Editing Extasy Records

{{Short description|Japanese record label}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox record label
| name        = Extasy Records
| image       = Extasy Records logo.svg
| founded     = {{start date|1986}}
| founder     = [[Yoshiki (musician)|Yoshiki Hayashi]]
| status      = Active
| distributor = [[Media Factory]] (music division)/[[Pony Canyon|QQS Distribution]]<br />[[Warner Music Group]] (2000-2022)  <br />Independent (2007-) <br />[[TuneCore]] (2022-)
| genre       = {{hlist|[[Rock music|Rock]]|[[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]|[[Punk rock|punk]]|[[Pop music|pop]]}}
| country     = Japan
| location    = Tokyo, Japan<br>Los Angeles, California, USA
| website     = {{URL|www.extasyrecords.co.jp}}
}}

'''Extasy Records''' is a Japanese [[record label]] founded in April 1986 by [[Yoshiki (musician)|Yoshiki Hayashi]], co-founder of the [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[X Japan]]. The label's first release was X's 1986 single "[[Orgasm (song)|Orgasm]]".<ref name="extasy_profile">{{cite web|title=Extasy Records company profile |work=extasyrecords.co.jp/eng |url=http://www.extasyrecords.co.jp/eng/company.html |access-date=2007-07-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928173304/http://www.extasyrecords.co.jp/eng/company.html |archive-date=2007-09-28 }}</ref>

Over the next few years, the label signed several then-little-known bands, among them future million-selling [[Glay]] and [[Luna Sea]]. Extasy along with [[Free-Will]] are credited with helping to spread the [[visual kei]] movement.<ref name="bounce">{{cite web| last = Dejima| first = Kouji| title = Bounce Di(s)ctionary Number 13 - Visual Kei| work = bounce.com| language = ja| url = http://www.bounce.com/article/article.php/3419/| access-date = 2014-07-27| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080301175244/http://www.bounce.com/article/article.php/3419/| archive-date = 2008-03-01}}</ref> The label also hosted a series of events to promote the groups, called Extasy Summits, which would also feature formerly signed bands that had already moved on to a [[Music industry|major label]].<ref name="extasy_profile"/>

==History==
[[Yoshiki (musician)|Yoshiki Hayashi]] founded Extasy Records in Japan in 1986, using money he received from his mother when she sold her business.<ref name="JRR">{{cite web|title=Visual Kei and EXTASY RECORDS|url=http://jrockrevolution.com/2007/08/webzine/visual-kei-and-extasy-records-23|work=JRock Revolution|date=2007-08-25|access-date=2013-03-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128051136/http://jrockrevolution.com/2007/08/webzine/visual-kei-and-extasy-records-23|archive-date=2016-01-28}}</ref> His band X Japan (then still named X) released their second single, "[[Orgasm (song)|Orgasm]]", as the label's first release. In 1988, their debut album ''[[Vanishing Vision]]'' came out and was a huge success for an independent band.<ref name="JRR"/> Over the next couple of years Extasy signed many bands that would go on to have varying degrees of success and produced their early records, including [[Zi:Kill]], [[Tokyo Yankees]] and Ladies Room.

In February 1991, Yoshiki's X Japan bandmate [[Hide (musician)|hide]] saw a band called Lunacy perform, and introduced him to them.<ref name="JRRGodBless">{{cite web|title=LUNA SEA: God Bless You|url=http://jrockrevolution.com/2007/08/webzine/luna-sea-god-bless-you-26|work=JRock Revolution|date=2007-08-27|access-date=2013-03-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109153939/http://jrockrevolution.com/2007/08/webzine/luna-sea-god-bless-you-26|archive-date=2016-01-09}}</ref> Yoshiki signed them to Extasy, they changed their name to [[Luna Sea]] and took part in the label's Nuclear Fusion Tour in March with Gilles de Rais and Sighs of Love Potion.<ref name="JRRGodBless"/> On the tour, a 3-track sample CD including a song from each band was released.<ref>{{cite web|title= Various – Nuclear Fusion Tour |url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Nuclear-Fusion-Tour/release/2766254|work=[[Discogs]]|access-date=2013-03-01}}</ref> The following year Luna Sea's [[Luna Sea (album)|self-titled debut album]] was released and they held a successful 45-date tour, enabling them to sign with major label [[MCA Victor]] in May 1992.<ref name="JRRGodBless"/>

hide gave one of [[Glay]]'s demo tapes to Yoshiki, who then brought an entourage to watch their October 1993 show, where he offered the band a contract to Extasy Records.<ref>{{cite web|title=VISUAL JAPAN SUMMIT 2016 Day 2: Part 3|url=http://www.jame-world.com/us/articles-123483-visual-japan-summit-2016-day-2-part-3.html|work=jame-world.com|access-date=2016-11-16}}</ref> Their debut album, ''[[Hai to Diamond]]'', was released on May 25, 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.en.barks.jp/news/?id=1000004618|title=GLAY Rereleases Album From Indie Days In Anthology Format|work=Barks|access-date=2015-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423204002/http://www.en.barks.jp/news/?id=1000004618|archive-date=2015-04-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>

To promote their bands, the label organized concerts called Extasy Summits, which besides current contracted bands, also included former acts who had left for major record labels.<ref name="JRR"/> The first was held at Osaka Bourbon House in September 1988, with several more held, including one at [[Shibuya Public Hall]] in September 1989.<ref name="JRR"/> Footage from two of the concerts was recorded and released on VHS (the second also on [[Laserdisc]]); {{nihongo|''Unrivaled is Extasy!!''|無敵と書いてEXTASYと読む!!}} recorded at the [[Nippon Budokan]] in October 1991 and {{nihongo|''Extasy Summit 1992 ~ Minna ga Mumei-Datta, Dakedo... Muteki-Datta''|EXTASY SUMMIT1992~みんな無名だった、だけど…無敵だった}} recorded at [[Osaka-jō Hall]] in October 1992. The October 1992 Summit was actually X Japan's first public performance with their new bassist [[Heath (musician)|Heath]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Jrock Legend: X JAPAN |url=http://jrockrevolution.com/2007/08/webzine/the-jrock-legend-x-japan-25 |work=JRock Revolution |date=2007-08-26 |access-date=2013-03-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023143246/http://jrockrevolution.com/2007/08/webzine/the-jrock-legend-x-japan-25 |archive-date=2015-10-23 }}</ref>

The compilation album ''Lighting & Thunder'' was released in October 1998. On June 21, 2000, the compilation album ''History of Extasy 15th Anniversary'' was released.<ref name="OriconEx">{{cite web|title=History of EXTASY 15th Anniversary|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/52027/products/music/110104/1/|work=[[Oricon]]|language=ja|access-date=2013-03-01}}</ref> It includes 19 songs released by 14 different bands while on the label in celebration of its 15th anniversary. The album reached number 14 on the [[Oricon]] music chart.<ref name="OriconEx"/>

In 2000, Yoshiki signed a deal with [[Warner Music Group]] to distribute the record labels '''Extasy Japan''' and '''Extasy Records International'''. Records on Extasy Japan were distributed in Japan by Warner Music Japan and records on Extasy Records International were distributed in America by [[Warner Bros. Records]], marking the first time the two companies worked together in this way. The first release on Extasy Japan was the July 2000 single "Pearl" by singer Shiro, while the first release on Extasy Records International was by singer Aja in 2001.<ref name="billboard2000">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4A8EAAAAMBAJ&q=Extasy+Japan+and+Extasy+International&pg=PA48|magazine=Billboard|title=Japan's Yoshiki Teams With Warner In Venture|page=48|issn=0006-2510|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|year=2000|volume=112|issue=28}}</ref>

In September 2007, Yoshiki announced that the soundtrack for the [[United States|American]] movie ''[[Catacombs (2007 film)|Catacombs]]'' would be released on Extasy Records International. The soundtrack includes songs by [[Violet UK]] and [[Zilch (band)|Zilch]].<ref name="catacombs_ost">{{cite web| title = "Catcombs Soundtrack" release information| work = [[Tower Records (music retailer)|Tower Records]]| url = http://www.towerrecords.co.jp/sitemap/CSfCardMain.jsp?GOODS_NO=1677413&GOODS_SORT_CD=101| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071018031218/http://towerrecords.co.jp/sitemap/CSfCardMain.jsp?GOODS_NO=1677413&GOODS_SORT_CD=101| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2007-10-18| language = ja| access-date = 2007-09-17}}</ref>

Yoshiki has referred to the first day, October 14, 2016, of the three-day Visual Japan Summit at [[Makuhari Messe]] as "Extasy Summit" as it saw X Japan, Luna Sea and Glay perform.<ref>{{cite web| title = "VISUAL JAPAN SUMMIT 2016 Powered by Rakuten" Press Conference | work = musicjapanplus.jp| url = http://www.musicjapanplus.jp/specialfeatures/12810/visual-japan-summit-2016-powered-by-rakuten-press-conference/page/4/| access-date = 2016-08-08}}</ref>

In 2022, Yoshiki's brother, Kouki Hayashi, became president and CEO of Extasy Records, establishing a distribution partnership with [[TuneCore]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=YOSHIKI設立の伝説のレコード会社 弟の元俳優が社長で20年ぶりに再始動 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex 芸能 |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2022/11/19/kiji/20221118s00041000856000c.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=スポニチ Sponichi Annex |language=ja}}</ref>

==Artists==
All of the following artists were at one point on the label:

===Extasy Records===
{{colbegin}}
*Acid Bell
*Brain Drive
*Breath
*Deep
*Ex-Ans
*Gilles de Rais
*[[Glay]]
*Hypermania
*La Vie En Rose
*Ladies Room
*[[Luna Sea]]
*P2H
*Poison/Poison Arts
*Magnitude9.8
*[[Screaming Mad George]] & Psychosis
*Sweet Death/Media Youth
*The Hate Honey
*The Zolge
*[[Tokyo Yankees]]
*Velvet Blue
*Virus
*[[X Japan]]
*Youthquake
*[[Zi:Kill]]
{{colend}}

===Extasy Japan===
[[File:Extasy logo.svg|right|thumb|The sub-label logo used for Extasy Japan and Extasy International.]]
*Beast
*Revenus
*Shiro
*[[Shizuka Kudō]]

===Extasy International===
*[[Tommy Walter|Abandoned Pools/Tommy Walter]]
*Aja Daashuur
*[[Kidneythieves]]
*[[Laura Dawn]]
*Red Delicious
*sub.bionic
*[[Violet UK]]

==Extasy Recording Studios==
'''Extasy Recording Studios''' was a recording studio complex owned by Yoshiki Hayashi at 5253 Lankershim Blvd in [[North Hollywood, Los Angeles|North Hollywood]], [[California]], [[United States]]. Formerly known as '''[[One on One Recording]]''', Yoshiki bought it from the previous owner, Jim David, in 1992 and renamed the studio after his record label in 1999. Discussing the purchase in 2010, Yoshiki explained that in Los Angeles people told him that One on One had the "best drum-sounding room" and so he attempted to book recording time there. However, Metallica had it booked for "almost a year straight" for their self-titled album with numerous bands scheduled after that, and he was told sarcastically that the only way to get in was to buy it, so he did.<ref>{{cite web|title=X JAPAN invades America|url=http://www.ampmagazine.com/4148/x-japan-invades-america/|work=[[AMP (magazine)|AMP]]|date=2010-09-21|access-date=2013-04-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126134655/http://www.ampmagazine.com/4148/x-japan-invades-america/|archive-date=2011-11-26|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Previously, well-known albums were recorded there, including ''[[...And Justice for All (album)|...And Justice for All]]'' and ''[[Metallica (album)|Metallica]]'' (better known as ''The Black Album'') by [[Metallica]],<ref>[http://www.encycmet.com/whoswho.shtml ''Who's Who?''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726163958/http://www.encycmet.com/whoswho.shtml |date=July 26, 2011 }}. Encyclopedia Metallica. Retrieved October 4, 2007.</ref> ''[[When the Pawn...]]'' by [[Fiona Apple]],<ref>[http://www.neverisapromise.com/interviews/EQ1299.htm ''Studios'']. EQ interview. Retrieved March 16, 2014.</ref> ''[[Crazy Nights]]'' and ''[[Psycho Circus]]'' by [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]],<ref>[http://www.kissfaq.com/reference/studios.html ''Studios'']. The Kiss FAQ. Retrieved October 4, 2007.</ref> and ''[[Dirt (Alice in Chains album)|Dirt]]'' by [[Alice in Chains]].

Since Yoshiki purchased the facility in 1992, X Japan and Yoshiki's related projects were the main recordings. Extasy Recording Studios was taken over by 17 Hertz, LLC in 2012 and is now known as [[17 Hertz Studio]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.17hertz.com/ |title=17 Hertz Studio Website |access-date=2019-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221044552/http://17hertz.com/ |archive-date=2018-12-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Yoshiki also bought '''Brooklyn Recording Studios''', which housed the Los Angeles offices of [[Maverick (company)|Maverick Records]], in April 1998 from owners [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] and [[Freddy DeMann]]. He renamed it '''One on One South''',<ref>''Billboard'' 27 Nov 1999, p. 52</ref> before using it as the headquarters of Extasy Records International.<ref>''Billboard'' 18 April 1998, p. 33</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.extasyrecords.co.jp}} (expired)
* [http://ttabcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/75444349-02-27-2001.pdf Trademark registration dispute of Extasy Records]

{{X Japan}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Recording studios in California]]
[[Category:Japanese independent record labels]]
[[Category:Japanese record labels]]
[[Category:American independent record labels]]
[[Category:Heavy metal record labels]]
[[Category:Punk record labels]]
[[Category:Rock record labels]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 1986]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:X Japan]]