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DEAD END was one of the pioneers and most influental bands in the history of Japanese rock and metal music scene. It was organized around 1984, and disbanded in 1990. Although all members are currently alive and musically active, soon got the title of “the legendary band”, also “the phantom” due to the short life, oblivion of its existence and most importantly creation of “dna” what is consciously or unconsciously transmitted from generation to generation. Their musical, lyrical, visual, atmospherical and philosophical way, or example, had tremendous (on going) influence in the scene. They set a standard of technical excellence. Yet, it appeared and disappeared again before the phenomenon visual kei came into existence. Along with X Japan are predecessors, or a leader, of today’s movement in Japan known as “visual rock” or “visual kei” –visual way, though were more connected to the metal scene, and bridging the gap between Kiss worship (聖飢魔II (Seikima II), EZO, as well X Japan) and the Japanese bands of the 90’s.

Musically, it could be described as a hybrid rock band, because of mixed music elements from the 70s and 80s metal, rock, radio rock or pop, new wave, dark or glam music, incorporating and forming a unique and distictive atmosphere and sound of the band. With Morrie on vocals and lyrics, and the talented You on guitar, Joe on bass and Minato on drums, as well along the former members contribution, their songs were often very melodious with “wild” solos.

Their look wasn’t quiet the typical of heavy metal and hard rock bands from the 80’s with big hair and striking make-up, yet similar, but the concentrating point was Morrie, who unlike other “colorful” styling guys on the scene, (globally), stood out with his long black hair and his dark and remarkable behaviour. With his voice, vision for the song and concepts, was from a beginning a “figure” you couldn’t forget.

In fact, although "Dead Line" set the record for highest indie's sales, it has been reset many times over the years. Also, the 3 albums after their major debut never made it to the top 10 on the album chart. Nonetheless, they definitely left a deep, enormous impact that did not necessarily reflect on such data.

History:

Formed in the late 1984 or early 1985, the origin of the band lies in the high school band „Liar“, in which there were two future members, singer Motoyuki „Morrie“ Otsuka, and guitarist Takahiro. The line up was completed by a bassist Tadashi „Crazy Cool Joe“ Masumoto, previously in Rajas, and a drummer Masaaki Tano, from Terra Rosa. All three of these previous bands had a loyal following within rock and metal circles in their own right.

Their debut gig was in March 1985, where they played to a crowd of almost 500 people in the Bourbon House, Osaka. After a whole national tour, Takahiro quit the band. Yuji 'You' Adachi joined the band, off the back of his reputation as 'the best guitarist in the Kansai region'.

With this line-up, from an independent label, their first releases (semi-singles "Replica" and "Worst Song") appeared in June of 1986, and were followed with their first album by the name „Dead Line“. The album sold more than 10,000 copies, while some estimate of over 20, 000 even 30, 000 copies sold. An incredible achievement for a „house“ band yet unsigned by a major label. A record, in fact. To commemorate the release of "Dead Line" the band played the Bourbon House in Osaka again, and this time got together a crowd of 800.

In the next year, Tano left the band just before they signed their major deal with "Victor Entertainment", formerly known as "Victor Music Industries". Masafumi Minato from Saber Tiger joined the band as a substitute, and since then, the line up reminded consistent. On September 8th the band released its second album, „Ghost of Romance“, which ranked 14th on the Oricon (Japanese ecvivalent to Billboard in USA) charts. It is considered as their most completed 80s album, and in this period Morrie's figurative dark behaviour and image was at its limit. The album includes many their famous songs, among others, "Danse Macabre", what is also their first song with a music video, "Phantom Nation", "The Godsend", "Decoy", "Dead Man's Rock", "Skeleton Circus", "Song of a Lunatic" and so on. In the same year they had an American signing with Metal Blade records for "Ghost of Romance", as well for an upcoming album.

On May 21st, 1988 the album "Shambara" was released, one of their biggest albums, but with more progressive rock music than of hard rock or metal. This album include many of their popular songs such as "Embryo Burning", "Junk", "Night Song", "Psychomania", "Blood Music", "Heaven", "I Can Hear The Rain" among others. It was followed by the single "Blue Vices" in December, their second song with a music video. In the same month they also released "Psychoscape", a live video vhs from perhaps their "biggest" concert at Shibuya Kokaido.

In 1989, with their label, which was bought by BMG Japan, their music became more poppy. On July 21 was released their single "So Sweet So Lonely" with a third music video, and which became quiet popular in Japan and bringed them their first TV studio live performance. Next one was with another poppy rock song "I Want Your Love". On September 21 was released their last album "Zero", which was recorded in London. There were many difficulties during recording, mainly because of the language barrier. During their stay they were joined by Yoshiki (X Japan), who was in Europe to work on the recording of a PV in Paris. The album included one of their most famous songs, "Serafine", which did received a music video. In the same year was released their second live video on vhs, "HYPERd."

In the next year, DEAD END disbanded. Their last concert was on January 21st, 1990 at the Nakano Sun Plaza in Tokyo. Even though the band didn’t exist anymore, on April 21, was released the single "Good Morning Satellite", along it's music video, and on July 21 an live cd album "Dead End".

BMG, the band’s label, released several dvds, cds, re-releases and such of DEAD END. Amongst them was the "∞Infinity", an compilation album which also contained a dvd. The booklet contained texts by artists which were influenced by DEAD END, among them: Sakurai Atsushi of Buck-Tick, Kiyoharu (ex. Kuroyume, ex. Sads), Sugizo (Luna Sea), Yuana (ex. Kagerou) and Hiro (ex. La’Cryma Christi).

Actually there are a countless number of music artists who publically admit that they have been influenced by DEAD END directly or indirectly, including the icons of visual bands.

Among others such as: 河村隆一 (Ryuichi Kawamura), 真矢 (Shinya), L'Arc-en-Ciel (Hyde, Tetsuya, Sakura), Janne Da Arc and Acid Black Cherry (Yasu and Ka-yu), Takanori Nishikawa (ex Luis-Mary, T.M.Revolution), Kiyoharu (Kuroyume, Sads), Gackt. But their most prominent successor or "son" is Luna Sea, what further influenced The Gazette, SID and other neo visual, or non visual, rock bands

After they disbanded, all the members continued their music career, some more successful than others.

Solo careers:

Morrie went to New York, and started a solo career in 1991, and until 1995 did released three albums. However, since 1995 it was quiet around him, until 2004, when he participated as guitarist on Kiyoharu’s solo album Poetry. It then turned quiet around him again. But to the surprise of many, in the late 2006 returned with his project, "Creature Creature", and released an album "Light&Lust". But because it is composed of members who are busy with other activities, it concerts weren't that frequent. After two years, came along with a different line up, and they released their second album "Inferno". Along other old bands, they are playing the best japanese rock music out there.

You also started a band, called Goat Core and also started a solo career. Crazy Cool Joe also played in various bands, and worked together with Pata (ex. X Japan) in P.A.F. Also Minato started numerous new bands, but none of them became as successful as DEAD END once was, or Creature Creature.

After 20 years, DEAD END reunion

On August 15, 2009 quiet shocked the scene, as well the old audience, when DEAD END reunited and performed at Makuhari Messe for Jack in the Box Summer 2009, their first show together in 20 years.

On October 1, they announced their real comeback and upcoming ten-track album "Metamorphosis", as well re-mastered releases of "Ghost of Romance", "Shambara", and "Dead Line", all with bonus tracks. "Dead Line" also available in a limited edition including a dvd. As well, BMG Japan reissued "Zero" with bonus tracks, and "Dead End" live cd album.

They continued to perform, so did sold out the concerts on November 17, at Osaka Big Cat, in Osaka, and on November 20, at Shibuya AX, in Tokyo. And in the same way, continued with live concerts in the next year.