Rekishi

Overview

Rekishi (レキシ) is a solo unit of Japanese musician Takafumi Ikeda (池田貴史, born February 15, 1974) and also the name Ikeda uses for himself within the project. Formerly the keyboardist of SUPER BUTTER DOG and a member of 100s, Ikeda launched Rekishi around his deep interest in Japanese history. Billed as a "history-bound funkness band," the project writes songs about figures and events from Japanese history, set to sound that reflects a wide range of musical influences.

Rekishi regularly works with a diverse roster of guests, including Kazuyoshi Saito, Daichi Miura, Seiko Ito, Sheena Ringo, Kaori Mochida, Motohiro Hata, Takashi Yamaguchi (Sanbomaster), Salyu, Ichiko Aoba and U-zhaan, and also plans live events. Each guest receives a unique "Rekishi name" instead of their real name. Ikeda's trademark since his debut is his afro hairstyle.

Beyond his band work, Ikeda has provided songs and sound production for artists such as Kiyoshiro Imawano, worked as a studio and live support musician, and also acts.

Career

Early life and SUPER BUTTER DOG

Born in Sabae, Fukui Prefecture, Ikeda first sang in public as a kindergartner at a relative's wedding, performing Masashi Sada's "Kanpaku Sengen," and says Sada has influenced him greatly ever since. After graduating from Takefu Higashi High School, he formed "Indo Ikeda to Kamibukurotachi" while at vocational school.

In 1994 his high school classmate Tomoyasu Takeuchi invited him to join SUPER BUTTER DOG, and he played keyboards. The band debuted on a major label in 1997. While in the band, he formed Rekishi with bandmates Takashi Nagazumi and Shuichi Sawada, using special names: Nagazumi as "Shakacchi" and Sawada as "DJ Shodo."

Rekishi returned at the 2003 Space Shower TV event "Nekketsu! Supecha Chugaku Gakuensai 2003" and took part again in 2004 and 2005. In 2004 he also began working as a member of 100s. His debut album "Rekishi" came out in June 2007, and he performed as Rekishi as the opening act at SUPER BUTTER DOG's outdoor event "Funky Daihyakka." SUPER BUTTER DOG disbanded on September 23, 2008, at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall.

Rise of Rekishi

The second album "Rekitsu" arrived in March 2011. The music video for "Kirakira Bushi," made for the album, was re-edited after the Great East Japan Earthquake, with its fire scene converted to monochrome. The third album "Rekimi" followed in December 2012, along with a nationwide tour.

On June 4, 2014, he moved to Colourful Records under Victor Entertainment and released the fourth album "Reshiki," followed by a nationwide tour from July. On August 20, "Haniwa Day," he held his first solo concert at Nippon Budokan. In December he toured Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka with jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara. His first single "SHIKIBU" was released on November 25, 2015, and the "IKEMAX THEATER" tour began that December. The fifth album "V-kishi" arrived in June 2016, with a tour from July that included a Budokan show two years after the first. The second single "KATOKU" came in April 2017, followed by a nationwide tour from June.

In spring 2023 he announced that his management contract with Laughin' would end; he left at the end of May, and the official website closed on June 30. The fan club "Rekishi Kenkyujo" was dissolved. On November 25 of that year he announced a new official website and a new fan club, and the next day appeared as a secret guest at FM802's "802 RADIO MASTERS" 15th anniversary event at Osaka-jo Hall.

In May 2024 he resumed full-scale activity with "Rekishi Tour 2024" at Osaka's Shangri-La, the venue of his first Rekishi solo show, and Tokyo's Shindaita FEVER. On July 24 he released "Erekiterumy feat. Anmitsu-hime," his first new song in two years, as a digital single featuring Kyoko Koizumi (Rekishi name: Anmitsu-hime).

Expanding activities

Ikeda made his acting debut in the June 2015 film "Umimachi Diary" and became a regular on the TBS drama "99.9: Criminal Lawyer" from April 2016, returning for its second season and the film. In July 2015 he was named "Aomori Jomon Ambassador" and held a solo concert at the Sannai-Maruyama site in September. In July 2016 he became the first "Sunglasses Ambassador" of his hometown Sabae. In 2015 he also co-created an unofficial "Koto Ward song" with Tamori and Makita Sports on the TV show "Tamori Club."

Musical style

Rekishi combines lyrics about Japanese history with a broad, funk-based sound. The project is distinguished by its humorous treatment of historical figures and events and by its concept of giving guest artists "Rekishi names."