La'Mule (formerly stylized as La:Mule) was a Japanese

visual kei , abbreviated , is a category of Japanese musicians that have a strong focus on extravagant stage costumes that originated in Japan during the early 1980s. Koji Dejima of '' Bounce'' wrote that visual kei is not a specific sound, but rather it " ...

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 Wale ...

band formed in 1996. The band became known for its distinctive visual style, featuring blood and bandages.

History

La'Mule were formed in 1996 in

Shikoku is the smallest of the List of islands of Japan#Main islands, four main islands of Japan. It is long and between at its widest. It has a population of 3.8 million, the least populated of Japan's four main islands. It is south of Honshu ...

, Japan. Allegedly the band was slow to release material as they preferred to participate in events with fans rather than spend time in the recording studio. Their first CD, ''Toki no Souretsu'', was released in April 1998. In September 1998, both guitarists (Yuki and Fumi) left the band, and were replaced by Sin and Nao. Their first nation-wide tour took place in November 1999. In 2001, they formed Slit, their own record label, for the release of the album ''Climax''. In 2003, La'Mule announced an indefinite hiatus. They re-formed in 2010 in order to play a number of live shows. In 2012, the band formally disbanded. Their last concert took place on April 6, 2012. That same year, vocalist Kon and guitarists Sin and Nao formed the band Cell. In 2014, La'Mule reunited to perform at the memorial event for Mirage drummer Ayame at Meguro Rokumeikan on March 22.

Members

* – lead vocals *Sin – lead guitar *Nao – rhythm guitar *Isuke – bass *You-ya – drums Past members *Mataii – drums (1996–1997) *Fumi – guitar (1996–1998) *Yuki – guitar (1996–1998)

Discography

;Demo tapes * ''Lepra'' (1st press) (March, 1996) * ''Black Tape'' (September 7, 1996) * ''Lepra'' (2nd press) (November, 1996) * ''Mis-take of Out-take'' (April, 1997) * ''Joukei no Miyako'' (May, 1997) * ''Mind Control/Usagi no Tsumi'' (January 6, 1998) * ''Sola'' (July 18, 2001) ;Albums * ''Inspire'' (December 2, 1998) * ''Fuyuutsuki ~Yuigadai Kikeikyouten~'' (January 11, 1999) * ''Climax'' (February 22, 2001) * ''Best'' (September 10, 2002) * ''Eyes Bloodshed'' (April 5, 2013) ;Mini albums * ''Toki no Souretsu'' (April 4, 1998) ;Singles * ''Curse'' (March 25, 1999) * ''Kekkai -Glass Shinkei to Jiga Kyoukai-'' (July 28, 1999) * ''Nigatsu Itsuka no Namida'' (March, 2000) * ''Knife'' (June 6, 2000) * ''Sweet Enemy'' (May 21, 2001) * ''Memory of Flow'' (May 25, 2001) * ''Ichinichi no Kodoku Hyakunen no Kodoku'' (July 20, 2001) * ''Ran'' (December 24, 2001) * ''Gimmick'' (February 2, 2002) * ''Fit to Naked the Heavens Fall'' (May 29, 2002) * ''Psycho Dive'' (November 11, 2002) * ''Berlin'' (December 12, 2002) ;Videos * ''Inspire'' (February 12, 1999) * ''Kekkai -Glass Shinkei to Jiga Kyoukai-'' (July 28, 1999) * ''Curse'' (July 28, 1999) * ''Knife'' (June 6, 2000) * ''Sweet Enemy'' (May 21, 2001) * ''Everlasting'' (September 23, 2002)

References

{{Authority control Japanese rock music groups Visual kei musical groups Japanese alternative metal musical groups Japanese gothic metal musical groups Musical groups from Tokyo Musical groups established in 1996 1996 establishments in Japan Japanese musical quintets