Name
Officially, the name "Glay" is a deliberate misspelling of the word "gray" and represents the style of music they wanted to play; a mixture between rock (black) and pop (white).
According to Hirohiko Inoguchi, Platinum Records executive producer: "They know it's not how you spell the color in English, but it's their way of being different."
It is thought by some English speakers that the misspelling of the band's name may actually have been due to a genuine error, and the official reason was only decided in retrospect. In support of this, they point out that confusing the R and L is a very common mistake amongst Japanese speakers of English. This is due to the lack of an L or R consonant sound in the Japanese phonetic character set, therefore a consonant sound resembling both is used instead. This consonant is written as an R when using the roman character set.
Members
Main members
Takuro: real name Takuro Kubo : guitar (leader and primary songwriter)
All members were born in Hakodate, Hokkaidō except Hisashi, who was born in Hirosaki, Aomori. When he was in elementary school, he moved to Hakodate.
Music style
In addition to recording most of their albums and singles in Japan, Glay frequently travels to places such as Los Angeles, New York, and London to produce their music.In 2001 they released the New York produced album One Love which shocked long time Glay fans, as the sound of One Love was completely different from that found on earlier albums. The style change was warmly welcomed by fans, and Glay went on to hold a very successful "One Love" concert tour. The following year, Unity Roots & Family, Away (UR&FA) was released, which was something entirely different from One Love and all their previous works. UR&FA presented Glay fans with a strong gospel sound in many of its tracks
"People like my family members, lovers, friends, staff, acquaintance relationships, and the people I have around me greatly influence my work, and I wanted to make one album about that. My keyword was "roots". And, after that I had "unity". 匢 wanted to do this theme one time. We did a gospel sound in order to represent these people the closest." (Takuro)
Following the release of UR&FA, in February 2003 Glay released two compilation albums composed mostly of B-side tracks from their singles that hadn't yet been put onto an album. It was not until 2004 that they released a brand new album entitled The Frustrated. This album was a huge success,and spawned a documentary DVD about the "making of," a special fanclub members only concert tour, the theme of Glay Expo 2004, and a fall concert tour that travelled across the country. In 2005, Glay produced a collaboration single with the vocal/dance group Exile which was one of the most successful singles of the year.]
Trivia
Their first compilation album, "Review", was the best selling album of all time in Japan in 1997. As of 2006, it is ranked at #3.
In 1998, Japan's telephone service was temporarily put out of order to allow for the mass number of fans to reserve tickets to their upcoming tour.
Their contract transfer from Pony Canyon to Toshiba EMI is the most expensive transfer in Japan's history, at 4 billion yen.
The live performance held in Beijing in October 2002 is the most expensive gig in China's history. (The show attracted 35,000 audience members. Every ticket was sold.)
"Yuuwaku" was the biggest selling single in 1998.
Takuro has written/composed songs for Namie Amuro ("Lovebite"), Misia ("fuyu no etranger"), Hikaru Utada ("Time Limit" and "Drama") and Mika Nakashima ("Hitoiro" and "Eyes for the Moon"), among other artists.
Hisashi played the guitar parts in the beginning of Hikaru Utada's song "Letters".
Takuro and Hisashi appeared in the movie Casshern.
Teru is an avid artist, and designs many of the tour goods himself.
The song "Zutto Futari de..." was made by Takuro for Teru's sister, who was about to get married. Teru's mother asked the band to do it in exchange for a pie.
The compositions of "Highcommunications" and "The Frustrated" (both from "The Frustrated" album) are credited to kombinat-12, which is a partnership between Takuro and Hisashi.
Takuro is married to Japanese model Seri Iwahori as of May 2004, and they have one son. They own a house in Los Angeles, California. Early of October 2007, Seri gave birth to their second child, a daughter.
Main Awards
1996
"Gold Request Award" for the single "Beloved" at the "29th All Japan Cable Broadcast Awards"
1997
Grand Prize winner at the "30th All Japan Cable Broadcast Awards"
Chiisana pokkeni gyutto tsumatteita
Kusano nioino takara monotachiwa kakurenbo
Hodoketa kutsuhimomu sunde kureta kimi wo nose
Manatsuno takasugiru kumoni mukatte shouryokou
[FROM] LONELY DAYS WE CAN FLY
Mabutano uraniwa anohino bokura
[FROM] LONELY NIGHTS WE CAN FLY
Itsudemo nanikani kizutsuitetane Wow Wow
I'm just in love
I'm just in love
I'm just in love oh Singin' my life
Furubita album hiraita bokuwa
Wakakatta futari to imajya toshimo sou kawaranai
Shouwato iu jidai ni bokura wo kakaete ha#ta
Sonna anatano ikigaiga shimite nakitaku naru
[FROM] LONELY DAYS WE CAN FLY
Yutaka kana hibi wo natsu kashiku omou
[FROM] LONELY NIGHTS WE CAN FLY
OK! THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE
I'm just in love
I'm just in love
I'm just in love oh Singin' my life
WE WILL ROCK YOU WORDS FROM HEAVEN!
WE WILL ROCK YOU WORDS FROM HEAVEN!
[ Last edited by nzhass79 at 17-12-2007 11:25 AM ]
huhu, dah ada org bukak thread J-rockers favourite aku! baru je nak simpan lama2 sket
Takuro - heart & soul GLAY, most of the music dia yg compose
Teru - vocalist yg bersuara mantap
Jiro & Hisashi - yg cheeky, nakal dan comel, daya penarik dlm group ni hehe!