Ken
Also known asKEN P'UNK, Kën D'Ark, ken
Born (1968-11-28) November 28, 1968
OriginMaibara, Shiga, Japan
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • guitarist
  • record producer
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • drums
  • keyboards
  • tambourine
  • autoharp
  • vibraphone
Labels
Websiteken-curlyhair.com

Ken (born November 28, 1968, in Maibara, Shiga, Japan) is a musician and singer-songwriter, best known as guitarist of the Japanese rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel. He is also the leader, vocalist and guitarist of Sons of All Pussys (also known as S.O.A.P.) and has released a solo album entitled In Physical. While in L'Arc-en-Ciel his name is stylized as ken.

Biography

L'Arc-en-Ciel

Two months before his graduation in 1992, Ken left the Nagoya Institute of Technology, where he was an architect major, to join L'Arc-en-Ciel at the request of his childhood friend Tetsuya. He has written a breadth of L'Arc-en-Ciel's music ever since his joining, including "As if in a Dream", "Vivid Colors", "Niji", "The Fourth Avenue Cafe", "Shout at the Devil", "Kasou", "Lies and Truth", "Lover Boy", "My Heart Draws a Dream", "Lost Heaven", "Daybreak's Bell" and "Twinkle Twinkle".

Sons of All Pussys

In 2002 Ken formed his own band, Sons of All Pussys (S.O.A.P.), as a result of a break in L'Arc-en-Ciel's activities, with ex-L'Arc-en-Ciel member Yasunori "Sakura" Sakurazawa as drummer, and Ein as bassist (a half Japanese/German model who appeared in a few L'Arc PVs). Each member contributed songs based on themes; Ken with love, Ein with desire, and Sakura with his experiences in jail, and together they released three albums; Grace, Gimme A Guitar, High! and one single, "Paradise". All S.O.A.P. activities have ceased since 2004.

Solo career

On August 23, 2006, Ken released a solo single titled "Speed", and has taken a new "clean" appearance similar to his early days with L'Arc-en-Ciel. In 2008, he released another single titled "Deeper", leading up to the eventual release of his first solo album, In Physical, in 2009, and a national tour in support of the album in the same year.

In 2010, he released the mini-album "The Party".

Guitars

Ken is currently an endorser for Fernandes Guitars and is usually seen playing these guitars live with L'Arc-en-Ciel. However he tends to modify his models instead of using them stock. For instance, in the past he used to use Van Zandt pick-ups heavily in his own personal guitars and has since moved on to Kinman pick-ups (this change having now been reflected in one of his more recent Fernandes signature models).

However he has also used many different guitars in and out of L'Arc-en-Ciel, including Gibson, Fender, and Steinberger models.

In 2010, he endorsed the American-based guitar brand Fender, Ken (together with Inoran from Luna Sea) was approached by Fender and signed the endorsement contract; his signature model is a Stratocaster.[1]

Discography

Albums

  • In Physical (2009.04.22)

Mini albums

  • The Party (2010.08.04)

Singles

  • "Speed" (2006.08.23)
  • "Deeper" (2009.03.04)

Videos

  • Ken Tour 2009 "Live in Physical" (2009.11.18)

Production work

Mucc
Baroque (band)
  • "Girl" (2016.10.26)

References

  1. ↑ "Ken and INORAN get endorsed by Fender".
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