The visual kei world was rocked when indies bands kagerou and deadman announced their disbandment dates in 2006 and 2007, ending an era of western style alternative edginess with uncertainty as to whether they would return.
However, on April 9, 2007, ex-kagerou vocalist Daisuke and ex-deadman guitarist aie collaborated and unveiled their new band, the studs, to the delight of long time fans. Included in the lineup was Yukino (ex-Gullet) on bass and Hibiki (ex-Rick) on drums. This wasn't the first time many of these members had played together, with Aie, Yukino and Hibiki working together previously in the Nagoya-kei band, Kein, and Yukino having also been a part of deadman in 2000.
the studs released their first mini album, studs, in June 2007 before kicking off a two month one-man tour, spread from warm rain, the day after the release, which included a stop in Paris, France. After touring through the fall, the studs announced a triple release for the beginning of 2008. On January 16th they released their first maxi single, Niji no Iro, followed shortly after by their second maxi single, Gaze, on February 6, and their first full album, and hate, dropped on March 5th.
They toured Japan on another one-man tour through May, selling a live only CD entitled Flow Blow during the final three months. Additionally, fans who purchased all three consecutive releases were able to obtain a free three track single called Fair Occasionally Dark by mail order. The band launched a special section on their official home page to promote the limited CD. the studs were scheduled to play at Clash Against Commercialism in New York City on April 6th, but due to complications the show was canceled.
the studs announced another triple release through October and, along with their fall one-man tour, creepy crawly, released the singles creepy crawly, Ano oto and Tobari between October 1st and October 15th. creepy crawly landed on Oricon's indies chart in the second week of October, ranking #3. the studs continued touring through the fall up to their newest release, spidernest/yami nochi ame, on December 3rd, which ranked #7 on Oricon only two weeks after its release.
The year 2009 started off quiet for the studs, but they played at Over the Edge 2008, their first New Year's event and finished up their tour on January 17th at Shibuya O-EAST. By March, the band embarked on their spring tour, Tokyo Stars, which was an eight stop tour across Japan, successfully selling out every show.
Although it appeared the studs were on a musical roll, it was announced on March 18 that Hibiki would leave the band on April 10th after the Tokyo Stars final event at Meguro Rockmaykan, citing creative differences as his reason. Despite this setback, the band planned to continue as a trio, employing support drummer Hiroshi Sasabuchi (ex-plastic-tree), and announced the release of their second album, alansmithee.
On April 12, aie appeared at Shinjuku LOFT and performed solo during the venue's 10th anniversary event, which was his first solo appearance since his temporary side project, the god and death stars. Just five days after the release of the new album on May 20th, the studs announced the band would go on indefinite hiatus. The break will begin on July 20th after the band's tour final at Daikanyama UNIT, but the band assured fans the hiatus is not permanant.
As if news for the studs couldn't get any worse, on August 17th, Yukino announced his intentions to leave the band due to creative differences. With the trio now a duo, it is unsure what the future will bring for the studs, and no new shows or activity has been announced.
The band had been on hiatus since the end of 2009, but aie and Daisuke had not let that stop their musical endeavors. Both musicians were going strong, with aie having scheduled solo appearances as early as the end of September.
The year 2010 brought silence for the studs but new activity for the duo. While aie reemerged with his project GADS also known as the god and death stars, who played GHOST OF ROMANCE TOUR 2010 in the spring, Daisuke's schedule was especially busy, as he appeared on the EXTRA TERRITORIAL tour in April with his solo project, Daisuke to kuro no injatachi.
Daisuke's first single was released in June 2010, while aie was busy working on his own solo project and playing guitar for highfashion paralyze with Kazuma of ex-Merry Go Round.
On July 15, 2010, Daisuke suddenly passed away. His second single was to be released six days after his passing.
Since that time, aie has been continually touring solo with the god and death stars and working with highfashion paralyze. During the time of Daisuke's passing, he was mid-recording for his new album. It is unknown if any recorded material will be released.
Despite the events that have unfolded in the past year, it is sure the studs and Daisuke's memory will live on with their fans.
