Takara (band): Difference between revisions
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===1990s - The Soto era=== |
===1990s - The Soto era=== |
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In 1990, Takara went back into the studio to record what would eventually become their debut album, ''[[Eternal Faith]]''. In 1992 Takara regrouped and added new members that would perform in ''Eternal Faith''. The line-up was now complete with [[Jeff Scott Soto]] on vocals, [[Neal Grusky]] on guitar, [[Gary Schutt]] on bass and [[Bob Duda]] on drums. In August 1993, Zero Corporation (Japan) and Now and Then records (Europe) offered Takara a deal to release ''Eternal Faith'' in December 1993. |
In 1990, Takara went back into the studio to record what would eventually become their debut album, ''[[Eternal Faith]]''. In 1992 Takara regrouped and added new members that would perform in ''Eternal Faith''. The line-up was now complete with [[Jeff Scott Soto]] on vocals, [[Neal Grusky]] on guitar, [[Gary Schutt]] on bass and [[Bob Duda]] on drums. In August 1993, Zero Corporation (Japan) and Now and Then records (Europe) offered Takara a deal to release ''Eternal Faith'' in December 1993. |
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Following this opening release, guitarist [[Gary Schutt]] took the solo path, issuing his 1993 album ''Sentimetal'' with [[Jeff Scott Soto]] on vocals as well. |
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After a short break the band began to work on what was to become their second album. Before rehearsals began, bassist [[Carl Demarco]] joined Takara and they returned to the studio to record ''[[Taste of Heaven]]''. The band enlisted [[Bob Daisley]] on bass for guest performances on two songs. ''Taste of Heaven'' was released in May 1995 by Zero Corporation (Japan) and Long Island records (Europe). Upon its release, ''Taste of Heaven'' had commercial success, and Long Island records brought Takara to Germany for a promo tour. |
After a short break the band began to work on what was to become their second album. Before rehearsals began, bassist [[Carl Demarco]] joined Takara and they returned to the studio to record ''[[Taste of Heaven]]''. The band enlisted [[Bob Daisley]] on bass for guest performances on two songs. ''Taste of Heaven'' was released in May 1995 by Zero Corporation (Japan) and Long Island records (Europe). Upon its release, ''Taste of Heaven'' had commercial success, and Long Island records brought Takara to Germany for a promo tour. |
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Revision as of 06:44, 13 November 2011
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Takara | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Vereinigte Staaten |
| Genres | Hard rock |
| Years active | 1987 - Present |
| Labels | Lion Music |
| Mitglieder | Gus Monsanto Neal Grusky - Guitar Bjorn Englen - Bass Patrick Johannson - Drums |
| Past members | Jeff Scott Soto Michael J Flatters Gary Schutt Carl Demarco Brook Hansen Chad Clark Bob Duda |
| Website | http://www.takararocks.com/ |
Takara is an American rock band, formed in 1987. Throughout the years, Takara has frequently changed their look and line-up. The only band member still standing is guitarist Neal Grusky.
Biography
1980s - Early days
Takara was originally formed in August 1987. After a few months of rehearsals the band made their debut in October with a show in Hollywood, California. The band proceeded to play many more shows throughout 1987-88. In November of 1988, Takara went into the studio to record their first demo with producer Jeff Scott Soto. As they entered the studio it became apparent that the current singer was not ready to record. In order to finish the new Takara demo, Soto was asked to help out, and sing on the demo. Thus then began the relationship between the band and Jeff Scott Soto.
1990s - The Soto era
In 1990, Takara went back into the studio to record what would eventually become their debut album, Eternal Faith. In 1992 Takara regrouped and added new members that would perform in Eternal Faith. The line-up was now complete with Jeff Scott Soto on vocals, Neal Grusky on guitar, Gary Schutt on bass and Bob Duda on drums. In August 1993, Zero Corporation (Japan) and Now and Then records (Europe) offered Takara a deal to release Eternal Faith in December 1993.
After a short break the band began to work on what was to become their second album. Before rehearsals began, bassist Carl Demarco joined Takara and they returned to the studio to record Taste of Heaven. The band enlisted Bob Daisley on bass for guest performances on two songs. Taste of Heaven was released in May 1995 by Zero Corporation (Japan) and Long Island records (Europe). Upon its release, Taste of Heaven had commercial success, and Long Island records brought Takara to Germany for a promo tour.
In 1996 Saraya Recordings, a new US label, asked to release Eternal Faith and Taste of Heaven as its first releases. The band felt that there was momentum starting to build and wasted no time in working on their third release. In 1998 they released Blind in Paradise through Zero Corporation (Japan), Point Music (Europe), and Saraya Recordings (US). Shortly after the release of ‘Blind in Paradise’, all of Takara's labels released a greatest hits album Eternity: Best of 93 - 98.
2000s - New line-up
In late 1998, the Takara line-up went through an enormous change. Two thirds of Takara had left the band for various reasons. All that was left was guitarist leader Neal Grusky and bassist Carl Demarco. The band found drummer Chad Clark and keyboardist Brook Hansen. Brook and Neal had known each other for years and always shared similar ideas on music. Finally, the last to come aboard was vocalist Michael J. Flatters, who Neal found through a mutual friend.
With the band complete, Takara re-entered the studio in February 2000 to record their fourth album, Perception of Reality. One year later, it was completed and released.
In 2008 the band released a new album Invitation To Forever with a new line-up once again. This lineup includes Neal Grusky (Guitars), Bjorn Englen (bass), Patrick Johannson (drums), Brook Hansen (keyboards) and vocalist Gus Monsanto. Jeff Scott Soto also returned after ten years to provide harmony vocals for this latest effort. This album marked a turning point in Takara with Neal Grusky Takara's main songwriter taking his powerful songwriting talent into a much harder edge than on previous Takara albums. Thus, gaining the mass approval by the fans, and critices alike.
Shortly after the release of Invitation To Forever guitarist, and bandleader Neal Grusky once again made some very tough band lineup decisions. This time the Neal opted to changed the entire band lineup completely. With the successful release of Invitation To Forever he gambled on a new lineup that featured even more amazing talent, something of which he has been become quite good at. His first new member to come aboard was Drummer Gene Mcewen. Next, was vocalist Jamie Kelli, and finally Neal reunited with original Takara bassist Carl Demarco. With this lineup in place Takara proceeded to prepare for its first live shows in its history. Takara set up a short west coast tour of Southern California. Takara celebrated this short tour by performing a great hits set. They performed all of their most popular songs from each of their 6 studio albums.
On October 30, 2010, Takara finally performed their first live show to kick off their mini tour of Southern Californai with new vocalist Jaime Kelli at Paladino's in Los Angeles, California[1]. The band posted video clips of the entire concert on the popular internet video site Youtube. Takara went on the perform several more shows.
Once the mini tour ended, Takara announced it had began work on its 7th studio album Wicked and Beautiful. They promised one of the best,and most melodic album of theirs to date.
Takara stated it would release an album called Invitation to Faith a collection of rare and unreleased songs spanning the course of the history of Takara. This package will contain rare live DVD footage that has never been released.
Takara now also connects with its fans via its new facebook account. www.facebook.com/takara
along with this is its regular site www.takararocks.com
It also still maintains it's www.myspace.com/takararocks
Last but not least Takara announced that all of its music is now available via Itunes, rhapsody, amazon, and all other pay download sites.
Discography
Studio albums
- 1993 - Eternal Faith
- 1995 - Taste of Heaven
- 1998 - Blind in Paradise
- 2001 - Perception of Reality
- 2008 - Invitation to Forever
Compilations
- 1998 - Eternity: Best of 93 - 98