Matsumoto Hideto Vocals, Guitar

Even some of my favourite artists have a few songs that rub me the wrong way. I am not afraid to say, however, that I love every song produced in hide’s markedly short solo career. The premature death of a musician sometimes makes him a legend but in hide’s case, he was a legend long before the tragic incident that stunned the nation in 1998. 

He had already proven his guitar skills were close to unmatched, when playing for X Japan, but his legion of followers enlarged upon showing what he was truly capable of as a composer, lyricist, vocalist and producer. It is easy to explain why his fan count continued to increase after he left the notorious band: hide’s musical approach veered off course into experimental territory but retained many of its illustrious virtues from his prodigious guitar playing to his mysterious and flamboyant style.

Control over every aspect of a song is something hide could not quite achieve with X Japan. It was said he and Yoshiki, the band's leader, often argued about the direction taken by the group, but with a solo career on the side, this certified beautician was finally putting all of his creativity to good use. 

Surprisingly enough, vocals and arrangements in his composition stand out more than his guitar playing. While he cannot play with it as much as many dedicated vocalists, his voice is out-of-the-ordinary and always fits impeccably; it is usually playful and nasal during action-packed songs but soft and melancholic on sad ballades. The contrast observed between his calm attitude and eccentric look is expressed quite distinctly in his music. Just as some songs can be cheerless and sorrowful, most are plain fun and uplifting. This is unfortunate for those expecting an X Japan sequel with imposing piano and many guitar solos but I doubt anyone would complain after hearing what the new (and dare I say "improved?") hide has to offer.

Even if they did not become official members until hide's third album, the band Spread Beaver have been performing with him in concert from the beginnings of his solo career. Composed of D.I.E, Chirolyn, I.N.A, Joe, KAZ, Kiyoshi and, on occasion, his former co-member Pata from X Japan, they have successfully managed to match the fluctuating style of their leader with great chemistry. They seem to have such a blast during the making of music videos that even hide sometimes joins in the fun.

Matsumoto Hideto (hide) was an outcast in school. Being notably chubbier than the other children, he was teased every day. His first real interest was music. He spent his high school years practicing guitar and joined a band named Saver Tiger in which he played in Live Houses after being expelled from school for rebellious behaviour. Members periodically joined and then left the band because of the high standards imposed by hide. He himself left the band in 1987 and accepted Yoshiki’s invitation to join X Japan (or X, as it was then called). He stayed with them until the end but started a solo project in 1995, two years before the band’s dissolution.

In 1997, he already had two albums, hide your face and Psyence, and his own record company called LEMONed, producing himself, Spread Beaver, Zilch and Zeppet Store. He had planned to release his first album with Zilch then introduce Spread Beaver and start a national tour after the release of Ja,Zoo, their first album together. The upcoming year was going to be very busy for him and his future looked brighter than ever. On May 2^nd,1998, however, to the disbelief of everyone who knew him, hide was found dead in his apartment, hanged from his bathroom door with a towel. Many were hospitalized for fainting, attempting suicide and tens of thousands of grieved fans came to say goodbye during his public funerals.

With previous recordings, demo tapes and hide’s brother (who lent his voice for two unrecorded songs), Spread Beaver finished hide’s last project, Ja,Zoo. A very emotional tour then started with the legendary guitarist playing and singing on a giant screen and countless guest appearances. Despite the absence of the adulated star, every representation of the show sold out. A memorial museum was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Japan in 2000. It is two stories high and over two thousand square meters of miscellaneous belongings, pictures, a small concert hall and a chapel.

Favourite Album:

Psyence

If you only have enough money for one hide album, his best-of compilation, Psychommunity, should be first on your wish list. I still recommend buying all of his albums starting with Psyence. He really strikes every note of his gamut and shows his true potential with all sixteen great tracks of this remarkable album.

Favourite Songs:

1. Dice

2. Genkai Haretsu

3. Pink Spider

4. Rocket Dive
5. Flame

6. Misery

7. Eyes Love You
8. Breeding

9. Beauty Stupid

10. Hi-Ho

 

Why Dice?

Why not? Invigorating like nothing else, this fast-paced song has everything a hide piece needs, including a long and accurate guitar solo. I just wish it was longer but I would probably say the same even if it was five times as long.

Official Site: http://m-up.cplaza.ne.jp/hide-city/index-mus.html

Official Fan Club Site: http://www.hide-city.com/

(Tip: use AltaVista's Babel Fish translator)

English Fan Site:

hide Museum: http://www.wakeup.to/hide