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Bugy Craxone
Suzuki Yukiko
Oikawa Tsukasa
Asahi Tsukasa
Monchi
Vocals, guitar
Guitar
Bass
Drums
Profile
During their nine years of existence, the cryptically named Bugy Craxone has been one of the busiest and most prolific bands in Japan's underground. Originally forming in Sapporo in 1997, the band uprooted to Tokyo in 1998 and scored a contract with major label Victor Entertainment, their debut album blanket following in December of 1999.

Bugy Craxone's early sound was through and through (but well-executed) alt-rock: Suzuki Yukiko's delicate and occasionally blustery vocals, comparable with the lighter side of soon-to-be contemporary Mikami Chisako (of fra-foa), juxtaposed with beefy power chords. Their slightly dark sound, occasional quiet passages and array of sound effects harken back to mid-90s Britpop, The Bends lending a clear influence. The band's sound continued in a similar but slightly more tortured direction through their sophomore album, 2000's Yuganda Ao to Hakenai Kanjou no Soko. After the tour in support of Yuganda Ao, bassist Kudou Shinya departed, the first of many changes in store for the band.

After a year of decreased activity in 2001, Bugy Craxone sprung into action early in 2002, releasing their third album This is NEW SUNRISE, featuring guest musicians including audio active and Thee Michelle Gun Elephant's Chiba Yusuke. They also started a series of live shows under the name "COUNTERBLOW" that now numbers 16 and has included bands such as Acidman and Lost in Time. In July, Bugy Craxone released yet another album, their final with Victor, NORTHERN HYMNS. A shocking departure into stripped-down, harshly produced garage rock, the band had jumped head first into a new style that stood in stark contrast to their previous melodic leanings.

2003 was a transition year, starting with the addition of Asahi Tsukasa in March as support bassist for the band's "Kaisen Zenya 001" tour. He would become a full member in April, the same month that Bugy Craxone, now separated from Victor, formed their own label, ZubRockA. Meanwhile, more personnel changes were in store, as drummer Miki Hiroshi departed in October, to be replaced by Monchi shortly thereafter.

2004 saw a string of limited production, Tower Records-only releases, including two live DVDs and the band's fifth album, sorry, I will scream here, which showcased an improved rhythmic section and guitar interplay to advance the band's garage rock agenda. After continued touring, Bugy Craxone returned in late 2005 with their self-titled album which further improved on the formula advanced on sorry. Bugy Craxone is currently in the middle of the second leg of their "Watch Your Step" tour in support of their latest album.

- James Route (published 2006.05.24, updated 2006.05.25)
Links
Artist homepage
Samples
Keikaku Content
Review - Bugy Craxone
Features - interview
Discography list
Albums
ZRR-5 BUGY CRAXONE
ZRR-3 sorry, I will scream here
VICL-60928 NORTHERN HYMNS
VICL-60829 This is NEW SUNRISE
VICL-60665 Yuganda Ao to Hakenai Kanjou no Soko
VICL-60491 blanket

Singles
ZRR-1 LUCKY
VICL-35413 NORTHERN ROCK
VICL-35228 Hodokareta mune
VICL-35179 Oto mo Hikari mo Nai Basho de Ugoku Koto wo Yameta Kokoro
VICL-35133 Niji
VICL-35085 Owaranai Mono
VICL-35069 Tsumi no Shizuku
VICL-35044 Pistol to Tenshi

DVDs
ZRR-4 Thank You, I Will Scream Here
ZRR-2 LIVEep
Discography
cover image BUGY CRAXONE (Album)

Released: 2005.11.23 (ZRR-5)
Label: ZubRockA Records

Tracklist
1. WATCH YOUR STEP 2. 太陽がいっぱい (Taiyou ga Ippai) 3. 憂鬱な水曜日 (Yuutsu na Suiyoubi) 4. Hey God, sit down please 5. ぶらさがれ (Burasagare) 6. glory's lunch 7. job! 8. バスケットボール (Basketball) 9. Good day sunshine 10. CITY GIRL
cover image Thank You, I Will Scream Here (DVD)

Released: 2004.12.08 (ZRR-4)
Label: ZubRockA Records

Tracklist
1. I'm sorry 2. LUCKY 3. FUCK the MELANCHOLY 4. フリースロー (Free Throw) 5. 倒錯の森 (Tousaku no Mori) 6. フラニーとゾーイ (Franny to Zoe) 7. 11月 (Juuichi Gatsu) 8. 悲しみの果て (Kanashimi no Hate) 9. Big mouth 10. NORTHERN ROCK 11. 4 COUNT 12. 枯れた花 (Kareta Hana) 13. I scream 14. why not? 15. ピストルと天使 (Pistol to Tenshi) 16. New sunrise
cover image sorry, I will scream here (Album)

Released: 2004.06.09 (ZRR-3)
Label: ZubRockA Records

Tracklist
1. I'm Sorry 2. Why not? 3. 倒錯の森 (Tousaku no Mori) 4. LUCKY 5. Big mouth 6. 11月 (Juuichi Gatsu) 7. フラニーとゾーイ (Franny to Zoe) 8. I scream
cover image LIVEep (DVD)

Released: 2004.02.11 (ZRR-2)
Label: ZubRockA Records

Tracklist
1. LUCKY 2. I'm sorry 3. 悲しみの果て (Kanashimi no hate) 4. I Scream
cover image LUCKY (Single)

Released: 2003.06 (ZRR-1)
Label: ZubRockA Records

Tracklist
1. LUCKY 2. 飛べ (Tobe)
cover image NORTHERN HYMNS (Album)

Released: 2002.08.21 (VICL-60928)
Label: Victor Entertainment

Tracklist
1. FUCK the MELANCHOLY 2. NORTHERN ROCK 3. YOUR SUNRISE 4. フリースロー (Free Throw) 5. NEW WORLD 6. 枯れた花 (Kareta Hana) 7. SAYONARA SUNDAY 8. 日々の泡 (Hibi no Awa) 9. WAR is ME 10. 4 COUNT
cover image NORTHERN ROCK (Single)

Released: 2002.07.24 (VICL-35413)
Label: Victor Entertainment

Tracklist
1. NORTHERN ROCK 2. 箱庭 (Hakoniwa) 3. 月光 (Gekkou) (May.9.2002)
cover image This is NEW SUNRISE (Album)

Released: 2002.01.30 (VICL-60829)
Label: Victor Entertainment

Tracklist
1. New sunrise 2. 人と光 (Hito to Hikari) (featuring Chiba Yusuke from thee michelle gun elephant) 3. No idea 4. why? (featuring Yoshimura & Togawa from WINO) 5. 悲しみの果て (Kanashimi no Hate) 6. O.M.D.(remix by audio active)
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