Ellegarden
Encyclopedia
Ellegarden is a Japan
ese rock
group formed in December 1998 in Chiba
, Japan
. Ellegarden consists of drummer Hirotaka Takahashi, vocalist Takeshi Hosomi, guitarist Shinichi Ubukata, and bassist Yuichi Takada. In 2008, Ellegarden announced their indefinite hiatus.
and later in Japan, where he had English-speaking co-workers.
, Summer Sonic, Nano Mugen Festival and Rising Sun Rock Festival
. Their final tour of the year featured the American band Allister
, who they became acquainted with during SXSW 2006. In addition, they supported Foo Fighters
in their concert at Osaka Castle Hall
.
On May 2, 2008, it was announced that the band would be going on hiatus when the following message was posted on the band's official website:
Following the recording hiatus announcement, the band has continued to perform live and recently announced a greatest hits
album entitled "Ellegarden Best (1999-2008)
". The album consists of 21 songs and was released on July 2, 2008. After appearances at several high-profile festivals (including Rock in Japan, Sky Jamboree, Nano Mugen Fes, and Treasure 05x: The Greatest Riot Returns), the band performed four one-man shows in early September to give its fans a send-off before the hiatus; two performances at Zepp Osaka followed by two performances at Shinkiba Studio Coast in Tokyo.
– lead guitarist, backing vocals
– bassist
, backing vocals
– drummer
, backing vocals
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
group formed in December 1998 in Chiba
Chiba Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Ellegarden consists of drummer Hirotaka Takahashi, vocalist Takeshi Hosomi, guitarist Shinichi Ubukata, and bassist Yuichi Takada. In 2008, Ellegarden announced their indefinite hiatus.
Background
The English lyrics of the band's songs, which are mostly written by Takeshi, are usually grammatically sound and well pronounced. In the Summer 2006 issue of the American J-Rock Magazine Purple Sky, Takeshi accredited this to the time he spent working as a computer engineer in Oakland, CaliforniaOakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
and later in Japan, where he had English-speaking co-workers.
History
In 2006, Ellegarden performed in numerous Japanese Summer Music Festivals, such as Fuji RockFuji Rock Festival
Fuji Rock Festival is an annual rock festival held in Naeba Ski Resort, in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. The 3 day event, organized by Smash Japan, features more than 200 Japanese and international musicians, making it the largest outdoor music event in Japan...
, Summer Sonic, Nano Mugen Festival and Rising Sun Rock Festival
Rising Sun Rock Festival
Rising Sun Rock Festival is an annual rock festival held in Ishikari, Hokkaido, Japan. The two-day event is organized by WESS. The festival sells itself as "A True Rock Festival", referring to the fact that only Japanese artists perform at this event...
. Their final tour of the year featured the American band Allister
Allister
Allister is an American pop punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The four-piece formed in 1996 and were one of the first bands to sign to Drive-Thru Records...
, who they became acquainted with during SXSW 2006. In addition, they supported Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
in their concert at Osaka Castle Hall
Osaka-jo Hall
, or Osaka Castle Hall, is a multi-purpose arena, in the Kyōbashi area, of Osaka, Japan. The hall opened in 1983 and can seat up to 16,000 people...
.
On May 2, 2008, it was announced that the band would be going on hiatus when the following message was posted on the band's official website:
Ellegarden has been in the process of creating a new album since last year, however, during the band’s activities, there arose a difference in opinion regarding the motivation for creating a new album. We no longer feel we are able to create an album that we would be satisfied with, and after much discussion we arrived at the conclusion to end the creation of the album and suspend the band’s activities indefinitely. All previously decided shows (including shows not yet announced) up until early September 2008 will still be performed.
We want to thank everyone who has supported Ellegarden from the bottom of our hearts. In order to once again create new music as Ellegarden, each of us wants to work on our own personal growth and development. Thank you for everything. -Ellegarden leader, Shinichi Ubukata
Following the recording hiatus announcement, the band has continued to perform live and recently announced a greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
album entitled "Ellegarden Best (1999-2008)
Ellegarden Best (1999-2008)
Ellegarden Best is the sixth and final album by the Japanese music group Ellegarden, compiling some of the best songs from their active years...
". The album consists of 21 songs and was released on July 2, 2008. After appearances at several high-profile festivals (including Rock in Japan, Sky Jamboree, Nano Mugen Fes, and Treasure 05x: The Greatest Riot Returns), the band performed four one-man shows in early September to give its fans a send-off before the hiatus; two performances at Zepp Osaka followed by two performances at Shinkiba Studio Coast in Tokyo.
Band members
– vocalist, rhythm guitarist-
- Hosomi was the main songwriterSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. He wrote almost all the lyrics and music. - He announced in October 2008 that he was active as a solo artist on his official blog, and that he formed The HiatusThe HiatusThe Hiatus is a Japanese rock band formed by Takeshi Hosomi; the former lead vocalist of Ellegarden. Their official site defines The Hiatus as "a project of music and art, depicters."...
.
- Hosomi was the main songwriter
– lead guitarist, backing vocals
-
- Ubukata was the leaderLeaderA leader is one who influences or leads others.Leader may also refer to:- Newspapers :* Leading article, a piece of writing intended to promote an opinion, also called an editorial* The Leader , published 1909–1967...
of the band. - He formed the new band, Nothing's Carved in StoneNothing's Carved in StoneNothing's Carved in Stone is a Japanese rock group formed in January 2009. After Ellegarden decided to go into Hiatus in 2008, the group's Guitarist Shinichi Ubukata created Nothing's Carved in Stone as his solo project. Their debut album Parallel Lives was released on May 6, 2009, debuting at No...
.
- Ubukata was the leader
– bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
, backing vocals
-
- Takada is presently part of the band Meaning.
– drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, backing vocals
-
- Takahashi was the godparentGodparentA godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's baptism. A male godparent is a godfather, and a female godparent is a godmother...
of the band. - He formed Scars Borough.
- Takahashi was the godparent
Studio Albums
- Don't Trust Anyone But UsDon't Trust Anyone But UsDon't Trust Anyone But Us is the first full length album released by the Japanese artist, Ellegarden and was released on April 3, 2002.-Track listing:#My Favorite Song - 3:42#Santa Claus - 3:59#Can You Feel Like I Do - 4:47#Bare Foot - 3:47...
(April 3, 2002) - Bring Your Board!!Bring Your Board!!Bring Your Board!! is the second full album by the Japanese music group Ellegarden. It was released on July 2, 2003.-Track listing:#Surfrider Association - 2:43#No. 13 - 3:35#Jitterbug - 3:20#A Song For James - 3:28#Wannabies - 3:17...
(July 2, 2003) - Pepperoni QuattroPepperoni QuattroPepperoni Quattro is the third full length album released by the Japanese music group Ellegarden. It was released on May 26, 2004.-Track listing:#Supernova - 3:45#Starfish - 3:41#Make A Wish - 2:18#Addicted - 3:16#Butterfly - 3:10...
(May 26, 2004) - Riot on the GrillRiot on the GrillRiot on the Grill is the fourth full length album by the Japanese music group Ellegarden. It was released on April 20, 2005.-Track listing:# Red Hot - 2:54# Monster - 3:18# Snake Fighting - 2:47# Marry Me - 2:49# Missing - 3:27...
(April 20, 2005) #3 227,000 copies sold - Eleven Fire CrackersEleven Fire CrackersEleven Fire Crackers is the fifth full length album released by the Japanese rock band Ellegarden. It was released in Japan on November 8, 2006 and in the United States on July 31, 2007, under the Nettwerk label.-Track listing:# Opening - 0:40...
(November 8, 2006) #1 341,000 copies sold
Compilation Albums
- Figureheads CompilationFigureheads CompilationFigureheads Compilation is the sixth full length album released by the Japanese music group Ellegarden. It was released on July 2, 2007 under the Nettwerk label.-Track listing:# The Autumn Song- 3:03# Red Hot - 2:41# Stereoman - 3:34# Raindrops - 3:39...
(July 31, 2007) - Ellegarden Best (1999-2008)Ellegarden Best (1999-2008)Ellegarden Best is the sixth and final album by the Japanese music group Ellegarden, compiling some of the best songs from their active years...
(July 2, 2008) #2 277,886 copies sold
EP Albums
- EllegardenELLEGARDEN (album)Ellegarden is the first EP album by the Japanese music group Ellegarden. It was released on May 23, 2001.-Track listing:# The End Of The World - 4:01# Stupid - 3:46# Hana - 4:30# Punk - 2:34# Knife - 3:31...
(May 23, 2001) - My Own DestructionMy Own DestructionMy Own Destruction is the second EP album by the Japanese music group Ellegarden. It was released on October 16, 2002.-Track listing:# How We Used to Be - 3:16# Under Control - 3:21# Migite - 4:27# Mouse Molding - 3:03...
(October 16, 2002)
Video and DVD
- My Own Destruction Tour Bootleg VHS - March 20, 2003
- Bring Your Board!! Tour Bootleg II DVD - May 26, 2004
- E.V.Junkie Lives 2004 - king of punk adventure - November 17, 2004
- Bad for Education Tour Bootleg III DVD - February 26, 2005
- Doggy Bags - August 9, 2006
- Eleven Fire Crackers Tour 06-07 - After Party - October 24, 2007
Maxi Singles
- Bare Foot - October 12, 2001
- Yubiwa - February 20, 2002
- Jitterbug - November 12, 2002
- Missing - November 3, 2004
- Space Sonic - December 7, 2005
- Salamander - August 9, 2006
Tours
Dates shown are announcement dates- First tour - August 2002 - 20 stop tour through Japan
- My Own Destruction Tour - October 16, 2002 - 30 stops in Japan to promote album of same name
- Bring Your Board!! Tour - July 10, 2003 - 25 stops in Japan with one extra live performance
- Jitterbug Live Tour - November 12, 2003
- Pepperoni Quattro Tour - June 12, 2004 - Toured 19 cities in Japan
- Bad for Education Tour 2004 - November 2, 2004 - 15 cities
- Riot on the Grill Tour - May 5, 2005 - 39 stops
- Space Sonic Tour 2005-2006 - December 3, 2005 - 36 stops
- Japan Nite Tour 2006 - January 16, 2006 - First US tour with appearance at SXSW followed by 7 cities
- Ellegarden Tour 2006-2007 - October 12, 2006 - 54 stops, first half featuring AllisterAllisterAllister is an American pop punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The four-piece formed in 1996 and were one of the first bands to sign to Drive-Thru Records...
- Supporting Act for Foo FightersFoo FightersFoo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
- December 5, 2006 - Osaka Castle Hall - Ellegarden Tour 2007 - June 10, 2007 - 31 stops in Japan
- First Korean Show at Melon AX - October 7, 2007
Equipment
- Takeshi Hosomi (vocal & guitar)
- Gibson Les Paul Std./ Gibson Historic Collection 1956 Les Paul Gold Top
- Diezel Herbert/ Marshall JCM-800
- Shinichi Ubukata (guitar & chorus)
- Gibson ES-335 Dot Export/ Gibson ES-335 Diamond F-Hole
- VHT. Pittbull Hundred CLX/ Marshall JMP 2203
- Yuichi Takada (bass & chorus)
- Fender Precision Bass/ Ampeg SVT-810 E
- Hirotaka Takahashi (drums & chorus)
- Ludwig Classic Maple Drum Set/ SD Gretsch G4160
- Paiste 2002 Series/ Stick Pearl Standard Hickory 190 STH
See also
- Synchronized RockersSynchronized RockersSynchronized Rockers is tribute album recorded by various artists covering songs by The Pillows. It was released on September 16, 2004, celebrating the band's 15th anniversary.-Track listing:#"Runners High"...
- A tribute album to The PillowsThe PillowsThe Pillows are a Japanese rock band. The group has released more than a dozen original studio albums, along with several EPs, singles and compilations...
featuring Ellegarden - J-Rock
- AllisterAllisterAllister is an American pop punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The four-piece formed in 1996 and were one of the first bands to sign to Drive-Thru Records...
- WeezerWeezerWeezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
- Asian Kung-Fu GenerationAsian Kung-fu Generation, typeset as ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, is a Japanese rock band formed in Yokohama, Japan in 1996. For nearly its entire career, the band has consisted of vocalist Masafumi Gotō, guitarist Kensuke Kita, bassist Takahiro Yamada, and drummer Kiyoshi Ijichi...
- The PillowsThe PillowsThe Pillows are a Japanese rock band. The group has released more than a dozen original studio albums, along with several EPs, singles and compilations...
- The HiatusThe HiatusThe Hiatus is a Japanese rock band formed by Takeshi Hosomi; the former lead vocalist of Ellegarden. Their official site defines The Hiatus as "a project of music and art, depicters."...
- Nothing's Carved in StoneNothing's Carved in StoneNothing's Carved in Stone is a Japanese rock group formed in January 2009. After Ellegarden decided to go into Hiatus in 2008, the group's Guitarist Shinichi Ubukata created Nothing's Carved in Stone as his solo project. Their debut album Parallel Lives was released on May 6, 2009, debuting at No...
External links
Ellegarden's website- Morning Scene Ellegarden interview
- Individual band members: