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Fujifabric
Shimura Masahiko
Katou Shinichi 2003
Yamauchi Souichirou 2004
Kanazawa Daisuke 2003
Adachi Fusafumi 2004
Vocals, Guitar
Bass
Guitar
Keyboard
Drums
Profile
From jazz to rock and everything in between Fujifabric manages to amaze the listener with their musical styling, while still maintaining a sound that is purely their own. From the jazz sound of "Kieru Na Taiyou" to the disco beat of "Sakura Namiki, Futatsu No Kasa" you find yourself wondering if there isn't a style that can't be incorporated in a Fujifabric song, that Masahiko's voice can't interpret, or that these talented musicians can't play. Combine that with Masahiko's incredible writing skills and Fujifabric will keep you coming back for more.

As with most bands there is a story behind the band's name. Fujifabric has the rare distinction of being named after a textile company [Fuji Fabric] based in Yamanashi Prefecture. They were founded by Masahiko Shimura and Takayuki Watanabe, the son of Fuji Fabric's owner. As students Watanabe and Shimura met in junior high school forming their first cover band. After high school and with the name of their band already chosen, they moved to Tokyo in 2000. Tadokoro Sachiko joined on keyboards and in October 2001, Fujifabric played for the first time on stage at Shibuya's Eggsite live house.

Fujifabric released their first mini album A La Carte in October 2002, under the CRUX label. Major labels took notice. In the meantime the band continued to perform and released the mini album A La Mode in June 2003 [CRUX]. Within the year Fujifabric was signed to Toshiba-EMI. The band entered the studio late in 2003, to work on 4 new maxi singles themed on the four seasons and a full album, the band's first. Each single was to be released at specific times over the coming year, with the album Fuji Fabric being released on November 10, 2004. The mini album A La Molto appeared as a limited pre-release in February 2004. The pre-promotional schedule could have been dictated by a change in the band line up.

In January, one of the two founding members, Takayuki Watanabe, quit the group citing creative differences. He refused to comment on the band's future or past, except to state that they [the band] will be continuing on with the name.

Originally this profile ended with "It will be interesting to hear what direction Shimura Masahiko takes Fujifabric in the future without Takayuki Watanabe."

On hearing the album Fuji Fabric for the first time, I was not impressed with the band's leadership nor the band's direction. What had once been an innovative and vital sound had been reduced to a dim echo of the original. Literally the heart had been ripped from the music, or the band as the case may be. Will they recover?

With a more polished return to their indie roots, Fujifabric's single Ginga is infused with a maturity that brings together the styles that had divided indie and single Fujifabric fans into different camps. I am happy to report that Fujifabric is back and better than ever. (updated 2004-03-26)

- Denise (published 2004.12.13, updated 2006.03.30)
Links
Artist homepage
Toshiba-Emi
Samples
Keikaku Content
Review - Fuji Fabric
Review - Ginga
Review - Niji
Discography list
Albums
TOCT-25847 Fab Fox
TOCT-25519 Fuji Fabric
TOCT-25291 A La Molto
RTSC-005 A La Mode
RTSC-002 A La Carte

Singles
TOCT-4911 Akaneiro no Yuuhi
TOCT-4873 Niji
TOCT-4835 Ginga
TOCT-4781 Akakiiro No Kinmokusei
TOCT-4737 Kagerou
TOCT-4709 Sakura No Kisetsu / Sakuranamiki, Futatsu No Kasa
RTSC - 001 SONG-CRUX Split Series Kyouen

Compilations
TOCT-25889 Happy Birthday, John
SELD-004 D★SELDOM 4
Unknown ラスケスペシャル1
SVWC-7140 I'll / CKBC Image Album Sentimental Lilac
TIBE-0002 Shinjuku Meeting02
RTLC-001 LIVE-CRUX Vol.1
Unknown Midnight Charm 04

DVDs
TOBF-5444 Fab Clips
PTBH-1003 DVD ROCK魂!~怒涛ロック~
Discography
cover image Fab Clips (DVD)

Released: 2006.02.22 (TOBF-5444)
Label: Toshiba-Emi

Tracklist
01. Sakura No Kisetsu 02. Kagero 03. Akakiiro No Kinmokusei 04. Taifu 05. Ginga 06. Niji 07. Akaneiro No Yuhi 08. Akaneiro No Yuhi 09. Mononoke Jacaranda 10. Birthday 11. Making 12. Tv Spot
cover image Fab Fox (Album)

Released: 2005.11.09 (TOCT-25847)
Label: Toshiba EMI

Tracklist
1. モノノケハカランダ 2. Sunny Morning 3. 銀河 (Album ver.) 4. 唇のソレ 5. 地平線を越えて 6. マリアとアマゾネス 7. ベースボールは終わらない 8. 雨のマーチ 9. 水飴と綿飴 10. 虹 11. Birthday 12. 茜色の夕日
cover image Happy Birthday, John (Compilation)

Released: 2005.09.30 (TOCT-25889)
Label: Toshiba EMI

Tracklist
9. Love
cover image Akaneiro no Yuuhi (Single)

Released: 2005.09.07 (TOCT-4911)
Label: Toshiba EMI

Tracklist
1. Akaneiro no Yuuhi (new ver) 2. Shinkirou 3. *映画「スクラップ・ヘブン」エンディングテーマ 4. Moonlight
cover image Niji (Single)

Released: 2005.06.01 (TOCT-4873)
Label: Toshiba EMI

Tracklist
1. Niji 2. Dansu2000
cover image Ginga (Single)

Released: 2005.02.02 (TOCT-4835)
Label: Toshiba EMI

Tracklist
1. Ginga 2. Kurofuku No Hito 3. Akeneiro Radio (CD-Extra)
cover image Fuji Fabric (Album)

Released: 2004.11.10 (TOCT-25519)
Label: Toshiba EMI

Tracklist
1. Sakura No Kisetsu 2. Taifu 3. Kagerou 4. Otteke Otteke 5. Uchiagehanabi 6. Tokyo Midnight 7. Hana 8. Sabotenreko-do 9. Akakiiro No Kinmokusei 10. Yogisha 11. bonus: Screen Saver
cover image Akakiiro No Kinmokusei (Single)

Released: 2004.09.29 (TOCT-4781)
Label: Toshiba EMI

Tracklist
1. Akakiiro No Kinmokusei 2. Mushi No Matsuri 3. Akakiiro No Kinmokusei
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