Abingdon boys school
Encyclopedia
Abingdon Boys School, stylized as abingdon boys school and abbreviated as a.b.s, is a Japanese rock
band fronted by Takanori Nishikawa
.
Formed in 2005, the band shares a name with the British independent school Abingdon School
, in Abingdon
, Oxfordshire
, the all-male school where the rock band Radiohead
was established.
, known for his pop music as TM Revolution, decided to return to his rock roots in Luis-Mary
with guitarist Sunao. They were introduced to guitarist Hiroshi Shibasaki and continued to discuss forming a band until an offer came to record a song for manga
series Nana
. The three presented a demo to producer Toshiyuki Kishi who became the fourth member of the band.
The origin of the name comes from a combination of Nishikawa's love of cars' anti-lock braking system
and the resemblance of the initials to the pronunciation of the Tokyo district Ebisu
where the band practiced. When searching on the internet for a backronym
Nishikawa discovered Abingdon School
and the connection to Radiohead
, who's members are of the same generation. A.B.S are also all from the same generation and each fell in love with music when they were in school, so they thought "it would be cool if we could go back to that feeling again."
Abingdon Boys School intended to bring song structure back to pop and rock music, with elements such as "intros, vocal lines, guitar solos and instrumental sections".
The band's style recalls 1980s hair-band era Van Halen
and edgier '90s rock outfits such as Jane's Addiction
.
anime
and manga
series Nana
tribute album Love for Nana ~Only 1 Tribute~. The band also recorded a cover
of the Buck-Tick
song that was featured on the tribute album
Parade -Respective Tracks of Buck-Tick-
. The band's first live concert was performed on November 24, 2005, alongside Uverworld
and Tsubakiya Quartet, a show presented by music magazine CD Data.
On September 3, 2006, the band announced that they would make their official debut through Sony Music Japan's Epic Records, which was also the label of Nishikawa's solo project T.M. Revolution. The band performed at the Japanese leg
of Live Earth
in Tokyo on July 7, 2007, and their first self titled album
was released on October 17, 2007. Their debut peaked at no.2 on the Oricon
charts. On July 16, 2008, Abingdon Boys School released a live DVD from the concert they held in February 2008.
In November 2009, Abingdon Boys School went on a tour through Europe, securing a record deal with Germany label Gan-Shin
that saw their debut available in Europe. The group played shows in Helsinki, Stockholm, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Paris, London and Moscow. In London the group played Camden
's Underground venue, famous in Japan as it was the place where Sadistic Mika Band
had played in 1975, the first Japanese rock band to ever tour in Europe.
In Helsinki, Andy McCoy
of 1980s hair-metal band Hanoi Rocks
showed up unannounced, one of the groups idols.
A B-sides compilation album was then released in Japan titled Teaching Materials. Shortly after, a second studio album was announced for January 27, 2010, titled Abingdon Road
. In addition to 6 new tracks, the album contained singles released since the band's first full album and a cover of "Sweetest Coma Again", originally found on Luna Sea Memorial Cover Album -Re:birth-.
Abingdon Boys School released a book containing scores of their singles on 12 November 2010.
anime; "Howling" and "From Dusk Till Dawn" for Darker Than Black
and its sequel Ryūsei no Gemini
; "Nephilim" for the PlayStation 3
game Folklore; "Blade Chord" and "Jap" for the Sengoku Basara
series; "Strength" for the Soul Eater
anime, and "Kimi no Uta" for Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
. "Fre@k $HoW", the b-side off their "Innocent Sorrow" single, was also used in a tribute compilation CD for the movie Death Note: the Last Name. A slightly modified version of the b-side off their "Jap" single, dubbed "Valkyrie -Lioleia Mix-", was also featured in the Monster Hunter
tribute album Monster Hunter 5th Anniversary.
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...
band fronted by Takanori Nishikawa
Takanori Nishikawa
is a renowned Japanese singer and actor. He performs as T.M.Revolution , which stands for although the name stems from the famous 80s pop electronic band TM Network...
.
Formed in 2005, the band shares a name with the British independent school Abingdon School
Abingdon School
Abingdon School is a British day and boarding independent school for boys situated in Abingdon, Oxfordshire , previously known as Roysse's School. In 1998 a formal merger took place between Abingdon School and Josca's, a preparatory school four miles to the west at Frilford...
, in Abingdon
Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Abingdon or archaically Abingdon-on-Thames is a market town and civil parish in Oxfordshire, England. It is the seat of the Vale of White Horse district. Previously the county town of Berkshire, Abingdon is one of several places that claim to be Britain's oldest continuously occupied town, with...
, Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
, the all-male school where the rock band Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
was established.
Formation and influence
Abingdon Boys School began in 2005 when Takanori NishikawaTakanori Nishikawa
is a renowned Japanese singer and actor. He performs as T.M.Revolution , which stands for although the name stems from the famous 80s pop electronic band TM Network...
, known for his pop music as TM Revolution, decided to return to his rock roots in Luis-Mary
Luis-Mary
Luis-Mary was a Japanese visual kei band that was formed in 1989 and broke up in 1993. There were four members.- Members :西川貴教-Takanori Nishikawa "Haine"-Vocals山下善次-Yoshitsugu Yamashita "Zyeno"-Guitar丸山武久-Takehisa Maruyama "Shien"-Bass...
with guitarist Sunao. They were introduced to guitarist Hiroshi Shibasaki and continued to discuss forming a band until an offer came to record a song for manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series Nana
Nana (manga)
is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Ai Yazawa, serialized in Cookie published by Shueisha. The manga derives its title from the name of the two main characters, both of whom are called Nana. Nana Komatsu is a small town girl who goes to Tokyo to follow her boyfriend and...
. The three presented a demo to producer Toshiyuki Kishi who became the fourth member of the band.
The origin of the name comes from a combination of Nishikawa's love of cars' anti-lock braking system
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
and the resemblance of the initials to the pronunciation of the Tokyo district Ebisu
Ebisu, Tokyo
is a neighborhood in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. Conveniently near Roppongi and central Shibuya, Ebisu is easily accessed by the JR Yamanote and Hibiya lines via Ebisu Station...
where the band practiced. When searching on the internet for a backronym
Backronym
A backronym or bacronym is a phrase constructed purposely, such that an acronym can be formed to a specific desired word. Backronyms may be invented with serious or humorous intent, or may be a type of false or folk etymology....
Nishikawa discovered Abingdon School
Abingdon School
Abingdon School is a British day and boarding independent school for boys situated in Abingdon, Oxfordshire , previously known as Roysse's School. In 1998 a formal merger took place between Abingdon School and Josca's, a preparatory school four miles to the west at Frilford...
and the connection to Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
, who's members are of the same generation. A.B.S are also all from the same generation and each fell in love with music when they were in school, so they thought "it would be cool if we could go back to that feeling again."
Abingdon Boys School intended to bring song structure back to pop and rock music, with elements such as "intros, vocal lines, guitar solos and instrumental sections".
The band's style recalls 1980s hair-band era Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
and edgier '90s rock outfits such as Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
.
History
In 2005, Abingdon Boys School released its first song, "Stay Away", an English-language song written by Nishikawa and composed by Shibasaki for the shōjoShojo
The term refers to manga marketed to a female audience roughly between the ages of 10-18. The name romanizes the Japanese 少女 , literally: "little female". Shōjo manga covers many subjects in a variety of narrative and graphic styles, from historical drama to science fiction — often with a strong...
anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
and manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series Nana
Nana (manga)
is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Ai Yazawa, serialized in Cookie published by Shueisha. The manga derives its title from the name of the two main characters, both of whom are called Nana. Nana Komatsu is a small town girl who goes to Tokyo to follow her boyfriend and...
tribute album Love for Nana ~Only 1 Tribute~. The band also recorded a cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of the Buck-Tick
Buck-Tick
Buck-Tick is a rock band formed in 1983 in Fujioka, Japan. The band has consisted of Atsushi Sakurai , Hisashi Imai , Hidehiko Hoshino , Yutaka Higuchi and Toll Yagami for the majority of its existence...
song that was featured on the tribute album
Tribute album
A tribute album is a recorded collection of cover versions of songs or instrumental compositions. Its concept may be either various artists making a tribute to a single artist, a single artist making a tribute to various artists, or a single artist making a tribute to another single artist.There...
Parade -Respective Tracks of Buck-Tick-
Parade -Respective Tracks of Buck-Tick-
Parade -Respective Tracks of Buck-Tick- is a Buck-Tick tribute album, released on December 21, 2005. It collects cover versions of their songs by various artists.- Tracklisting :...
. The band's first live concert was performed on November 24, 2005, alongside Uverworld
Uverworld
Uverworld is a Japanese rock band consisting of five members originating from Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan. Releasing six studio albums and several singles, which went on to achieve massive success, they went on to become one of the most influential rock bands in Japan to this day.-2000–2005: Beginnings...
and Tsubakiya Quartet, a show presented by music magazine CD Data.
On September 3, 2006, the band announced that they would make their official debut through Sony Music Japan's Epic Records, which was also the label of Nishikawa's solo project T.M. Revolution. The band performed at the Japanese leg
Live Earth concert, Tokyo
The main Live Earth concert in Japan was held at Makuhari Messe, Tokyo on 7 July 2007.-Running order:*Genki Rockets - "Heavenly Star", "Breeze"...
of Live Earth
Live Earth
-Background:Founded by Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, in partnership with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Live Earth was built upon the belief that entertainment has the power to transcend social and cultural barriers to move the world community to action...
in Tokyo on July 7, 2007, and their first self titled album
Abingdon Boys School (album)
Abingdon Boys School is the self-titled debut album by rock band Abingdon Boys School.-Overview:...
was released on October 17, 2007. Their debut peaked at no.2 on the Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
charts. On July 16, 2008, Abingdon Boys School released a live DVD from the concert they held in February 2008.
In November 2009, Abingdon Boys School went on a tour through Europe, securing a record deal with Germany label Gan-Shin
Gan-Shin
is an independent European rock music record label. It was formed in 2004 by Deville Schober. The label, active in Germany, France and the United Kingdom, exclusively signs bands from Japan...
that saw their debut available in Europe. The group played shows in Helsinki, Stockholm, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Paris, London and Moscow. In London the group played Camden
Camden
- Australia :* Camden, New South Wales** Camden Council ** Electoral district of Camden- England :* London Borough of Camden** Camden Town, an area in the borough* Camden School for Girls- United States :* Camden, Alabama* Camden, Arkansas...
's Underground venue, famous in Japan as it was the place where Sadistic Mika Band
Sadistic Mika Band
was a Japanese rock group formed in 1972. Its name is a parody of the "Plastic Ono Band". Produced by Masatoshi Hashiba on Toshiba-EMI Records , the band was led by the then husband and wife team of guitarist Kazuhiko Kato, and his wife, singer Mika Fukui...
had played in 1975, the first Japanese rock band to ever tour in Europe.
In Helsinki, Andy McCoy
Andy McCoy
Antti Hulkko , better known as Andy McCoy, is a Finnish musician. He is most famous for his role as the lead guitarist and main songwriter of Hanoi Rocks, but has also played with Iggy Pop....
of 1980s hair-metal band Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979, whose most successful period came in the early 1980s. The band broke up in 1985 after the death of their drummer, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley...
showed up unannounced, one of the groups idols.
A B-sides compilation album was then released in Japan titled Teaching Materials. Shortly after, a second studio album was announced for January 27, 2010, titled Abingdon Road
Abingdon Road (album)
Abingdon Road is the second album by rock band Abingdon Boys School. In addition to new tracks, the album contains singles released since the band's first full album and a cover of "Sweetest Coma Again", originally found on Luna Sea Memorial Cover Album -Re:birth-, an album of Luna Sea covers...
. In addition to 6 new tracks, the album contained singles released since the band's first full album and a cover of "Sweetest Coma Again", originally found on Luna Sea Memorial Cover Album -Re:birth-.
Abingdon Boys School released a book containing scores of their singles on 12 November 2010.
Work used in media
All of the band's singles are songs that have been used in anime and video games; perhaps owing to Nishikawa's personal interests, having gone so far as to voice a few anime roles himself. "Innocent Sorrow" was used as the opening for the D.Gray-ManD.Gray-man
is an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Katsura Hoshino. The series tells the story of a boy named Allen Walker, a member of an organization of Exorcists who makes use of an ancient substance called Innocence to combat the Millennium Earl and his demonic army of akuma...
anime; "Howling" and "From Dusk Till Dawn" for Darker Than Black
Darker than Black
is an anime television series, created, directed and written by Tensai Okamura and animated by Bones. It premiered across Japan from April 5, 2007 on MBS, TBS, and its affiliated broadcast stations, with its satellite television premiere in Japan on Animax in May 2007. The music for the series is...
and its sequel Ryūsei no Gemini
Darker than Black: Ryūsei no Gemini
is an anime television series, created, directed and written by Tensai Okamura and animated by Bones. It is a sequel to the anime series Darker than Black which premiered in October 2009 and ended in December 2009. Though details of the sequel series were leaked beforehand, it was officially...
; "Nephilim" for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
game Folklore; "Blade Chord" and "Jap" for the Sengoku Basara
Sengoku Basara
is a series of video games developed and published by Capcom, as well as a bigger media franchise based on it, including two anime series and an animated film...
series; "Strength" for the Soul Eater
Soul Eater (manga)
is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Atsushi Ōkubo. Set at the "Death Weapon Meister Academy," the series revolves around three teams consisting of a weapon meister and human weapon...
anime, and "Kimi no Uta" for Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
is a Japanese anime television series that premiered on Fuji TV's noitaminA timeslot on July 9, 2009, where it ended its original run on September 17. Directed by Masaki Tachibana and written by Natsuko Takahashi, it is an original series co-produced by Bones and Kinema Citrus...
. "Fre@k $HoW", the b-side off their "Innocent Sorrow" single, was also used in a tribute compilation CD for the movie Death Note: the Last Name. A slightly modified version of the b-side off their "Jap" single, dubbed "Valkyrie -Lioleia Mix-", was also featured in the Monster Hunter
Monster Hunter
Monster Hunter is an action game for the PlayStation 2. The game was developed and published by Capcom. Monster Hunter was released in North America on September 21, 2004...
tribute album Monster Hunter 5th Anniversary.
Members
– vocalsSinging
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Sunao – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(ex-WandsWands (band)was a Japanese rock band formed in 1991 as a three-member group. The band, throughout nine years of activity, had two vocalists, guitarists and keyboardists. Show Wesugi , Hiroshi Shibasaki , Kousuke Oshima are the original member of the band. Shinya Kimura joined them after Oshima separate early...
& ex-al.ni.co) – keyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, turntablesTurntablismTurntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
, programmingProgramming (music)Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
Discography
Albums- Abingdon Boys SchoolAbingdon Boys School (album)Abingdon Boys School is the self-titled debut album by rock band Abingdon Boys School.-Overview:...
(2007) - Teaching MaterialsAbingdon Boys School (album)Abingdon Boys School is the self-titled debut album by rock band Abingdon Boys School.-Overview:...
(2009) - Abingdon RoadAbingdon Road (album)Abingdon Road is the second album by rock band Abingdon Boys School. In addition to new tracks, the album contains singles released since the band's first full album and a cover of "Sweetest Coma Again", originally found on Luna Sea Memorial Cover Album -Re:birth-, an album of Luna Sea covers...
(2010)