Roy's Introduction to X Japan

X Japan (エックス ジャパン), a band of great achievements, powerful music, and an act to be followed from the early years of the visual kei movement to the powerful they are still known within Japan and around the world, a band that deserves praise like no other. A mere mention of "X Japan" draws many emotions from fans around the world, from wonderful tears of happiness, to the raw power of sadness at thoughts of what the band has been through.

X Japan, also known as "X" (・G・b・N・X) in the early days, started out in 1982, when both Yoshiki and Toshi were in high school. Later on, lead guitarist hide, support guitarist Pata, and bassist Taiji joined X and started a journey like no other. A name change, a slight change in the band's line-up, band's break-up, death of a fellow bandmate, a reunion, and a hopefully a bright future ahead, X Japan continues on with their legacy. X Japan really has quite an impact within the industry, with the fans, and also, to me.

X Japan, is a band like no band I have ever encounted. After listening to my very first X Japan song, and then to an entire album, or watching my first DVD of their concert; I can never imagine that I will ever be the same again.

My knowledge of Japanese music was very limited. The only real knowledge about music from Japan was through a channel available in Southern California. I never paid much attention to it, since I was mostly into other interests; such as cartoons, video games, and hanging out with friends, the norm in my world. One day, I was channel surfing, looking for something better than the usual cartoons and MTV, when I stumbled to "that" channel. I had seen something that I never had before; a band that looked like video game characters, dressed in elegant clothing, playing music of a language I had never heard. Unfortunately, I did not catch the band name. It was a few years later that I found the band name, Psyco Le Cemu, sadly they were disbanded by the time I finally discovered that.

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I was first introduced to X Japan during my high school years, by a special friend I hold dear. What was my musical taste before I changed completely? Well, when I was younger I never thought much about music, and when I grew older I followed music that other people followed. However, I never caught on by following bands, worshiping them like gods, attending every single concert possible; or devoting time to convince others to follow the specific band because they "are the next big thing."

When I met with my friends one day, before classes started, we did the usual routine: eat breakfast, talking (if I felt like it), and doing homework. Then my dear friend showed up, leaving her backpack behind as usual, but something caught my eye within the backpack. It was half opened, and revealed what looked like a CD case of a band. After pestering her for a good while, she revealed the CDs to me. She had quite a collection of bands I never heard of, they were all Japanese. At this point, looking over the CDs in my backpack at the time, I was willing to take the risk of listening to one because I couldn't stand listening to the same goddamn CD I had in my backpack for a good month. So, we made an agreement. I let her borrow one of my CDs and I borrow one of her CDs. She handed me an album, of a band named "X" of the name "Blue Blood." The bell rang, time to head off to class.

My first period was the "Heavy Lifting" class and in that class, music CDs were allowed while working out. I took advantage of popping in the new CD into my CD player and pressed play. Instantly, listening to "Prologue" I had a stong feeling that I will be moved and then "Blue Blood" roared into my ears, and I ignored everything else in my mind. On that day, I changed, and so did my taste in music.

A month later, all of my music collection had been ignored; and to my knowledge, I listened to "Blue Blood" over 50 times, and my friend wanted her CD back. I of course refused, but instead of making a big deal I gave back her CD, and she lent me another one from X, "Slient Jealousy." Again, I was ecstactic that I got another album from this new band, and instantly popped the "digital crack" into my CD player and continued to listen everyday.

A week later, she lent me another CD from X, "Vanishing Vision." Which of course replaced "Silent Jealousy" in my CD player, and I continued to listen everyday. And then, later on she lent me two more albums at the same time, in return of the two I currently had: "Daliah" and "Art of Life." Up to that point, I believed that X's music had been lengthy; but after listening to Art of Life for the first time, I was blown away on how long it was, and is! Estimated time of 30 minutes, really? wow! Also, if you even care about if my friend even listened to the CD that I lent her, she never did.

Even though I listened to each X album in a mixed up order, it helped me realize that each album is a natural progression of their career. Each album delivered something very different, while retaining the familarity of what to expect from X: an awesome experience that never lets you go. I lost count of how many times I have listened to each album, but I still remember that Blue Blood was played the most.

Furthermore, my friend lent me copies of her X DVDs, Daliah and Blue Blood tour. For the first time, aside from looking at the Blue Blood CD art, I get to see my future heros. From their fountains of 80s big hair, to the more modern progressive look; I love each look. I got so addicted to watching the DVD, that I ended up ignoring everything that mattered to me, to make time to watch the whole DVD. Thankfully, I had a laptop, so I remembered the times when I was supposed to be asleep; but I was watching the DVD over and over again.

I remember various memories that brought me hapiness, and of course, unforseenable lows. For one, I am quite astounded that I have been able to introduce a lot of people to X, and other types of J-rock music. I listened to their music religiously, to the point where I counted down how long something takes based on the music. For example, it took "Art of Life" and 10 tracks of "Vanishing Vision" to travel from my home to a relative's home. And it took a "Blue Blood" and 3 tracks of "Silent Jealousy" to travel from my high school to the front steps of my home.

But all of that does not compare to the incredible sadness I felt when I learned of the truth behind X. First off, my personal favorite band mate of X was hide. I really liked him... a lot. However, when I was looking at a site devoted to hide, that is when I learned about his fate; and from then on, the dark cloud over my heart continued to rain. What made it worse was that even though I got into them heavily, they were no longer together.

As high school began to draw toward a close, my love of J-rock only had just begun. During a majority of my high school years I ended up listening to a lot more Japanese music. This was encouraged by my dear friend, whom had hooked me up with a diverse selection, from Dir en Grey to Buck Tick. This was further amplified by the internet, which I used to look up plenty of different bands, and tried to get as many free samples as possible.

A week before graduation, I broke down and watched the entirety of "The Last Live" on YouTube, and I was amazed with their concert. I made a promise to myself when watching the concert. Which was, "Never forget X" and "When they reunite - if ever - you must attend no matter what!" Those words continued to remain with me up to the present.

High school ended for me, I was departing the people I know, including my dear friend. I was quite saddened that she and I had to depart from one another, but life continues on. This may mark the end of my high school years, but it also marks the beginning of a whole new experience; perhaps a concert?