Band-Maid
| Band-Maid | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2013-present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | bandmaid.tokyo |
| Members |
|
Band-Maid, stylized as BAND-MAID and formerly as BAND-MAID®, is a five-piece, all-female Japanese rock group, signed to Gump Records (Japanese: ガンプレコーズ Hepburn: Ganpu rekōzu), an imprint of the Shibuya-based Platinum Passport artist management and talent agency, itself a division of Avex Group.
History
After their initial formation as a four-piece in July 2013, vocalist Saiki joined in August of that year. The group performed as a five-piece for the first time at the Shibuya-AX "P Festival" on 22 August 2013.[1]
The group's image is modelled on the outfits worn by Tokyo's Maid café hostesses. In interviews, the band explains the concept came from founding member Miku who had previously worked at the Noodol Cafe in Akihabara.[2]
Since their formation, Band-Maid has regularly performed live at various venues around the Tokyo area.[3] The group released their debut album "Maid in Japan" in January 2014, written in collaboration with Platinum Passport-affiliated musicians Masahiko Fukui[4] and Kentaro Akutsu[5] (the latter formerly also of musical group Zero).
In August 2014, Band-Maid released the maxi single Ai to Jōnetsu no Matador (愛と情熱のマタドール (Matador of Love and Passion)); in December 2015 they released their sophomore record New Beginning.[6] The band undertook a tour of Tokyo venues to promote the album through February 2016, culminating in a sold-out concert on 14 February.[7]
In October and November 2016, Band-Maid went on a first world tour.[8][9][10]
In January 2017, they will release their first full album (13 tracks instead of the previous 8 tracks) titled Just Bring It. It is preceded by the single YOLO, released on November 16, 2016.
Related acts
Akane and Kanami also perform as guest members of the acoustic group (Mochi to Cheeze (もちとちーず) (roughly translated as Rice Cake and Cheese), a sub-unit of the Platinum Passport idol group Predia.
Band members
Current members
- Saiki Atsumi (厚見 彩姫) - vocals
- Miku Kobato (小鳩 ミク) - vocals, guitar
- Kanami Tōno (遠乃 歌波) - guitar, background vocals
- Akane Hirose (廣瀬 茜) - drums, background vocals
- Misa - bass, background vocals
Discography
Studio albums
- Maid in Japan (2013)
- New Beginning (2015)
- Brand New Maid (2016)
- Just Bring It (2017)
Singles
- Ai to Jōnetsu no Matador (2014)
- YOLO (You Only Live Once) (2016)
Notes
- ↑ "Band-Maid History". Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- ↑ "Biography — Band-Maid® Fans Cafe'". Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- ↑ "Band-Maid Live". Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- ↑ "Fukui Masahiko". Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- ↑ "Akutsu Kentaro". Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- ↑ "Band-Maid Discography". Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- ↑ "下北沢LIVEHOLIC（ライブハウス）on Twitter - Band-Maid show sold out update". Retrieved 2016-01-07.
- ↑ "Brand New MAID" Release Tour World Series: 1st Europe Tour Decided!
- ↑ New single "YOLO" set for release on November 16! ＆ "Brand New MAID" Release Tour World Series: Additional shows in Italy & Spain!
- ↑ BAND-MAID Announce First European Tour this October
References
- Kawaii-Metal.com: Band-Maid. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- MetalInjection: Band-Maid Is A Japanese All Girl Rock Band Who Dress Like Maids, For Real!. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- JRock247: Band-Maid Interview. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- JaME World: Interview with Band-Maid. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- diskunion: Band-Maid New Beginning listing. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
