The Piass

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Piass


Img_capt = Lineup of The Piass in early 2007
Img_size =
Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = flagicon|Japan Japan
Genre = Punk rock, hard rock
Years_active = 1993-1995, 1998-Present
Label = Anarchist Records
Associated_acts = Anti Feminism
URL = http://www2.odn.ne.jp/the-piass/
Current_members = Takayuki
Tetsuya
Junji Tokai (support)
Takahiro (support)
Past_members = Chihiro (deceased)
Hiroshi (deceased)
Yoshio (deceased)
Takashi
Kirala
Shizuki
Ruiji

nihongo|The Piass|妃阿甦|piasu are a Japanese Visual Kei band who formed around 1993 in Sapporo, the current incarnation of the band features only one original member; Takayuki.

=History= The group recorded their debut album called "Ryouki Kousatsu Chissoku-Shi" in 1995; the band consisted of Chihiro (vocals), Takayuki (guitar), Yoshio (Bass) and Hiroshi (Drums). This album was done in a melodic hard rock style with lyrics by Chihiro and even featured a cover of a Hanoi Rocks song, "Dead By Xmas".

Tragically on October 25, 1995, while shooting a promotional video, Chihiro and Hiroshi died in an incident which included the two of them allegedly jumping off a bridge into a river. It is debated whether this was an accident or suicide. In 1997, Yoshio committed suicide, leaving Takayuki as the sole living member. In 1998, the only remaining member from the original incarnation, Takayuki, re-created the group appointing vocalist Kirala, who previously performed in the band Slum Junkie, bassist Ruiji from the band Mazohysteria and drummer Shizuki.

The Piass released their second album, a self-titled effort which would prove to be a huge departure from their original sound; the group now had a frantic punk rock sound opposed to the more hard rock sound of the previous album. An EP was recorded the following year, "Gekka Kyoushou". They released a single in 2001 called "Aki Ryuusa ~Akina Zuna".

Current status

2002 saw vocalist Kirala departing The Piass, then becoming a three piece band with Tetsuya now singing.

The Piass released a collaboration with the band Ra’s Testars, covering songs by Color.

On 24 May 2006, the Piass released an EP, "Kansensho Paranoia". This is was the first release by The Piass since Kirala’s departure.

On 5 March 2007, bassist Ruiji and drummer Shizuki left the band. With just Takayuki and Tetsuya, The Piass continues to tour with support members, currently Takahiro playing bass guitar and Junji Tokai playing drums

Members

*Tetsuya – vocals
*Takayuki – guitar;Support members
*Takahiro – bass guitar
*Junji Tokai – drums

;Former members
*Chihiro – vocals (1993-1995)
*Yoshio – bass guitar (1993-1995)
*Hiroshi – drums (1993-1995)
*Takashi – vocals (1993-1993)
*Kirala – vocals (1998-2002)
*Ruiji – bass guitar (1998-2007)
*Shizuki – drums (1998-2007)

Discography

;Albums
*"Ryouki Kousatsu Chissoku-Shi" (1995)
*"Piass" (1999)

;EPs
*"Geki ka kyosa" (2000)
*"Dolei" (2007)
*"Dolei-2ndpress-" (2007)

;Singles
*"Easy Trik" (2000)
*"Discrimination" (2001)
*"Despair" (2001)
*"Akinazuna ~akinazuna~" (2001)
*"Kansensho Paranoia" (2006)

;DVDs
*"Shiikumousou" (2006)
*"Shiikumousou+kansensyoParanoia" (2007)
*"SM" (2008)

;Demos
*"The Piass" (1993)
*"Fat Fetishism" (1999)

External links

* [http://www2.odn.ne.jp/the-piass/ Official website]