BUCK-TICK

BUCK-TICK is a Japanese rock band formed in 1984 in Fujioka, Gunma. It has remained active almost continuously since its formation and has performed as a group since 1985. Across multiple eras of Japanese rock, it is commonly cited as one of the founders of visual kei. The classic lineup comprised Atsushi Sakurai on vocals, Hisashi Imai on guitars, backing vocals, noises, and theremin, Hidehiko Hoshino on guitars and backing vocals, Yutaka Higuchi on bass, and Toll Yagami on drums. After a live debut at Shinjuku JAM on August 4, 1985, the band released the independent single "TO-SEARCH" in 1986. It followed that with the album "HURRY UP MODE" in 1987, and made its major debut that same year through Victor Entertainment. Over time, BUCK-TICK's music moved across rock and alternative rock, as well as industrial rock, positive punk, post-punk style, new-wave, goth, electronica, and straight rock-n-roll. In anime, the band performed "Dress (BLOODY TRINITY MIX)" for Trinity Blood, "Kagerou" for xxxHOLiC, and "Gekka Reijin (月下麗人)" for Shiki. Sakurai died from a brain stem hemorrhage on October 19, 2023, at the age of 57. Following his death, Hisashi Imai and Hidehiko Hoshino began sharing lead vocal duties.