ROLLYWORLD :: Rolly Biography


Rolly was born Kazuo Teranishi (寺西一雄) aka Rolly Teranishi (ローリー寺西) on September 6th, 1963. He was born in Kyoto, Japan, and grew up in the Takatsuki area of the Osaka prefecture.

Rolly is most often discovered by those not living in Japan, from the movie “Suicide Circle” (aka “Suicide Club”), a thriller/horror released in Japan in 2002. The movie is available on DVD (with subtitles) in North America and Europe..
	Rolly’s portrayal of the character “Genesis” is memorable, as is the song “Suicide Kiss” (however, it is not written by Rolly).
Many rock fans from Europe, the US, and Canada, discovered Rolly by watching the Japanese program “Rock Fujiyama”. "Rock Fujiyama” was the brainchild of Marty Friedman , former lead guitarist for the American metal band “Megadeth”. Marty Friedman left Megadeth and relocated to Japan in the 1990's.
		The program debuted April 2006, broadcasting only in the Kanto (Tokyo) area of Japan. However, using YouTube, music fans around the world were able to view this program.
Marty Friedman is fluent in Japanese and has a thriving solo career in Tokyo. He and Rolly met on Marty’s 2005 rock program “Mr. Heavy Metal”, where Rolly was a guest 3 times. “Rock Fujiyama” ended in May 2007, but the two musicians continue to be good friends.

Western fans may know Rolly because of “Suicide Circle” or “Rock Fujiyama”. However, Rolly is known to native Japanese as being the lead guitarist and vocalist from “Scanch”, a popular 1990’s Japanese Glam-rock band.

	Scanch formed in the late 1980’s, and were officially signed by SONY in the 1990’s. They released 9 albums/CDs before disbanding in 1996.
Rolly has worked on a variety of projects during his long and continuing career. Even during Scanch’s reign, Rolly participated as guest guitarist/vocalist with other Japanese artists. These included participating in other bands like “21st Century Stars” (with Kato of “The Collectors”), and with popular Japanese singer “Chara” for the song “Ai no jibaku souchi” (“Love's Self- destruct System”).
	A prolific artist, Rolly is also incredibly versatile. As well as performing on stage in innumerable live concerts and musicals, Rolly has appeared in Japanese commercials, movies (including “Swallowtail Butterfly”, “Get It On”, and “Suicide Circle”), guesting on variety television shows (including host of his own variety show in the 1990’s and also “Rolly Kingdom” in 2006), and recurring roles in Japanese dramas.
Most notably, Rolly headlined the Japanese production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 3 separte occasions during the 1990’s, appearing as the wonderfully evil Dr. Frankenfurter.
	In 2007, Tokyo hosted the first Japanese production of "The Who's" rock opera "TOMMY". Rolly joined the cast as “Cousin Kevin”, and 3 other characters, including the "Pinball Wizard", made famous by Elton John in the movie. Rolly also co-produced and wrote the lyrics for the Japanese production of "3 Penny Opera". "Die Dreigroschenoper" is a 1920's musical created by German dramatist Bertoit Brecht.
Those familiar with Frank Sinatra's rendtion of "Mack the Knife" may know of the play and the character, Macheath. However, Rolly played "Jenny Diver" in this musical. Very well known for his female characters, Rolly did it well!
During his solo career, Rolly experimented with a variety of rock styles, releasing “Rolly’s Rockrolly” in 1996 with his new and short-lived band “The Rockrolly”.
He released the single “Name of Love” in 1998, under his real name Kazuo Teranishi, appearing very un-Rollylike in concerts – long black hair, no costumes, etc. However, he appeared only one year later in "costume" and a short platinum-blonde wig, with the maxi-CD release of “SOS’99”. Rolly has been quoted as saying Kazuo Teranishi was just one of his many "characters". In 2001, Rolly released the CD “2001”, which is considered his most popular solo release.

Like most Japanese rock artists, Rolly knows value in peppering his songs with English. Rolly is not fluent in the language, as can be witnessed by the recurring phrase “Lock and Loll” in many of his songs. (This is written in kindness, as Rolly’s English pronunciation has improved over the years.)
	Rolly’s solo releases include even more English lyrics than Scanch’s music. Notable songs include “He’s So Fine”, from “Rolly’s Rockrolly”, “Love Machine”, from “2001”, and his cover songs - The Monkees “Steppin Stone”, Michael Jackson’s “Ben”, and most recently David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" (2007).
Besides "Ziggy Startdust", Rolly has sung only one other song entirely in English. His contribution to the CD “KISS: Tribute in Japan” (1998) was the song “Nothin To Lose”. With some assistance from the back-up singers, Rolly does Gene Simmons’ raunchy lyrics justice..

A full discography can be seen on Rolly’s official website. I also have reproduced a translation (albeit a crude one) here.
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Musical Style, Fashion and Influences
	Many fans of “Rock Fujiyama” are also big fans of Japanese and American metal music. There is a certain “style” that accompanies "metal", and let’s face it – Rolly doesn’t appear to fit. Rolly’s musical style varies from jazz to pop to heavy rock, but what's up with the shiny costumes and the makeup? There is an explantion!!
For those who understand the Japanese “Visual Kei” style of music/fashion, Rolly’s style is not shocking. “Visual Kei” (best explained by Wikipedia – go look it up!) features Rock music of various genres, accompanied by very elaborate costumes and makeup. Most common is a very “feminized” look. Japan, costumes, and makeup have a long history, dating back to ancient Kabuki theatre. Quite opposite of a western fear of men with a “feminine” look, this style is embraced in Japan, and very popular.
	However, Rolly is not “Visual Kei”. Early in his career Rolly was very much influenced by the 1970’s British “Glam Rock” movement. Therefore his many “costumes” reflect that love, with a kind of Japanese twist.
Rolly adored such American and British artists as T-Rex (Marc Bolan), The Who, David Bowie, KISS, Sweet, Led Zeppelin, Queen, and others. If you listen to Scanch’s music, you can clearly hear guitar riffs Rolly borrowed from his favorite bands. The song “Mango Juice” (from Scanch’s CD “GOLD”, 1994) sounds like Robert Plant singing in Japanese to Jeff Beck’s guitar!

Rolly adopted Marc Bolan’s feather boas early on during Scanch, and he continues to perform on stage in tight shiny jumpsuits (ala Gary Glitter), full makeup, platform shoes, and sometimes provocative “dresses”.

In “Rock Fujiyama”, Rolly’s love of American and British music truly shines through. As well as performing old American rock songs with Marty Friedman, most episodes would feature a musical “guessing game”.
	During this segment, the featured guest of the program “hums” a guitar riff from a song. Marty and Rolly then try to guess the song and the artist. As well, they are required to play the guitar riff from memory. Watching the program, I was always amazed by Rolly’s immense knowledge of 70’s and 80’s rock.
Rolly's versatility shows most when he extends his musical talents beyond the rock genre. For example, his solo CD “SOS’99” has a very “techno/dance” flavor to it. As well, Rolly has often left popular music, performing Jazz, sampling songs from his favorite musicals (such as “Cabaret”), and also singing Chanson – a style of singing old French folk songs - while performing in the annual Paris Festival (held every summer in Japan). During an appearance in a Christmas concert held in Tokyo (called "A la Carte",2005), Rolly performed his adaptation of the song “Amapola”. Most popularly sung in Spanish by Julio Englesias, the love song was written originally in 1924. An instrumental version of Amapola can be heard in the movie “Once Upon a Time in America” (1984).
	Rolly choreographs, arranges, and performs in an annual concert in Tokyo, accompanied by 4 proffessional musicians - a pianist, violinist, bass cellist, and a percussionist. The first of these was in 2005, called RollyGloryRolly. These concerts are usually a mix of musical genres - blues, jazz, rock, pop, swing. The show changed in 2007, to feature adaptations of classical music - "Classical Rolly". Favorite classical pieces from Strauss to Bach are chosen, then guitar riffs and vocals are added. The result is amazing, intense and unique!
Rolly’s 2006 release “Live in Aoiheya” (“Live in the Blue Room”) features many of his non-rock songs.
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KKTV
Beginning in 2003 (or perhaps even farther back), Rolly had appeared on the television program Kakikomi Television, airing first on Friday nights, then Saturday nights on NHK in Japan. KKTV is a family orientated show, aimed at the preteen audience.
The program has a strong internet connection, deriving its topics from posts made on the BBS of the KKTV website. Rolly would sing almost every program - the songs would be created from emails and BBS posts from the programs viewers. In addition, variety "skits" would be performed with assistance from the adorable “monkey” and “panda” – regular cast members dressed in cute costumes for the kids watching the show. Sadly, KKTV went off the air in 2008.
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Eccentricities
To learn more about Rolly’s personality, it is best to start with his website. Like many artists, he keeps a regular blog/diary. Updating at least twice a month, but sometimes more often, Rolly enjoys keeping his fans informed.

In particular, Rolly’s mind is reflected in the self-written profile featured on his website. A translation is available here - credit goes to 2 special fans in Seattle and Tokyo. To his core, Rolly is a funny guy. He is widely known throughout Japan for his sense of humor, even to those who do not follow his music.

In anticipation of questions about his profile… it is not known why Rolly wants us to know how often he uses the toilet, or what the hell he means by “skull deformity” (lol). That said, the recipe for “cornflakes” has been tried by many fans and it is delicious. Go ahead and try it

A few years ago, while the webmistress was in Tokyo, a few Japanese people told her it was a bit odd to learn she was a fan of Rolly and Scanch. As she discovered more about Rolly, she learned why. There are a variety of things that make Rolly “interesting”. This includes the origin of the band's name (please see the Scanch Bio for this info), as well as Rolly’s obsession with all things “skull” and “skeleton”. Let us begin with that.
One of Rolly’s favorite film makers is Tim Burton. He adores his films, most notable “Nightmare Before Christmas”. Rolly has a current and strange obsession with the lead character of the movie, Jack Skellington.
	Rolly owns a life sized statue of Jack, among other collectables from the movie. Rolly also owns a custom tailored costume which matches that of Jack's pinstripe suit, right down to the “Bat Bow”. Later in his career, Rolly’s eye makeup style creates a very rounded, hollowed effect, mirroring Jack's eyes. Or well, lack of eyes.
In addition, Rolly has 3 replica skeletons in his home. Rolly appeared on a Japanese game show in the 1990’s and won. He was able to choose his prize. Yes, instead of taking the new washer and dryer, Rolly wanted the skeletons.
	Accompanying this fascination with all things “skull” related is Rolly’s passion for eerie and “evil” things. He owns a “crystal ball”, and loves ghost-related things, like many superstitious Japanese people. Also very similar to his own "guitar hero" Jimmy Page, who was notoriously fascinated with the occult.
Also, he very much favors the bad guys in films and prefers the antagonist in TV and film, especially the "crazy” ones. Even as “Genesis” in the movie “Suicide Circle”, Rolly is very much an exaggerated version of his evil self! Genesis is an evil man, yes. But he is quite insane too. He likes to have fun, as well as kill things. One minute he is squashing a noisy puppy, the next minute he is singing in order to entertain his captives.
	In early "Rock Fujiyama" episodes Rolly would affect a "crazy guitarist" character. Marty would begin the show, then Rolly would interrupt Marty and his guest by challenging Marty to a “duel” (the riff guessing game). Even when Rolly won, he would invariably insult Marty. Perhaps not an insult to us, I am sure "all your family’s rice is rotten”, sounds particularly nasty in Japanese.
Rolly also has a love for wild contact lenses. Circa 2002-2006, he favored the red and gold “Wildfire” style and was rarely seen in public without them. In 2007, Rolly switchd to the blue "Icefire" contacts, and has worn them consistently with his new band "The Manji".

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