Jump to content

Oblivion Dust

From Alfawiki
Oblivion Dust
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1996
Defunct2001 (initially)
FateReunited in 2007
Headquarters
Japan
Area served
Japan, United States
ProductsMusic albums, singles
ParentAvex Group (previously), Nayutawave Records (Universal Music Japan subsidiary)
Websitewww.obliviondust.com

Oblivion Dust is a rock ensemble from Japan that was active from 1996 until 2001 before reuniting in 2007. Initially drawing inspiration from early 1990s American grunge, their musical style evolved post-reunion toward straightforward alternative rock. They are distinguished within Japan for composing and performing the majority of their tracks in fluent English.

1996–2001: Origins and dissolution

Following the dissolution of Addict of the Trip Minds in May 1995 due to creative disagreements, drummer Taka Motomura and bassist Derek Forbes established a new group with the intention of creating a "western style" band. By early 1996, guitarist Kazuhito "K.A.Z" Iwaike and vocalist/guitarist Ken Lloyd had joined the lineup. Their debut album was recorded in Los Angeles under the production of Ray McVeigh. Shortly after recording, Forbes departed and was succeeded by support bassist Koozie "Jer Koozie" Johns, followed by Matt Garrett who became an official member.

With backing from hide (musician), they secured a contract with Avex Group’s alternative label Cutting Edge. In September 1996, the band adopted the name Oblivion Dust and made their debut under this moniker in November.

Their initial releases featured the singles "Sucker" (January 1997) and "Numb" (March 1997), which preceded a tour along the US West Coast. Their first album, Looking for Elvis, was released in June 1997. After touring both Japan and the United States, Matt Garrett exited mid-year.

Bassist Rikiji Masuda officially joined in January 1998. That same month, they opened for UK electronic act The Prodigy in Tokyo before an audience of 10,000. Throughout that year, they released two singles and their sophomore album Misery Days, conducted extensive tours across Japan and the US, and experienced a lineup change with Souta "Furuton" Oofuruton replacing Taka Motomura on drums.

In 1999, Oblivion Dust put out four singles alongside their album Reborn and debuted their first video titled "Overdose." Their touring schedule included performances with artists such as Marilyn Manson and Zilch. They briefly launched their fan club Embryo in September and introduced their official website in December.

The year 2000 featured a nationwide tour supporting Reborn, establishment of an official fan club, contribution of the track "S.O.S." to the Japanese edition of the Mission: Impossible 2 soundtrack, sold-out concerts including appearances at Summer Sonic Festival, two singles, release of the album Butterfly Head, and their second video production. Following their December 23 performance at Tokyo Bay NK Hall, bassist Rikiji departed.

In January 2001, support guitarist Masaru "May" Yoshida was promoted to full membership while Ju-ken joined as support bassist. Despite these changes, on June 30 Oblivion Dust announced their disbandment. Their final release was a compilation entitled Radio Songs ~ Best of Oblivion Dust. The band concluded with farewell concerts on September 22 and 23 named "Last Two Nights Thank You & Good Bye".

2007–present: Reunion

On June 28, 2007, Ken Lloyd, K.A.Z, and Rikiji reunited for two performances titled "Resurrected" on September 8 and 9. Prior to releasing their self-titled album on January 23, 2008, they issued three digital singles over three consecutive weeks. The album was offered in standard and limited editions; the latter included a DVD featuring footage from the September 9 show as well as the music video for "Never Ending".

In early 2008, Oblivion Dust embarked on a brief tour celebrating their comeback and appeared at the hide memorial summit on May 4 alongside X Japan and Luna Sea. They performed their rendition of hide's "Genkai Haretsu," which had originally been recorded for the 1998 tribute compilation Tribute Spirits.

Mid-2008 saw the release of the double A-side single "Girl in Mono/Bed of Roses", with plans for an album release in early 2009; however, this was postponed due to members’ involvement in side projects.

Towards the end of 2010, the group announced Ashes to Dust 2011 with two concerts scheduled at Shibuya-AX in February. Their official fan club Overdose was reinstated on March 1. From June 11 to July 18, they conducted their first nationwide tour in three years entitled Re-Creation Tour 2011. The final performance was broadcast live via Ustream and attracted an international audience exceeding 8,000 viewers. On December 14, 2011, Oblivion Dust unveiled "Tune," marking their first new release in over three years.

Their sixth studio album, 9 Gates for Bipolar, was released on April 11, 2012 under Nayutawave Records, a Universal Music Japan subsidiary. The record includes "Sail Away," featuring Anna Tsuchiya—K.A.Z’s former bandmate from Spin Aqua. Three days following its release, they commenced their nationwide Static Sound Tour 2012.

Members

  • Kentaro "Ken" Lloyd – lead vocals (1996–2001, 2007–present)
  • Kazuhito "K.A.Z" Iwaike – guitar (1995–2001, 2007–present)
  • Rikiji Masuda – bass guitar (1998–2000, 2007–present)
Support musicians
  • Yuji – guitar (2011–present; also guitarist for Rikiji's project Mega8Ball)
  • Arimatsu – drums (2011–present; has worked with groups such as Vamps and Anna Tsuchiya)
Past members
  • Derek Forbes – bass (1995–1996)
  • Matt Garrett – bass (1997)
  • Taka Motomura – drums (1995–1998)
  • Souta "Furuton" Oofuruton – drums (1998–2001)
  • Masaru "May" Yoshida – guitar (2001, support guitarist 1998–2000)
Former support musicians
  • Koozie "Jer Koozie" Johns – bass (selected performances in 1996)
  • Josh Lazie – bass (1997)
  • Ju-ken – bass (2001)
  • Masuo – drums (2007–2008; collaborated with artists including J and Ken's band Fake?)
  • Pablo – guitar (2007–2011; formerly with Giraffe, also supported Fake? and Takui Nakajima, currently part of hard rock band Pay Money to My Pain)

Discography

Studio albums
  • Looking for Elvis (June 25, 1997)
  • Misery Days (July 23, 1998)
  • Reborn (December 26, 1999), peaked at No. 69 on Oricon Albums Chart
  • Butterfly Head (November 22, 2000), reached No. 50
  • Oblivion Dust (January 23, 2008), attained No. 59
  • 9 Gates for Bipolar (April 11, 2012), peaked at No. 54
  • Dirt (July 20, 2016, mini-album), ranked No. 49
  • Shadows (November 1, 2022, mini-album), reached No. 19 on Oricon Digital Albums Chart
Singles
  • "Sucker" (January 22, 1997)
  • "Numb" (March 26, 1997)
  • "Falling" (May 20, 1997)
  • "Therapy" (March 25, 1998)
  • "Trust" (May 20, 1998)
  • "Blurred" (January 13, 1999; released in two versions)
  • "You" (March 25, 1999), peaked at No. 68 on Oricon Singles Chart
  • "Goodbye" (October 27, 1999), reached No. 65
  • "Crazy" (December 26, 1999), attained No. 79
  • "Forever" (July 12, 2000), ranked No. 60
  • "Designer Fetus" (September 27, 2000), peaked at No. 35
  • "Girl in Mono/Bed of Roses" (August 27, 2008), reached No. 86
Digital singles
  • "Haze" (December 26, 2007)
  • "When You Say" (January 2, 2008)
  • "Never Ending" (January 9, 2008)
  • "Tune" (December 14, 2011)
  • "Swarm" (May 31, 2024)
Compilation albums
  • Radio Songs ~ Best of Oblivion Dust (August 8, 2001), peaked at No. 46
  • Single Collection (December 27, 2001; box set including eleven singles plus a live CD)
Additional contributions
VHS & DVD releases
  • Overdose (live concert VHS: October 27, 1999; live concert DVD: March 27, 2000)
  • Oblivion Dust - The Video (music videos VHS: July 12, 2000)
  • Oblivion Dust - The DVD (music videos DVD: September 19, 2001)
Limited edition items
  • Video Therapy, VHS of April 3, 1999 concert at Hibiya
  • Dear Embryo, CD issued exclusively to fan club members in September 1999
  • Free Sample Edit, mini disc featuring six tracks from the single "Forever," available July 2000
  • Forever -English Version-, CD from December 23, 2000 concert at Tokyo Bay NK Hall
  • Oblivion Dust Last Two Nights "Thank You & Goodbye", VHS distributed by request in late 2001
  • Sail Away (Ken Lloyd version), iTunes Japan exclusive released April 11, 2012
  • Roads to Oblivion, DVD launched November 26, 2014; peaked at No. 38 on Oricon DVDs Chart

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Oblivion_Dust&oldid=83367"