Lazy (band)

Lazy was formed in 1977 in Kobe, Japan, by four high school friends: Hironobu Kageyama (vocals), Akira Takasaki (guitar), Hiroyuki Tanaka (bass), and Shigeyuki Kawai (drums). They were later joined by keyboardist Munetaka Higuchi, completing the lineup. The band's name was inspired by the song "Lazy" by the British rock band Deep Purple.¹

Their debut single, "Hey! I Love You!" (1978), was a moderate hit, but it was their second single, "Kanjite Knight" (1978), that became a breakthrough, reaching the top 10 on the Oricon charts. The band's early image was that of a teenybopper pop group, with colorful costumes and choreographed dance moves, but their musical abilities were evident from the start.²

As the members matured, they sought to shift from pop to a harder rock sound. Their 1980 album, Earth Ark, showcased a heavier style, but the label continued to promote them as a pop act, causing frustration. In 1981, they released the single "Dokudan" ("Solitude"), which was a departure from their earlier work, but it did not achieve commercial success. The band disbanded in November 1981, with members pursuing solo careers.³

After the split, guitarist Akira Takasaki and drummer Munetaka Higuchi formed the influential heavy metal band Loudness, while vocalist Hironobu Kageyama became a successful anime song singer, known for themes like "Cha-La Head-Cha-La" from Dragon Ball Z.

In 1998, Lazy reunited for a one-off concert, which was well-received, leading to a full-fledged reunion. They released new albums, including Lazy II (1998) and Lazy Live (1999), and toured extensively. Their reunion was notable for bringing together fans of both their pop and rock eras.⁴

In 2000, they released the album Lazy, which featured re-recordings of their classic songs with a harder edge. They continued to perform sporadically, and in 2005, they released a cover album titled Lazy Covers, featuring songs by artists who influenced them. The band's activities have been intermittent, with members focusing on their solo careers, but they have never officially disbanded again.⁵

Lazy is often credited as a precursor to the visual kei movement, which emerged in the 1980s and 1990s. Their flamboyant costumes and theatrical stage presence, combined with a pop-rock sound, anticipated the visual style of bands like X Japan and Luna Sea. Music critic Yoko Ikeda has noted that Lazy's early image was a blueprint for later visual kei acts.⁶

Their music has been covered by numerous artists, and their songs remain popular in karaoke bars across Japan. The band's influence extends to the anime music scene, as Kageyama's solo work has inspired a generation of anime song singers. Lazy's legacy is also preserved through the continued popularity of their hits like "Kanjite Knight" and "Dokudan".⁷

One lesser-known fact is that the band's original name was "Lazy", but they briefly changed it to "Lazy" with a different spelling for the international market, though they reverted to the original. Another is that drummer Munetaka Higuchi was a pioneer of Japanese heavy metal, and his work with Loudness helped establish the genre in Japan.¹

In 2001, the band performed a concert with a full orchestra, which was released as a live album. This performance showcased their versatility and was a departure from their typical rock shows. Additionally, the band's song "Kanjite Knight" was used as the ending theme for the anime Gundam in some regions, though this is not widely known.⁴

Visual kei

A Japanese music movement characterized by elaborate costumes, makeup, and theatrical performances, often associated with rock and metal bands.

Oricon

The Japanese music industry's official chart ranking system for singles, albums, and other media.

Anime song

Songs written for or used in Japanese animation, often performed by professional singers.