Akihito Okano
{{Short description|Japanese musician}}
File:Akihito Okano 20130704.jpg
{{nihongo|Akihito Okano|岡野昭仁|Okano Akihito|born 15 October 1974}} is a Japanese musician, vocalist of rock band Porno Graffitti.[http://artist.amuse.co.jp/artist/pornograffitti/ Porno Graffitti's Official Profile on Amuse] {{in lang|ja}} Okano was born in Nakasho, Innoshima City (now Onomichi City), Hiroshima.{{Cite book |title=ポルノグラフィティ ワイラノクロニクル―B.PASS SPECIAL EDITION |publisher=B-PASS |year=2001 |isbn=978-4401616749 |location=Japan |language=Japanese}} He is married with one child.
Biography and early career
= Early life =
Okano is the youngest of three siblings (he has two older sisters). His parents wanted to name him "Satoru", but received the name of Akihito from his uncle, as part of a family tradition.
As a child, he wanted to be an athlete. He played baseball in elementary school, and was in track and field and soccer in junior high.{{Cite book |title=ポルノグラフィティ ワイラノクロニクル―B.PASS SPECIAL EDITION |publisher=B-PASS |year=2001 |isbn=978-4401616749 |location=Japan |language=Japanese}} His interest in music started in elementary school, when he started listening to Western music thanks to one of his sisters, and singing Japanese songs in family reunions.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5FqgZPOgyo |title=【高橋優】ポルノグラフィティ岡野昭仁との音楽談議/岡野昭仁と新藤晴一がカバーしていた曲/高橋優が好きな曲「オー！リバル」について/岡野にとってポップの概念とは【J-WAVE・WOW MUSIC】 |access-date=23 August 2023 |publisher=YouTube |date=31 October 2020}}{{Cite book |title=Porno Graffitti: Pati Pati Complete Book -15 Years File - book 1 |publisher=m-on entertainment |year=2014 |location=Japan |pages=6 |language=Japanese |asin=B0CFK9ZXDL}}
= High school years =
In 1990, he entered Innoshima High School, where he met Haruichi Shindō. They became friends in the second year of high school, after attending a party where Shindō was in, to which Okano was invited by a friend. They began to go together to karaoke, and later on, Okano was invited by Shindō to form part of his band "No Score" as part of the chorus, to participate in the school festival. After the festival, Shindō decided to leave the vocals to Okano, and he made his vocalist debut at the entrance ceremony the following Spring.{{Cite book |title=ポルノグラフィティ ワイラノクロニクル―B.PASS SPECIAL EDITION |publisher=B-PASS |year=2001 |isbn=978-4401616749 |location=Japan |language=Japanese}}{{Cite book |title=Porno Graffitti: Pati Pati Complete Book -15 Years File - book 1 |publisher=m-on entertainment |year=2014 |location=Japan |pages=19 |language=Japanese |asin=B0CFK9ZXDL}}
= Indies era =
After graduating from high school in 1993, "No Score" was disbanded.
Starting in Spring 1993, Okano entered prep school, living in a dorm. While studying, and playing soccer and pachinko with dorm friends, his music interest had moved to heavy metal and hard rock, and he started to be interested the content in radio programs and music magazines. He continued to go to karaoke with friends, and had stated that he was going to have a band by next year.
The five members of "No Score" reunited in Osaka, forming a new band, but two members left after no activity. By Summer 1994, they formed another band, which they called "Porno Graffitti", and started having live performances and event appearances.
In March 1997, Okano (and Porno Graffitti) passed the "SD Audition"{{Cite web |title=ABOUT SDグループについて |url=https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/sd/about/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/Akvh7 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=Sony Music |language=Japanese}} and signed a contract with SME and Amuse. By end of September of the same year, he moved his base of operations from Osaka to Tokyo. By Summer of 1998 he began producing music and recording for their major debut.{{Cite book |title=ポルノグラフィティ ワイラノクロニクル―B.PASS SPECIAL EDITION |publisher=B-PASS |year=2001 |isbn=978-4401616749 |location=Japan |language=Japanese}}
Musical career
= Major debut era and beyond =
On 8 September 1999, Pornograffitti made their debut with the single "Apollo".{{Cite web |title=ポルノグラフィティ |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/157948/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824023541/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/157948/ |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=Oricon |language=Japanese}}
On 31 December 2000, Pornografitti had their first appearance in NHK's Kouhaku (#51).{{Cite web |title=第５１回ＮＨＫ紅白歌合戦 |url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/archives/chronicle/detail/?crnid=A200012311920001300100 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824025229/https://www.nhk.or.jp/archives/chronicle/detail/?crnid=A200012311920001300100 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=NHK |language=Japanese}}{{Cite web |date=31 December 2000 |title=第51回NHK紅白歌合戦 |url=https://thetv.jp/program/0000916741/51/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824025319/https://thetv.jp/program/0000916741/51/ |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=The Television |language=Japanese}}
From 7 April 2007 to 30 March 2010, Okano hosted Nippon Broadcasting System's radio program "All Night Nippon". On 3 January 2021 he returned to hosting duties in the program. On 31 May 2022, he shared hosting duties with Satoru Iguchi (King Gnu).
In January 2008, he reported his marriage through the recently opened Porno Graffitti Fan Club.{{Cite web |date=3 January 2008 |title=ポルノグラフィティ・岡野昭仁、今月結婚 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/50941/full/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824021329/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/50941/full/ |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=23 August 2023 |website=Oricon |language=Japanese}}
From 5 October 2013 to 27 September 2014, he hosted FM802's radio program "Live it Up".{{Cite web |date=30 June 2015 |title=岡野昭仁DJのラジオ番組 FM802「LIVE IT UP」が"BBQ in つま恋"スペシャルとして7/4(土）一夜限りの復活！ |url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000096.000002883.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/Mrex5 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=PR Times |language=Japanese}}
On 23 May 2020 he started the program "Dispatchers" on YouTube,{{Cite web |date=28 April 2020 |title=ポルノグラフィティ 岡野昭仁、配信番組『DISPATCHERS』で届ける"歌力" カリスマ性放つ理由は努力の積み重ねに |url=https://realsound.jp/2020/04/post-545079.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824031039/https://realsound.jp/2020/04/post-545079.html |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=Real Sound |language=Japanese}}{{Cite web |date=20 March 2021 |title=ポルノグラフィティ岡野昭仁がソロでは初となる配信ライブを開催！タイトルは自身が2020年4月よりスタートさせたスペースシャワーTVとYouTubeで連動した音楽番組と同じく「DISPATCHERS」 |url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001752.000002929.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824030928/https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001752.000002929.html |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=PR Times |language=Japanese}}
On 25 November 2020, Okano announced the start of the project "Walkin' with a song", and the information on the project's first song's release. The first song, "Hikari are", was released on 20 January 2021. The second song, "Shaft of Light", was released 12 April 2021. Third song, "Sono saki no hikari e", was released 2 July 2021. Fourth song, "Melody (prod.by Breimen)", was released 9 May 2022. An album containing all these songs and 6 more, was released on 23 August 2023, making it the first album released by Okano, his debut album as solo artist.{{Cite web |date=18 August 2023 |title=岡野昭仁「Walkin' with a song」 |url=https://natalie.mu/music/pp/okanoakihito |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824032025/https://natalie.mu/music/pp/okanoakihito |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=Natalie |language=Japanese}}
From 2013 and on, Okano has participated in several events and concerts as guest, including Soccer player and coach Toshiya Fujita's Farewell Match in Kokuritsu, "NIKE FTBL CUP" held at Toyosu MIFA Football Park (23 June 2018), the live viewing event "Bilibili Macro Link" (10-11 July 2021), Mayday's Nippon Budokan performance "Re:DNA ~2017 Reprint Edition~" (4 February 2017), the event "3rd Kakesugi Jamboree" hosted by Shikao Suga (29 February 2020) and "J-WAVE Holiday Special Tokyo Guitar Jamboree 2020 ~ Roppongi Basho" (20 March 2020).
= Participating works as guest vocalist =
Fairlife
- Forever friend (feat Akihito Okano from Pornograffitti) (Single "Eien no tomodachi", 23 September 2004){{Cite web |date=7 March 2007 |title=永遠のともだち feat.小野修 |url=https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Fairlife/discography/SEBL-69 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824050203/https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Fairlife/discography/SEBL-69 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=Sony Music |language=Japanese}}
- Winter vacation (feat Akihito Okano from Pornograffitti) (album "Have a nice life ", 1 December 2004){{Cite web |date=1 December 2004 |title=Have a nice life |url=https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Fairlife/discography/SECL-137 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824045418/https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Fairlife/discography/SECL-137 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=Sony Music |language=Japanese}}
- Sad autumn shower (feat Akihito Okano from Pornograffitti); Monster (feat Akihito Okano from Pornograffitti) (album "Bread, sheep and love letter", 7 March 2007){{Cite web |date=7 March 2007 |title=パンと羊とラブレター |url=https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Fairlife/discography/SECL-491 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824044210/https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Fairlife/discography/SECL-491 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=Sony Music |language=Japanese}}
- Tabiseyou wakoudo (feat Akihito Okano from Pornograffitti) (single "Tabiseyou wakoudo", 20 January 2010){{Cite web |date=20 January 2010 |title=旅せよ若人 feat. 岡野昭仁 from ポルノグラフィティ【完全生産限定盤】 |url=https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Fairlife/discography/SECL-839 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824044353/https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Fairlife/discography/SECL-839 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=Sony Music |language=Japanese}}
- Tabiseyou wakoudo (feat Akihito Okano from Pornograffitti); Michikusa (feat Akihito Okano from Pornograffitti) (album "Michikusa biyori", 3 February 2010){{Cite web |date=3 February 2010 |title=みちくさ日和 |url=https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Fairlife/discography/SECL-842 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824044805/https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Fairlife/discography/SECL-842 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=Sony Music |language=Japanese}}
- Haru no uta (album "Amigo", 11 June 2014){{Cite web |date=1 February 2014 |title=桜井和寿×GAKU-MC制作FM802ソングに豪華すぎる面々集結 |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/108990 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824051445/https://natalie.mu/music/news/108990 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=Natalie |language=Japanese}}
- Song for you (album "History of Tomorrow", 1 February 2017){{Cite web |title=Mayday History of tomorrow |url=https://www.mayday.jp/jiden/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824052003/https://www.mayday.jp/jiden/ |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=Mayday's Official Website |language=Japanese}}
Hiroyuki Sawano (as SawanoHiroyuki[nZk])
- Everchild (album "Remember", 9 March 2019){{Cite web |title=Sawano Hiroyuki nZk 3 album REMEMBER now on sale |url=https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Info/hiroyukisawano/remember/special/?_ga=2.140947570.1378106521.1550915555-594884128.1550915555 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824054640/https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Info/hiroyukisawano/remember/special/?_ga=2.140947570.1378106521.1550915555-594884128.1550915555 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=Sony Music}}
- To you (Anata e) (YouTube exclusive video, 29 April 2020){{Cite web |date=29 April 2020 |title=スガシカオが医療従事者にエール送る新曲制作、ボーカルで桜井和寿＆岡野昭仁も参加 |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/377352 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824055251/https://natalie.mu/music/news/377352 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023 |website=Natalie |language=Japanese}}
= Participating works as composer =
Watame Tsunomaki (VTuber)
- Fins (single "Fins".7 June 2023, song composition in collaboration with tasuku)