The rather *cough* interestingly named solo band that hide established in 1996 shortly after X-Japan disbanded. Although Spread Beaver had played alongside hide during his Psychommunity tour and other events, they didn't become an official band until after X-Japan was out of the way and no longer the full focus of hide's attention.

If I had to describe Spread Beaver as a band in one word, it would be 'fun'. They really were what you would have expected a "hide" band to be when it came to look, style, sound and attitude - even in name! *laughs* Their music could at best be described as punk rock, but Spread Beaver really defied catagorization in my opinion. They didn't exactly look the part of a "punk" band when you took their optimism, charisma and day-glow apparel into account, either. ^_~

hide [vocalist] Official Website
No need for an introduction here! hide wrote and produced Spread Beaver's music himself while INA worked alongside him on arrangement. hide hated just being a vocalist though, so he would often play bass and guitar (both lead and backup) during tours and recording as well.

Kiyoshi [lead guitarist] Official Website
Originally from the band MEDIA-YOUTH, Kiyoshi was recruited by hide as leading guitarist. Although hide and Kiyoshi were close friends, they apparently faught often; but this didn't get in the way of their ability to make great music. I don't know if Kiyoshi is in a new band now or not, but since Spread Beaver's disbanding, he has guested for MANY bands - both "up and coming" as well as popular.

Around 1996, Kiyoshi formed a band called Machine with Hakuei, the vocalist of Penicillin and a long-time friend. Machine has since disbanded, however. Kiyoshi has also worked with Gisho (the bassist of Penicillin) on a project named R, but I don't know much about it.

Spread Beaver was something else; but unfortunately, in 1998, hide died. The band had only released their first single together (Rocket Dive) and already they were without their leader/vocalist/guitarist. Ultimately, they would disband; but rather than leave on such a sour note, the members chose to continue with the national tour that hide had planned for them. Despite hide not being there physically, fans attended in droves, because hide's spirit remained in his music. Every concert was sold out, and Spread Beaver gave their final goodbye to Hideto "hide" Matsumoto - a parting sentiment which I find admirable of them.

INA [computer & percussion] Official Website
Song arrangement and distortion was INA's specialty as programmer for Spread Beaver as well as hide's other band, Zilch. INA was much like the "second brain" behind Spread Beaver's sound in regards to his support of hide's overall vision; they both worked together on giving hide's songs their finishing touches. INA also helped make the release of "Ja,Zoo" possible after hide's death.

INA is now in the band Dope HEADz with Heath and Pata from X-Japan. He also formed a temporary band called nothing that remixed old hide songs and performed them live at memorial events.

D.I.E. [keyboards] Official Website
D.I.E. started out as a supporting guest artist, playing the keyboard for such popular bands as ZI:KILL, Glay and even X-Japan, which is how he came to meet hide. To my knowledge, D.I.E. was in a band called Centaur before hide recruited him as keyboardist of Spread Beaver, but SB was his first time as an active, official member of a band.

Around 2001 D.I.E. launched his own solo career (and is a DJ too...?)

Chirolyn [bass] Official Website
Originally from the band Hiroshi, Chirolyn guested for hide as bassist during his PSYCHOMMUNITY and other tours before being recruited as an official bassist of the band. Shortly after Spread Beaver was formed, Chirolyn founded his own solo band - Chirolyn & The Angels - under hide's LEMONed label. Today, the band is the center of his solo career.

Joe & Kaz [drummer & backing]
To be honest, I know very little about Joe or Kaz. ^.^; Joe was the drummer and originally from a band called Ziggy. Kaz was originally from Oblivion Dust and became the official backup guitarist/bassist for Spread Beaver in place of Pata. Both were usually in the background and didn't get much exposure as members of Spread Beaver during the short time that the band was around.

Pata [guest backing]
Pata from X-Japan became a close friend of hide over the years and went on tour with him before Spread Beaver became a band. Although he never officially became a member, Pata was considered to be one. On many recordings, Pata is the one playing lead or backup guitar.