Jully

The announcement of a new band called Jully in spring 2005 came as a welcome surprise for fans of the bands Hotaru, Kalimero and Porori. These three bands had disbanded a few months earlier, but four band members reappeared in the music scene under the name of Jully. With former Hotaru members vocalist Shinichirou and guitarist Ryota , ex-Porori bassist Yujiro and ex-Kalimero drummer Tsuyoshi, the band was already assured of a following as they kicked off with their first performance in April. In order to get their name out, the newborn band performed at various events throughout the year. Their first release, the single Sakura shinjuu, came out in December.

In 2006 Jully performed at more and more well-known visual kei festivals. They often performed next to befriended bands, such as Jinkaku Radio and heidi.. In March they released their first mini-album Shinkyou. Shortly after, they signed with the label Danger Crue, Inc. on which they released the twin singles Hekikuu and Sora ga ochita hi.

The year 2007 brought their first full-length album Inochi no shoudou. In May, they held a special live called Homurae to celebrate their second anniversary. In September, this sold-out concert was released on the DVD Homurae ~Jully 2nd Anniversary at Harajuku ASTRO HALL~. Another single Strobo came out in October and was Jully’s first release to hit the weekly indies Oricon Charts with an 18th position. Throughout the year, the band toured frequently and performed at many events. In November, they started on a coupling tour with heidi. which spanned into the new year. Shinichirou and Yujiro also formed a session band called Asahi together with heidi.’s guitarist and drummer on one occasion.

Although the band was continuously on the road in 2008, they managed to find some time to release a single and another mini-album as well. The single, Matsu hito/Chitta aza, ranked 10th on the weekly indies Oricon Charts.

The following year, Jully continued with frequent performances and a few releases and 2010 continued in the same way until September, when the band issued an announcement that they would call it quits. The reason given was that Shinichirou would be leaving the band due to family reasons and the remaining three members did not wish to continue the band as it would not be the same. After five years, the quartet performed their last concerts and regretfully ended their career with a performance on December 24th.