Tokyo Yankees
Encyclopedia
Tokyo Yankees is a Japanese metal
band that formed in Tokyo in 1988. After peaking in popularity in the early 1990s and going on hiatus in 1995, the band reformed in 2000. Vocalist Soichiro "Ume" Umemura died in 2007 after nearly twenty years fronting the band. Tokyo Yankees however continue to perform with the other members sharing the vocals.
, who released their debut album, Do The Dirty, in 1991. That year they participated in Extasy Records' "Extasy Summit '91 at Nippon Budokan" to a crowd of 14,000.
The band released another record, Overdoing, on Extasy in 1992, before the label closed its doors. The bands popularity declined without Extasy's support, and following releases were issued on TriadZ Records (1993's Ghost Rider) and Nippon Columbia Records (1994's Vacate Your Useless Brain), after which the band went on hiatus.
A Tokyo Yankees compilation LP was issued in 1996, but the band remained inactive. In 2000 Ume, Nori and U.D.A. reformed Tokyo Yankees with Yoshimura on bass and released Pre-Emptive Strike in 2003. A year later Tokyo Yankee's issued 777, their first-ever EP release. It features covers of influential bands (The Damned, Black Sabbath
, Venom
, and Anthrax
) and well as re-recordings of two classic Yankees tracks; "Dirty Dog" and "Devil".
Tokyo Yankees were featured on Extasy's 15-year retrospective, entitled History of Extasy, in 2000. Vocalist Umemura commented on Extasy's success; "I may have not sold a million records, but I've never lost a fight!"
After reuniting the band performed regularly around the Tokyo area with many well known acts such as Youthquake, Ladies Room, Jolly Pickles and Ra:IN.
and Luna Sea
.
In May 2008 the band was featured on 413Tracks' Motörhead Tribute album with a recording of "Ace of Spades
" and a live rendition of "Overkill
". July saw the release a history DVD chronicling Tokyo Yankees career, and celebrating their 20th anniversary titled 20 and Alive [We Are The Yankees Of The Underworld And We're Undead!], which Yankee's supported with a small tour.
Nori, Yoshi and U.D.A continue to perform as Tokyo Yankee's and gig in the greater Tokyo area. Recent videos posted on Myspace and Youtube show the band sometimes performing with guest vocalists.
Since 2003 Nori has been active in his side-band From Hell, they have released two EP's and play one or two shows a month. Yoshi also plays in his side-band Blotto Rockers once a month. Occasionally when Nori plays with Kabukichou Boys and Yoshi with Go Bands, both bands use the name Fake And Liar.
the band was also briefly featured on Extasy Summit '92
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band that formed in Tokyo in 1988. After peaking in popularity in the early 1990s and going on hiatus in 1995, the band reformed in 2000. Vocalist Soichiro "Ume" Umemura died in 2007 after nearly twenty years fronting the band. Tokyo Yankees however continue to perform with the other members sharing the vocals.
Beginning and success
Tokyo Yankees formed in 1988 and began playing shows in the local club scene the following year. Umemura and Nori were previously in the heavy metal band Guerilla, while U.D.A. and Ami were in the speed/thrash metal band Rommel. Rockin 'f, a Japanese heavy metal publication, issued their first single, "Joker", with an issue of their magazine in 1990. That same year their song "Rat Race" was issued on a heavy metal omnibus album titled The End of the Century Rockers Emergency Express!. The band eventually signed with Extasy RecordsExtasy Records
Extasy Records is a Japanese record label founded in April 1986 by Yoshiki Hayashi, co-founder of the heavy metal band X Japan...
, who released their debut album, Do The Dirty, in 1991. That year they participated in Extasy Records' "Extasy Summit '91 at Nippon Budokan" to a crowd of 14,000.
The band released another record, Overdoing, on Extasy in 1992, before the label closed its doors. The bands popularity declined without Extasy's support, and following releases were issued on TriadZ Records (1993's Ghost Rider) and Nippon Columbia Records (1994's Vacate Your Useless Brain), after which the band went on hiatus.
Reunited
After Tokyo Yankees, Ami went on to form Charisma, who released three albums between 1997 and 2000.A Tokyo Yankees compilation LP was issued in 1996, but the band remained inactive. In 2000 Ume, Nori and U.D.A. reformed Tokyo Yankees with Yoshimura on bass and released Pre-Emptive Strike in 2003. A year later Tokyo Yankee's issued 777, their first-ever EP release. It features covers of influential bands (The Damned, Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Venom
Venom (band)
Venom are an English heavy metal band that formed in 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Venom's first two albums—Welcome to Hell and Black Metal —are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general...
, and Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
) and well as re-recordings of two classic Yankees tracks; "Dirty Dog" and "Devil".
Tokyo Yankees were featured on Extasy's 15-year retrospective, entitled History of Extasy, in 2000. Vocalist Umemura commented on Extasy's success; "I may have not sold a million records, but I've never lost a fight!"
After reuniting the band performed regularly around the Tokyo area with many well known acts such as Youthquake, Ladies Room, Jolly Pickles and Ra:IN.
Recent Activity
Vocalist Soichiro "Ume" Umemura died on December 11, 2007. Surprisingly the band has continued to perform, with Yoshi and Nori taking over vocal duties. One of the bands first shows following Ume's death was the "hide memorial summit" in May 2008, where they performed with Extasy Records alumni X JapanX Japan
is a Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1982 by Yoshiki and Toshi. Originally named X , the group achieved their breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second album Blue Blood...
and Luna Sea
Luna Sea
Luna Sea is a rock band from Kanagawa, Japan, formed in 1989. The band was initially founded by bassist J and rhythm guitarist Inoran, when they were in high school. They soon recruited lead guitarist and violinist Sugizo, drummer Shinya and vocalist Ryuichi, a lineup that has remained the same...
.
In May 2008 the band was featured on 413Tracks' Motörhead Tribute album with a recording of "Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades (song)
"Ace of Spades" is a song by the English band Motörhead, released in 1980 as a single and the title track to the album Ace of Spades. The song spent 12 weeks in the United Kingdom Singles Chart, peaking at #15.-Overview:...
" and a live rendition of "Overkill
Overkill (song)
"Overkill" is a song by the band Motörhead. It was released in 7" and 12" vinyl pressings in 1979. It is backed with B-side "Too Late Too Late" which appears on the CD re-issues of the Overkill album. Early copies came with a free "Overkill" badge...
". July saw the release a history DVD chronicling Tokyo Yankees career, and celebrating their 20th anniversary titled 20 and Alive [We Are The Yankees Of The Underworld And We're Undead!], which Yankee's supported with a small tour.
Nori, Yoshi and U.D.A continue to perform as Tokyo Yankee's and gig in the greater Tokyo area. Recent videos posted on Myspace and Youtube show the band sometimes performing with guest vocalists.
Since 2003 Nori has been active in his side-band From Hell, they have released two EP's and play one or two shows a month. Yoshi also plays in his side-band Blotto Rockers once a month. Occasionally when Nori plays with Kabukichou Boys and Yoshi with Go Bands, both bands use the name Fake And Liar.
Members
- Masanori "Nori" Hashimoto – 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...
, vocalsSingingSinging 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...
1988–1995, 2000–present (ex-Guerrilla, From Hell, Fake And Liar) - "Yoshi" Yoshimura – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocalsSingingSinging 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...
2000–present (Grimm the Capsule, Blotto Rockers, Fake And Liar) - Takashi "U.D.A." Udagawa – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
1988–1995, 2000–present (ex-Dementia, ex-Rommel)
Former members
- Soichiro "Ume" Umemura – vocals 1988–1995, 2000–2007† (ex-Guerrilla)
- Ami (荒山正広) – bass 1988–1995 (ex-Rommel, Charisma)
- Tohda – guitar 1988–1990 (Samurai Blondies)
- Hiyori – vocals (Youthquake)
Albums
- Do the Dirty (May 20, 1991)
- Overdoing (October 20, 1992)
- Ghostrider (October 5, 1993)
- Vacate Your Useless Brain (September 21, 1994)
- The Best of Tokyo Yankees '93–'95 (June 21, 1996)
- Pre Emptive Strike (October 14, 2003)
- 777 (October 9, 2004)
Videos
- Extasy Summit '91 at Nippon Budokan (1992)
- 20 and Alive [We Are The Yankees Of The Underworld And We're Undead!] (August 27, 2008)
the band was also briefly featured on Extasy Summit '92
Other
- The End of the Century Rockers Emergency Express! (October 21, 1990, "Rat Race")
- Lightning&Thunder (October 1, 1998, "Light My Fire" and "Japanese Motherfucker")
- History of Extasy (June 21, 2000, "Japanese Motherfucker")
- Tribute To Masami -White Disc- ("Dead Rock")
- 413Tracks' Motorhead Tribute (May 14, 2008, "Ace of Spades" and "Overkill")
- Hard 'N' Heavy 2010 (February 13, 2010, "So What (Demo)")
- Various artists compilation album in Vol. 15 of We Rock magazine