The Underneath, formerly known as Transtic Nerve, was a Japanese
visual kei
is a movement among Japanese musicians that is characterized by the use of varying levels of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics, similar to Western glam rock.
Some ...
rock
Rock most often refers to:
* Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids
* Rock music, a genre of popular music
Rock or Rocks may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...
band formed in 1995. The band released four full-length records as Transtic Nerve and two full-length records as The Underneath. As Transtic Nerve, the band played more straightforward rock styled music, but in 2007 shifted to a heavier and darker style upon transforming to The Underneath. In 2010, the group disbanded and reformed (without second guitarist Tal) under the name
Defspiral
Defspiral (stylized as defspiral, and briefly existing under the name Wilma-Sidr) is a Japanese visual kei rock band composed of most of the former members of the Underneath. When the Underneath disbanded in 2010,hide (formerly of
X Japan
was a Japanese rock band from Chiba, formed in 1982 by drummer and pianist Yoshiki and lead vocalist Toshi. Starting as a predominantly power/speed metal band with heavy symphonic elements, they later gravitated towards a progressive soun ...
) and signed to his label, Lemoned. However, due to hide's death soon after, the band was let go without having released anything on the label. The next year, Transtic Nerve released their first single, "Shindou", and their first major label album, ''Cell Flash'', on Unlimited Records in July 1999.
In 2000, the band released two more singles, "Into Yourself" and "Binetsu", both accompanied by lengthy tours spanning most of the year. After touring, the band released another single, "Manazahi no Mukou e", followed by an album, ''Recall'', in March 2001. After touring in support of ''Recall'', the band released another single, "Manatsu no Yoru no Highway Star" in late 2001. Between 2002 and 2004, the band saw very few releases, with only one original studio album, ''Raise a Flag'' in 2004. Following their 2004 release, the band transitioned into a new style with more
metal
A metal (from Greek μέταλλον ''métallon'', "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typicall ...
influence, and in 2005 Transtic Nerve released an EP, ''Hole in the Wall'', demonstrating the new direction.
After a long pause in activity, Transtic Nerve resurfaced in 2007 with the announcement of a new band identity, the Underneath. The band saw no lineup change, but a deep stylistic change, moving to a heavier and darker style of music. The band's debut would be the
Taste of Chaos
Taste of Chaos (or "TOC") was a live music tour that was started in the winter of 2005 by Kevin Lyman, the creator of the successful Warped Tour along with his friend and business partner, John Reese. The Taste Of Chaos tour catered to fans of ...
2008 tour across the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
, being one of the three Japanese rock bands featured on the years' lineup (the others being
D'espairsRay
D'espairsRay (formerly stylized as DéspairsRay or +DéspairsRay+) was a Japanese visual kei rock band active from 1999 to 2011. The lineup of Hizumi on vocals, Karyu on guitar, Zero on bass and Tsukasa on drums remained the same, with the group ...
and
Mucc
is a Japanese visual kei rock band, formed in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1997. The classic line up of Tatsuro on vocals, Miya on guitar, Yukke on bass, and Satochi on drums was solidified in 1999 following the departure of original bassist Hiro. A ...
).''J!-ENT Taste of Chaos J-Rock Interview'' May 6th, 2008, by Wynne Ip, retrieved May 6, 2008 Without any releases or concerts in their home country, the band performed a lengthy American tour. The Underneath eventually announced their first album, '' Moon Flower'', to be released in March 2008, first in the United States on the newly formed JShock label, partly founded by
Yoshiki
Yoshiki is a masculine Japanese given name.
Possible writings
Yoshiki can be written using many different combinations of kanji characters. Here are some examples:
*義樹, "justice, tree"
*義基, "justice, foundation"
*義機, "justice, opportu ...
of X Japan.
After the completion of the Taste of Chaos tour, the band performed for the first time in Japan at the hide memorial summit. There, they played on the second day of the festival, alongside fellow Taste of Chaos bands D'espairsRay and Mucc, and others including
X Japan
was a Japanese rock band from Chiba, formed in 1982 by drummer and pianist Yoshiki and lead vocalist Toshi. Starting as a predominantly power/speed metal band with heavy symphonic elements, they later gravitated towards a progressive soun ...
,
Luna Sea
Luna Sea (stylized as LUNA SEA) is a Japanese rock band formed in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1986. Due to the use of make-up and costumes early in their career and their widespread popularity, they are considered one of the most successful and inf ...
and
Dir en grey
Dir En Grey (stylized as DIR EN GREY and previously as Dir en grey) is a Japanese Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in February 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. With a consistent lineup of guitari ...
. The Underneath's first headlining performance in Japan took place on June 13, 2008 at Shibuya O-West.
The band played along with fellow Japanese groups MarBell and DaizyStripper at Otakon 2008, on August 10, 2008 in
Baltimore
Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...
, MD. In November 2009, they released their second album, entitled ''Us.'' in Japan.
The band announced that they would disband on May 3, 2010. They released one last single titled "Diamond" on March 17, and had a disbanding tour called Last Live 2010 "Last Scene".''the Underneath disbands'' January 23rd, 2010, retrieved January 27, 2010
All five members held a 15th anniversary concert as Transtic Nerve at Akasaka Blitz on December 28, 2014..
Members
*Taka –
vocals
Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or withou ...
*Tal –
guitar
The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected strin ...
*Masato –
guitar
The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected strin ...