Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas (Japanese: フィアー・アンド・ロージング・イン・ラスベガス, Hepburn: Fiā ando Rōjingu in Rasu Begasu) is a Japanese electronicore band from Kobe that was formed in summer 2008. The band currently consists of vocalist So, keyboardist Minami, guitarist Taiki, drummer Tomonori, and bassist Tetsuya. They are best known for their heavy use of vocoder and synthesizer blended with emo/metalcore music and rave beats.
Top Tracks
Releases in the Catalogue
- Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas - Starburst -
VPCC-82656(2015)
Members
Current
- Minami - Scream Vo. & Keyboard
- So - Clean/Scream Vo.
- Taiki - Guitar
- Tomonori - Drums
- Tetsuya (Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas)
Former
History
Translated from the ja.wikipedia article Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas (CC BY-SA 4.0), revision 110234068.
Overview
Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas was formed in 2008.
The band name is derived from the original title of Terry Gilliam's 1998 film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Its official abbreviations are “FaLiLV” and “Las Vegas”. Due to the length of the band name, it is also sometimes shortened to “Nanchara Las Vegas”.
Musical Style
The band's style is characterized by a post-hardcore foundation incorporating Auto-Tune vocals, synthesizers, and elements of trance.
Sxun, a founding member and former member who led the band's composition, stated that the initial image of the band's sound was a fusion of melodies that Japanese artists would create and the sound of artists from outside Japan. Specifically, he envisioned melodies such as those of Northern19 and TOTALFAT, bands with whom he had performed. In a discussion with BOOM BOOM SATELLITES, he said of the band's musical style: “We are just doing what we can do ourselves. There is programming, and there is a live feel; both are simply there, or rather, they came together naturally. There are no rules, or rather, I think it is an accidental result born from a lack of knowledge. Even with tempo changes that would normally be impossible, it is like, ‘But we want it to be faster here, so we make it faster.’”
Regarding the incorporation of a wide variety of musical genres, Sxun also stated: “We still cannot clearly see what the future will look like, but although we incorporate elements from many genres, we do not want to lose to the people who have mastered that music in their respective scenes. I do not think there is any meaning in trying our hand at many genres if each song only scores 60 points.” He added, “If we are going to do it, we want to make music in which only things that can stand alongside those who have mastered each genre are lined up under our name.”
In an interview conducted around the time of the band's formation, Tomonori stated that their current sound had naturally been established by building on three foundations—Sxun's guitar riffs, Minami's keyboards, and drums in which the rhythm comes to the fore—and then adding each individual's personality to the songs. According to him, “chaos,” “pop,” “core,” and “dance” are the band's central pillars, and the question is how to combine those four elements in what balance. He also stated that what they most wanted to focus on was creating music that only Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas could make, and creating a genre called “Las Vegas.”
Regarding the secret to fusing diverse sound elements into a single song, Tomonori stated that it involves not being bound by preconceptions, trying out various phrases, and determining whether they sound cool—whether all the members feel that they are cool. Although the band basically writes songs through a highly intuitive process, the members carefully consider where to combine various sounds and how to arrange transitions between sections so that the songs do not become incomprehensible works created by casually putting things together on a whim. He stated that there have been countless songs discarded because of the difficulties involved in this process.
Tomonori stated, “This band has the idea that there is nothing we must not do.” In the discussion with BOOM BOOM SATELLITES, he also said: “Our music is heavy, but it is also pop, and it is music that seeks to take the best parts of many genres,” and “Our current music is the result of combining the individual personalities of each member as they are.”
Musical Influences
In interviews conducted shortly after the band's formation, it was revealed that each member had completely different musical tastes, listening to genres ranging from deathcore to jazz and anime songs.
Founding member Sxun had originally been in a melodic band and stated that melodies written by overseas artists did not feel right to him. SHACHI was the reason he first started a band, and he subsequently began listening to indie bands frequently.
Minami was originally a classical pianist and often listens to genres derived from classical music as well as anime songs. He also cited THE USED as the band that inspired him to begin screaming.
So cited ELLEGARDEN as the reason he began playing in a band. He later began listening to screamo acts such as STORY OF THE YEAR and THE USED, and currently listens to music of all genres. He has also stated that he likes the singing style of Masashi Yamada, vocalist of THE BACK HORN.
Tomonori stated that he basically does not listen to genres such as screamo or metalcore at all. He began playing drums after being shocked by listening to Ging Nang Boyz and GOING STEADY. He later listened to a mixture of funk, jazz, samba, metal, and other music, and stated that rather than being influenced by a single artist, he has absorbed different elements from a variety of artists.
Taiki cited Koji Tamaki as an artist who influenced him, stating that he experienced an emotional shock when he attended one of his concerts.
Tetsuya cited bassists Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who inspired him to begin playing bass, as well as Billy Sheehan, IKUO, THUNDERCAT, and Henrik Linder of Dirty Loops.
Achievements
Writer Ryosuke Arakane stated that the inclusion of electronic elements in Japanese loud/heavy music had become commonplace, and analyzed that Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas had played a major role in making this commonplace a standard practice. He said that bands of this type were now everywhere.
Writer Takumi Nakamura said that Las Vegas combined electronic music and loud rock with elements of hardcore, establishing the genre known as “picolimo” together with bands of the next generation.
Naoko Kato, Kana Adachi, and Rina Sakurama of Tower Records stated that Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas was the greatest starting point in the trend through which hardcore and screamo bands came to prominence, and that the scene had definitely changed following the band’s emergence. They cited the successive major-label debuts of rave-influenced screamo/metalcore bands such as ASHLEY SCARED THE SKY, THREE LIGHTS DOWN KINGS, whose fashion sensibility was also similar to that of Las Vegas, and ARTEMA.
Writer Tomokazu Nishihiro likewise named Las Vegas as one of the loud rock bands that had achieved major success in terms of sales and live attendance, stating, “Their success also holds tremendous significance in terms of showing the future of loud rock.”
Reception
Nakano of BOOM BOOM SATELLITES said that he was surprised by the speed of the developments in Las Vegas's music and the way it changes tempo, comparing it to “music that seems like it was made by someone who is extremely good at games.”
Masato, the vocalist of coldrain, said of Las Vegas, “When they first appeared, I thought, ‘They’re amazing.’ It is amazing that they had their direction so firmly established on their first album. I have nothing but admiration for them,” stating that the band's direction had already been established at the time of its debut.
ELECTRIC CALLBOY, then known as ESKIMO CALLBOY and sometimes described as “the German Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas” because of its musical style, said in a 2014 interview that, compared with itself, Las Vegas “makes very fast but melodic songs,” and named it, alongside ARTEMA and girugamesh, as among the most popular acts in Germany.
RAISE A SUILEN has named Las Vegas as an artist that influenced its live performances. Among its members, Reo Kurachi (倉知玲鳳) is particularly a fan of Las Vegas and regards fellow keyboardist Minami as a role model.
PassCode has named Las Vegas as an artist at the roots of its musical style. In particular, member Nao Minami (南菜生) stated that the group was especially strongly influenced by Las Vegas around its early debut period, and that she wondered, “What do the members of Vegas themselves think about it?”
Kozy Yamaguchi of Tower Records described Las Vegas as inheriting Enter Shikari's rave × screamo/metalcore sound and fashion sense filled with street style.
Writing for Real Sound, Ryosuke Arakane (荒金良介) stated that the two indispensable elements in discussing Las Vegas's musical style are “loud” and “electro,” commenting, “There is no precedent. There is no model. No artist to compare them with can be found,” and, “There was no Las Vegas before Las Vegas, and there will be no Las Vegas after Las Vegas.” He also said, “The more approaches incorporating electro as a standard feature increase, the more strongly Las Vegas's technical ability and sensibility shine. Alternatively, they reign proudly as a one-of-a-kind individuality that cannot be imitated.”
Music writer Tomokazu Nishihiro (西廣智一) wrote that although bands such as Crossfaith and ARTEMA existed that espoused heavy sounds incorporating electronic elements, Las Vegas differed from others in its ability to combine aspects of loud rock and dance music while also retaining catchiness and popularity, which he described as a major distinguishing characteristic.
Current Members
So – clean vocals, screamed vocals, programming, guitar
Joined in 2009. Born in Kakogawa, Hyōgo Prefecture. He is known for his high-pitched voice incorporating Auto-Tune. Before officially joining, he was active as a support vocalist in the band that preceded Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas.
He graduated from the School of Science and Technology at Kwansei Gakuin University and is the same age as Minami. He was also a university classmate of Takuya Yamanaka, vocalist of THE ORAL CIGARETTES.
He mainly writes lyrics.
Although he primarily handles vocals, he plays a wind synthesizer during the middle section of “Trap by the Nervous” (2022). From “Get Back the Hope” (2022) onward, he has also performed guitar in guitar solo sections.
He has a younger brother who is one year his junior.
His father is an elementary school teacher.
The first band he became absorbed in was ELLEGARDEN, which led him to start playing in bands. He currently describes his musical tastes as eclectic, listening to everything from Story of the Year and The Used to jazz bars, Sotaisei Riron, Ayaka, and JAMIES ELSEWHERE.
He is a fan of BOOM BOOM SATELLITES. In his second year of junior high school, he was taken by an older member of his club to see the film APPLESEED at a cinema, where he first encountered BOOM BOOM SATELLITES’ music. He was struck by the fusion of electronic sounds and rock music and subsequently became an avid listener.
He has very poor eyesight. In September 2020, he underwent emergency surgery and was hospitalized for several weeks after his retinal detachment progressed rapidly.
Minami – screamed vocals, rap, keyboards, programming, guitar
Born in Ashiya, Hyōgo Prefecture. He is one of the original members and joined the band after being invited by Tomonori. Before that, he was active in another band and at one point was in a band with Hiroki, bassist of Crossfaith.
He is the same age as So and also graduated from Kwansei Gakuin University. Like So, he was a university classmate of Takuya Yamanaka, vocalist of THE ORAL CIGARETTES.
He is known for his black permed hair, black eye makeup, and black clothing. He remains completely silent during live performances and television appearances, but responds properly in interviews.
He mainly composes music.
He originally played classical piano.
In the introductory text for the official music video for “Why Couldn't I Say The Last Goodbye To You?”, he was credited as “Keisuke”.
His vocal work mainly consists of screams and shouts, but from “LLLD” (2017) onward, he has also performed rap using a clean voice.
He primarily plays keyboards. From “Repaint” (2022) onward, he has also performed guitar in guitar solo sections.
He has one older sister.
He likes baseball.
Taiki – guitar, backing vocals, vocals
The only member from Kobe. He is one of the original members. His more prominent beard, compared with those of the other members, is his trademark.
From PHASE 2 onward, he increasingly handled sing-along and clean vocal parts, and from New Sunrise onward, he also began handling screamed parts. Accordingly, he began appearing in music videos and artist photographs in eccentric outfits such as sunglasses and singlets.
He was clean-shaven when the band was formed, but began performing with a beard from around the release of All That We Have Now.
He uses Mayones guitars, and in November 2019 it was announced that he had entered into an endorsement agreement with the company, becoming its first Japanese player to do so.
He is also skilled at cooking and once made cookies as a special gift included with the first-press limited edition of the single “Starburst”.
He was employed when the band was formed.
He has one older brother.
Tomonori – drums
One of the original members. He is the longest-serving member, and the band was formed around him.
From Feeling of Unity onward, he also began using crotales.
He has been friends with Kei since their student days and was the person who invited him into the band.
He is the youngest of three siblings, with a brother nine years older and a sister six years older.
He began playing drums after being impressed by listening to Ging Nang Boyz and GOING STEADY.
He generally does not listen to screamo or metalcore at all, but since beginning to play drums, he has listened to music in a wide range of genres, including funk, jazz, samba, and metal. He likes what he likes and dislikes what he dislikes. He often listens to anime songs.
He previously had a heavier build, but around the autumn of 2020, believing that he would be unable to continue his current drumming style with that physique, he undertook a 40-kilogram weight loss effort lasting until 2022. He now has a somewhat leaner build.
Tetsuya – bass, backing vocals, vocals
Joined on June 29, 2019.
Born in Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture.
He specializes in technical bass playing, including high-speed slap bass.
Regarding his personality, Taiki described him as “At first glance, he may seem shrouded in mystery, and depending on the person, he may appear intimidating or give off an unapproachable air, but once he starts talking, he cannot stop talking about the things and hobbies he likes. He is the kind of man who is, so to speak, an otaku. He is also a fancy, funny, and serious boy with the ambition to approach the bass in the same way.” Tomonori described him as follows: “Since the first time I met him, I have had a strong impression of him as straightforward and pure.”
He is the youngest member under the new lineup. He is the former bassist of “Solomon”, a band that was active primarily in Osaka, and after Solomon disbanded, he performed under the name “Teyan Tetsuya”. Like Kei, he handles the backing vocals for Sxun’s parts.
He uses dragonfly bass guitars. He also owns a Fender Jazz Bass, a Music Man StingRay, an IKUO signature model, and others.
His hobbies include watching anime, camping, collecting sneakers, Gunpla, Mini 4WD, and radio-controlled models, making him a person of many hobbies among the members. He is also the only member with personal accounts on X and Instagram.
As his personal motto, he cites the phrase “All disadvantages in this world stem from the individual’s lack of ability” from the manga Tokyo Ghoul. He interprets the phrase as meaning, “Even when something does not go well or something unpleasant happens, rather than blaming one’s environment or other people, one should solve it by changing oneself,” and says that he tries to recall it whenever something discouraging occurs.
Among the works that have had a major influence on his life, he cites the novel ZOO1, the manga Tokyo Ghoul, the animated film Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance., the television anime Love Live!, and the Gundam series.
He began playing bass after hearing “Around the World” by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers at the age of 18 and being struck by the sound of the instrument in its introduction. At SUMMER SONIC, his first live performance after joining Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas, Red Hot Chili Peppers also performed on the same day, which he recalled as a dream stage in many respects.
His top five favorite bassists are Flea, Billy Sheehan, IKUO, Shyoudog, and Junior Ribeiro Braguinha.
Former Members
Mashu – bass
Left the band on September 21, 2013. After leaving, he formed the three-piece band RAINY BLUE MONDAY in Kobe, which disbanded in 2016. He subsequently served as bassist and vocalist in the four-piece band Lif. In October 2018, the band was renamed Solleo following the departure of a member. On February 8, 2020, he joined the four-piece band UN LUCK WIN as a guitarist and has been active in both bands simultaneously. He also performs solo acoustic live shows, primarily in Kobe.
He was credited as “MA$HU” in the introductory text for “Couldn't I Say The Last Goodbye To You?”
At the time, he was the youngest member of the band.
He has one younger brother.
Sxun – guitar, vocals, chorus
Left the band on June 30, 2018.
He was born in Kakogawa, Hyōgo Prefecture. He was a leader-like presence in the band, serving as a composer and MC, among other roles. His name is pronounced “Shun.” Before So joined the band, he also served as its main vocalist.
At METROCK and the Hyakumangoku Ongakusai: Million Rock Festival, which he appeared at immediately before leaving the band, he performed while seated in a wheelchair.
He is known for the tattoos on both of his arms.
He uses SCHECTER guitars.
He is an only child.
He has stated that SHACHI was what first prompted him to start a band. While performing at local live houses thereafter, he began to hear indie bands frequently and said that he enjoyed listening to the music recommended by those around him.
On January 1, 2019, he announced that, under the name “Shun,” he would launch the creative team P.L.W.STUDIOS with composer IceDyke and video director HiroyaBrian. On June 13 of the same year, he announced that he would participate under the name “Sxun” as director for FABLED NUMBER.
On June 5, 2022, he appeared as a guest on Gaasyy Channel, where it became known that he had become a behind-the-scenes staff member and secretary for Yoshikazu Higashitani, known as Gaasyy.
Kei – bass, chorus, vocals
Joined the band on September 21, 2013. He died of acute heart failure on January 12, 2019.
He was born in Tokushima Prefecture but grew up in Kagawa Prefecture.
He had been friends with Tomonori since their student days and, before joining the band, had served as bass instructor to former member Mashu. Following Mashu's departure, Tomonori explained the circumstances to him in order to avoid a hiatus in the band's activities, and he became an official member after repeated rehearsals.
He was particularly skilled in slap bass technique.
Following Sxun's departure, he began performing the chorus parts previously handled by Sxun.
On “Accept Each Other's Sense of Values,” he sang in an anime-style voice. He reportedly practiced his vocal parts every day.
He used Dingwall basses and had previously used a Ken Smith bass.
He had one older sister.
He liked the manga series Hoshin Engi.
Formation to Major Debut, Dance & Scream (2008–2010)
Formed in Kobe in the summer of 2008.
Until January of that year, Tomonori, Sxun, Mashu, and Taiki had been in a band called Ending for a Start, with So and So's younger brother serving as supporting vocalists. So himself was also active in another band, Bombreligion. At the time, Minami was active in a different band called Blank Time, but when Tomonori saw Minami's band, he thought, “I want to try being in a band with this guy.” As Minami's band had just broken up, Tomonori approached him, bringing together the five members other than So as Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Before So formally joined, the self-produced release Scorching Epochal Sensation was distributed free of charge.
In April 2009, So officially joined as vocalist, establishing a six-member lineup with twin vocalists. According to Tomonori, the members came together with the idea of assembling six people with distinct personalities and creating a band, and music, in which each member's characteristics could complement one another. At this time, Minami and So were university students, Mashu was a high school student, and Taiki was employed.
At the time of its formation, the band operated with the idea of improving its music as much as possible within the scope of a hobby. However, while preparing to release its first EP, the members met a manager, and through repeated discussions, making a living through music gradually became a clear vision for all of them.
In November, the self-produced first EP, Burn the Disco Floor with Your “2-step”!!, was distributed free of charge in a limited edition of 1,000 copies and sold out immediately.
In February 2010, the self-produced second EP, Evolution～Entering the New World～, was distributed free of charge in a limited edition of 1,000 copies and sold out immediately.
On June 16, the self-produced double A-side single Take Me Out!! / Twilight was released and sold out.
During this period, the band rapidly emerged through live performances with a variety of acts in various locations, building its own fan base. Its ability to accomplish such a labor-intensive process smoothly in a short period has been attributed first to the powerful initial impression made by its musical style, which was sufficiently strong to spread reliably through word of mouth, and additionally to its energetic repetition of live performances, through which its musical style, live shows, and the band's “appearance” came together effectively from an early stage.
On November 24, the band made its debut with its first album, Dance & Scream. With an average age of 19, the album was evaluated as containing music from a wide range of genres, including metal, emo, screamo, and dance music. Although the album was released through a major label and sold exclusively at the Tower Records CD shop chain, it recorded remarkably long sales. The following year, the album track “Love at First Sight” was featured in the arcade game jubeat copious.
NEXTREME and All That We Have Now (2011–2013)
In 2011, the band was selected to perform the opening theme for the television anime Kaiji: Against All Rules, which began airing in April, marking its first musical tie-in.
On July 13, it released the mini-album NEXTREME. It reached number eight on the Oricon chart, becoming the band's first release to enter the top ten. “Chase the Light!”, included on the album, was used as the opening theme for Kaiji: Against All Rules, while “Jump Around” was used in the video game World Soccer: Winning Eleven 2012. From September to December of the same year, the band held the NEXTREME Release Tour, consisting of 34 performances nationwide, with venues across Japan selling out.
On January 11, 2012, the band released the first-press limited single Just Awake. The title track, “Just Awake”, was used as the ending theme for the Nippon Television anime HUNTER × HUNTER, which had been airing since 2011, and was later also used in the arcade game jubeat saucer, which began operating on September 25. In late May, an overseas-only edition, Just Awake / Acceleration, was released in the United States. It included an English-language version of “Just Awake” and became a top seller at the American rock web shop SMART PUNK.
On August 8, the band released its second full-length album, All That We Have Now, which debuted at number four on the Oricon chart. A music video for the album track “Crossover” was released in connection with the album's release. “Scream Hard as You Can”, also included on the album, received an advance music video broadcast on Space Shower TV, while “Ley-Line” received one on MTV. From autumn, the band held the All That We Have Now Release Tour, consisting of 34 performances nationwide. Following the end of the tour, additional performances were held in December under the title All That We Have Now Release Tour FINAL SERIES: at Tokyo STUDIO COAST on December 19, Nagoya DIAMOND HALL on December 21, and Namba Hatch (なんばHatch) in Osaka on December 23.
In March 2013, the band held a Zepp tour in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, and in May it also appeared at Ozzfest Japan, held at Makuhari Messe (幕張メッセ).
On June 26, it released its first video work, The Animals in Screen.
Mashu's Departure and Kei's Joining, First Solo Concert "First One Man Show 2014", and PHASE 2 (2013–2014)
On September 21, bassist Mashu left the band. He had requested to leave, stating that he had lost his motivation for music. Although the band members and the entire team repeatedly attempted to persuade him otherwise, his decision remained firm, and it was concluded that continuing activities under the existing lineup would be difficult. The band therefore accepted his request.
Kei, who had been Mashu's bass instructor, was announced as his successor on the official website. “MADOllie2013,” held at Namba Hatch on September 23, was the first live performance by the new lineup.
From October 25 of the same year, the band held its first tour following Kei's joining, “2 Man Shows Tour 2013.” Sxun, who was a member at the time, said of the tour, “I feel that, ultimately, trust was one of the major themes of this tour,” and “I think the members became more conscious of unity among themselves during the tour.”
In 2014, the limited first-edition single Rave-up Tonight was released on January 15. It sold 19,000 copies and reached number three on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart dated January 27. The title track, “Rave-up Tonight,” was later used as the opening theme for the arcade game Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxi Boost.
On March 23, the band held its first solo concert, “First One Man Show 2014,” in its hometown of Kobe. During the performance, it was announced that the band's third full-length album would be released in the summer and that a tour would accompany the release.
On June 13, the band performed at the music festival “ULTRA KOREA 2014” in Seoul, South Korea, marking its first appearance at an overseas music festival.
On August 6, the third full-length album PHASE 2 was released. The album track “Virtue and Vice” was used as the opening theme for the television anime Brynhildr in the Darkness, while “Thunderclap” was used as the opening theme for the television anime Sengoku BASARA Judge End. A nationwide release tour was held from September of the same year.
In October, the new song “Let Me Hear” was selected as the opening theme for the television anime Parasyte: The Maxim.
Solo Concert at Nippon Budokan and Organised Festival “MEGA VEGAS”, Feeling of Unity (2015–2016)
In 2015, the first-run limited-edition single Let Me Hear was released on January 7.
On April 18, the band was selected as the “image character for 2015–2016” by the French radio station JAPANFM. As a result, its songs and music videos were power-played in France for one year. In connection with this, it was decided that the band would hold a solo concert in Paris on October 17.
Transfer to Warner Music Japan, New Sunrise (2017–2018)
As announced, Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas held its second “MEGA VEGAS” at Kobe World Memorial Hall on April 1, 2017; tickets were
Sxun's Departure, Kei's Sudden Death, and the Memorial Concert "Thanks to You All" (2018–2019)
Beginning in June, guitarist Sxun was absent due to ill health from a total of six performances: SATANIC CARNIVAL '18 on June 16, and ROTTENGRAFFTY PLAY ALL AROUND JAPAN TOUR 2018 on June 22, 24, 26, 27, and 29. The concerts were performed by the remaining five members without Sxun.
On June 30, guitarist Sxun left the band for personal reasons. The band had received Sxun's request to leave in May, and the decision was reached after repeated discussions among the members and staff. The official website announced that no replacement member would be added and that the band would continue as a five-piece.
On September 3, "The Gong of Knockout", the first song released under the five-member lineup, was selected as the second cour opening theme for the television anime Baki.
On September 10, "Be Affected", the band's first collaborative song with Takanori Nishikawa, was chosen as the theme song for the television anime Gakuen BASARA.
From October 5, the band's first nationwide tour as a five-piece, Move Ahead Tour 2018, began. At the tour's unofficial final performance, held at Kobe Taiyo to Tora on December 12, "The Gong of Knockout" was performed for the first time. The band also announced the release of its first album under this lineup on March 27 of the following year, as well as a nationwide tour.
In 2019, the band canceled its scheduled appearance at the Sapporo performance of NO MATTER LIVE on January 13 on the day of the event.
On January 16, the official website announced that bassist Kei had died at his home of acute heart failure late at night on January 12. In connection with this, the band announced the temporary cancellation of the new album release, nationwide tour, and MEGA VEGAS event scheduled for March 27, while stating that it intended to continue its activities in the future. The video work The Animals in Screen III was released as scheduled, and both its DVD and Blu-ray editions entered the top 10 of the Oricon overall chart for the first time.
On January 17 and 26, MTV broadcast the special program Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas VideoSelects in memory of Kei.
On March 19, the official website announced that Kei's memorial concert, "Thanks to You All", would be held on June 7. Namba Hatch (なんばHatch), the venue where the new lineup following Kei's joining had given its first live performance, was selected as the venue.
On June 7, a flower offering stand was set up at the venue, and many fans visited. On stage, the bass guitar Kei had used during his lifetime was displayed in the position where he had stood, while Kei's recorded bass tracks were used for the bass parts during the concert. In addition, full-version distribution of "The Gong of Knockout", the last song in whose recording Kei participated, began the following day, June 8.
Tetsuya's Joining, Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic, and HYPERTOUGHNESS (2019–2021)
On June 29, the band's official website announced the joining of Tetsuya as the successor to bassist Kei, as well as the three-city Tokyo–Nagoya–Osaka headlining tour “Carry on FaLiLV”.
On September 14, it was announced that the band would collaborate with Ultimate Ears, a long-established in-ear monitor manufacturer with the largest market share in the world, to release signature models, the first by a Japanese artist. The in-ear monitors, featuring the original designs used by the members during live performances, were made to order and limited to 100 units.
On September 20, the band announced at a live performance that its sixth full-length album, HYPERTOUGHNESS, would be released on December 4. Ahead of its release, the album track “The Stronger, The Further You’ll Be” and, from November 30, download sales and music video streaming for “Massive Core” also began.
In 2020, on January 12, the first anniversary of Kei's death, the music video for “The Gong of Knockout” was released.
The “HYPERTOUGHNESS” Release Tour 2020 began on January 17.
On February 14, it was announced that the band would participate with “Sekai wa Sore o Ai to Yobunda ze” in Sambomaster's tribute album Sambomaster Kyukyoku Tribute Love From Nakama, released on March 25.
On February 26, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the band decided to postpone four performances: Fukuoka BEAT STATION on February 28, Oita T.O.P.S BittsHALL on February 29, BLUE LIVE Hiroshima on March 7, and Takamatsu MONSTER on March 14. On March 30, it was also announced that the “HYPERTOUGHNESS” Release Tour 2020 FINAL SERIES would be postponed.
On March 20, it was announced that the regular program RADIVEGAS, pronounced Rajibegasu, would begin broadcasting every Thursday from 9:30 to 10:00 p.m. on Kiss FM KOBE, a radio station in Hyōgo Prefecture, from April 2. So, Tomonori, and Tetsuya appeared regularly on the program. It was the first return of a regular program featuring the band in four years, since MUSIC APPLE in 2015–2016.
On May 20, the band announced that MEGAVEGAS 2020, its self-organized festival scheduled to be held at Kobe World Memorial Hall on September 21 and 22, would be postponed until 2021.
On October 13, the new song “Shape of Trust” was selected as the character song for Mr. Judgment, a character appearing in the smartphone game A.I.M.$ -All you need Is Money-.
On October 23, it was announced that “Shape of Trust” would be released digitally from December 16 and that the band's first no-audience streamed one-man live performance, “FaLiLV On-line Live”, would be held on December 17.
In 2021, on January 16, it was announced that the second no-audience streamed one-man live performance, “FaLiLV On-line Live 2”, would be held on April 7.
On March 10, the new song “Evolve Forward in Hazard” was selected as the theme song for the Kansai TV drama Shin Minami no Teio: Ginjiro no Aishita Aji o Mamore!, and was released digitally from March 24. On March 19, it was also announced that all members of the band would appear in Shin Minami no Teio: Ginjiro no Aishita Aji o Mamore!.
On March 25, the new song “One Shot, One Mind” was selected as the theme song for Kantare Professional Baseball Broadcast 2021, and was released digitally from April 21.
From April, the broadcast time of the regular radio program RADIVEGAS was changed to 55 minutes from 7:00 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, and it was announced that the program would continue.
On April 7, during an online concert, the band announced that the video work The Animals in Screen Bootleg 1 would be released on July 7 and The Animals in Screen Bootleg 2 on September 1. It also announced that the “HYPERTOUGHNESS” Release Tour 2020, which had been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, would be restarted as the “HYPERTOUGHNESS” Release Tour 2020→2021, with all performances converted into headlining concerts, beginning on June 15.
On June 15, the “HYPERTOUGHNESS” Release Tour 2020→2021 began. At the tour's opening performance at KT Zepp Yokohama, the band announced that it would hold a complete recreation concert of The Animals in Screen Bootleg 1 with an audience on November 11, and a complete recreation concert of The Animals in Screen Bootleg 2 with an audience on December 2. It was also announced that the first album Dance & Scream would become available through subscription services from June 16, and that a one-man live performance with an audience and streaming component would be held on October 20 to commemorate the release.
“FaLiLV Shuffle Tour 2022”, Transfer to Victor Entertainment, and Cocoon for the Golden Future (2021–2023)
On July 29, it was announced that member Minami had contracted COVID-19. As a result, the band withdrew from the music festival OSAKA GIGANTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL 20>21, at which it had been scheduled to perform on August 1. Subsequently, on July 31, Tomonori, Tetsuya, and Taiki were confirmed to have contracted COVID-19, followed by So on August 3, meaning that all members had been infected. Consequently, the members did not appear on RADIVEGAS, which had been scheduled to air on August 6.
On August 27, the band withdrew from the TREASURE05X festival, at which it had been scheduled to perform on September 3, as a precaution. Crossfaith performed at the festival as its replacement.
On September 3, RADIVEGAS aired its final episode, ending its approximately year-and-a-half-long broadcast.
On November 11, it was announced during a live performance that the one-man tour “FaLiLV Shuffle Tour 2022”, in which the setlist would change for every show and the band would perform all of its songs over the course of the tour, would be held from February of the following year.
On December 4, it was announced that the band would appear as a guest act at RAISE A SUILEN SPECIAL LIVE “Repaint”, scheduled to be held on February 7 of the following year. At the same time, “Keep the Heat and Fire Yourself Up” was added to the mobile game BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! as a RAISE A SUILEN cover song.
On December 22, during an official livestream hosted by the mobile game BanG Dream! Girls Band Party!, it was announced that the band would provide its first song to RAISE A SUILEN as the second installment of the “Artist Tie-Up” project.
In 2022, RAISE A SUILEN SPECIAL LIVE “Repaint” was held as announced on February 7. The provided song “Repaint” was performed live for the first time, while “Just Awake” was newly added to BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! as a RAISE A SUILEN cover song. On February 14, an animated music video for “Repaint” was released on YouTube. An official party commemorating the performance was held at Music Bar ROCKAHOLIC-Shinjuku- on March 12.
On February 18, the schedule for the second half of the nationwide “FaLiLV Shuffle Tour 2022” was announced. The first half of the tour began on February 26. During the MC at the first show, the release of a new album and a tour in 2022, as well as the holding of MEGA VEGAS, which had been postponed due to the effects of COVID-19, were announced.
On June 10, it was announced that the band’s self-cover version of “Repaint”, originally provided to RAISE A SUILEN, would be used as the commercial song for the smartphone game application New Japan Pro-Wrestling STRONG SPIRITS, as well as in pre-opening commercials shown on screens at New Japan Pro-Wrestling event venues and on the TV Asahi-affiliated professional wrestling broadcast program World Pro Wrestling. It became available for streaming from June 22.
On the same day, it was announced that the new song “Tear Down” would be used as an insert song in the Sony Pictures Entertainment-distributed film Violence Action.
“Tear Down” was released for streaming on August 24. A music video was also released the same day, and the launch of the band’s official YouTube channel was announced, with plans to upload a variety of content in addition to music videos.
The second half of “FaLiLV Shuffle Tour 2022” began on August 30. At the opening show at Zepp Haneda, the band announced that it would release its seventh full-length album, Cocoon for the Golden Future, on October 26 and hold a nationwide tour in conjunction with the album’s release. The final performance of “FaLiLV Shuffle Tour 2022” was held at KT Zepp Yokohama on September 30. On stage, the band announced that it would hold its self-hosted music festival MEGA VEGAS for the first time in approximately six years since 2017, as a two-day event on March 11 and 12, 2023, at Kobe World Memorial Hall.
On October 1, the new album track “Get Back the Hope” became available on streaming services, and its music video was released simultaneously.
The seventh full-length album Cocoon for the Golden Future was released on October 26. It sold 6,000 copies in its first week and reached number 13 on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart. With the release of this work, the band transferred to Getting Better Records, a label within Victor Entertainment, while its management remained Warner Music Japan.
From November 17, the “Cocoon for the Golden Future” Release Tour 2022-2023 was held in conjunction with the album’s release.
In December, “Get Back the Hope” was used as the opening theme for December on TOKYO MX/TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting’s BARKUP TV.
On March 10, 2023, as previously announced, the “Cocoon for the Golden Future” Release Tour 2022-2023 FINAL ONE MAN SHOW was held at Kobe World Memorial Hall. On stage, the release of the video work The Animals in Screen Ultra Bootleg “Cocoon for the Golden Future” Release Tour 2022-2023 Final ONE MAN SHOW at KOBE WORLD HALL, as well as a concert at Nippon Budokan commemorating the 15th anniversary of the band’s formation, were announced.
On March 11, the new song “Dive in Your Faith” was selected as the second main theme song for Sammy’s Pachinko Ikusa no Ko. It became available on streaming services the same day, and a music video was released concurrently.
15th Anniversary (2023–2024)
On March 11 and 12, the band held its self-organized festival, “MEGA VEGAS 2023,” for the first time in six years, as previously announced.
On March 29, the instrumental album Cocoon for the Golden Future (Instrumental ver.), based on the seventh full-length album Cocoon for the Golden Future, was released through various streaming services.
On September 22, the band held its solo concert at Nippon Budokan, “15TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW 2023 at NIPPON BUDOKAN,” commemorating the 15th anniversary of its formation, as previously announced. During the concert, the band announced the “Full Power FaLiLV Tour 2023–2024,” a tour featuring other bands at 15 venues nationwide in commemoration of the anniversary, as well as “MEGA VEGAS 2024,” to be held on March 9 and 10, 2024.
The “Full Power FaLiLV Tour 2023–2024” began on November 10. At the opening performance at Kashiwa PALOOZA, the band announced that it would hold the “Full Power FaLiLV Tour 2023–2024 FINAL SERIES” in February 2024. It also announced that, as part of the 15th-anniversary project, the set lists would be decided through fan voting.
On January 16, 2024, following Tomonori’s diagnosis with COVID-19, the band announced the postponement of its scheduled January 19 performance at Hiroshima CLUB QUATTRO and January 21 performance at Okayama CRAZY MAMA KINGDOM. On February 1, it held the opening performance of the “Full Power FaLiLV Tour 2023–2024 FINAL SERIES” at Zepp Osaka Bayside as originally scheduled. On May 24 and 26 of the same year, the rescheduled Hiroshima and Okayama performances were held.
On February 15, the final performance of the “Full Power FaLiLV Tour 2023–2024 FINAL SERIES” was held at Zepp Haneda. Takanori Nishikawa appeared as a surprise guest and performed the collaborative song “Be Affected.” The release of The Animals in Screen IV-15TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW 2023 at NIPPON BUDOKAN-, a video release of the 15th-anniversary solo concert at Nippon Budokan, was also announced. To commemorate the release, “Replay of BUDOKAN,” in which the same set list would be performed at live music venues, was scheduled.
“Replay of BUDOKAN” was held on June 25 and 30. At the June 25 performance, the band announced the “Boost Up Tour 2024,” which would visit 16 venues nationwide from October of the same year. On June 28, the new song “Fist for the New Era” was selected as the ABEMA original theme song for Yogibo presents Super RIZIN.3, and was released for streaming the following day.
The “Boost Up Tour 2024” began on October 10.
Self-Organized Festival “POWER OF KOBE” and StandBy (2025–)
In January 2025, the band held its first tour of China, “FIRST ONEMAN SHOWS TOUR 2025 in CHINA”.
On January 29, it released the digital single “Song of Steelers”. The song was used as the official team song of the Kobe Kobelco Steelers, a rugby team based in the band’s hometown of Kobe, and a music video was released simultaneously with the single.
“Energy Overflow”, a collaborative song with Takanori Nishikawa, was included on his third album, SINGularity III -VOYAGE-, released on February 26. This marked the band’s second collaboration with Nishikawa, following “Be Affected” in 2018.
From July 11 to August 7, the band held “The Focus ‘All That We Have Now’ Vol.1”, a tour focused on its second album, All That We Have Now.
On September 6 and 7, the band held the music festival “POWER OF KOBE” at Kobe World Memorial Hall (神戸ワールド記念ホール). The event was held at the request of the City of Kobe in the 30th anniversary year of the Great Hanshin Earthquake.
On October 8, the band released the digital single “Until You Die Out”. The song was used as the ending theme for the television anime Ninja to Gokudo, and a music video was released simultaneously with the single.
From November 2 to January 16, 2026, the band held “The Focus ‘PHASE 2’ Vol.1”, a tour focused on its third album, PHASE 2.
“Drown Out the Noise and Push Through the Trash”, a newly written song, was included on RAISE A SUILEN’s 14th single, 'FIGHT' ADDICT, released on November 12. This was the band’s second song contribution to RAISE A SUILEN, following “Repaint” in 2022. An animated music video for the song was released on YouTube on December 20.
On January 19, 2026, the band held the two-man concert “COSMIC CIRCUS vol.4” with iLiFE!. On January 22, it held its second two-man concert with RAISE A SUILEN, “Drown Out the Noise”. On January 29, it held “The Focus ‘PHASE 2’ Extra Show”, an additional performance of “The Focus ‘PHASE 2’ Vol.1”.
On April 29, “Overwrite”, a track from the band’s eighth full-length album StandBy, was released in advance digitally, alongside a music video.
On May 20, the band released its eighth full-length album StandBy. The album reached number 15 on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart dated June 1, 2026. From May 20, the day of the album’s release, to September 26, the band is holding the “StandBy” Release Tour.
Band Scores
All were released by Doremi Music Publishing. They include long interviews explaining performance points for every song featured in the works, live photographs, and introductions to the equipment used by the members.
Sources
- Wikidata entity Q2878600.
- en.wikipedia, Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas (revision 1369268933), CC BY-SA 4.0.
- ja.wikipedia, Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas (revision 110234068), CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Photograph: Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas.jpg - Press shot via Deezer (artist 12607433).