Base Ball Bear
Base Ball Bear is a Japanese rock band from Tokyo that made its major debut in 2006 with EMI Music Japan.[2] Although assembled in autumn 2001, the band formally began in 2002, and started off with self-produced releases.
Base Ball Bear | |
---|---|
Also known as | BBB, Bebobe |
Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
Genres | Alternative rock, Pop rock, New wave[1] |
Years active | 2001 | —present
Labels | Blitz Pia Records (2003–2005) EMI Music Japan (2006–2013) EMI Records Japan (2013–2019) Victor Entertainment (2019–present) |
Members | Yūsuke Koide Shiori Sekine Daisuke Horinouchi |
Past members | Shōhei Yuasa |
Website | Base Ball Bear / ベースボールベアー |
Their style influences include Japanese indie rock bands Number Girl and Supercar, and British rock bands such as Oasis. They have been noted for the "nostalgic" feel of band leader Yūsuke Koide's lyrics, often about teenage life and memories. Base Ball Bear are also known for their contributions to the soundtrack of the movie Linda Linda Linda (in which bassist Shiori Sekine had a leading role) and performing the themes to the anime series Toshokan Sensō, Ōkiku Furikabutte and Gintama.
The band, initially named Planet, was formed for a one-time performance at a high school culture festival, but decided to continue due to how well-received they were and the fun they had at the festival.[3] The name Planet had likely come from the Supercar song of the same name, and the band's current name also derives partially from a song name. Koide had thought of Japanese singer Chocolat's song "Base Ball and Elvis Presley" and suggested the name "Base Ball". Guitarist Shohei Yuasa thought it would be better if one more word was added to it, and the rest of the band agreed, eventually settling on the word "bear".
In 2016, the band announced the departure of Shohei Yuasa and that they would continue with 3 members.[4]
Members
Current members
- Yūsuke Koide (小出 祐介, Koide Yūsuke)
- Born December 9, 1984, in Edogawa, Tokyo[5]
- Vocalist and guitarist
- Primary lyricist and composer of the band's music
- Likes old school hip hop and favorite artists include XTC, Happy End, Berryz Koubou and Perfume
- Shiori Sekine (関根 史織, Sekine Shiori)
- Born December 8, 1985, in Saitama Prefecture[5] (youngest member)
- Bassist and backing vocalist
- The only female member and had no experience playing bass before joining
- Favorite artists include Jethro Tull, Caravan, Keiichi Suzuki, Yui and GO!GO!7188
- Also bassist of Paranmaum band from the 2005 movie Linda Linda Linda
- Daisuke Horinouchi (堀之内 大介, Horinouchi Daisuke)
- Born January 17, 1985, in Tokyo[5]
- Drummer and chorus
- Favorite artists include The Police, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Frusciante, and Nile Rodgers
Past members
- Shōhei Yuasa (湯浅 将平, Yuasa Shōhei)
- Born April 16, 1984, in Chiba Prefecture[5]
- Guitarist
- Favorite artists include Thee Michelle Gun Elephant and Sly & the Family Stone
History
Formation and early years
Koide originally assembled the band in 2001 under the name "Planet," to perform at their high school's fall festival.[3] They performed covers of the songs OOYeah!! and OOKeah!! by the band Supercar. Following their festival performance, they decided to continue with the band as a hobby.
In March 2002, the band formally assembled.[6] In April they began sending demo tapes to record labels, whereupon they were advised by Toshiba EMI to change their name. They eventually chose "Base Ball Bear," the name under which they performed their first gig at Shimokitazawa Garage that July. Throughout the rest of the year, they continued playing in the Shibuya and Shimokitazawa areas of Tokyo as their fan base began to grow.
In November 2003, Base Ball Bear signed with Blitz Pia Records, an independent label. They immediately released their first mini-album Yūgata Generation on November 26. The band released its first single, Yume is Vision, in April of the following year. It was the first of the band's songs to be accompanied by a music video, which was created in collaboration with Yūki, a Japanese fashion magazine model and Base Ball Bear fan. The band spent the rest of 2004 practicing and writing new songs, some of where were featured on compilation CDs.
The band released its first full-length album, High Color Times, on March 16, 2005, and started playing concerts to sold-out crowds in larger venues. Also, Shiori Sekine was cast in one of the lead roles in the film Linda Linda Linda, which featured some of the band's music.
Major debut and increasing popularity
Base Ball Bear signed with EMI Music Japan in January 2006, and immediately released an introductory album, Band B ni Tsuite, on January 12. Although they had previously released another version of Band B ni Tsuite on October 14, 2005, this new release included one new song and other remastering. They then played on the "Nyakunyaku Nannyo Summer Tour" with Chatmonchy and Snowkel and released their first major album, C, on October 29.
Their first solo tour "Live by the C" took place in the spring of 2007.[7] Over the course of the year, they released four more singles, as well as their second major album, Jūnanasai. Their live performances included the Rock in Japan Festival, another round on the "Nyakunyaku Nannyo Summer Tour", and the "B-Pop High School Tour".
In 2008, the band went on a solo tour called "17-sai Kara Yattemasu Tour" that ran from the middle to the end of March. Their first single of the year, Changes, was released on May 8, 2008, and was the ending theme to the Production I.G anime series Toshokan Sensō.[8] The band then made its first appearance on the popular music program Music Station on May 9 and performed Changes on the show.[9] Base Ball Bear also performed a two-day show at Shibuya C.C. Lemon Hall in late September.[10]
In January 2009, they released their eighth single Love Mathematics and a compilation album Kanzenban Band B ni Tsuite containing all their indies songs. Following the releases, the band went on a tour called "Live Mathematics Tour 2009" starting in March. They also held a show named "Hibiya Nonfiction" at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall on June 27.[11] With a total of four singles in 2009, the band closed out the year by releasing their third album (What Is The) Love & Pop? in September and achieving ninth place on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart. It was their first album to reach the top ten, and they held a five-venue tour at Zepp halls to promote the album.
Base Ball Bear managed their first solo concert at the Nippon Budokan on January 3, 2010, titled "Live;(This Is The) Base Ball Bear".[12]
Departure of Shohei Yuasa
In 2016, also the band's 10th anniversary of debut and their 15th year together, it was announced that guitarist Shohei Yuasa would be leaving the band. According to their management agency, since mid-February that year, Yuasa had been uncontactable and did not turn up at the studio when they were scheduled for production work. He then declared his intention through a third party that he was unable to continue his activities in Base Ball Bear. After that, the staff and members tried to contact Yuasa directly for several days but no one managed to reach him.[4]
On February 27, Base Ball Bear went through with a scheduled appearance at a festival with the remaining 3 members, announcing that Yuasa could not participate as he was not well.[13][14] However, with the band's own tour "Live By The C2" due to kick off on March 5, the agency had no choice but to make the decision public on March 2 that it would be difficult for them to continue as four. The tour would instead have ex-Doping Panda member Yutaka Furukawa perform as a support guitarist.[15]
To this, the band's members and staff felt unable to comprehend the situation and expressed regret. Vocalist Koide said that they had spent more than half their lives together and it was "very regretful" that Yuasa would leave the band. Horinouchi said it was "vexing" because he had believed the band would be 4 members "for 20 or even 30 years." Having taken for granted that they would always be four, he could not understand why this had happened and "even feels anger." Bassist Sekine said that she was "extremely bewildered at first by this sudden development", and that she had never thought about anyone leaving. She expressed that she was uneasy that something precious to her had "crumbled", but no matter what she wanted to continue Base Ball Bear, and Koide and Horinouchi felt the same.[16]
Discography
Self-produced works
Title | Release Date |
---|---|
Mae: Front (前-front-, Front: Front)
Track list
|
2002-07 |
Ushiro: Back (後-back-, Back: Back)
Track list
|
2002-07 |
Change Up (チェンジアップ)
Track list
|
2002-09 |
White Twilight (ホワイトワイライト)
Track list
|
2002-10 |
School Life (スクールライフ)
Track list
|
2002-11 |
HR
Track list
|
2003-03 |
Yume Is Vision
Track list
|
2003-06 |
Yume/Sayonara
Track list
|
2003-10 |
Singles
Title | Release Date |
---|---|
Yume Is Vision
Track list
|
2004-07-07 |
B Beginning!! Split single with Japanese band Bacon. Track list
|
2004-12-24 |
Albums
Title | Release Date |
---|---|
Yūgata Generation (夕方ジェネレーション, Evening Generation)
Track list
|
2003-11-26 |
High Color Times
Track list
|
2005-03-16 |
Band B ni Tsuite (バンドBについて, About Band B) Exclusively sold at live venues. Track list
|
2005-10-14 |
Various artist compilations
Title | Release Date |
---|---|
Hi-Style vol.7 Grip
|
2004 |
Suteki Compilation (素敵コンピレイション, Wonderful Compilation)
|
2004-01-21 |
D Seldom Sono 9 (D★SELDOM其9, D Seldom No.9)
|
2004-07-28 |
Linda Linda Linda Original Movie Soundtrack
|
2005-07-20 |
Singles
# | Title | Release Date |
Oricon Weekly Peak Position[17] |
Weeks on Chart |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Electric Summer
Track list
|
2006-06-21 | #41 | 5 |
2 | Stand by Me
Track list
|
2006-10-04 | #26 | 4 |
3 | Dakishimetai (抱きしめたい, I Want to Hold You)
Track list
|
2007-04-04 | #26 | 6 |
4 | Dramatic (ドラマチック)
Track list
|
2007-05-16 | #13 | 16 |
5 | Manatsu no Jōken (真夏の条件, Midsummer Essential)
Track list
|
2007-07-18 | #26 | 3 |
6 | Aishiteru (愛してる, I Love You)
Track list
|
2007-10-31 | #22 | 3 |
7 | Changes
Track list
|
2008-05-08 | #10 | 9 |
8 | Love Mathematics
Track list
|
2009-01-07 | #5 | 4 |
9 | Kamigami Looks You (神々LOOKS YOU, Gods Are Looking At You)
Track list
|
2009-04-15 | #10 | 5 |
10 | Breeeeze Girl
Track list
|
2009-06-25 | #7 | 5 |
11 | Stairway Generation
Track list
|
2009-08-05 | #9 | 6 |
12 | Yoakemae (Before Dawn)
Track list
|
2011-06-29 | #17 | 3 |
13 | Short Hair
Track list
|
2011-08-31 | #17 | 3 |
14 | Tabibito In The Dark/Slow Motion wo Mou Ichido Part.2 (Tabibito In The Dark/スローモーションをもう一度 part.2, Traveller in the Dark/Slow Motion Again Part 2) Track list
|
2011-10-05 | #15 | 3 |
15 | Perfect Blue
Track list
|
2013-02-13 | #11 | 4 |
16 | Fanfare ga Kikoeru/Senkou_hanabi (ファンファーレがきこえる/senkou_hanabi, I Can Hear the Fanfare/Sparklers) Track list
|
2013-11-27 | #28 | 3 |
17 | "Sore tte, for Dare?" Part 1 (「それって、for 誰?」part.1, "Who is that for?" Part 1)
Track list Disc 1
Disc 2
|
2015-08-05 | #25 | 3 |
18 | Bunkasai no Yoru (文化祭の夜, Night of the Cultural Festival)
Track list Disc 1
Disc 2
|
2015-09-02 | #33 | 3 |
19 | Fushigi na Yoru (不思議な夜, Strange Night)
Track list Disc 1
Disc 2
|
2015-10-07 | #21 | 3 |
Digital download releases
# | Title | Release Date |
---|---|---|
1 | Senkou_hanabi | 2013-07-24 |
Albums
# | Title | Release Date |
Oricon Weekly Peak Position[18] |
Weeks on Chart |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | C
Track list
|
2006-11-29 | #28 | 8 |
2 | Jūnanasai (十七歳, Age 17)
Track list
|
2007-12-05 | #15 | 8 |
3 | (What Is The) Love & Pop?
Track list
|
2009-09-02 | #9 | 7 |
3.5 | Cypress Girls
Track list
|
2010-09-29 | #10 | 3 |
Detective Boys
Track list
|
#11 | 4 | ||
4 | Shinkokyū (新呼吸, New Breath)
Track list
|
2011-11-09 | #5 | 5 |
5 | Nijūkusai (二十九歳, Age 29)
Track list
|
2014-06-04 | #8 | 5 |
6 | C2
Track list Disc 1
Disc 2
Disc 3
|
2015-11-11 | #14 | 4 |
7 | C3 | 2020-01-22 | #16 | 1 |
Mini-albums
# | Title | Release Date |
Oricon Weekly Peak Position[18] |
Weeks on Chart |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Girl Friend
Track list
|
2006-04-12 | #113 | 2 |
2 | Hatsukoi (初恋, First Love)
Track list
|
2012-07-11 | #9 | 4 |
3 | The Cut
Track list
|
2013-06-26 | #18 | 4 |
Live albums
# | Title | Release Date |
Oricon Weekly Peak Position[18] |
Weeks on Chart |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1235
Track list Disc 1
Disc 2
|
2010-03-17 | #34 | 3 |
Best-of albums
# | Title | Release Date |
Oricon Weekly Peak Position[18] |
Weeks on Chart |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kanzenban "Band B ni Tsuite" (完全版「バンドBについて」, Complete Version "About Band B")
Track list Disc 1
Disc 2
|
2009-01-07 | #10 | 4 |
2 | Band B no Best (バンドBのベスト, Best of Band B)
Track list Disc 1
Disc 2
|
2013-02-13 | #6 | 5 |
Various artist compilations
Title | Release Date |
---|---|
Rock and Sympathy -Tribute to The Pillows-
|
2014-02-26 |
Live DVDs
Title | Release Date |
Oricon Weekly Peak Position[19] |
Weeks on Chart |
---|---|---|---|
Live;(This Is The) Base Ball Bear. Nippon Budoukan 2010.01.03
Track list
Encore
Double Encore
|
2010-03-17 | #19 | 3 |
10th Anniversary Tour (This Is The) Base Ball Bear part.2 "Live Shinkokyū"
Track list
Encore
|
2012-04-04 | #11 | 2 |
Hibiya Nonfiction III (日比谷ノンフィクションIII)
Track list
Encore
Double Encore
Bonus Disc 2 (Limited Edition only)
|
2013-11-27 | #15 | 2 |
Music video compilations
Title | Release Date |
Oricon Weekly Peak Position[19] |
Weeks on Chart |
---|---|---|---|
Eizōban "Band B ni Tsuite" Dai-Ikkan (映像版「バンドBについて」第一巻, Video Edition "About Band B" First Volume) | 2010-03-17 | #32 | 2 |
Eizōban "Band B ni Tsuite" Dai-Nikan (映像版「バンドBについて」第二巻, Video Edition "About Band B" Second Volume) | 2011-11-09 | #9 | 2 |
Other releases
- Band B ni Tsuite (バンドBについて About Band B) (2006-01-12)
- Special introducing album limited to 5000 copies.
- This is the same as the indies release except for track eight "Girl of Arms", which was replaced by "Labyrinth e no Timing" as track two for this release.
- Yoakemae no Yoakemae (2011-04-07)
- Limited edition single only sold at live venues on the band's "Base Ball Bear 10th Anniversary 'Sayonara-Nostalgia Tour'".
- Contains live performance audio recordings of two songs, "Yoakemae" and "Changes".
Yusuke Koide only
- Shiho Nanba "Kodona no Kaidan" (こどなの階段, The Stairs of a Child to Adult) (2011-06-15)[20]
- Lyricist
- Shiho Nanba "Shōjo, Futatabi" (少女、ふたたび, Young Girl, Once Again) (2012-03-07)[21]
- Lyricist
- Becky "15 ~Spring Flag~" (2012-06-27)[22]
- Co-lyricist and composer
- Okamoto's "Aoi Tengoku" (青い天国, Blue Heaven) (2012-07-18)[23]
- Co-lyricist with Okamoto's
- Chocolat "Kaze" (風邪, A Cold)(2012-12-05)[24]
- Lyricist and composer
- Mai Endo "Today is the Day"(2013-07-31)
- Co-lyricist with copywriter Hikaru Arashida, composer
- Tokyo Girls' Style "Partition Love" (2013-09-25)[25]
- Lyricist and composer
- Yasuyuki Okamura w Yusuke Koide "Ai wa Oshare Janai" (愛はおしゃれじゃない, Love Isn't Fashionable) (2014-04-02)[26]
- Vocalist and lyricist
Media appearances
Film
- Linda Linda Linda (2005) - Sekine as Nozomi Shirakawa[27]
- Library War: The Wings of Revolution (2012) - Koide as Rikudō Mark Ingram (voice acting)[28]
Television
- Base Ball Bear no Base Ball Variety (Space Shower TV)
- Base Ball Bear no Base Ball Variety 2 (Space Shower TV)
- Base Ball Bear no Base Ball Variety 3 (Space Shower TV)
- Base Ball Bear no Base Ball Variety 4 (Space Shower TV)
Radio
- Base Ball Bear no All Night Nippon R (JOLF, December 2, 2006, March 3, 2007)
- Base Ball Bear no Soft Ball Dōkō-kai (JFN, 2009)
- School of Lock "Bebobe Locks!" (TFM, 2009–present)
References
- "Base Ball Bear / バンドBのベスト [2CD]" (in Japanese). CDJournal. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
- "Base Ball Bear / BIOGRAPHY" (in Japanese). Sony Music Artists Inc. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
- "iTunes - Music - Base Ball Bear - Biography". Apple Inc. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
- "Base Ball Bearギター湯浅将平が脱退 2月中旬から直接連絡つかず" (in Japanese). Oricon, Yahoo Japan. 2016-03-02. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- "CD&DLでーた.com : HeadPhones. - Base Ball Bear -" (in Japanese). CD&DL Data Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-10-16. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
- ベースボールベアー (in Japanese). Blitz Pia Records. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
- "[Base Ball Bear] 期待の新作がライブ映像付きで到着" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. 2007-02-15. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
- "Base Ball Bear、新曲がアニメ『図書館戦争』エンディングテーマに" (in Japanese). Barks News. 2008-03-10. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
- "2008年ブレイク最右翼、Base Ball BearがMステ初出演" (in Japanese). Barks News. 2008-05-08. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
- "Base Ball Bear、初ホール・ワンマン2days発表" (in Japanese). Barks News. 2008-04-15. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
- "Base Ball Bear、満員野音に爽やか夏風を吹き込む" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
- "Base Ball Bear初武道館ライブが早くも映像化決定" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. 2010-01-04. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
- "Base Ball BearのGt湯浅将平が失踪後にバンド脱退" (in Japanese). CINRA.net. 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- "Base Ball Bear湯浅が体調不良で「こなそんフェス」欠席、代打は石毛輝" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. 2016-02-26. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- "Base Ball Bearから湯浅将平が脱退、ツアーはフルカワユタカ迎えて敢行" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- "「Base Ball Bear」の湯浅将平が脱退 メンバー・スタッフも納得できないまま" (in Japanese). IT Media Inc. 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- Base Ball Bearのシングル売り上げランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
- Base Ball Bearのアルバム売り上げランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
- "Base Ball BearのDVD売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
- "サカナ山口×ベボベ小出制作の南波志帆新曲が2つのCM曲に" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. 2011-04-04. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
- "南波志帆、ベボベ小出祐介作詞の新曲をSOLで初フルOA" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. 2012-01-11. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
- "ベッキー♪♯ニューシングルc/wにベボベ小出提供曲" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
- "OKAMOTO'S、Base Ball Bearの小出祐介と共作した新曲がTBS系深夜ドラマの主題歌に。1月27日(金)24時20分から放送" (in Japanese). Rockin'on. 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
- "Chocolatベストに小出祐介×永井聖一制作の8年ぶり新曲" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. 2012-12-04. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
- "東京女子流、ベボベ小出提供の新曲"Partition Love"ティザー公開" (in Japanese). Tower Records Online. 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
- 岡村靖幸、小出祐介&久保ミツロウと「愛はおしゃれじゃない」 (in Japanese). Barks. 2014-03-14. Retrieved 2014-05-31.
- "Linda Linda Linda (2005)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
- "Base Ball Bear、ミニアルバムを7/11にリリース&小出祐介が声優に挑戦" (in Japanese). Rockin'on. 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
External links
- Base Ball Bear Official Website (in Japanese)
- Base Ball Bear @ Nippop