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Yura Yura Teikoku |
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Sakamoto Shintarou
Kamekawa Chiyo
Shibata Ichirou |
Guitar/Vocals
Bass
Drums |
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Profile |
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I have several pet peeves, not least of which is people who walk around smiling all the time. I always wonder what could possibly be so good about their life, what they could possibly know to make everything seem so grand. Listening to Yura Yura Teikoku's psychedelic guitar pop is like watching one of these people walk around all the while knowing exactly why they're smiling. They are completely, 100%, bat-shit crazy. On first listen (especially if it's one of their singles), Yura Yura Teikoku may seem like a typical, if unusually talented, guitar pop 3 piece. But as one listens more it becomes obvious that they are anything but average.
In 1989, Sakamoto Shintarou formed Yura Yura Teikoku with the idea of creating original rock written in Japanese. From the beginning, Sakamoto was the leader of the band and clearly the creative driving force. He shows great proficiency with a number of styles, excelling whether he's writing pop chord progressions, cool psychedelic grooves or meandering guitar solos. Sakamoto's other great strength are his vocals, which fit well into every style that the Teikoku plays. The lyrics are ironic, biting, and nihilistic.
In 1990, Bassist Kamekawa Chiyo joined the band, which at the time was a quartet. In 1992, Yura Yura Teikoku underwent a member change and became a 3 piece with a more straightforward, poppy sound. It was also in '92 that Yura Yura Teikoku released their first self-titled album independently. Due to undeniable musical talent and charisma the band carved out a niche for itself in the Tokyo indie live scene. In 1994, the band released their second self-titled album, followed by their first live album in 1995 titled simply Live. The last album of their indie era, Are You Ra?, was released in March of 1996. Are You Ra? is actually the most straightforward of all the Yura Yura Teikoku albums that I have heard, which is an interesting counter to the more usual example of bands getting signed to a major label and being forced to churn out pop singles, losing their uniqueness.
After countless drummer changes in 1997 the current drummer Shibata Ichirou joined, thrusting the band into its current form. In April of 98, their first major label album 3x3x3 was released, receiving nearly universal rave reviews from music magazines as well as fellow musicians, a fitting reception for a band that paid its dues in the indie scene for 8 years. 3x3x3 is regarded by many fans as the band's crowning achievement, carrying over much of the style of their earlier indie releases but executing it with greater cohesion.
Since 3x3x3, they have released 4 studio albums: 3, Me no Car, Yura Yura Teikoku no Memai, and Yura Yura Teikoku no Shibire. Each consecutive release has ventured farther from the guitar pop territory into the realm of psychedelic rock. They have also released a live version of their Shibire and Memai records called na.ma.shi.bi.re.na.ma.me.mai and a best of album 1998-2004. Yura Yura Teikoku continues to play shows throughout Japan and has further plans to release studio albums. They recently pleased fans with an announcement that they would play two free shows in Tokyo and Osaka, April 2005.
- Graham (published 2005.02.27, updated 2006.03.27) |
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Links |
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Artist homepage |
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Discography list |
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| Albums |
| CTCD013 |
Live |
| CTCD029 |
Are You Ra? |
| MDCL-1329 |
3x3x3 |
| MDCL-1348 |
Me no Car |
| MDCL-1405 |
Yura Yura Teikoku III |
| MDCL-1439 |
Yura Yura Teikoku no Shibire |
| MDCL-1440 |
Yura Yura Teikoku no Memai |
| MDCL-1452 |
Na.Ma.Shi.Bi.Re.Na.Ma.Me.Ma.I |
| AICL1617 |
Sweet Spot |
| Unknown |
Sweet Spot (Analog) |
Singles |
| MDCS-1014 |
Hakkoutai |
| MDCS-1022 |
Zukku ni Rock |
| MDCS-1046 |
Yura Yura Teikoku de Kangaechuu |
| MDCS-1050 |
Rame no Pantaloon etc. |
| MDCS-9001/2 |
Tsumetai Gift/Kantsuu |
| SYUM-283 |
Soft ni Shindeiru/Frankie Teardrop |
EPs |
| MDCL-1361 |
Taiyou no Shiroi Kona |
Compilations |
| MDCL-1465/6 |
1998-2004 |
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Rame no Pantaloon etc. (Single)
Released: 2001.05.03 (MDCS-1050)
Label: MIDI Inc.
Tracklist
1. Rame no Pantaloon
2. Otoko ha Fuantei
3. Atama Tansou Lady
4. 3×3×3
5. Shounen ha Yume no Naka |
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Yura Yura Teikoku III (Album)
Released: 2001.02.21 (MDCL-1405)
Label: MIDI Inc.
Tracklist
1. Dekkai Question Mark
2. Rame no Pantaloon
3. Yuurei no Kekkonshiki
4. Machibito
5. Yura Yura Teikoku de Kangaechuu (Album Version)
6. Otoko ha Fuantei
7. Suna no Oshiro
8. Atama Ijou Nashi
9. Atama Tansan
10. Shounen ha Yume no Naka |
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Yura Yura Teikoku de Kangaechuu (Single)
Released: 2000.11.22 (MDCS-1046)
Label: MIDI Inc.
Tracklist
1. Yura Yura Teikoku de Kangaechuu
2. Hari
3. Pioneer (feat. Michio Kurihara) |
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Taiyou no Shiroi Kona (EP)
Released: 1999.11.17 (MDCL-1361)
Label: MIDI Inc.
Tracklist
1. Taiyou no Shiroi Kona
2. Yatsu ga Kuru
3. Suberu Bar
4. Kokoro ha Hanbun
5. Only One |
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Me no Car (Album)
Released: 1999.06.16 (MDCL-1348)
Label: MIDI Inc.
Tracklist
1. Uso ga Hontou ni
2. Zukku ni Rock
3. Almond Chocolate
4. Gozen 3ji no Fuzz Guitar
5. Bones
6. Ningen Yametokina '99
7. Hachi to Mitsu
8. Akuma ga Boku wo
9. Tayou no Usotsuki
10. Hoshi Futatsu
11. 19 ka 20
12. Me no Car (Long Version) |
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Zukku ni Rock (Single)
Released: 1999.04.21 (MDCS-1022)
Label: MIDI Inc.
Tracklist
1. Zukku ni Rock
2. Me no Car
3. Kare no Sabaku (instrumental) |
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Hakkoutai (Single)
Released: 1998.07.08 (MDCS-1014)
Label: MIDI Inc.
Tracklist
1. Hakkoutai
2. Itazura Kozou
3. Kanojo no Sasori |
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3x3x3 (Album)
Released: 1998.04.15 (MDCL-1329)
Label: MIDI Inc.
Tracklist
1. Wakatte Hoshii
2. Konchuu Rock
3. Yura Yura Ugoku
4. Dokkun Doll
5. Hakkoutai
6. Tsukinuketa
7. Aitsu no Theme
8. 3x3x3
9. Turtle Talk
10. Evil Car
11. Party ha Yaranai |
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