Following their “MEMORIAL GRAND FINAL Kaihoku -THE FINAL WARD-” performance at Akasaka BLITZ on Sept. 16, 2012, lolita23q went on indefinite hiatus. Approximately one year after their sudden and unexpected move, guitarist Yuki and drummer BAN have decided now is the time to begin activities in a new band called LOUD GRAPE.
“After lolita23q decided to go on hiatus, I thought that there was no point to continuing my career by gathering together people with the same experience I already had. I could already imagine what kind of band we would become, what kind of music we would make, if we were all of the same age; so it wasn't interesting to me at all. As for me, I think that I want to make music completely different from what I've already done, and I get a lot of motivation from music that is always new. With that in mind, I thought I wanted to make music with the younger generation of musicians. Yuki's line of thinking was exactly the same as mine, so I invited her to put together a new band with me.”--BAN
“Even though we didn't talk about it at all, BAN and I were thinking the same thing. I have confidence in my ability to get a band moving, but there's nothing interesting about a band based on one person's ideas. BAN's ways of expression are always interesting, and she's such a strategist, I didn't hesitate in accepting her offer to make a band.” --Yuki
From their words, we can see that they are choosing not to be defensive, but to go on the attack as they take the next step. Saying that, they were not looking for obedient young people who would just listen and play, but for band members who could make music with them as equals; and so, it seems, their journey has been quite difficult.
“We've already seen hundreds of live performances, and then we went to sites with the profiles of indies musicians, and went through and checked out every one of them.”
As a result of their uncompromising search, they added three new members to their band: vocalist Ria, guitarist Reiki, and bassist Ayato. All of them are brand new artists, with sharp senses of style and technical skill. The burden of composition falls on the shoulders of Ayato, with all the lyrics being written by Ria; as a result, LOUD GRAPE has become the fresh band that Yuki and BAN hoped for. Certainly, LOUD GRAPE's musical style is a point of curiosity, as it takes the youth of its members to create an impressive repetoire of speedy scene and beat changes built on a base of heavy, aggressive band sound.
With a combination of enthusiastic sounds and superior melodies, the band brings a listenable uniqueness that stands out in a good way. Despite having tastes of classic and modern hardcore, electronica, trance and more genres, they offer something stylish and composed that takes full advantage of their youth without getting muddled. Surpassing both genre and generational gaps, they have been successful at creating music with widespread appeal. LOUD GRAPE will be a band to watch as they take full advantage of the talents of their members to make live performances the main point of their activities as a group.
“No matter how good they are, we can't have a member who can't make live performances shine. Now that we've chosen our members, we're focused on the good and bad points of our live performance in a major way.” --BAN
“Ria especially wants to prove herself as a live performer, and since I think she'll really show a fascinating side of herself through that, I really want people to be sure to come and see us live.” --Yuki
In the interim until their solo performance that will begin their true activities as a group that will take place on Feb. 14, 2014 at Shibuya Rex, it appears that “LOUD GRAPE (Learner's Permit)” will be bringing their energetic performances to various events, so the band would first like to recommend that people come to see their live performances for themselves. LOUD GRAPE has already let out their first cries of life after overcoming many hardships, so now they are preparing their unique and charming style as a band that is full of potential. It certainly seems as if they will serve to enliven the music scene with their future activities.
