Wands is a Japanese rock band formed in 1991 and was active until 2000 in the B-Gram Records label. In 2019, the band was reunited with the new vocalist, Daishi Uehara with the two former members Shibazaki and Kimura under D-Go recording label. In the span of 29 years, the band has three lead vocalists, and changing instrumental members during five period times.
The band founded in 1991 by main vocalist Show Wesugi, guitarist Hiroshi Shibasaki, and keyboardist Kousuke Oshima. Wesugi was a fan of Axl Rose and Oshima was a guest member of Japanese rock band Loudness. The band was named after wands of tarot. They made a debut with single "Sabishisa wa Aki no Iro". Their 1992 single "Motto Tsuyoku Dakishimeta Nara" reached the number-one position and was charted for 44 weeks on the Japanese Oricon charts. However, Oshima withdrew from the band and Shinya Kimura joined the band in 1992. Collaborating with Miho Nakayama, in October 1992, they released "Sekaijū no Dare yori Kitto", which became one of standard "J-pop" songs. In 1992, they took part in Japanese famous year-end show called Kōhaku Uta Gassen by the song. Along with their songs, Wesugi wrote Deen's debut song "Konomama Kimidake wo Ubaisaritai", which was released in March 1993 and sold over a million copies. In April 1993, their album Toki no Tobira and single "Ai wo Kataru yori Kuchizuke wo Kawaso" debuted at the number-one positions at the same time on the Oricon charts, making them the second artist to achieve this following Seiko Matsuda. "Ai wo Kataru yori Kuchizuke wo Kawaso" spent in number-one spot for four consecutive weeks. Toki no Tobira was charted for 33 weeks on the Oricon album charts. They sold over 4.11 million singles and 3.18 million albums in a year, winning the "artist of the year" award at the 8th Japan Gold Disc Award. Their 1994 single "Sekai ga Owaru made wa..." reached number-one on Oricon charts and was certified as a million-selling single by Recording Industry Association of Japan. It was the ending theme of anime series Slam Dunk. However, Wesugi loved grunge and wanted to turn into alternative rock. "Sekai ga Owaru made wa..." became his last song written by his former style because he felt that many musicians around him were doing the same thing. The tune of their next single "Secret Night " was more shifted into power pop, creating controversies. However, their 1995 studio albumPiece of My Soul also debuted at the number-one position on the Oricon album charts, with the first week sales of over 542,000 copies. Wesugi's image continued to be changed with song "Same Side". His new style was said to be "painterly" and their new album was nearing completion. According to Wesugi, their new album was influenced by punk and blues. After they released single "Worst Crime " in February 1996, however, Wesugi and Shibasaki withdrew from the band, which was said to have been its actual disbandment. Their withdrawals were officially announced in 1997. Wesugi continued his music career and took part in the sixth anniversary of hide's death as the last singer in 2004. Shibasaki formed rock band Abingdon Boys School with Takanori Nishikawa in 2005. Oshima also associated with Nishikawa on the 2006 album Under Cover.
1997–2000: Third period with Jiro Waku
Shinya Kimura re-formed the group with vocalist Jiro Waku and guitarist Issei Sugimoto. Jiro Waku, whose real name is Jiro Matsumoto, was the first leader of twelve skateboarding boys in Johnny & Associates. Their debut song "Sabitsuita Machine Gun de Ima o Uchinukō", written by Miho Komatsu, was adopted as the end credits theme for Dragon Ball GT. Their next single "Brand New Love" was written by Izumi Sakai. Sakai also wrote their song "Ashita moshi Kimi ga kowaretemo", which was used as the ending theme for Yu-Gi-Oh!. Their next single "Kyo, Nanika no Hazumi de Ikiteiru" was written by Nana Azuki, a future member of Garnet Crow and by Makoto Miyoshi, a future member of Rumania Montevideo. However, their first studio album Awake, released on 27 October 1999, was charted for only three weeks, peaking at number 18 on the Oricon charts. The band from the third period has disbanded in 2000 through the announcement from the official website.
2019-present: Fourth and Fifth Wands period with Daishi Uehara
On 13 November 2019, was announced the fifth period of Wands with the new vocalist, Daishi Uehara along with the former members Shibazaki and Kimura. On 17 September 2019, the band made stage appearance for first time in 18 years in the free live event Onto in the venue Dojima River Forum. In January 2020 is scheduled to release new original song Makka na Lip under Giza Studio recording label. The song will serve as an opening theme to the anime television series Detective Conan. On 16 February 2020, was announced release schedule of new single Daki Yose, Takamaru, Kimi no Taion to Tomoni in May, written by Shibazaki and Uehara. The announcement happened after Special Live event. The single will be promoted as a theme song to the Japanese televisions series Silent Voice. It's their first television drama theme song for the first time in 28 years.
