Sadistic Mika Band
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The Sadistic Mika Band is a popular Japanese hard rock - glam rock group formed in 1972. Its name is a parody of the "Plastic Ono Band". Produced by Masatoshi Hashiba on EMI Toshiba Records, the band were led by the husband and wife team of guitarist Kazuhiko Kato, and his wife, singer (Sadistic) Mika. The word "sadistic" is reported to be inspired by her insensitive sense of humour.
The original lineup of the band included Kato, Mika, drummer Hiro Tsunoda, and lead guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka. This lineup recorded the single 'Cycling Boogie' in 1973. Subsequently Tsunoda left the band, to be replaced by Yukihiro Takahashi, and bassist Rei (Ray) Ohara joined the band. This lineup completed the band's first, self-titled, album. This album was released on the Harvest label in the United Kingdom.
Their second album Kurofune (literally 'Black Ship(s)') was recorded in England, produced by Chris Thomas. Thomas also introduced Mika to Badfinger while he produced their 1974 masterpiece Wish You Were Here, her vocals can be heard on the track 'Know One Knows' (translating Pete Ham's lyrics to Japanese. Keyboardist Yu Imai who had worked as a supporting musician on the first album was promoted to full member status. The album sold well in Japan. In the United Kingdom, where the album was released on Harvest records, the album sold poorly, but received high praise from critics.
Bassist Ray Ohara left the band, and was replaced by Tsugutoshi Goto. Chris Thomas also produced their third album, Hot! Menu. The album "Hot Menu" featuring tracks such as "Mada, Mada Samba" is now quite rare though it featured on Radio Four's "Sounds Interesting". They played live on BBC TV's "Old Grey Whistle Test" during October, 1975. The band featured two tracks from the "Hot Menu" album, 'Time To Noodle' and 'Suki, Suki, Suki'.
When the group appeared on the British TV show The Old Grey Whistle Test, a stagehand arranged for the name of the programme title (usually shown hung from the back wall) to be spelled as The Old Gley Whistle Test, a joke on the Japanese pronunciation of the word "grey".
The group also made an appearance on BBC TV's Pebble Mill at One and were interviewed by Jan Leeming. Photographs from this appearance were published in the book "S/M/B/2" (2006, Shinko Music) by Masayoshi Sukita who was a close friend of the group.
The band played live in the United Kingdom supporting Roxy Music. Recordings from these concerts were released as their Live in London album.
After this album was released, Kazuhiko Kato and Mika divorced, and both left the band. Mika later married British producer Chris Thomas, and moved to the UK, where she worked as a food researcher.
HMV Japan rated them #94 in their "Top 100 Japanese pops Artists".
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[edit] The Sadistics
The remaining members, Takahashi, Takanaka, Imai, and Goto continued for several years as The Sadistics. They released two studio albums and two live albums, before the band eventually petered out in 1979 as the members became busy with their solo careers and other projects, such as the Yellow Magic Orchestra and Imitation. All members continued to work with Kazuhiko Katoh on his solo albums in the 1970s and 80s.
[edit] Activity after the breakup
Kazuhiko Kato is now a radio show presenter and a television personality in Japan. He had a successful solo career after the SMB broke up; pursuing a ska direction before becoming interested in European experimental music. Most of his solo work exploits the talents of the other former Sadistic Mika Band members and other notable guest artists such as Ryuichi Sakamoto, Haruomi Hosono and Akiko Yano.
Mika band producer Masatoshi Hashiba also produced the popular band Vodka Collins.
Drummer Yukihiro Takahashi went on to become part of Y.M.O. (Yellow Magic Orchestra), and more recently has been working in the duo Sketch Show with his ex-YMO bandmate Haruomi Hosono. He has also acted in a number of films and TV shows, usually in comedic roles.
Ray Ohara was a regular member of Takahashi's band in the 1980s and 90s.
Mika released a self-produced album in 1994, where she wrote all songs and lyrics.
Tsugutoshi Goto has released a large number of albums both solo, and as a member of various bands.
Yu Imai went on to form the group Imitation and collaborated with members of Sandii & the Sunsetz and Talking Heads
Masayoshi Takanaka went on to become one of the most famous guitarists in Japan. He has been releasing studio albums and touring to this day.
[edit] Reunions
The band has reunited three times. Each time Kazuhiko Kato, Yukihiro Takahashi, and Masayoshi Takanaka have formed the core of the band, with a different female lead vocalist, and supporting musicians, each time.
In 1985, the band reunited as the Sadistic Yuming Band. Tsugutoshi Goto returned on bass. In addition, Ryuichi Sakamoto played keyboards and Yumi Matsutoya, AKA Yuming, sang the female lead vocals.
In 1989, the band reunited with Ray Ohara on bass instead of Goto, and Karen Kirishima on vocals. An album of new material Appare was released, as well as a live album, Seiten, concentrating on new material.
In 2006 Kaela Kimura became the lead vocalist of the band, resulting in the album Narkissos.
In 2007 the group released a 3 disc live retrospective including material from 1975 and 2006, plus video clips.
