-_-_-_YOEHWN_-_-_-: Aqua Timez

Aqua Timez is a Japanese pop and rock band signed to Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The band is well known for their inspirational lyrics and their use of unique musical techniques.

History

Aqua Timez was formed in 2000 after two of the original members, the vocalist and bassist, met on the internet and discovered that they attended the same university. At the time of their formation with all their current members in 2003, the band's name was Aqua Times, the correct spelling of their current name. During this period, the band released a mini-album and a single, but they were self-produced and did not sell many copies.

The band renamed themselves to Aqua Timez in 2005. Their first release under this name was Sora Ippai ni Kanaderu Inori, a mini-album which was released on August 24, 2005 It charted well, peaking at #1 on the Oricon weekly album charts in February 2006.

Alones PV in Shibuya

In 2006, the group signed the major label Sony Music Entertainment Japan and went on to release Nanairo no Rakugaki, their second mini-album with seven songs. Their first single, "Ketsui no Asa Ni", was then used as a song in the movie adaptation of Brave Story. Later in the same year, it was announced that they would provide the theme song to Bleach: Memories of Nobody, the movie version of the anime and manga series Bleach.^[1] The song, "Sen no Yoru wo Koete" (千の夜をこえて^?, lit. "Passing Over a Thousand Nights"), entered the Oricon singles chart at number 5 and went on to sell over 100,000 copies.

Later that year, the band's first full length album, Kaze o Atsumete, was released and reached a peak position of third on the Oricon charts. Since its release, the album has sold over 200,000 copies. "Shiori", their third single, was used in commercials for a brand of soft drink known as Mitsuya Cider and was number 5 on the Oricon charts.

The following year in 2007 the band returned to Bleach. Their fourth single, "Alones", was used as the 6th opening song for the anime and climbed to the #3 spot on the Oricon.^[2]

More recently in 2007, the band produced their 5th single Chiisana Tenohira (#5 on the Oricon), and their second full-length album Dareka no Chijōe was released on November 21.^[3]

Half a year after the release of their last single, they released their 6th single "Niji", which was used as the theme song for Gokusen 3.

On October 1, 2008, their 7th single "Natsu no Kakera" was released.

On January 14, 2009, Aqua Timez released a single called "Velonica", which was used as the 9th opening of Bleach.

On March 4, 2009, they released their 9th single "Stay Gold" followed by their third full album Utai Sarishi Hana on the 11th which has been certified Gold by RIAJ for shipment of 100,000 copies.^[4]

The band released their 10th single "Plumeria: Hana Uta" on 29 July 2009 in which it was used as the theme song for the movie Gokusen.

They have also released a compilation album of their best songs on October 14, 2009. The album contained a newly recorded song called "Saigo Made". This album scored the band's first #1 on the Oricon weekly chart since they signed the major label Sony.

Members

Vocal： Futoshi Kawasaki (太志川崎^?)

Birthdate: May 10, 1980
Blood Type: O

Bass： OKP-STAR ((おーけーぴーすたー), Ōkēpī-Sutā^?)

Birthdate: March 25, 1977
Blood Type: A

Guitar, Programming： Daisuke (大介^?)

Birthdate: April 12, 1977
Blood Type: A

Keyboard： mayuko ((マユコ)^?)

Birthdate: September 18, 1977
Blood Type: A

Drums： TASSHI ((たっしー)^?)

Birthdate: August 21, 1978
Blood Type: A

Former Members

Drums: Abiko ((アビコ)^?)

Birthdate: February, 21
TASSHI replaced Abiko after the single, "Ketsui no Asa ni".

Singles

Ketsui no Asa Ni (決意の朝に) (Released July 5, 2006; Oricon: #4)
1. Ketsui no Asa Ni (決意の朝に; In the Morning of Decision)
2. Ayumi (歩み; Walking)
3. Sabishiki Warera (淋しき我ら; Lonely Us)
4. Ketsui no Asa Ni (Instrumental Mix)
Sen no Yoru wo Koete (千の夜をこえて) (Released November 22, 2006; Oricon: #5)
1. Sen no Yoru wo Koete (千の夜をこえて; Passing Over the Thousandth Night)
2. Sen no Yoru wo Koete (Instrumental Mix)
Shiori (しおり) (Released May 9, 2007; Oricon: #4)
1. Shiori (しおり; Bookmark)
2. Yume Fuusen (夢風船; Dream Balloon)
ALONES (Released August 1, 2007; Oricon; #3)
1. ALONES
2. Akatsuki (暁; Daybreak)
3. Mr. Roadrunner (DJ Mass'Skate Sonic* Remix)(Mr.ロードランナー; Mr.Roodorannaa)
4. ALONES(Instrumental Mix)
Chiisa na Tenohira (小さな掌) (Released October 31, 2007; Oricon: #4)
1. Chiisa na Tenohira (小さな掌; Little Palm)
2. Chiisa na Tenohira (Instrumental Mix)
Niji (虹) (Release date: May 7, 2008; Oricon: #2)
1. Niji (虹; Rainbow)
2. Yasashii Kioku ~evalasting II~ (優しい記憶～evalastingⅡ～; Kind Memory ~EverlastingⅡ~)
3. Honto wa Ne (ほんとはね; The Real Truth)
4. No Live, No Life
5. Niji -Instrumental-
Natsu no Kakera (夏のかけら) (Release date: October 1, 2008; Oricon: #8)
1. Natsu no Kakera (夏のかけら; Fragments of Summer)
2. Aki ni Naru Noni (秋になるのに; Although it is Becoming Fall)
3. on the run
4. Natsu no Kakera -Instrumental-
Velonica (Release date: January 14, 2009; Oricon: #2)
1. Velonica
2. Kanade Ai (奏であい; Playing Together)
3. Kaori (薫; Fragrance)
4. Velonica -Instrumental-
STAY GOLD (Release date: March 4, 2009 ; Oricon: #11)
1. STAY GOLD
2. STAY GOLD -Instrumental-
Plumeria ~Hana Uta~ (プルメリア～花唄～) (Release date: July 29, 2009 ; Oricon: #7)
1. Plumeria ~Hana Uta~ (プルメリア～花唄～; Purumeria ~Flower Song~)
2. Nagasugita Yoru Ni (長すぎた夜に; In the Overly Long Night)
3. Perfect World -blue forest ver.-
4. Plumeria ~Hana Uta~ -Instrumental-
Ehagaki No Haru (絵はがきの春) (Release date: January 27,2010 ; Oricon: #8)
1. Ehagaki No Haru (絵はがきの春)
2. Nagareboshi No Uta (流星のうた; Shooting Star Song)
3. Sora Ni Chikai Machi (空に近い街; A City Close to the Sky)
4. Ehagaki No Haru -Instrumental-