http://i29.tinypic.com/2rnfn9w.jpg
Members:
Shutoku Mukai: Vocals, guitar
Hisako Tabuchi: Lead guitar
Kentaro Nakao: Bass
Ahito Inazawa: Drums
Number Girl was a hugely influential indie rock band formed in 1995 by Shutoku Mukai, influenced by Pixies and Sonic Youth. They released their first full album, School Girl Bye Bye in 1997. The group quickly rose to fame, and were signed by Toshiba EMI in late 1998, shortly after which they released their first major hit, “Toumei Shoujo” (“Transparent Girl”), and then their first major album School Girl Distortional Addict. Their popularity grew quickly, and they were soon playing with fellow acts Bloodthirsty Butchers and Eastern Youth. In 2000, the band released their third album, Sappukei (“Bleak”). With this album the band began to change its sound by incorporating more traditional Japanese sounds. In 2002 The band released Num-Heavymetallic, which combined their indie sound with traditional Japanese sounds once more, but with heavy experimentation, including heavy guitar effects, unusual rhythm, and vocals that ranged from clean choruses to gritty-voiced rap, leading to a very unique style. Their lyrics of their early works focused on typical teenage themes, such a highschool, girls, and angst, but in later albums, Mukai shifted to more social themes, such as disillusionment with Japanese culture, and social criticism. The band broke up in 2002 while on their largest tour to date to promote Num-Heavymetallic after Nakao decided to leave the band. Tabuchi would go on to play in Bloodthirsty Butchers and form Toddle, Nakao joined Spinal Chord and then Sloth Love Chunks, while Mukai and Inazawa would found ZAZEN BOYS, before Inazawa left to form Vola & The Oriental Machine.
"Toumei Shoujo"
+ YouTube Video
"Num-Ami-Dabutz"
+ YouTube Video
