Perfume | |
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Perfume performing at Rock In Japan Festival, in July 2009 |
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Background information | |
Origin | Hiroshima, Japan |
Genres | Pop, dance-pop, electronic pop, fidget house, electro house, bitpop, electronica |
Years active | 2001 | –present
Labels | Tokuma Japan Communications (2005-present) |
Associated acts | Yasutaka Nakata, Team Amuse |
Website | www.perfume-web.jp |
Members | |
Ayano Ōmoto Yuka Kashino Ayaka Nishiwaki |
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Past members | |
Yūka Kawashima |
Perfume is a Japanese all-girl trio from Hiroshima, Japan, consisting of Ayano Ōmoto, Yuka Kashino, and Ayaka Nishiwaki. They debuted locally in 2001 and made their transition to a major label in 2005, focusing more on electropop. As of April 2011, the group has released twelve major label singles.[1]
Since 2003, Perfume has been produced by Yasutaka Nakata, founder of the group Capsule and the Contemode label.[2] The group's original post-Shibuya-kei sound made a sharp transition to electronic, dance and pop music taking on Auto-Tune, vocoders and electro house upon their signing to a major label.[3]
Contents |
In 2000, Ayaka Nishiwaki, Yuka Kashino ("Kashiyuka"), and Yuuka Kawashima ("Kawayuka") formed the group. Because all three members had the Japanese character for fragrance in their names (香), they named the group Perfume. However, before the group could even debut, Kawashima decided to pull out of the project and pursue her studies. Nishiwaki set out to find a replacement, and Ayano Omoto (Nocchi) joined as the third member. The three girls attended the Actors School in Hiroshima, as part of the inaugural class of 1999.
In March 2002, Perfume debuted in Hiroshima with the single "Omajinai Perori". They followed up the release with "Kareshi Boshūchū" in November of that same year. Both singles were only sold in Hiroshima under Momiji Label. Around this time they also met Mikiko, a choreographer who would go on to coordinate all of the group's dances from this point forward.
In 2003, following their graduation from the Actors School in Hiroshima, the trio moved to Tokyo. There, they became a part of Bee-Hive, a project that Buzy and Boystyle also belonged to, and signed with the management office Amuse, Inc..[4] In Tokyo, they also met capsule's Yasutaka Nakata who would become their main producer. Between the years of 2003 and 2004, they released "Sweet Donuts", "Monochrome Effect", and "Vitamin Drop" under the indie record label Bee-Hive Records. It was also during this time that they had their first three live performances. Though none of their releases became a hit, their management office made the choice to give Perfume a major debut.
From 2004 autumn to 2005 summer, Perfume temporarily set Akihabara as their home ground. They participated in a project tiled Akihabalove featuring Perfume x DJ Momo-i a.k.a Haruko Momoi, a female voice actor.[5] The song was released on a DVD along with the promotional video. They sometimes held surprise live street performances there,[6] and they used to be considered as "Akiba-kei idols" till the hit of Game.[7]
On September 21, 2005, Perfume made its major label debut under the label Tokuma Japan Communications. They released "Linear Motor Girl", which charted on the Oricon charts at number 99. Two singles, "Computer City" and "Electro World", followed in 2006.
On August 2, 2006, Perfume released Perfume: Complete Best along with a new track, "Perfect Star, Perfect Style" (パーフェクトスター・パーフェクトスタイル). The album reached number 33 on the Oricon charts (later climbing up as high as number 25 with the release of Perfume's second album, Game).
On December 20, 2006, Perfume released a download exclusive song, "Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow". The song later appeared on their single, "Fan Service: sweet". On December 21, 2006, Perfume had a live concert held at Harajuku Astro Hall which was later recorded and released as "Fan Service: bitter".
While almost all of the other Bee-Hive members began to get dropped by Amuse, Inc., Perfume was given the opportunity to release another single. In February 2007, they released "Fan Service: Sweet" featuring the fun dance track "Chocolate Disco". This was a turning point for Perfume in which their luck began to change. Although the sales for "Fan Service: sweet" were not stellar, "Chocolate Disco" did catch the attention of an already well-established artist in the J-pop industry, Kimura Kaela. Kimura then played Perfume's music on her radio show consistently.[8] While listening to Kimura's radio show, a commercial director named Akira Tomotsugi noticed Perfume and decided to use the three girls in an upcoming TV ad.[9] On July 1, 2007, the commercial for NHK's national recycling campaigned aired, featuring Perfume and a new song, "Polyrhythm". The commercial gave Perfume exposure they could have only dreamed of before. Subsequently, their next live show sold out, and Perfume became the first idol group to perform at the Summer Sonic music festival.[10][11] On September 12, 2007, Perfume released their tenth single, "Polyrhythm". It reached number 4 on the Oricon daily single charts and climbed as high as number 7 on the weekly charts.[12] This is noted as the beginning of Perfume's national fame.
In 2008, the group followed up the success of "Polyrhythm" with "Baby Cruising Love/Macaroni." The single reached number 3 on the Oricon weekly charts and sold 50,000 copies. On April 16, 2008, Perfume released their first original album, Game. Game reached number 1 on the Oricon charts upon its release,[12] making Perfume the first technopop group to achieve this since Yellow Magic Orchestra's Naughty Boys in 1983.[13] At the time of the album's release, Perfume ~Complete Best~, "Polyrhythm", and "Baby Cruising Love/Macaroni" all re-entered the Oricon charts. The album went on to sell over 450,000 copies and is certified double platinum.
After the album's release, Perfume First Tour "Game" was announced. The group toured 10 cities and sold out all tickets.[14] On the final date of the tour, Perfume announced that they would be doing a 2-day show at the prestigious Nippon Budokan in November 2008 as well as the release date of their next single, "love the world".[15]
"Love the World" was released on July 9, 2008. It became the first technopop song to ever reach number 1 on the Oricon charts.[16] In October 2008, the Perfume First Tour "Game" DVD was announced. Upon its release, it beat prominent artists like Koda Kumi and Namie Amuro for the number 1 spot.[17] Perfume then performed at Budokan for 2 days, November 6 and 7. On the second show, titled "Budoukaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!", they announced a show at yet another famous venue, Yoyogi National Gymnasium titled "Disco!Disco!Disco!". The year 2008 ended with the release of their 13th single, "Dream Fighter," which reached number 2 on the charts.[18] They were also chosen to sing at NHK's 59th Kouhaku Uta Gassen, the prestigious end of the year live TV program.
On March 25, 2009, Perfume released their 14th single, "One Room Disco". The single reached number 1 on the charts.[12] In April 2009, Perfume began broadcast of a comedy sketch program titled Perfume's Chandelier House.[19] On July 8, 2009, the group released its "80s-themed" third album, Triangle. The album was another number 1 hit for Perfume, selling over 300,000 copies.[12] Perfume then went on their second nationwide tour in order to promote the album.
In 2010, Perfume released "Fushizen na Girl / Natural ni Koishite", which reached number 2 on the charts.[20] They went on a fanclub-exclusive tour and titled Perfume 10th Anniversary Fan Club Tour[21] and also announced that they would be having a show at Tokyo Dome titled "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11." Perfume took part in a commercial for a Pepsi NEX campaign in Japan. In that commercial, they covered a short segment of Lovefool by The Cardigans.[22] On August 11, 2010, Perfume celebrated their 10th anniversary with the release of their 16th single, "Voice", which was used in a Nissan advert.[23]
On November 3, 2010, Perfume held a show at the Tokyo Dome titled "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11" in celebration of their 10th anniversary together as a group. Perfume is the first female group to have a concert at the dome since Speed in 1998 and the second female group overall.[24] Tickets for the show were sold out on the day tickets were released. The demand for the tickets was so high that extra, unplanned seats were added. Perfume performed to 50,000 fans.[25] At the end of the show, it was announced that Perfume would attend the Mnet Asian Music Awards (a Korean music based award show that takes place in Macau), as one of the representatives for Japan alongside R&B duo Chemistry.[26] It was to be Perfume's first overseas performance.[25] After the concert, a new single titled "Nee" was released on November 10, 2010,[27] and like "Natural ni Koishite", it was a tie-up with Japanese apparel brand Natural Beauty Basic. The single debuted at number 2 with first-week sales of 85,164, their highest first-week singles sales to date.[28] On November 28, 2010, Perfume received the "Best Asia Artist Award" at the Mnet Asian Music Awards in Macau and later on performed "Nee" and "Chocolate Disco".[29] The DVD of the "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11" live performance at Tokyo Dome was released on February 9, 2011. Since 2 February 2011 a new song "Laser Beam" was featured in a Kirin juice ad "Hyouketsu".[30] Though it was announced on March 3, 2011 that their next single would be released on April 20, 2011, the official site announced on 1 April 2011, that the new single would be a double A-side single of "Laser Beam/Kasuka na Kaori" and the release was suspended till 5 May 2011, due to the 2011 eastern Japan earthquake.[31] The new release date of the single was then set to be on May 18, 2011.
In 2011, the representative song "Polyrhythm" was chosen as an inserted song of Pixar's movie, Cars 2. The song is also included in the film's soundtrack. Perfume was invited, and attended the world premiere of Cars 2 in Los Angeles on June 18, 2011. Perfume did a second TV commercial for Kirin and featured a new song, "Glitter".
On September 5, 2011, Perfume announced that they will be releasing their fourth album, JPN on November 30, 2011. Before the album was to be released, they released the new single, "Spice" on November 2, 2011, which is the lead single for the album and includes the song "Glitter" from their recent Kirin commercial tie-up.
On October 15, 2011, Perfume and Japanese co-ed band AAA represented Japan as performers for the 2011 Asia Song Festival which was held in Daegu, South Korea. They performed alongside Korean acts Super Junior, Girls' Generation, Beast and Lee Seung-gi, Chinese singer Zhou Bichang, Hong Kong singer Leo Ku, Taiwanese singer Peter Ho and Thai singer Tata Young.[32]
Perfume members use their nicknames on stage or TV rather than their real names. Kashino was called "Yuka-chan" in the group's early activity, but was later named "Kashiyuka" in order to distinguish her from Yūka Kawashima, who was then named "Kawayuka".
Member | Birth name | Birth Date |
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A~chan | Ayaka Nishiwaki | February 15, 1989 |
Kashiyuka | Yuka Kashino | December 23, 1988 |
Nocchi | Ayano Ōmoto | September 20, 1988 |
Member | Birth name | Notes |
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Kawayuka |
Yuka Kawashima | Left the group in order to pursue her studies.She later joined another group called Risky. She then attempted a solo career as Yuka. |
On Nico Nico Douga, the biggest Japanese movie site (similar to YouTube), MADs featuring Perfume songs and idolm@ster videos, were created, which led the album to number 1 status on Amazon.jp's music bestsellers. Some Internet media consider that this is one of the factors that Perfume gained net-based popularity at first.[33][34] On the July 2007 ranking of Niconico Ichiba, or Niconico market, where users can introduce and buy goods related to videos, Perfume: Complete Best was ranked as number 1 and "Fan Service: Sweet" as number 7.[35]
The group has influenced acts like Aira Mitsuki, immi, Mizca, SAWA, Saori@destiny, Sweet Vacation, 80_pan and former labelmate Vanilla Beans.[36]
Marty Friedman named Perfume "the group that have the largest influence on the Japanese music industry in 2008", and covered their 5th major single Polyrhythm in the album Tokyo Jukebox.[37] Musicians such as Kreva, Pierre Nakano from the band Ling Tosite Sigure, and Aya Hirano also admit to be fans of the group[38]
Some musicians have officially revealed that they are fans of Perfume. Utamaru from a Japanese hiphop group Rhymester Okite Porsche from a new wave band RomanPorsche., both of enthusiastic idol fans,[4][39] declared that they are Perfume fans at the early stage of activities of the group and made a "25000 letter dialogue" over Perfume phenomenon on Yomiuri Shimbun Pop Style blog.[40]
Kimura Kaela played Perfume songs in heavy rotation in her radio program, which led them to appear in NHK AC Recycling Ads.[8]
Date(s) | Title of performance | Venue(s) |
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January 3, 2004 | Bee-Hive New Year Live '04: Perfume Day | Shibuya-Boxx |
April 11, 2004 | Perfume Record Release!Sing Live Special!! | Shibuya O-Crest |
December 16, 2004 | Play a Trick on You!! Dreamy World | Shibuya O-Crest |
July 7, 2005 | Play a Trick on You!! Electrical Girls | Shibuya O-West |
December 21, 2006 | Perfume's Poppokepiiiii Night | Harajuku Astro Hall |
December 21, 2006 | Perfume Presents: Perfume ga Ippai Santa Yonjaimashita | Harajuku Astro Hall |
July 5, 2007 | Perfume Hikoboshi Boshū-chū | Daikanyama Unit |
July 6, 2007 | ||
October 31, 2007 | Thankful! Grateful! Poly-invasion! We're Perfume | Nagoya Electric Lady Land, Osaka Muse, Shin-Hiroshima Telecasting Shinkan Ninth Story Studio |
November 3, 2007 | ||
November 8, 2007 | Perfume: Seventh Heaven Feeling Pleasant | Liquidroom |
December 31, 2007 | Perfume Masaka no Countdown!? Li??idroom: That Night Once Again, in Zepp Tokyo | Zepp Tokyo |
February 12, 2008 | Perfume: Socks, Fix, Max | Shibuya-AX |
February 13, 2008 | Eve of P.T.A. Launch: Patto Fun Playing Gathering | Liquidroom |
April 27, 2008 | Perfume First Tour: Game | Zepp Osaka, Takamatsu Olive Hall, Hiroshima Club Quattro, Fukuoka Drum Logos, Zepp Tokyo, Zepp Nagoya, Niigata Lots, Sendai Forus, Sendai Club Junk Box, Sapporo Penny Lane, Yokohama Blitz |
June 1, 2008 | ||
June 21, 2008 | Hot Stuff 30th Anniversary: Black and Blue | Zepp Tokyo |
November 6, 2008 | Budōkaaaaaaaaaan!!!!! | Nippon Budokan |
November 7, 2008 | ||
May 9, 2009 | Disco! Disco! Disco! | Yoyogi National Gymnasium |
May 10, 2009 | ||
August 7, 2009 | Perfume Second Tour 2009 Chokkaku Nitōhen Sankakkei Tour | Toda City Culture Kaikan, Fukuoka Sun Palace Hotel and Hall, Hiroshima Kouseinenkin Kaikan, Himegin Hall, Ishikawa Kouseinenkin Kaikan, Niigata People's Kaikan, Sapporo City People's Hall, Sendai Sun Plaza Hall, Nagoya Nippon Gaishi Hall, Osaka City Hall, Yokohama Arena |
October 30, 2009 | ||
March 7, 2010 | P.T.A. Spring 2010 Tour | Yokohama Blitz, Zepp Nagoya, Zepp Osaka, Zepp Tokyo, Zepp Sendai, Niigata Lots, Zepp Sapporo, Zepp Fukuoka, Hiroshima Cluc Quattro, Kochi Bay5 Square |
April 3, 2010 | ||
November 3, 2010 | Perfume live @Tokyo Dome "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11" | Tokyo Dome |
November 28, 2010 | Mnet Asian Music Awards | The Venetian Macao |
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