Originally a visual kei band, the band dropped that style around 2005 with the release of their fifth full-length album, Withering to death., however as of recently they have reacquired their visual kei aesthetic. Their musical style is difficult to determine; throughout their releases, they have played styles ranging from pop rock to extreme metal. Today, their style can be considered generally a version of alternative metal and avant-garde metal.
The band has been signed to FIREWALL DIV., a subdivision of Free-Will under Sony Music, for their entire career so far. However, their fifth full-length album, Withering to death., was the band's first to see distribution outside of Japan. It was released in Europe by GAN-SHIN and the United States by Warcon Enterprises. They're currently signed to Okami Records for European distribution and The End for United States distribution.
DIR EN GREY, in its earliest form, began as the band of vocalist 京 and drummer Shinya - 廃人黒薔薇族 (Haijin Kurobarazoku, "Invalid Black Rose Family"). Members and associates of this band formed La:Sadie's, which eventually included four of the band's five current members. La:Sadie's disbanded in January 1997. All but the bassist came back together to form Dir en grey. They recruited Toshiya, a bassist from Nagano and previously in the band D†L, and officially formed Dir en grey in February 1997.
In 1998, the band gained major attention by becoming the first indies band to have a single place in the top ten on Japan's Oricon music charts. After making their major debut in early 1999, they played a sold-out performance at Osakajo Hall on December 18, 1999. This remains one of the band's most memorable solo performances to date.
In 2002, the band's THE JAPANESE FXXKER FAMILY tour brought the band their first international performances. The tour took them to several countries in Asia, including China and South Korea. In Shanghai, fans became so excited that authorities attempted to cancel a planned second concert. The band and their management resisted, and the concert was played as scheduled.
The year 2005 was a very significant year in the band's history. Dir en grey played their first non-Asian shows in the spring and summer of that year. TOUR05 It withers and withers was the one that brought the band from Japan to Europe. The band played shows in three European countries - Belgium, France, and Germany. Two of these performances were MTV's Rock im Park and Rock am Ring festivals. Dir en grey also played a solo live concert in Germany on May 28 which sold 3,500 standing-room tickets to Berlin's Columbia Hall in approximately 6 weeks (also rumored as 3 days). The band's album Withering to death. reached #31 on the Official Finnish Album Chart, and the single "CLEVER SLEAZOID" reached #15 on its Singles Chart. These were the first times Dir en grey had placed on a non-Asian music chart.
Throughout 2009 and 2011, the band released a total of three singles that would later be added onto their 8th album (DUM SPIRO SPERO). These singles included 激しさと、この胸の中で絡み付いた灼熱の闇 (December 2nd, 2009), LOTUS (January 26, 2011), and DIFFERENT SENSE (June 22nd, 2011). On August 1st, the band had made an open letter on their Facebook page accusing the Japanese government of lying about the levels of radiation caused from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. This led to the creation of the band's "Scream for the Truth" movement, which hoped to result in the correct numbers and truth from the government.
On August 3rd, 2011 the band released their 8th studio album DUM SPIRO SPERO (Latin; "While I breathe, I hope"). The material of this album was showcased on the tour of Age Quod Agis throughout Japan, and the Americas. In February of 2012, 京 (Kyo) was diagnosed with vocal nodule dysphonia. This lead to the withdrawal of the band's participation in the Still Reckless tour, and Kyo was required to have surgery performed on his throat.
The band celebrated their first album's (GAUZE) 15th anniversary of August 2014 with the Tour14 Psychonnect: Mode of "Gauze"? Japanese tour. The tour included their live performances of the songs featured on Gauze. On August 5th, Dir En Grey announced their 9th studio album, ARCHE, to be released December 10th, 2014. After its release, the band performed two tours: By the Grace of God and The Unstoppable life, which brought the band back to North America; the first time since 2011.
On 6 February 2016, it is officially announced that the band will release their new single, 詩踏み, on July 27, 2016. They performed tours called Tour16-17 From Depression To ________ mode of Vulgar, Tour16-17 From Depression To ________ mode of Dum Spiro Spero, and Tour16-17 From Depression To ________ mode of 鬼葬 from June to November 2016.
In 2017, the band did further tours themed around previous albums. They also covered Easy Make,Easy Mark by D'erlanger for the D'ERLANGER TRIBUTE ALBUM ～Stairway to Heaven～.
Another compilation album, VESTIGE OF SCRATCHES, was released on January 2, 2018. DIR EN GREY's twenty-ninth single 人間を被る was released on April 25, 2018. One of its B-sides is a remake of Ash, a song with origins as far back as 1997.
On June 29, 2018, DIR EN GREY announced that their tenth studio album The Insulated World was to be released on September 26, 2018. After its release, the band went on a European tour in October 2018, under the title "Wearing Human Skin".
DIR EN GREY's eleventh studio album, "Phalaris", was released on June 15th 2022. The band embarked on a Japanese tour in promotion called "TOUR22 PHALARIS -Vol.I.-".
Visit www.direngrey.co.jp for more information, and news.
GARBAGE
DIR EN GREY Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As sore as sore the back of the gullet, dizziness
You can't catch me, can't catch me
Can blind birds fly? They can't
I go up the blind stairs intently
I go up the blind stairs intently
I go up the blind stairs intently
(Ladies and gentlemen)
Ladies and gentlemen, time is over
(Ladies and gentlemen)
Ladies and gentlemen, please die (ah woo)
(Ladies and gentlemen)
Ladies and gentlemen, time is over
(Ladies and gentlemen)
Ladies and gentlemen, please die (ah woo)
排水溝に流れてゆく俺の子供は無能な欠片
俺の手じゃ何も掴めない
Like a garbage, I go back to doing
Whatever I may wish, it's weed life
Whatever I may wish, it's weed life
Whatever (whatever) I may (I may) wish, it's weed life
Night and day at the end of the day
All day and so every day
夢さえも叫ぶさ I want to become happy
(Ladies and gentlemen)
Ladies and gentlemen, time is over
(Ladies and gentlemen)
Ladies and gentlemen, please die
(Ladies and gentlemen)
Ladies and gentlemen, time is over
(Ladies and gentlemen)
Ladies and gentlemen, please die (ah woo)
薔薇色真っ赤な口笑う 俺の子供は無能な欠片
自虐 虐待 死ね 忘れたい 大嫌い
花びらゲームの数え唄
Like a garbage, I go back to doing
Like a garbage, I go back to doing
Please die
The lyrics of DIR EN GREY's "GARBAGE" are a twisted representation of the singer's mind, as it expresses feelings of pain, confusion, and resignation towards life. The song opens with the line "As dark as dark sky and earth, dizzily mind," which sets up the overarching mood of melancholy and lack of direction the singer is experiencing. The second line "As sore as sore the back of the gullet, dizziness" adds to the image of discomfort and uneasiness, highlighting how overwhelming the inner turmoil and the external world have become.
The following lines "You can't catch me, can't catch me. Can blind birds fly? They can't" are a representation of the singer's desire to escape from their reality but feeling trapped and unable to do so. The line "I go up the blind stairs intently" is an odd one as it could indicate the singer's willingness to move forward with determination despite the obstacles, but the repetition of this line six times makes it seem more like a mantra that the singer is forcing themselves to believe.
The "Ladies and gentlemen" refrain is a nihilistic condemnation of life, with the phrases "time is over" and "please die" representing a general discontent with existence. The last verse is particularly dark and graphic, with the lines referencing the singer's child being worthless and wanting to die, adding to the bleakness of the song. The repetition of the phrase "Like a garbage, I go back to doing" at the end of each verse echoes the sense of resignation the singer feels towards their life and their inevitable fate.
Line by Line Meaning
As dark as dark sky and earth, dizzily mind
My mind is dizzy and confused, like the darkness of the sky and earth.
As sore as sore the back of the gullet, dizziness
The pain in my throat is just as painful as the dizziness I'm experiencing.
You can't catch me, can't catch me
Just like blind birds can't fly, you can't catch me either.
I go up the blind stairs intently
I climb the stairs without seeing, but with determination.
Ladies and gentlemen, time is over
The time for pleasantries is done; it's time for something more serious.
Ladies and gentlemen, please die (ah woo)
It's time for everyone to die, so please comply.
排水溝に流れてゆく俺の子供は無能な欠片
My child is a worthless fragment flowing down the drain like garbage.
俺の手じゃ何も掴めない
I am unable to grasp anything with my own hands.
Whatever I may wish, it's weed life
No matter what I wish for, life seems like it will always be full of suffering.
Night and day at the end of the day
As the day comes to a close, night falls upon me.
All day and so every day
Every day is long, with no end in sight.
夢さえも叫ぶさ I want to become happy
Even my dreams are filled with cries of desperation; I just want to find happiness.
薔薇色真っ赤な口笑う 俺の子供は無能な欠片
My child is still a worthless fragment, but now they're laughing with a cruel, rose-red smile.
自虐 虐待 死ね 忘れたい 大嫌い
Self-abuse, abuse from others, death – I hate all of it; I just want to forget.
花びらゲームの数え唄
I count the petals of a flower, like a childish game, to distract myself.
Like a garbage, I go back to doing
I feel like trash, but I continue to move forward.
Please die
I feel hopeless and stuck, and I want to give up on everything.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dir en Grey, Kyou
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind