| Great 3 | |
| Alias: | GREAT3 |
| Origin: | Japan |
| Genre: | Alternative rock, indie pop |
| Years Active: | 1994–present |
| Label: | Bodicious EMI Japan Toshiba EMI |
| Associated Acts: |
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| Current Members: | Akito Katayose (vocals, guitar) Kenichi Shirane (vocals, drums) jan (vocals, bass) |
| Past Members: | Kiyoshi Takakuwa (vocals, bass) |
Great 3, stylised as GREAT3, are a Japanese rock band formed in 1994.[1] The trio is composed of guitarist Akito Katayose, drummer Kenichi Shirane and bassist jan (who replaced Kiyoshi Takakuwa in 2012). All members serve as composers and lyricists, as well as lead vocalists. The band's name is a reference to all three members being tall.[2]
Katayose, Shirane and Takakuwa formed Great 3 after the dissolution of their previous band in February 1994 (the other members went to form Hicksville). The group debuted on Toshiba EMI with the single "Fool & the Gang" and the album Richmondo High in 1995. Later, they established their own label, Bodicious. In the early 2000s, they started collaborating with American musician John McEntire, who produced/engineered their albums May and December (2001), When You Were a Beauty (2002) and Climax (2003), When You Were a Beauty being recorded with the members of The Sea and Cake, Tortoise and Wilco. In February 2004, the group gone on hiatus, with members focusing on their solo careers. In May 2012, it was announced Kiyoshi Takakuwa was no longer part of Great 3. On 27 July 2012 they released their first digital single titled "Emotion / Lady"[3] and on 1 August, it was announced the new bass player would be jan. The band's first album with jan, the self-titled Great3, was released on 21 November 2012. A second, entitled Ai no Kankei, was released on 19 March 2014; it is the band's most-recent release to date.
Known for writing lyrics, composing songs and producing records for Japanese acts such as Any, Fujifabric, GO!GO!7188, Merengue, Sakura Merry Men, Sister Jet, Sophia, Violent Is Savanna, Zamagi, et al.[4] [5]
In 2000, he released a solo album under the name Akito titled Hey Mister Girl! recorded with the members of The Sea and Cake, Tortoise and Wilco, and produced by John McEntire. Acts as a duo with his wife, Chocolat (Chocolat & Akito).
Support live and studio drummer for various Japanese artists such as The Beatniks, Bonnie Pink, Caravan, Chara, CureaL, Leo Imai, Kimonos, Love Psychedelico,, Salyu. Music producer. Released a solo electronic album titled Manmancer in 2008. His other musical projects include Lasvegas and Acapulco.
Son of singer and photographer
Left in May 2012. Continues solo career as Curly Giraffe and act as a live and studio support for other musicians. Played in a band Honesty with Shigekazu Aida of El-Malo.