Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai - The Official Zwei Thread

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Name: Zwei
Members: Ayumu and Megu
Instruments/Vocals they play: Ayumu = Vocals, Megu = Bassist and Piano
Type of Music: A mixture between UK rock and J-Pop
When they first started: Spring of 2002

History of Zwei (source for everything: Deux ~ An English Zwei Fansite):
Although they debuted in May 2004, Zwei was created in the spring of 2002 when would-be bassist Megu went to a live show of an indies band and scoped out Ayumu to be her vocalist. In June 2003, it was made official. Ayumu was the one to come up with the name "Zwei" because it means "two" in German. The way the Z is written is reminiscent of the infinity sign, in that the two can do what they want as long as they put their mind to it. It also stands for light and shadow, the major theme with Zwei. (A small note: It is pronounced "zvai" as in "why", not "way")

Zwei was first on the VAP record label from the time of their debut until September 2nd, 2006, when it was announced they had been transferred to Universal Music Japan.

Zwei, produced by British music producer Nick Wood, is promoted to be a mix of Japanese pop and UK rock. These are the words used to describe Zwei most often. I'm assuming it was Wood himself who said this:

It's pop, good pop, with an electronic, dance, groove, fused with rock and roll energy. The amazing team of talent I've assembled could only achieve this sound. It's a very global approach to making records.

Wood's goal with Zwei was to create a band that sounded like no other band out there. He continues to prove himself with each new song that Zwei releases.

Bios:

Ayumu ~
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Name: Ayumu (real/full name unknown)
Birthdate: 3/20/73 (see note below)
Blood type: A
Symbol: Moon/shadow
Favorite food: Bananas, bar snacks (pretzels, peanuts, etc)
Least favorite food: Bitter melon
Necessities: Alcohol, coffee
Favorite place: Nature
Favorite brand: 5351
A word to describe Zwei: Dreams
If you were an animal: Wolf
Habit: When I'm in a big place I scream
Favorite type (regardless of gender): A person with charm
Favorite word: Whatever will be will be
Thing you're hooked on now: Recycle shops
Perfume you use: Red JEAN5 (Versace)
A word to the fans: I love you...
What's your fetish (what physical traits do you like): Hands, feet, mouth
A word to yourself: Have fun
A word to your partner: Let's be like that forever

Ayumu began singing at an early age in her house. Ever since hearing Kubota Saki's "Ihoujin" and singing along with it, she would record songs that would come on the tv for her to memorize. She didn't listen to Western music until she was 20 because she couldn't understand the lyrics, but the first Western song she heard was "You've Got A Friend" by Carole King. Her music tastes are almost the exact opposite of Megu's, because she doesn't listen to a lot of hard music. Unlike Megu's garage bands, Ayumu says the indies band she was in was like a female Aerosmith (AKA Cherry Feel).

She was discovered as the vocalist of Zwei when Megu saw that band playing a live, and Megu barged into Ayumu's dressing room and immediately asked her to join her. Ayumu was of course startled (she dropped her makeup) but somehow managed to tell Megu "yes".

When Zwei first debuted in 2004, it was thought that because of her cool image (permanent sunglasses, not saying much during interviews) Ayumu was a dominant badass. Over time, however, Ayumu began to open up to audiences and fans and has shown almost a different side of herself. She is actually quite passive, whereas Megu is dominant.

Ayumu's sunglasses never come off during fan events. Only once did Ayumu show her eyes for all to see; this was during Zwei's first live concert in August 2004 and there is only a small picture available from the October 2004 issue of Kera. You won't be able to find a picture of Ayumu without some sort of eye cover easily, as there really are none! Judging from pictures on the official site, she takes them off during some radio shows. These pictures have sunglasses drawn on them through a computer application however, so the world shall continue to wonder and wait.

* The date given for Ayumu's birthdate on the official Zwei site is wrong. On all of the Cherry Feel sites, she is reportedly born in 1973, whereas on all of the Zwei sites it is 1978. This is my theory: Thirty is seen as an old age in Japan (time to start settling down with kids and family), so it's unattractive to be in a mainstream band and not be young. Ayumu is actually five years older than the Zwei sites say she is.

Megu ~
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Full name: Ueno Megumi
Birthdate: 5/24/80
Blood type: B
Constellation: Gemini
Favorite artists: Slayer, Marilyn Manson, XJapan (her major favorite band is a secret though)
Favorite color: Silver/orange
Favorite brand: SEX POT ReVenGe, BETHPLACE, Golche
Likes: Dracula, vampire stuff, online auctions, net games
Symbol: Light/sun
Favorite food: Chicken, sweets
Least favorite food: hard candy, squilla (mantis crab)
Necessities: Gum, cola
Favorite place: F (Japanese-style) closet
A word to describe Zwei: Garden of Love
If you were an animal: Dove (I'd be eaten by Ayumu)
Habit: I often say "Really got it!" [The translator isn't really sure if this is correct, but she got "to accept/receive" 2 out of the 3 times it was translated]
Favorite type (regardless of gender): Someone who will keep me as a pet
Favorite word: Love
Thing you're hooked on now: board games
Perfume you use: Platinum Egoist pour homme (Chanel)
A word to the fans: Love me more...
What's your fetish? (physical characteristic): Mouth, eyes
A word to yourself: I love me~
Word to your partner: Let's live together forever...

Before she was in Zwei, Megu modelled for the Japanese punk fashion magazine Kera. She was walking the streets of Harajuku when somebody from the magazine spotted her. Megu was only 18 when she began modeling for them (which, really, could be considered a little old in the world of Japanese modeling). Megu had always wanted to be in a band, and she figured that becoming a model would eventually lead her down the path that rocks.

Her family was very musically-oriented, having all been taught how to play piano for three generations. Naturally, Megu played as well. She got started on bass when a friend in middle school gave her a broken bass and Megu pretended to play it. Megu would also take brooms and air-guitar on them. She was involved in many garage bands, all influenced by Marilyn Manson.

Latest Release:

Z (Zeta) ~
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Latest News:

After almost a year and a half of no releases, Zwei has finally announced through their email newsletter information of their sixth single.

[1+1=2] 1+1=2 (Ichi Tasu Ichi wa Ni)
To be released 6/20/2007
UPCH-5470
1100yen (+tax)

1. 1+1=2
2. Garakuta

Oshima Kousuke (worked on Dragon) will be doing composition and arrangement for both tracks again and Maeda Takahiro writing the lyrics. The title track will be used as the opening theme for the TBS program "Kojin Jugyou (Private Lesson) ~Tadashi Wada Akiko no Tsukurikata~" from June to July, along with a short preview from the PV.

No word yet on any other tracks or packaging information, but I'll keep you up to date, so stay tuned.

Feel free to discuss, chat and compare anything and everything about Zwei.

So woo! New single out in a month!! =DD I'm so excited, I preordered it already XD