Zyyg

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Zyyg
OriginJapan
GenresRock
Years active1993–1999, 2006, 2019–present
LabelsB-Gram Records
MembersSeiki Takayama
Kouji Gotou
Naoki Katou
Kenichi Fujimoto
Past membersSeiichirou Kuribayashi
Naoki Uzumoto
Naoki Orii
WebsiteOfficial Website

Zyyg is a Japanese rock band under B-Gram Records label. Their management office was Seas Music Factory. On April 1, 2019, it was announced their activities would resume after more than two decades.

Members[edit]

First period (1993-1994)[edit]

  • Seiki Takayama (高山征輝) - vocalist, lyricist
  • Seiichirou Kuribayashi (栗林誠一郎) - bassist, composer, arranger
  • Naoki Uzumoto (宇津本直紀) (Deen) - drummer
  • Naoki Orii (折居直喜) - guitarist

Second period (1995-1999, 2019-)[edit]

  • Seiki Takayama (高山征輝) - vocalist, lyricist, composer
  • Kouji Gotou (後藤康二) - guitarist, composer
  • Naoki Katou (加藤直樹) - bassist
  • Kenichi Fujimoto (藤本健一) - drummer

History[edit]

The formation of band started in 1992 with Seiki and Seiichirou together.[1]

In May 1993, they debuted with single Kimi ga Hoshikute Tamaranai. This debut single was used as a commercial song for Suntory's beer. The single reached #3 on Oricon Weekly Charts, sold over 700,000 copies, and charted over 16 weeks. After this single, additional members Naoki Uzumoto and Naoki Orii joined in recording.

In June 1993, Seiki participated in collaboration single Hateshinai Yume wo with Zard, the members of Wands and Rev. The single was used as a theme song for NTV television sport program Geki Kuukan Pro Yakyuu93. The single was recorded for the first time on Zard compilation album ZARD BEST The Single Collection: Kiseki in 1999.

In November 1993, they released second single Kaze ni Mabushii, which was used as a commercial song for sport brand Victoria. The single reached into top 10 on Oricon Weekly charts and sold 170,000 copies.

In 1994 their sales declined with singles Kowashitai Genjitsu and No Return Love which reached only into top 30 of Oricon Weekly Charts, but still sold more than 10,000 copies. In July, as the last work of the original member lineup, they released their debut studio album Go Wild. The album reached #13 on Oricon Weekly charts and sold only 66,000 copies. After failures to catch audience interest, Seiichirou left the band and continued to focus on his solo career, along with Naoki Uzumoto and Naoki Orii as well.

In the beginning of 1995, new members Kouji, Naoki and Kenichi joined Seiki's band. In May, they released their first single of the second lineup, the band's fifth overall single Zettai ni Dare mo, composed by Tetsuro Oda. The single was used as a second opening theme for anime television series Slam Dunk. The single reached #3 on Oricon Weekly charts, sold more than 28,000 copies, and charted over 10 weeks. This song become their third biggest, and the last single which reached into the top #30 charts.

In November 1995, with the release of single Julie, their sales dropped once again; the single did not reach top charts. Julia was used as an ending theme for the TV Asahi music program Ongaku News HO.

In February 1996, they released their second album, Noizy Beat. The album reached #24 on Oricon Weekly charts, sold over 31,000 copies, and charted for three weeks.

From March until November 1996, they held their first live tour LIVE ROCKIN' HIGH Vol.Noizy Beat”. Their seventh single, Gypsy Doll, was never released as part of a studio album; instead, it was included in Being Inc.'s compilation album series Best of Best 1000.

On May 1997 they released their final, 10th single Kono Jounetsu no Soba de, which failed to enter the Oricon Weekly Charts. It was used as an ending theme for the TV Asahi program Ryū no Fukumimi.

From June until December of 1997, they held their last live tour LIVE BURST CITY “SWEET PUNKS”. In August, they released their final work in the form of the studio album Sweet Punks. The album failed to chart in the Oricon Weekly Charts. After finishing their final live on December, the band disbanded.

In 1999, their fanclub TROUBLE BEATS was cancelled.[2]

In February 2006, almost 9 years after their final live, the original members from the second lineup gathered together and performed a one-night live LIVE ROCKIN' HIGH Final: “ONE AND ONLY MEMORIES” at hills Live Pan Koujou in Osaka.[3]

Some of their music video clips were released in 2012 in the 2-disc DVD set Legend of 90's J-Rock Best Live & Clips.[4][5][6]

On April 1st, 2019, it was announced that they would resume activities after more than two decades under the recording label Being.[7][8][9][10] On July 14th, they held the one-man live Live Rockin' High 2019: Dreamers in Tokyo for the first time in twelve years.[11] The music video medley has been uploaded on the official YouTube channel of Being Inc. A new official website has been launched as well.

In October 2023, Takayama himself as representative of Zyyg, made guest appearance at the Japan's Anime Song Festival held at Melaka, Malaysia. It became his first stage appearance in oversea since his debut.[12][13]

Discography[edit]

Singles[edit]

Release Day Title Chart[14]
1st 1993/5/19 Kimi ga Hoshikute Tamaranai (君が欲しくてたまらない) 3
collab 1993/6/9 Hateshinai Yume wo (果てしない夢を) 2
2nd 1993/11/10 Kaze ni Mabushii (風にまぶしい) 6
3rd 1994/3/4 Kowashitai Genjitsu (壊したい現実) 24
4th 1994/4/23 NO RETURN LOVE 20
5th 1995/6/26 Zettai ni Dareni mo (ぜったいに 誰も) 3
6th 1995/11/13 Julia 35
7th 1996/7/22 GYPSY DOLL 90
8th 1996/11/1 Something 83
9th 1997/3/5 LULLABY 100
10th 1997/5/21 Kono Jounetsu no Soba de (この情熱のそばで) -

Studio album[edit]

Release Day Title Chart[15]
1st 1994/7/13 Go Wild 13
2nd 1996/2/26 Noizy Beat 24
3rd 1997/8/20 Sweet Punks -

Compilation album[edit]

Release Day Title Chart
2007/12/12 BEST OF BEST 1000 ZYYG[16] 246
2014/12/29 THE BEST OF TV ANIMATION SLAM DUNK ~Single Collection~ HIGH SPEC EDITION[17] 198

Magazine appearances[edit]

From Music Freak Magazine:

  • Vol.11 1995/October[18]
  • Vol.12 1995/November[19]
  • Vol.13 1995/November[20]
  • Vol.15 1996/February[21]
  • Vol.16 1996/March[22]
  • Vol.17 1996/April[23]
  • Vol.20 1996/July[24]
  • Vol.23 1996/October[25]
  • Vol.24 1996/November[26]
  • Vol.25 1996/December[27]
  • Vol.27 1997/February[28]
  • Vol.29 1997/April[29]
  • Vol.30 1997/May[30]
  • Vol.32 1997/July[31]
  • Vol.33 1997/August[32]
  • Vol.34 1997/September[33]
  • Vol.37 1997/December[34]
  • Vol.39 1998/February[35]

From J-Rock Magazine:

  • 1996/April edition[36]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "長戸大幸のロックマインドを重ね合わせた、ZYYGスピリット". Barks. 11 January 2008.
  2. ^ "4D-Jam Biography". Being Music Fantasy (WebArchived. Archived from the original on 2001-02-23.
  3. ^ "Live-report from One ad Only Memories Live". biglobe.jp.
  4. ^ "LEGEND OF 90's J-ROCK BEST LIVE & CLIPS". Beinggiza.com (in Japanese).
  5. ^ "DVD「BEST LIVE & CLIPSシリーズ」-CLIPS編-". Being Inc. Official YouTube Channel (in Japanese).
  6. ^ "1990年代ビーイング・アーティスト秘蔵ミュージック・ビデオ、一挙公開". Barks.com (in Japanese). 3 September 2012.
  7. ^ "ZYYGが20年ぶり再始動、7月に復活ワンマン". Natalie.mu (in Japanese).
  8. ^ "ZYYG、20年の時を経て再結成". Barks.com (in Japanese). April 2019.
  9. ^ "ZYYGが20年ぶり再結成、7月ワンマン開催へ 『スラダン』OP曲がヒット". Oricon News (in Japanese). April 2019.
  10. ^ "ZYYG:スラムダンクOPの人気バンドが20年ぶりに活動再開". Mantan Web (in Japanese). April 2019.
  11. ^ "【ライブレポート】ZYYG、13年ぶり復活ライブで再始動宣言「始まるぞ」". Barks.jp (in Japanese). 16 July 2019.
  12. ^ "Anime music fest sees over 1,000 fans gather in Melaka". The Star. The Star. 2020-03-30. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
  13. ^ "マレーシア世界遺産都市マラッカで、初のアニメ音楽フェス開催!". excite. excite.co.jp. 2020-03-30. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
  14. ^ "Zyyg Single Ranking (Oricon)". Oricon News.
  15. ^ "Zyyg Album Ranking (Oricon)". Oricon News.
  16. ^ "BEST OF BEST 1000 ZYYG (ZYYG)". Oricon News.
  17. ^ "THE BEST OF TV ANIMATION SLAM DUNK~Single Collection~HIGH SPEC EDITION (V.A.)". Oricon News.
  18. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1995 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  19. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1995 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  20. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1995 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  21. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1996 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  22. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1996 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  23. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1996 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  24. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1996 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  25. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1996 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  26. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1996 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  27. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1996 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  28. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1997 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  29. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1997 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  30. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1997 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  31. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1997 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  32. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1997 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  33. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1997 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  34. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1997 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  35. ^ "Music Freak Magazine 1998 Releases". Official Website of Music Freak Magazine (in Japanese).
  36. ^ "Zyyg interview". Official Website of J Rock Magazine (WebArchived) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 1998-05-13.

External links[edit]

  • Official Website [1]
  • Old Official Website [2]
  • Oricon profile (in Japanese)([3])
  • Musing profile (in Japanese) [4]