Presence, innovation, charisma and talent, topped off by a loving and devoted fanbase: this is the formula for a successful band. This is PIERROT.
As with all things in life there must be a beginning and for Pierrot, Dizy Lizy was that beginning. Dizy Lizy gave Japan their first taste of Hidelow, Kirito, Jun and Kohta, who was a supporting member at the time. These four men would later give life to a unique breed of music through a new project, Pierrot. After releasing only fourteen songs as Dizy Lizy, in 1994 the quartet formed Pierrot, taking on Luka in the process to give them a complete line-up. With Hidelow giving the vocals, Kirito and Jun both on guitar, Kohta officially secured as their bassist, and Luka on drums, Pierrot was able to release their first album "Kikurui Piero."
Pierrot’s line-up changed dramatically when, in November of 1994, Luka left the band. Lacking the drummer that had helped to found them, Pierrot made the decision to quickly secure a replacement and took on Takeo (ex-Superstar). Another shock struck when just three months later, the band was left without a vocalist as Hidelow took his leave.It was at this point that Kirito stepped out of his role as guitarist in Dizy Lizy and early Pierrot to fill Hidelow’s spot as their vocalist and allow Aiji [ex-Kalen] to take the open position for the band’s second guitarist. These alterations marked the finalization of Pierrot’s line-up.
After the release of their second album, "Pandora no hako," Pierrot signed on with Sweet Child Entertainment. Signing with them also opened them up to play in the label’s Sweet Trance concerts that were reserved solely for those bands that worked with Sweet Child.
In 1998, Pierrot was able to release their first major album, "Finale," after Toshiba-EMI signed them and officially launched them into their career as a major band. Their second major album, "Private Enemy," was also put out under Toshiba-EMI’s label but it was "Kuria Sukai," their first major single, that crept its way to #6 on the Oricon charts after its release in September of that year.
On April 1, 1999, as the finale of their "RISING A [MAD SKY]" tour, Pierrot performed at Nippon Budokan for the first time as a one-man. Unsurprisingly, the concert was sold-out to more than 14,000 loyal fans eager to be a part of the special occasion. Equally as noteworthy, Pierrot also became the first band to perform at Nippon Budokan in such a remarkably short time after having gone major. It is a record that they still hold nearly ten years later. Only six months after signing on with Toshiba-EMI, they were already making more of an impact than they ever had before.
In August, just four months after their triumph at Nippon Budokan, Pierrot joined Buck-Tick and Oblivion Dust in playing for Marilyn Manson at his Fujikyu Highland Conifer Forest concert for his Beautiful Monsters tour. The concert also consisted of Megadeath, Mis-Fits and Monster Magnets among others, all of which make for an impressive set of bands for Pierrot to play amongst, especially given that Pierrot had been major for less than a year by that point. It was a milestone accomplishment that added to the gathering list of victories that the band had already collected and would add to in the years to come.
In 2001, Pierrot moved on and signed with yet another label. This time it was with Universal, whom they stayed onboard with for the remaining years of the band’s career. In the next five years, Pierrot released a total of thirteen singles and six albums. Among the six albums released in the five year span is "Dictator’s Circus," which was released in December of 2003 and holds the title of their best selling album. As an album that consisted of familiar songs, it was the fact that they were re-recorded versions of popular releases that set the album apart from others.
In the wake of their 10th anniversary as the well-known and loved PIERROT, following the release of two greatest hit compilations, "DICTATORS CIRCUS -A variant BUD-" and "DICTATORS CIRCUS -A deformed BUD-," the band announced that they would be officially ceasing activities. It is a decision that still lingers as a disappointment to both old fans and those who have only just begun to delve in to the wealth of superb releases that remain popular in the years after their disbandment. Thankfully, not one member has faded out as artists often do in such situations and there is still new music to be found and enjoyed from each of them.
Formed by Aiji and Maya, previously support for Miyavi, LM.C shows the promise of rising success that is to be expected from the men that head the band that recently made their debut in the United States. Jun also moved on with the intent of continuing to play, working with Koji (formerly of La’cryma Christi) and Shota in ALvino. Likewise, Kirito (who still does solo work), Kohta and Takeo have begun to pave their own path under their new name, Angelo, and maintain much of the same style of music that Pierrot is known for.
Pierrot’s disbandment is by no means the end for any of the men that thrived under the name for ten solid, productive years and each shows the potential to reach new heights in their new endeavors.
Written by Kia
Edited by Maria