2/7/2006

ORANGE RANGE are big. BIG! So big that their name must be capitalised! So big that they’ve filled up stadiums with screaming girls then wowed them with fireworks and drop-down balloons and streamers.

Maybe they are just another boy band that has grabbed the mainstream’s attention for a little while coz they’re young, sport goatees and are from Okinawa.

They’re younger than me and I’m 23. Good grief I feel old.

Anyway, despite possibly just being the Japanese answer to the Backstreet Boys, they won a few brownie points with me. The band was formed in Okinawa and were signed up to Sony Records in 2003 and made it big in 2004 when their song ‘Hana‘ (which means ‘Flower’) was used in the Japanese film “Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu” and went on to sell over 1 million copies.

They also appeared in the Kouhaku Uta Gassen of 2004/2005, which is meant to be a mark of an artist’s success in Japan.

I like them, of course, because of the two songs used as anime themes. ‘Viva Rock’ from NARUTO features a boot camp drill sergeant screaming at the marching boys, which is reminiscent of the American military bases in Okinawa. Some have speculated that the large presence of Americans in Okinawa may have influenced this J-Rock/J-Alternative band.

The other song used for an anime, “*~Asterisk” was the first opening theme song for BLEACH and was the highest selling anime song of 2005.

The current members are:
- Hiroyama Naoto – guitar (born May 8, 1983)
- Miyamori Ryo – low vocals (born October 1, 1985)
- Ganeko Yamato – high vocals (born January 14, 1984)
- Miyamori Yoh – bass (born December 11, 1983)
- Hokama Hiroki – mid-range vocals (born June 29, 1983)

The drummer Kitao Kazuhito left in 2005 after some problems, including tendonitis in his left hand.

Anyway, if you like rocky/alternative/poppy/rappy music crooned by fit, tanned and young Okinawans, then check out ORANGE RANGE.

Links:
Wikipedia’s article on ORANGE RANGE
Japan Zone’s article on ORANGE RANGE
ORANGE RANGE’s Official Website (in Japanese only)