Vidoll

VIDOLL (formerly written ヴィドール before attaining major status) is a Japanese visual kei band. Their concept is "OCCULT ROMANCE," and their style is a mixture of pop rock with hard rock and gothic influences. VIDOLL was signed with indie visual kei label Matina for a short time until the label went under. They then signed with indie visual kei label UNDER CODE PRODUCTION, which is where they rose to great popularity. On 2007/02/28, VIDOLL "graduated" and signed with semi-major label sword records (with UNIVERSAL MUSIC K.K distributing their releases). On 2009/02/18, VIDOLL achieved full major status by releasing their first major single, Puzzle Ring, through CROWN RECORDS. The name VIDOLL is a play on words. Written phonetically, the name can take on multiple meanings, examples of which can be seen in a monthly editorial by members of the band in SHOXX mangazine called ヴィドールの[美]微doll (VIDOLL no Bidoll). V and B are pronounced in the same way in Japanese. The 美 symbol (beauty) is crossed out, with the 微 symbol (delicate, minute, insignificant) replacing it. 人形 (ningyou) means doll or puppet. Just by changing the characters used to write the name, it can mean "Pretty Doll" (美人形) or "Insignificant Puppet" (微人形). Both themes (and play on words in general) are reflected in lyrics, releases, and tour names. OHP: http://www.vidoll.jp