is a Japanese rock band signed by Sony Music Japan. The band's name, Sambomaster, refers to the Russian martial art called Sambo

Sambo (martial art)

Sambo is a Russian martial art and combat sport. The word "SAMBO" is an acronym for SAMooborona Bez Oruzhiya, which literally translates as "self-defense without weapons". Sambo is relatively modern since its development began in the early 1920s by the Soviet Red Army to improve their hand to hand...

.

History

Lead vocalist and guitarist Takashi Yamaguchi first met drummer Yasufumi Kiuchi a few years back, at a university music club they were both members of. The duo ran into bassist Yoichi Kondo during February 2000, and the three went on to officially form the band now known as Sambomaster. They made their debut at a live house in Tokyo's Kōenji

Koenji

is an area of Tokyo in Suginami ward, west of Shinjuku. The neighborhood is named after some old temples in the area.Kōenji is primarily a bedroom community with easy access to Shinjuku and Tokyo Stations. It was largely unaffected by the 1980s building boom and therefore many of the houses and...

 district and soon followed this up with the self-production of their first single "Kick no Oni" (Kicking Demons), which they spent nearly a year working on. It was subsequently released in April 2001 as a limited edition of 300 copies. For the first time, listeners outside of a live show were presented with vocalist and frontman Yamaguchi's vocals, which shift between a soft, sandpaper-like melodic voice to all-out screaming madness. Sambomaster's musical style is a blend of punk/classic rock, pop, jazz and rock ballads.

The year 2003 saw the release of their very first major-label album, Atarashiki Nihongo Rock no Michi to Hikari and a live performance at the Fuji Rock festival's Rookie GO GO. This led to a huge rise in their success and more widespread notoriety. They have been gathering acclaim from both critics and regular listeners ever since.

In 2004 and 2005, Sambomaster released the majority of their hit singles including "Seishun Kyōsōkyoku" and "Sekai wa Sore wo Ai to Yobundaze"; "Seishun Kyōsōkyoku" was used as the fifth opening theme to the hit anime series Naruto

Naruto

is an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. The plot tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and aspires to become the Hokage, the ninja in his village who is acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of...

, and "Sekai wa sore Ai to Yobunda ze" ended up being the ending theme to the popular Japanese television drama Densha Otoko

Densha Otoko (drama)

is a Japanese television drama that aired on Fuji Television. It is based on the Densha Otoko story, which has also been portrayed in other media.The drama's 11 episodes were aired on Fuji TV from July 7 to September 22, 2005 . A two hour long TV special, Densha Otoko Deluxe, aired on September 23,...

 (and also Nintendo DS

Nintendo DS

The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...

 game Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2

Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2

is a rhythm video game developed by iNiS and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. It is the third game to use its gameplay, and is the sequel to Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan while incorporating many of the improvements in gameplay made in Elite Beat Agents...

). They were also asked to do the main theme to the movie Koi no Mon, which became the song Tsuki ni Saku Hana no Yō ni Naru no. Recently, their song Hikari no Rock was featured as the single for the film Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion

Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion

is the second animated film adaptation of the anime and manga series Bleach. The film is directed by Noriyuki Abe and co-written by Michiko Yokote and Masahiro Ōkubo, and the theatrical release was on December 22, 2007. The theme music for the movie is by Sambomaster...

. In March 2009, their song "Kimi wo Mamotte, Kimi wo Aishite" was announced to be the nineteenth ending song in the hit anime series Bleach

Bleach (manga)

is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Noriaki "Tite" Kubo. Bleach follows the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki after he obtains the powers of a —a death personification similar to the Grim Reaper—from another Soul Reaper, Rukia Kuchiki...

. In 2010, they performed the ending theme for the Kuragehime

Kuragehime

is a Japanese josei manga series written and illustrated by Akiko Higashimura. It began serialization in the Kodansha manga magazine Kiss on November 10, 2008. An 11-episode anime television series based on the manga was produced by Brain's Base and aired on Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block...

 anime, "Kimi ni Kirei no Kizuite Okure".

Parody

In March 2005, 3 members of the television variety show "Haneru no Tobira" ("You Knock on a Jumping Door!") filmed a comedy sketch called "Busambomaster". The sketch featured a music video parody of the 3 Haneru members pretending to be Sambomaster, playing a Sambomaster-style song called "Iitai koto mo iiezuni" (English: "Not even saying what I want to say"). However, the 3 Haneru members also made their faces look like caricatures of Yamaguchi, Kiuichi, and Kondo, with features such as enlarged nostrils, buck teeth, and profuse sweating. The lyrics of the song were also made to humiliate (Sambomaster lead vocalist) Yamaguchi's tendency to scream his thoughts out to fans before and after songs (and sometimes in the middle of songs). Many Sambomaster fans were offended by the song, and after much protesting, "Haneru no Tobira" eventually apologized on their show.

Members

Takashi Yamaguchi (山口隆 Yamaguchi Takashi)

Born: February 8, 1976

Hometown: Fukushima

Fukushima, Fukushima

is the capital city of Fukushima Prefecture in the Tōhoku Region of Japan. As of May 2011 the city has an estimated population of 290,064 and an area of 746.43 km².It lies about 250 km north of Tokyo and 80 km south of Sendai.-History:...

.

Fukushima Prefectural Aizu high school and graduated from Toyo University Faculty of Law. Shorten the strap of the guitar playing is very high position. Effec: but not using a booster, is characterized by warm unprocessed guitar music.

Instrument(s) Used: 1960 Gibson Les Paul Special TV Yellow - Gibson Les Paul Custom - Gibson sg red - Fender Telecaster Who tribute.

Yasufumi Kiuchi (木内泰史 Kiuchi Yasufumi)

Born: August 4, 1976

Hometown: Chiba

Chiba, Chiba

is the capital city of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is located approximately 40 km east of the center of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay. Chiba City became a government designated city in 1992. Its population as of 2008 is approximately 960,000....

Instrument(s) Used: Canopus Drums Kit

Yoichi Kondo (近藤洋一 Kondo Yoichi)

Born: June 16, 1977

Hometown: Tochigi

Tochigi

Tochigi can refer to:* Tochigi Prefecture, a Japanese prefecture* Tochigi, Tochigi, a city in Tochigi prefecture, Japan* Tochigi Station, a railroad station in Tochigi city, Japan.* Tochigi S.C., a Japanese soccer club...

.

2010 film starring Aoi Miyazaki

Aoi Miyazaki

is a Japanese actress. She is best known for her pure image and roles such as in Nana and Virgin Snow. Her brother Masaru Miyazaki is an actor, and they starred together in the film Hatsukoi. She married Sosuke Takaoka on June 15, 2007, her partner since she was fifteen.-Career:Miyazaki started...

 (solanin

Solanin

is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Inio Asano. It was serialised in Shogakukan's Weekly Young Sunday from 2005 to 2006. The manga is licensed and published in English by Viz Media, in French by Kana and in Taiwanese by Taiwan Tohan. The manga was nominated for the 2009 Eisner Award for...

) appeared. This is the film debut was noted.

Instrument(s) Used: Fender Jazz Bass - Fender Precision Bass - Rickenbacker Bass 4003.

Singles

Kick no Oni (indie) (April 2001)

1. Introduction
2. Kung-fu Rock
3. Golden Circle no Ornette Coleman
   Ornette Coleman
   Ornette Coleman is an American saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter and composer. He was one of the major innovators of the free jazz movement of the 1960s....
   
   
4. Kick no Oni
5. Saikyō Cyclone
6. Tsunagari
7. Sambomaster no Kyūjitsu

Utsukushiki Ningen no Hibi (April 7, 2004)

1. Utsukushiki Ningen no Hibi
2. Netchū Jidai
3. Dandan
4. Sono Nukumori ni Yō ga Aru (Studio Live Version)

Tsuki ni Saku Hana no Yō ni Naru no (July 22, 2004)

1. Tsuki ni Saku Hana no Yō ni Naru no
2. Tegami (King of Soul mix)
3. Itoshiki Hibi (Nashville Skyline version)
4. Hito wa Sore o Jounetsu to Yobu (Live Version)

Seishun Kyōsōkyoku (December 1, 2004)

1. Seishun Kyōsōkyoku
2. Tsunagari (King of Laidback mix)
3. Ame
4. Seishun Kyōsōkyoku (Naruto
   Naruto
   is an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. The plot tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and aspires to become the Hokage, the ninja in his village who is acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of...
   
    Opening Mix)

Utagoe yoo kore (April 27, 2005)

1. Utagoe yoo kore
2. Sad Ballad no Sekai
3. Seishun Kyōsōkyoku (Live Version)

Sekai wa Sore wo Ai to Yobundaze (August 3, 2005)

1. Sekai wa Sore o Ai to Yobunda ze
2. Atsui Suna to Warui Ame
3. Boku ni Sasagu

Subete no Yoru to Subete no Asa ni Tamborine o Narasu no da (November 2, 2005)

1. Subete no Yoru to Subete no Asa ni Tambourine o Narasu no da
2. Ano Kane o Narasu no wa Anata
3. Hanarenai Futari

Tegami (March 15, 2006)

1. Tegami: Kitarubeki Ongaku to Shite
2. Get Back Sambomaster
3. Yoyogi nite

Itoshisa to Kokoro no Kabe (August 2, 2006)

1. Itoshisa to Kokoro no Kabe
2. Sekai wa Sore o Ai to Yobunda ze (Live Version)

I Love You (April 18, 2007)

1. I Love You
2. Beibi Beibi Su
3. Coaster
4. Kyōkai Mae Tōri

Very Special!! (July 25, 2007)

1. Very Special!!
2. Ubai Toru Koto Nitsuite
3. Utsukushiki Ningen no Hibi (Sekai Rokku Senbatsu Version)

Hikari no Rock (December 12, 2007) (Theme song for BLEACH: The DiamondDust Rebellion)

1. Hikari no Rock
2. Hikari no Rock (Instrumental)

Kimi wo Mamotte, Kimi wo Aishite (June 10, 2009) (19th ending theme for Bleach)

1. Kimi wo Mamotte, Kimi wo Aishite
2. Akashi
3. Boku wa Jiyuu
4. Kimi wo Mamotte, Kimi wo Aishite (Bleach Version)

Rabu Songu (November 18, 2009) (English: Love Song)

1. Rabu Songu
2. Sekai wo Kaesasete okure yo
3. Rabu Songu (Instrumental)
4. Sekai wo Kaesasete okure yo (Instrumental)

Dekikkonai o Yaranakucha (February 24, 2010)

1. Dekikkonai o Yaranakucha
2. Pop Life
3. Boku no Namae wa Blues to iimasu
4. Dekikkonai o Yaranakucha (Instrumental)

Kimi ni Kirei no Kizuite okure (December 1, 2010)

1. Kimi ni Kirei no Kizuite okure (Kuragehime
   Kuragehime
   is a Japanese josei manga series written and illustrated by Akiko Higashimura. It began serialization in the Kodansha manga magazine Kiss on November 10, 2008. An 11-episode anime television series based on the manga was produced by Brain's Base and aired on Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block...
   
    ED)
2. Introduction
3. Sekai wo Kaesasete okure yo (Live Version)
4. Zanzou (Live Version)
5. Kore de Jiyuu ni natta no Da (Live Version)
6. MC (Live Version)
7. Love Song (Live Version)
8. Sono Nukumori ni You ga aru (Live Version)
9. Dekikkonai wo Yaranakucha (Live Version)

Kibo no Michi (February 23, 2011)

1. Kibo bo Michi
2. Intro
3. Utagoe yo okore
4. Tsuki ni saku Hana no You ni naru no
5. MC 1
6. Baby Yasashi Yoru ga Kitte
7. Sayounara Baby
8. Sekai wa sore wo Ai to Yobunda ze
9. MC 2
10. Utsukushiki Ningen no Hibi
11. Outro

Albums

Atarashiki Nihongo Rock no Michi to Hikari

Atarashiki Nihongo Rock no Michi to Hikari

Atarashiki Nihongo Rokku No Michi To Hikari was the first album by the Japanese rock band Sambomaster- Track listing :# Itoshiki Hibi# Sono Nukumori ni Yō ga Aru# Hito wa Sore o Jōnetsu to Yobu# Yogisha de Yatte Kita Aitsu# Zanzō...

(December 3, 2003)

• English: The Way and Light of New Japanese Rock

Sambomaster wa kimi ni katarikakeru

Sambomaster wa kimi ni katarikakeru

Sambomaster wa Kimi ni Katarikakeru is Sambomaster's second full length album. It was the #76 sold album of the year selling 199,149 units.-Track listing:############...

(January 19, 2005)

• English: Sambomaster Is Talking to You

Boku to Kimi no Subete o Rock 'n Roll to Yobe

Boku to Kimi no Subete o Rock 'n Roll to Yobe

Boku to Kimi no Subete o Rock 'n Roll to Yobe is the third album of the Japanese rock band Sambomaster.-Track listing:# Futari Bocchi no Sekai# Tegami ~Kitarubeki Ongaku to Shite~# Sekai wa Sore o Ai to Yobunda ze...

(April 12, 2006)

• English: Call Everything That We (You and I) Are 'Rock n' Roll

Ongaku no Kodomo wa Mina Utau

Ongaku no Kodomo wa Mina Utau

Ongaku no Kodomo wa Mina Utau is the fourth album of the Japanese rock band Sambomaster.-Track listing:# # # # # Very special!! # # # # # # # # I Love You...

(January 23, 2008)

• English: All You Musical Kids, Sing

Kimi no Tameni Tsuyoku Naritai (April 21, 2010)

• English: I Want to Become Strong for You

Sambomaster Kyukyou Besuto

Sambomaster Kyukyou Besuto

Sambomaster Kyukyou Besuto is an album by Japanese rock band Sambomaster.-Track listing:# Sekai wa sore wo Ai to Yobunda ze# Kibo no Michi# Sekai wo Kaesasete okure yo# Dekikkonai wo Yaranakucha# Hikari no rock# Seishun Kyousoukyoku...

(February 23, 2011)

• English: Ultimate Best Sambomaster

Concert DVDs

Atarashiki Nihongo Rock o Kimi ni Katarikakeru: Sambomaster Shoki no Live Eizōshū (November 2, 2005)

A UMD

Universal Media Disc

The Universal Media Disc is an optical disc medium developed by Sony for use on their PlayStation Portable handheld gaming and multimedia platform...

 version with the same tracklist was released on November 30, 2005.

1. Kung-fu Rock: Aware na Bobu Isoide Ike yo
2. Itoshiki Hibi: Futari
3. Zanzō
4. Yogisha de Yattekita Aitsu: Sono Nukumori ni Yō ga Aru
5. Yogisha de Yattekita Aitsu
6. Hito wa Sore o Jonetsu to Yobu
7. Utsukushiki Ningen no Hibi
8. Itoshiki Hibi
9. Sono Nukumori ni Yō ga Aru
10. Asa
11. Seishun Kyōsōkyoku
12. Tegami
13. Yokubō Rock
14. Sayonara Baby
15. Utagoe yoo kore
16. Korede Jiyū ni Natta no Da
17. Shūmatsu Soul
18. Sono Nukumori ni Yō ga Aru
19. Tsuki ni Saku Hana no Yō ni Naru no

Atarashiki Nihongo Rock no Video Clip Collection (October 18, 2006)

1. (Videoclip) Sono Nukumori ni Yō ga Aru
2. (Videoclip) Sono Nukumori ni Yō ga Aru (Studio Live Version)
3. (Videoclip) Utsukushiki Ningen no Hibi
4. (Videoclip) Tsuki ni Saku Hana no Yō ni Naru no
5. (Videoclip) Seishun Kyōsōkyoku (Haikyo Version)
6. (Videoclip) Seishun Kyōsōkyoku (Samba Version)
7. (Videoclip) Utagoe yo Okore
8. (Videoclip) Sekai wa Sore o Ai to Yobunda ze
9. (Videoclip) Subete no Yoru to Subete no Asa ni Tambourine o Narasu no da
10. (Videoclip) Tegami: Kitarubeki Ongaku to Shite
11. (Special Track) Making Clip - Seishun Kyōsōkyoku (Samba Version)
12. (Special Track) Making Clip - Sekai wa Sore o Ai to Yobunda ze
13. (Special Track) Making Clip - Subete no Yoru to Subete no Asa ni Tambourine o Narasu no da
14. (Special Track) TV Commercial

Boku to Kimi no subete wa Hibiya yagahi Ongaku-do de Utae (December 6, 2006)

1. Futari bocchi no Sekai
2. Zetsubou to Yokubou to Otokonoko to Onnanoko
3. Itoshisa to Kokoro no Kabe
4. Utagoe yo okore
5. Futatsu no Namida
6. Sekai wa sore wo Ai to Yobunda ze
7. Sensou to Boku
8. Boku to kimi no subete wa Atarashiki Uta de Utae
9. Utsukushiki Ningen no Hibi
10. Subete no Yoru to subete no Asa ni Tanbarin wo Narasu no da
11. Tegami
12. Sono Nukumori ni You ga aru
13. Nanigenakute idaina kimi
14. Tsuki ni saku Hana no You ni Naru no
15. Seishun Kyousoukyoku
16. Asa

Sekai rokku senbatsu fainaru zenkyoku yatte ura natsu fesu o buttobashita hi (March 12, 2008)

1. Utagoe yo okore
2. Zanzou
3. Kore de Jiyuu ni natta no Da
4. Hito wa sore wo Jounetsu to Yobu
5. Sayounara Baby
6. Very Special!!
7. Tsunagari
8. Konoyo no Hate
9. Omoide wa Yogisha ni notte
10. Ano musume no mizugi ni natte mitai noda
11. Zetsubou to Yokubou to Otokonoko to Onnanoko
12. Sad ballad no Sekai
13. Futari bocchi no Sekai
14. Boku to Kimi no subete wa Atarashiki Uta de Utae
15. Futari
16. Netchu Jidai
17. Seishun Kyousoukyoku
18. Asa
19. Anata ga hito o uragirunara boku wa dare ka o koroshite shimatta sa
20. Sekai wa soredemo Shizun de Ikundaze
21. Yogisha de yattekita aitsu
22. Muffler no Yoreru Aida ni
23. Oh Baby
24. Yoru ga Aketara
25. Yoyogi ni te
26. Baby Baby Sue
27. Baby Yasashi Yoru ga Kitte
28. Dan Dan
29. Kyoukai Mae Toori
30. Ubai toru koto nitsuite
31. Coaster
32. Soredemo Kamawanai
33. Boku ni Sasagu
34. Kimi no Koe wa Boku no Koi Boku wo Na wa Kimi no Yoru
35. Shoumatsu soul
36. Ano kane o Narasu no wa anata
37. Itoshiki Hibi
38. Hanarae nai Futari
39. Futatsu no Namida
40. Yokubou rock
41. Get back Sambomaster
42. Tokyo no Yoru sayounara
43. Atsui suna to warui Ame
44. Sensou to Boku
45. Ame
46. Nanigenakute idaina Kimi
47. I love you
48. Shinnon Fukei
49. Tegami
50. Itoshisato Kokoro no Kabe
51. Utsushiki Ningen no Hibi
52. Subete no Yoru to subete no Asa ni Tanbarin wo Narasu no Da
53. Tsuki ni saku Hana no You ni naru no
54. Sekai wa sore wo Ai to Yobunda ze
55. Sono Nukumori ni You ga aru

Other albums

Hōkago no Seishun (July 2, 2003)

Sambomaster appeared in a split album with the band Onanie Machine. This is the first appearance of some of Sambomaster's future hit songs, such as "Utsukushiki Ningen no Hibi", "Tegami", and "Sononukumori ni Yō ga Aru" (as well as the other two in their own right). The versions on this album feature only Takeshi, Yasufumi, and Yoichi playing the songs. Later versions, such as the versions on their singles and albums, were touched up, polished, re-mixed, and sometimes re-recorded with extra musicians. In a sense, the songs on this album are the "original" versions. Sambomaster songs are tracks 6 to 10, italicized and bolded below:

1. Mendokusee
2. Lovewagon
3. Boku wa Stalker
4. Soshiki
5. Pokochin
6. Sayonara Baby
7. Utsukushiki Ningen no Hibi
8. Tegami
9. Futari
10. Sono Nukumori ni Yō ga Aru

E.V. Junkies II "Guitarocking" (June 30, 2004)

Sambomaster has 2 songs on this compilation album, tracks 9 and 14, italicized and bolded below. "Itoshiki Hibi: Country Sad Ballad ver." is a version with Alice singing most of the vocals.

1. Kimi to iu Hana / Asian Kung-Fu Generation
2. Magic Words / Straightener
3. Mountain a Go Go / CaptainStraydum
4. Shalilala / Flow
5. Ima made nan domo / The Massmissile
6. Nostalgic / The Droogies
7. Jitterbug / Ellegarden
8. Gunjō / Tsubakiya Quartette
9. Tsunagari / Sambomaster
10. Shiroi Koe / Lunkhead
11. Boku no Sonzai wa Uso janakatta / Outlaw
12. Alive / Raico
13. Rakuyou: Long Ver. / Orange Range
14. Itoshiki Hibi: Country Sad Ballad ver. / Alice meets Sambomaster

Magokoro Covers (September 1, 2004)

Sambomaster recorded a cover of Magokoro Brothers' "Dear John Lennon" in this compilation album.

1. Endless Summer Nude (Tomita Lab. Remix) / 冨田ラボ
2. Sora ni Maiagare / Okuda Tamio
3. Ai / Halcali
4. Loop Slider / Suneohair
5. Ningen wa Mō Owari da! / Puffy
6. Stone / Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
7. Standard 3 / Rosetta Garden
8. Haikei, John Lennon / Sambomaster
9. Baby Baby Baby / Yuki
10. Subarashiki kono Sekai / Imawano Kiyoshirō
    Kiyoshiro Imawano
    , born , was a Japanese rock musician, lyricist, composer, musical producer, and actor from Tokyo, Japan. He was dubbed "Japan's King of Rock". He formed and led an influential rock band RC Succession....
    
    
11. Atarashii Yoake / MB's

Koi no Mon Original Soundtrack (September 23, 2004)

Sambomaster was featured in the original soundtrack of the movie Koi no Mon. Sambomaster songs are tracks 1, 2, 14, 15, and 18, italicized and bolded below:

1. Tsuki ni Saku Hana no Yō ni Naru no
2. Hito wa Sore o Jōnetsu to Yobu
3. Mohawk!
4. Four Finger
5. Noiko no Heya
6. Aquam
7. Ishi ga ite, Kimi ga ite
8. Big Site
9. Fukashigi Jikken Karada Gibarengaa
10. Fortress Europe
11. Office Blue
12. Agatha
13. S
14. Kono yo no Hate: koi no mon short version
15. Kono yo no Hate: koi no mon strings version
16. 6:27
17. Kaisō
18. Sambomaster wa Shūmatsu ni Soul Instrument o suru no da no Kan
19. Koi no Mon

External links

• Sambomaster's Official Site
• Sony Music's Official Site