Sakanaction
Encyclopedia
are a Japanese rock band from Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Their music is a mix of alternative rock
, electronic
, pop
, and New Wave
styles, and is thus difficult to classify under one category. The band consists of five members: Ichirō Yamaguchi, Motoharu Iwadera, Ami Kusakari, Emi Okazaki, and Keiichi Ejima.
In the band's own words, their name reflects a wish to act quickly and lightly, like fishes in the water, without fearing changes in the music scene. Sakanaction = Sakana (fish) + Action. They are enjoying increasing popularity, having achieved some mainstream success by appearing on the Billboard
Japan Hot 100
charts.
Sakanaction was finally created in 2005. When Yamaguchi was working in a record store, he heard the song owari no kisetsu by Rei Harakami
and it became a great motivation for him to create Sakanaction. Yamaguchi founded the band together with Iwadera, while Kusakari left another band to join Sakanaction. Ejima was introduced by a mutual friend, while Okazaki was Yamaguchi's colleague from the record store.
The name "Sakanaction" carries an important meaning for the band members. Yamaguchi explained:
. The band's first physical release was Go to the Future in 2007. Three songs originally from Dutchman were rereleased as Sakanaction releases - "Mikazuki Sunset" and "Inner World" were included in Go to the Future while "Word" was part of a digital download release, and later made it to NIGHT FISHING
.
Some time after the release of NIGHT FISHING
, the band made a decision to move from Hokkaido to Tokyo where they could reach out to more people. They were also moved from Victor Entertainment's BabeStar label to the main label.
On August 9, 2008, Sakanaction performed as one of the main acts on one of Japan's top music stations, "Music On!" in the event called Summer Sonic
'08. Sakanaction performed alongside, Paul Weller
, The Fratellis
, Death Cab for Cutie
, Cajun Dance Party
, Band of Horses
, Blood Red Shoes
, and These New Puritans
. The show aired just three days before the New Year, on December 29, 2008.
On December 26, 2008, they made it to #9 on Billboard
's Japan Hot 100
list with their single "Sentorei
" beating out MAYS's "Kiss: Koi ni Ochite... Fuyu" and coming in just after Greeeen
's "Tobira." Over a course of 4 weeks the single moved from #91 to #9. This was a big accomplishment for Sakanaction as they moved forward in the Japanese Music Industry.
In December 2008, the band announced their third album, Shinshiro
, which was released in January, 2009. The album includes their single, "Sentorei
." The album debuted at #8 on Oricon
weekly charts. The band held a national promotional tour, Sakanquarium2009, in February and March 2009.
On January 13, 2010, the band released the single "Aruku Around
", which hit #3 on the Oricon
weekly charts. On August 8, 2010 they made appearances at both the Summer Sonic and the World Happiness 2010 rock festivals in Tokyo.
weekly charts. On March 22, the music video for Aruku Around
picked up awards for Best Rock Video and Best Video of the Year from the 2011 Space Shower Music Video Awards, earning the band more recognition.
Sakanaction held a short summer tour called “SAKANAQUARIUM 2011 ZEPP ALIVE” which will kick off on June 19 at the Zepp Sapporo in Hokkaido. The band will then continue to perform at five other ZEPP venues in Japan.
On July 20, Sakanaction released their second single of the year, "Bach no Senritsu o Yoru ni Kiita Sei Desu.
" (Because I Listened to Bach Melodies at Night). This release helped them to gain even more popularity through Sakanaction's first ever live performance on the popular music variety show, Music Station
.
Their fifth album, "DocumentaLy", was released on September 28, reaching a peak of #2 on the Oricon
weekly charts, the highest the band has ever charted. The band also embarked on the "SAKANAQUARIUM 2011 DocumentaLy" tour beginning October 1.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
, electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, and New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
styles, and is thus difficult to classify under one category. The band consists of five members: Ichirō Yamaguchi, Motoharu Iwadera, Ami Kusakari, Emi Okazaki, and Keiichi Ejima.
In the band's own words, their name reflects a wish to act quickly and lightly, like fishes in the water, without fearing changes in the music scene. Sakanaction = Sakana (fish) + Action. They are enjoying increasing popularity, having achieved some mainstream success by appearing on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Japan Hot 100
Japan Hot 100
The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com ....
charts.
Members
- Ichiro Yamaguchi (山口一郎)
- Born in Otaru, HokkaidōOtaru, Hokkaidois a city and port in Shiribeshi, Hokkaido, Japan, northwest of Sapporo. The city faces the Ishikari Bay, and has long served as the main port of the bay. With its many historical buildings, Otaru is a popular tourist destination...
, September 8, 1980 - Vocalist and guitarist
- Responsible for writing lyrics.
- Born in Otaru, Hokkaidō
- Motoharu Iwadera (岩寺基晴)
- Born in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, March 11, 1981
- Guitarist
- Nicknamed Mocchi
- Ami Kusakari (草刈愛美)
- Born in TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, April 30, 1980 - Bassist
- Nicknamed Neesan
- Born in Tokyo
- Emi Okazaki (岡崎英美)
- Born in Otaru, HokkaidōOtaru, Hokkaidois a city and port in Shiribeshi, Hokkaido, Japan, northwest of Sapporo. The city faces the Ishikari Bay, and has long served as the main port of the bay. With its many historical buildings, Otaru is a popular tourist destination...
, October 5, 1983 - Keyboardist
- Nicknamed Zakki or Zakioka
- Born in Otaru, Hokkaidō
- Keiichi Ejima (江島啓一)
- Born in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, July 8, 1981
- Drummer
- Nicknamed Ejii
Origins
Ichirō Yamaguchi, Sakanaction's creator, originally started a band called Dutchman, in 1998 with his fellow high school mates, including Motoharu Iwadera. It was an indie rock band that was heavily inspired by British indie bands. From 2000 to 2003, they released one maxi single titled Fly, one album titled demonstration, and a single titled Mikazuki Sunset that was only sold at live performances. The band did not gain much recognition. In 2004, the members disbanded, leaving Yamaguchi to continue on alone as Dutchman. Yamaguchi began performing as a DJ at night clubs.Sakanaction was finally created in 2005. When Yamaguchi was working in a record store, he heard the song owari no kisetsu by Rei Harakami
Rei Harakami
was a Kyoto-based electronic musician from Hiroshima, Japan. He composed and mixed on two Roland SC-88Pro sound generators, at times supplemented by the Roland SK-88Pro keyboard model. He suffered a fatal brain hemorrhage on the 27th July 2011.Rei released his debut album in 1998 on Sublime Records...
and it became a great motivation for him to create Sakanaction. Yamaguchi founded the band together with Iwadera, while Kusakari left another band to join Sakanaction. Ejima was introduced by a mutual friend, while Okazaki was Yamaguchi's colleague from the record store.
The name "Sakanaction" carries an important meaning for the band members. Yamaguchi explained:
Rise to Popularity
Sakanaction first attracted attention at the 2006 Rising Sun Rock FestivalRising Sun Rock Festival
Rising Sun Rock Festival is an annual rock festival held in Ishikari, Hokkaido, Japan. The two-day event is organized by WESS. The festival sells itself as "A True Rock Festival", referring to the fact that only Japanese artists perform at this event...
. The band's first physical release was Go to the Future in 2007. Three songs originally from Dutchman were rereleased as Sakanaction releases - "Mikazuki Sunset" and "Inner World" were included in Go to the Future while "Word" was part of a digital download release, and later made it to NIGHT FISHING
NIGHT FISHING (album)
Night Fishing is the 2008 second album of Sakanaction, and follow up to Go to the Future. It contains 10 tracks.-Information:When asked about the approach Sakanaction took to this album, vocalist Ichirō Yamaguchi stated:...
.
Some time after the release of NIGHT FISHING
NIGHT FISHING (album)
Night Fishing is the 2008 second album of Sakanaction, and follow up to Go to the Future. It contains 10 tracks.-Information:When asked about the approach Sakanaction took to this album, vocalist Ichirō Yamaguchi stated:...
, the band made a decision to move from Hokkaido to Tokyo where they could reach out to more people. They were also moved from Victor Entertainment's BabeStar label to the main label.
On August 9, 2008, Sakanaction performed as one of the main acts on one of Japan's top music stations, "Music On!" in the event called Summer Sonic
Summer Sonic Festival
The Summer Sonic Festival is an annual two or three-days rock festival held at the same time in Osaka and Chiba. The majority of the bands playing in Osaka the first day go to Chiba the following day and vice versa....
'08. Sakanaction performed alongside, Paul Weller
Paul Weller
Paul Weller is an English singer-songwriter. Starting with the band The Jam , Weller then went on to branch out musically to a more soulful style with The Style Council...
, The Fratellis
The Fratellis
The Fratellis were an indie rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. The band consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli , bass guitarist Barry Fratelli , and drummer and backing vocalist Mince Fratelli .The band released 2 albums during their career, Costello Music in 2006 and Here We Stand in...
, Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
, Cajun Dance Party
Cajun Dance Party
Cajun Dance Party were a five-piece band based in London, England. They originally consisted of Robbie Stern, Max Bloom, Daniel Blumberg, Will Vignoles, and Vicky Freund. The band has split after Blumberg and Bloom left the band in 2009 to form the band Yuck, while other members of the band went to...
, Band of Horses
Band of Horses
Band of Horses, originally briefly known as Horses, are an American rock band formed in 2004 in Seattle by Ben Bridwell. They have released three studio albums, the most recent and most successful of which is 2010's Grammy nominated Infinite Arms...
, Blood Red Shoes
Blood Red Shoes
Blood Red Shoes are an indie rock duo from Brighton, England. They have released two full-length albums, Box of Secrets and Fire Like This, plus a slew of early singles on limited 7" vinyl pressings.-Formation:...
, and These New Puritans
These New Puritans
These New Puritans are a British Art Rock band from the Southend-on-Sea area. The group consists of Jack Barnett , his twin brother George Barnett , Thomas Hein , and Sophie Sleigh-Johnson...
. The show aired just three days before the New Year, on December 29, 2008.
On December 26, 2008, they made it to #9 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
's Japan Hot 100
Japan Hot 100
The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com ....
list with their single "Sentorei
Sentorei
Sen to Rei セントレイ is Sakanaction's first MAXI Single. The single is the lead single for their third album, Shinshiro. The tracks on the single are slightly more electronic than Sakanaction's previous works.-Tracklisting:-Sales:...
" beating out MAYS's "Kiss: Koi ni Ochite... Fuyu" and coming in just after Greeeen
GReeeeN
is a Japanese pop/rock/hip hop/breakbeat vocal group from Kōriyama city in Fukushima Prefecture, comprising the all-male four members Hide, Navi, 92, and Soh. They made their debut with Universal Music in 2007. Their logo image is of a mouthful of teeth, and the four Es indicate the number of members...
's "Tobira." Over a course of 4 weeks the single moved from #91 to #9. This was a big accomplishment for Sakanaction as they moved forward in the Japanese Music Industry.
In December 2008, the band announced their third album, Shinshiro
Shinshiro (album)
Shinshiro is Japanese rock group Sakanaction's third album and was released on January 21, 2009. It includes the songs Sen To Rei and Ame from their maxi single, "Sentorei." The album contains a different version of the song Ame that was not released on the single, entitled, Ame. It also contains...
, which was released in January, 2009. The album includes their single, "Sentorei
Sentorei
Sen to Rei セントレイ is Sakanaction's first MAXI Single. The single is the lead single for their third album, Shinshiro. The tracks on the single are slightly more electronic than Sakanaction's previous works.-Tracklisting:-Sales:...
." The album debuted at #8 on 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...
weekly charts. The band held a national promotional tour, Sakanquarium2009, in February and March 2009.
On January 13, 2010, the band released the single "Aruku Around
Aruku Around
is Japanese band Sakanaction's second physical single, released on released on January 13, 2010. It was used in commercials for outdoor sports brand Kissmark from late December, 2009.-Single:...
", which hit #3 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...
weekly charts. On August 8, 2010 they made appearances at both the Summer Sonic and the World Happiness 2010 rock festivals in Tokyo.
2011 Activities
Sakanaction announced they would release a brand new single March 16 titled “Rookie“. Almost seven months since their last single “Identity”, “Rookie” centered around club music, pop, and rock. It peaked at #6 on the OriconOricon
, 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...
weekly charts. On March 22, the music video for Aruku Around
Aruku Around
is Japanese band Sakanaction's second physical single, released on released on January 13, 2010. It was used in commercials for outdoor sports brand Kissmark from late December, 2009.-Single:...
picked up awards for Best Rock Video and Best Video of the Year from the 2011 Space Shower Music Video Awards, earning the band more recognition.
Sakanaction held a short summer tour called “SAKANAQUARIUM 2011 ZEPP ALIVE” which will kick off on June 19 at the Zepp Sapporo in Hokkaido. The band will then continue to perform at five other ZEPP venues in Japan.
On July 20, Sakanaction released their second single of the year, "Bach no Senritsu o Yoru ni Kiita Sei Desu.
Bach no Senritsu o Yoru ni Kiita Sei Desu.
"Bach no Senritsu o Yoru ni Kiita Sei Desu." 『バッハの旋律を夜に聴いたせいです。』「バッハのせんりつをよるにきいたせいです。」 is the 5th single by Japanese rock band Sakanaction...
" (Because I Listened to Bach Melodies at Night). This release helped them to gain even more popularity through Sakanaction's first ever live performance on the popular music variety show, Music Station
Music Station
is a Japanese music television program. It began broadcasting on October 24, 1986 and continues to be broadcast weekly in High-definition from 8PM-9PM on tv asahi...
.
Their fifth album, "DocumentaLy", was released on September 28, reaching a peak of #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...
weekly charts, the highest the band has ever charted. The band also embarked on the "SAKANAQUARIUM 2011 DocumentaLy" tour beginning October 1.
Original albums
| Year | Album Information | 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... Albums Charts |
Reported sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Go to the Future
|
105 | 5,200 |
| 2008 | Night Fishing NIGHT FISHING (album) Night Fishing is the 2008 second album of Sakanaction, and follow up to Go to the Future. It contains 10 tracks.-Information:When asked about the approach Sakanaction took to this album, vocalist Ichirō Yamaguchi stated:...
|
53 | 7,600 |
| 2009 |
|
8 | 32,000 |
| 2010 | kikUUiki (Mixing Airspace)
|
3 | 56,900 |
| 2011 | DocumentaLy Documentaly Documentaly is Japanese rock group Sakanaction's fifth album and was released on September 28, 2011. It includes the songs Identity, Rookie, Bach no Senritsu wo Yoru ni Kiita Sei desu., years, and a remix of Holy Dance from the 3 singles released before the album. 8 new tracks were created for the...
|
2 | 70,000 |
EPs
| Year | Album Information |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 'Night Fishing Is Good' Tour 2008 in Sapporo
|
Remixion
|
|
| 2009 | "Fish Alive" 20min., 1 Sequence by 6 Songs Sakanaquarium 2009 @ Sapporo
|
Singles
| Release | Title | Notes | Chart positions | Oricon sales |
Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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... Singles Charts |
Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Japan Hot 100 Japan Hot 100 The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com .... * |
RIAJ RIAJ Digital Track Chart The is chart ranks the best selling digital singles in Japan, provided by the Recording Industry Association of Japan since April 2009. The chart measures cellphone downloads .... digital tracks* |
|||||
| 2007 | Digital download | — | — | — | — | Night Fishing NIGHT FISHING (album) Night Fishing is the 2008 second album of Sakanaction, and follow up to Go to the Future. It contains 10 tracks.-Information:When asked about the approach Sakanaction took to this album, vocalist Ichirō Yamaguchi stated:... |
|
| Digital download | — | — | — | — | |||
| 2008 | "Sen to Rei" | 35 | 9 | — | 6,300 | Shinshiro Shinshiro (album) Shinshiro is Japanese rock group Sakanaction's third album and was released on January 21, 2009. It includes the songs Sen To Rei and Ame from their maxi single, "Sentorei." The album contains a different version of the song Ame that was not released on the single, entitled, Ame. It also contains... |
|
| 2009 | Digital download | — | 60 | — | — | ||
| 2010 | "Aruku Around Aruku Around is Japanese band Sakanaction's second physical single, released on released on January 13, 2010. It was used in commercials for outdoor sports brand Kissmark from late December, 2009.-Single:... " |
3 | 4 | 38 | 27,000 | Kikuuiki | |
| align="left"| | Promotional single | — | 92 | — | — | ||
| "Identity Identity (song) is Japanese band Sakanaction's third physical single, to be released on August 4, 2010.-Writing and inspiration:The song is an upbeat dance/rock song, with a Latin beat. The lyrics centre around the lines of the chorus, "There's no identity, it can't be born." The verses question whether a person's... " |
12 | 7 | — | 21,000 | DocumentaLy | ||
| 2011 | 6 | 7 | — | 17,000 | |||
| align="left"| | 8 | 4 | 30 | 21,000 | |||
External links
- Sakanaction @ Victor EntertainmentVictor Entertainmentis a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
- Sakanaction @ MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Sakanaction Official Website
- Yamaguchi Ichiro Official Blog