SIX-R, also known as 6R, formed in August of 2006 and was signed to the famous Nagoya kei label DONUTS RECORDS WEST one month later. However, they only started getting noticed towards the end of November. Internet sites wrote about the new band, which included the former Phobia vocalist KISUI. KISUI, who had re-named himself Jun for his new band, was returning to the stage after a three and a half year hiatus. The other members of the band, who had also been in other bands previously, were guitarist Kaine (ex-Vizell), bassist O-ji (ex-WAIL) and drummer Rui (ex-Phobia support drummer in 1997). Guitarist Yuu is the only newcomer.
In the beginning of 2007, SIX-R's official site was opened. They announced that their first maxi-single, REALxIMAGE, limited to only 2,000 copies, would be released in February. However, the site went down after a only a few weeks. After the band played a secret live at Nagoya Club Quattro on January 6th, a new version of the site went online. The release date for the single was changed, as were some of their concert dates. REALxIMAGE came out on March 3rd and sold out almost immediately. This release was followed by a one-man show, called Six of Storm, on March 17th at the Nagoya ell. FITS ALL. Some time later, other concerts for April and June were announced.
Unfortunately, Rui decided to leave the band after their concert at the HOLIDAY OSAKA on April 14th, which caused the band to go on a short break.
After the break, they started playing lives again. They held a secret live and were planning to perform with their label-mates meruromero, but this concert was canceled due to illness. At the next scheduled concert, SIX-R presented their new drummer, Reina, formerly a support member of S. The band was now more active than they were before the break and played up to four concerts a month.
At the end of August they released their second single MARRY, which included a new version of a song from REALxIMAGE. The song MARRY would also be on their first mini-album, niNe, which was released at the beginning of October. A notice by DONUTS RECORDS WEST claimed a mistake was made in the manufacturing of niNe, which switched the third track “Sixth” and fourth track Kakera on the CD. This release was the last one they have made up to now, yet SIX-R proved to be a very popular band even with a very limited number of products released.
In the summer of June 2008, Jun left the band due to personal reasons. He departed after the Current member Last Live 2008.06.03 but stated that he will continue on the music business. Seiren and Minoru leaped onto the scene as vocalist and drummer, and SIX-R sauntered on to play more lives, including HOLIDAY NAGOYA, ell.SIZE. at Nagoya and Shikkoku e no Shoutaijou ~ Kuuhaku no Ni-Page which was hosted by Lamina.
SIX-R's new line-up lasted about a year before they decided to go on another indefinite hiatus. On May 14th, 2009, they played their last live Shouka~THELASTNIGHT.~ at Nagoya Club Quattro, and drummer Minoru left after the last live.
It is unfortunate how the band seems to be constantly on and off like a switch, but it is wonderful to see how the band holds together after so many member changes and breaks. Let’s see what they will surprise us with when they get together once again!
