Color (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 in Osaka, Japan |
| Founder | Dynamite Tommy |
| Headquarters | Osaka , Japan |
| Products | Punk rock music, Visual kei music |
Color (presented as COLOR) was a Japanese punk rock ensemble originating from Osaka in 1985, led by vocalist Dynamite Tommy, who went on to establish the Free-Will record label the following year. They are acknowledged as pivotal figures in the development of visual kei, frequently likened within their region to X Japan. Their inaugural album Gekitotsu was recognized by the music publication Band Yarouze as one of the standout albums released between 1989 and 1998.
History
The band Color came together in Osaka in 1985 under the leadership of vocalist Dynamite Tommy. In 1986, Tommy launched the Free-Will label, which issued the band's debut release, "Molt Grain" (1987). Their first full-length album, Gekitotsu, was released in January 1988. Following their sophomore album Fools! Get Lucky!!, Color secured a contract with Crown Records and produced their sole major label studio album, Ask the Angels. It was reported that the label insisted on translating their lyrics from English into Japanese to enhance market appeal. This approach proved effective as Ask the Angels climbed to number 16 on the Oricon Albums Chart, significantly elevating their profile.
In January 1990, during a concert tour supporting Ask the Angels in Osaka, a tragic incident occurred when a fan died after being unintentionally stomped. This event led the group to retreat from public appearances and resulted in the termination of their contract with Crown. During this period of inactivity, Tommy formed Sister's No Future alongside Ken-chan from Kamaitachi, while Marry collaborated with You Adachi of Dead End to create Goatcore.
Color resumed performing with a concert in August 1990 and released the single "The Exhibition" in July 1991. In March 1993, they embarked on a tour alongside Genkaku Allergy. Their final album, Galaxy (1994), showcased a new direction by incorporating electronic dance influences. The band’s last live performance took place in 1995 before they quietly disbanded; their inactivity eventually led to official acknowledgment of their breakup by music media outlets in 1997.
On June 14, 2002, bassist Marry passed away due to a car accident. Beginning with the first anniversary of his death, the band held annual "Marry Memorial" concerts, reuniting for these commemorations in 2008.
Members
- Hiroshi "Dynamite Tommy" Tomioka – vocals (1985–1997, 2003, 2008; initially guitarist)
- Tatsuya Niimi – guitar (1986–1997, 2003, 2008)
- Cindy – guitar (1986–1997, 2003, 2008)
- Naotaka "Marry" Nakano – bass (1988–1997)†
- Toshi – drums (1988–1997, 2003, 2008)
Former members
- Iku – vocals (1985)
- Bell – bass (1985)
- Hide – drums (1985)
- Ikuo – bass (1986)
- Hideki – drums (1986)
- Takahashi – drums (1986–1988)
- Remmy – bass (1987–1988), support bass on June 14, 2008
- Den – support bass on June 14, 2003 (former roadie; By-Sexual, Zigzo)
Singles
- "Molt Grain" (March 23, 1987)
- "Sandbag Baby I" (November 23, 1988)
- "Sandbag Baby II" (November 26, 1988)
- "Broken Tavern" (June 6, 1989) Peak Position: No. 65
- "Back Tonight 5th Moon" (February 21, 1990) No. 27
- "Some Become Stranger" (August 21, 1990) No. 31
- "The Exhibition" (July 21, 1991)
Studio albums
- Gekitotsu (released January 21, 1988)
- Fools! Get Lucky!! (issued March 8, 1989)
- Ask the Angels (launched December 5, 1989) — Highest Chart Position: No. 16
- Cherry's World (published July 31, 1992)
- Galaxy (released October 1994)
Additional Albums
- Extremism: Best of Color (compilation, March 16, 1991) — Charted at No. 43
- Color Live! Shock Treatment and Rebirth (live recording, August 21, 1991) — Reached No. 98
- Remind (self-cover collection, December 25, 1992)
- The Best (compilation album, December 16, 1996)
- Memoir 5 (tribute album, September 14, 2005)
Video Releases
- Shock Treatment (October 7, 1989)
- Overwhelming Superiority (May 21, 1990)
- Rebirth (December 16, 1990)
- Land of Revolution (May 21, 1991)
- The Exhibition (July 17, 1991; distributed exclusively at Kawasaki Club live event)