Breakerz (ブレイカーズ, Bureikazu) is a Japanese rock band formed in 2006.[2] The origin of the band name comes from the English word "breakers", with a backwards S written as a Z.[3]
Career
Before the band's formation, each of the members had already been active with their music as a soloist (Daigo) or as a member of an independent band (Akihide, Shinpei).[citation needed] The band was formed in 2006 with the vocalist Daigo and guitarist Shinpei; Akihide joined them soon afterwards. In 2007, they made their debut with the release of the self-titled full-length album Breakerz, released under Zain Records.[3] The album failed to chart on the Oricon Weekly charts.
In 2008, their third studio album, Big Bang, appeared on the Oricon Weekly Charts. It became their first original album to debut in the Top 10. The Japanese version of the film Wanted used the song "DAIGO" by Breakerz as its ending theme.[4][5][6] In 2009, their fifth single, "Everlasting Luv", became their first single to be used as a theme song to an anime television series, Case Closed.[7][8] The single debuted at number 2 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. In the same year, they held their first concert tour, beginning with their first live concert at the Budokan Arena.[9]
In 2012, Shinpei established his own rock band, Muscle Attack, with Shinpei as the main vocalist.[10] In 2013, Akihide launched his solo career.[11] In 2015, their 16th single, "Yaiba", became the theme song for a second anime series, Cardfight!! Vanguard G.[12] In 2017, they commemorated their 10th anniversary. For the commemoration promotion, they released a special collaboration album X (Cross), in which they collaborated with artists including Mai Kuraki, Jiro from Glay, and Sho Kiryuin from Golden Bomber.[13][14] In January 2018, they announced a double A-side single, "D×D×D / Great Ambitios -Single Version-" which was released on 7 March.[15] On 30 April 2019, on the last day of the Heisei era, they released a digital single, "Atarashii Sekai He Atarashii Jidai He: Reiwa version".[16][17]
In 2021, for their seventh album, With You, the singer-songwriter Mai Kuraki was involved as a guest vocalist.[18][19]
Daigo (Real name: Daigo Naito (内藤 大湖, Naitō Daigo), born 8 April 1978) – vocals, piano, lyrics, composer
Akihide (Real name: Akihide Sato (佐藤 彰秀, Satō Akihide), born 5 July 1977) – guitar, chorus, synthesizer, lyricist, composer, arranger
Shinpei (Real name: Shinpei Inoue (井上 慎平, Inoue Shinpei), born 11 May 1981) – guitar, chorus, synthesizer, lyricist, composer, arranger
Discography
As of 2024, the band had released eight studio albums, two EPs, three compilation albums, one collaboration album, twenty-three singles, three digital singles, and ten video albums.[20]
