Beat Crusaders, commonly abbreviated BECR, was instigated at the end of 1997 by Tōru Hidaka as an experimental U.S. Lo-Fi Indie Rock unit. The rest of the band later joined as a result of continual experimental gigs performed around the Shimokitazawa (Tokyo) area. Their creative use of analog synthesizers and the old Casitone, incorporated with influences of such bands as Weezer and The Rentals, and at times the dynamism of Snuffesque rock , had transformed them into a powerfully melodic guitar band. By the end of 1998, Beat Crusaders had already started creating songs which emphasized they were a crazy and fun live act that was not to be missed. The momentum carried on with a single "E.C.D.T." released in June of the following year which entered independent charts of CD retail shops all across Japan. A month later their first mini-album, "Howling Symphony Of..." was released; this entered the charts again with various music magazines

giving the big thumbs up. Reflecting their chart action and praise from magazines, numerous live offers followed from notable bands in the Japanese alternative/independent scene, from guitar pop and new wave of new wave, to pop punk and ska bands. They continued to be busy, with their second single "Firestarter" released in early 2000 and later the full-length "All You Can Eat". They also were involved in four compilations, their own 'cover' EPs including a split entitled "WXY" with fellow Japanese punk band Captain Hedgehog.

In August 2003, three of the four original members of Beat Crusaders left the band, to eventually go on to form a new band "Anita Chili Peppers". This left behind only Tōru Hidaka who later recruited four new members, which make up the Beat Crusaders today. It is not known why the past members left. However, it doesn't seem like they left on bad terms, considering Hidaka included the masks of his former bandmates and his actions (he was crying) in the PV, "Sensation".

Later on down the road, their song "Hit in the USA" was used for the opening of the anime BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad, which moved the band out of the indie scene hitting Japanese music. Since then they have released several more albums including a cover album of American and British songs entitled "Music Crusaders." Their song "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" was used as the fourth opening of the anime Bleach. In 2006, the band's music made its first American appearance as the opening theme song, "Hey x 2 Look x 2" (Aka "Hey Hey Look Look") to the Nicktoons animated series, Kappa Mikey. The single Winterlong is used as the opening of the anime Hero Tales.

A full length CD "EPopMaking," was released on May 30, 2007, it contains 19 tracks, this was followed "Popdod" on June 4, 2008. It is rumored they picked said date due to Hidaka turning 40 the day after the release.

In 2010, Toru Hidaka confirmed that Beat Crusaders would break-up, but promised to release a new album before they broke up. Their final album, titled "REST CRUSADERS" was released on October 6th, 2010. It consists of 22 tracks of both new songs, old singles like "Windom", and previously released but recent singles like "Let It Go" and "Situation". (wikipedia)

Member

Tōru Hidaka (ヒダカトオル/日高央, Hidaka Tōru^?) - vocals, guitar
Masahiko Kubota (クボタマサヒコ/久保田匡彦, Kubota Masahiko^?) - bass
Tarō Katō (カトウタロウ/加藤太朗, Katō Tarō^?) - guitar
Mashīta (マシータ^?, real name Hirofumi Yamashita (山下博史, Yamashita Hirofumi^?)) - drums
Keitaimo (ケイタイモ^?, real name Keita Tanabe (田辺啓太, Tanabe Keita^?)) - keyboard

Epopmaking

01� �`TOXIC GORILLA�`
02� CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE
03� TONIGHT,TONIGHT,TONIGHT
04 E.M.O
05� DAY AFTER DAY
06� FOOL GROOVE
07� HEY�~2 LOOK�~2
08� `SPROUT�`
09� PERFECT DAY
10� DROOG IN A SLUM
11� TREASON
12� ANOTHER TIME/ANOTHER STORY
13� MIGHTY BLOW
14� SOLITAIRE
15� `YOUR MELODY�`
16� GHOST
17� LET'S ESCAPE TOGETHER
18� FAIRY TALE
19� ZENITH

Foresights

01-be my wife
02-last song
03-call
04-second that emotion
05-foresight
06-hamburg
07-mighty wind
08-rusk
09-batari!
10-triumph

P.O.A. -POP ON ARRIVAL-L.E

1.~NAMPLA~
2.ISOLATIONS
3.HIT IN THE USA
4.FEEL
5.LOVEPOTION #9
6.GET UP! GET UP! (bonus track)
7.CLOWN FOR THE DAY
8.~SASQUATCH~
9.JAPANESE GIRL
10.LOVE IS INSPIRATION
11.DISASTER
12.LOVE DISCHORD
13.BLOCK BASTARD
14.RUSK
15.SAY GOOD-NIGHT (bonus track)
16.S×E×X×I×S×T

Sexcite

01-eyes in the sky
02-christine
03-imagine_
04-jubilation
05-sad song
06-overture
07-life in the nation
08-shadow boxer
09-saturday good-bye
10-sprite
11-slash it up
12-cunt, buy me love
13-arakism

Video Clip