Chisato

(born on August 4, 1971) is a Japanese guitarist and singer. Originally known for being the guitarist of visual kei band Penicillin since 1992, in 1996 he started a solo career that has been successful in Japan. In 2003, he founded the solo project Crack6.

Career

Early years Chisato began playing musical instruments under the influence of his father, who played trumpet. However, Chisato used to play piano. In high school, he started playing guitar and formed his first band in third grade, at a school festival. After graduating, he entered Tokai University, where he met the other members of Penicillin (Hakuei, Gisho and O-Jiro) and formed the band in 1992. They worked part-time jobs around Hon-Atsugi Station in Kanagawa.

Penicillin's major debut and solo career (1996–2001) In 1996, along with Penicillin's debut on Tokuma, Chisato began a solo career taking on vocals and guitar, despite never having sung before. He was invited to start a solo career by the head of Tokuma Japan's production department. Chisato debuted with the single "Dance With the Wild Things", which gave the musician top 10 on the Oricon chart upon its debut. His first full-length album was released in September, called Organic Groover, and also ranked tenth on the Japanese charts. The following year he released the single "Venus" and then in 1997 "Kick!", which were used as soundtrack for Japanese television series. In May he released his second album, Cyber Soul Pavillon, with a futuristic concept. In 2007, Chisato was part of Acid Black Cherry's support band and Crack6 performed at the FanimeCon in California. In 2008, the project went on hiatus. However, it was renewed in 2009 and in 2011 they released their first album in six years, Butterfly Effect. The following year, they released the album Trickster. Chisato participated in the Dead End tribute album, Dead End Tribute -Song of Lunatics-, in 2013 and this year Crack6 released the singles "Signalism" and "Loveless". They were not included on the EP released the following year, Crazy Monsters Parade.

Bara to Pistol was Crack6's sixth album, released on June 1, 2016. In celebration of 20 years since the beginning of his solo career, Chisato released the compilation album Chisato 20th Anniversary Best Album「Can you Rock?!」 in 2017, having his most famous songs re-recorded. The track list was chosen by fans, in a vote on the official website. He said that "Cyber Rose" was, by far, the most voted. In 2018, the musician made a special release creating a duo between Crack6 and Chisato for the single "Jekyll's Sky/Mad Rider", with several special guests. In the same year, he participated in a solo album by Asagi, vocalist of D. In 2019 Crack6 released the single "Canaria" and went on a tour with the same title. An album with the same concept as the single was released in 2023 called Canaria Saishu Gakusho: Coda. Previously in 2021, the group had released the single "Break The Darkness". In January 2024, Chisato appeared on Tatsurō's radio show, to talk about Crack6's compilation album -Ever Blessing-, released in celebration of the project's 20th anniversary.

Equipment

Discography

As Chisato

Albuns

TitleReleaseOricon peak position TypeOrganic GrooverNovember 21, 199610Studio albumChisato 1996 SinglesFebruary 26, 1996—Compilation albumOrganic Groover ver. 2211—Remix albumCyber Soul PavillonMay 19, 199915Studio albumYabuoto ~Break!~ (破音～BREAK!～)August 4, 1999—Live albumSurf Side Attack!November 25, 199950Studio albumSmash! Smash! Smash! – Chisato Live at Budokan 1999August 19, 2000—Live albumYabuoto ~Break!~ II (爆音-BREAK! II-)December 21, 2000—Chisato 20th Anniversary Best Album「Can you Rock?!」June 7, 201736Compilation album

Singles Title Release Oricon peak position