Melt-Banana
Encyclopedia
Melt-Banana is a Japanese punk band that is known for playing extremely fast noise music mixed with experimental electronica
and pop-based song structures. They have worked with artists as diverse as Merzbow
, John Zorn
, Mike Patton
, and Discordance Axis
. The band has released nine albums and toured worldwide extensively.
, Yasuko Onuki
started a band called Mizu and, after a short period rehearsing with another guitarist, recruited Ichirou Agata
to play guitar in the band. Mizu's original drummer and bass player quit six months after Agata joined, leaving Yasuko to handle the bass and vocal duties until she found bassist Rika. They briefly performed shows around Tokyo without a drummer. Toshiaki Sudoh the joined as the new drummer in November 1992, and they changed their name to Melt-Banana.
In May 1993, Melt-Banana played a show opening for KK Null
of Zeni Geva
fame, who was impressed enough to immediately offer them a deal with his label, and would later introduce them to Mark Fischer of Skin Graft Records
and Steve Albini
.
Melt-Banana have released ten full-length albums and 23 EPs
(primarily split releases with other bands, most of which were compiled onto one disc in 2005). In 1997, they created their own recording company, A-Zap (formerly Iguana Coax), and re-issued most of their early albums. Around this time, drummer Toshiaki Sudoh quit. In more recent times, the band has had different drummers helping them on tours and in making albums. They do massive U.S. and U.K. tours yearly and smaller Japanese tours (the reason for this, according to them, is that traveling in Japan is quite expensive). In 2007 Melt-Banana recorded the song "Hair-Cat (Cause the Wolf Is a Cat!)" for Perfect Hair Forever
on Cartoon Network
's Adult Swim
lineup. The latest studio album, Bambi's Dilemma
, was released on April 24, 2007. A new live album called "MELT-BANANA Lite LIVE:ver.0.0" came out on November 3, 2009.
Drummers
Melt-Banana does not currently have an official drummer. There have been two drummers who were official members, and a number of guest drummers, for studio recordings and live performances.
Melt-Banana's music falls under what many call "noise rock
." Agata plays highly unorthodox guitar with extended techniques. For instance, he overlaps two different guitar riffs, simulates lasers and sirens, and has an impressive arsenal of effects, almost all made through his guitar and large amount of effects pedals. Yasuko O.
belts out high-pitched screams and raps very quickly. Rika Hamamoto's bass lines are not subdued like in most bands, but are 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, adding a large 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 when compared to their earlier albums, perhaps. Essentially, it could be argued that Melt Banana's output, (with special attention brought to their more recent songs) is more reminiscent of quirkier indie pop bands, with definite melodies hiding beneath the distortion, effects and sheer speed. Yasuko even sings, as opposed to barking, parts of the track "If It Is the Deep Sea, I Can See You There" on their album Cell Scape. Also of note, most of their albums are intentionally lo-fi
, as that is Agata's feeling for the music; however, group members disliked how these recordings sounded on the radio, so they aimed to make their last two albums more hi-fi
.
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
and pop-based song structures. They have worked with artists as diverse as Merzbow
Merzbow
is the main recording name of the Japanese noise musician , born in 1956. Since 1979 he has released in excess of 350 recordings.The name "Merzbow" comes from German artist Kurt Schwitters' artwork, "Merzbau”. This was chosen to reflect Akita's dada influence and junk art aesthetic...
, John Zorn
John Zorn
John Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
, Mike Patton
Mike Patton
Michael Allan "Mike" Patton is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and actor, best known as the lead singer of the metal/experimental rock band Faith No More. He has also sung for Mr...
, and Discordance Axis
Discordance Axis
Discordance Axis was a grindcore band from East Brunswick, New Jersey.-Biography:Frontman Jon Chang on the history of the band:"Discordance Axis was a three piece grind core band that started in NJ around 1992. The band started after myself and Rob's previous band disintegrated and we found Da5e at...
. The band has released nine albums and toured worldwide extensively.
History
In 1991, while attending Tokyo University of Foreign StudiesTokyo University of Foreign Studies
TUFS is a specialized institution only in foreign language, international affairs and foreign studies, thus it is not as well-known as other big universities such as University of Tokyo and Kyoto University...
, Yasuko Onuki
Yasuko Onuki
Yasuko Onuki is the singer from Japanese band Melt-Banana, which she founded in 1991. She has a frantic chirping and yelping vocal style which is an important part of Melt-Banana's unique sound. She writes all of Melt-Banana's lyrics, which she sings in English, stating that:-References:...
started a band called Mizu and, after a short period rehearsing with another guitarist, recruited Ichirou Agata
Ichirou Agata
Ichirou Agata, often known simply as Agata, is the guitarist for the Japanese noise rock band Melt-Banana. Agata is known particularly for his furious stage antics, jumping and constantly moving around, and exceedingly unique approach to playing the guitar which involves extended technique heavy...
to play guitar in the band. Mizu's original drummer and bass player quit six months after Agata joined, leaving Yasuko to handle the bass and vocal duties until she found bassist Rika. They briefly performed shows around Tokyo without a drummer. Toshiaki Sudoh the joined as the new drummer in November 1992, and they changed their name to Melt-Banana.
In May 1993, Melt-Banana played a show opening for KK Null
KK Null
KK Null is a Japanese experimental multi-instrumentalist. He began as a guitarist, but soon added composer, singer, electronic musician and drummer to his list of talents, and also studied with the Butoh workshop....
of Zeni Geva
Zeni Geva
Zeni Geva is a Japanese heavy metal group led by singer and guitarist KK. Null, together with guitarist Mitsuru Tabata and drummer Tatsuya Yoshida...
fame, who was impressed enough to immediately offer them a deal with his label, and would later introduce them to Mark Fischer of Skin Graft Records
Skin Graft Records
Skin Graft Records is an independent record label specializing in No Wave and noise rock music, originally based in Chicago, Illinois...
and Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
.
Melt-Banana have released ten full-length albums and 23 EPs
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
(primarily split releases with other bands, most of which were compiled onto one disc in 2005). In 1997, they created their own recording company, A-Zap (formerly Iguana Coax), and re-issued most of their early albums. Around this time, drummer Toshiaki Sudoh quit. In more recent times, the band has had different drummers helping them on tours and in making albums. They do massive U.S. and U.K. tours yearly and smaller Japanese tours (the reason for this, according to them, is that traveling in Japan is quite expensive). In 2007 Melt-Banana recorded the song "Hair-Cat (Cause the Wolf Is a Cat!)" for Perfect Hair Forever
Perfect Hair Forever
Perfect Hair Forever is an American comedy animated television series which is largely a parody of anime. It was created and produced by Williams Street, and aired on Adult Swim and The Detour in the US and Canada respectively...
on Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
's Adult Swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
lineup. The latest studio album, Bambi's Dilemma
Bambi's Dilemma
Bambi's Dilemma is the sixth studio album by Melt-Banana, released on April 24th, 2007. It was released on CD and vinyl. The name "Bambi's Dilemma" came from an incident which happened when vocalist Yasuko was driving the band's touring van in the USA and hit a deer, and kept thinking about the...
, was released on April 24, 2007. A new live album called "MELT-BANANA Lite LIVE:ver.0.0" came out on November 3, 2009.
Members
- Yasuko OnukiYasuko OnukiYasuko Onuki is the singer from Japanese band Melt-Banana, which she founded in 1991. She has a frantic chirping and yelping vocal style which is an important part of Melt-Banana's unique sound. She writes all of Melt-Banana's lyrics, which she sings in English, stating that:-References:...
– vocals - Ichirou AgataIchirou AgataIchirou Agata, often known simply as Agata, is the guitarist for the Japanese noise rock band Melt-Banana. Agata is known particularly for his furious stage antics, jumping and constantly moving around, and exceedingly unique approach to playing the guitar which involves extended technique heavy...
– 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...
s, effectsSound effectFor the album by The Jam, see Sound Affects.Sound effects or audio effects are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasize artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video games, music, or other media... - Rika Hamamoto – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Drummers
Melt-Banana does not currently have an official drummer. There have been two drummers who were official members, and a number of guest drummers, for studio recordings and live performances.
- Sudoh Toshiaki (Machine and the Synergetic Nuts) – Official drummer from 1992 to December 1997. Appears on Speak Squeak CreakSpeak Squeak CreakSpeak Squeak Creak is the first album by Melt-Banana. It was first released in September 1994 by NUX Organization and re-issued by A-Zap in April, 2001....
, Cactuses Come in FlocksCactuses Come in FlocksCactuses Come In Flocks is an album by Melt-Banana. The album was originally released on cassette by Chocolate Monk, and was later re-issued to CD and LP by A-Zap....
, and Scratch or StitchScratch or StitchScratch or Stitch is an album by Melt-Banana. This album was the first breakthrough for the band, as well as their first actual U.S. release. LP versions of this album were limited to 2,600 copies, housed in rubber packaging with a poster lyric sheet and a special Melt-Banana temporary tattoo.The...
. - Kikuchi (ex-AssfortAssfortAssfort is a Japanese hardcore punk band from Tokyo. Their musical style is fast and loud with angry, fast, undecipherable vocals.Their style led to the music genre known as Japcore, Japanese hardcore punk music...
) – Guest live drummer, one show, early 1998. - Youichiro Natsume (ex-Multiplex, ex-Force) – Guest studio drummer, early 1998. Appears on CharlieCharlie (Melt-Banana album)Charlie is the third album by Melt-Banana. This album was the first release on their own label, A-Zap.Charlie marks a change in Melt-Banana's sound, the songs have gotten longer and a more "poppy" sound which would be further developed on the next few albums is present....
. - Oshima Watchman (Coaltar of the DeepersCoaltar of the DeepersCoaltar of the Deepers are an Alternative rock band from Japan. They formed in May 1991. Although primarily influenced by shoegaze and post-rock sound, their sound incorporates musical elements as diverse as thrash metal, electronica, neo-acoustic, and bossa nova...
, ex-Satanic Hell Slaughter) – Official drummer from February 1998 to 2000. Toured, and appears on MxBx 1998/13,000 Miles at Light VelocityMxBx 1998/13,000 Miles at Light VelocityMxBx 1998/13,000 Miles at Light Velocity is the first live album by Melt-Banana.The album is not a conventional "live" album: it was not recorded at a concert, but live in the studio specially for John Zorn's Tzadik Records during the band's 1998 US tour. Many of the songs are being played in...
and Teeny ShinyTeeny ShinyTeeny Shiny is the fourth album by Melt-Banana. Teeny Shiny further developed the more "pop" sound of their previous effort Charlie.It also features reworkings of two older songs "First Contact to Planet Q" was previously recorded as "Sham Bazar" and "Warp, Back Spin" was previously recorded as...
. - Dave WitteDave WitteDave Witte is a professional drummer currently living in Virginia. He is known for his work in numerous extreme metal or hardcore punk bands including Municipal Waste, Discordance Axis, Black Army Jacket, Birds of Prey, and Burnt By The Sun among others. He has also played as a session drummer for...
(Municipal WasteMunicipal Waste (band)Municipal Waste is a thrash metal/crossover thrash band from Richmond, Virginia.They performed at the UK's Download Festival on June 15, 2008, on the tuborg stage....
, ex-Discordance AxisDiscordance AxisDiscordance Axis was a grindcore band from East Brunswick, New Jersey.-Biography:Frontman Jon Chang on the history of the band:"Discordance Axis was a three piece grind core band that started in NJ around 1992. The band started after myself and Rob's previous band disintegrated and we found Da5e at...
) – Guest touring drummer, US and Europe only, 2001 to 2005. - Obokata – Guest live drummer, Japan only.
- Masashi Sakata (324) – Guest live drummer, Japan and ATPAll Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
UK 2002. - Takiya Terada – Guest live drummer in 2002.
- Uki Eiji (ex-Acid Mothers TempleAcid Mothers TempleAcid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. is a Japanese psychedelic band, the core of which formed in 1995. The band is led by guitarist Kawabata Makoto and early in their career featured many musicians, but by 2004 the line-up had coalesced with only a few core members and frequent guest...
, ex-Monghang) – Guest live drummer, Japan and 2007 US tours and 2008 Europe tour. - Inomata – Guest live drummer.
Style
Noise rock
Noise rock describes a style of post-punk rock music that became prominent in the 1980s. Noise rock makes use of the traditional instrumentation and iconography of rock, but incorporates atonality and especially dissonance, and also frequently discards usual songwriting conventions.-Style:Noise...
." Agata plays highly unorthodox guitar with extended techniques. For instance, he overlaps two different guitar riffs, simulates lasers and sirens, and has an impressive arsenal of effects, almost all made through his guitar and large amount of effects pedals. Yasuko O.
Yasuko Onuki
Yasuko Onuki is the singer from Japanese band Melt-Banana, which she founded in 1991. She has a frantic chirping and yelping vocal style which is an important part of Melt-Banana's unique sound. She writes all of Melt-Banana's lyrics, which she sings in English, stating that:-References:...
belts out high-pitched screams and raps very quickly. Rika Hamamoto's bass lines are not subdued like in most bands, but are 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, adding a large 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 when compared to their earlier albums, perhaps. Essentially, it could be argued that Melt Banana's output, (with special attention brought to their more recent songs) is more reminiscent of quirkier indie pop bands, with definite melodies hiding beneath the distortion, effects and sheer speed. Yasuko even sings, as opposed to barking, parts of the track "If It Is the Deep Sea, I Can See You There" on their album Cell Scape. Also of note, most of their albums are intentionally lo-fi
Lo-fi music
Lo-fi is lower quality of sound recordings than the usual standard for music. The qualities of lo-fi are usually achieved by either degrading the quality of the recorded audio, or using certain equipment. Recent uses of the phrase have led to it becoming a genre, although it still remains as an...
, as that is Agata's feeling for the music; however, group members disliked how these recordings sounded on the radio, so they aimed to make their last two albums more hi-fi
High fidelity
High fidelity—or hi-fi—reproduction is a term used by home stereo listeners and home audio enthusiasts to refer to high-quality reproduction of sound or images, to distinguish it from the poorer quality sound produced by inexpensive audio equipment...
.
Cover songs
Melt-Banana is known for covering an eclectic selection of songs.- "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair" (Nina SimoneNina SimoneEunice Kathleen Waymon , better known by her stage name Nina Simone , was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist widely associated with jazz music...
/traditional) – studio - "Faint Heart" (The Birthday PartyThe Birthday Party (band)The Birthday Party were an Australian rock band, active from 1973 to 1983.Despite being championed by John Peel, The Birthday Party found little commercial success during their career...
) – studio – Release the Bats compilation - "Fun House" (The StoogesThe StoogesThe Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
) – live, with Mike WattMike WattMichael David Watt is an American bassist, singer and songwriter.He is best known for co-founding the rock bands Minutemen, dos, and Firehose; , he is also the bassist for the reunited Stooges and a member of the art rock/jazz/punk/improv group Banyan as well as many other post-Minutemen... - "Government Flu" (Dead KennedysDead KennedysDead Kennedys are an American punk rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band became part of the American hardcore punk movement of the early 1980s. They gained a large underground fanbase in the international punk music scene....
) – live, with Jello BiafraJello BiafraJello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys... - "GST 483" (The Dogs) – studio – Doggy Style: The Dogs Tribute (Comp)
- "Heart of GlassHeart of Glass (song)"Heart of Glass" is a song by American New Wave band Blondie, written by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. Featured on the band's third studio album, Parallel Lines, it was released as a single in January 1979 and topped the charts in several countries, including the US and UK.Rolling...
" (BlondieBlondie (band)Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
) – live (2007). There were two different versions performed, one faster and upbeat, the other significantly slower. - "Love Song" (The Damned) – studio – アイノウタ EP (2006)
- "Monkey Man" (Toots & the MaytalsToots & the MaytalsToots and the Maytals, originally called simply The Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group and one of the best known ska and reggae vocal groups. According to Sandra Brennan at Allmusic, "The Maytals were key figures in reggae music...
) – studio – split 7" - "My GenerationMy GenerationMy Generation is the debut album by the English rock band The Who, released by Brunswick Records in the United Kingdom in December 1965. In the United States it was released by Decca Records as The Who Sings My Generation in April 1966, with a different cover and a slightly altered track...
" (The WhoThe WhoThe Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
) – live (2002) - "Neat Neat Neat" (The Damned) – studio – Charlie
- "Paint It, BlackPaint It, Black"Paint It, Black" is a song released by The Rolling Stones on 13 May 1966 as the first single from their fourth album Aftermath. It was originally titled "Paint It Black" without a comma. Keith Richards has stated that the comma was added by the record label, Decca.The song was written by Mick...
" (The Rolling StonesThe Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
) – live and allegedly recorded but not used for a compilation. - "Showroom Dummies" (KraftwerkKraftwerkKraftwerk is an influential electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The group was formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970, and was fronted by them until Schneider's departure in 2008...
) – studio – Musique Non-Stop: A Tribute to Kraftwerk compilation - "Surfin' USASurfin' USA (song)"Surfin' USA" is a song with lyrics written by Brian Wilson for The Beach Boys, set to the melody from Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen". Berry received co-writing credit for composing the song after litigating. "Surfin' USA" was recorded by The Beach Boys and released as a single on March 4,...
"/"You're Welcome (song)Heroes and Villains"Heroes and Villains" is a song by the American rock band The Beach Boys, co-written by the group's leader Brian Wilson and lyricist Van Dyke Parks. Originally intended by Wilson to be the centerpiece of the ambitious but shelved album Smile, a re-recorded version of the song was released on Smiley...
" (The Beach BoysThe Beach BoysThe Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
) – studio – MxBx 1998/13,000 Miles at Light Velocity. "Surfin' USA" has also been played live, often with an intro of Lenny KravitzLenny KravitzLeonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
's "Are You Gonna Go My WayAre You Gonna Go My Way (song)"Are You Gonna Go My Way" is the first single to be released by Lenny Kravitz from the album of the same name. It was released in March 1993. It was written by Lenny Kravitz and Craig Ross...
" - "Tintarella di Luna" (MinaMina (singer)Anna Maria Quaini, Grand Officer , known as Mina, is an Italian pop singer. She was a staple of Italian television variety shows and a dominant figure in Italian pop music from the mid-1960s to mid-1970s known for her three-octave vocal range, the agility of her soprano voice, and her image as an...
) – studio – split 7" - "Uncontrollable Urge" (DevoDevoDevo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
) – live (2005). A studio version was released on a split CD. - "We Will Rock YouWe Will Rock You"We Will Rock You" is a song written by Brian May and recorded and performed by Queen for their 1977 album News of the World. Rolling Stone ranked it #330 of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004, and the RIAA placed it at #146 on its list of Songs of the Century...
" (QueenQueen (band)Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
) – studio – Dynamite with a Laser Beam compilation - "White ChristmasWhite Christmas (song)"White Christmas" is an Irving Berlin song reminiscing about an old-fashioned Christmas setting. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the version sung by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time, with estimated sales in excess of 50 million copies worldwide.Accounts vary as...
" (Bing CrosbyBing CrosbyHarry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
) – studio – The Christmas Album compilation. The song "Here Comes Santa Claus" on the same CD is often attributed to Melt-Banana, but is actually performed by (Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss HerSeagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss HerSeagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her was a Japanese band formed by Aiha Higurashi in 1992. Their musical style contained elements of indie rock and, to a lesser extent, Shibuya-kei.-History:...
), a somewhat similar band from Japan. - "Wordy RappinghoodWordy Rappinghood"Wordy Rappinghood" is a song by the American band Tom Tom Club. The song was the lead single from the band's debut studio album, Tom Tom Club. It uses part of the 1971 Rolf Harris song "A Ram Sam Sam". In the United States, the song was released as a double a-side with "Genius of Love" and topped...
" (Tom Tom Club)Tom Tom ClubTom Tom Club is an American new wave band founded in 1981 by husband-and-wife team Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz, both also known for being bandmembers of Talking Heads.-Biography:...
– studio - "What a Wonderful WorldWhat a Wonderful World"What a Wonderful World" is a song written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released as a single in 1968. Thiele and Weiss were both prominent in the music world . Armstrong's recording was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999...
" (Louis ArmstrongLouis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
) – live – US Tour (2011)
As an opening act
Melt-Banana has toured as an opening act with many high-profile bands.- Jim O'RourkeJim O'Rourke (musician)Jim O'Rourke is an Irish-American musician and record producer. He was long associated with the Chicago experimental and improv scene...
and Zeni GevaZeni GevaZeni Geva is a Japanese heavy metal group led by singer and guitarist KK. Null, together with guitarist Mitsuru Tabata and drummer Tatsuya Yoshida...
(1994) Japan - Mr. BungleMr. BungleMr. Bungle was an experimental band from Northern California. The band was formed in 1985 while the members were still in high school and was named after a children's educational film. Mr. Bungle released four demo tapes in the mid to late 1980s before being signed to Warner Bros. Records and...
(1995) US - Melvins (1999) Japan and US
- FantômasFantômas (band)Fantômas is an avant-garde metal supergroup formed in 1998 in California, United States. The band is named after Fantômas, a supervillain featured in a series of crime novels popular in France before World War I and in film, most notably in the 60s French movie series.-History:Fantômas began just...
(2004) US - ToolTool (band)Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
(2007) US
Discography
Main albums:- 1994 Speak Squeak CreakSpeak Squeak CreakSpeak Squeak Creak is the first album by Melt-Banana. It was first released in September 1994 by NUX Organization and re-issued by A-Zap in April, 2001....
- 1994 Cactuses Come in FlocksCactuses Come in FlocksCactuses Come In Flocks is an album by Melt-Banana. The album was originally released on cassette by Chocolate Monk, and was later re-issued to CD and LP by A-Zap....
- 1995 Scratch or StitchScratch or StitchScratch or Stitch is an album by Melt-Banana. This album was the first breakthrough for the band, as well as their first actual U.S. release. LP versions of this album were limited to 2,600 copies, housed in rubber packaging with a poster lyric sheet and a special Melt-Banana temporary tattoo.The...
- 1998 CharlieCharlie (Melt-Banana album)Charlie is the third album by Melt-Banana. This album was the first release on their own label, A-Zap.Charlie marks a change in Melt-Banana's sound, the songs have gotten longer and a more "poppy" sound which would be further developed on the next few albums is present....
- 1999 MxBx 1998/13,000 Miles at Light VelocityMxBx 1998/13,000 Miles at Light VelocityMxBx 1998/13,000 Miles at Light Velocity is the first live album by Melt-Banana.The album is not a conventional "live" album: it was not recorded at a concert, but live in the studio specially for John Zorn's Tzadik Records during the band's 1998 US tour. Many of the songs are being played in...
- 2000 Teeny ShinyTeeny ShinyTeeny Shiny is the fourth album by Melt-Banana. Teeny Shiny further developed the more "pop" sound of their previous effort Charlie.It also features reworkings of two older songs "First Contact to Planet Q" was previously recorded as "Sham Bazar" and "Warp, Back Spin" was previously recorded as...
- 2003 Cell-ScapeCell-ScapeCell-Scape is the fifth album by Melt-Banana. It features electronic elements and marks a musical shift to a more accessible, hi-fi sound.Cell-Scape also features some of the longest songs written by Melt-Banana, including "Shield for Your Eyes" at 4 minutes long. Yasuko sings with her "real" voice...
- 2005 13 Hedgehogs (MxBx Singles 1994–1999)
- 2007 Bambi's DilemmaBambi's DilemmaBambi's Dilemma is the sixth studio album by Melt-Banana, released on April 24th, 2007. It was released on CD and vinyl. The name "Bambi's Dilemma" came from an incident which happened when vocalist Yasuko was driving the band's touring van in the USA and hit a deer, and kept thinking about the...
- 2009 Melt-Banana Lite Live Ver 0.0Melt-Banana Lite Live Ver 0.0Melt-Banana Lite Live ver 0.0 is a live album by Melt-Banana that came out on November 3, 2009.Melt-Banana perform some of their shows under the name Melt-Banana Lite, which means that they perform their music with a different arrangement. They use drums and vocals but no guitars. Instead they use...
External links
- Official Site
- Melt-Banana on Myspace