Dynamite Tommy | |
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| Birth name | Hiroshi Tomioka |
| Born | 14 September 1964 |
| Origin | Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan |
| Genres | Punk rock |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instrument(s) |
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| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | Free-Will |
| Formerly of |
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Hiroshi Tomioka (Japanese: 冨岡裕, Hepburn: Tomioka Hiroshi), better known by his stage name Dynamite Tommy, is a Japanese musician, record producer and businessman. He first rose to prominence as vocalist of the punk rock band Color in the late-1980s and early-1990s, but now predominantly works behind the scenes running his record label Free-Will.
Dynamite Tommy formed the punk rock band Color in 1985, for which he was initially the guitarist before quickly taking over the role of vocalist. In 1986, Tommy formed the independent record label Free-Will to distribute his band's work. It is one of two labels credited with helping to spread Japan's visual kei movement.[1] It has also been a major contributor in spreading modern visual kei outside Japan.
During a break in Color activities in 1992, Tommy teamed up with Kenzi of the recently disbanded Kamaitachi to form Sister's No Future. In 1998, Tommy produced La'Mule's major label debut album, Inspire.[2]
In 2008, Tommy wrote and directed the music film Attitude, with various Japanese rock artists from the 1970s–1990s appearing as themselves.[3][4][5] Tommy called in Taiji and Tatsu (Gastunk) to help with the film's music and, after later recruiting Kenzi, this led to the creation of The Killing Red Addiction.[6] The group made its debut at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles on 22 June 2009.[7][8] They released a cover of Gastunk's "Devil" on iTunes on 13 January 2010.
Artists produced by Tommy include Dir en Grey, Phantasmagoria, Miyavi, and The Gazette. He has also been involved in the formation of fashion brands DIRT (produced by Toshiya of Dir en Grey) and KOMACHI 2266531 Dark Lolita (a Gothic Lolita line designed by Dada of Velvet Eden).[9] He also wrote the screenplay to Miyavi's film Oresama and produced the 2001 anime adaptation of Grappler Baki.[10]
In 2016, Tommy started producing the idol group 2o Love to Sweet Bullet. It is composed of eight young girls with an average age of 16.[11]
Despite having been in the business for over three decades, Tommy has said that he does not even like music, explaining that he only enjoys the dynamics of being in a band.[6] In 2016, he stated that he has no plans to return to musical activities.[10] As a big fan of soccer,[6] Tommy has obtained a level-2 coaching license and founded the UEFA Style Football Academy for children in Tamagawa.
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Main article: Color (band) § Discography |
