Visual kei is a music and fashion style that originated in Japan in the 1980s. The j-rock band Dir en grey is one of the most popular representatives of the style.
Visual kei
The term “visual kei” did not come into use until the 1990s. Originally, the style drew influences from glam rock and other Western rock genres. Visual kei does not refer to a specific music genre, but visual kei bands share an emphasis on a certain kind of aesthetic. Band members often have colorful and elaborate hairstyles, their outfits are flashy, and heavy makeup is part of the style. Musically, visual kei bands cover genres ranging from punk and metal to pop and electronic music. Notable visual kei bands include X Japan (1982), Malice Mizer (1992–2001), and Dir en grey (1997).
Dir en grey
Formed in 1997, the j-rock band Dir en grey originally represented the visual kei style. Today, the band’s production leans towards heavier experimental rock and metal. Dir en grey consists of two guitarists, Kaoru and Die, drummer Shinya, bassist Toshiya, and vocalist Kyo. The band’s name, Dir en grey, is a combination of German (Dir), French (en), and English (grey), meaning gray silver coin (灰色の銀貨, Haiiro no Ginka). Haiiro no Ginka is also the name of the band’s fan club magazine. The EP was produced by Yoshiki from the band X Japan, who had discovered the group at a club in Tokyo. The EP immediately entered the top ten of the Japanese Oricon music chart.
Dir en grey has also enjoyed considerable popularity in Finland. The band’s first Finnish gig was in 2007 at Ankkarock, and in the same year, they performed two sold-out shows at Tavastia club in Helsinki. The band has also performed at two other venues in Helsinki: Nosturi in Helsinki (2011) and The Circus (2018 and 2020).
Also read photographer Ninni West’s blog post The Story of a Dir en Grey Fan. (in Finnish)
