Lemoned Plant
Japanese independent record label established by rock musician Hideto "hide" Matsumoto.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Lemoned Plant is a Japanese independent record label and music-related brand founded in 1996 by rock musician Hideto "hide" Matsumoto. It began under the name Lemoned and was conceived as a platform for unsigned or emerging musicians whom hide encountered performing in Japanese clubs. The label formed part of a broader Lemoned concept that extended beyond recordings into retail, live events, hospitality and artist-related merchandise. The name was derived from the slang use of “lemon” for a defective or unsatisfactory product, giving the project an intentionally unconventional identity rather than the polished image associated with a conventional major-label imprint. The first act signed to Lemoned was Zeppet Store. The label’s early activity was connected to MCA Victor, which issued the compilation album Lemoned on May 22, 1996. The release brought together music by hide, Zeppet Store, Trees of Life and Vinyl, a band associated with former D’erlanger vocalist Dizzy. This compilation established the label as a curated scene-oriented platform rather than simply a vehicle for its founder’s solo work. Lemoned’s activities expanded through the hide Museum in Yokosuka, hide’s hometown. The museum opened on July 20, 2000, and incorporated both a Lemoned Shop and Cafe Le Psyence, a café that also functioned as a concert venue. The museum closed on September 25, 2005, but the retail and community-oriented aspects of the Lemoned concept remained important to the brand. A second compilation, Cafe Le Psyence -hide LEMONed Compilation-, was released on May 16, 2002. It included material by hide and Zeppet Store as well as shame, Transtic Nerve, Yukito, Dope HEADz and zilch, reflecting the label’s broad connections within Japan’s rock scene. Following hide’s death in 1998, the label experienced a period of inactivity. It resumed releases in 2005 with the debut album of Yukito. In 2007, the operation was relaunched as Lemoned Plant, a subsidiary of Headwax Corporation. The relaunch was accompanied by a website and a MySpace profile, indicating an effort to renew the label’s artist-facing and fan-facing presence through online channels. Artists associated with the relaunched label included Hurdy Gurdy, the solo project of former Zeppet Store member Seizi Kimura, as well as 0 Limited Execution, Trees Asylum and Plastic. Lemoned also maintained a retail presence through two stores, with the original location in Shinjuku and another in Harajuku. These activities show that Lemoned Plant has historically functioned as more than a recording imprint: it has operated as a linked platform for independent music discovery, physical retail, events and the continuing cultural legacy of hide. Publicly available reference material does not establish the label’s current release schedule, executive structure or operating status.
History
Lemoned was created in 1996 by Japanese rock musician Hideto "hide" Matsumoto as a venue for unsigned musicians. Hide reportedly selected artists whom he had seen performing in local clubs, making the label part of a broader effort to support and publicize developing acts. The unusual name referenced the slang use of “lemon” for a defective product and expressed a deliberately nonconventional attitude toward music and branding. The first band signed was Zeppet Store. MCA Victor released the compilation album Lemoned on May 22, 1996, with contributions from hide, Zeppet Store, Trees of Life and Vinyl. The compilation positioned the label as a curator of connected Japanese rock acts and not merely as a channel for hide’s own recordings. After hide died in 1998, Lemoned entered a period of inactivity. The wider Lemoned concept nevertheless continued through physical and experiential projects. The hide Museum opened in Yokosuka on July 20, 2000, and included a Lemoned Shop and Cafe Le Psyence. The café also functioned as a concert venue, linking the brand’s retail identity with live music and fan activity. The museum closed on September 25, 2005. A second compilation, Cafe Le Psyence -hide LEMONed Compilation-, appeared on May 16, 2002. Alongside hide and Zeppet Store, it presented work by shame, Transtic Nerve, Yukito, Dope HEADz and zilch. The release documented the breadth of the network associated with the Lemoned name. Lemoned resumed label activity in 2005 with Yukito’s debut album. In 2007, Headwax Corporation relaunched the operation under the name Lemoned Plant. The new subsidiary established an online presence through a website and MySpace profile and was associated with acts including Hurdy Gurdy, 0 Limited Execution, Trees Asylum and Plastic. Hurdy Gurdy was the solo project of Seizi Kimura, formerly of Zeppet Store. The Lemoned retail concept also included stores in Shinjuku and Harajuku. As a result, the brand’s documented history combines independent record-label work with artist development, compilation curation, retail, concerts and hide-related cultural activities. Available reference material does not provide reliable information about its present management, current releases or whether all of its historical operations remain active.
- 2007
Lemoned Plant relaunch
[1]Headwax Corporation reconstitutes the label as its subsidiary Lemoned Plant and establishes online profiles.
- 2005
Label activity resumes
[1]Lemoned returns with Yukito’s debut album.
- 2005
hide Museum closes
[1]The hide Museum in Yokosuka closes on September 25.
- 2002
Cafe Le Psyence compilation is released
[1]The compilation expands the documented Lemoned-associated roster to include several Japanese rock acts.
- 2000
hide Museum opens in Yokosuka
[1]The museum opens with a Lemoned Shop and Cafe Le Psyence, which also hosts concerts.
- 1998
Founder dies and label activity becomes inactive
[1]Following hide’s death, Lemoned enters a period of inactivity.
- 1996
Lemoned is founded
[1]Hideto "hide" Matsumoto establishes Lemoned as an independent platform for unsigned and emerging Japanese musicians.
- 1996
First Lemoned compilation is released
[1]MCA Victor issues Lemoned, featuring hide, Zeppet Store, Trees of Life and Vinyl.
Products and positioning
An independent Japanese rock-oriented label and cultural platform focused on emerging artists, compilation releases, retail, live events and the artistic legacy of hide.
Compilation album · 1996
Lemoned
The first compilation associated with the label, released by MCA Victor on May 22, 1996. It brought together recordings by hide, Zeppet Store, Trees of Life and Vinyl, presenting Lemoned as a platform for a network of Japanese rock artists.
Compilation album · 2002
Cafe Le Psyence -hide LEMONed Compilation-
A compilation released on May 16, 2002, associated with the Cafe Le Psyence venue at the hide Museum. Its track listing included hide and Zeppet Store together with shame, Transtic Nerve, Yukito, Dope HEADz and zilch.
Music retail and merchandise
Lemoned Shop
The retail component of the Lemoned concept, associated with the hide Museum and later with stores in Shinjuku and Harajuku. It extended the label beyond recordings into physical music retail and fan-oriented products.
Artist releases · 2005
Lemoned Plant artist releases
The relaunch-era label catalog included Yukito’s debut album and releases or artist activity associated with Hurdy Gurdy, 0 Limited Execution, Trees Asylum and Plastic.
Brand decisions
2007
Relaunch as a Headwax Corporation subsidiaryStrategyBackground
Following earlier inactivity and a 2005 return with Yukito’s debut album, the Lemoned operation was reorganized under Headwax Corporation.
Action taken
The label was relaunched as Lemoned Plant, with a website and MySpace profile intended to renew its public and artist-facing presence.
Aftermath
The relaunched label was associated with Hurdy Gurdy, 0 Limited Execution, Trees Asylum and Plastic. Later operating details are not established by the available reference material.
Recent events
- 2007
Lemoned is relaunched as Lemoned Plant[1]
Product launch
Headwax Corporation relaunched the label as its subsidiary Lemoned Plant, accompanied by a website and MySpace presence.
- 2005
Lemoned returns with Yukito’s debut album[1]
Product launch
After a period of inactivity following hide’s death, the label resumed activity with Yukito’s debut album.
- 2002
Cafe Le Psyence compilation broadens the label’s artist roster[1]
Product launch
The compilation Cafe Le Psyence -hide LEMONed Compilation- included recordings by hide, Zeppet Store, shame, Transtic Nerve, Yukito, Dope HEADz and zilch.
- 2000
Lemoned activities expand through the hide Museum[1]
Other
The hide Museum opened in Yokosuka with a Lemoned Shop and Cafe Le Psyence, which also served as a concert venue.
- 1996
Lemoned launches its first compilation album[1]
Product launch
MCA Victor released the compilation album Lemoned, featuring hide, Zeppet Store, Trees of Life and Vinyl.
Sources1 sources
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