Mars is a rock band based out of LA, that brings influences from the Japanese rock style. With a distinctly new combination of Heavy Metal/Classical/D&B and Electronic, they create a new sound unique to America. The band consists of two members currently, Jovette Rivera as the songwriter and the vocals, and Isao on guitar.
JOVETTE RIVERA
Jovette is originally from Monterey CA, and moved to LA 4 years ago. He's been composing music since 11, and singing since 17 years old. In 2004, he moved in with SaGa, a Japanese band signed with AVEX, and toured with them around Japan. Doing several music videos and supporting them in the lives.
In the summer of 2005, he toured Japan as a solo artist with the aid of professional dancers Yuko Isamiyama and Aiko Wada, who also performed as his backup dancers during lives.
In late 2005, he started the LA based Japanese Rock band, MARS. With an interesting blend of classical, heavy metal, and electronic, they performed at the Santa Clara MARRIOTT, and LA's Little Tokyo clubs. Soon after however, they broke up and Jovette pursued himself as a professional songwriter for popular Japanese artists, partnering with JPOP songwriter extraordinaire, Joey Carbone.
Since the beginning of 2007, Jovette has written songs for popular Johnny's Entertainment artists from Japan such as KAT-TUN, NEWS, Kanjani 8, Ya Ya Yah. He has written for Shonentai's musical "PLAYZONE 2007 CHANGE2CHANCE", and for Takki's musical "Takizawa Enbujo". More recently he's writing for Wada Akiko, and has composed the theme song for Japan's national soccer team ALBIREX.
In november, he connected with Isao about joining together, and the two decided to start up MARS from where it left off.
You can view his page at www.myspace.com/Jovette_Rivera
You can hear his music at www.myspace.com/JovetteRivera
ISAO
Isao, born and raised in Tokyo, now residing in LA, has been playing guitar since 16 and touring and recording professionally for 8 years. At the age of 21, he debuted as a solo guitarist under BMG records of Japan. Later, he formed and toured Japan with his band CUBE-RAY, and released a self-titled album "CUBE-RAY". After the disbandment of CUBE-RAY, Isao came to Los Angeles to pursue new ventures.
He then brought guitar superstar, Shane Gibson (who's now playing with KORN), back to Japan to collaborate with Isao's solo project, SPARK-7. With BMG records, he released his solo album "FIRST IMPACT".
He's been featured on such famous Japanese music magazines as "Guitar Magazine", and will be covered on the January issue of "Young Guitar" on the special DVD with Shane Gibson.
In November 2007, Isao and his new band member, Jovette Rivera, have teamed up to form the re-birth of Jovette's band "MARS".
You can hear his music at www.myspace.com/isaospark7
Let the MARS legacy continue at www.myspace.com/godofwarmars
