If Exist†trace are the most obvious all female band in Visual Kei, then DANGER☆GANG is are their opposite. Both started up the same year, but DANGER☆GANG is the lesser known in the international community. So here’s the post to rectify that!
DANGER☆GANG is a all female, Visual Kei band. The group got their start in 2003, and have been active in the scene ever since. The core of DANGER☆GANG is Waka, the vocalist and Hiko, the guitarist. The group started with a drummer named Rei, who was present from approximately 2003 to around 2012? It’s not clear when Rei left the group, only that Ren, DANGER☆GANG’s current drummer, joined the group on on February 29th 2012.
Their history with bassists is a bit more extensive. The group started with a bassists named Ka-e, who later left on December 28th, 2004. In 2005, Thera joined the group, and left on March 8th 2011. Mizuki joined the same time as Ren, and then left the group in August 4th 2015. Their last listed bassist was airan who joined August 13th 2015, and then left in November 8th 2017. Since airan’s departure, the group has utilized various support bassists.
Over the years, the group has had a plethora of releases. DANGER☆GANG has released three full albums, five mini albums, three singles and three DVDs. They’ve also participated in two omnibus releases from the Visual Kei specialty store, Like an Edison, one being a CD release, and the other a DVD release.
What makes this group curious is that DANGER☆GANG’s career is now 17 years and going strong; a lot of their material isn’t widely available. A lot of their back catalog has been uploaded by various pirated means so if you’re truly curious you can do some googling and find most tracks.
I do try my best to be legit around here, so I did some snooping and tracking. The group doesn’t currently have a Spotify. Their Youtube channels are a bit sparse, only four videos that are officially listed as PV or MV’s. Additionally, there’s four live videos, and some additional commentary videos and other off shot type of materials. Their discography isn’t widely available aside from their 2012 release of “First Date”, which is available on Amazon and Itunes. Most of their materials, past and present are for sale on their official shop and secondhand markets.
I would normally offer extended commentary here, but for the sake of keeping the mood of the profile consistent. I’ll offer my thoughts on “First Date”, since it’s around the mid-point of their career and legally available online.
First up being “SPACE JUNK BOX”, it’s a very peppy track leading in with clapping a pop-style rhythm. Waka’s unique vocals come in, with a few chime effects and some interesting vocal layering. It has a lot of effects layered in creating a cosmic experiance, which tends to dominate the track. A lot of the guitar, bass, and drums are muted in favor of effects, but when they can be heard feel much closer to a punchy punk vibe.
“EDGE OF THE WORLD”, picks up the punk vibe and amplifies it. The percussion section taking extensive notes in terms of pacing. It feels very much a song that would have a lot of fast furi to follow. Waka’s vocals dip more into the harsh range, but never quite into a full growl. It does hit a more distinct nerve of ‘visual kei’ then the prior “SPACE JUNK BOX”, which I appreciate.
Rounding out the album is Gira Netsu (Dazzling Fever). After researching and writing about female VKei groups, I can say this track certainly nods to bands I’ve prior mentioned as well as being distinctly DANGER☆GANG. There’s distortion used that’s very familiar to the genre, as well as some more haunting elements within the backing vocals.
What I’ve gotten from DANGER☆GANG is that the group does indeed fit the bill in terms of stylistic choices in stage costumes. Their musical inspiration takes from punk, old-school visual kei, and various other genres creating their own exclusive blend known as DANGER☆GANG. I have to say again, that the mix on “First Date” did feel strange. Oddly muted in certain points, but it might have been intentional since other DANGER☆GANG tracks have similarities. A very interesting choice for the group. So, with that snapshot of their releases, coupled with their additional content available online gives a pretty solid direction of where the band has come from and where they will continue to go.
DANGER☆GANG has witnessed the comings and going of many in the Visual Kei genre, as well as the raise and fall of female bands within it. Still, for 17 years they have continued on making their own music and chugging along. I have the utmost respect for these women, and sincerely hope they continue for a very long time!
This little feature series on my blog has finished… for now. I am continuing my research to see if I can find more bands, active or not, to feature later on. I hope you found this little series interesting. Drop me recommendations for other bands I can look into, or just general thoughts! See you in the next post!
References
Danger Gang Youtube Profile (could not confirm if this was unused, or unofficial but it does contain video materials of DANGER☆GANG)
VisualNavi DANGER☆GANG Profile Page
Phoenix Talks Pop Culture Japan 