Makoto and Mizho attended Elementary School together and became good friends when they were just 6 years old. Unfortunately, they were split up in school, each attending different classes. But in the year 2000, they started Junior High School and again found themselves in the same class. They were 14 years old and discovered they had similar tastes in music. Mizho told Makoto that she had been writing lyrics and Makoto expressed his desire to start a band. That same year they collaborated on a song called "Parting." Mizho wrote the lyrics and Makoto composed the melody. However, because they did not yet have the proper equipment, the song was never fully arranged or mixed. Despite this, they decided to continue with their dream of forming a band and called themselves "STEAL." They chose the name STEAL because they intended to steal their fans' hearts and minds with their music. STEAL only produced three songs during the short time Makoto and Mizho attended Junior High School. Because they only had access to an inexpensive keyboard, STEAL became frustrated with the direction and quality of their music. They hadn't learned about Desktop Music (DTM) and had not branched out into using more powerful synthesizers or computers. Makoto contacted Mizho with news about DTM and new equipment he recently purchased. In 2003, STEAL started recording songs again. This time, they took "Parting" to the next level and fully developed the melody by making an actual musical arrangment that included bass lines, synthesizer, and electronic techniques and produced the sound they had been trying for since they first started. "Parting" became STEAL's premiere song, soon followed by "Don't Forget Love," "MIRAI [future]," "Recollection," "Tear's Night," and "Watashi no Ibasyo [to stay at my place]." In 2004, Makoto was again disappointed with the sound quality he was getting out of his equipment and his lack of advanced skills with the DTM software. This led him on a quest to find a new synthesizer. He finally decided on the Roland Fantom-S , a professional grade unit, and immediately purchased one. STEAL recorded "Yoruga Akeru Mae Ni [before daybreak]" and "mA bA tA ki" using their new equipment. Both songs included lyrics written by Makoto. Once "mA bA tA ki" hit the Internet, it became their first smash hit and catapulted them to international fame. Fans from all over the world wrote asking for more music. They didn't have long to wait. Makoto met Yuki in High School and helped Yuki record some songs. They soon became very good friends and decided to collaborate on more songs. Mizho and Yuki had not been introduced to each other at this time but would soon have a fateful meeting. In 2005 after graduating from High School, Makoto went on to attend music college and had to say "goodbye" to Mizho and Yuki. Mizho and Yuki got jobs but still had not met each other. The distance between Makoto and Mizho caused a temporary hiatus for STEAL. Then, in 2006, Mizho sent some lyrics to Makoto and from these, Makoto composed the music for the songs called "S T A C K" and "What's Your Name?" The resulting songs excited Makoto and he wanted to start recording them along with many more. He talked to Mizho and she immediately agreed. After graduating from college, Makoto moved back to his home town where he would be closer to Mizho. STEAL was back in business and going strong. Makoto had an idea to add a third member and talked to Mizho about Yuki. Mizho agreed and finally met Yuki. They proposed that he join the band. Yuki was ecstatic about the idea and joined immediately. Yuki and Mizho quickly became friends and the three of them began recording many new songs incorporating their new sound. STEAL is excited to bring their music to the world.