BUMP OF CHICKEN (バンプ・オブ・チキン Banpu Obu Chikin) is a Japanese rock group from Sakura, Chiba, Japan. Their members are Fujiwara Motoo, Masukawa Hiroaki, Naoi Yoshifumi, ...

BUMP OF CHICKEN (バンプ・オブ・チキン Banpu Obu Chikin) is a Japanese rock group from Sakura, Chiba, Japan. Their members are Fujiwara Motoo, Masukawa Hiroaki, Naoi Yoshifumi, and Masu Hideo. Since their inception in 1994, they have released fourteen singles and five albums.[1] They are a popular group in Japan; every release since their third single, Tentai Kansoku, has charted in the top ten on the Oricon Weekly Charts. Their music has been used in various video games and as theme songs for movies and television shows in Japan.

History

The members first met in kindergarten and were classmates throughout their primary and secondary education. BUMP OF CHICKEN's first performance was in 1994, during their ninth grade cultural festival,[1] playing a cover of The Beatles' version of Twist and Shout.[2] In 1996, their song, DANNY, won an award on 96TFM.[3]

In 1999, BUMP OF CHICKEN released their first album, FLAME VEIN, on HIGH LINE RECORDS. Later that year, they released their first single, "LAMP". In 2000, they released THE LIVING DEAD, their final release on HIGH LINE.[4] They also held their first live tour, "Tsuaa Pokiiru (ツアーポキール, Tsuaa Pokiiru?)", during March and April.[5]

Later in 2000, the group switched to TOY'S FACTORY, releasing their first single on the label, "Diamond", in September.[4] BUMP OF CHICKEN's first big success occurred when their single, "Tentai Kansoku", appeared on the Oricon Weekly Charts in 2001.[6] They held two live tours, "Star Porking Tours (スターポーキングツアーズ Sutaa Pookingu Tsuaazu, Star Porking Tours?) 2001" beginning in March and "SURF PORKIN'" beginning in July.[5] In October, they released "Harujion".[4]

They released their first album on TOY'S FACTORY, jupiter, in February 2002 and was their first number one on the Oricon Weekly Charts. In the summer of 2002, their music was featured on the Japanese TV drama, "TENTAI KANSOKU", giving them more exposure. At the end of 2002, the group released the single "Snow Smile". 2003 saw the release of the double A-side single "Lost Man/sailing day".[4] "sailing day" was used as the ending theme to the animated movie, One Piece: Dead End Adventure".[1]

The beginning of 2004 saw a slew of re-releases. "Arue", from their album FLAME VEIN, was released as a single in March. They re-released their first two albums in April. FLAME VEIN received an extra song and was re-released as FLAME VEIN +1. THE LIVING DEAD received no modifications. In July, the group released "Only Lonely Glory",[4] which became their first single to chart at number one on the Oricon Weekly Charts.[7] A month later, they released their fourth album, Yggdrasil, which was their second album to reach number one on the Oricon Weekly Charts.[6] Shortly after, they released "Sharin no Uta", from Yggdrasil, as a single.

History
In 2005, BUMP OF CHICKEN released two singles, "Planetarium" and "supernova/Karma". Karma was used as the theme song for Namco's "Tales of the Abyss. The band's next single, "Namida no Furusato" was used in a commercial for Lotte Airs.[1] It became the group's second number one single. In 2007, they released the singles "Hana no Na" and "Mayday" on the same day. The two singles reached number one and two respectively on the Oricon Weekly Charts.[6]. BUMP OF CHICKEN released their second latest album, orbital period, on December 19, 2007.Their latest album is "present from you", released on June, 18, 2008. This album is a compilation of b-sides and other non-album tracks.


Members

Motoo Fujiwara
Motoo Fujiwara is the composer, lyricist, guitar, and main vocalist of the group, also acting as the leader of the band. He has written most of the music, and has also drawn the artwork for their albums 'The Living Dead' and 'Yggdrasil'. He was born April 12, 1979 with blood type O. He enjoys doing laundry, cannot eat spicy foods, has poor eyesight, likes to eat chicken, and enjoys playing the harmonica. In March 2006, he released a solo album titled "Song for Tales of the Abyss," which included "Karma" and instrumental versions of songs from the game Tales of the Abyss. Uses Gibson 1960 Les Paul Special Single Cutaway, Sonic fender, Gibson J-45.

Hiroaki Masukawa
Hiroaki Masukawa is the guitarist of the group, and also writes most of the hidden joke tracks for albums. He was born December 20, 1979 with blood type A, and is left-handed. He is referred to as the shy member of the group, and calls himself pessimistic. His hobbies are largely anime and games. His nicknames within the band are "Hiro," "Hose," (meaning "very thin"), and "Nikke". Uses Gibson Les Paul Standard, Fender Stratocaster.

Yoshifumi Naoi
Yoshifumi Naoi is the bassist of the group, and is referred to as the "crowd pleaser". He was born October 9, 1979 with blood type A, and jokes that he "falls ill exactly four times a year." He also calls himself an anime and game otaku, and a "rare genius". His hobbies are photography and drawing; he has released an artbook containing his works, and helped with some of the album artwork. His nickname within the band is "Chama," a play on the Japanese phrase "Obotchama" referring to a rich family's son. Uses Sonic Bass, Fender Jazz Bass 65.

Hideo Masu
Hideo Masu is the drummer for the band. He was born August 10, 1979 with blood type A, and describes himself as an introvert. He also mentions that he has good eyesight, cannot write kanji well, likes to go outdoors, and often gets headaches. Uses Canopus Maple Shell.


Songs in popular culture

Their single Arue is a song dedicated to the fictional character Rei Ayanami, from the Neon Genesis Evangelion series. The song is listed as R.A., the initials of the aforementioned character.

Their song Sailing Day is used at the end credits of the anime movie One Piece: Dead End Adventure. The same song is also featured in the Guitar Freaks and Drummania series of arcade games.

The songs "Tentai Kansoku", "K", "Sailing Day", "Karma" and "Mayday" were later used in the musical arcade game by Bemani in GuitarFreaks,DrumMania and Pop'n Music. "Tentai Kansoku" was also featured in Meccha! Taiko no Tatsujin DS: 7tsu no Shima no Daibouken.

The song "Karma" from their Supernova / karma single is the main theme for Namco's Tales of the Abyss video game.


Album Discography

Flame Vein
FLAME VEIN is the first studio album by BUMP OF CHICKEN, released on March 18, 1999. One track, "Arue", was later released as a limited print single. Another, "Little Braver", was later released on the "LAMP" single as a B-side.
Track listing
All tracks written by Fujiwara Motoo.
1. "Glass no Blues" (ガラスのブルース) — 6:19
2. "Kudaranai Uta" (くだらない唄 ) — 4:03
3. "Arue" (アルエ) — 4:18
4. "Little Braver" (リトルブレイバー) — 5:13
5. "No Hit No Run" (ノーヒット・ノーラン) — 4:25
6. "Special Song" (とっておきの唄 Totteoki no Uta?) — 5:35
7. "Knife" (ナイフ ) — 6:31

The Living Dead
THE LIVING DEAD is the second studio album by BUMP OF CHICKEN, first released on March 25, 2000 on High Line Records. It was released again on April 28, 2004 on TOY'S FACTORY. It included songs from the "LAMP" single.
Track listing
All tracks written by Fujiwara Motoo, except where noted.
1. "Opening " — 1:03
2. "Gungnir" (グングニル ) — 3:56
3. "Best Picture" (ベストピクチャー ?) (Fujiwara, Naoi Yoshifumi) — 4:41
4. "Zoku Kudaranai Uta" (続・くだらない唄) — 5:13
5. "LAMP" — 4:32
6. "K " — 3:51
7. "Lily" (リリィ?) — 5:35
8. "Ever lasting lie" — 8:37
9. "Glorious Revolution" (グロリアスレボリューション?) — 3:13
10. "Ending" — 1:14

Jupiter
jupiter is the third studio album by BUMP OF CHICKEN, released on February 20, 2002. It included songs from the singles "Diamond", "Tentai Kansoku", and "Harujion". It peaked at #1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts.[1] jupiter was #45 on the 2002 Oricon Top 100 Albums.[2]
Track listing
All tracks written by Fujiwara Motoo, except where noted.
1. "Stage of the ground" — 5:33
2. "Tentai Kansoku" (天体観測?) — 4:23
3. "Title of mine" — 5:02
4. "Catch-Ball" (キャッチボール?) (Fujiwara, Masukawa Hiroaki) — 3:41
5. "Harujion" (ハルジオン?) — 4:36
6. "Bench and Coffee" (ベンチとコーヒー?) — 6:12
7. "Melody Flag" (メロディーフラッグ?) — 5:48
8. "Bell" (ベル?) — 4:33
9. "Diamond" (ダイヤモンド?) — 4:33
10. "Dandelion" (ダンデライオン?) — 2:58

Yggdrasil
Yggdrasil (ユグドラシル Yugudorashiru?) is the fourth studio album by BUMP OF CHICKEN, released on August 25, 2004. It included the singles "Snow Smile", "Lost Man/Sailing Day", "Only Lonely Glory", and "Sharin no Uta". The album peaked at #1 on Oricon Weekly Charts and was #19 on the 2004 Oricon Top 100 Albums.[1]
Track listing
All tracks written by Fujiwara Motoo.
1. "asgard" — 0:39
2. "Only Lonely Glory" (オンリーロンリーグローリー?) — 4:51
3. "Right to Ride" (乗車権 Jyoushaken?) — 3:06
4. "Guild" (ギルド?) — 5:49
5. "embrace" — 5:31
6. "sailing day" — 4:05
7. "If Only We Could Go Through the Same Door" (同じドアをくぐれたら Onaji Door wo Kuguretara?) — 5:18
8. "The Wheel Song" (車輪の唄 Sharin no Uta?) — 4:26
9. "Snow Smile" (スノースマイル?) — 5:07
10. "Rem" (レム?) — 4:22
11. "fire sign" — 5:13
12. "Sun" (太陽 Taiyou?) — 5:49
13. "Lost Man" (ロストマン?) — 5:04
14. "midgard" — 0:41
15. "O-to-ga-me Heart" (Hidden track) — 6:31

Orbital period
orbital period is the fifth studio album by BUMP OF CHICKEN, released on December 19, 2007. The album features the singles "Planetarium", "supernova/Karma", "Namida no Furusato", "Hana no Na", and "Mayday". orbital period became the best-selling album two days in a row at debut, according to Oricon Style. It was the second best-selling album on its debut week.[1]
Track listing
1. "voyager"
2. "STAR BIRD" (星の鳥 Hoshi no Tori?)
3. "Mayday" (メーデー?)
4. "A ROOTERS' SONG FOR WORRIED OF ABILITY" (才悩人応援歌 Sainoujin Ouenka?)
5. "PLANETARIUM" (プラネタリウム?)
6. supernova
7. "HAMMER SONG AND THE TOWER OF PAIN" (ハンマーソングと痛みの塔 HAMMER SONG to Itami no Tou?)
8. "TIME AND SPACE HIDE-AND-SEEK" (時空かくれんぼ Jikuu Kakurenbo?)
9. "SCABCABCAB" (かさぶたぶたぶ Kasabutabutabu?)
10. "NAME OF FLOWER" (花の名 Hana no Na?)
11. "TALK TO MYSELF" (ひとりごと Hitori Goto?)
12. "SONG OF CANDY" (飴玉の唄 Amedama no Uta?)
13. "STAR BIRD REPRISE" (星の鳥　reprise Hoshi no Tori reprise?)
14. "KARMA" (カルマ ?)
15. "arrows"
16. "COUNTRY OF TEARS" (涙のふるさと Namida no Furusato?)
17. "flyby "
18. "BELIEVE" (Hidden track)

Present from you
present from you is a B-side collection, by BUMP OF CHICKEN, released on June 18, 2008.
Track listing
1. "LAUGH MAKER" (ラフ・メイカー Rafu Meikaa?)
2. "BYE BYE, THANK YOU" (バイバイ、サンキュー Baibai Sankyuu?)
3. "SHE, STAR AND CHAIR" (彼女と星の椅子 Kanojo to Hoshi no isu?)
4. "HOLYDAY" (ホリデイ Horidei?)
5. "Ever lasting lie（Acoustic Version） "
6. "TIME TO SLEEP" (睡眠時間 Suimin Jikan?)
7. "THE OWNER OF THE DREAM" (夢の飼い主 Yume no Kainushi?)
8. "SNOW SMILE Ringing version" (スノースマイル ～ringing version～ Sunoo sumairu?)
9. "GALACTIC RAILROAD" (銀河鉄道 Ginga tetsudou?)
10. "HAVE YOU EVER LOOKED AT THE RED SKY?" (真っ赤な空を見ただろうか Makkana sora wo mitadarouka?)
11. "TOKYO PAEAN" (東京賛歌 Toukyou Sanka?)
12. "BLUES OF THE GLASS (28 years round)" (ガラスのブルース (28 years round) Garasu no Buruusu?)
13. "PRESENT" (プレゼント Purezento?)

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Last edit by renix on Monday 29 Dec, 2008 at 05:46 +62.4%

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