Pata (musician)

Pata 石塚 智昭
Pata in New York, 2014
Background information
Birth name	Tomoaki Ishizuka
Born	(1965-11-04) November 4, 1965 (age 59) Chiba, Japan
Genres	Rock heavy metal
Occupation	Musician
Instrument	Guitar
Years active	1980–present
Labels	BMG Victor
Member of	X Japan Ra:IN
Formerly of	Dope HEADz P.A.F. Judy/Black Rose
Website	pata-official.com
Japanese name
Kanji	石塚 智昭
Hiragana	いしづか ともあき
Transcriptions Romanization Ishizuka Tomoaki

Tomoaki Ishizuka (Japanese: 石塚 智昭, Hepburn: Ishizuka Tomoaki, born November 4, 1965, in Chiba), known exclusively by his stage name Pata, is a Japanese musician. He is best known as rhythm guitarist of the visual kei rock band X Japan. He joined the band in 1987, stayed with them until their dissolution in 1997, and rejoined when the band reunited in 2007.

A year after their breakup, he formed the short-lived duo P.A.F. with singer NoB and created the band Dope HEADz with X Japan bassist Heath and former Spread Beaver percussionist/programmer I.N.A. in 2000. Right after they ceased activity, Pata formed the instrumental band Ra:IN in 2002, which still tours extensively to this day.

His stage name is taken from the manga Patalliro!, as he was said to resemble the title character.^[1]