:: BIOGRAPHY

RIZE are Jesse, Vox & Guitar Nobuaki Kaneko, Drums & Vox U-ZO, Bass Yoshihiro Nakao, Guitar RIZE formed when Tokie joined Jesse and Nobuaki(old buddies from childhood) in the summer of 1997. Since then, they have been wildly active in live performances focusing in the town of Shimo-Kitazawa. By 1999, through the grapevine the band was gradually getting mass attention when they made their debut on August 23rd with Maxi Single "KAMINARI(THUNDER)". Around this time is when RIZE began to make their appearances as opening acts in various events, shocking the audience with their aggressive, free and unrestrained performance. 3 months later they were literally rising to the top with their 2nd Single "Why I'm Me"(SONY RED HOT 2000 Campaign Song). Their 1st Album "ROOKEY" packed with their ever-exploding power released in November that year swooped in the Japanese ORICON CHART [Original Confidence] at No.8 its very first week, flying from stores amazingly up to this day. Their guerrilla live event held in front of Shinjuku station in December 2000 with no public notice, nevertheless drew an audience of 2000 people, dropping thunder with their music and exciting the crowd to the max. In January 2001, RIZE released a re-cut Single "MUSIC" from their album, a promised number from their live performances - something their fans were waiting for. In March 2001, two new members U-ZO(bass) and Yoshihiro Nakao(guitar) replaced Tokie, and RIZE took a fresh new start with their national tour "FULL VOLUME", taking in the national RIZERs in a whirl of excitement within 15 performances. At the same time, the last single Tokie took part - "NAME" and a music video collection "Fresh Blend"(VHS/DVD) hits the streets. During the summer they participated in various festivals such as "ROCK IN JAPAN FES 2001" and "SUMMER SONIC 2001", making an appeal to a wide range of audiences of their renewed group. Their first Single with the new members "Light Your Fire" was released in September, with their music video full of explosions and massive flames filmed in Thailand creating a buzz all over. On the night of its release, RIZE carried on a secret live performance "BAKURAI-MATSURI" on the roof of Shinjuku Flags Building, shaking the town of Shinjuku with their explosive power and music. In November another Single "Dream Catcher" hit the stores, and now another masterpiece everyone's been waiting for...their 2nd album "FOREPLAY" has been brought to us! At the beginning of the year 2002, they have conducted a big scale nation wide tour at more thatn 40 places in Japan. Each member had a big confidence and lots of experiences, and grown up greatly through this concert tour carried out over the long term. They also participated in many summer events in 2002. They even appeared on the event organized by Seotaiji who was a Korean super star held at Seoul at the end of October. RIZE received an emotional reception from Korean fans. Then 3rd album �gNatural Vibes�h was released on Nov 27. Now they are preparing for another big nation wide tour held at nearly 50 places starting from the end of January, 2003. Taking the people of youth in excess with energy, RIZE will without doubt continue to rise higher - and the future of music this band can create is border-less, limitless, and never-ending.... Take this opportunity to "feel" and "hear" their music!!!