1997-1999
Guitarist Riki Kinoshita was a solo artist from Osaka from 1997-1999. With the help of
supporting musicians Hinata Hidekazu and Sakurai Yuichi, he released his first album, Teenage Last, in 1999, along with two
other demo tapes. Kinoshita later asked both of the musicians to join the band he was starting, and he later recruited guitarist
Oyama Jun for the band.
2000
The band formally started in March of the year 2000 with the members
Riki Kinoshita (vocal and guitar), Oyama Jun (guitar), Hinata Hidekazu (bass), and Sakurai Yuichi (drums)
Art-School quickly rose in popularity after traveling to Tokyo and playing their first performance at
Shelter in Shimokitazawa. They released their first album, Sonic Dead Kids, in September 2000, under the indie label
123 Records.
2001
2001 was a busy and crucial year for Art-School.
They later released a free demo tape in Febuary 2001, and two months
later they released Mean Street , their first mini-album. To accompany the release of Art-School's
first single, Miss World, their first PV was filmed.
2002
Art-School's performance at the Fuji Rock Festival proved to be the one that
led them away from their quiet indie days.
Art-School's growing popularity attracted the attention of Toshiba's Entertainment
and Music Industry, who then licensed them in 2002.
Later that year in 2002, Art-Schoool released a split tape with Straightener.
Diva
(Oct..2002) was the first single to be released by Toshiba EMI.
2003
The dawn of 2003 marked Art-School's first completely
sold-out performance and their uphill journey to fame in the competitive music world of Japan. The Love/Hate tour was sold out in many locations.
Bassist Hinata Hideaki and guitarist Oyama
Jun announced their departure from the band later that year. Oyama intended to leave because of fatigue, and Hideaki sought
out other projects to pursue. Hideaki has since joined Zazen Boys and Straightener.
After this shocking impact on
the band, Kinoshita and Sakurai began a search for a new guitarist and bassist.
2004
In March of 2004, Art-School found itself with two newly recruited members- Bassist Takeshi Uno and Guitarist Todaka
Masafumi.
2005
A year later, in 2005, Art-School switched its labels to Pony Canyon/Rocker Room and released Ato 10byo de.
They flew to Glasgow, Scotland to record the album "Paradise Lost" with Tony Doogan, Aco, and Mogwai. "Sleep
Flowers (Disk 2)" is a recording of their stay there.
2006
Freesia was the first single to be released by Art-School ever since they switched labels.
*Note
Throughout the years, Art-School has been invited to perform at many significant music
festivals and music events, including the Rock in Japan Festival and the Countdown Japan Festival. They have
also been featured on the cover the FACE magazine, and appeared on SSTV many times.
