9mm Parabellum Bullet

This article refers to a Japanese Rock Band. For information regarding the 9×19mm Parabellum firearms cartridge see 9×19mm Parabellum
9mm Parabellum Bullet
Origin Yokohama, Japan
Genres Post-hardcore, alternative rock, metal[1]
Years active 2004–present
Labels under_bar (2004–2006)
EMI Music Japan (2006–2013)
Universal Music Japan (2013-present)
Website 9mm.jp
Members Takuro Sugawara
Yoshimitsu Taki
Kazuhiko Nakamura
Chihiro Kamijo

9mm Parabellum Bullet (キューミリ・パラベラム・バレット Kyūmiri Paraberamu Baretto) is a Japanese rock band, formed in March 2004 in Yokohama. It consists of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Takuro Sugawara, guitarist and backing vocalist Yoshimitsu Taki, bassist Kazuhiko Nakamura, and drummer Chihiro Kamijo, who came up with the band's name. Piano pieces included in some songs are performed by Taki, while the characteristic shouts are provided by Nakamura.

History

Early releases and signing to EMI (2005–2007)

The band signed to under_bar, a sub-label of Reverb Records, and released two early mini-albums, Gjallarhorn in 2005 and Phantomime in 2006, and played live shows in Yokohama and Tokyo.

2007 saw the band signed to EMI Music Japan and the releases of the Discommunication e.p., which featured the song "Discommunication" and a 35 minute live recording, and The World e.p. which featured newly recorded version of songs from Gjallarhorn and two new tracks, "The World" and "Heat-Island". At the end of 2007 they released their first full album, Termination, after which they began their first one-man tour.

Vampire (2008–2009)

In the summer of 2008 the band released the double A-side single "Supernova/Wanderland", which also included piano instrumentals of both songs, and a third song called "Wildpitch". 9mm Parabellum Bullet were invited to play at Asian Kung-Fu Generation's "Nano-Mugen Festival" that year at the Yokohama Arena, a festival notable for featuring up-and-coming acts alongside more well known and foreign acts.

In October the band released their second full album, Vampire, and proceeded onto the "Vampire Empire Tour 08/09". In April 2009 the band released their first live DVD, Act I, which contained 4 concerts from different points in their career. The limited edition came with a copy of the "Vampire Empire Tour" VIP pass and a photo-book of the band.

"999" and Revolutionary (2009–2010)

In late spring of 2009, the band released the single "Black Market Blues", which also included a recording of their free live performance at Yoyogi Park as a B-side.

2009 also saw 9mm Parabellum Bullet's first nomination at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan for "Best Rock Video", where they were nominated for the video of their song "Living Dying Message". They also performed this song live at the show.

9mm Parabellum Bullet appeared at numerous rock festivals across Japan notably including "Rock in Japan Festival", "Rising Sun Rock Festival" and Space Shower's "Sweet Love Shower".

On September 9, 2009, 9mm Parabellum Bullet had their first show at the Nippon Budokan titled "999". This performance would appear as a B-side on the Cold Edge e.p., released on September 30.

9mm Parabellum Bullet were invited to play at "Countdown Japan 09/10". In mid-January, they released their new single, "Inochi no Zenmai", to be featured as the theme for the live action adaptation of the Higanjima manga.

It was announced that April 21, 2010, would be the date of 9mm Parabellum Bullet's third full album release, titled Revolutionary. It was followed by a tour across Japan. In late March, a music video was shot for the last track of the new album, called "The Revolutionary".

Movement and Dawning (2011-present)

On May 18, 2011, their latest single, "Atarashii Hikari", was released. The band's fourth album Movement was released on June 15. They also performed at Yokohama Arena on June 26.

9mm Parabellum Bullet covered "Territorial Pissings" for the album Nevermind Tribute, which was released on April 4, 2012 and is composed of various Japanese bands covering the entirety of Nirvana's highly acclaimed album Nevermind.[2]

On May 27, 2012, releases their first Acoustic performance "MTV Unplugged" held at Tokyo's "Bill Board Live Tokyo" with a limited capacity of 150 fans.

On April 1, 2013, EMI Music Japan was completely merged into Universal Music Japan as a sublabel by the name EMI Records Japan as a result of Universal Music's purchase of EMI in September 2012. All the artists from EMI Music Japan will continue releasing material at Universal Music Japan while still maintaining the catalogue code (TOCT).[3]

Band members

Equipment

Sugawara
Taki
Nakamura
Kamijo

Kamijo is a full endorser of Yamaha drums, Remo drumheads, and Zildjian cymbals and drumsticks. Kamijo was a former user of Ludwig drums (notably the Vistalite series) prior to his switch to Yamaha, and has his signature model of drumsticks on Zildjian's website.

Discography

Albums

Mini-albums

Singles

Demos

Videos

References

  1. ↑ "Revolutionary - 9MM Parabellum Bullet". Allmusic. Retrieved 2013-06-22.
  2. ↑ "Nevermind Tribute". cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  3. ↑ UNIVERSAL MUSIC JAPAN
  4. ↑ "ESP Japan's webpage on Sugawara's Sigature Model" (in Japanese). Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  5. ↑ "ESP Japan's webpage on Taki's Sigature Model" (in Japanese). Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  6. ↑ "ESP Japan's webpage on Nakamura's Sigature Model" (in Japanese). Retrieved August 27, 2010.

External links