Judy and Mary
| Judy and Mary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Hakodate, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan |
| Genres | Pop rock, punk, art punk, alternative rock |
| Years active | 1992–2001 |
| Labels |
Chainsaw Records Epic/Sony Records |
| Associated acts | Masahide Sakuma (producer) |
| Website | official website |
| Past members |
Yoshihito Onda Yuki Isoya Kohta Igarashi Takuya Asanuma (1993-2001) Taiji Fujimoto (1992-1993) |
Judy and Mary (often stylized as JUDY AND MARY) was a Japanese multi-genre band formed in 1992 in Hakodate, Hokkaido by bassist Yoshihito Onda and vocalist Yuki, with drummer Kohta Igarashi and guitarist Taiji Fujimoto completing the lineup in 1992. Guitarist Takuya replaced Taiji the following year. The band is known for their innovative punk, rock, and pop meldings of noisy but melodic music in the 1990s.
History
In 1992, Judy and Mary released an album and accompanying video, Be Ambitious, on the independent Chainsaw Records label. The band was soon signed by Epic/Sony Records and released their first major label single, "Power of Love", in 1993. The band's major label debut album, J.A.M, was released in 1994. Judy and Mary quickly became one of the most popular bands in Japan. Their song "Sobakasu" was used as the first opening theme for the popular anime TV series Rurouni Kenshin, and sold over a million copies.
Judy and Mary released seven original albums, three compilation albums (through 2006) and twenty-two singles. The band dissolved in March 2001.
Yuki is now enjoying a successful solo career as YUKI. Takuya is also currently a solo artist. Onda joined the band Hot Rod Crue, but since 2008 has been a member, along with Igarashi, of the band Zamza.
Members
- Past members
- Yuki (ユキ) = Yuki Isoya (磯谷 有希 Isoya Yuki, born February 17, 1972 in Hokkaido) - vocalist, lyricist
- Yoshihito Onda (恩田 快人 Onda Yoshihito, born December 13, 1963 in Hyogo) - bassist, composer
- Takuya (タクヤ) = Takuya Asanuma (浅沼 拓也 Asanuma Takuya, born September 9, 1971 in Kyoto) - guitarist, lyricist, composer
- Kohta Igarashi (五十嵐 公太 Igarashi Kōta, born January 17, 1963 in Kanagawa) - drums, composer
- Taiji Fujimoto (藤本 泰司 Fujimoto Taiji) - guitarist
Discography
Albums
Studio albums
| Year | Album Information | Chart positions | Total sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Be Ambitious
|
19* | 11,000* |
| 1994 | J.A.M.
|
23 | 189,000 |
Orange Sunshine
|
5 | 681,000 | |
| 1995 | Miracle Diving
|
2 | 939,000 |
| 1997 | The Power Source
|
1 | 2,162,000 |
| 1998 | Pop Life
|
2 | 1,150,000 |
| 2001 | Warp
|
1 | 887,000 |
*positions from 2001 re-release.
Compilation albums
| Year | Album Information | Chart positions | Total sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 44982 Vs. 1650
|
7 | 287,000 |
| 2000 | Fresh
|
1 | 1,776,000 |
| 2001 | The Great Escape: Complete Request Best
|
1 | 780,000 |
| 2006 | Complete Best Album: Fresh
|
2 | 222,000 |
| 2009 | 15th Anniversary Complete Single Box
|
83 | 2,000 |
Singles
| Year | Title | Notes | Oricon singles charts |
Oricon sales total |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "Power of Love" | 95 | 3,000 | J.A.M. | |
| "Blue Tears" | – | – | |||
| 1994 | "Daydream" | 58 | 13,000 | ||
| "Hello! Orange Sunshine" | 22 | 99,000 | Orange Sunshine | ||
| "Cheeze "Pizza"" | 15 | 77,000 | |||
| 1995 | "Chiisa na Koro Kara" (小さな頃から Since I Was Little) | 37 | 39,000 | ||
| "Over Drive" | 4 | 670,000 | Miracle Diving | ||
| "Doki Doki" (ドキドキ Heartbeat) | 8 | 256,000 | |||
| 1996 | "Sobakasu" (そばかす Freckles) | Anime Rurouni Kenshin 1st opening theme song. | 1 | 1,058,000 | The Power Source |
| "Classic" (クラシック Kurashikku) | 3 | 632,000 | |||
| 1997 | "Kujira Jū Ni Gō" (くじら12号 Whale No. 12) | 5 | 447,000 | ||
| "Lovely Baby" (ラブリーベイベー Raburī Beibē) | 12 | 96,000 | |||
| "Lover Soul" | 5 | 504,000 | Pop Life | ||
| "Sanpomichi" (散歩道 Promenade) | Drama News no Onna theme song. | 3 | 479,000 | ||
| 1998 | "Music Fighter" (ミュージック ファイター Myūjikku Faitā) | 4 | 148,000 | ||
| "Iro Toridori no Sekai" (イロトリドリ ノ セカイ World of Various Colors) | 11 | 76,000 | |||
| "Tegami o Kaku yo" (手紙をかくよ I Write a Letter) | 22 | 22,000 | |||
| 2000 | "Brand New Wave Upper Ground" | 4 | 158,000 | Warp | |
| "Hitotsu Dake" (ひとつだけ Only One) | 9 | 111,000 | |||
| "Mottö" (More) | 8 | 138,000 | |||
| 2001 | "Lucky Pool" (ラッキープール Rakkī Pūru) | 3 | 183,000 | ||
| "Peace (Strings Version)" | 8 | 73,000 |
Books/Publications
- Jam Book (March 15, 1996)
- Yuki Girly Rock -yuki biography- (1997)
- Yuki Girly Swing -yuki autobiography & diary- (1997)
- Yuki Girly Folk -yuki bio- (2000)
- Yuki Girly Boogie -yuki autobio- (2000)
- Yuki Girly Wave -yuki bio- (2004)
- Yuki Girly Tree -yuki autobio) (2004)
- What's In Jam-Pack (memorial compilation of 'What's In' magazine articles)
Bibliography
- Tetsuishi, Mihoko and Jam. Jam Book. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1038-6.
- Isoya, Yuki. Girly Swing. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1153-6.
- Utsunomiya, Miho and Yuki. Girly Rock. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1152-8.
- Isoya, Yuki. Girly Boogie. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1565-5.
- Tetsuishi, Mihoko and Yuki. Girly Folk. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1566-3.
References
External links
- Judy and Mary Official Website - By Sony Music
- YUKI Official Website - By Sony Music
- Zamza Official Website
- Nippop Profile | Judy and Mary
- Project J Profile in English