{{Short description|Japanese visual kei rock band}} {{Infobox musical artist |name = Rouage |image = |caption = |background = group_or_band |origin = Nagoya, Aichi, Japan |label = Universal Music Japan |current_members = Kazushi<br />Rayzi<br />Shono |past_members = Kaiki<br />Yuki<br />Rika }}
'''Rouage''' (stylized as '''ROUAGE''') was a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in Nagoya in 1993, active until 2001. They were an important band to the visual kei scene of the 90s, being credited as one of the founders of the subgenre Nagoya kei.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 16, 2018|title=アルルカン、"次世代名古屋系"という新たな個性 90年代以降シーンの変遷から考える|url=https://realsound.jp/2018/04/post-182653.html|access-date=October 12, 2021|website=Real Sound｜リアルサウンド|language=ja}}</ref><ref name="90s">{{Cite web|date=April 27, 2020|title=オールドスクールヴィジュアル名盤解放地帯 #6「ROUAGE - ROUAGE」|url=https://90s-visual-kei-vk.themedia.jp/posts/8155239|access-date=October 12, 2021|website=GALLERY OF VISUAL SHOCK|language=ja}}</ref>
==History== Rouage, whose name means gear in French, was formed in December 1993 in Nagoya by vocalist Kazushi, guitarists Rika and Rayzi and drummer Shono. In 1994, the bassist Kaiki left the band Silver~Rose and joined Rouage.<ref name="90s"/> Their debut release was the single "Silk", in February.<ref name="jame">{{Cite web|date=January 11, 2009|title=ROUAGE|url=https://www.jame-world.com/en/article/116631-rouage.html|access-date=October 12, 2021|website=JaME}}</ref> Rouage released a self-titled debut album in March, limited to 5000 copies. A reprint with more 5000 copies went on sale in July.<ref name="jame"/>
In 1995, Kaiki left the band and the group considered breaking up, even playing a farewell show.<ref name="allmusic">{{Cite web|title=Rouage {{!}} Biography & History|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rouage-mn0001767938/biography|access-date=October 12, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> That didn't happen and in a twist Rouage debuted on a major label in April with the single "Queen" released by Universal Music Japan.<ref name="jame"/> In June, they released ''Bible'', their best-selling album.<ref name="oricon"/>
In 1996, their second major single "insomnia" was used as the theme song for the ANB television show ''mew''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=ｉｎｓｏｍｎｉａ／ｐａ・ｒａ・ｎｏ・ｉ・ａ|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/goods/detail/288869|access-date=October 12, 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=ja}}</ref> The band Lin covered it for the album ''CRUSH!3-90's V-Rock best hit cover LOVE songs,'' which features newer visual kei bands covering love songs by important visual kei bands from the 90s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=V系バンドの90年代カバー集、第3弾に特別編成バンド参加|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/71783|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Music Natalie|language=ja}}</ref> After the release of "insomnia" in August, bassist Yuki joined the band.<ref name="jame"/>
In March 1997 Rouage released the album ''Mind''. Soon after, Yuki disappeared from the band and since then, Rouage has worked only with support bass musicians. After embarking on a big tour, they released the album ''Children'' on December 3.<ref name="allmusic"/> "Endless Loop" was used as opening theme of Legend of Basara anime. Diaura covered the song for the album ''Counteraction -V-Rock covered Visual Anime songs Compilation-'', which features newer visual kei bands covering anime songs by older visual kei bands.<ref>{{Cite web|title=名曲満載！V系アニソンカバー集にギルド、AYABIE、νら|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/67942|access-date=October 12, 2021|website=Music Natalie|language=ja}}</ref> Early on the following year they embarked on ''Children's Room'' tour, with fifteen shows across the country.<ref name="jame"/> On July 16 they played at the ''Shock Wave Illusion'' festival with bands like Dir En Grey and Pierrot.<ref name="allmusic"/> In 2000, Rika left the band.<ref name="jame" />
After Shono left the band in February 2001, Rouage officially broke up.<ref name="jame"/> In 2006, the albums ''Bible'', ''Children'', ''Lab'', ''Mind'' and ''Soup'' were re-released. They also considered re-releasing their live albums, but Rika didn't approve.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 18, 2006|title=Reeditions of Rouage's Albums|url=https://www.jame-world.com/en/news/36635-reeditions-of-rouage-s-albums.html|access-date=October 12, 2021|website=JaME}}</ref>
==Members== * Kazushi - vocals (1993–2001) * Rayzi - guitar (1993–2001) * Shono - drums (1993–2001)
;Former * Kaiki - bass (1994–1995) * Yuki - bass (1996–1997) * Rika - guitar (1993–2000)
==Discography== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Title !! Release !! Oricon chart<ref name="oricon">{{cite web |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/20745/ |title=ROUAGE on Oricon |accessdate=October 12, 2021 |website=Oricon |language=ja |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111022110/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/20745/ |archivedate=November 11, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://oriconv.seesaa.net/article/158631150.html |title=Rouage sales and positions |accessdate=October 12, 2021 |language=ja |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225084511/http://oriconv.seesaa.net/article/158631150.html |archivedate=December 25, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | ''Rouage'' || July 20, 1994 || - |- | ''Bible'' || June 6, 1996 || 14 |- |'' Mind'' || March 5, 1997 || 15 |- | ''Children'' || December 3, 1997 || 25 |- | ''Soup'' || November 11, 1998 || 16 |- | ''Culture'' || March 17, 1999 || 29 |- | ''Lab'' || May 24, 2000 || 33 |- |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
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Category:Visual kei musical groups Category:Japanese rock music groups Category:Musical groups established in 1993 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2001 Category:Musical groups from Aichi Prefecture Category:Universal Music Japan artists