X Japan is playing Lollapalooza this year, which likely means nothing to you, but is a pretty big deal. I found this cool little post which serves as Cliff’s Notes for the uninitiated. (Wikipedia is always handy as well.) Anyway, I love this band and they (along with Dir en Grey) are pretty much what got me so into Japanese music. I won’t be going to Lollapalooza, but I’ll be looking forward to footage and reports. This is much, much more exciting than Soundgarden, Green Day or Lady GaGa. Here’s hoping more than ten people actually watch them.

X Japan was formed in 1982 in Chiba Japan by Yoshiki Hayashi and Toshimitsu Deyama. While the band started out as a heavy metal outfit, their sound has developed throughout the years to incorporate elements of hard rock, progressive metal and featured a large emphasis on power ballads. The band during the early 90’s were notable for their glam rock influenced attires, but throughout the years this has since been toned down. After achieving substantial mainstream success during their tenure, the band decided to break up in 1997.

The band reunited in 2007 and provided a song for the movie SAW IV which marked their first exposure to a western audience. The band followed this up with successful comeback shows in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

There is no doubt that the band’s collections of ballads are very popular with a lot of fans. However, due to their lengthy performances and frequent use of audience participation, it would not seem appropriate for Lollapalooza and would be rather anti-climatic.

The pink-haired guitarist is the late Hideto Matsumoto who was formerly the band’s lead guitarist. The band still consider him to be a member and often make tribute to him during their performances.

Very early X Japan. And you thought American glam was over the top.