Supercar (band)

Supercar (スーパーカー, Sūpākā) was a Japanese rock band active from 1995 to 2005, and who made their debut in 1997. Consisting of composer and vocalist Kōji Nakamura (中村弘二 Nakamura Kōji), lyricist and guitarist Junji Ishiwatari (いしわたり淳治 Ishiwatari Junji), bassist Miki Furukawa (フルカワミキ Furukawa Miki), and drummer Kōdai Tazawa (田沢公大 Tazawa Kōdai), Supercar is best known for combining alternative rock with electronic music. Internationally, Supercar is best known for providing much of the soundtrack for the Japanese film Ping Pong, as well as being featured in the anime series Eureka Seven.

History

Hailing from Aomori Prefecture, Supercar was formed in 1995 when bassist Miki Furukawa placed an advertisement in a local magazine seeking fellow musicians. Junji Ishiwatari responded and convinced childhood friend Kōji Nakamura to join as well. Junji and Kōji soon recruited drummer Kōdai Tazawa, an acquaintance from middle school. After writing songs and recording demo tapes, they received a record contract. In 1997 they released their debut album, Three Out Change, and their second album, Jump Up, in 1999. This album was followed by Ooyeah and Ookeah, both also released in 1999. With the 2000 album Futurama, electronic experimentation took a larger role that would characterize the band's sound for the rest of their career. The 2002 release Highvision continued the electronic development, and the single Strobolights did not even contain a guitar. They released their last album, Answer in 2004. Perhaps their most experimental album, Answer contained balance of both rock and electronica.

They are famous for their 2005 song featured in the anime Eureka Seven, "Storywriter".

In 2005, Supercar broke up following a final concert, released under DVD as Last Live. Following the breakup, Furukawa and Nakamura have pursued successful solo careers.

Despite the break-up, Supercar released two remix albums named RE:SUPERCAR 1 and RE:SUPERCAR 2 in 2011. The albums are redesigned version of some of their tracks throughout their career together with never before heard songs. The limited edition of these albums sported a different CD jacket and bonus CD containing some of their untitled tracks and demos.

In 2011, Miki Furukawa and Nakamura Koji formed the band LAMA. They jump-started their formation with a single entitled Spell which has been used as an opening theme for the anime No.6 and in addition to this they will also perform the ending theme entitled "Fantasy" for the anime UN-GO.

Members

• Kōji Nakamura (中村 弘二, Nakamura Kōji, born September 28, 1977 in Towada, Aomori) – lead vocals, rhythm guitar & synthesizer; Composer

  After a solo career under the name of NYANTORA or iLL, he formed LAMA with Furukawa currently.

• Junji Ishiwatari (石渡 淳治, Ishiwatari Junji, born August 21, 1977 in Towada, Aomori) – lead guitar, synthesizer; Lyricist

  After the band broke up, he has written lyrics for various musicians and bands or has produced them.

• Miki Furukawa (古川 美季, Furukawa Miki, born February 19, 1979 in Hachinohe, Aomori) – bass guitar, synthesizer, vocals

  After a solo career under the name of Miki Furukawa (フルカワ ミキ, Furukawa Miki), she formed LAMA with Nakamura currently.

• Kōdai Tazawa (田沢 公大, Tazawa Kōdai, born February 27, 1978 in Towada, Aomori) – drums

  After the band broke up, he formed aM™[aem], who have had multiple songs feature in Gran Turismo 5 and 6.

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

• Three Out Change (April 1, 1998)
• Jump Up (March 10, 1999)
• Futurama (November 22, 2000)
• Highvision (April 24, 2002)
• Answer (February 25, 2004)

Compilation albums

• Ooyeah! (August 21, 1999)
• Ookeah! (August 21, 1999)
• 16/50 1997~1999 (February 14, 2003)
• A (March 24, 2005)
• B (March 24, 2005)

Remix albums

• Re: Supercar 1 (April 20, 2011)
• Re: Supercar 2 (June 15, 2011)

Singles

• "Cream Soda" (September 21, 1997)
• "Planet" (December 1, 1997)
• "Lucky" (March 1, 1998)
• "Drive" (May 21, 1998)
• "Sunday People" (September 21, 1998)
• "My Girl" (February 3, 1999)
• "Love Forever" (May 21, 1999)
• "Fairway" (February 2, 2000)
• "White Surf Style 5" (October 12, 2000)
• "Strobolights" (May 23, 2001)
• "Yumegiwa Last Boy" (November 21, 2001)
• "Aoharu Youth" (February 6, 2002)
• "Recreation" (February 14, 2003)
• "BGM" (November 19, 2003)
• "Last Scene" (January 28, 2004)
• "Wonder Word EP" (April 28, 2004)

DVDs

• High Booster + U.N. VJ Works (November 19, 2002)
• P.V.D. (November 20, 2002)
• P.V.D. 2 (November 20, 2002)
• Last Live Kanzen-ban (LAST LIVE 完全版 Last Live: Complete Edition) (June 29, 2005)
• P.V.D. Complete 10th Anniversary Edition (April 4, 2007)

External links

• Official site - Sony Japan
• Remix Album Special Site -
• Lyrics - Lyrics translated to English