ALEXANDROS
A credit card is a payment card issued to users (cardholders) to enable the cardholder to pay a merchant for goods and services based on the cardholder's promise to the card issuer to pay them for the amounts plus the other agreed charges. The card issuer (usually a bank) creates a revolving account and grants a line of credit to the cardholder, from which the cardholder can borrow money for payment to a merchant or as a cash advance. In other words, credit cards combine payment services with extensions of credit. Complex fee structures in the credit card industry may limit customers' ability to comparison shop, helping to ensure that the industry is not price-competitive and helping to maximize industry profits. Due to concerns about this, many legislatures have regulated credit card fees.
A credit card is different from a charge card, which requires the balance to be repaid in full each month. In contrast, credit cards allow the consumers a continuing balance of debt, subject to interest being charged. A credit card also differs from a cash card, which can be used like currency by the owner of the card. A credit card differs from a charge card also in that a credit card typically involves a third-party entity that pays the seller and is reimbursed by the buyer, whereas a charge card simply defers payment by the buyer until a later date.
A payment is the trade of value from one party (such as a person or company) to another for goods, or services, or to fulfill a legal obligation.
Payment can take a variety of forms. Barter, the exchange of one good or service for another, is a form of payment. The most common means of payment involve use of money, cheque, or debit, credit or bank transfers. Payments may also take complicated forms, such as stock issues or the transfer of anything of value or benefit to the parties. In US law, the payer is the party making a payment while the payee is the party receiving the payment. In trade, payments are frequently preceded by an invoice or bill.
In general, the payee is at liberty to determine what method of payment he or she will accept; though normally laws require the payer to accept the country's legal tender up to a prescribed limit. Payment is most commonly effected in the local currency of the payee, unless if the parties agree otherwise. Payment in another currency involves an additional foreign exchange transaction. The payee may compromise on a debt, i.e., accept a part payment in full settlement of a debtor's obligation, or may offer a discount, for example, for payment in cash, or for prompt payment, etc. On the other hand, the payee may impose a surcharge, for example, as a late payment fee, or for use of a certain credit card, etc.
The acceptance of a payment by the payee extinguishes a debt or other obligation. A creditor cannot unreasonably refuse to accept a payment, but payment can be refused in some circumstances, for example, on a Sunday or outside banking hours. A payee is usually obligated to acknowledge payment by producing a receipt to the payer. A receipt may be an endorsement on an account as "paid in full". The giving of a guarantee or other security for a debt does not constitute a payment.
Money is any item or verifiable record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts, such as taxes, in a particular country or socio-economic context. The main functions of money are distinguished as: a medium of exchange, a unit of account, a store of value and sometimes, a standard of deferred payment. Any item or verifiable record that fulfils these functions can be considered as money.
Money is historically an emergent market phenomenon establishing a commodity money, but nearly all contemporary money systems are based on fiat money. Fiat money, like any check or note of debt, is without use value as a physical commodity. It derives its value by being declared by a government to be legal tender; that is, it must be accepted as a form of payment within the boundaries of the country, for "all debts, public and private". Counterfeit money can cause good money to lose its value.
The money supply of a country consists of currency (banknotes and coins) and, depending on the particular definition used, one or more types of bank money (the balances held in checking accounts, savings accounts, and other types of bank accounts). Bank money, which consists only of records (mostly computerized in modern banking), forms by far the largest part of broad money in developed countries.
In 2001 [Alexandros] (previously known as [Champagne]) was initially formed by vocalist Yoohei Kawakami and bassist Hiroyuki Isobe. Being brought up in Syria, Yoohei speaks fluent English with a unique Middle Eastern accent. He sings both in English and Japanese, not only aggressive rock numbers but sweet and mellow tunes he creates. Hiroyuki, spending most of his childhood in the US contributes to the band‘s sound that stands out from the other Japanese local bands. These two young talents got together to form what is to become one of the most original bands to emerge from the land of the rising sun. Guitarist Masaki Shirai joined the group in 2007.
In January of 2010, picked up by RX-RECORDS just a couple of years after, the band released their first-ever recording and a near-perfect debut album “Where's My Potato?". Regardless of the album coming from a yet-anonymous rookie band, this one gem of a record received great reviews and spread all over the country through word of mouth. The word was out. This is where it all began. In March that same year, the band contributed a Mary Poppins cover track for a Walt Disney compilation "DISNEY ROCKS!!" distributed exclusively via Village Vanguard, a subculture merchandise/book store chain. This helped the band gain great recognition. A month later, Satoyasu Shomura who had occasionally supported the band became the official drummer. This led to the now four band members to move to Tokyo, sharing one house together to focus on their musical career. The band released a couple of EP's during the rest of the year including "city" on July 7th, which was chosen as heavy rotation on a music channel Space Shower TV for July, and “You're So Sweet & I Love You" on Nov. 24th. The band concluded 2010 with their performance at famous Countdown Japan event.
The band released their sophomore album "I Wanna Go To Hawaii." on Feb. 9, 2011. Just like 1st album, new album got rave reviews from the press that triggered even more buzz to spread across the country and the album debuted at No. 14 on Oricon Weekly Album chart. Shortly after the release, the band went on tour in support of the release, out of which the last date was shot to make a very first live DVD released on Oct. 17th entitled "It's Me And Me Against The World". The band also released 2 singles in 2011, “Ie" on July 20th and “spy" on Dec. 14th.
On January 16, 2012, [Alexandros] supported the UK rock band KASABIAN for their Japan dates as an opening act, gaining recognition and acceptance from the international music. Soon after, on April 4th the band released their 3rd full-length album "Schwarzenegger", which debuted at No.10 on Oricon weekly album chart immediately after release. After another single release of "Kill Me If You Can" from the album in July, the band released a 2DVD entitled "I thought it was only one day" consisting of the live footage of their Schwarzenegger tour final show on June 30th at Shibuya and a collection of their music videos.
The year 2013 was a busy year for the band. They started off by being the supporting act for MUSE on their Japan show on Jan. 11th at the Saitama Super Arena. Soon after, their double A-side single “starrrrrrr / Namida ga Koboresou" was released, containing a natural mineral water GEROLSTEINER tie-in track. Reaching out to a wider range of audiences, the single marked No. 11 on the Oricon Weekly Single chart. On May 16th, the band performed on the UK‘s prestigious THE GREAT ESCAPE festival, receiving a positive reaction from the UK crowd. Following the festival, the band released brand new studio album “Me No Do Karate." on Jun. 26th which debuted at No.7 on Oricon Daily album chart. The band embarked on an extensive tour “We Don't Learn Anything Tour" visiting all over Japan soon after in support of the new release. This tour gathered 20,000 fans altogether, with ALL dates completely sold out immediately after tickets went on sale! One thing led to another, and the next step-up opportunity was a supporting act for PRIMAL SCREAM on their Japan show on Nov. 5th followed by a double A-Side, double tie-in EP “Run Away / Oblivion" on Dec. 25th. On the video of “Run Away“, the band collaborated with Nike + FuelBand, while the other track "Oblivion" was chosen for the theme song for fall/winter 2013 collection of an apparel brand LITHIUM HOMME. Appearances on music TV programs "Music Station" and "Countdown TV" also helped spread their name and keep the buzz going for 2013 and on to 2014.
In Jan. 2014, singer Yoohei participated on a song written for an annual campaign called ACCESS hosted by FM 802. He also went on to hook up with m-flo and collaborated on “m-flo + Yoohei Kawakami / FLY" which was released on Mar. 26th. The band decided to travel across the Pacific and performed at SXSW in Austin, TX on Mar. 12th and 13th. Soon after their return to Japan, they played a SOLD OUT show at prestigious Nippon Budokan gathering 11,000! And on this very day, the band announced their new band name as [Alexandros] (formerly known as [Champagne]). The band hosts a regular program “Welcome! [Alexandros]" on Space Shower TV. Collection of footages from this program was released on DVD titled “SPACE SHOWER TV presents Welcome! [Alexandros]" on Christmas Eve.
[Alexandros] signed and announced a partnership deal with Universal Music to kick off 2015 and released a double A-side single “Wataridori / Dracula La" on Mar. 18th including tie-in singles for a movie and a drama. The band plans to release a new studio album in June and another show at Nippon Budokan in July is confirmed followed by a nationwide album tour in fall. We are all to witness what the future holds for this promising band
Rock