Doremidan
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | January 1, 2002 |
| Founder | Makoto, Reika |
| Defunct | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Osaka , Japan |
| Products | Music albums, singles, DVDs |
was a Japanese visual kei rock ensemble established on January 1, 2002, by vocalist Makoto and drummer Reika. The group was affiliated with the Akatsuki record label.
Musical styles
Doremidan's sound blended elements from jazz, swing, blues, tango, and rock'n'roll. Their name originates from The Beatles' track "Don't Let Me Down," pronounced quickly with a Japanese accent as Doremidan.
Former members
- Makoto (マコト) – vocals, accordion (2002–)
- Ken – guitar (2003–)
- Ryu (龍) – guitar (2003–)
- Reika (零華) – drums (2002–)
- Maya – bass, contra bass (2003–2004)
- Haruhi – guitar (2002)
- Ko-Zi – bass (2002)
- Syuren – guitar (support member, 2002)
- Shinji (シンジ) – bass (2005–2009)
Biography
Originating in Osaka as a session band, Doremidan initially consisted of Makoto on vocals, Haruhi on guitar, Ko-Zi handling bass duties, and Reika on drums. Following their inaugural solo concert on December 12, 2002, Haruhi, Ko-Zi, and support guitarist Syuren exited the lineup. The band briefly halted activities to onboard Ken and Ryu as guitarists and Maya on bass and contra bass, resuming performances in early 2003.
Their first release featuring the refreshed lineup was the maxi-single Shinshoku Doremi Techou, which marked a transition in songwriting responsibilities from Haruhi to Maya and Ken, while Makoto continued to pen lyrics. This single sold out its initial 3,000 copies on the day of release.
In October 2004, Maya departed following a brief solo tour and was succeeded by Shinji in 2005. That same year saw the release of Doremidan's debut full-length album, Gekijou Shouroku.
After pausing activities in August 2007 due to Makoto's family matters, the band made a comeback in March 2008. They issued the compilation album Onkai Chronicle in March and followed it with the studio album Yuugure Line in May, which garnered mixed reactions from their fanbase.
On January 23, 2010, Doremidan welcomed new bassist Yuu during a live performance. Their first major label album, Don't Let Me Down, was released in December 2009.
The group officially disbanded after completing their final tour in 2012, culminating with a farewell concert on March 20 at Akasaka Blitz.
Albums and EPs
- Retujou Lullaby (劣情ららばい) (June 23, 2004) (Mini-album)
- Gekijou Shouroku (激情抄録) (March 23, 2005)
- Kaleidoscope (カレイドスコープ) (July 5, 2006)
- Onkai Chronicle (カレイドスコープ) (March 5, 2008)
- Yuugure Line (夕暮ライン) (May 7, 2008)
Singles
- "Kabocha no Basha wa Mach Go! Go!" (カボチャの馬車はマッハGO!GO!) (August 8, 2002)
- "Akai Kutsu" (赤い靴) (December 12, 2002)
- "Shinshoku Doremi Techou" (眞色ドレミ手帖) (April 4, 2003)
- "Kyoushuu Elegy Triple Play" (郷愁悲歌三重殺) (August 8, 2003)
- "Subarashiki kana Kata Soubo" (素晴らしきかな過多想募) (September 29, 2003)
- "Kono Ame no Mukou ni..." (この雨の向こうに...) (October 13, 2003)
- "Hatsukoi Monogatari" (はつ恋物語り) (October 18, 2003)
- "Pocket ni Garakuta wo..." (ポケットにがらくたを...) (April 4, 2004)
- "Rensou Yuugi" (戀想遊戯) (April 16, 2005)
- "Higanbana / Down By Low" (彼岸花) (July 27, 2005)
- "Ensei Romanesque" (厭世ロマネスク) (November 23, 2005)
- "Tokyo Tragedy" (東京トラジェディー) (January 7, 2006)
- "Sangatsu" (傘月) (April 19, 2006)
- "Tsuisou no Shinkirou" (追想ノ蜃気楼) (May 16, 2006)
- "The Faust" (ザ・ファウスト) (June 14, 2006)
- "Mugen Yoto ~Maboroshi Lamp~" (夢幻洋灯 ～まぼろしらんぷ～) (November 15, 2006)
- "Wakaba no Kioku" (ワカバノキヲク) (March 21, 2007)
- "Girl Hunt" (ガァルハント) (July 4, 2007)
- "Seishun Roll Over" (青春ロールオーバー) (August 6, 2008)
- "Hello!! Brand New Day" (ハロー!! ブランニューデイ) (March 27, 2009)
DVDs
- Tokyo Himehajime 2 - Live at Liquid Room Ebisu on January 7, 2006 (東京姫始メ2 -2006.1.7 LIVE at LIQUID ROOM ebisu-) (Released August 15, 2006)
- Tokyo Himehajime 3 - Live at Shibuya Club Quattro on January 7, 2007 (東京姫始メ3 -2007.1.7 LIVE at SHIBUYA CLUB QUATTRO-) (Released May 30, 2007)
- Tokyo Onkai Selection '08 (東京音階セレクション'08; Tokyo Musical Scale Selection '08) (Released December 17)
Demo tape
- "Chocolate Candy" (チョコレエトキャンディ) (Issued March 3, 2002)