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Alexandros (band)
Japanese rock band From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Alexandros (アレキサンドロス, Arekisandorosu), stylized as [Alexandros], is a Japanese rock band, managed by UK Project. They are signed to RX-Records and Polydor Records, both under Universal Music Japan. On March 28, 2014, the band renamed from [Champagne] to [Alexandros] from on request from Bureau du Champagne, Japan.[5]
 | This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: New material is missing. (December 2021) |
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Overview
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In 2001, Yoohei Kawakami formed the band [Champagne], with Hiroyuki Isobe joining from the initial lineup. After several changes in members, in 2010 Kawakami, Shirai, Isobe, and then-drummer Ishikawa debuted under RX-RECORDS. In 2014, they changed their name to [Alexandros].
On November 28, 2014, it was announced that the band would be signed to Universal Music Japan, starting from their single "Wataridori / Dracula la" (ワタリドリ, Dracula la) that was released in 2015.[6] Subsequent album and singles since 2015 have been released by Universal Music Japan.[7]
In 2016, the band performed at the SXSW Music Festival as part of the Japan Nite showcase.[8]
The Japanese version of The Legend of Tarzan (film) uses their song "Nawe, Nawe" as its theme song.[9] In 2018, their song "Mosquito Bite" was used as the theme for the live-action film adaptation of Bleach.[10] That same year, the band also contributed the theme song ("Arpeggio") and ending theme ("Your Song") to the Sega video game Judgment.[11] A year later in 2019, their song "PRAY" was used as the theme for the Japanese dub of the MonsterVerse film Godzilla: King of the Monsters.[12]
From 2020 to 2021, the band's lead vocalist Yoohei Kawakami was a guest vocalist of two songs by Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra for the Japanese Tokusatsu drama Kamen Rider Saber.
The original name [Champagne] carried the meaning: “We want the musical intoxication to spread to all — the audience, the staff, ourselves — and let everyone get drunk on the sound.” However, this was a later interpretation; the name was actually borrowed from Oasis’s song “Champagne Supernova.”[13] Kawakami also mentioned in his blog that he picked the name in elementary school simply because he thought it “sounded cool.”[14]
When Kawakami lived in Syria, he had already named a band [Champagne].[15]
Nicknames for the band include “Dros” and “Areki”.[16]
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History
- 2001: Yoohei Kawakami formed a band at Aoyama Gakuin University, continuing musical activities with Hiroyuki Isobe.
- January 20, 2010: Released their 1st album “Where’s My Potato?” from RX-RECORDS and made their official debut.[17]
- March 25, 2014: At the “Premium V.I.P. Party” at EX THEATER ROPPONGI, they announced their name change from [Champagne] to [Alexandros]. The change was due to a request from the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (C.I.V.C.)’s Japan branch.[18]
- March 28, 2014: Officially unveiled the new name at their first Nippon Budokan performance. All past works under [Champagne] were re-released under [Alexandros].
- November 28, 2014: Signed a global partnership deal with Universal Music.
- March 17, 2015: Released the single “Wataridori / Dracula La” from Universal Music Japan, marking their major debut. The music video for “Wataridori” surpassed 100 million views on YouTube by August 7, 2019.[19]
- November 9, 2016: Achieved their first Oricon Chart No.1 with their 6th original album “EXIST!”[20]
- March 14, 2018: Announced the release of their 16th single “KABUTO” (title still unannounced at the time) and that they would change their band name stylization to all uppercase [ALEXANDROS]. Kawakami stated this change was “just on a whim” during his regular radio show.[21]
- August 16, 2018: Held their first outdoor one-man live concert “V.I.P. PARTY 2018” at ZOZO Marine Stadium.
- June 19, 2019: Drummer Satoyasu Shomura suspended live activities due to focal dystonia, with Ib Riad from BIGMAMA stepping in as support drummer.[22]
- January 1, 2020: Announced a new band logo and reverted their stylization from [ALEXANDROS] back to [Alexandros] with a lowercase format.
- January 24, 2020: Announced that Satoyasu Shomura would retire from the band after the release of their “best of” album (originally planned for May).[23] A special YouTube livestream featuring the members discussing his retirement was held at 9 PM the same day. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the album release was postponed to January 2021, thus delaying Shomura’s retirement, which was again delayed to March 2021 after another emergency declaration.[24]
- April 10, 2021: Ib Riad, who had been supporting the band, officially joined as a full member.[25]
- October 26–27, 2024: [Alexandros] hosted their first self-produced festival “THIS FES ‘24 in Sagamihara” at Sagamihara Gion Field, commemorating the 70th anniversary of Sagamihara’s city status.
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Band members
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(Unless otherwise noted, based on the official website’s “Biography”)[26]
Current members
- Yoohei Kawakami (川上 洋平, Kawakami Yōhei; born June 22, 1982) – vocals, guitar (2007–present)
- Graduated from the Faculty of Law of Aoyama Gakuin University.[27]
- He is responsible for writing and composing almost all of the band’s songs.[28]
- He grew up in Syria and sings in both English with a Middle Eastern accent and Japanese.[29]
- Hiroyuki Isobe (磯部 寛之, Isobe Hiroyuki; born December 29, 1982) – bass guitar, backing vocals (2007–present)
- Also graduated from the Faculty Of Law of Aoyama Gakuin University.
- He began playing the bass at age 15 after watching a friend play.[30]
- Masaki Shirai (白井 眞輝, Shirai Masaki; born December 12, 1982) – guitar (2007–present)
- Ib Riad (リアド 偉武, Riado Ibu, born October 25, 1985) — drums (2021–present)
- Joined as a support member after the previous drummer, Satoyasu Shomura, went on hiatus in 2019.
- He left Bigmama in May 2020, and joined as a full member of [Alexandros] on April 10, 2021.[34]
Former members
- Hiroki Ishikawa (石川 博基, Ishikawa Hiroki; born September 22, 1982) – drums (2007–2010)
- Left the band on March 1, 2010.
- Appeared in early music videos like “For Freedom” and is pictured on the back cover of the first album “Where’s My Potato?”.
- Satoyasu Shomura (庄村 聡泰, Shōmura Satoyasu; born March 21, 1984) – drums (2010–2021)
- Joined as an official member on April 1, 2010.
- From June 2019, he went on a hiatus from live performances due to focal dystonia.[35]
- In January 2020, he announced his retirement with the release of the band’s best-of album in May 2020.
- His last live performance was on March 20–21, 2021, at Makuhari Messe, during the band’s 10th anniversary concert.
- In 2021, he launched a fashion project, Snack NGL, alongside fashion stylists and buyers. He also became a writer for an interview series called “Kiki Mimi” on the Pia website and app.
- In 2024, he joined Dr.DOWNER as a member.
Support members
- Rose – keyboard (original group: The Led Snail)
- Mullon - guitar (original group: The Led Snail)
Timeline
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Appearances
TV variety appearance
- Welcome! [Alexandros] (Formerly known as: Welcome! [Champagne]) (June 2013 – March 2017, Space Shower TV ) [36]
Radio appearance
Movie
- Kyou no Kira-kun (February 25, 2017) – Yoohei as an English Teacher, Cameo Appearance
Advertising
- Apparel Brand 「glamb」 (2015–2016) – Yoohei as a model for the Spring Collection [39]
CMs
- NTT DOCOMO「DOCOMO's Student Discount 『Ayanoxandros？』」(2017)
- Tokyo Metro 「Find My Tokyo. 『Asakusa – Fun continues to live』」(2018) [40]
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Discography
Studio albums
Singles
DVD releases
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Music videos
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Except for a few, each music video includes about 30 seconds of bonus footage at the end.
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Awards and nominations
- Space Shower Music Awards
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Tours and concerts
Japan
- Rock in Japan Festival with Various Artists (2010)[49]
- Summer Sonic Festival with Various Artists (2010)[50]
- Rock in Japan Festival with Various Artists (2011)[51]
- Summer Sonic Festival with Various Artists (2011)
- Kasabian Japan Tour with [Champagne] as supporting act (2012)[52]
- Rock in Japan Festival with Various Artists (2012)[53]
- Rising Sun Rock Festival with Various Artists (2012)[54]
- Muse Japan Tour with [Champagne] as supporting act (2013)[55][56]
- Primal Scream Japan Tour with [Champagne] as supporting act (2013)[57][58]
- Summer Sonic Festival with Various Artists (2013)
- Fuji Rock Festival with Various Artists (2015)
- Summer Sonic Festival with Various Artists (2016)
Overseas
- The Great Escape Festival in UK with Various Artists (2013)[59]
- SXSW Music Festival in US with Various Artists (2014)[60]
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See also
References
External links
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