History
2003-2006: Formation
Formed in 2003 in Chiba, Shuu and Nii had been friends since elementary school, the earliest incarnation of the band made its first performance while the members were still in high school. Girugamesh began playing gigs with their current lineup in 2004, until they were signed to record label Gaina-Japan. Their first major single, "Kaisen Sengen" was ranked #10 on the Oricon Indies chart. In 2005, Girugamesh embarked on a nation-wide tour, after which they released their first live DVD, featuring footage from the tour, and after more touring, released an EP, Goku - Shohankei Enban.
In 2007, Girugamesh was signed to the European label Gan-Shin. The band then was part of a 9-band Japanese rock festival in Los Angeles, California called "J-Rock Revolution". They were part of the second night alongside Merry, D'espairsRay, and Mucc[5]. Around the time of J-Rock Revolution, some of the performing bands released material on the iTunes Music Store, including Girugamesh. On this, Ryo has commented that "if you really like the band after the initial listen, you will buy the original CD."
2007-present: Girugamesh and international success
In the summer of 2007, Girugamesh released an EP entitled Reason of Crying, and in December released their eponymous album,Girugamesh.
In 2008, in support of Girugamesh, the band toured in both Japan and Europe, under the tour title "Stupid Tour '08". The Japanese leg had Girugamesh performing throughout Japan, and later in January, the band toured Europe for the first time, visiting Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Finland.Following their European tour, Girugamesh continued the "Stupid Tour '08 in Japan". In March, Girugamesh returned to touring visiting venues all over Japan including Okinawa.
Following a performance at Wacken Open Air, a support tour for Girugamesh will occur, entitled "Shining Tour '08". The first performances will endure through July, visiting Osaka andNagoya, with one finale performance in August at the Liquidroom in Tokyo. Concerts in July will feature second acts, including Gelugugu, Tr. Dan, Sel'm, Dogma, and Deathgaze, while the tour finale show will be a one-man performance, with only Girugamesh.
In July 2008, an English version of their website was activated; shortly after this, the band announced they would release their debut American album, with Girugamesh being sold exclusively through Hot Topic stores.
The band's third full-length album, titled Music, was released on November 5, 2008. After a lengthy Japan tour throughout the first quarter of 2009, the band made its second appearance in the United States, showcased at Sakura Con in Seattle, Washington. Not long after the end of "Crazy Tour 2009" they released the live DVD "Crazy Crazy Crazy" on June 3rd. Another release was announced to be out on July 10th but this time it was a single named "Alive" which they had been playing for the audiences during the end of their "Crazy Tour". Just a month later on August 5th the single "Border" came out along with "Crying Rain" on October 7th. On December 16th they released the fourth album with the name "NOW" and this will be the name of their tour in 2010.
The band will have a live titled NEW ALBUM RELEASE "PREMIUM ONEMAN SHOW 2010" on January 31th at Shinkiba STUDIO COAST, and at the same time, the members tweeted in real time through musicJAPANplus before the live began. The live which was the first gig for the band in 2010, had been a great success and the setlist of that day included 17 songs for the main show, plus two encores, with two and three songs each.
Meme
The band is a slightly popular internet meme after a 2009 Sakura-Con commercial, when people are discussing things from Japan which they like, a man dressed in all black comes out and says "Girugamesh!" This eventually became a popular image on the website 4chan
Members
- Satoshi (左迅) – vocals, lyricist
- Nii (弐) – guitar
- Shuu (愁) – bass guitar
- Яyo (亮) – drums, primary songwriter
- Former members
- Cyrien – vocals (2003, now with Sel'm)
- Hotaru – guitar (2003-2004)
[edit]Discography
- Albums
- 13's Reborn (September 27, 2006)
- Girugamesh (December 26, 2007)
- Music (November 5, 2008)
- NOW (December 16, 2009)
- Extended plays
- Goku -Shohan Gata Enban- (May 25, 2005)
- Reason of Crying (July 18, 2007)
- Singles
- "Jelato" (August 3, 2004, distributed single)
- "Kaisen Sengen -Kikaku Gata Enban-" (August 15, 2004)
- "Mikongyaku" (August 24, 2004)
- "Kuukyo no Utsuwa -Kyosaku Gata Enban-" (December 25, 2004)
- "Kosaki Uta -Kaijou Gata Enban-" (February 8, 2005)
- "Senyuu Kyoutou Uta" (split CD with Marusa, April 20, 2005)
- "Kyozetsusareta Tsukue -Tandoku Gata Enban-" (June 17, 2005)
- "Fukai no Yami -Mayosake Gata Enban-" (September 14, 2005)
- "Honnou Kaihou -Kakusei Gata Enban-" (November 30, 2005)
- "Risei Kairan -Ranchou Gata Enban-" (November 30, 2005)
- "Rei -Zero- -Mukei Gata Enban-" (April 5, 2006)
- "Omae ni Sasageru Minikui Koe" (April 12, 2006)
- "Volcano" (DVD single, March 14, 2007)
- "Alive" (June 10, 2009)
- "Border" (August 5, 2009)
- "Crying Rain" (October 7, 2009)
- Demos
- Live DVD
- "Crazy Crazy Crazy" June 3rd, 2009
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