Band-Maid
Band-Maid | |
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Background information | |
Also known as | Band-Maiko |
Origin | Japan |
Genres | |
Discography | Band-Maid discography |
Years active | 2013–present |
Labels |
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Members |
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Website | bandmaid |
Band-Maid is a Japanese rock band formed in 2013, consisting of singer Saiki Atsumi, guitarist/singer Miku Kobato, lead guitarist Kanami Tōno, bassist Misa, and drummer Akane Hirose. The band combines a rock sound with a maid image modeled on Japanese maid cafés.[10] They are currently signed to Pony Canyon.[11] Their most recent studio recording, the EP Unleash, was released in September 2022.
History
2013–2014: Early years and Maid in Japan
The band formed in July 2013. Guitarist/singer Miku Kobato, formerly an employee of a Japanese maid café, envisioned forming a band that juxtaposed the maid image with rock music. Kobato recruited lead guitarist Kanami Tōno after an Internet search. Tōno had performed as a singer-songwriter and suggested her occasional backing drummer Akane Hirose for the new band.[12] Hirose in turn suggested bassist Misa, with whom she had performed in various backing bands.[12][13] On July 24, 2013, they had their first live performance as a quartet with Kobato on vocals at the PP Band Audition held at Otsuka Deepa.[14] The band then decided to recruit an additional lead singer and selected Saiki Atsumi during auditions.[15] Their first performance as a five-piece was at the P Festival at Shibuya-AX on August 22, 2013.[14] The band signed to Gump Records (an imprint of the Platinum Passport artist management and talent agency) that year.
Early in their history, Band-Maid regularly performed live at various venues around the Tokyo area.[16] The group released their debut mini-album Maid in Japan in January 2014, written in collaboration with musicians Masahiko Fukui[17] and Kentaro Akutsu.[citation needed] In August 2014, they released the maxi-single "Ai to Jōnetsu no Matador" (titled "Love, Passion, Matador" internationally).
2015–2017: International recognition, New Beginning, Brand New Maid, and Just Bring It
Band-Maid first gained international notice in April 2015 when the English-language Facebook page of internet radio station Jrock Radio promoted the music video for "Thrill", which led to over 1 million views in the following year.[18] In November 2015 they released their sophomore mini-album New Beginning.[19] The mini-album was their first chart placement, reaching No. 64 on the Japanese Oricon weekly albums chart.[20] The band undertook a tour of Tokyo venues to promote the album through February 2016, culminating in a sold-out concert on February 14.[21]
In March 2016 they had their first overseas performance at Sakura-Con in Seattle, Washington.[22][23]
The group released their third mini-album and major label debut, Brand New Maid, in May 2016 on the Nippon Crown sub-label Crown Stones,[24] followed by a JPU Records release in Europe in July.[25] The album reached No. 19 on the Japanese Oricon weekly albums chart.[26] In October and November 2016, they went on their first world tour that took them to Mexico, Hong Kong, and several countries in Europe.[27][28]
In January 2017, Band-Maid released their first full-length album titled Just Bring It. It was preceded by the single "YOLO", released in November 2016. Just Bring It reached No. 16 on the Japanese Oricon weekly albums chart.[29] Band-Maid appeared at the 2017 Golden Melody Awards and festival in Taiwan on June 23–24.[30][31] The maxi-single "Daydreaming/Choose Me" was released in July 2017.[32] They covered "Honey" for the November 2017 Mucc tribute album Tribute of Mucc -En-.[33]
2018–2019: Overseas tours, World Domination, and Conqueror
The band released their second full-length album titled World Domination in February 2018,[34][35] which reached no. 9 on the Japanese Oricon weekly albums chart.[36] On the same day, they reissued their 2014 debut album Maid in Japan with two bonus tracks.[37][38] While the original release of that album did not chart, the reissued version reached No. 26 on the Japanese Oricon weekly albums chart.[39] On April 1, 2018, they performed at Warped Tour at Makuhari Messe[40] as the first date of a world tour.
The maxi-single "Start Over" was released in July 2018.[41]
The CD singles "
The band's third full-length album Conqueror was released in December 2019,[46] including the song "The Dragon Cries", produced by Tony Visconti.[47] It debuted at no. 9 on Japanese Oricon weekly albums chart[48] and debuted at no. 1 on the Oricon weekly Rock Albums chart.[49]
2020–present: Move to Pony Canyon, Unseen World, and Unleash
They released their first standalone concert video Band-Maid World Domination Tour [Shinka] at Line Cube Shibuya (
In January 2021, guitar brand Zemaitis released a signature guitar for rhythm guitarist Miku Kobato under the name "Flappy Pigeon".[57]
Band-Maid made a cameo appearance in the 2021
In early January 2023, the band announced a 10th anniversary tour, planned to begin in March in Japan, with U.S. shows in May and August, and culminating with a show at Yokohama Arena in November 2023.[68] The band appeared as the opening act for The Last Rockstars on their American tour dates in February 2023.[69] The band appeared in rock festivals in the US: Welcome to Rockville, Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, and Pointfest in May 2023, and Lollapalooza in August 2023. The band released two greatest hits albums in August 2023.[70] In the same month, the band released the single "Shambles", which serves as the ending theme for the second season of the Japanese anime series Kengan Ashura.[71]
At their "10th Anniversary Tour Final" in Yokohama on November 26, the band announced a new album, to be released in the summer of 2024.[72] The song "Protect You" will serve as the ending theme for Grendizer U.[73] On April 17, Band-Maid released "Bestie", a song written with Mike Einziger of the band Incubus,[74] and on May 1, Band-Maid was the opener for Incubus' show in Tokyo.[75] Band-Maid performed as part of a two-band show with Mexican rock band The Warning on June 12.[76]
Image and music
Band-Maid's image is modeled on maid café hostesses, with the standard uniform adapted to match each member's personality.[12] In interviews, they explained the concept came from founding member Miku Kobato who had previously worked at a maid café in Akihabara.[15] This theme is reinforced by the band, who refer to their male fans as "masters", their female fans as "princesses", and their concerts as "servings."[77] The band's "cute and submissive" maid appearance is meant to contrast with their aggressive rock style.[12][78] They decided to have two vocalists to allow a larger variety of music with two different voice types.[15]
The ''servings" are usually interrupted by a pause where the members present some comedic interaction with the audience. This is called Omajinai-Time and mainly performed by Kobato. She gives her voice a high pitch to appear extra cute (kawaii). This performance includes calls and responses of ''moe moe kyun'' which comes from anime movies and maid cafés to show cuteness.[79]
Kobato loved Japanese
Band members
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Miku Kobato
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Kanami Tōno
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Akane Hirose
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Misa
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Saiki Atsumi
- Miku Kobato (小鳩 ミク) – rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals (2013–present)
- Kanami Tōno (遠乃 歌波) – lead guitar, backing vocals (2013–present)
- Akane Hirose (廣瀬 茜) – drums, percussion (2013–present)
- Misa – bass, backing vocals (2013–present)
- Saiki Atsumi (厚見 彩姫) – lead vocals (2013–present)
Discography
Studio albums
- Maid in Japan (2014)
- New Beginning (2015)
- Brand New Maid (2016)
- Just Bring It (2017)
- World Domination (2018)
- Conqueror (2019)
- Unseen World (2021)
Awards and nominations
Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee(s)/work(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards | 2016 | Japan Next Generation | Band-Maid | Won | [81] |
Neo Awards | 2020 | Best Musical Act | Won | [82] |
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External links
- Official website
- Official page at JPU Records (in English)
- Band-Maid at AllMusic
- Band-Maid discography at Discogs