is a Japanese ska

Ska

Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...

 band. They are currently signed to Nayutawave Records (a Universal Music label) and Kakubarhythm.

History

The band first started playing together as School Jackets, which was formed by 4 members of Nuts and Milk (Tanaka, Shiraishi, Yoshizawa, Matsumura), and Fruity member Jun Saito in the spring of 1997. The band pioneered a raw, frantic blend of thrash, funk, punk, ska and soul. Saito has said he wanted to create a blend of James Brown

James Brown

James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...

 and Charles Bronson (band)

Charles Bronson (band)

Charles Bronson was a prolific powerviolence band from DeKalb, Illinois, existing from 1994 to 1997. Although they were often associated with the straight edge scene, only two of the members actually abstained from drug and alcohol use.-Musical style:...

. Most songs remained under 1 minute - most under 30 seconds.

During approximately 6 months of activity, School Jackets released a demo tape "My Favorite 18 Soulful BLASTS!", a split tape with Less Talk More Rock entitled "SOUL FOR THE SOUL '97", and appeared on several compilations. A discography CD "Back to the Dance Floor" was later released by HG Fact (HG-090). All are now out of print.

Despite increasing popularity, the band decided to end School Jackets and reinvent themselves. From School Jackets' ashes, Your Song Is Good was born in 1998 with all of the same members intact. They initially took to a melodic punk/hardcore direction influenced by late 80's bands such as Dag Nasty. Video from one of the few shows from this early YSIG period can be seen on the "PLAY ALL!!" DVD. But again, they quickly abandoned this sound. It was at this time that YSIG went seemingly quiet.

After several years of intense practice and honing an entirely new musical direction, Your Song is Good re-emerged. After a few compilation appearances, they debuted in 2003 with a 7-inch EP called "Big Stomach, Big Mouth" as the first release on their new label, Kakuba Rhythm. Drastically mellower then their previous efforts, the new Your Song is Good was tight and polished. Combining elements from soul, to funk, to ska, to calypso, they distilled their punk energy into a refined - and uniquely Japanese - sense of melody.

Though YSIG remained largely instrumental for the first few years, since 2006 they have slowly began adding traditional vocals and lyrics to some of their songs (though many still remain instrumental). Also returning to the forefront in recent releases (notably on "The Action") is an increased sense of urgency and energy harkening back to their punk rock roots.

This trend continues on their latest release "B.A.N.D." (released March 3, 2010).

Timeline

• 1998
  • January - Your Song Is Good is formed from School Jackets.
• 2000
  • May - Yasuhiko "Sho: tei" Hattori (ハットリ "ショ～ティ" ヤスヒコ) joins.
• 2001
  • Hiyoruki "Da: taka" Takada (タカダ "ダ～タカ" ヒロユキ) joins.
• 2002
  • March - 1st 7-inch analog EP "Big Stomach, Big Mouth" release.
  • August - 1st mini-album "Come On" release.
  • December - 2nd 7-inch analog EP "Good Bye/Ka Cuba" release.
• 2003
  • September - 3rd 7-inch analog EP "Super Soul Meetin'/Sweet Spot" release.
• 2004
  • October - 1st full album "Your Song IS Good" release.
• 2005
  • April - Saitou and Toru Hidaka (of Beat Crusaders) take over the video DJ position at Space Shower TV (Studio Grown).
  • November - Split EP With "Your Song Is Good - Irurime/Mu-Stars - Zakkan Morimoto (BreakfastT)" release.
• 2006
  • May 3 - Split album with Beat Crusaders "Booootsy" release.
  • July 5 - Major Debut Mini Album "Fever" release.
• 2007
  • April 11 - 1st Single Aitsu Ni Yoroshiku (あいつによろしく) release.
  • May 16 - 2nd Full Album "Hot!Hot!Hot!Hot!Hot!Hot!" release.
• 2008
  • April 23 - 2nd single "The ReAction E.P.(Limited Edition comes with DVD) release
  • July 23 - 3rd Album " The Action" release
• 2010
  • March 3 - 4th Album "B.A.N.D." released

Current

- Organ and Vocals

Name: Born Jun Saito (斉藤淳 / さいとうじゅん) in 1973. From Hyōgo Prefecture

Hyogo Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...

. Graduated in Tokyo

Tokyo

, ; 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...

.

Former member of Fruity on Vocals and later Drums.

Gear: Uses a Hammond

Hammond organ

The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...

 XK-2. Initially used a Fender Rhodes.

- Guitar

Name： Masatomo Yoshizawa (吉澤成友 / よしざわまさとも)

Former member of Nuts & Milk on Vocals.

In charge of Album Art Design and Merchandise Design.

Gear: Uses several Semi-acoustic guitars, initially used an Epiphone

Epiphone

The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market...

 Emperor II. Recently has been using a Fender Stratocaster

Fender Stratocaster

The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...

.

- Guitar

Name：Kōji Shiraishi (白石浩二 / しらいしこうじ). From Chiba Prefecture

Chiba Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...

. Graduated in Kisarazu.

Former member of Nuts & Milk on Guitar.

Gear: Fender Telecaster

Fender Telecaster

The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...

- Trombone

Name: Yasuhiko Hattori (服部康彦 / はっとりやすひこ. From

Joined in 2000. Currently the oldest member. Originally just played in the studio. Began coming frequently and became a member unknowingly.

- Bass

Joined in 2001. Currently the youngest member.

Was a Salaryman

Salaryman

refers to someone whose income is salary based; particularly those working for corporations. Its frequent use by Japanese corporations, and its prevalence in Japanese manga and anime has gradually led to its acceptance in English-speaking countries as a noun for a Japanese white-collar...

 but recently quit.

- Drums

Former member of Nuts & Milk on Drums.

Former

• Takeo Matsumura (マツムラ タケオ) - Bass
• Hiroki Moriya (モリヤ ヒロキ) - Bass (Replaced with Hiroyuki in 2001)

7" EPs

1. Big Stomach, Big Mouth/Love Generation (KAKU-001) - March 2002 **Out of Print**
2. Good Bye/Ka Cuba (KAKU-003) - December 2002 **Out of Print**
3. Super Sould Meetin'/Sweet Spot (KAKU-006) - August 2003 **Out of Print**
4. Your Song Is Good x Irurime (イルリメ)/Mu-Stars x Zakkan Morimoto (森本雑感/Breakfast) (KAKU-016) - November 2005 **Out of Print**

Mini-Album

1. Come On (August 9, 2002)
   1. Papa’s Groove
   2. 10 Inch Stomp
   3. Hot Grapefruit
   4. Shortcake Pt.1
   5. My Melody
   6. Relaxin’

1. Booootsy (May 3, 2006) Beat Crusaders Split Album
   1. Fool Groove (Your Song Is Good x Beat Crusaders)
   2. Nothing to Loose (Beat Crusaders)
   3. "2.4.6.6.1.64"Number (Beat Crusaders)
   4. Hit in the USA (Your Song Is Good)
   5. Jump Up! Shimbashi! Jump Up! (Your Song Is Good)
   6. Our Melody (Your Song Is Good x Beat Crusaders)

1. Fever (July 5, 2006)
   1. The Intro (ジ・イントロ～)
   2. Super Soul Meetin’ (超ソウルミーティン～)
   3. Aah Wee: Stomp, Jump & (風呂編～)
   4. Nettai Boy (熱帯ボーイ)
   5. Wah! Wah! Boogie Woogie (わぁわぁブギウギ)
   6. A Short Vacation (ア・ショート・バケイション)
   7. April Sessions (4月の演奏～)
   8. Fever (フィーバー)

Albums

1. Your Song Is Good (October 6, 2004)

1. "2,4,6,6,1,64" Number
2. Splash
3. Love Generation
4. Yakiniku Madness
5. Good Lookin'
6. Locomotion
7. Do The Jxjx
8. Short Cake Pt4
9. Lovely Yellow
10. Good Bye
11. Shinyurigaoka 3a.M.
12. Up! Up!
13. Walkin' Walkin'
14. The Outro

2. Hot!Hot!Hot!Hot!Hot!Hot! (May 16, 2007)

1. Ooh Weeeeees! Ooh Weeeeees! Ooh Weeeeees! (ウイッス!ウイッス!ウイッス!)
2. Calypeeeeee! So (笛+カリプソ-)
3. Aitsu ni 4649 (あいつによろしく)
4. Nettai Boy Pt 2 (続・熱帯ボーイ)
5. Honneymoon Shuffle (はねむ～んしゃっふる)
6. Weekend Strut (週末はストラット)
7. Shorty's World (ショーティーの世界)
8. ”Six Mens” Goes to the South (6人は南をめざす)
9. Summer vs Winter (夏 対 冬)
10. Play It ”Booreiko” (無礼講な演奏)
11. O.S.T. from ”Walkin' with Maurice” (MOOD for 真昼間)
12. Boogaloo Super Express (ブガルー超特急)
13. The Hot-aka Hot! Hot! Hot! Hot! Hot! Hot!
14. ”Oi,Ole,Oh-Mae” Calypso (オイ、オレ、オマエ。)
15. Now Playing (いつでも演奏中)

3. The Action! (July 23, 2008)

1. The Kids Are Alright
2. A Man from the New Town
3. Magic Number
4. Action!!!!!!
5. Move or Die
6. I Wanna 再 ! 発 ! Right Now
7. Enjoy and Joy
8. I Like It Like That
9. 1-2-3-4! Calypso!
10. This Planet にて
11. The Catcher in the Music
12. The Hey!

4. B.A.N.D. (March 3, 2010)

1. B.A.N.D.
2. Deck O Track
3. Catch-as-Catch-Can
4. Dance with Me
5. Fight Back! Fight Back! Fight Back!
6. We Are
7. Mr. Everyman
8. Oniroku
9. Our Life
10. Namaensou Shimakuri no Weekend
11. The Love Song
12. Unbreakable
13. Signboarder Trippin'

Singles

1. Aitsu Ni Yoroshiku (あいつによろしく) (April 11, 2007)
   1. Aitsu Ni Yoroshiku (TBS series "Count Down TV" Ending) - あいつによろしく TBS系「Count Down TV
      Count Down TV
      is a Japanese late night music television show, originally broadcast on TBS from 1993 onwards. The program is shown weekly, and features a Japanese music video hit chart countdown, live performances from musicians and music information...
      
      」2007年4度エンディングテーマ）
   2. Bugaru Choutokkyuu (ブガルー超特急)
   3. Fever Mu-Stars Double-Three-Seven-Mix
2. The ReAction EP (April 23, 2008)
   1. A Man from the New Town
   2. Move or Die
   3. 10Inch Stomp
   4. The Reaction Baby

DVD

1. PLAY ALL!!!!!! live,accident,history,idea, We are YSIG 1998-2008 (May 13, 2009 - Released)

Other works

1. Sound Sketch (February 5, 2003)

   5.Love Generation

2. Doping Panda
   Doping Panda
   Doping Panda is a Japanese rock group. They are part of Sony Music Japan's gr8 records! division, which includes bands such as Orange Range, Uverworld and Boom Boom Satellites. They released their first album "Performation" in 2001, and a second "WE IN MUSIC" in 2004. In 2005, Doping Panda released...
   
    "Remixies for 3Years" (September 19, 2003)

   2.Tabloid Pubrock (Tabloid Pubrock Is Good Mix: Your Song Is Good)

3. "Mosh Pit on Disney" (July 28, 2004)

   22.Under the Sea

4. "Rock Motwon" (February 23, 2005)

   9.You Can't Hurry Love

5. Mu-Stars "Check1,2" (November 9, 2005)

   16.Funky Soysauce featuring Your Song Is Good

6. "Husking Bee" (March 21, 2007)

   12.後に跡

7. "アイのうた" (December 5, 2007)

   13.オイ、オレ、オマエ。: “Oi,Ole,Oh-Mae” Calypso

External links

• Official Website
• Kakubarhythm