Radwimps

Radwimps
Also known as Rad (ラッド Raddo),[1] Misoshiru's (味噌汁'ｓ)[2]
Origin Kanagawa, Japan
Genres Alternative rock, post-punk, emo,[3] melodic hardcore,[1] rapcore[1][4]
Years active 2001–present
Labels Newtraxx (2003—2005)
EMI Music Japan (2005—2013)
Universal Music Japan (2013—present)
Associated acts 9mm Parabellum Bullet, Bump of Chicken, Chara, Rize, Terrakoya
Website www.radwimps.jp
Members Yojiro Noda
Akira Kuwahara
Yusuke Takeda
Satoshi Yamaguchi
Past members Yūsuke Saiki
Kei Asō
Akio Shibafuji

Radwimps (ラッドウインプス[5] Raddo'uinpusu, stylized as RADWIMPS) is a Japanese rock band, who debuted independently in 2003 and later on major label Toshiba EMI in 2005. The band achieved great commercial success in 2006 with their album Radwimps 4: Okazu no Gohan, and are best known for their later singles "Order Made" (2008) and "Dada" (2011), both of which hit number one on Oricon's single charts.

Biography

Radwimps first formed in 2001 in Kanagawa, Japan during their first year of high school.[1][6] The five original members had been friends since middle school.[7] Vocalist Yojiro Noda first became interested in music after hearing Oasis in middle school, when he would try to remember the guitar chords and sing to Oasis songs.[6] He was asked to become the vocalist by a friend, and originally band activities were balanced with basketball.[8] The band's name was formed from two English language slang terms, rad and wimp. According to the band, the coined word had several meanings, including "excellent weakling" and "superlative coward."[5][9]

The band's activities began centred on Yokohama,[1] with the band performing their first live at live house BB Street in Yokohama's Kannai district on February 5, 2002.[8] At this point, guitarist Akira Kuwahara dropped out of high school in order to focus on the band.[8] In September and August 2002, the band partook in the Yokohama High School Music Festival, and eventually won the grand prize for the competition with the song "Moshi mo."[10] "Moshi mo" was released as the band's debut single in May 2003, with 10,000 copies pressed and sold for 100 yen each.[7] Following this single, the band toured the Yokohama area, including a performance as the sole act at Yokohama's Club 24West.[8] The band released their debut album Radwimps in July through independent label Newtraxx, featuring songs written by the band in middle school. The following August, after a guest appearance at the Yokohama High School Music Festival, the band went on hiatus for Noda and other members to focus on their school exams.[6]

Radwimps returned from hiatus in March 2004, however members Kei Asō, Yūsuke Saiki and Akio Shibafumi did not decide to resume band activities. An audition was not held for new members, instead, acquaintances to the band members, drummer Satoshi Yamaguchi and bassist Yusuke Takeda, were added to the group without the members even having their skills trialled.[7][8] Takeda met the band members in August 2003 as a member of a different band performing in the Yokohama High School Music Festival.[8] The band immediately began recording songs, and by July released a second single, "Kiseki," and performed a three month Japan-wide tour.[1][8] Immediately after the end of the tour, the band started work on their second album, Radwimps 2: Hatten Tojō, which was finalized by the end of the year and released in March.[8] Directly after the release, the band departed on a five month tour, Radwimps Haruna Tour (はるなっTOUR), and also performed at high profile summer music festivals, such as Setstock, Rock in Japan and Summer Sonic.[7][8] During this time, the band released a third single, "Hexun / Kanashi," which was the band's first charting release.[11]

In November, the band made their major debut single under Toshiba EMI with the single "Nijūgoko-me no Senshokutai,"[7] followed by "EDP (Tonde Hi ni Iru Natsu no Kimi)" in January, both top 50 singles.[11] In shifting to a major label, Noda explained that the band took the same stance as they had as an independent band, and that "If we thought we were bigger on a major label, that would have been a big mistake."[6][12] The band's third and first major label album, Radwimps 3: Mujintō ni Motte Ikiwasureta Ichimai in March 2006, was a landmark in establishing their popularity, debuting at number 13 on Oricon's album charts.[11] Radwimps 3 saw a change in the band's musical style, allowing the band to be more experimental in their sound.[13]

By the end of 2006 the band's popularity had exponentially grown: the band's album Radwimps 4: Okazu no Gohan, lead with the top 20 singles "Futarigoto" and "Yūshinron" and top five "Setsuna Rensa," debuted at number five[11] and had an initial shipment of more than 100,000 copies.[14] In this time, the band's older releases, such as Radwimps, Radwimps 2 and "Kiseki" began charting for the first time and continued to for extended periods, Radwimps even eventually being certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[15] In the next three years, both Radwimps and Radwimps 2 charted for approximately 100 weeks, and as of early 2011, Radwimps 3 and Radwimps 4 still continue to chart.[11]

In 2008, the band received their first number one single, with "Order Made", on the Oricon charts.[11] Their 2009 album Altocolony no Teiri sold around 213,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number 2 on the Oricon charts.[16] The band received their second Oricon number one single "Dada" in 2011.[11]

In 2011 the band released their 6th album Zettai Zetsumei which debuted at number 2 on the Oricon charts and went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAJ. Following the release the band embarked on their "Zettai Enmei" Tour throughout Japan from April to August 2011.

On March 11, 2012 Radwimps released their new single "Hakujitsu" (白日, "Broad Daylight") on YouTube, commemorating the 1 year anniversary of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake.[17]

Side projects

For the song "Jennifer Yamada-san" (ジェニファー山田さん Jenifā Yamada-san, "Ms. Jennifer Yamada") on the band's 2006 single "Yūshinron," the band performed it under a pseudonym, Misoshiru's (味噌汁'ｓ Misoshiruzu, "The Miso Soups"). The band has performed as this band on stage, in a loose disguise by wearing Groucho glasses and red T-shirts that spell out the band's name.[2] The hidden track on the band's fourth album Radwimps 4: Okazu no Gohan, "Yonaki" (夜泣き, "Night Tears") is also performed by the band.[2] The project was revived in 2013 with the song "Nipponpon" (にっぽんぽん, "Japan-pan") featured on their "Gogatsu no Hae / Last Virgin" single.[18] Their new song "OKAN GOMEN" is the ending theme for the anime Majin Bone.

Yojiro Noda in 2008 acted as a music producer for the first time, writing and producing the song "Labrador" for singer Chara, which was used as the leading promotional track for her album Honey.[19] During the recording sessions, Noda collaborated with musicians such as Nobuaki Kaneko (Rize), Yoshifumi Naoi (Bump of Chicken), Susumu Nishikawa (Diamond Head) and Koichi Tsutaya.[20]

In 2010, Radwimps took part in a special band called Terrakoya, a commemorative band formed for the EMI Rocks 50th anniversary of EMI Music Japan rock concert,[21] featuring Radwimps along with Acidman, Fujifabric, Atsushi Horie (Straightener), Susumu Nishikawa, The Telephones and Kazuya Yoshii. The band released a song in November, "Emi," written by Noda in collaboration with Yoshii, which recorded with at Terra Studio in June.[21][22]

Yojiro Noda made his solo debut under the name Illion in 2013, and released his debut album Ubu on February 25, 2013, in the United Kingdom.

Popularity

In a survey in 2006 conducted by Oricon on what musical acts were likely to become popular in the next year, Radwimps were voted as the second most likely male artist.[23] Radwimps' audience is primarily made up of younger people, according to an Oricon survey conducted in 2008. The findings were that the band had extremely low name recognition for groups such as 30-something women or 40-something men, but were exponentially higher among teenage survey participants, especially teenage women.[24] Oricon noted how popular the band was, despite their lack of any major television publicity (such as television drama theme songs, or advertising commercial songs), and further linked their popularity to their performances at summer festivals, as well as their live tours.[25] In a 2011 survey conducted by the Coca Cola Happy Teens Club, asking teenage respondents who their favorite musician was, Radwimps were ranked as the 10th highest musical act.[26]

Several of Radwimps songs have high viewer impressions when asked about in non-Radwimps based surveys. "Enren," despite not being promoted as a single or promotional track, has been singled out in two separate surveys as a popular long distance relationship-themed song in 2008 and 2010.[27][28] The 2010 survey of Joysound users listed the song as the most popular response in the survey. "Futarigoto" came 10th in a 2010 survey asking Recochoku users to rank the songs with the most touching lyrics. The song was by far the oldest song ranked in the top 10 of the survey.[29] Furthermore, at Uta Map Mobile in 2008 (Japan's most popular cellphone lyric searching site at the time), "Futarigoto" was the 6th most accessed lyrics for the year, despite being released in 2006.[30]

Many celebrities have listed Radwimps as one of their favorite musicians, including Chara,[19] Shunsuke Daito,[31] Misono,[32] Miwa,[33] Aya Takigawa[34] and Aya Ueto.[35] Kazutoshi Sakurai of the band Mr. Children selected "Yūshinron" as a song he respected enough to cover, for his side project with Takeshi Kobayashi, Bank Band, on their 2010 album Sōshisōai 3.[36]

Musicianship

Vocalist Yojiro Noda writes all of the band's music and lyrics (the only exception currently is the bonus track "Yonaki" from Radwimps 4, written by Akira Kuwahara). Almost all of Noda's lyrics are based on events he experienced, or non-fictional events.[6] "Enren" from Radwimps 4: Okazu no Gohan, released in 2006, was the first time Noda has written a fictional song since the band formed.[37] He personally finds lyric writing a chore, as while he writes lyrics, he constantly questions each phrase, asking if that was exactly what he wanted to say.[6]

Line-up

Yojiro Noda (野田洋次郎) - Vocals (2001–present), guitar (2005-present)
Akira Kuwahara (桑原彰) - Guitar, backing vocals (2001–present)
Yusuke Takeda (武田祐介) - Bass, backing vocals (2003–present)
Satoshi Yamaguchi (山口智史) - Drums, backing vocals (2003–present)

Previous members

Yūsuke Saiki (斉木祐介) - Guitar (2001-2002)
Kei Asō (朝生恵) - Bass (2001-2002)
Akio Shibafuji (芝藤昭夫) - Drums (2001-2002)

Discography

Main article: Radwimps discography

Tours

Awards

Year Recipient Award Result
2002
[8]		 Radwimps, "Moshi mo" Yokohama High School Music Festival style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2007
[38]		 "Yūshinron" Space Shower Music Video Awards 2007 Best Art Direction style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2008
[39]		 "Order Made" MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2008 Best Rock Video style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2009
[40][41]		 Space Shower Music Video Awards 2009 Best Your Choice style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
Space Shower Music Video Awards 2009 Best Rock Video style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
Radwimps FM Festival "Life Music Award 2009" Life Music of the Year style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
"Oshakashama" FM Festival "Life Music Award 2009" Best Lyric of Life style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
Altocolony no Teiri FM Festival "Life Music Award 2009" Best Album of Life style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2010
[42][43]
[44]		 The Second CD Shop Awards style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
"Oshakashama" Space Shower Music Video Awards 2010 Best Your Choice style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
MTV World Stage VMAJ 2010 Best Rock Video style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
2011
[45][46]		 "Manifesto" Space Shower Music Video Awards 2011 Best Your Choice style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
Space Shower Music Video Awards 2011 Best Shooting Video style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
"Dada" 2011 MTV Video Music Aid Japan Best Rock Video style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "RADWIMPS アーティスト・プロフィール" [Radwimps Artist Profile]. CDJournal (in Japanese). Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "RADWIMPS、即完&超満員のZepp Tokyoライヴレポ" [Radwimps, immediate perfection and a live report of their packed Zepp Tokyo concert]. Barks (in Japanese). January 10, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  3. ↑ 幹. "Disc Review: Dada by Radwimps" (in Japanese). What's In?. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  4. ↑ 大山貴弘. "Disc Review: アルトコロニーの定理 by Radwimps" (in Japanese). What's In?. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Biography". EMI Music Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 1, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 "RADWIMPS 特集" [Radwimps Feature]. Neowing (in Japanese). 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 基本情報 - ＲＡＤＷＩＭＰＳ [Basic Information: Radwimps]. Tsutaya (in Japanese). Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 "Biography". Radwimps.jp (in Japanese). April 10, 2008. Archived from the original on January 12, 2006. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Radwimps Official Site". Radwimps (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 29, 2008. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  10. ↑ "History YHMF2002　決戦大会審査結果" [History: YHMF 2002 final event judging results]. Yokohama High School Music Festival (in Japanese). 2003. Archived from the original on February 1, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 "アーティスト： RADWIMPS". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Special Interview Radwimps". Oricon (in Japanese). January 18, 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  13. ↑ "メジャー・デビュー後、2枚のシングルを経て、ついに2/15にフル・アルバムをリリースした4ピース・バンドRADWIMPSを直撃!" [Direct hit by Radwimps, a four piece band who, after a major debut and two singles, have finally released a full album on February 15!]. Vibe-Net (in Japanese). February 28, 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  14. ↑ ゴールド等認定作品一覧　2006年12月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (December 2006)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). January 10, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  15. ↑ ゴールド等認定作品一覧　2008年03月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (March 2008)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). April 10, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  16. ↑ "KAT-TUN、1stシングルから10作連続1位" [KAT-TUN achieves 10 consecutive number-ones since their 1st single]. Oricon (in Japanese). March 17, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  17. ↑ 『白日』 [Radwimps Blog (New Single)]. Radwimps (in Japanese). March 11, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  18. ↑ "RADWIMPS、新シングル『五月の蝿／ラストバージン』に味噌汁's新曲も収録" [Radwimps, new single "Gogatsu no Hae / Last Virgin" features a new Misoshiru's song]. Tower Records (in Japanese). September 17, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 ブームいつまで!?　羞恥心の2曲目はふられた女の子への応援ソング [Booming forever!? Shuchishin's second song is an encourage song for jilted women]. RBB Today (in Japanese). June 25, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Charaの新作にRADWIMPSファンが注目、その理由は?" [Radwimps fans should check out Chara's new work, but why?]. Barks (in Japanese). May 13, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "About EMI Rocks". EMI (in Japanese). 2010. Archived from the original on February 9, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  22. ↑ "11月6日、さいたまスーパーアリーナで行われた「EMI ROCKS」で、新たなプロジェクト「寺子屋」の全貌が発表!当日24時まで、新曲「EMI」の無料着うた(R)配信が行われました。" [The whole story can be announced about the new project Terrakoya, from the November 6 Super Arena EMI Rock concert! Today until midnight, a ringtone of the new song "Emi" can be downloaded for free.]. EMI (in Japanese). 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  23. ↑ 女性バンド、インディーズバンドに期待! 07年にブレイクするアーティストは? [High expectations for girl bands and independent bands! The artists who will break in 2007 are?]. Oricon (in Japanese). December 28, 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  24. ↑ "10代女性から好感触、RADWIMPSの新曲" [Radwimps' new song, good response from teenage girls]. Oricon (in Japanese). January 12, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  25. ↑ "遂に本格ブレイク! 数々の強豪を抑えRADWIMPSが初のシングル1位" [Finally truly broke through! Outweighing many veterans, Radwimps get their first number one single]. Oricon (in Japanese). January 29, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  26. ↑ 2010年を盛り上げたアーティストが集合!好きなアーティストランキング! [Gathering up the rising artists of 2010! Favorite artist ranking!]. Zaikei Shimbun (in Japanese). January 29, 2008. Archived from the original on February 9, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  27. ↑ 遠距離恋愛&春恋ソング特集 [Feature: long distance relationship & spring love songs]. Oricon (in Japanese). March 19, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  28. ↑ "JOYSOUNDユーザーが選んだ「遠愛ソング」ランキング" [Ranking: Joysound users picked "long distance love songs"]. Barks (in Japanese). June 1, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  29. ↑ "ケータイ世代のカリスマ"強し2010年版 歌詞に感動した曲ランキング ["Cellphone generation charisma" strength, 2010 version of "song with the most moving lyrics" ranking]. News2u Corporation (in Japanese). June 11, 2010. Archived from the original on February 9, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  30. ↑ 『第1回うたまっぷモバイル歌詞大賞』発表!! [First Uta Map Mobile Lyrics Prize announced!!]. @Press (in Japanese). June 11, 2010. Archived from the original on February 9, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2008.
  31. ↑ "イケメンガレッジ Vol. 6 大東俊介" [Hot Guy Garage Vol 6: Shunsuke Daito]. Oricon (in Japanese). March 12, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  32. ↑ "[misono] 日向プロデュース新曲は「挫折地点」" [Misono: New Hinata-produced song, "Zasetsu Chiten"]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). August 13, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  33. ↑ 朝起きた時に聴きたい曲 [Songs I Wanna Hear When I Wake Up]. Musicshelf (in Japanese). March 2, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  34. ↑ "ZAK THE QUEEN 準グラ滝川綾チャンの実力をご覧アレ!" [Misono: New Hinata-produced song, "Zasetsu Chiten"]. Zak Zak (in Japanese). January 26, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  35. ↑ "上戸彩『初めての経験も!?緊張の連続だったWEBムービー撮影』" [Aya Ueto, "First time she's tried it!? Web movie shooting, constant stress."]. Oricon (in Japanese). May 11, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  36. ↑ リリース情報 [Release information]. AP Bank (in Japanese). 2010. Archived from the original on February 9, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  37. ↑ "Deep Dive - Radwimps". Amazon (in Japanese). 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  38. ↑ "History - MVA07". Space Shower (in Japanese). March 2007. Archived from the original on February 9, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  39. ↑ "EXILEが最多3冠達成、「MTV VMAJ」華やかに開催" [Exile crowned three times, a dazzling show at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). June 2, 2008. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  40. ↑ "スペシャ「MVA」大賞は安室、電気、RADWIMPSが受賞" [Space Shower Music Video Awards, prize winners include Amuro, Denki and Radwimps]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). March 22, 2009. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  41. ↑ ""LIFE MUSIC AWARD 2009"、大賞はRADWIMPS" ["Life Music Award 2009," grand winners are Radwimps]. Barks (in Japanese). November 3, 2009. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  42. ↑ "CDショップ店員が選ぶアワード『第二回CDショップ大賞』の入賞作品が発表" [CD shop workers' Choice Award "The Second CD Shop Award" nominated works announced]. Cinra (in Japanese). January 6, 2011. Archived from the original on February 8, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  43. ↑ "スペシャ「MVA」発表！大賞は安室、林檎、RADWIMPS" [Space Shower Music Video Awards Announced! Winners include Amuro, Ringo and Radwimps]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). March 23, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  44. ↑ "「MTV WORLD STAGE VMAJ 2010」 全ノミネート作品一覧" [MTV World Stage VMAJ 2010 Full Nominations List]. MTV Japan (in Japanese). March 31, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  45. ↑ "スペシャ「MVA」大賞はカエラ、サカナ、RADWIMPSの手に" [Space Shower Music Video Awards, big awards in the hands of Kaela, Sakanaction and Radwimps]. Natalie (in Japanese). April 10, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  46. ↑ ノミネート作品 最優秀ロックビデオ賞. MTV Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 8 August 2011.

External links