Alexandros (band)

In 2001, Yoohei Kawakami formed the band [Champagne], with Hiroyuki Isobe joining from the initial lineup. After several changes in members, in 2010 Kawakami, Shirai, Isobe, and then-drummer Ishikawa debuted under RX-Records.^{[citation needed]} In 2014, they changed their name to [Alexandros].^{[citation needed]}

On November 28, 2014, it was announced that the band would be signed to Universal Music Japan, starting from their single "Wataridori / Dracula la" (ワタリドリ, Dracula la) that was released in 2015.^[6] Subsequent albums and singles since 2015 have been released by Universal Music Japan.^[7]

In 2016, the band performed at the SXSW Music Festival as part of the Japan Nite showcase.^[8]

The Japanese version of The Legend of Tarzan uses their song "Nawe, Nawe" as its theme song.^[9] In 2018, their song "Mosquito Bite" was used as the theme for the live-action film adaptation of Bleach.^[10] That same year, the band also contributed the theme song ("Arpeggio") and ending theme ("Your Song") to the Sega video game Judgment.^[11] A year later in 2019, their song "Pray" was used as the theme for the Japanese dub of the MonsterVerse film Godzilla: King of the Monsters.^[12] "Senkou" was used as the theme music for the 2021 film Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway, including promotional material and an animated music video released by the band.^[13][14] Alexandros songs were also the opening themes for the 2025 anime Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentōshō ("Ash") and Umamusume: Cinderella Gray ("Koeru").^[15][16]

The original band name [Champagne] was said to reflect the idea that “the sound should reach everyone: the fans, staff, and the band themselves, so that everyone can get drunk on the music.” However, this explanation was something they came up with later. The real origin was that they borrowed it from Oasis' song "Champagne Supernova".^[17]

On Kawakami’s blog, he also wrote that when he was in fifth grade, he picked the name simply because it “just sounded cool,” even though he didn’t really know what it meant.^[18] When he lived in Syria, he had already been using [Champagne] as the name of the band he formed there.^[17]

Common nicknames for the band include "Dros" (ドロス, dorosu) and "Areki" (アレキ, areki).^[19]

Yoohei Kawakami formed the band [Champagne] in 2001 while attending Aoyama Gakuin University, beginning musical activities alongside Hiroyuki Isobe. They were eventually signed to RX-Records in 2007, and then made their official debut on January 20, 2010, with the release of Where’s My Potato?.^[20]

On March 25, 2014, during their annual "Premium V.I.P. Party", which was on that year hosted at EX THEATER ROPPONGI, the band announced a name change from [Champagne] to [Alexandros]. This decision was made following a request from the Japan branch of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (C.I.V.C.).^[21] Just a few days later, on March 28, they officially introduced the new name at their first performance at the Nippon Budokan, and all previous works released under [Champagne] were subsequently reissued under [Alexandros]. Later that year, on November 28, they signed a global partnership deal with Universal Music.

The band marked their major debut on March 17, 2015, with the single "Wataridori / Dracula La" released through Universal Music Japan. The music video for "Wataridori" went on to surpass 100 million views on YouTube by August 7, 2019.^[22] Their success continued, and on November 9, 2016, they achieved their first No. 1 ranking on the Oricon Chart with their sixth studio album, Exist!.^[23]

On March 14, 2018, they announced the release of their 16th single "KABUTO" (the title was unannounced at the time) and revealed a change in the stylization of their band name to the all-uppercase [ALEXANDROS]. Kawakami later explained during his regular radio show that the change was made “just on a whim.”^[24] That same year, on August 16, they held their first outdoor one-man live concert, "V.I.P. PARTY 2018", at Zozo Marine Stadium.

On June 19, 2019, drummer Satoyasu Shomura suspended live performances due to focal dystonia, with Ib Riad from BIGMAMA stepping in as support drummer.^[25] At the start of the following year, on January 1, 2020, the band announced a new logo and reverted the stylization of their name back to [Alexandros]. Shortly after, on January 24, they revealed that Shomura would retire following the release of their "best of" album, Where's My History?, in May.^[26] However, due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the album's release was postponed to January 2021, and his retirement was ultimately pushed back again to March 2021.^[27]

On April 10, 2021, Ib Riad, who had been supporting the band, officially joined as a full member.^[28] Continuing their activities into the future, [Alexandros] hosted their first self-produced festival, "THIS FES '24 in Sagamihara", on October 26–27, 2024, at Sagamihara Gion Field, celebrating the 70th anniversary of Sagamihara's city status.

(Unless otherwise noted, based on the official website’s “Biography”)^[29]

Current members

• Yoohei Kawakami (川上 洋平, Kawakami Yōhei; born June 22, 1982) – vocals, guitar (2007–present)
  • Graduated from the Faculty of Law of Aoyama Gakuin University.^[30]
  • He is responsible for writing and composing almost all of the band's songs.^[31]
  • He grew up in Syria and sings in both English with a Middle Eastern accent and Japanese.^[32]
• Hiroyuki Isobe (磯部 寛之, Isobe Hiroyuki; born December 29, 1982) – bass guitar, backing vocals (2007–present)
  • Also graduated from the Faculty Of Law of Aoyama Gakuin University.
  • He began playing the bass at age 15 after watching a friend play.^[33]
• Masaki Shirai (白井 眞輝, Shirai Masaki; born December 12, 1982) – guitar (2007–present)
  • Graduated from the Professional Musician Department at SHOBI College Of Music.^[34]
  • Started a YouTube channel on April 16, 2020.^[35]
  • On December 30, 2022, he announced that he got married in 2021 and had his first child in 2022.^[36]
• Ib Riad (リアド 偉武, Riado Ibu, born October 25, 1985) — drums (2021–present)
  • Joined as a support member after the previous drummer, Satoyasu Shomura, went on hiatus in 2019.
  • He left Bigmama in May 2020, and joined as a full member of [Alexandros] on April 10, 2021.^[37]

Former members

• Hiroki Ishikawa (石川 博基, Ishikawa Hiroki; born September 22, 1982) – drums (2007–2010)
  • Left the band on March 1, 2010.
  • Appeared in early music videos like "For Freedom" and is pictured on the back cover of the first album "Where’s My Potato?".
• Satoyasu Shomura (庄村 聡泰, Shōmura Satoyasu; born March 21, 1984) – drums (2010–2021)
  • Joined as an official member on April 1, 2010.
  • From June 2019, he went on a hiatus from live performances due to focal dystonia.^[38]
  • In January 2020, he announced his retirement with the release of the band’s best-of album in May 2020.
  • His last live performance was on March 20–21, 2021, at Makuhari Messe, during the band’s 10th anniversary concert.
  • In 2021, he launched a fashion project, Snack NGL, alongside fashion stylists and buyers. He also became a writer for an interview series called "Kiki Mimi" on the Pia website and app.
  • In 2024, he joined Dr.DOWNER as a member.

Support members

• Rose – keyboard (original group: The Led Snail)
• Mullon - guitar (original group: The Led Snail)

Timeline

Except for a few, each music video includes about 30 seconds of bonus footage at the end.

Japan Gold Disc Award

MTV Video Music Awards Japan

Space Shower Music Awards

• Japanese rock