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An Cafe
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??????-???-(???) is a Japanese dance/rock band formed in 2003 and signed to the independent label Loop Ash. They have been described as an oshare kei band, a subset of visual kei; however, they refer themselves to Harajuku Dance Rock Kei. As of their formation, the group has released four full-length albums and two EPs.

History

An Cafe was formed in May 2003 with Miku, Kanon and Bou, who would later be joined by Teruki after leaving his former band, Feathers-Blue. The band played live shows for their first year, without any releases.

In 2004, After their PMC failed to gain a strong foothold, An Cafe released their first demos and signed a record deal with Loop Ash. Their first release, "Candyholic", was released in March and reached the second spot on the Oricon indies single chart.An Cafe Goes to A-KON 06.16.2007 by Cynthia, retrieved Jun 26, 2008 The band continued touring and releasing, including their first album, Shikisai Moment, in 2005. The band released even more singles in 2006 until their second studio album, Magnya Carta (a play on "Magna Carta").

In 2007, the band announced their first overseas appearance at Project A-Kon. The announcement of this was followed shortly by the departure of guitarist Bou. The last performance with Bou was on April 30, 2007, and was featured in a DVD titled Hibiya On ?The? 0 New Sekai. After Bou left the band, two new members were announced: Takuya was to replace Bou as the guitarist and Yuuki was to join An Cafe as a keyboardist . The first single with their new lineup was announced as "Kakusei Heroism" followed by "Ryusei Rocket". At the end of 2007, An Cafe announced their first overseas tour, taking place in Europe in 2008.

In the opening weeks of 2008, An Cafe announced their upcoming single, "Cherry Saku Yuuki!!", in February, as well as their next studio album, Gokutama Rock Cafe, which was released on April 9, 2008.

An Cafe's latest EP, Harajuku Dance Rock, was released on March 13, 2009.

They have also announced an upcoming fourth album, entitled BB Parallel World, which is set to be released in Japan on September 9, 2009, and in Europe on October 2, 2009.10 It will contain the title tracks of singles "Aroma", "Summer Dive" and "Natsu Koi ? Natsu GAME", as well as eight other songs.

In 2010, it has been confirmed that An Cafe will be taking a break from activities. It is yet unknown as to how long they will be on hiatus for, but they have not stated they will be disbanding. The message, issued on their official homepage, claims that "after the Budokan show, each member will concentrate on their own activity to be prepared for the band to restart in the future." The aforementioned Nippon Budokan show takes place on January 4, 2010.

Members

  • Miku (??) – Vocals (2003-Present)
  • Takuya (???)– Guitar (2007-Present)
  • Kanon (???) – Bass (2003-Present)
  • Yuuki (???) – Keyboard (2007-Present)
  • Teruki (??) – Drums (2003-Present)

Former Members

  • Bou (?) - Guitar (2003–2007)

Equipment

Yuuki (keyboards) uses a Korg X50 and a Yamaha MO6 in a firm Ultimate AX48B rack. His speaker is a Roland Jazz-Chorus 120 and he has a Mackie 1202-VLZ PRO mixing panel as well. A lot of functions are used, for instance the excessive use of pitch bend in Respect Mommy on the Yamaha MO6 and the use of his arpeggiator (on the Yamaha MO6 as well) in Cherry Saku Yuuki!!.

Takuya (guitar) uses a White-brown Fender, a Paul Reed Smith, a G&L Telecaster, a Dean and some stompboxes, including the Boss Super Chorus and MXR/Phase 90.

Kanon (bass) uses two kinds of Fender Jazz Bass'es, a EBS/Multi Comp and a Basson speaker.

Teruki (drums) has the following setup: one Splash Cymbal (Paiste 10"), two Crash Cymbals (Paiste 16" and 18") Cymbals, one China Cymbal (Paiste 18"), one Ride Cymbal (Zild jan 20"), one Hi-Hat (Zild jan 14"), one Hi-Hat stand (Pearl), a Bass Drum (Pearl 22" x 16"), a Snare (Pearl 14" x 5,5"), one Mid Tom (Pearl 12" x 8"), one Floor Tom (Pearl 16" x 16"), two Pedals (Pearl) and Behringer amplification

Endorsements

An Cafe has been a long time supporter and endorser of popular Japanese fashion label Sex Pot Revenge, and they are frequently seen wearing clothing from that label. They have appeared on the cover of Sex Pot Revenge free company magazine, V!nyl Syndicate.

In 2008, An Cafe vocalist Miku hosted Volume 2 of Visual Kei DVD Magazine alongside the magazine's mascot, Biju.

International recognition

An Cafe has gained great success in Japan. It has also gained moderate success in Europe, mainland Asia (Korea, China), Argentina, Brazil, Canada and the United States.

In 2008, the band visited Finland, Sweden, Germany, France, the UK, Spain, the US and Korea on their first overseas tour, ?Live Cafe-Tour '08 - Nyappy Go Around World?. They played a total of twelve concerts in the eight countries.

As of November 2008, An Cafe confirmed an overseas tour, ?LIVE CAFE TOUR'09 NYAPPY GO AROUND THE WORLD ? -Harajuku Dance Rock Night-? which encompassed twelve countries: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Germany, the UK, France, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Mexico and the USA. This tour took place over March and April, playing a total of 17 dates.

Discography

Albums
  • Shikisai Moment (???????, November 9, 2005)
  • Magnya Carta (???????, November 29, 2006)
  • Gokutama Rock Cafe (??ROCK CAFE, April 9, 2008)
  • BB Parallel World (September 9, 2009)
EPs
  • Amedama Rock (?????, February 23, 2005)
  • Ko Akuma Usagi no Koibumi to Machine Gun EP (???USAGI?????????e.p., October 29, 2008)
  • Harajuku Dance Rock (March 13, 2009)
Singles
  • "Candyholic" (?????????, March 24, 2004)
  • "v69" (June 6, 2004)
  • "Komou Cosmos" (??, November 24, 2004)
  • "Karakuri Hitei" (??????, March 30, 2005)
  • "Tekesuta Kousen" (??????, July 20, 2005)
  • "Escapism" (??????, August 24, 2005)
  • "Merrymaking" (???????, September 21, 2005)
  • "10’s Collection March" (10's ?????? ???, March 1, 2006)
  • "Bonds ~Kizuna~" (BondS ~?~, May 17, 2006)
  • "Smile Ichiban Ii Onna" (?????? ???, September 20, 2006)
  • "Snow Scene" (??????, October 18, 2006)
  • "Kakusei Heroism ~The Hero Without a "Name"~" (???????~THE HERO WITHOUT A "NAME"~, August 22, 2007)
  • "Ryusei Rocket" (??????, November 7, 2007)
  • "Cherry Saku Yuuki!!" (Cherry????!!, February 27, 2008)
  • "Summer Dive" (August 30, 2008, live distribution only)
  • "Aroma" (March 11, 2009)
  • "Natsu Koi ? Natsu GAME" (????GAME, August 12, 2009)
DVDs
  • "Like an cafe" (???·???, October 10, 2004)
  • "20051203 Shikisai A On" (20051203????, December 3, 2005)
  • "Yagai de nyappy" (????????, December 17, 2006)
  • "Hibiya on ?the? o New World" (HIBIYA ON????NEW??, July 2, 2007)
  • "Nyappy Go Around Fever" (April 25, 2008)
  • "AnCafesta '08 Summer Dive" (December 24, 2008)
  • "Live Cafe - Tour '08 Nyappy Go Around the World" (March 11, 2009)
  • "Finale of Nyappy - Kawayusu Rock de Go Gogo!!" (November 4, 2009)

Copyright Citations

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