In 1998, Riki Kinoshita moved from Osaka to Tokyo to start a solo career and after the release of his first and sold out mini-album, TEENAGE LAST in 1999, he decided to start the band ART-SCHOOL in March 2000, with his support musicians at that time Hinata (bass), Sakurai (drums) and later Oyama (guitar). The same month, they gave a concert in the Shimokitazawa Shelter. Their first mini album SONIC DEAD KIDS was released on September 8th, followed by their single-tape and two other releases the following year.