Band-Maid
Japanese female rock band formed 2013 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Band-Maid is a Japanese rock band formed in 2013, consisting of singer Saiki Atsumi, guitarist/singer Miku Kobato, lead guitarist Kanami Tōno, bassist Misa, and drummer Akane Hirose. The band combines a rock sound with a maid image modeled on Japanese maid cafés.[10] They are currently signed to Pony Canyon.[11] Their most recent studio album, Epic Narratives, was released in September 2024.
Band-Maid | |
|---|---|
Band-Maid performing at House of Blues in Dallas, October 2022 (L–R: Misa, Miku Kobato, Akane Hirose, Saiki Atsumi, Kanami Tōno) | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Band-Maiko |
| Origin | Japan |
| Genres | |
| Discography | Band-Maid discography |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Labels |
|
| Members |
|
| Website | bandmaid |
History
Summarize
Perspective
2013–2014: Early years and Maid in Japan
The band formed in July 2013. Guitarist/singer Miku Kobato, formerly an employee of a Japanese maid café, envisioned forming a band that juxtaposed the maid image with rock music. Kobato recruited lead guitarist Kanami Tōno after an Internet search. Tōno had performed as a singer-songwriter and suggested her occasional backing drummer Akane Hirose for the new band.[12] Hirose in turn suggested bassist Misa, with whom she had performed in various backing bands.[12][13] On July 24, 2013, they had their first live performance as a quartet with Kobato on vocals at the PP Band Audition held at Otsuka Deepa.[14] The band then decided to recruit an additional lead singer and selected Saiki Atsumi during auditions.[15] Their first performance as a five-piece was at the P Festival at Shibuya-AX on August 22, 2013.[14] The band signed to Gump Records (an imprint of the Platinum Passport artist management and talent agency) that year.
Early in their history, Band-Maid regularly performed live at various venues around the Tokyo area.[16] The group released their debut mini-album Maid in Japan in January 2014, written in collaboration with musicians Masahiko Fukui[17] and Kentaro Akutsu.[citation needed] In August 2014, they released the maxi-single "Ai to Jōnetsu no Matador" (titled "Love, Passion, Matador" internationally).
2015–2017: International recognition, New Beginning, Brand New Maid, and Just Bring It
Band-Maid first gained international notice in April 2015 when the English-language Facebook page of internet radio station Jrock Radio promoted the music video for "Thrill", which led to over 1 million views in the following year.[18] In November 2015 they released their sophomore mini-album New Beginning.[19] The mini-album was their first chart placement, reaching No. 64 on the Japanese Oricon weekly albums chart.[20] The band undertook a tour of Tokyo venues to promote the album through February 2016, culminating in a sold-out concert on February 14.[21]
In March 2016 they had their first overseas performance at Sakura-Con in Seattle, Washington.[22][23]
The group released their third mini-album and major label debut, Brand New Maid, in May 2016 on the Nippon Crown sub-label Crown Stones,[24] followed by a JPU Records release in Europe in July.[25] The album reached No. 19 on the Japanese Oricon weekly albums chart.[26] In October and November 2016, they went on their first world tour that took them to Mexico, Hong Kong, and several countries in Europe.[27][28]
In January 2017, Band-Maid released their first full-length album titled Just Bring It. It was preceded by the single "YOLO", released in November 2016. Just Bring It reached No. 16 on the Japanese Oricon weekly albums chart.[29] Band-Maid appeared at the 2017 Golden Melody Awards and festival in Taiwan on June 23–24.[30][31] The maxi-single "Daydreaming/Choose Me" was released in July 2017.[32] They covered "Honey" for the November 2017 Mucc tribute album Tribute of Mucc -En-.[33]
2018–2019: Overseas tours, World Domination, and Conqueror
The band released their second full-length album titled World Domination in February 2018,[34][35] which reached no. 9 on the Japanese Oricon weekly albums chart.[36] On the same day, they reissued their 2014 debut album Maid in Japan with two bonus tracks.[37][38] While the original release of that album did not chart, the reissued version reached No. 26 on the Japanese Oricon weekly albums chart.[39] On April 1, 2018, they performed at Warped Tour at Makuhari Messe[40] as the first date of a world tour.
The maxi-single "Start Over" was released in July 2018.[41]
The CD singles "Glory" and "Bubble" were released simultaneously in January 2019.[42] "Glory" serves as the second ending theme for the second season of the Japanese anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS, while "Bubble" serves as the theme song for the Japanese drama series Perfect Crime.[42] Later in 2019, the band signed a new deal with Revolver Records. Under the name Band-Maiko and adopting a maiko image, the band released an EP titled Band-Maiko in April 2019, which adapted several previous Band-Maid songs with traditional Japanese musical instruments and lyrics in the Kyoto dialect.[43] In April 2019, the band announced a tour of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Taiwan, and the United States in partnership with Live Nation Entertainment.[44][45]
The band's third full-length album Conqueror was released in December 2019,[46] including the song "The Dragon Cries", produced by Tony Visconti.[47] It debuted at no. 9 on Japanese Oricon weekly albums chart[48] and debuted at no. 1 on the Oricon weekly Rock Albums chart.[49]
2020–2023: Move to Pony Canyon, Unseen World, and Unleash
They released their first standalone concert video Band-Maid World Domination Tour [Shinka] at Line Cube Shibuya in April 2020.[50] In late 2020, the band left Revolver Records and signed with Pony Canyon. The non-album single "Different" was released in December 2020; the song also served as the opening theme for the Japanese anime series Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table.[51] The band's fourth full-length album, Unseen World, was released in January 2021.[52] It debuted at no. 8 on Japanese Oricon weekly albums chart[53] and at no. 1 on the Oricon weekly Rock Albums chart.[54] Band member Miku Kobato, under the stage name Cluppo, released the solo single "Peace & Love" in April[55] and the double single "Peace & Love/Flapping Wings" in August of the same year.[56]
In January 2021, guitar brand Zemaitis released a signature guitar for guitarist Miku Kobato under the name "Flappy Pigeon".[57]
Band-Maid made a cameo appearance in the 2021 Netflix film Kate, playing themselves in a concert scene.[58][59] Their songs "Blooming" and "Choose Me" were used in the film.[60] The single "Sense" was released in October 2021; the song also served as the opening theme for the Japanese anime series Platinum End.[61] In December 2021, they announced a second US tour, including an appearance at Aftershock Festival, which took place in late 2022.[62] "Choose Me" was used in the US TV series Peacemaker.[63] In March 2022 Kobato, again under the name Cluppo, released the EP Hatofull.[64] In July 2022 Kobato released the non-album Cluppo single "With You", which served as the ending theme for the Japanese anime series Smile of the Arsnotoria.[65] Band-Maid released an EP titled Unleash on September 21, 2022.[66] Band-Maid opened for Guns N' Roses on their We're F'N' Back! Tour on November 6.[67]
In early January 2023, the band announced a tenth anniversary tour, planned to begin in March in Japan, with U.S. shows in May and August, and culminating with a show at Yokohama Arena in November 2023.[68] The band appeared as the opening act for The Last Rockstars on their American tour dates in February 2023.[69] The band also appeared in several rock festivals in the US: Welcome to Rockville, Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, and Pointfest in May 2023, and Lollapalooza in August 2023. The band released two greatest hits albums in August 2023.[70] In the same month, the band released the single "Shambles", which served as the ending theme for the second season of the Japanese anime series Kengan Ashura.[71]
2024–present: Epic Narratives
On April 17, Band-Maid released "Bestie", a song written with Mike Einziger of the band Incubus,[72] and on May 1, Band-Maid was the opener for Incubus' show in Tokyo.[73] Band-Maid performed as part of a two-band show with Mexican rock band The Warning on June 12.[74] In July, Band-Maid released "Protect You" which served as the ending theme for Grendizer U.[75] On August 7, Band-Maid and The Warning released "Show Them", a song the two bands wrote and performed together.[76] The band released their fifth full-length album, Epic Narratives, on September 25, 2024.[77] The song "Zen" served as the opening theme for Zenshu.[78] Band-Maid will release a new EP in 2025.[79]
Image and music
Summarize
Perspective
Band-Maid's image is modeled on maid café hostesses, with the standard uniform adapted to match each member's personality.[12] In interviews, they explained the concept came from founding member Miku Kobato who had previously worked at a maid café in Akihabara.[15] This theme is reinforced by the band, who refer to their male fans as "masters", their female fans as "princesses", and their concerts as "servings."[80] The band's "cute and submissive" maid appearance is meant to contrast with their aggressive rock style.[12][81] They decided to have two vocalists to allow a larger variety of music with two different voice types.[15]
The ''servings" are usually interrupted by a pause where the members present some comedic interaction with the audience. This is called Omajinai-Time and mainly performed by Kobato. She gives her voice a high pitch to appear extra cute (kawaii). This performance includes calls and responses of ''moe moe kyun'' which comes from anime movies and maid cafés to show cuteness.[82]
Kobato loved Japanese enka music when she was a child, and Tokyo Jihen led her to rock.[83] She attended a vocal school around 2012, but started playing guitar with the formation of Band-Maid the following year.[12] Atsumi aspired to sing because of her love for Namie Amuro and started singing when she was 14 years old.[12][83] Band-Maid is her first band.[12] Tōno is a big fan of Carlos Santana, has played classical piano since she was a child, and began playing guitar when she joined her high school band club. Hirose is a fan of Deep Purple and Maximum the Hormone, particularly the latter's female drummer Nao Kawakita, and also played trombone and piano. Misa likes Paz Lenchantin,[83] The Smashing Pumpkins, and Jimi Hendrix; she started playing piano at around 3 or 4 years of age, and also played trumpet, alto horn, and guitar.[12][15][80]
In 2021, Kobato released a signature guitar called "Flappy Pigeon" in collaboration with Zemaitis Guitars.[84] In November 2024, Tōno released a limited edition signature guitar in collaboration with PRS Guitars.[85]
Band members
- Miku Kobato
- Kanami Tōno
- Akane Hirose
- Misa
- Saiki Atsumi
- Miku Kobato (小鳩 ミク) – rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals (2013–present)
- Kanami Tōno (遠乃 歌波) – lead guitar, backing vocals (2013–present)
- Akane Hirose (廣瀬 茜) – drums, percussion (2013–present)
- Misa – bass, backing vocals (2013–present)
- Saiki Atsumi (厚見 彩姫) – lead vocals (2013–present)
Discography
- Maid in Japan (2014)
- New Beginning (2015)
- Brand New Maid (2016)
- Just Bring It (2017)
- World Domination (2018)
- Conqueror (2019)
- Unseen World (2021)
- Epic Narratives (2024)
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee(s)/work(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards | 2016 | Japan Next Generation | Band-Maid | Won | [86] |
| Neo Awards | 2020 | Best Musical Act | Won | [87] | |
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.