Biography

Panic Channel

28/05/2011 2011-05-28 20:46:50 JaME Author: Jack Skellington, Lacy, Meg

Panic Channel

Panic Channel


© CLJ Records
Panic Channel was founded by Meguru (ex-GARASU), Kana and Tara in November 2002. In January 2003, the line-up of the band consisted of Meguru, Kana, Tsubasa, Tara and Yuusuke. After two months, the band decided to show their "second face" and the alter ego Panic*ch was born.

Panic Channel debuted in May of that year at Osaka Club Vijon, where they sold their first video tape Panic Channel Kyouzai Video. After that event, the band started to advance; they had one gig after another, switching between their two "faces" during the long line of events.

The band played its first one-man at Urawa Narciss on September 21, 2003. It was completely sold out. One day later, they sold their first single, Debutsen ~minna no chikai hen~, in a limited edition of 2000 copies. The CD sold out on the same day, though a second pressing was not released. Panic Channel continued to perform, usually at Meguro Rock May Kan and, toward the end of the year, released their first mini-album, Shinjisen ~Yume ni mukatte hen~.

At the beginning of 2004, the Shinjisen ~Yume ni mukatte hen~ tour was listed on Panic Channel's schedule. It ended on Valentine’s Day at the band's usual venue, Meguro Rock May Kan.

On March 18th, another one-man took place, the band displaying both of its personalities. Following the show, Yuusuke left the band and Takumi, formerly of Aile, took his place as support, but became an official member on April 3rd.

A busy schedule of concerts followed and, on July 29th, Panic Channel's next single, Iyagasare, was released as a limited edition of 3000 copies. A month later, the band released their fifth single, Freestyle.

In September, their label, Mission Music Factory, and UNDER CODE PRODUCTION, arranged a two-man concert between Panic Channel and Karen. The bands took the stage together on September 23rd and 26th. Shortly after, Panic Channel release another single, Kesshousen.

At the beginning of October, the band took part in the Mad Tea Party Vol. 4 event, which was sponsored by the band D. Afterward, Panic Channel had a couple of other performances scheduled and, from December 13th to 17th, they arranged a series of performances at Meguro Rock May Kan. During the five-day event, Panic Channel performed with Iroha, Gift, HenzeL and Ruvie. The event ended with a Panic Channel vs. Panic*Ch one-man.

Sadly, after the series of concerts, Tara was taken to the hospital with ear problems. This did not stop the band however from performing, and Saburo of Gift filled in for Tara at live events, and the recording of their upcoming album was rescheduled.

Tara's recovery was announced in February of 2005 and his first performance after the absence took place at Nagoya's Shinsakae MUJIKA on March 10th. Also, Panic Channel was able to record their new album, TRICK, which was released on March 26th.

However, the peace didn't last long. Following the UNDER CODE 3 Day Event Final on March 22nd in Osaka, Meguru announced that Tara had to go back to the hospital due to additional ear problems. During his time in the hospital, Tara announced that he would leave the band because of his ear problems.

After Tara's departure, Panic Channel held a couple more concerts before the August 28th announcement that Tsubasa and Takumi were also leaving the band. Their farewell concert took place on October 30th, leaving Meguru and Kana as the two remaining members.

In January of 2006, Meguru announced that the empty positions in the band would be filled by MAYO, kiri and KYO~YA. In February and March, the band returned with a full schedule of concerts, including seven secret gigs where the boys constantly switched between their two "faces."

On the 1st and 2nd of April, they held pre-release concerts for their new singles, Plow and Ishin, which came out on April 19th and kept themselves busy with concerts and events.

Nearly a year later, the band released a new mini-album, Invisible Line, which, like other releases, included songs by both Panic*ch and Panic Channel and was followed by a number of lives and an in-store event. They also participated in YEAR END of HOLIDAY 2007-2008 event alongside RENTRER EN SOI, Siva, as.milk and more.

With a rather relaxed release schedule, it was almost another year until their next singles came out. Mother's Expression and Father's Expression were released on January 25, 2008; their next mini-album, Ray, did not come out until August of that year. On September 5th, they kicked off their the cause of the Ray tour, the final of which took place on October 28th.

The band spent the rest of the fall tour, and by 2009 they were busy scheduling their spring tour which followed the release of their new album, THE LAST which was released in two versions, ~infinity~ and ~colors. Soon after, Panic Channel announced that they would be performing at AnimagiC in Germany in August; however, because MAYO was suffering from pneumothorax, he had been unable to perform with the band from April onward and it was announced that he would unfortunately be missing their overseas event.

In anticipation of their performance, the band rereleased their album THE LAST on German record label CLJ Records and participated in the various artists album J-Visual[ism] 2.

The band wrapped up 2009 with a series of live performances before launching into 2010 with a new release: shave dropped in early March. The band continued their usual busy live schedule throughout the year, but that winter fans were met with a sudden announcement: not only would KYO~YA be departing from the band, they would go on an indefinite hiatus. Their final release was the single Nakigao Fetish/Best Way!! in February, with the final goodbye concert held in March, 2011.

It is uncertain at this time if Panic Channel will ever resurface, but fan can continue to hold out hope that the hiatus is not permanent.
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