Melt-Banana
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Melt-Banana is a Japanese noise rock band that was founded in 1992 by friends attending Tokyo University for Foreign Language. These friends were Onuki Yasuko (also known as Yasuko O. or just Yako), Agata Ichirou, Rika mm', and Toshiaki Sudoh (more widely known as simply Sudoh).
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History
Melt-Banana has released 8 full-length CD albums, and 19 EPs (a number of which are collaborations with other bands). In 1997 they created A-Zap (their own recording company), and re-issued all of their previously released albums on their label. One month later Sudoh quit, and the band has had different drummers helping for tours and recordings since. They do massive U.S. tours yearly, do frequent European tours, and do smaller Japanese tours (the reason for this, according to them, is that traveling in Japan is quite expensive). Steve Albini has engineered many of Melt-Banana's albums, and is a notable music figure in the experimental world and popular music world, as he has worked on albums for bands such as Nirvana.
Line-Up
Meltbanana.jpg
- Yasuko O.-Vocals, Writing
- Agata Ichirou-Guitars, Effects
- Rika mm'-Bass
- ???-Drums (as mentioned above, they currently have different drummers helping them out for certain things, including Dave Witte of Discordance Axis and Burnt By the Sun)
Former members
Style
As said above, Melt-Banana has a specific brand of music, many call it noise rock or noisecore. They mean the same thing, as in a type of music blending rock, noise, and other genres. Agata overlaps two different guitar riffs most of the time, and also belts out seemingly random sound effects, almost all made through his guitar and large amount of effects pedals (http://guitargeek.com/rigview/262/) (this link is current as of 1999). Yasuko O. belts out high-pitched screams and raps, and is described by many as a rabid poodle on caffeinated speed. Rika mm''s bass lines aren't subdued like in most bands, but is given as much overt influence as Agata's guitar work. The sounds from the bass provide a distinct dimension to the music not found in many other bands. The drums are usually quite straightforward (however, in their recent albums, they have become more complex), especially on the faster songs, where they beat almost straight through with set cymbal crashes, providing an insane amount of energy to the songs. The band describes their recent music (especially Teeny Shiny and Cell-Scape) as pop, but it is far from it, except more accessible, perhaps. Also of note, most of their albums (except the two just mentioned) are intentionally lo-fi, as that is Agata's feeling for the music, however they disliked how it sounded on the radio, so they aimed to make their last two albums more hi-fi.
Discography
Melt-Banana has produced a large number of full-length albums and EPs throughout their 11-year history.
Albums
- September 1994-Speak Squeak Creak (first released by NUX Organization, re-issued by A-Zap in April, 2001)
- September 1994-Cactuses Come In Flocks (first released by Chocolate Monk, re-issued by A-Zap in September, 1999)
- November 1995-Scratch or Stitch (Japan edition, released by meldac)
- May, 1996-Scratch or Stitch (U.S. edition, released by Skin Graft)
- November 1998-Charlie (released by A-Zap, guest drummer Natsume of Multiplex)
- February 1999-MxBx 1998/13,000 Miles at Light Velocity (released by TZADZIK in the U.S.A., produced by John Zorn and, while said to be a live album, it is actually a re-recording of previous songs, many sounding much, much different from their previous releases)
- October 2000-Teeny Shiny (released by A-Zap)
- June 2003-Cell-Scape (released by A-Zap)
- May 2005-13 Hedgehogs (released by A-Zap, collection of singles/EPs)
EPs
- September 1994-Hedgehog (7", released by Charnel Music)
- October 1994-Split 7" with God Is My Co-Pilot (released by HG Fact)
- July 1995-It's in the Pillcase (7", released by Skin Graft)
- October 1995-Split 7" with Discordance Axis (released by HG Fact)
- October 1995-Split 7" with Pencilneck (released by Anti-Music)
- September 1996-Split 7" with Target Shoppers (released by Destroy All Music and Betley Welcome Careful Driver)
- October 1996-Split 10" with Stilluppsteypa (released by Fire inc./Something Wired)
- November 1996-Untitled (Piano One) (7", special guest Onotetsu on piano, released by GENTLE GIANT)
- September 1997-Split 7" with Plainfield (released by Smelly Records)
- October 1997-Eleventh (7", cover art by FLY!, released by Slap A Ham Records)
- March 1998-Split 5" with Xerobot (released by Coat-Tail Records)
- April 1998-Split 7" with Killout Trash (released by Kool Pop Recordings/Rodel Records)
- October 1998-Dead Spex (7", released by HG Fact)
- August 2001-Split 8" with Three Studies for a Crucifixion (released by Passacaglia Records)
- November 2001-Split 7" with Dynamite Anna and the Bone Machine (released by Valium Records)
- November 2001-Split 7" with Damien Frost (released by Alpharelish)
- January 2002-Split 7" with The Locust (released by GSL)
- October 2002-Split 7" with Big D & the Kids Table (released by Fork in Hand)
- October 2002-666 (6", released by Level Plane, according to ManateeBound.com (http://manateebound.com): "666, contrary to general belief, holds no biblical significance. Simply put, 'Because we put three songs on a six-inch record.'")
External links
- Official Site (http://www.parkcity.ne.jp/~mltbanan/)
- Official U.S. Distribution (http://www.midheaven.com) This site carries all of their U.S. CD reissues and one or two of their split EPs.
- Skin Graft Page (http://www.skingraftrecords.com/bandhtmlpages/meltban.html), has a highly detailed history from one of Melt-Banana's old labels, Skin Graft.
- Nippop Profile | Melt Banana (http://nippop.com/artist/artist_id-49/artist_name-melt_banana/)