Luna Sea

Related Tags: Luna Sea Extras

Vocals: Ryuichi (Ryuichi Kawamura / 河村隆一)
Lead guitar/violin: Sugizo (Yasuhiro Sugihara / 杉原悠)
Rhythm guitar: Inoran (Shinobu Inoue / 井上清信)
Bass: J (Jun Onose / 小野瀬潤)
Drums: Shinya (Shinya Yamada / 山田真矢)

Having formed in 1989, Luna Sea were reportedly discovered by the late Hideto Matsumoto (lead guitarist of X Japan) and signed by X Japan founder Yoshiki Hayashi to his independent label Extasy Records.

Luna Sea released their self-titled debut album in 1991. Seven more studio albums and several singles and VHS/DVD releases would follow throughout the '90s, along with the band gradually dropping its original visual kei aesthetics in favor of a more casual look.

By 1996 the group's popularity had reached the point at which it would fill the Tokyo Dome, Japan's largest live venue. Four years later, the stadium would also host the band's farewell concerts.

Having already been on a year-long hiatus between releases of their albums 'Shine' and 'Lunacy', Luna Sea decided to disband after two more performances on 26 and 27 December in 2000.

Since then, the members have either pursued solo careers (Ryuichi and J), new bands (Inoran with Fake?) or collaborations with other musicians (such as the short-lived The Flare by Sugizo and Lazy Knack vocalist Yuna).

Shinya mostly retired from the music industry after marrying Aya Ishiguro of the J-pop girl group Morning Musume. Recently, Inoran has left Fake? and reunited with Ryuichi to form Tourbillon in 2005.

In December 2006 it was reported that Sugizo might be joining a collaboration between Yoshiki and J-pop/rock artist Gackt.