[BAND PROFILE] Bloodthirsty Butchers

Bloodthirsty Butchers
(From Virtual Japan)

Bloodthirsty Butchers are a Japanese indie and punk rock band signed to the Yoyo Record Label. The band was formed in 1987 in Sapporo by high school classmates Yoshimura Hideki on vocals and guitar, Imoriya Takeshi on bass, and Yotomo Sanoki on drums. The band had a variety of different names, and started off mainly playing punk rock. In 1989, Komatsu Masahiro replaced Yotomo.

At this time, they developed a a more freeform rock style with longer songs and multi layered guitar work. Many of their songs are longer than average, sometimes up to fifteen minutes.

Former Number Girl lead guitarist Hisako Tabuchi joined as an additional guitarist in 2003.

Throughout their career, the butchers have gained much critical acclaim for their albums, in particular kocorono, a concept album where each song has a monthly theme.

The Butchers have performed with a number of Japanese bands including Number Girl, cowpers, Hi-Standard, eastern youth and Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her and toured with American groups like Fugazi, Beck, Rage Against the Machine, the Flaming Lips, and Rocket from the Crypt.

They have released a double 7" with the Crypt and have a split EP with +/-. The actor and musician Tadanobu Asano has even collaborated on songs with them, and sang a cover of 12gatsuwith his wife, singer/actress Chara.

LINE UP :
Hideki Yoshimura (Vocals and Guitar)
Takeshi Imoriya (Bass)
Masahiro Komatsu (Drums)
Hisako Tabuchi (Guitar)


DISCOGRAPHY :
-Albums-
bloodthirsty butchers vs plus/minus (2005)
banging the door (2005)
birdy (2004)
green on red (2003, live recording)

-Singles-
KARASU
ROOM
Faust
DRIWING
Delta Sankaku
nagisanite
happy end
BLOODTHIRSTY BUTCHERS/fOUL
bloodthirsty butchers vs +/-

[BAND PROFILE] Beat Crusaders

Beat Crusaders
(From Virtual Japan)

Beat Crusaders is an indie punk band from Japan whose style and lyrics can truly be called unique. Their lyrics are almost entirely written in Engrish, the often-grammatical-incorrect Japanese brand of English that makes little sense to native speakers. When they make appearances, the members' faces are covered by pixelated drawings of their faces. The band was started in 1997 by Toru Hidaka, though the band's original members aside from Hidaka left in 2003 and were replaced. Soon after they made the transition from indie to major with their record contract with DefStar Records. Their fun pop-punk act soon gained popularity in Japan's indie scene, and later on they were recognized by major record labels. Their music can be heard in the United States on the Nicktoon Network's animated series Kappa Mikey for which Beat Crusaders lended their talents for the show's theme song Hey x2 Look x2.

LINE UP :
Toru Hidaka (Guitar and Vocals)
Masahiko Kubota (Bass)
Taro Kato (Guitar)
Mashita (Drums)
Keitaimo (Keyboard)


DISCOGRAPHY :
Albums :
A PopCALYPSE NOW (2004)
P.O.P. ~POP ON ARRIVAL~ (2005)
MUSICCRUSADERS (Cover Album, 2005)
BOOOOTSY (Mini-album, 2006)
CELL NO. 9 (Mini-album, 2006)

Single :
HIT IN THE USA - Theme from the anime BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad (2004)
FEEL (2005)
LOVE POTION #9 (2005)
DAY AFTER DAY/SOLITARE (2006)
TONIGHT TONIGHT TONIGHT - 4th Opening Theme for the anime Bleach (2006)