One of the standout indie bands in Japan, the band apart has been labeled on the Japanese scene as “musician’s musicians” and with good reason. The group fuses elements from punk, bossa nova, jazz and electronica into a catchy yet sophisticated package. Their style features rhythmically complex interplay between the guitarists that is reminiscent of The Minutemen, supplemented by a bassline and percussion that lay down an active, jazzy groove. Despite these lofty pretensions, the band remains readily accessible with solid hooks and vocalist Arai’s smooth, English-only delivery.
the band apart was founded in 1997 by Arai, Kawasaki and Kogure, (with Arai on bass) former middle-school classmates sharing a common interest in metal, especially Metallica and Megadeth. They initally were a metal cover band, and named themselves after Quentin Tarantino’s production group A Band Apart. However, with no clear musical direction aside from covers, Kogure withdrew as a result of internal discord.
After discovering Hi-Standard and other melocore bands, the band apart had a renewed focus and reformed with Arai returning on bass and former highschool classmate Hara joining on guitar (the two would later switch instruments) in 1998. Thereafter the group began working on original material while remaining a cover band, this time for melocore groups.
Between 1999 and October of 2000 the band apart released three demos, finally cutting their debut single Fool Proof in October of 2001. The single showcased the band’s emerging eclecticism with a bossa nova style that segues into energetic pop-punk. Also rare for Japanese bands, all of the lyrics were written in English, but composed and performed surprisingly well. This would become standard for all of their future songs. According to the band, Arai is better at working with and singing in English than Japanese.
2002 saw the release of the follow-up single Eric.W with the band using a stronger jazz influence than their previous work. The following year was extremely busy with the release of their debut album K. And His Bike just after splitting from their old label to form their own, Asian Gothic.
The band’s overextended schedule took a toll on live performances. The first few shows after the new album were under-rehearsed and did not proceed smoothly. Furthermore the band admits their on-stage personalities are somewhat meek and they frequently wish “for something to happen” on stage. Nevertheless, the members are working tenaciously to improve their live image.
As of yet, the band apart released a new single in December just after finishing their “smooth like butter” tour with bloodthirsty butchers and labelmates Mock Orange. This was followed by their second full album, quake and brook, in May 2005, which delved deeper into their more laid back and jazzy style hinted at on K. And His Bike. To finish off the year, the band apart put out a two DVD set, the title being an amalgamation of past release names. The DVDs include a live set almost entirely comprising the band’s repertoire.
In 2006, the band apart released an EP split with American labelmates Mock Orange, with their third full album alfred and cavity coming in October, and in May 2008 released their 4th album, Adze of Penguin.
Video Clip
The band apart-still awake
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