Janne Da Arc was a Japanese visual kei rock band from Hirakata, Osaka. Although originally formed in 1991, they have commonly referred to 1996 as the year that Janne Da Arc formed due to Shuji joining the group then, and solidifying their rocky lineup. Janne Da Arc have been on an indefinite hiatus since 2007. The band's name is often seen shortened to either "Janne" (ジャンヌ) or "JDA".
The band is currently signed to the Motorod record label, which is owned by Avex Group. They have released three indie albums, nine major-label albums (including single collections), 26 singles, and 14 DVDs.
On May 9, 2006, they celebrated their tenth anniversary, the date marking when the final member, shuji, became an official member of the band. The band was not named after historical figure Joan of Arc, despite their song "Kyuuseishu (Messiah)" being about her - yasu named the band after a character in the mangaDevilman by Go Nagai. A picture of the character can be seen on the art for the band's limited edition Janne Da Arc 10th Anniversary Indies Complete Box, released March 15, 2006.
Their sound is self-described as pop rock, but they played many musical styles such as alternative rock, progressive rock, hard rock and many others. Vocalist yasu takes many musical cues from his musical idol, Motoyuki "Morrie" Ōtsuka of the heavy metal band Dead End. However, the members of Janne Da Arc have proven themselves to be very versatile as well as proficient at their chosen instruments, and are influenced by many bands and musical styles.
As of January 26, 2007, the members of Janne Da Arc are pursuing solo projects, concurrent with their work in the band.
On May 19, 2009, they released a 10th Anniversary Complete Box Set, which topped the Oricon chart.
Members
yasu (Yasunori Hayashi), vocalist, born January 27, 1975 in Hirakata, Osaka, Japan. Favorite artists include Dead End and Boøwy. yasu also plays the guitar and keyboard, the latter of which he uses to compose most of his music. In 2007 he started his solo project, Acid Black Cherry.
you (Yutaka Tsuda), guitarist, born July 24, 1974 in Kobe, Japan. Favorite artists include Unicorn and Nuno Bettencourt.
ka-yu (Kazuyuki Matsumoto), bassist, born January 21, 1975 in Hirakata, Osaka, Japan. Favorite artists include Crazy Cool Joe (Dead End bassist) and Boøwy. ka-yu is characterized by his more visual kei look in comparison to the rest of the band members. In 2010 he has announced the start of a new project called DAMIJAW, starting out with an album on April 28.
kiyo (Masanobu Kiyose), keyboardist, born June 27, 1974 in Hirakata, Osaka, Japan. Favorite artists include Earth, Wind, and Fire and Keith Emerson.
shuji (Shuji Suematsu), drummer, born November 21, 1974 in Kobe, Japan. Favorite artists include X Japan and Loudness.
All the members, with the exception of ka-yu, graduated from Hirakata West High School in the same class. For the release of their single Furimukeba..., Janne Da Arc returned to their high school to give a special performance, which became the feature film Hirakata.
Singles
"Red Zone" - March 19, 1999 / June 20, 2001
"Lunatic Gate" - September 22, 1999
Eden: Kimi ga Inai(Eden: 君がいない?, "Eden: You're Not Here") - January 13, 2000
"Heaven's Place/Vanity" - April 12, 2000
Will: Chizu ni nai Basho(Will: 地図にない場所?, "Will: A Place Unmapped") - June 26, 2000
"Mysterious" - November 8, 2000
"Dry?" - January 31, 2001
"Neo Venus" - April 25, 2001
"Seed" - July 25, 2001
"Sylvia" (シルビア,Shirubia) - October 24, 2001
"Feel the Wind" - December 12, 2001
"Shining Ray" - August 7, 2002
Maria no Tsumeato(マリアの爪痕?, "Maria's Scar") - November 20, 2002
Kasumi Yuku Sora Se ni Shite(霞ゆく空背にして?, "Turning My Back on the Misty Sky") - January 16, 2003
Rainy: Ai no Shirabe(Rainy: 愛の調べ?, "Rainy: Sense of Love") - May 8, 2003
Ueta Taiyou(餓えた太陽?, "Thirsted Sun") - August 20, 2003
"Freedom" - March 24, 2004
"Kiss Me" - April 7, 2004
"Dolls" - May 19, 2004
"Romance" - May 26, 2004
"Black Jack" - June 2, 2004
"Love is Here" - November 17, 2004
Gekkouka(月光花?, "Moonlight Flower") - January 19, 2005 - No. 2
"Diamond Virgin" (ダイヤモンドヴァージン,Daiyamondo Vaajin) - May 18, 2005
Furimukeba(振り向けば…?, "If I Turn Around...)/Destination" - February 8, 2006 - No. 2
"Heaven/Mobius (メビウス,Mebiusu)" - No. 2 Ranked Platinum (selling more than 250,000 copies) by RIAJ in 2008
EPs
Dearly - April 17, 1998
Resist - December 5, 1998
Chaos Mode - March 17, 1999
Albums
Videos
1999 Tour "Chaos Mode" (June 30, 1999)
5 Stories <Clips & More> (September 27, 2000)
Fate or Fortune: Live at Budokan (March 28, 2001)
Six Clips (March 13, 2002)
100th Memorial Live Live Infinity 2002 at Budokan (December 26, 2002)
DVDs
1999 Tour "Chaos Mode" (September 27, 2000)
5 Stories <Clips & More> (September 27, 2000)
Fate or Fortune: Live at Budokan (March 28, 2001)
Six Clips (March 13, 2002)
100th Memorial Live: Live Infinity 2002 at Budokan (December 26, 2002)
Another Story Clips (March 19, 2003)
Singles Clips (November 12, 2003)
Danjiri Night (December 25, 2003)
Arcadia Clips (September 29, 2004)
Hirakata (February 16, 2005)
Live 2005 "Dearly" at Osaka-jō Hall 03.27 (March 27, 2005)
