By Nathan Phua

Glay has been around for almost 12 years. Formed in 1988 by schoolmates vocalist Teru and guitarist Takuro, they have already released 19 singles and 7 albums. Glay now has 4 members, namely the founders, guitarist Hisashi (joined in 1989) and bassist Jiro (joined in 1991).

The name Glay is actually the misspelling and mispronunciation of the word “gurei” that is the Japanese meaning of colour gray. It is this attitude of being different that has made Glay to be one of the top Japanese rock bands of today.

Glay’s songs are a mixture of pop and rock. Glay once rented a hotel room to do ‘live’ recordings in hope to achieve inspirations in this new environment and part from the conventional methods of recording. However since Glay is very strict and particular with their music, they actually gave up seventeen to eighteen songs recorded that day.

On the first day of this millennium, Glay released the 19th single, “Happiness” that was used as a theme song for the TV drama, “Dear Friday’s Lovers.” Glay’s live video, “Glay Expo’99 Survival ~ Live In Makuhari” will also be out on Jul. 31.

Glay is currently on a concert tour around Japan for their 7th album, “Heavy Gauge”. Due to the overwhelming attendance of their previous appearances, the organiser has set new rules, like those who go for concerts in Kobe are not allowed to the ones in Osaka.

Their popularity is certainly not one night’s business. JAL, the airline company reckons this and set up a “Jumbo Glay” with their faces painted on the body of a plane. Till now, only Teru boarded this exclusive plane. Though he felt embarrassed, he is happy and believed that other members of Glay will try sitting one day.