Tokyo Yankees (stylized as TOKYO YANKEES and previously as ) is a Japanese
heavy metal band that formed in Tokyo in 1988. Vocalist Soichiro "Ume" Umemura died in 2007 after nearly twenty years fronting the band. Tokyo Yankees however continue to perform with the other members sharing vocals. Japanese pop culture website ''Real Sound'' noted that they are sometimes referred to as the "Japanese
Motörhead
Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...
," whose sound bridged heavy metal and
punk rock.
History
Beginning and success
Tokyo Yankees formed in 1988 and began playing shows in the local club scene the following year. Umemura and Nori were previously in the heavy metal band Guerilla, while U.D.A. and Ami were in the speed/thrash metal band Rommel. ''Rockin 'f'', a Japanese heavy metal publication, issued their first single, "Joker", with an issue of their magazine in 1990. That same year their song "Rat Race" was issued on an omnibus album titled ''The End of the Century Rockers Emergency Express II''. The band eventually signed with
Extasy Records
Extasy Records is a Japanese record label founded in April 1986 by Yoshiki Hayashi, co-founder of the heavy metal band X Japan. The label's first release was X's 1986 single "Orgasm".
Over the next few years, the label signed several then-lit ...
, who released their debut album, ''Do The Dirty'', in 1991. That year they participated in Extasy Records' Extasy Summit '91 at the
Nippon Budokan
The , often shortened to simply Budokan, is an indoor arena located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It was originally built for the inaugural Olympic judo competition in the 1964 Summer Olympics. While its primary purpose is to host martial arts con ...
to a crowd of 14,000.
The band released another record, ''Overdoing'', on Extasy in 1992. The band's popularity peaked at that point, gaining them a contract with major label Nippon Columbia, where they released two albums; 1993's ''Ghost Rider'' and 1994's ''Vacate Your Useless Brain''. The band's popularity declined afterwards, and they returned to the indies scene in 1995.
Ami and U.D.A left after the band returned to the indies scene. Yoshinuma (ex. Grimm the Capsule) replaced Ami in 1996, and Yamato replaced U.D.A. Ricky replaced Yamato after their 1996 tour. After Tokyo Yankees, Ami went on to form Charisma, who released three albums between 1997 and 2000.
A Tokyo Yankees compilation LP was issued from Nippon Columbia in 1996. The band continued to perform in the local club circuits, and participated in V/A releases. After U.D.A returned in 2000, the band released ''Pre-Emptive Strike'' in 2003. A year later they issued ''777'', their second EP. It features covers of influential bands (
The Damned,
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath were an English rock music, rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward (musician), Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as pioneers of heavy met ...
,
Venom
Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...
, and
Anthrax
Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium ''Bacillus anthracis''. It can occur in four forms: skin, lungs, intestinal, and injection. Symptom onset occurs between one day and more than two months after the infection is contracted. The sk ...
) and well as re-recordings of two classic Yankees tracks; "Dirty Dog" and "Devil".
Recent activity
Vocalist Soichiro "Ume" Umemura died on December 11, 2007. The band decided to continued on, with Yoshi and Nori taking over vocal duties. On May 4, 2008, Tokyo Yankees performed at the
hide memorial summit at the 50,000 seat
Ajinomoto Stadium
, also known as Tokyo Stadium in AFC Champions League, is a multi-purpose stadium in Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan. The stadium was founded at Kantō Mura, the redevelopment area formerly used by United States Forces Japan, in March 2001. It was the fi ...
, giving the group the opportunity to play for a large audience.
Later that month, the band was featured on ''413Tracks'
Motörhead
Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...
Tribute'' album with a recording of "
Ace of Spades
The Ace of Spades (also known as the Spadille and Death Card) is traditionally the highest and most valued card in the deck of playing cards in English-speaking countries. The actual value of the card varies from game to game.
Design
The orn ...
" and a live rendition of "
Overkill". July saw the release a history DVD chronicling Tokyo Yankees career, and celebrating their 20th anniversary titled ''20 and Alive
e Are The Yankees Of The Underworld And We're Undead!', which Yankee's supported with a small tour.
Nori, Yoshi and U.D.A continue to perform as Tokyo Yankees and gig in the greater Tokyo area, and around Japan. Recent videos posted on Facebook and YouTube show the band sometimes performing with guest vocalists. The band also has maintained a friendly relationship with former members Ami and Tohda, both of whom occasionally joined the band on stage. Sometimes they play entire shows with Ami on bass and Tohda on guitar (the former being somewhat more frequent until his death in 2017), in which case Yoshinuma takes over full-time on vocals for the performance. In September 2012, they performed alongside Ra:IN,
Der Zibet
Der Zibet is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in 1984, which made its debut in 1985.
They went on an indefinite hiatus in 1996, but resumed activities in 2007.
History
Der Zibet was formed in 1984 by vocalist Issay and bassist Hal, who ...
and Ladies Room at the Yokohama Summer Rock Fes. – Revolution Rocks 2012. In June 2015, Tokyo Yankees took part in the first night of the Lunatic Fest at
Makuhari Messe
is a Japanese convention center outside Tokyo, located in the Mihama-ku ward of Chiba City, in the northwest corner of Chiba Prefecture. Designed by Fumihiko Maki, it is accessible by Tokyo's commuter rail system. ''Makuhari'' is the name of ...
hosted by
Luna Sea
Luna Sea (stylized as LUNA SEA) is a Japanese Rock music, rock band formed in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1986. Due to the use of make-up and costumes early in their career and their widespread popularity, they are considered one of the most success ...
.
Since 2003 Nori has been active in his side-band From Hell, they have released two EP's and play one or two shows a month. Yoshi also plays in his side-band Blotto Rockers once a month. Occasionally when Nori plays with Kabukichou Boys and Yoshi with Go Bands, both bands use the name Fake And Liar.
Members
* Masanori "Nori" Hashimoto –
guitar
The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...
,
vocals
Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...
1988–present (ex-Guerrilla, From Hell, Fake And Liar)
* Hironori "Yoshi" Yoshinuma –
bass, vocals 1996–present (Grimm the Capsule, Blotto Rockers, Fake And Liar)
* Takashi "U.D.A." Udagawa –
drums
A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...
1988–1995, 2000–present (ex-Dementia, ex-Rommel, ex-Blotto Rockers)
Former members
* – vocals 1988–2007† (ex-Guerrilla)
* – bass 1988–1995 (ex-Rommel, Charisma, G.D. Flickers, BLOTTO ROCKERS)
* Tohda – guitar 1988–1990 (Samurai Blondies) Died June 13th 2017.
* Hiyori – vocals 1988 (Youthquake)
* Inoue – bass 1995
* Mizushima – drums 1995
* Yamato – drums 1996
* Ricky – drums 1996-2000 (BAGNAG)
Discography
Singles
* "Joker" (October 28, 1990)
Albums
* ''Do the Dirty'' (May 20, 1991)
* ''Overdoing'' (October 20, 1992)
* ''Ghostrider'' (October 5, 1993),
Oricon Albums Chart
The Oricon Albums Chart is the Japanese music industry standard albums popularity chart issued daily, weekly, monthly and yearly by Oricon. Oricon originally published LP, CT, Cartridge and CD charts prior to the establishment of the Oricon Albu ...
Peak Position: No. 46
* ''Vacate Your Useless Brain'' (September 21, 1994)
* ''The Best of Tokyo Yankees '93–'95'' (June 21, 1996)
* ''Pre Emptive Strike'' (October 14, 2003)
* ''777'' (October 9, 2004)
Videos
* ''Unrivaled is Extasy ~ Extasy Summit '91 at Nippon Budokan'' (February 21, 1992)
** Perform "Dive into Field" and "
Ace of Spades
The Ace of Spades (also known as the Spadille and Death Card) is traditionally the highest and most valued card in the deck of playing cards in English-speaking countries. The actual value of the card varies from game to game.
Design
The orn ...
", the latter with
hide and
Pata
Pata or PATA may refer to:
Places
* Pata, Sulu, a Philippine municipality
* Pata, Galanta District, a village in Slovakia
* Pata, Central African Republic, a village
* Pata village (Samoa), a village in Samoa
* Pontrilas Army Training Area, a ...
, and make various off-shot appearances.
* ''Minna ga Mumei-Datta, Dakedo... Muteki-Datta ~ Extasy Summit 1992'' (May 10, 1993)
** Perform "Big Game" and "Drugstore Cowboy", the latter with hide, Pata and
Yoshiki
Yoshiki is a masculine Japanese given name.
Possible writings
Yoshiki can be written using many different combinations of kanji characters. Here are some examples:
*義樹, "justice, tree"
*義基, "justice, foundation"
*義機, "justice, opportu ...
, and make various off-shot appearances.
* ''20 and Alive
e Are The Yankees of The Underworld and We're Undead!' (August 27, 2008)
Other
* ''The End of the Century Rockers Emergency Express II (October 21, 1990, "Rat Race")
* ''Lightning&Thunder'' (October 1, 1998, "Light My Fire" and "Japanese Motherfucker")
* ''History of Extasy'' (June 21, 2000, "Japanese Motherfucker")
* ''Tribute to Masami -White Disc-'' ("Dead Rock")
* ''413Tracks' Motorhead Tribute'' (May 14, 2008, "Ace of Spades" and "Overkill")
* ''Hard 'N' Heavy 2010'' (February 13, 2010, "So What (Demo)")
** Various artists compilation album in Vol. 15 of ''We Rock'' magazine
References
External links
Official websiteOfficial FacebookOfficial MySpaceOfficial YouTube
{{Authority control
Japanese heavy metal musical groups
Japanese hardcore punk groups
Japanese speed metal musical groups
Musical groups from Tokyo
Musical groups established in 1988
Musical groups disestablished in 1995
Musical groups reestablished in 2000