Japanese Supergroup Final Rockstars Signal With Virgin Music’s Ingrooves – Billboard

TOKYO — A brand new Japanese rock supergroup known as The Final Rockstars is taking purpose on the worldwide market with a cope with Common Music Group and a mission assertion “to protect the spirit of rock music.”

The group – drummer-pianist Yoshiki (X Japan), singer-songwriter Sugizo (Luna Sea, X Japan), vocalist Hyde (L’Arc-en-Ciel, Vamps) and guitarist-actor Miyavi — has signed a worldwide distribution cope with Ingrooves, which is a part of UMG’s Virgin Music Group. It begins with the quartet’s debut single, “The Final Rockstars (Paris Combine),” which is scheduled to be launched on Dec. 23, a spokesperson for the group tells Billboard. 

The Final Rockstars introduced their formation in November in Tokyo. Talking to Billboard, Yoshiki says the 4 artists mentioned making a brand new band collectively earlier than the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. “All of us wished to purpose on the worldwide market, past Japan,” he says. “Through the pandemic, we talked much more about it and determined to go for it as a result of all of us had the identical goals and objectives.”

The Japanese artists bonded across the mission to “protect the spirit of rock music,” Yoshiki says. “Hip-hop and pop have actually taken over in latest a long time,” he says. “[Rock is] there, however not standing out prefer it ought to be.” 

Whereas noting that up to date teams similar to Italy’s Maneskin are carrying the style’s torch, Yoshiki says The Final Rockstars may assist stimulate the worldwide rock scene — which is why they selected their provocative moniker to depart an impression. “I got here up with it, and surprisingly the opposite members didn’t hesitate in selecting it,” Yoshiki says.

The Final Rockstars will make their dwell debut at a collection of 4 exhibits in Tokyo from Jan. 26 to Jan. 30, earlier than coming to the U.S. with two exhibits at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom (Feb. 3 and 4) and Los Angeles’ Hollywood Palladium (Feb. 10).

The person members of The Final Rockstars have all cultivated robust followings exterior of Japan, with every having performed exhibits in North America. Yoshiki and Sugizo’s X Japan have carried out at Coachella and Lollapalooza, whereas Hyde’s L’Arc-en-Ciel grew to become the primary Japanese band ever to headline Madison Sq. Backyard in 2012. Miyavi, who as an actor appeared as a psychotic jail guard in Angelina Jolie’s drama “Unbroken,” has recorded in Nashville and toured internationally in no less than 30 nations, together with the U.S.

Hyde and Sugizo are signed to UMG for solo work. Miyavi is tied to Purple One Star and Yoshiki is at the moment unsigned for solo initiatives, a spokesperson for the group tells Billboard.

Yoshiki’s 2013 album Yoshiki Classical peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Classical Albums Chart. Hyde noticed his 2019 full-length album Anti high the Billboard Japan Obtain Albums Chart, with the songs “Who’s Gonna Save Us,” “After Gentle” and “Faux Divine” touchdown on the Billboard Japan Sizzling 100 at No. 17, No. 24 and No. 20, respectively. Subsequent 2020 singles “Believing In Myself” and “Let It Out” charted on the Billboard Japan Sizzling 100 at No. 43 and No. 50, respectively. 

Miyavi’s had a smattering of singles on the Billboard Japan Sizzling 100, highlighted by his 2011 collaboration with rapper Kreva, “Sturdy,” which peaked at No. 15.

“I’ve monumental respect for every member,” Yoshiki says. “I’m actually honored to be working with these three wonderful rockers, and I feel we are able to make some sort of miracle occur.”