R2 has always been an enigma. Very little is known about these giant superstars. From day one, they have tried to stay out of the spot light. It was only recently that Joseph has branched out to the media to spread R2 like a fart in the wind. However, during the starting days from Japan, the band never really needed to spread their name. R2 took off just like Apollo 12. A BIG bang right from the start. The only reason Joseph has taken the time to spread R2 like Courtney Love's legs is because the U.S. has been infested with CRAP metal bands. How can the youth of America think that the music of tomorrow is Korn and Limp Biscuit?? In a time of fear, younger Americans learned to live with the music industry's response to post-metallica syndrome. R2 decided that it was time to free the struggling teens from the crap they are forced to listen to. SO, without further adue. The history of R2!!!
After Joseph went to Japan to learn a different style of music, he met up with bassist Alex Ray. The two hit it off rather quickly and started a band called R2. Yes, it was after Star Wars... Little did they know that they would be embarking on the most popular band in the history of the world! Along with friends Duncan and Albert, they formed R2.
The four quickly started to turn out albums. Within the first year, they already had three albums out. Even though the songs were in English, the Japanese crowd LOVED them. Yes, R2 brought a new sound to the music scene. After the first year, they won the award of best new artist in the Waagikki (A japanese music magazine), and they played during the opening of the Honda North branch. To Joseph and Alex, they thought they had reached the pinicle of music entertainment. Boy were they wrong.
During their second year as a band, they released three more albums of new material bringing their record count up to six. This was also the year in which Joseph won the Greatest Rythem Guitarist award, and Albert won the Greatest Drummer Award, both of the Waagikki magazine. Duncan came in third in the Lead Guitar category, while Alex tied for second in the Bass category. The band was becoming one of the biggest underground, well, they weren't underground for long, bands in Japan.
Seeing this big band, R2 FINALLY got a record deal. Quany signed them, and agreed to re-release their first six albums. Time was limited in the studio, and R2 only released one album. Even though many fans will agree that it is their best album, they are still disspapointed with the lack of R2. Quany then got the rights to ALL of R2's music, which was not something that either Joseph or Alex liked. R2 was now the biggest band in Japan, yet they were starting to fall apart.
Quany now owned all of R2's music, and they didn't like that one bit. Alex and Joseph fought for their rights to their songs, but the lack of support from Albert and Duncan resulted in a loss. Eventually, the band split into two. Because the founding members were Joseph and Alex, they were able to keep the name R2, and could do whatever they wanted to with it. Joseph was able to get out of the record deal with Quany, but still does not own any of their old music. This upset both Alex and Joseph because they poured their hearts into those songs. This is when Joseph thought it was time for a change.
Like before, Joseph decided to re-located, thinking that it will help his music, and the future of R2. Alex agreed, and the two of them moved the the gunge capital of the world, SEATTLE. They began looking for replacements to start R2 once again, and eventually came across Matt Husted. With Joseph taking ALL of the guitar responsibilities, the band was reborn!
R2 now has a fresh sound to it. Each member is sure that R2 will quickly pick up...however it is hard when the music industry is run by boy bands and crap metal artists. With a break in work, Alex took time off to nuture a failing relationship with his boyfriend and Matt went to school to learn English. Because of that, Joseph began a solo project, which at this point in time is doing better than R2. However, they still plan to continue their U.S. Invasion when the time is right. Until then, KEEP ON ROCKIN'!
