I'm of the mind that nothing bad can come from Japanese Pixies fans, and Number Girl is a perfect case in point.
As far as I can gather, they've been around since 1995, performingly regularly and releasing EPs and an album ([School Girl Bye Bye]) before being signed by Toshiba-EMI in 1999.
I picked up Number Girl's first two major label releases in 2000, and was immediately struck by the relentless yet harmonious intensity of [School Girl Distortional Addict] and their live album, [Shibuya Rock Transformed Jyoutai]. Musically and vocally, they remind me of early Pixies meets Boyracer, with a dash of sandpapered Nirvana and Blankey Jet City for good measure.
Shutoku Mukai, the lead vocalist and main songwriter, sings just short of a yell, and even though my Japanese lyrical comprehension is little to nil, there's simply no way I can't enjoy the charged rock-punk that he and crew spew forth.
They've played SXSW (Austin, TX) in both 1999 and 2000, had some songs produced by David Fridmann, and basically have kicked up an attractive ruckus, which evolved with their 4th album, [Sappukei].
Since then, they've graced the world with their amazing 5th album, [Num-Heavymetalic], which is one of my favorite recordings, period. They've also had a number of live albums and DVDs, culminating with the resplendant, 123 song set [Omoide In My Head 2 - Kioku Series], which is something to behold, monolith style.
In short, Number Girl are the kind of band which slaps your ears around in the most loving way possible. They are truly worth of fandom, no matter what language you speak. By all means, rock fans should definitely check them out.
I'm not sure if they're still active these days, but all four members are in new bands and projects - check out the links to the right.
Please note that the always impressive Hisako Tabuchi is now in Bloodthirsty Butchers, another of my favorite bands from back in the day. She also worked with Sheena Ringo in Hatsuiku Status a few years ago, and has a new solo project called Toddle with an album coming out on 9.22.2005. She's definitely someone to watch.
I'll have to check out Shutoku Mukai and the Zazen Boys, another band which are bound to be good.
number girl
Shutoku Mukai : Vocals, Guitar
Hisako Tabuchi : Guitar
Kentaro Nakao : Bass
Ahito Inazawa : Drums
[Omoide In My Head 4 - Maruchin NG & Rare Tracks]
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-25876-7
12.14.2005
Last of the [Omoide In My Head] series of retrospection - 2 CD set, comes in two versions, with or without bonus DVD (of 2000 US tour).
[Omoide In My Head 3 - Kieroku Eizo]
Toshiba-EMI TOBF-5406-08
9.28.2005
3 DVD set, including old and new live footage.
[Omoide In My Head 2 - Kioku Series 1]
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-25687-90
[Omoide In My Head 2 - Kioku Series 2]
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-25691-94
70 tracks in the first 4 CD set, 53 tracks in the other, plus DVDs for those who can handle them. This is the ultimate Number Girl live package - buy them if you dare. They also come in cheaper, DVD-less versions.
JM = Junk Magnet has this
1st Album:
[School Girl Bye Bye] JM
K.O.G.A Records KOGA-060
2.10.1999
1st Single:
[Toumei Syojo]
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-22009
5.26.1999
2nd Album:
[School Girl Distortional Addict] JM
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-24157
7.23.1999
2nd Single:
[Destruction Baby]
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-22021
9.22.1999
3rd Album (Live):
[Shibuya Rock Transformed Jyoutai] JM
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-24283
12.16.1999
3nd Single:
[Urban Guitar Sayonara]
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-22073
5.31.2000
4th Album:
[Sappukei] JM
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-24390
7.19.2000
4th Single:
[Teppu Surudokunatte] JM
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-22125
11.29.2000
5th Single:
[Num-Ami-Dabutz] JM
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-22203
3.20.2002
5th Album:
[Num-Heavymetalic] JM
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-24764
4.26.2002
6th Album (Live):
[Sapporo Omoide In My Head Jyoutai] JM
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-24920-21
1.29.2003
7th Album (2 discs):
[Omoide In My Head 1 - Best B-Sides] JM
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-25647-48
3.2.2005
8th Album (Live, limited, 4 discs with DVD):
[Omoide In My Head 2 - Kioku Series 1] JM
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-25687-90
6.22.2005
9th Album (Live, limited, 4 discs with DVD):
[Omoide In My Head 2 - Kioku Series 2] JM
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-25691-94
6.22.2005
8th Album (Live, regular, 4 discs with no DVD):
[Omoide In My Head 2 - Kioku Series 1]
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-25704-07
6.22.2005
9th Album (Live, regular, 4 discs with no DVD):
[Omoide In My Head 2 - Kioku Series 2]
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-25708-11
6.22.2005
10th Album (limited, 2 CDs, with DVD):
[Omoide In My Head 4 - Maruchin NG & Rare Tracks] JM
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-25876-7
12.14.2005
10th Album (regular, 2 CDs, no DVD):
[Omoide In My Head 4 - Maruchin NG & Rare Tracks]
Toshiba-EMI TOCT-25878-9
12.14.2005
number girl
6.1.2006
Official Page [J]
Great yet dense
Toshiba-EMI Page [J]
Good Place to Start
Number Girl Fan Club [J]
Great Fan Site
Number One Girl [J]
Good Fan Site
Number Girl In My Head [J]
Good Fan Site
Number Girl [J]
Fan Site
hisako tabuchi:
Toddle [J]
Solo Project
Riverrun [J]
Bloodthirsty Butchers
mukai shutoku:
Mukai Shutoku [J]
Solo, Zazen Boys
kentaro nakao:
Sloth Love Chunks [J]
New Project
ahito inazawa:
Ahito Inazawa [J]
Vola & The Oriental Machine
weblog:
[junk.log]
[complete index]
search:
message board:
[jm:messages]
newsletter:
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po box 11501
berkeley, ca
94712-2501
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