July/August. "LSB" shows held in August. Shapeless remix album released on August 24. Shapeless book released on October 5. Schaft release Switchblade album on September 21 and tour. Switch Remix remix album released on October 21. Switchblade Visual Mix video released on December 16. Atsushi and Hide make a guest appearance on the Issay album Flowers.

1995: "Uta" single released on March 24. "Kodo" single released on April 21. Six/Nine album released on May 15. "Somewhere Nowhere 1995 Tour" began in May. "Mienai Mono Wo Miyou To Suru Gokai    Subete Gokai Da" single released on September 21. Catalogue 1987-1995 compilation album and video released on December 1. Hisashi makes a guest appearance on The Stalin 15 album Shinda Mono Hodo Aishite Yaru Sa.

1996: In February, Buck-Tick ended their relationship with their management company Shaking Hands and formed their own company, Banker, with Toll as president. The fan club also changed from Buck-Tick Club to Fish Tank effective April 1. "Candy" single released on May 22. Cosmos album released on June 21. "Tour 1996 Chaos" began in July. "Chaos After Dark Tour" cancelled at the end of the year due to Atsushi's illness. Hisashi makes a guest apperance on the Pig album Sinsation.

1997: "Tour '97 Red Room 2097" began in March to make up for the tour cancelled at the end of the previous year. Buck-Tick change labels to Mercury/Polygram. "Heroine" single released on November 12. Sexy Stream Liner album released on December 10. "Sextream Liner Reigata (type 0)" concerts held in December. Atsushi and Hisashi make a guest appearance on the Pig album Wrecked. Hisashi and U-ta make a guest appearance on the Hikage album Tribute to The Starclub featuring Hikage. Hisashi makes a guest appearance on the Yukinojo Mori album Tenshi No Ita Wakusei.

1998: "Tour Sextream Liner" began in February. The single "Sasayaki" is released on March 11. The vinyl version of the single is slightly different and is entitled "LTD" as it was a limited release. Sweet Strange Live Disc live album and Sweet Strange Live Film live video released on August 12. Atsushi makes a guest appearance on the Masami Tsuchiya album Mori No Hito ~Forest People~. Hisashi wrote a song for the Guniw Tools album Dazzle.

1999: B-T compilation album released by former label on March 20. "Bran-New Lover" single released on July 14. Buck-Tick opened up for Marilyn Manson on August 8 at Fuji-kyu Highland Conifer Forest. "Energy Void Tour" held in August. "Miu" single released on October 20. Dream Box video released on November 26. Buck-Tick contribute a cover song to the Hide (X-Japan) tribute album Hide Tribute Spirits. Hisashi makes a guest appearance on the Yukinojo Mori album Poetic Evolution ~with Eleven Guitarists~. Hisashi as Schaft remixes a song for Zilch on their remix album Bastard Eyes. He also joined Zilch live in concert for 3 shows. Toll appears on the John Bonham tribute album Super Rock Summit ~Tengoku He No Kaidan~. Toll held 3 drum clinics in the summer.

2000: Buck-Tick change labels to BMG/Funhouse. 97BT99 compilation album released by former label on March 29. "Glamorous" single released on September 6. One Life, One Death album released on September 20. "Phantom Tour" began in September and continues in October as "Other Phantom Tour". "Tour One Life, One Death" held in December. U-ta makes a guest appearance on the Shammon album Lorelei.

2001: One Life, One Death Cut Up live album and video released on March 28. "21st Cherry Boy" single released on November 21. Buck-Tick played at the "Soyo Rock Festival 2001" in Seoul, Korea and a Korean Fish Tank fan club is established. The first "The Day In Question" concert was held on December 29. Schwein (side project of Atsushi and Hisashi) released Schweinstein album on May 9 and toured in August. Son of Schweinstein remix album released on September 5.

2002: "Kyokutou Yori Ai Wo Komete" single released on February 20. Words by Buck-Tick book released on March 2. Kyokutou I Love You album released on March 6. Picture Product video released on March 21. "Tour 2002 Warp Days" held in April and "Warp Days After Dark" held in June. All the studio albums released on Victor were reissued as digital remasters on September 19. The first editions of most of the albums included extra tracks. Ikonokrusm book released on September 21. Buck-Tick Tour 2002 Warp Days 20020616 Bay NK Hall live video released on December 4. "The Day In Question" concert held on December 29.

2003: "Zangai" single released on January 8. Mona Lisa Overdrive album released on February 13. Sabbat live videos released as one DVD on March 19. "Tour 2003 Mona Lisa Overdrive" began in March and continues in April as "Tour Here We Go Again!". "Mona Lisa Overdrive -Xanadu-" concerts held in June. Picture Product II video released on June 25. Buck-Tick performs at Summer Sonic festivals in Osaka and Tokyo in August. In September, Buck-Tick opens up for Marilyn Manson. Climax Together live video released on DVD on September 10. Mona Lisa Overdrive -Xanadu- live video released on December 3. "The Day In Question" concerts held at the end of the year.

2004: At the Night Side live album released on April 7; live video released on April 21. "Akuma To Freud -Devil and Freud- Climax Together" concert held on September 11. Akuma To Freud -Devil and Freud- Climax Together live video released on December 22. "The Day In Question" concerts held at the end of the year. Other than that, this was the year of solo/side projects. Atsushi released "Sacrifice" single on May 26 and "Taiji/Smell" double single on July 21. Ai No Wakusei album released on June 23 and played 2 live shows. Longinus short film released on August 25. -Explosion- Ai No Wakusei live video released on December 16. The books Yasou was released on July 14 and Sacrifice on July 20. Lucy (Hisashi side project) release Rockarollica album on June 9 and tour. Lucy Show ~Shout, Speed, Shake Your Rockarollica~ live video released on November 17. Wild Wise Apes (U-ta side project) release 3rd World album on July 28 and play 2 live shows. Toll Yagami releases Toll Yagami & the Blue Sky album. Atsushi announced that he has married again.

2005: Atsushi released another solo project single "Wakusei -Rebirth-" on February 23. "Romance" single released on March 2. Juusankai Wa Gekkou album released on April 6. This is Buck-Tick's first concept album. "13th Floor With Moonshine Tour" began in April. "Dress" was used as the theme song for the cartoon "Trinity Blood". "Dress (Blood Trinity Mix)" single released on April 20. Lucy played a few shows in October. Catalogue 2005 compilation album released on December 7. "2005 Tour Diana" held in December. Sweet Strange Live Film live video released on DVD as well as 13th Floor With Diana live video released on December 14. Parade ~Respective Tracks of Buck-Tick~ tribute album released on December 21. "The Day In Question" concert held on December 29.

2006: Oral History book released in February. "Kagerou" single released on August 2. Buck-Tick perform at "Summer Sonic" festival in Osaka and Tokyo in August. "The Day In Question" shows held at the end of the year. Lucy released "Bullets -Shooting Super Star-" single on March 29, Rockarollica II album on April 26, and toured. Lucy Show 002 Live at Studio Coast and Lucy Show 002 Live at Unit live videos released on November 1. Hisashi played with Takagi-cho Missiles at the "Wear Red Shoes vol. 3" event on September 14. Hide and U-ta make a guest appearance on the Fake? album Marilyn is a Bubble. Hide announced that he has married.

2007: Dropz (Hide side project) release Sweet Oblivion album on April 4. "Rendezvous" single released on June 6. The "Parade Tour" began in June. "Alice in Wonder Underground" single released on August 8. Buck-Tick played the "Rising Sun Rock Festival 2007 in Ezo" on August 17. The Victor digital remaster albums were reissued on September 5 with new packing, this time they also included the two compilation albums. "Buck-Tick Fest 2007 On Parade" held on September 8, it is the band's very own festival with opening bands from the Parade tribute album. Tenshi No Revolver album released on September 12. A tour for the album began in September.

[this page was last updated on Saturday, 10-May-2008 16:51:36 PDT]