Free-Will (フリーウィル) is an independent Japanese record label founded in 1986 by Color vocalist Hiroshi "Dynamite Tommy" Tomioka, with branches predominantly in Japan and the United States, as well as previously in Europe.[1] The company also provides band management and continues to co-manage many of its artists after they have signed with a major record label.
| Free-Will | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder | Hiroshi Tomioka |
| Status | Active |
| Distributor(s) | In Japan:Avex Group, Sony Music Entertainment Japan, King Records, Tokuma Japan Communications, Pony Canyon In Europe:Gan-Shin, CLJ Records, Universal Music Group |
| Genre | Rock, punk, metal |
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Location | Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo |
| Official website | f-w-d.co.jp |
Free-Will and Extasy Records are credited by Bounce Magazine as two important labels that helped promote visual kei.[2] Free-Will also produced the 2001 anime adaptation of the long running manga series Grappler Baki.
Sub-divisions
editThe company operates several sub-divisions, some of them for a single band or purpose only. For example, Firewall Div. solely handles material which is released in collaboration with Sony Music.
Under Sony Music
edit- Back Coat – 12012
- Firewall Div. – Dir En Grey, Merry
- Lizard – Kagerou
Under King Records
edit- PS Company – Kra
- Indie PSC – Born
- S'Cube – Baroque, Eile de Mu, Puppet Mammy, Ruvie, Tokyo Michael, Cooky
Under Avex Group
edit- ism – Kannivalism
Bands or solo artists managed directly
edit- Past
- Alice Nine
- Amphibian
- BIS
- Bellzlleb
- Billy & The Sluts
- By-Sexual
- Color
- Decameron
- DECAYS
- Dir En Grey
- Genkaku Allergy
- Gilles de Rais
- Kagrra,
- Kamaitachi
- Lovemania
- Miyavi
- Red Tail Cat
- Rentrer en Soi
- Sea Monkey
- Speed-ID
- Sug
- sukekiyo
- The Gazette
- ViViD
- Vogue
- Youka
References
edit- ^ "Free-Will Europe Home Page". 2007-04-04. Archived from the original on 2007-04-04. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
- ^ Dejima, Kouji. "Bounce Di(s)ctionary Number 13 – Visual Kei". bounce.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2008-03-01. Retrieved 2014-07-27.