Taiji (musician)

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Taiji
沢田 泰司
Taiji performing with X circa 1990
Background information
Birth nameTaiji Sawada
Also known asRay
Born(1966-07-12)July 12, 1966
Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan
DiedJuly 17, 2011(2011-07-17) (aged 45)
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)Bass guitar
Years active1982–2011
Formerly of
  • Trash
  • Dementia
  • X Japan (then called X)
  • Loudness
  • D.T.R
  • Kings
  • Cloud Nine
  • Otokaze
  • the Killing Red Addiction
  • Taiji with Heaven's
  • TSP
Websitetaiji-tsglaston.com
Japanese name
Kanji沢田 泰司
Hiraganaさわだ たいじ

Taiji Sawada (

mononymously as Taiji, was a Japanese musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former bassist of the rock band X Japan. X Japan rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, credited as founders of the Japanese visual kei movement. After leaving X Japan in January 1992, Taiji went on to work with many other bands, including Loudness
and D.T.R.

Early life

Taiji Sawada was born in

Sister MAYO
. When Taiji was two years of age, he shoved his hand into a machine in a factory where his parents worked, resulting in a first joint cut on the middle finger, but luckily, it was not too serious. In 1974, at age eight, Taiji learned how to play acoustic guitar while in elementary school. In 1979, Taiji's parents were divorced.

Career

1982–1992: Early bands and X

After dropping out of high school in 1982, Taiji formed his first band called Trash,

Saver Tiger and D'erlanger members, Kyo and Tetsu. Soon after he officially rejoined X at the end of 1986.[2]

He wrote several known X compositions, including "Phantom of Guilt", "Desperate Angel" and "Voiceless Screaming". He specially played acoustic guitar on "Voiceless Screaming" during Jealousy tour from 1991 to 1992. In 2001, some of the unpublished songs were finally released in Rose & Blood -Indies of X-. Taiji left X in 1992, the official reason given by the band was due to musical differences. However, in his autobiography, Taiji claimed that he was asked to leave because he confronted Yoshiki due to the substantial income gap between Yoshiki and each of the other members.[1] When asked about Taiji's departure in 2016, Yoshiki said that while he respected Taiji's musical skills, he "crossed the line of our band's rules" and "To this day I still don't know if the decision was right or wrong, but we didn't have a choice."[3] Taiji's last concert with the band was on January 7, 1992, the last day of three consecutive nights at the Tokyo Dome. It was released on DVD as On the Verge of Destruction 1992.1.7 Tokyo Dome Live.

1992–2006: Loudness, D.T.R, Cloud Nine

In April 1992, he was invited to join Japanese metal band Loudness.[4] He left them in November 1993, after recording only one studio album and one live album. In July 1994, he formed his own band and named it D.T.R, which stood for "Dirty Trashroad" and featured Mitsuo Takeuchi (ex:Joe-Erk) on vocals, Taiji Fujimoto (ex:The Dead Pop Stars, ex:Judy and Mary) on guitar and Toshihiko Okabe on drums.[5]

In 1995, he also joined the short-lived

Spread Beaver
) as support drummer.

Guitarist Tomoyuki Kuroda later joined D.T.R in 1995, but a year later, Yoshihiko left, and then the band was put on hold when Taiji was going through personal problems.[5] During this time, Taiji was divorced from his wife, of whom he married in 1989, and became homeless.[1]

In 1999, he created Cloud Nine, but left in 2001 and they decided to continue on without him.

Masayo on vocals, they released one self-titled album on November 9, 2004.[6]

In 2005 Taiji was in a motorcycle accident, where he badly injured the ligaments in his foot.[citation needed] D.T.R resumed activity in 2006 with keyboardist Kenji Shimizu and their former support drummer Kazuhisa "Roger" Takahashi, now official members.[7][5]

2006–2009: Taiji with Heaven's, the Killing Red Addiction

Also in April 2006, he formed another band, Taiji with Heaven's, with Taiji on bass and Dai on vocals; later guitarist Ryutaro joined.[4] In 2009, they officially started activities; in May 2010, Takanari joined on drums and they released their first mini-album on January 13, 2010.[4]

In 2007, Taiji returned to Cloud Nine.[4] In 2009, he announced that he would once again be playing bass in a supergroup, The Killing Red Addiction with guitarist Tatsu (Gastunk), drummer Kenzi (Anti Feminism, The Dead Pop Stars, ex:Kamaitachi) and vocalist Dynamite Tommy (ex: Color).[8] They had their debut performance on June 22 at the Whisky a Go Go, in Los Angeles, United States.[8] Their second performance was in Osaka, Japan at the Shinjuku Loft on December 29, and they released a cover of Gastunk's "Devil" on iTunes on January 13, 2010.

In December 2008, Taiji's staff announced on his blog that since September, his epilepsy and chronic strokes had worsened,[9] that he was suffering from necrosis after a hip joint replacement of the femoral component on his left hip,[9] and that on December 2, he was hospitalized again after falling and hurting his chest and throat.[9]

2010–2011: TSP, Reunited with X

In 2010, he formed TSP (Taiji & Shu Project), with Taiji on bass, guitarist Shu (Cloud Nine, Crazy Quarter Mile), vocalist Dai (Taiji with Heaven's) and drummer Hina (Crazy Quarter Mile).[2] Taiji with Heaven's also performed a show in Korea that year and later announced plans for further activities in the country the following year.[10][11] However, these were cancelled due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

On August 12, 2010, Taiji rejoined X (now known as X Japan), with founders Yoshiki and Toshi at a press conference, to announce that he would be performing as a guest with X Japan at their August 14 and 15 shows at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama.[12][13]

On October 9, it was announced that Dai was leaving TSP, and would be replaced by Hiroshi "Tazz" Maruki, which resulted in their debut album being delayed.[14]

On January 23, 2011, it was announced that Ryutaro was withdrawing from Taiji with Heaven's due to bad health and personal reasons. On February 17, Tokiya joined as guitarist, and it was announced that Taiji with Heavens would now be written without the apostrophe.

2011: Arrest and death

On July 11, 2011, Taiji argued with his female manager, named KT, on

cremated without an autopsy.[22] She started a petition called: "Taiji voiceless truth" pleading for the investigation into his death be reopened.[23][24]

Discography

Came with Taiji's autobiography titled Uchuu o Kakeru Tomo e: Densetsu no Bando X no Sei to Shi.
Came with a photobook titled Photograph.
With Dementia
  • Dementia Live! (June 1985)
With X
With Loudness
With D.T.R
  • Dirty Trashroad (July 1, 1994) #13[27]
  • Dirty Trashroad ~ Acoustic (July 1, 1994) #18[27]
  • "Chain<>/I Believe..." (May 25, 1995)
  • Daring Tribal Roar (May 25, 1995) #35[28]
  • Drive To Revolution (August 1, 1996, live and remix compilation album)
  • "Wisdom/Lucifer" (November 10, 2007)
With Kings
  • "Misty Eyes" (October 25, 1995)
  • Kings (November 1, 1995) #36[29]
With Cloud Nine
  • "Bastard" (November 2000)
  • "1st Demonstration" (February 2001)
  • Hard 'N' Heavy Religion 2 (February 14, 2008, with the song "Hells Rage")
Various artists compilation album in Vol. 3 of We Rock magazine.
  • Hard 'N' Heavy 2010 (February 13, 2010, with the song "Bastard")
Various artists compilation album in Vol. 15 of We Rock magazine.
With Otokaze
  • Otokaze (November 9, 2004)
With The Killing Red Addiction
  • "Devil" (January 13, 2010)
With Taiji with Heaven's
  • Taiji with Heaven's (February 13, 2010)
  • Hard 'N' Heavy 2010 (February 13, 2010, with the song "Keep the Faith")
Various artists compilation album in Vol. 15 of We Rock magazine.
  • Hard 'N' Heavy Religion 2012 (February 14, 2012, with the song "Killer")
Various artists compilation album in Vol. 27 of We Rock magazine.
  • The Virgin (February 28, 2015)
With TSP
  • Hard 'N' Heavy Religion 2011 (May 14, 2011, with the song "Rest in Peace")
Various artists compilation album in Vol. 21 of We Rock magazine.
  • Hard 'N' Heavy Religion 2012 (February 14, 2012, with the song "Freeze")
Various artists compilation album in Vol. 27 of We Rock magazine.
  • Mad Cluster (June 6, 2012)
  • The Last Resistance of the Firebird (September 26, 2012)

Other work

  • The Inner Gates (Baki, December 16, 1989, bass on "Taste of Flower", "A Kiss in the Storm" and "Flying")
  • Cozy Powell Forever (Various artists, September 19, 1998, bass on "Kill the King")
  • Vol. 21 of Rockin 'f magazine (June 14, 2006)
Various artists compilation DVD, features an interview with Taiji, rehearsal and other footage.
  • Vol. 24 of Rockin 'f magazine (December 14, 2006)
Various artists compilation DVD, features an interview, studio rehearsal and live footage of D.T.R.
  • Attitude the Original Soundtrack -Fuck the System- (July 2008, music director for the movie)
  • Higuchi Munetaka Tsuitō Live 2009: Munetaka Higuchi Forever Our Hero (July 14, 2010, concert DVD)
  • Vol. 17 of We Rock magazine (December 14, 2010)
Various artists compilation DVD, features an interview with Taiji and Dai from Taiji with Heaven's, and live performances of "Black Vampire" and "Freeze" by TSP from April 24, 2010.
  • Legend of Phoenix (December 14, 2011)
Tribute DVD to Taiji in Vol. 26 of We Rock magazine, composed of various footage of his bands from 2000 to 2011, mostly those included within issues of Rockin 'f and We Rock.
  • Everlasting Higuchi Munetaka 2010: Higuchi Munetaka Tsuitō Live Vol. 2 (February 8, 2012, concert DVD)

References

  1. ^ .
  2. ^ a b c "Biography". taiji-tsglaston.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  3. ^ "I am Yoshiki – Pianist, Drummer and Leader of X Japan. Ask me anything!". Reddit. March 13, 2016. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e "TAIJI With HEAVEN'S – In The Blood". carlbegai.com. February 21, 2010. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c "D.T.R". jame-world.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  6. ^ "Otokaze". jame-world.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  7. ^ "May TAIJI's soul rest in peace" (in Japanese). KENJI SHIMIZU blog. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012.
  8. ^ a b "THE KILLING RED ADDICTION – Japanese "All Star" Band Featuring Ex-LOUDNESS / Ex-X JAPAN Bassist And DIR EN GREY Executive Producer Announce Live Date For West Hollywood". bravewords.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  9. ^ a b c "Ex-X JAPAN / Ex-LOUDNESS Bassist TAIJI SAWADA Hospitalized". bravewords.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  10. ^ "Former X JAPAN member, TAIJI, to promote in Korea". tokyohive.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  11. ^ "元Xメンバー・TAIJI、韓国で本格始動宣言". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 27, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  12. ^ "X JAPAN Featured On FUSE TV And FOX NEWS". blabbermouth.net. August 13, 2010. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  13. ^ "TAIJI's Urgent Battle Entry at X JAPAN's Live at Nissan Stadium". Music Japan Plus. August 13, 2010. Archived from the original on April 16, 2017. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  14. ^ "Dai leaves TSP". jackup.co.jp/tsp/index.html. Archived from the original on January 17, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  15. ^ a b "Unruly plane passenger arrested". mvariety.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  16. ^ a b "Former "X" member, TAIJI arrested in Saipan + attempted suicide". tokyohive.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  17. Japan Times
    , 19 July 2011, p. 2.
  18. ^ "Sawada tries to kill self in jail". saipantribune.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  19. ^ "Unruly plane passenger brought to ICU". mvariety.com. Retrieved July 15, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ a b "Musician Sawada dies". saipantribune.com. July 17, 2011. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  21. ^ "Former X member Taiji dies in Saipan". natalie.mu (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  22. ^ "TAIJI The Voiceless Truth". Tamd.org. Archived from the original on November 19, 2017. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  23. ^ "TAIJI Official Web Site". Taiji-tsglaston.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  24. ^ "『YOSHIKIゴールデングローブ賞の記事&TAIJI海外での記事』". Ameblo.jp. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  25. ^ a b "LOUDNESSのシングル売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on June 3, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  26. ^ a b "LOUDNESSのアルバム売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on June 3, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  27. ^ a b "DIRTY TRASHROADのアルバム売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  28. ^ "D.T.R.のアルバム売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  29. ^ "KINGSのアルバム売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2011.

Further reading

External links