Zone (band)
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Zone is a J-pop band started in Sapporo, Japan in 1999, who went on to become a hit in 2000 with their single Good Days. Their most famous song is Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~. Zone is categorized in a new genre called the "bandol" (band + idol) and was started by Studio Runtime.
Zone started off as Takayo Ookoshi along with seven other dancers, but was eventually reduced to four members. After becoming popular, the four girls learned to play their own instruments to complement their singing and dancing.
In late 2003, Takayo announced her departure from Zone. She was replaced by Tomoka Nishimura, the last member cut from the band before they made up the "original" four, supposedly for being too tall.
However, the band has disbanded since March 31, 2005. As three of the members would be graduating from high school, they made their decision on a positive disbanding rather than an upsetting disbanding. The reason for disbanding is so that the members can choose their own path in life. The Spring Tour in 2005 was their last performance together as a band, the final song being their all-time famous Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~.
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[edit] Band members
[edit] Current members
- Miyu Nagase—guitar and lead vocals
- Mizuho Saito—drums and vocals
- Maiko Sakae—bass guitar and vocals
- Tomoka Nishimura—guitar and vocals
[edit] Past members
- Takayo Ookoshi—guitar and vocals (1999-2003)
[edit] Music
Zone was a four person, all female band originating from Sapporo of Hokkaido Prefecture, started by Studio Runtime. Zone has been categorised in a new genre known as bandol, a combination of band and idol. Initially, Zone started off with eight members in 1997, then reduced to six and finally four (Miyu, Mizuho, Maiko and Takayo) by the time they released their first indie disc in 1999. Their talents were later recognized when they became the winners of the Japan Gold Disk New Artist of the year of 2002. However in late 2003, band leader Takayo announced her graduation from Zone to pursue her studies and has been since replaced by Tomoka, one of the two original members cut from the band when they scaled from six members to four.
It was announced in February 2005 that Zone would be disbanding at the end of their Spring Tour. On April 1, 2005, Zone played their final concert at Nippon Budokan. Zone officially disbanded on April 1, 2005. It was Mizuho's initial idea to leave, however, the group did not want to replace her and they did not want to continue on as a three-girl band, so they all agreed that disbanding would be the best for all of them.
Zone's music has been used in the 2003 Astro Boy series (opening theme, True Blue) and the Japanese release of Ice Age (theme song, Hitoshizuku).
Miyu is now pursuing a solo career, already releasing two singles: Just 4 your Luv and Snowy Love. Maiko is headlining the girl band Maria. They've released two singles so far, 'Chiisana Uta' and 'Tsubomi'. Takayo is also back, and is pursuing a solo career.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Single
- morning glory (Indies Single)
- believe in love (Indies Single)
- GOOD DAYS (2001/02/07)
- 大爆発 NO.1 (2001/05/23) Dai Bakuhatsu NO.1
- secret base ~君がくれたもの～ (2001/08/08) secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono
- 世界のほんの片隅から (2001/11/14) Sekai no Hon no Katasumi kara
- 夢のカケラ (2002/02/14) Yume no Kakera
- 一雫 (2002/07/17) Hitoshizuku
- 証 (2002/09/26) Akashi
- 白い花 (2002/11/27) Shiroi Hana
- true blue／恋々・・・ (2003/04/16) true blue/Renren...
- H・A・N・A・B・I ～君がいた夏～ (2003/07/30) H.A.N.A.B.I ~Kimi ga Ita Natsu~
- 僕の手紙 (2003/10/29) Boku no Tegami
- 卒業 (2004/02/04) Sotsugyo
- 太陽のKiss (2004/06/02) Taiyou no Kiss
- glory colors 風のトビラ～ (2004/08/04) glory colors Kaze no Tobira~
- 笑顔日和 (2005/03/09) Egao Biyori
[edit] Album
- Z (2002/02/14)
- O (2002/11/27)
- ASTRO Girlz & Boyz (2003/07/16)
- N (2004/02/18)
- E ～Complete A side Singles～(2005/04/13)
- ura E~Complete B side Melodies~ (2006/04/19)
[edit] DVD
- ZONE CLIPS 01 ~Sunny Side~ (2003/10/29)
- ZONE CLIPS 02 ~Forever Side (2004/03/17)
- ZONE TV special "ユメハジマッタバカリ" DVD edition (2004/09/29)
- ZONE CLIPS 03 ~2005 卒業~ (2005/05/18)
- ZONE FINAL in 日本武道館 2005/04/01 ～心を込めてありがとう～ (2005/06/22)
