hide

hide was the self-titled solo project from X JAPAN's lead guitarist. He released his first album, HIDE YOUR FACE in 1994, on which he arranged and played most of the instruments, as on PSYENCE, hide's music consisted of heavier, speed oriented songs and also more pop efforts, incorporating elements of electronic rock and pop into a unique blend of sound.

On May 2nd, 1998, hide was found in his room by his roommate, hung from the bathroom doorknob with a towel. He slipped into a coma in the ambulance. He died before nine in the morning at the hospital. Many of his fans were hospitalized for fainting and attempting suicide after his death was announced. 50,000 of hide's fans came to say good bye to him during his public funeral. hide was 33 years old.

However, it has been debated over whether hide actually attempted suicide, or whether it was actually an alcohol fueled accident [as mentioned in "X no Sei to Shi: Uchuu o Kakeru Tomo e", written by fellow X JAPAN band member Taiji.]

hide's real name is Matsumoto Hideto. hide(Pronounced 'hee-deh' and written usually with small letters) is simply a shortened form of his first name, Hideto.

hide was born on December 13th, 1964.
During hide's childhood he was often picked on because of his weight. When he first entered Junior High, he decided it was time for a change. He lost weight and gained popularity quickly. When he reached his high school years, he formed the band Saver Tiger (also called as Yokosuka Saver Tiger, not to be confused with Japanese band Saber Tiger). The formation did not last long and they disbanded. In his senior years he completely abandoned music and decided to enter beauty school to become a hair stylist after graduation.

Before that career could take off, Yoshiki gave hide a call, looking to fill one of two guitar positions in his band, X. He also said that he had heard hide's amazing skills at playing guitar, and wanted him to join. hide had a while to think about it, and he eventually accepted.

The band was first known as 'X' before being re-named X JAPAN. After years of performing, and after 4 albums, X JAPAN took a break to focus on each of their solo career. hide took this opportunity to express himself. He then began his own solo career, in which he became massively successful. What stood out most was not just his skilled guitar playing; but his unique voice and guitar riffs, changed appearance, and his lyrics that varied; but usually were about sex, drugs, and violence.This can be seen in songs like Hi-Ho and Genkai Haretsu(which mean Limiting Explosion)

Well into his solo career, he collaborated with guitarist Ray McVeigh from The Professionals and bassist Paul Raven of Killing Joke to form the band, Zilch, meaning "zero". This band was somewhat successful, releasing the albums such as 3,2,1 zilch, and bastardEYES. During his collaboration, his lyrics became more dark and sadistic, the songs were more towards industrial rock rather then alternative rock as seen in his solo career.

He also handpicked several members to perform with him during his first two tours, HIDE OUR PSYCHOMMUNITY tour and PSYENCE A GO GO tour, After the disband of X JAPAN, hide named his live band Spread Beaver,and together with him, their band name was hide with Spread Beaver in which he was vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter.

However, because of hide's abrupt death, post production of their first album, hide with spread beaver and Zilch had to be done by I.N.A (who was a member of both bands), however the tracks appeared to be how it was meant to be as most of the song(except HURRY GO ROUND, which was a combination of several songs) as hide recorded most of the tracks before his death.

His guitars were mostly from the Fernandes MG series.

In the latest song I.V. from X JAPAN, it is reported that unreleased guitar riffs by hide will be used such that it will be a complete X JAPAN production.