Boom Boom Satellites

Boom Boom Satellites

Boom Boom Satellites playing at Irving Plaza on their 2010 US tour.
Background information
Origin Tokyo, Japan
Genres Big beat, alternative rock, electronica,[1] electronic rock, alternative dance, trip hop
Years active 1990–present
Labels R&S
gr8!
JPU Records
Members Michiyuki Kawashima
Masayuki Nakano

Boom Boom Satellites (ブンブンサテライツ Bun Bun Sateraitsu) is a Japanese electronic music duo consisting of guitarist and vocalist Michiyuki Kawashima and bassist and programmer Masayuki Nakano. While their music can be mostly classified as big beat or nu skool breaks with heavy jazz influences, they are famous for the heavy usage of electric guitars in their music, and the final product often has a strong rock or punk flavor. They are currently signed to Sony Music Entertainment Japan, with whom they have released all of their albums in Japan.

Members

Support members

History

Michiyuki Kawashima performing at Irving Plaza.

Kawashima and Nakano formed the band in 1990, having met at university[2] and debuted in Europe as a rock unit in 1997. According to an interview, the name originated from a song by Sigue Sigue Sputnik.[3]

In 1995, the group's music debuted in Japan on a compilation album released by Torema Records, also affiliated with Untitled Records. Belgian record company R&S Records released their first single in Europe later that year. Kawashima and Nakano also appeared in the European magazine Melody Maker, where they were lauded as the combination of The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy. R&S Records released their first album, 7 Ignitions/Auto Re-Birth, on April 1, 1998, and the group performed at a large music festival the following June. The group then returned to Japan. Boom Boom Satellites toured with Moby for three months in the United States some time afterwards, and artists such as Garbage also requested remixes from the group.

Masayuki Nakano performing at Irving Plaza.

The group has contributed numerous songs to various films, commercials, and television programs: In 2004, a number of tracks from the group's album, Full of Elevating Pleasures, contributed to the soundtrack of the CGI anime film Appleseed. In 2005, the song "What Goes Around Comes Around" from the album Exposed, was featured in a commercial for Dodge, and "Easy Action" was included on the soundtrack of the 2007 anime film Vexille.[4] The same year, they played in the UK at the prestigious In The City music industry showcase festival.[5] In 2008, the track "Scatterin' Monkey" from their 1998 album Out Loud, was featured in the film The Dark Knight and "Shut Up and Explode" became the opening theme song for the PlayStation Store exclusive and later anime television series Xam'd: Lost Memories (亡念のザムド Bōnen no Zamudo). In 2009, the single "Back on My Feet" is an additional opening theme song for the television broadcast of the series (the TV broadcast switches between "Shut Up and Explode" and "Back on My Feet").

In 2009, the band collaborated with Tahj Mowry and Flo Rida on a new envisioning of their track "Kick It Out". The track predominantly features the lyrics of Tahj Mowry and Flo Rida in the verses, while the chorus remains the same as in the original release. Boom Boom Satellites likewise has an added verse of their own not present in the original release. A music video has since been created for the song's release. That same year, Boom Boom Satellites released a remix for Fact's song "A Fact of Life" on the eponymous album.

Yoko Fukuda performing with Boom Boom Satellites at Irving Plaza.

In January 2010, Boom Boom Satellites released their first compilation album 19972007. The band released a new studio album in Japan, To the Loveless, on May 26, 2010 which features many tracks from the Back on My Feet EP. A limited edition version with bonus DVD was also released.[6] In late 2010, the Boom Boom Satellites kicked off a North American tour, beginning with a performance at New York Comic Con. They also released Over and Over (an abbreviated version of 19972007) to the United States to coincide with the tour.[7]

In 2012, Boom Boom Satellites announced that they would be performing the theme song for the fifth episode of Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, titled "BROKEN MIRROR", to begin the commemoration of their 15th anniversary since their debut.[8][9] They also began a remix contest hosted by Nico Nico Douga, with the grand prize winner's remix of "Broken Mirror" included on their first remix album Remixed.[10] This followed by the release of the song "Another Perfect Day" was used as the theme song of the Starship Troopers: Invasion animated movie. With the delay of the release of Remixed, the Boom Boom Satellites revealed that they were releasing their recent Japan-only singles internationally.[11] Preceding the release of Remixed, Boom Boom Satellites announced that their entire back catalog had been added to the Japan iTunes Store.[12]

To celebrate their 15th anniversary together, Boom Boom Satellites are releasing their eighth studio album Embrace on January 9, 2013.[13] For their first promotional single for the album, the duo recorded a cover of the Beatles' "Helter Skelter" as their first ever cover of any other artist.[14] The Embrace 2013 tour had been planned to support the album as well as the group's 15th anniversary.[15] However in late December 2012 Kawashima was discovered to have symptoms of the early stages of a brain tumor, and the band cancelled all 23 shows scheduled from January to March 2013 to set aside for treatment and surgery;[16] Nakano later revealed that Kawashima has had a history of brain tumor issues, but this was the first time that they have had to cancel shows.[17][18] The band decided that they would perform last few shows of December 2012, but have no plans to cancel the shows set for April and May 2013;[19] the show in May is planned to be the band's first one-man live at the Nippon Budokan.[20] On February 11, 2013, Nakano posted an update to the band's Facebook revealing that Kawashima had been discharged from the hospital and the two were writing and recording new songs.[21] Following his recovery, the band announced that they were cancelling all but their Nippon Budokan show.[22] This concert was later streamed live with 360 degree views on YouTube as part of YouTube Japan's Music Week as well as on Nico Nico Douga's live feature.[23] In August 2013, they announced the concert would be released on an album due in November of that year, while also revealing that they were releasing Embrace internationally in September.[24]

In 2014, Boom Boom Satellites created a new song, "Only Blood", for a special trailer for the film Monsterz.[25] Boom Boom Satellites performed at the Ex Theater Roppongi with Acidman on July 2, 2014.[26] On July 4, 2014, the band announced that they will be composing the main theme, "Back In Black", for the upcoming anime adaptation of Ninja Slayer.[27] In late November 2014, the band announced that they would be releasing their new album Shine Like a Billion Suns in February 2015; they will support the album with a concert at the Tokyo EX Theater Roppongi in March 2015.[28][29] On December 31, 2014, Nakano revealed in a blog post on their official website that Kawashima's brain tumor issue had once again relapsed at the conclusion of their March 2014 tour, making it the fourth time he had suffered a relapse, and after diagnosis had only been given two more years to live. However, after they had read about boron neutron capture therapy, Kawashima underwent the procedure, all the while writing the new album. Kawashima was recently informed that the spread of the tumors had been successfully stopped, and the band decided to share the information with their fans. Nakano mentioned how proud he was for Kawashima to be able to go through the procedures, continue to tour, and write the album.[30][31]

Discography

Studio albums
EP's
  • Boom Boom Satellites (1997) (Demo album)
  • Joyride (1997)
  • 7 Ignitions/Auto Re-Birth (1998)
Live albums
Compilation albums
Singles
DVDs
  • Fuji Rock Festival '05 Live Cuts (2006)
  • Boom Boom Satellites Japan Tour '06 at Studio Coast (2007)
  • Boom Boom Satellites Japan Tour 2008 (2009)
  • Metamorphose 08 Live Cuts (2009)

References

  1. ↑ Jason Ankeny. "Allmusic: Boom Boom Satellites". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  2. ↑ "Ningin exclusive interview with Boom Boom Satellites". ningin.com. Retrieved 2010-03-10.
  3. ↑ "Boom Boom Satellites Interview (subtitled) Pt. 1/3". youtube.com. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  4. ↑ "Amazon.com: Vexille Soundtrack". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
  5. ↑ BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2007/10/16/201007_itc_preview_feature.shtml
  6. ↑ "To The Loveless(+DVD, Limited (First Edition))【CD】-Boom Boom Satellites". hmv.co.jp. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  7. ↑ "J!-ENT's Dennis A. Amith interviews BOOM BOOM SATELLITES". j-entonline.com. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
  8. ↑ "ブンブンサテライツが大人気映画アニメ「機...". March 22, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  9. ↑ "episode 5「黒いユニコーン」主題歌は、BOOM BOOM SATELLITESの新曲「BROKEN MIRROR」に決定！". March 22, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  10. ↑ Boom Boom Satellites (May 29, 2012). "BOOM BOOM SATELLITES×ニコニコ動画リミックス選手権開催決定！最優秀賞作品はBOOM BOOM SATELLITES初のリミックス・アルバムに収録 / BOOM BOOM SATELLITES x Nico Nico Douga Remix Contest! The best entry will be recorded on BOOM BOOM SATELLITES' first remix album". Facebook. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  11. ↑ "You can buy our new...". Facebook. 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  12. ↑ "【速報！】今日からブンブンサテライツの曲...". Facebook. November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  13. ↑ "BOOM BOOM SATELLITES新アルバムは2013年1月リリース". November 1, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  14. ↑ "ナタリー - ブンブン新作にTHE BEATLES「HELTER SKELTER」カバー". Natalie.mu. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  15. ↑ "ナタリー - BOOM BOOM SATELLITES、ファン撮影写真で作ったPV公開". Natalie.mu. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  16. ↑ "ナタリー - BOOM BOOM SATELLITES、川島脳腫瘍のためライブ中止". Natalie.mu. 2012-12-29. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  17. ↑ "Timeline Photos". 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
  18. ↑ "Timeline Photos". 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
  19. ↑ "To all BOOM BOOM...". 2012-12-29. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  20. ↑ "ナタリー - BOOM BOOM SATELLITES、5月に初の武道館ワンマン". Natalie.mu. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  21. ↑ "Timeline Photos". 2013-02-11. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
  22. ↑ "Timeline Photos". Facebook. Retrieved 2013-02-26.
  23. ↑ "ナタリー - 「念願叶いました」BOOM BOOM SATELLITES復活武道館". Natalie.mu. 2013-05-05. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
  24. ↑ "ナタリー - BOOM BOOM SATELLITES武道館ライブ全編DVD/BD化". Natalie.mu. 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
  25. ↑ ""MONSTERZ" Special Trailer To Feature BOOM BOOM SATELLITES' New Song". Retrieved 2014-04-15.
  26. ↑ "ブンブン×ACIDMAN、六本木で熱狂的なツーマン実現". Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  27. ↑ "More details for Ninja Slayer anime revealed". Retrieved 2014-07-14.
  28. ↑ Natasha, Inc. "BOOM BOOM SATELLITES、2月にニューアルバム発表". Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  29. ↑ "BOOM BOOM SATELLITES、約2年ぶり新アルバムを2月にリリース＆レコ発も". CINRA.NET. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  30. ↑ "BOOM BOOM SATELLITES OFFICIAL SITE". BOOM BOOM SATELLITES OFFICIAL SITE. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  31. ↑ Natasha, Inc. "BOOM BOOM SATELLITES、川島の病状を報告「どうか安心してください」". Retrieved 31 December 2014.

External links