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fra-foa |
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Mikami Chisako
Takahashi Seiji
Hiratsuka Manabu
Sasaki Kouji |
Vocals
Guitar
Bass
Drums |
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Profile |
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fra-froa's lifetime may have been ephemeral, but they burned white-hot during their years of activity. The group's poignant live shows and recordings have touched fans and built a loyal following across Japan. Formed in Sendai in 1998, frontwoman Mikami Chisako coined the band's moniker, an onomatopoeia for a floating sensation.
During the early years of the band's career, fra-foa's sound was literally a deluge of grungy emotion. As the backbone of the band's style, the drums and bass lay down simple, plodding rhythms, with Takahashi Seiji's loud guitar awash in distortion. As a whole the instrumentals were comparable to a slower-paced In Utero-era Nirvana. Of course, the main draw was Mikami Chisako's explosive vocals. Often compared to singer-songwriter Cocco, her voice covers considerable range, with tender cooing often followed by piercing cries or growls matching Takahashi's agitated licks. Unsurprisingly the band's live performances quickly became a spectacle, with the band increasingly empowered by the audience's energy. Mikami would regularly write messages on surveys passed out to concertgoers (a common practice in Japan) as "I am only as strong as the power you give me."
Major label Toys Factory took notice and singed fra-foa in 2000, releasing their meandering "Tsuki to Sabaku" as the band's debut single. The full album Chuu no Fuchi followed in February 2001. Fittingly, fra-foa was paired with producer Steve Albini (of In Utero fame, among many others), and the album's raw and unrelenting sound showcased their style at its best.
Chuu no Fuchi proved to be a difficult listen, and while it continued to grow the band's fanbase, fra-foa had a whole new set of tricks up their sleeve, surfacing in their September 2002 album 13 leaves, which shocked their fans all over again. fra-foa had turned their style upside down. Gone were the raw stylings and heavy songs of their debut, replaced with a shimmery production and a quicker pace. Mikami's vocals also lacked the edginess of her earlier material. The characteristic wailing from "Aojiroi Tsuki" was out, the vibrato and upper register of "blind star" in. The result was an intense pop album that was just as engaging, if slightly less breathtaking, than Chuu no Fuchi.
Shortly after 13 leaves, Mikami put fra-foa on hold to give birth, but in the meantime the band's record contract with Toys Factory expired, leaving their releases out-of-print. Mikami later released her solo album Watashi ha Anata no Uchuu in 2004, and landed an acting role in an independent film. fra-foa briefly resumed live activities in 2004 and debuted one new song, "Tobenai Tori." In spite of vague plans to start performing again in 2005, fra-foa finally met its end. On May 14, 2005, their final performance was held at Shibuya's Club Quattro. However, the members' musical careers still continue. Mikami has her solo work, Takahashi joined N.E.S. in 2002, Hiratsuka plays with Wreep and Sasaki with Uragaese Orewo.
[Mikami Chisako Interview 2005.02.10]
- James Route (published 2005.02.14, updated 2006.07.16) |
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Links |
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Artist homepage
Samples |
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Discography list |
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| Albums |
| TFCC-88171 |
Chuu no Fuchi |
| TFCC-86115 |
13 leaves |
Singles |
| TFCC-87055 |
Tsuki to Sabaku |
| TFCC-87065 |
Aojiroi Tsuki |
| TFCC-87074 |
Sumiwataru Sora, Sono Mukou ni Boku ga Mita Mono |
| TFCC-87087 |
Chiisana Hikari. |
| TFCC-89013 |
Kirameyuku Mono |
| TFCC-87055 |
Kienai Yoru ni |
DVDs |
| Unknown |
fra-foa DVD LIVE & CLIPS |
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fra-foa DVD LIVE & CLIPS (DVD)
Released: 2004.09.28
Tracklist
[Disc 1] Live Performances (21 Songs)
[Disc 2] Video Clips
1. Tsuki to Sabaku
2. Aojiroi Tsuki
3. Sumiwataru Sora, Sono Mukou ni Boku ga Mita Mono
4. Kimi ha Warau, Soshite Shizuka ni Nemuru
5. Chiisana Hikari
6. Kirameyuku Mono
7. Kienai Yoru ni |
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13 leaves (Album)
Released: 2002.09.19 (TFCC-86115)
Label: Toys Factory
Tracklist
1. edge of life
2. light of sorrow
3. blind star
4. Dasanai Tegami
5. perfect life
6. green day
7. Kienai Yoru ni
8. lily
9. Chiisana Hikari
10. crystal life
11. Kirameyuku Mono
12. afterglow |
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Kienai Yoru ni (Single)
Released: 2002.08.21 (TFCC-87055)
Label: Toys Factory
Tracklist
1. Kienai Yoru ni
2. Oblate de Tsutsunda Mizu Mitai na Kimi ni
3. cradle moon |
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Kirameyuku Mono (Single)
Released: 2001.12.12 (TFCC-89013)
Label: Toys Factory
Tracklist
1. Kirameyuku Mono
2. daisy-chainsaw |
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Chiisana Hikari. (Single)
Released: 2001.05.16 (TFCC-87087)
Label: Toys Factory
Tracklist
1. Chiisana Hikari.
2. Odoru Shounen |
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Chuu no Fuchi (Album)
Released: 2001.02.21 (TFCC-88171)
Label: Toys Factory
Tracklist
1. Mahiru no Himitsu
2. Plastic Room to Ame no Niwa
3. Yoru no Asa no Sukima ni
4. Higurashi
5. Sumiwataru Sora, Sono Mukou ni Boku ga Mita Mono.
6. Kimi ha Warau, Soshite Shizuka ni Nemuru
7. Aojiroi Tsuki
8. Tsuki to Sabaku
9. Chuu no Fuchi |
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Sumiwataru Sora, Sono Mukou ni Boku ga Mita Mono (Single)
Released: 2000.11.01 (TFCC-87074)
Label: Toys Factory
Tracklist
1. Sumiwataru Sora, Sono Mukou ni Boku ga Mita Mono
2. Tsumetai Asa |
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Aojiroi Tsuki (Single)
Released: 2000.08.23 (TFCC-87065)
Label: Toys Factory
Tracklist
1. Aojiroi Tsuki
2. Secret Garden |
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