Daishi rose to fame as the vocalist for the popular cosplay band Psycho le Cemu, but after a series of unfortunate events, he went on to become a solo artist under his full name, Kajinaga Daishi.
Kajinaga Daishi started his musical career in his second year of high school with a band called ZIL. Later, he started a band called MYU with his best friend Tatsuya, Kei (now in Concrete Sledge) and Soh. MYU were only around for a short time, but they released three demo tapes—all of which sold out quickly—and held many lives. However, sometime after appearing on one of the New Age Culture omnibuses, MYU broke up.
In 1999, Daishi and Tatsuya, who now went by the moniker Lida, joined up with fellow musicians Aya, seek and Yura-sama to form Psycho le Cemu. The band became very popular, earning a loyal Japanese following and even venturing overseas for a few shows.
The members of Psycho le Cemu decided to take a break from the band in spring 2005. Taking a different approach from the others in the visual kei scene, Daishi decided to go solo under his real name: Kajinaga Daishi. MUCC guitarist Miya produced and helped compose the title track for his first solo single, Jitsuroku shounen hanzai kikagaku.
In contrast to the cheerful, light-hearted sound of Psycho le Cemu, the title track was dark, angsty and powerful. Daishi’s vocals carried a depth of emotion that shocked many fans. However, the single also featured the lighter, more energetic I LOVE YOU, a sign to Psycho le Cemu fans that he had not fully abandoned the sound that made him famous.
To coincide with the single’s release, he held a special mini tour entitled [First-Tour] ~Kousei mo naku chuumoku mo sarenai kono tour ga, ato ni, ...ni naru koto wo boku wa shitteiru~ from mid-May to the beginning of June 2005. However, the last date of the tour had to be canceled due to Daishi suddenly falling ill. It was later revealed that instead of being ill, he had been found in possession of amphetamines and had been arrested.
The bad news continued when Psycho le Cemu were dropped by both their label and management and forced to return to the indies. Daishi attended his trial in September and was placed on a suspended sentence, provided he was able to stay clean for three years.
The band’s future seemed to be in jeopardy for a while, but shortly after 2006 began, Psycho le Cemu decided to re-form and planned to embark on a spring tour. Sadly, this reunion did not last long, as they eventually disbanded completely, holding their final live in May. After that, Daishi disappeared for a while, but he promised to return soon.
He kept his word, announcing that he would be holding two lives in November at Shibuya CYCLONE. Riding on the success of the aforementioned lives, he held another solo live, Kajinaga Daishi LIVE 2007, on January 16th at Shibuya O-WEST.
In March 2007, Daishi’s first solo album GOD JAPANESE MONSTER was finally released. He headed out on tour with a support band consisting of ex-Jurassic drummer Maekawa Shingo, ex-media youthbassist Kato Hiroki and guitarist Suga Daisuke, who was formerly a member of Raspberry Circus. Later that year, the name of his solo band was changed to ROMEO to reflect that it was no longer only his project but a band where all members contributed.
This turned out to be merely a transitional stage, as the band changed their name to The ROMEO before they began recording new music. They released their first album under this name, JULIETA, in August 2007 and followed it with a single called JOKER in March 2008. The band’s sound differs slightly from that of Daishi’s solo work, with a stronger punk influence and lyrics featuring more aggressive, upbeat subject matter. In October they also released a DVD called God of Death Carnival, showcasing their energetic live performances.
In 2010 Shingo left the band and was replaced by new drummer Okamoto Tadafumi. Unfortunately, The ROMEO disbanded the next year.
Daishi bounced back quickly, however, announcing the formation of a new band called 6-six- in February 2012. Its line-up also includes former The ROMEO members Okamoto and Suga as well as bassist Teshima Kaoru and saxophonist Baba Reiji.
On August 27, 2013, Daishi performed as a solo artist for the first time in years, playing GOD JAPANESE MONSTER and I LOVE YOU, as well as a set with 6-six- at the charity event Hope and Live. During his solo set he was joined by former The ROMEO bassist Kato Hiroki and SPEED-iD drummer J.P.HAL.J.
Despite all his past hardships, Daishi is back on his feet and his powerful voice, sincerity and enthusiasm continue to earn him a devoted following.
