Spitz (band)

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Spitz (スピッツ)
Origin	Shizuoka, Japan
Genre(s)	J-Pop/Rock
Years active	1987–Present
Label(s)	UNIVERSAL POLYDOR
Website	Official Website
Members
Masamune Kusano Tetsuya Miwa Akihiro Tamura Tatsuo Sakiyama

Spitz (スピッツ, Supittsu^?) is a Japanese rock band originally formed in 1987. They are one of the Japanese music groups who gained remarkable commercial prosperity in the mid and late 1990s, generally known by their abstract and eccentric songwriting mainly penned by primary singer-songwriter and guitarist Masamune Kusano.

In March 1991, they debuted with their self-titled album and a single "Hibari no Kokoro." Since the commercial success of their breakthrough single "Robinson" which was released in 1995, they have retained their stable popularity on the Japanese music industry. To date, they have produced 14 number-one hits (nine albums and five singles) on the Japanese Oricon record charts.^[1][2] As of November 2007, total sales of the band's albums and singles have been estimated more than 20 million units.

Contents 1 About Spitz 2 History 2.1 The early days after their debut (1991-1992) 2.2 Producer Masanori Sasaji (笹路正徳) period (1993-1996) 2.3 Self Produce – Producer Shokichi Ishida (石田小吉) period (1997-2000) 2.4 Producer Seiji Kameda (亀田誠治) period (2001-) 3 Band members 4 Discography 4.1 Singles 4.2 Albums 4.2.1 Independent 4.2.2 Original 4.2.3 Trivia 4.2.4 Other 4.2.5 Best 5 Video and DVD 6 Tie-ins 7 References 8 External links

[edit] About Spitz

Spitz’s musical style is based on acoustic guitar that was influenced by Donovan, electric guitar played with arpeggio, and steady rhythm. Their characteristic is the surreal lyrics written by Kusano, melody influenced by popular songs and Kusano’s soft voice. Many of their songs are composed simply.

The band's name was proposed by Kusano and means “sharp and pointed” in German language. Kusano liked the sound of “s” followed by “p” (as in “special” or “crispy”). Kusano had wanted to use this name since he was a high school student, but members of his band had always disagreed with him. “Spitz” was his favorite word picked up from his dictionary.

Their fan club (“Spitzbergen”) is named after a Norwegian island Spitsbergen located on the Arctic Ocean.

In 1995, the album “Robinson” had sold more than 1 million copies and became very popular. After that the singles “Sora mo Toberuhazu” (空も飛べるはず) and “Cherry” (チェリー) have sold more than 1 million copies each.

Spitz' sound is often described as “conventional pop" or ballad. However, the band initially started as a hard rock band. They love rock music and they view themselves as a rock band. They say that their music is “rock and popular music” and that they want to be “the wrong way band against the times.”

All of the members went to art school. Kusano and Tamura went to Tokyo Zokei University. Miwa and Sakiyama went to Bunka Fashion College. Miwa and Tamura are classmates when they were junior high school students.

The connection between audience and themselves is very important to them. So, Spitz’s policy is not to give a performance at a stage bigger than an ordinary concert hall. After becoming a famous band, Kusano said “We are not thinking of giving a performance at Nippon Budokan.” at their concert tour. (However, he also said “It’s true that I said we don’t want to do just now, and I didn’t say we won’t do it forever.”)

In spring in 1986, Kusano met Tamura at Tokyo Zokei University and they formed a band, the “Cheetahs” with drummer Atsushi Ono. At that time, the band was heavily influenced by a punk rock sound, so they arranged “365 Ho no March” (365歩のマーチ) for punk rock, or played　“Ichigo Hakusho wo Mou Ichido” (いちご白書をもう一度). The band eventually evolved into “The Spitz” with a new member Taku Nishiwaki. However, Kusano realized that The Blue Hearts had already done the music that they wanted to do, so this incarnation of Spitz broke up.

In 1987, Kusano transferred from Tokyo Zokei University to Musashino Art College, but he continued to play NES in Tamura’s house, so the friendship between them didn’t break up. In the meantime they planned to form a band again. Tamura invited Miwa who was his classmate in his junior high school, and Miwa invited Sakiyama who belonged to the same folk song club at Bunka Fashion College. These four members formed the new incarnation of Spitz and gave performances at venues such as Shinjuku JAM (新宿ＪＡＭ), Shibuya La Mama (渋谷ラ・ママ), Shibuya Yaneura (渋谷屋根裏) from that autumn. At first they were influenced by The Blue Hearts so greatly that booking manager of Shibuya La Mama said to them, “You have no future.” In addition, Kusano began to think his play style isn’t suitable for him, he started to play acoustic guitar. At that time, they composed “Koi no Uta” (恋のうた) or “Hibari no Kokoro” (ヒバリのこころ) which are often performed on their stage even now, and Spitz’s style was beginning to take shape.

In July 1989, they held a one-man live for the first time in their history at Shinjuku Loft (新宿ロフト), which garnered 300 people. In March 1990,they released a mini album “Hibari no Kokoro” (ヒバリのこころ).

[edit] History

[edit] The early days after their debut (1991-1992)

On March 25th, 1991, they released the single “Hibari no Kokoro” (ヒバリのこころ) and the first album “spitz” simultaneously by Polydor Records, and they made their “quiet debut,” as they say. Indeed, the audience of their live concerts was small because it was time when the boom of band music had just passed, so they couldn’t catch people’s attention. (Equivalent to two or three front rows of middle size hall.) But the music world didn’t miss their uniqueness in music style. Especially “ROCKIN’ON JAPAN” introduced them as even “the new wave in 90s” and they became noteworthy artist in the press. But, originally not having admiration for major, the members repeated comments which can be taken for both jokes and seriousness, such as “We don’t have ambition,” “We’re a survivor of band music boom.” Despite their major debut, they were free because the number of their live concerts was small. So they engaged in making albums and they spend many days in a studio. In that year, they released the 2nd album “Namae wo Tsuketeyaru” (名前をつけてやる).

In April 1992, they released an orchestra-arranged mini album “Aurora ni Narenakatta Hito no Tame ni” (オーロラになれなかった人のために) together with Tomoki Hasegawa (長谷川智樹), who took charge of orchestra arranging in the recording of “Majo Tabi ni Deru” (魔女旅に出る) in the previous album “Namae wo Tsuketeyaru”, and that day they performed a joint recital with string musicians, (But Japanese singer Yutaka Ozaki (尾崎豊) died that day, so mass media didn’t pay attention to them and the night became a phantom.) In September, they released the rock taste third album “Hoshi no Kakera” (惑星のかけら) in which they made use of echo in background which they got in the mini album. They positively started broadening their world of music, and showed the eagerness as a band at last in the second year after debut. But at that time they hadn’t released any works that placed among the top 100 of Oricon Chart. Although the members originally weren’t conscious of the sales, they started feeling sorry for their office and recording company that overprotected their vision, and from the following year they appoint a producer to make works that would sell much.

[edit] Producer Masanori Sasaji (笹路正徳) period (1993-1996)

In 1993, they took on Masanori Sasaji as an outside producer, and were busy recording in the studio. In addition, they performed a monthly live concert “Spitz no Harunatsu Yakai” (スピッツの春夏夜会) from March to August at "Shibuya ON AIR (currently known as Shibuya O-EAST). The concerts were favorably received. As a result of these concerts, they released the pop-arranged 4th album “Crispy!” in September. The album didn’t sell as well as they hoped, and Kusano lost confidence in his voice and his ability to write songs. However, the single “Kimi ga Omoide ni Naru Mae ni” (君が思い出になる前に)from that album ranked in Oricon Chart for the first time. Gradually, they started attracting people’s attention. In April and July 1994, with Takayuki Hijikata (土方隆行) as producer, the singles “Sora mo Toberuhazu” and “Aoi Kuruma” (青い車) were released and became smash hits. In September, when they installed Sasaji as producer again, they released the 5th album “Sora no Tobikata” (空の飛び方), which ranked 14th when just released. By the way, this year they appeared in Music Station (TV Asahi’s program) with “Kimi ga Omoide ni Naru Mae ni”, in Pop Jam (NHK’s program) with “Aoi Kuruma”, in Count Down TV (TBS’s program) with “Spider”.

In April of the following year they released the single “Robinson” (ロビンソン) which placed among the top 10 of Oricon Chart for the first time and the sales exceeded 1.6 million. It ranked in 9th overall in the year. It became a long time seller which had placed among top 10 for over 30 weeks. In July, the single “Namida ga Kirari☆” (涙がキラリ☆) also ranked 2nd when just released and its sales were 98,000. At first they couldn’t realize these great hits. It was not until they appeared “MEET THE WORLD BEAT ’95” at Expo in Osaka in July that the members realized they really became stars after hearing great cheers from the audience. In September, they released the 6th album “Hachimitsu” (ハチミツ) which became a million seller. In October, they started the first long-term tour, and they performed over 40 concerts. In January, the following year, “Sora mo Toberu Hazu” was used as the theme song of Fuji TV network's drama Hakusen Nagashi (白線流し). It became a revival hit and ranked #1 in Oricon Chart for the first time as a single. More than 1.5 million copies were sold. (The members say this bewildered them.) In April, the single “Cherry” was also great hit with the sales of 1,610,000 copies. In October, they released the 7th album “Indigo Chiheisen” (インディゴ地平線) and started long term tour which has as many as 70 concerts.

[edit] Self Produce – Producer Shokichi Ishida (石田小吉) period (1997-2000)

By 1997 (their 10th anniversary) Sasaji withdrew as their producer and all the members were in their thirties. Since they felt they couldn’t depend on keeping their producers forever, they determined to stand on their own feet. They began to wonder if they should change the band's course. The band disliked the fact that they had taken on a conventional, orthodox image. So, they held ‘Rock Rock Konnichiwa” (ロックロックこんにちは) in Osaka, which became an annual event. They performed secret live concert at Shinjuku Loft where they mainly played their amateur days’ songs. In March 1998, Yuichi Tanaya (棚谷裕一) joined them as a co-arranger, and they released their self-produced 8th album “Fake Fur” (フェイクファー). In May 1998, Hiroko Kuji (クジヒロコ), the keyboardist, joined the all-over-Japan concert tours, and came to be an essential supporting member of their tours since then. During the tour, in August, they recorded “Hi-Fi, Low-Fi” (ハイファイ・ローファイ) “Sakana” (魚) ,”Seishun Ikinokori Game” (青春生き残りゲーム) with Kuji, which were collected in the album, “99ep”.

In March 1999, they compiled some unreleased tracks and released a special album entitled “Ka Chou Fu Getsu” (花鳥風月) with producer　Ryomei Shirai (白井良明). In July of the same year, they appeared in “MEET THE WORLD BEET” in Osaka again. Although they didn’t have plans to release new single at that time, they recorded by themselves inside or outside Japan from September to October. They brought “Moon Light” (ムーンライト) (already tracked down) and “Funanori” (船乗り) to the United States. After recording “Haru Natsu Rocket” (春夏ロケット) and “Memories” (メモリーズ), they mixed them down in Miami and mastered them in Los Angeles. Stephen Mackersen, who was in charge of mastering then, would become a necessary engineer for Spitz since 2000, except several singles.

While the members were in America, the recording company decided to sell a "greatest hits" compilation album. The members had no intention of releasing a "best of" album until after their break-up or retirement. However, despite their reluctance, the album “RECYCLE - Greatest Hits of SPITZ” was released in December of that year. In the end, it became a very successful album with the sales of more than 2 million copies. However, officially, the band does not recognize this album and does not include the CD in their official discography.

In 2000, they hired Shokichi Ishida (石田ショーキチ) as producer and started recording a new album in earnest. The members said it was a big stimulus to cooperate with a contemporary. In July of the year, they released 9th album “Hayabusa” (ハヤブサ), which is distinguished by its harder rock styling and changed their conventional image. They toured for one year with more than 100 performances.

[edit] Producer Seiji Kameda (亀田誠治) period (2001-)

After Sasaji’s withdrawal, their producer varied with their work, but they installed Seiji Kameda as producer, who is known as a producer of Ringo Shiina (椎名林檎) since 2001 and himself is a guitarist in Tokyo Jihen. In September 2002, they released the 10th album “Mikazuki Rock” (三日月ロック), which recovered the melody peculiar to Spitz, along with the rock sound of the previous album.

Although they didn’t release any singles in 2003, “Star Gazer” (スターゲイザー) was played on TV as the theme song of “Ainori” (あいのり) from that autumn, and it was released in January 2004 to rank 1st in Oricon Chart and get many fans. In March, 2004, they gathered the songs which hadn’t appeared in any albums since 1999 and released special album “Iroiro Goromo” (色色衣). In January of the following year 2005, they also released the 11th album “Souvenir” (スーベニア).

In March 2006, when 15 years had passed since their debut, they released official single collection album “CYCLE HIT Spitz Complete Single Collection”. The following year 2007 is their 20th anniversary of organization, and they held “20Shuunen Kinen Matsuri” (20周年記念祭り). In October, they released the 12th album “Sazanami CD” (さざなみCD), and they are going to start all-over-Japan tour from December.

[edit] Band members

• Masamune Kusano (草野マサムネ　Kusano Masamune, real name 草野正宗 (same pronunciation)). Vocals, guitar, and songwriting. Born on December 21, 1967 in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Graduated from Fukuoka Prefectural Jōnan High School, as well as from Musashino Art University with a degree in Design.
• Tetsuya Miwa (三輪テツヤ　Miwa Tetsuya, real name 三輪徹也 (same pronunciation)). Guitar. Born on May 17, 1967 in Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Graduated from Fujieda Meisei High School and Bunka Fashion College.
• Akihiro Tamura (田村明浩　Tamura Akihiro). Bass guitar, band leader. Born on May 31, 1967 in Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Graduated from Shizuoka Prefectural Fujieda East High School. Attended Tokyo Zokei University, but left before graduating.
• Tatsuo Sakiyama (崎山龍男 Sakiyama Tatsuo). Drums. Born on October 25, 1967 in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Graduated from Tochigi Prefectural Sano High School and Bunka Fashion College.

[edit] Discography

All titles listed chronologically.

[edit] Video and DVD

• Sora to Video (1995, POVH-1046)
• Jamboree 1 (1996, POVH-1052)
• Sora to Video 2 (1997, POVH-1057)
• Jamboree 2 (1999, POVH-1076)
• Sora to Video 3 (2000, UPVH-1001 (VHS), UPBH-1009 (DVD))
• Sora to Video Custom (2001, UPBH-1025)
• Jamboree Deluxe (2001, UPBH-1026)
• Hōrō Hayabusa Junjō Sugoroku (2003, UPBH-9135/6)
• Sora to Video 4 (2005, UPBH-1170)

[edit] Tie-ins

• Aoi Kuruma (ending theme for the TV Asahi show Oh! L Club)
• Hachimitsu (insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
• JE T'AIME? (insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
• Hanemono (commercial song for Calpis)
• Haruka (theme song for TBS drama Love Story)
• Haru no Uta (commercial song for Aquarius)
• Kaede (opening theme for TBS show Count Down TV)
• Kimi ga Omoide ni Naru Mae ni (commercial song for Ajinomoto Gift)
• Mahō no Kotoba (theme song for live action movie Honey and Clover)
• Masayume (theme song for Fuji TV show Medaka; commercial song for Fujifilm)
• Misoka (commercial song for Aquarius)
• Nagisa (commercial for the Glico snack food Pocky)
• Namida ga Kirari ☆ (opening theme for TBS show Count Down TV)
• Robinson (theme song for the Fuji TV show Imada Kōji no Shibuya-kei Ura Ringo)
• Sakana (insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
• Scarlet (theme for TBS drama Melody)
• Sora mo Toberuhazu (theme song for the Fuji TV drama Hakusen Nagashi)
• Stargazer (theme song for Fuji TV show Ainori)
• Supika (commercial song for the Japan Airlines Resotcha campaign; insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
• Tamagawa (insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
• Tsuki ni Kaeru (insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
• Tsumetai Hoho (commercial song for the Konica Revio)
• Umi o mi ni ikou (commercial song for Japan Rail)
• Unmei no Hito (theme song for the movie gekko no sasayaki)
• Y (insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
• Yoru wo Kakeru (insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
• Yume Janai (theme for TV Asahi show Futari: Wherever You Are)
• Yume Oi Mushi (theme for the Toho movie and Fuji TV drama Platonic Sex)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Spitz Official Website (in Japanese)
• Spitz @ Universal Music Japan (in Japanese)