Lazy (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder | Hironobu Kageyama, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Akira Takasaki |
| Headquarters | Osaka , Japan |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
| Website | www |
is a Japanese rock ensemble established in 1973 by schoolmates Hironobu Kageyama, Hiroyuki Tanaka, and Akira Takasaki.
History
Formed in 1973, Lazy initially consisted of Kageyama, Tanaka, and Takasaki, later joined by drummer Munetaka Higuchi and keyboardist Shunji Inoue. Their name was inspired by Deep Purple's song "Lazy." Although their original musical direction leaned toward hard rock, the band was promoted as a pop idol group aimed at Japanese youth, utilizing stage names, costumes, and carefully produced singles. Their debut single, "Hey! I Love You!," was released on July 25, 1977.
With the release of their third album Rock Diamond in 1979, which was partly recorded in Hawaii, Lazy began composing much of their own music and transitioned from pop rock to a heavier rock style. While their fourth album Lazy V did not feature any self-written tracks, it continued to embrace a rock sound. In the summer of 1980, during their tour, the band publicly committed to hard rock and later that year issued the album Earth Ark. This album, adorned with artwork by Noriyoshi Ohrai, became their highest-selling record. Despite this achievement, Lazy announced their disbandment during a concert on February 18, 1981, officially ending activities on May 31. As the eldest member and leader, Higuchi attempted negotiations with management; however, disagreements led all members to depart simultaneously. After disbanding, the members embarked on solo ventures in soundtrack composition or formed new groups such as Loudness.
From 1997 onwards, Lazy reunited sporadically for recording sessions and tours. Bassist Tanaka passed away from heart failure in 2006 at age 46; drummer Higuchi died in 2008 at age 49. In 2009, the group collaborated with Kageyama's JAM Project to produce a new rendition of for the anime Shin Mazinger Shogeki! Z Hen, performing under the name "Ultimate Lazy for Mazinger." They followed this with the single "Reckless" in 2011 for the second installment of the Towa no Quon film series.
Members
- Vocals: Hironobu "Michell" Kageyama
- Guitar: Akira "Suzy" Takasaki
- Keyboard: Shunji "Pocky" Inoue
- Former members
- Bass: Hiroyuki "Funny" Tanaka (deceased 2006)
- Drums: Munetaka "Davy" Higuchi (deceased 2008)
- Additional contributors
- Tamio Okuda and Kazuyoshi Saito have participated in various Lazy projects following the passing of Tanaka and Higuchi.
Studio albums
- This is the Lazy (1978/03/05)
- Dream a Dream (1978/12/05)
- Rock Diamond (1979/09/05)
- Lazy V (1980/04/05)
- Happy Time (1998/07/21)
EPs
- Angelique: Eien no Yakusoku (2001/01/24)
- Zone of the Enders (2001/05/23)
Live albums
- Lazy wo Oikakero (1978/05/06)
- Moetsukita Seishun (1981/04/05)
- Happy Time Tour '98: Kuro Zukin no Nasu ga Mama (1998/04/21)
Compilation albums
- Collection – Jounetsu no Seishun (1979/03/21)
- Best Hit Lazy (1980/12/01)
- Best (1981)
- Best Collection 1977–1981 (1999/02/21)
- Hit Collection (1999/11/20)
- Golden Best (2004/12/22)
Singles
| Title | Release date |
|---|---|
| Hey! I Love You! | July 25, 1977 |
| Camouflage | October 25, 1977 |
| Akazukin Chan Goyoujin | October 25, 1977 |
| Moeru Rock 'n' Roll Fire | May 5, 1978 |
| Jigoku no Tenshi | July 25, 1978 |
| Hello Hello Hello | October 25, 1978 |
| Ai ni wa Ai wo | May 2, 1979 |
| Baby I Make a Motion | June 5, 1979 |
| Midnight Boxer | January 5, 1980 |
| Kanashimi wo Buttobase | May 21, 1980 |
| Kanjite Night | August 21, 1980 |
| Glass no Heart | April 5, 1981 |
| Ultra High | March 21, 1998 |
| Pray | December 16, 1998 |
| Angelique ~Eien no Yakusoku~ | January 24, 2001 |
| Zone of the Enders | May 23, 2001 |
| Kanjite Knight (feat. Tamio Okuda, Saito Kazuyoshi & JAM Project) | April 22, 2009 |
| Reckless | July 13, 2011 |
Videography
- Happy Time Tour '98 ~Kuro Zukin no Nasu ga Mama~ (Released: 1998/10/21)
- Lazy Live 2002 Uchuusen Chikyuugou II ~Regenerate of a Lasting Worth~ (Released: 2002/06/04)