Dir En Grey (ディル・アン・グレイ, Diru an gurei) is a Japanese metal band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. As of 2008, they have recorded seven full-length records and while the group's lineup has remained consistent since its inception, numerous stylistic changes have made the genre of their music difficult to determine (though it is generally considered to be a form of rock music). Originally a visual kei band, the band has opted for less dramatic attire in recent years.
Dir En Grey has toured through Asia, Europe, South America, and North America; Billboard commenting on the group's international fanbase, that the band "has transcended the language barrier in the United States through its music" and "gained its audience without singing in English".

• Kyo (Vocals). 

        Kyo (京, Kyō) (born February 16, 1976) is the vocalist of Dir En Grey. He has been with the band since its inception in 1997. He was formerly the vocalist of La:Sadies. His birth name is unknown (Although it is claimed to be Tooru Nishimura (Nishimura Tooru, 西村 亨) by the majority of the fanbase); like many Japanese artists, he has elected to go only by a stage name and to keep his birth name private information.
         While he has only composed a handful of Dir En Grey's songs (for example, "The Domestic Fucker Family" and "Hades"), Kyo is responsible for all the lyrics, which usually have negative implications and touch on a variety of dark, sometimes taboo, subjects, such as sexual obsessions ("Zomboid"), abuse ("Berry"), and mass media ("Mr. Newsman"). Several songs deal with specifically Japanese issues, such as the country's casual attitude towards abortion ("Mazohyst of Decadence" and "Obscure") and its conformity-oriented society ("Children"). Others deal with more traditional subject matter such as personal feelings, emotions, and lost love ("Undecided", "Taiyou no Ao", "Mushi").
        The vocabulary used ranges from vulgar to exalted, with wordplay and double entendres occurring frequently. For example, the title of the song "Mitsu to Tsuba," which is about rape, means "Honey and Saliva," but is written with the kanji for honey and saliva inverted, suggesting reading them with an inverted pronunciation - "Tsumi to Batsu" - which would translate to "Crime and Punishment," a more appropriate title.

• Kyo enjoys lying during interviews.  One cannot trust what he says.

• Kyo looks up to the vocalist Kiyoharu in the band Kuroyume.

• When asked to list his 3 most precious things, Kyo responded with: 1. Dir en Grey; 2. my voice; 3. my 800-1000 CDs at home. 

• When asked to say something to all of his bandmates, he simply replied with "Minna-san work hard."

• Kyo must like classical music (Ma!  Not what one would expect from a rocker!)  He listens to  Brahms- Dir en grey borrowed a tune from that composer for Deity. 

•  At one point at a concert in Osaka, Toshiya gave his bass to Kyo.  The look on his face is assumed to be the same face he would make if someone handed him a large, dead, smelly fish. 

• Kyo likes girls in kimonos.  Perhaps this is why he so often wears a furisode.

• His likes and dislikes could be summed up with one word: women. "They can bring such wonderful happiness, yet are utterly terrifying."  He prefers strong women to passive women.

• Kyo wears glasses.  Okay, so that's not really a strange thing, but kinda nice for all the fans out there looking at the world through two windows.

• Kyo once stated that it is okay for people to wear normal clothes at weddings, but the bride should wear a blue fish.  Any reference to Mr. Newsman?  He has stated he would like to get married and settle down someday.

• Kyo once stated in an interview that, for some reason, people keep calling him Miyabi.  Ever since then, Die keeps calling him "Miya-chan."

• Kyo likes to be called "Kyo" and "Kyo-san."  He hates being called "Kyo-chan."

• He also does not like getting things like candy from fans because it melts in the mail and makes a mess.  He would prefer cigarettes.

• Kyo is getting into other medians of entertainment than visual kei.  He has auditioned for some movies.  Us overseas have yet to find out if he made it.

• Kyo has been quoted to say he will never write a happy song.

• Kyo likes collecting little figurines and action figures.

• He also likes to play videogames and watch anime.

• He also likes plums.

• It has been stated that Kyo can fall asleep anywhere at any time.

• Kyo once ruptured his tympanum (something in his ear.)  The cause is theorized to be a live version of Rasetsu Koku.  While he was in the hospital, Kyo was not worried about delaying the tour or if these complications would cause problems with the band.  He was just worried that he was going to get fat from the medicine.  He also complained that the nurse giving him saline injections took the needle out of his arm very slowly, and he wanted her to do it fast.

• When Kyo left the hospital, his bandmates threw him a party with champagne.

• Kyo is allergic to flower pollen.

• In his school days, Kyo claims he was in the Shogi (Japanese chess) club and also claims he never actually joined.

• 

  Kaoru (Guitar).

           Kaoru is the leader of Dir en grey and writes most of their music.  His full name is Niikura Kaoru and he was born on Feb 17, 1974, in Hyougo.  His blood type is A and he stands at 5'7".  Contrary to popular belief, Kaoru can indeed play acoustic guitar in addition to his electric.  His hair has been black, blue, bleached white, neon pink (my personal favorite), purple, and currently, blonde.  His trademark was the three braids he would whip around while headbanging.  Kaoru's nicknames include the God of Death, God of Guitars, and Japanese Zombie Hero (which was written on his guitar in a recent performance.)  As the oldest, he is seen as the "responsible" one; he constantly pushes the rest of the band to do their best.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Kaoru Facts
  
  
• Kaoru likes anime and manga, especially Gundam.

• When asked to list his 3 most precious things, Kaoru responded with: 1. Dir en Grey; 2. my hair; 3. hide-sama's signature 

• When asked to say something to each of his bandmates, Kaoru responded with: " I got so much to say!  Kyo, you have lent so many things to me, such as games. I will return them to you next time. I don't think you even know about me borrowing some of them!  Die, you also cut your hair. Now it's only me left. I must persist!  Toshiya, I will return the LD animes you lent me very soon.  Shinya, you sure are manly!" 

•  When asked to describe a recent lucky thing, Kaoru replied with: "My home is surprisingly warm. When I turn on all the electrical appliances at home, I feel truly warm. But I think I need to restrict myself a bit. *laughs*" 

• Kaoru can be extremely random.  One moment he is quiet, the next he comes out with some ridiculous outburst.

• Kaoru was asked to name a thing that makes him suffer.  He replied that answering this question made him suffer, because he does not know how. 

• Kaoru describes an unlucky recent event with:"I tried to tidy up my home recently. I want to have it spotless. However there turned out to be a hole in the garbage bag, and the oil inside practically got all over the floor of my home. I've already finished cleaning, but I ended up in a mess." 

• Kaoru is confidant with his "super coaxing skills."  He often uses these skills on their manager when he wants them to do something Kaoru does not want to. 

• Kaoru clames he gets lazy when there is no goal to work towards, and that he did have used to be a loafer.

• "Audrey" was titled as such because Kaoru has always liked that girl's name.

• In school, Kaoru was good at sports and art but hated studying, so when he went home every day he would just play videogames, read manga, and make models.

• Kaoru's first love was his kindergarten teacher, who he said was a kind and gentle woman.

• Kaoru has stated that he does not wanted to get married yet, saying that marriage was something adults did and that he does not think there is anyone he could marry now, since Dir en grey is currently his main focus in life.

• In school, Kaoru considered joining the art club 3 times, but never actually made it to the interview.  He got bored waiting, so he caught some grasshoppers and let them fight each other.

• He did join the soccer team, though.  He liked the hat.  He never went to practices, but played in the games.  He says proudly that this shows he has a talent for soccer.

•   Die (Guitar).

        Die (born December 20, 1974, in Mie) is a Japanese musician and one of the guitarists of Dir En Grey. He has been with the band since its inception in 1997 and was previously a member of La:Sadie's. Die is the second most credited composer within Dir En Grey (after fellow guitarist Kaoru and at least up to Vulgar, at which individual credits for the music were dropped) and his songs tend to be more upbeat, such as "304 Goushitsu, Hakushi no Sakura", "Riyuu" and "Mr.Newsman".
         Die is one of two guitarists for Dir en grey.  He is equally wonderful on acoustic and electric.  His real name is Ando Daisuke and he was born in Mie on Dec 20, 1974.  His blood type is B and he stands at 5'10".  Die's hair has been variuos shades of red, mostly just bright red, and varying between super-mullet or short and spikey.  He perhaps wears the least amount of makeup, preferring only black eye shadow, and his costumes consist mostly of leather and studs or military uniforms.  He enjoys teasing his fellow bandmates (especially Shinya) and competes with Kyo for the role of the "scary" one, but under all the makeup, he is very gentle and sweet and has a kind face.  It has been said that every girl needs a Die; he is the nicest guy one could ever meet.

• When asked to list his 3 most precious things, Die responded with: 1. Dir en Grey; 2. fans; 3. staff 

• When asked to say something to each of his bandmates, Die responded with: Kyo, please don't pierce any more holes!  Kaoru, get a haircut!  Toshiya, please fix your room.  Shinya, for how long do you intend to hide yourself?" 

• Die describes his most blissful moment of the day as right before he goes to sleep.  He frequently has nightmares, so before he goes to sleep, he tells himself "I am going to sleep now; whatever happens after, however terrifying, will only be nightmares." 

• Die's nightmares are usually about running for life with friends.  His friends "run speedily" while he runs slow like he has "eaten some lard." 

• Favorite time of year is the Christmas season. 

• Die loves drinking with his younger brother, quite often to the point where he babbles incoherently and is too drunk to leave the bar. 

• Die describes himself as "baka." 

• Audrey is his signature song. 

• At the Tokyo NKH Hall concert there was a large pink rat head sitting just in front of Shinya`s drums. Die kept looking at it near the end of the show, debating popping it on his head, but it wasn`t built as a mask, so he had to forget that idea.

• Die likes getting things from the fans that he can use.  Like underwear.  Apparently a fan once sent him some.

• Die is very straightforward and talkative, yet he is the "joker"; he can make any of the other members laugh at any time.  He teases Shinya mercilessly.

• Die does not like sashimi or seafood; he likes Western food, especially Italian.

• Die likes cute girls with big eyes.  When he was younger he was very nervous and shy, especially when he had to talk to girls.

• He has a black belt in Kendo.  He took it from elementary to high school, then stopped when he learned to play guitar because there was not enough time for both.

• Of all the band members, Die is the one most likely to count calories.

• Toshiya (Bass guitar).

        Toshiya (born on March 31, 1977, in Nagano) is a Japanese musician and the bassist of Dir En Grey. He has been with the band since its inception in 1997, although he was not in La:Sadie's, as the other four previously had been. Unlike fellow band members Kaoru and Die, Toshiya has only composed a handful of Dir En Grey's songs, such as "Erode" and "Bottom of the Death Valley". Unsurprisingly, his compositions tend to have a distinct, bass-driven sound.

• When asked to list his 3 most precious things, Toshiya responded with: 1. My past; 2. everyone I've met; 3. this very moment.

• At one of Dir en grey's first concerts, Toshiya cried all the way through GARDEN because his father had come to see him perform and stood during the whole concert.

• When asked to say something to each of his bandmates, Toshiya replied with: "Kyo, you have to be the poisonous person forever.  Kaoru, play faster! *laughs*  Die, why don't you go play a Light Band. *laughs*  Shinya, please count "one, two, three" louder before you start drumming away!" 

• When asked to describe a recent unlucky thing, Toshiya replied with: "I live on the first floor. That day somehow water seeped up from the floor. I rose to find my carpet totally wet. At first, I thought I spilled some juice on the carpet on the previous night, but no matter how hard I mopped it up, the water keep coming through. Then I realize it is something more serious than that, and I called up my landlord to handle it. Now all my wooden furniture is going all rotten and moldy, it's terrible even thinking of it. Oh I wanted to move out ASAP..." 

• At the Grand Cube Osaka concert, as Shinya walked off the stage, Toshiya followed behind him and gave Shinya a jumping kick in the butt just before he could get back stage.  As he ran off the stage himself, he did a very exaggerated run with his knees drawn all the way up to his chest. 

• Toshiya is definately the dorkiest member of the band.  He once stated that he thinks Japan is shaped like a banana, and he likes living in Japan because it is the only country shaped like a banana.

• There were no other boys in the area Toshiya lived in as a child, so he grew up playing with the girls.  As a result, when he started school he was bullied for being a crybaby.  He never liked the outdoors much.

• Spring makes Toshiya think of getting new sunglasses.

• In school, Toshiya was in the kendo club.  He was afraid of his senior, who liked to eat protein supplements.

• Toshiya hates seaweed.

• Shinya (Drum).

        Shinya (born February 24, 1978, in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese musician who is the drummer of Dir En Grey. Shinya Kimura, formerly known as the founder of "ZERO" or the so-called "ZERO Style" motorcycles,has launched his own workshop called "chabott engineering" in the city of Azusa, California in 2006.

• Shinya loves riddles and reading books that can "train his brain."

• Shinya is very quiet.  It took the rest of the band 6 months to figure out he had finally bought a telephone.  It was another 6 months to a year before he gave them his number.

• When asked to list his 3 most precious things, Shinya replied: 1. My dog; 2. my parents' dog; 3. Dir en Grey.

• Out of all of his bandmates, Shinya is closest to Kyo.

• When asked to say something to each of his bandmates, Shinya replied with: "Kyo, don't catch a cold.  Die, don't let others beat you up. Kaoru, please be gentler. Toshiya, don't be nosy." 

• Shinya describes his most blissful moment of the day as: "When I return home. Yumi barks welcome happily, and I will say to him, "I'm back!" The best is sleeping in bed with him. " 

• When asked what the moon makes him think of, Shinya replied simply with "rabbit." 

• Shinya needs an average of 10 hours of sleep each night, and during holidays he is known to nap with his dog for up to 12 hours. 

• When asked what he is confidant about, Shinya replied solving riddles. 

• Shinya does not believe he will truly be grown up until he becomes a dad. 

• During one of Kyo's speeches at an Osaka concert (involving many "anou's and eto's") he suddenly decided that Shinya would give a short speech. Shinya immediately clapped his hand over his mouth and tried to become invisible. He did eventually speak, but gave the microphone back quickly. 

• At the Tokyo NKH Hall Concert, as Dir en grey came out for the second part of the concert, each member sgot on top of the box at center stage. Kaoru grabbed Shinya, picked him up horizontally and set him down on his side in front of the drums.

• A fan once sent Shinya a vacuum cleaner.

• He is also getting involved in things apart from the band.  He models jewelry for a company called Wild Strawberry.

• Shinya "blew trumpet" in his high school brass band.  Because of this, the rest of the band has teased him about his lips.

• Kyo says that Shinya looks like a space robot and talks like a nutty professor ("Such as, we made nice tea, we would say ‘nice tea’, wouldn’t we ? But Shinya would say ‘this tea is quiet nice tea. What do you put in this tea !’")

• Despite his shy appearance, the rest of the band claims Shinya is rather self-confident.