What is Visual Kei?

Haku · Feb 2, 2009

Just as Malice Mizer had their Concept as 'What is Human?' (which I think would/could be better translated to 'What is it to be Human?',) I was wondering what you guys think is the concept behind 'Visual Kei'?

Of course, it's a given that 'Visual Kei' means 'Visual Style', but where should the line be drawn? Or, should that line remain blurry?

What else would a band need, aside it's visuals, to be called VK? Is it a certain brand of music that's distinct to the ear? (Let's forego language at this point.) Are Visual Bands unique in their having a Concept? Do they need a Concept to be called Visual?

I was just wondering what else all you thought of this topic. Let's start a discussion. <3

holylampposts · Feb 2, 2009

See: Every post by UAShenlong

Elec · Feb 2, 2009

holylampposts wrote:
See: Every post by UAShenlong

~the end of the thread~

Einherjer · Feb 2, 2009

Elec wrote:
holylampposts wrote:

See: Every post by UAShenlong

Click to expand...

~the end of the thread~

time to pop, lock, and drop it

Phantom Pabulum · Feb 2, 2009

There was this person on a forum i used to frequent and he told us all that "Visual Kei" came only after MALICE MIZER polluted "visual". True "visual" would be X JAPAN and anything before MALICE MIZER - before century XIVIXI clowns and what not.

He also said that he thinks that Mana secretly disbanded Schwarz Stein. Lol.

Monophobia · Feb 3, 2009

Phantom Pabulum wrote:
He also said that he thinks that Mana secretly disbanded Schwarz Stein. Lol.

Haha, Mana gets blamed for everything. Failing economy? Look no further than Mana!!

For me...a visual kei band is as such when the bands have an artistic aesthetic and conceptual component in the way they dress, to suit a theme or, well, concept in their music/lyrics. I don't think wearing female clothing means a band is VK, but wearing makeup and extravagant outfits is a great media for artistic expression, and can be quite fantastic when mixed with music.

Manneking · Feb 3, 2009

Monophobia wrote:
Phantom Pabulum wrote:

He also said that he thinks that Mana secretly disbanded Schwarz Stein. Lol.

Click to expand...

Haha, Mana gets blamed for everything. Failing economy? Look no further than Mana!!

For me...a visual kei band is as such when the bands have an artistic aesthetic and conceptual component in the way they dress, to suit a theme or, well, concept in their music/lyrics. I don't think wearing female clothing means a band is VK, but wearing makeup and extravagant outfits is a great media for artistic expression, and can be quite fantastic when mixed with music.

I would definitely agree, my idea of VK is along a similar line... I also feel its another medium to express themselves. I would say its usually a strong, dramatic image.

Elec · Feb 3, 2009

It's way more simple than people make it out to be. Costumes and makeup of varying degrees of outlandishness, music of varying styles, and everyone is very, very young. (Well, to start out with.)

After that, it's merely a question of, do you play at visual venues, associate with visual bands, appear in visual publications? That, plus acknowledging yourself as a visual act, seals the deal.

I dunno; it's just this organic thing that I think people over-analyze, whether it be what is really PUNK or what is really METAL or whatever.

navate · Feb 3, 2009

I agree with Elec. (And Elec says, "of course you do.")

Mademoiselle Folie · Feb 20, 2009

i'm working myself actually on a visual kei project.

The way i see visual kei is just a way of art in which you mix a strong image and imaginary with music. With imaginary i mean everything about image or visual: clothing, make-up, photography, website, performance, videos, etc... everything works under the same concept.

Every artist can choose the way they manage the band or the concept (s) ant the path they want to follow.

I think visual kei is pretty much versatile so one band could be a heavily aesthetic band in a year, and next turned into a grotesque image. I'm working over that concept myself.

Afterall, as i see VK, visual kei is a way of art so it's completely subjective and depends on the appreciation of every person.

Midori · Feb 22, 2009

To me, anyway, VK is alot about sound. I cant really describe it, but you can hear the difference between songs in the VK genre and other types of music.

DDRSENSEI · Mar 14, 2009

well i think you answered your own question. visual kei= visual style/ visual rock. The visuals are the important aspect. you dont really need anyting else since every visual kei band has a different sound. Its like going from malice mizer to despairs ray.

In essence visual kei is just a synonym for glam rock xD

Demanufacturer · Mar 16, 2009

VK is about boys looking like girls and making some music too

(cough cough wink

)

shizuka · Mar 18, 2009

Even German TV-Shows are bringing up that topic... -__-

I'm really tired of that question.
For me it's...having fun with styling, music.. and..thats it '__'

~Having fun at concerts

~Spending lots of money for CDs because everyone has to release 3 different versions of a new single and I can never decide wether I want to see bonus-video-stuff or a bonus-song ...

~Being somehow racist against everything that's not Japanese (well there are expetions and sometimes I hat myself for that attitude but... you know.. I hate daily soaps, but if someone shows me a Japanese one I like it... stupid me -__- )

~Just working and saving up money for being able to fly to Japan again instead of saving up for... a car..cloth..or anything that's important to other people XD

Demanufacturer · Mar 18, 2009

i think that's just an obsession

shizuka · Mar 18, 2009

Yeah..maybe some therapy would help me..
Or just some chance to survive in Japan as a foreigner...

Why am I not obsessed with... Canada '__' Seems so much easier to get and stay there ~.~

Demanufacturer · Mar 19, 2009

yeah well, what does canada have to offer XD

Elec · Mar 19, 2009

Demanufacturer wrote:
yeah well, what does canada have to offer XD

maple syrup, mooses, sled dogs, lumberjacks, milk in a bag, Ryan Adams or Brian Adams I forget, several comedians, mounties, queens on money,

and RUSH

also RUSH

sailorKa · Mar 19, 2009

Elec wrote:
milk in a bag

I used to be friends with a canadian girl who lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia and she was always putting red artificial colouring in milk bags and pretending it was strawberry milk and bragging about milk bags to Americans. She'd also bitch about how much better Nova Scotia(or anywhere else in Canada, really) was compared to the hell that was Toronto(now... I haven't been to Nova Scotia but I agree that toronto IS hell). ::shifty::

I also know a certain Canadian who is coockoo up in the head so...

who knows, Canada might be interesting.

--k *I turned into a story telling grandpa again.... XD sorry for the offtopicness)

PureElegance · Mar 19, 2009

sailorKa wrote:
I also know a certain Canadian who is coockoo up in the head so...

Yeah, me too ::meev::

What is Visual Kei?

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