Number Girl

Number Girl
Origin	Japan, Fukuoka
Genres	Alternative rock, post-hardcore, indie rock
Years active	1995–2002
Labels	Toshiba EMI
Members
Shutoku Mukai Hisako Tabuchi Kentarou Nakao Ahito Inazawa

Number Girl (ナンバーガール, Nanbā Gāru^?) was a rock band formed in Fukuoka, Japan in August, 1995 by guitarist and vocalist Mukai Shutoku. They disbanded in 2002 following bassist Nakao Kentarou's departure from the band.

Number Girl played fast, guitar-driven rock similar to the Pixies, Sonic Youth, and Hüsker Dü. Over the course of seven years their sound evolved greatly, serving as a basis for Mukai's post-Number Girl project, Zazen Boys.

History

Formation

Number Girl was formed in August 1995, when Mukai Shutoku decided to form a band to play at a local event. A solo artist at the time, Mukai was briefly involved in one band called "Number Five". Learning that his new members were previously in a band called "Cowgirl", he combined the names, and christened his new band "Number Girl".

The original incarnation of Number Girl was unsuccessful, and the collaborating musicians quickly left the group. Mukai invited bassist Nakao Kentarou, who in turn invited guitarist Tabuchi Hisako, whom Nakao knew from his former job operating lighting at the Vivre Hall venue. Mukai convinced a fellow Fukuoka scene musician Inazawa Ahito to play drums, finalizing Number Girl's lineup. The band self-released two demos, "Atari Shock" and "Omoide In My Head", and was also featured on several compilations. Number Girl released their first full-length studio album, School Girl Bye Bye in November 1997 on independent label Automatic Kiss, and released their first single, Drunken Hearted, several months later.

Major Label Debut

In 1998, the band began playing shows in the Shimokitazawa area of Tokyo. Gaining a higher profile in Japan's indie rock scene, the band quickly attracted major label attention, and signed with Toshiba EMI. In May 1999, their major debut single, 透明少女 (Toumei Shoujo) was released with their major debut,School Girl Distortional Addict, released the following July. Number Girl quickly gained popularity throughout Japan, playing shows with other high-profile indie acts such as Bloodthirsty Butchers and Eastern Youth. In fall of 1999, Number Girl released the single Destruction Baby, produced by Flaming Lips producer Dave Fridmann, as well as a live album, シブヤROCKTRANSFORMED状態 (Shibuya ROCKTRANSFORMED Joutai).

In 2000 the band again entered the studio with producer Dave Fridmann and released their third full-length studio album, Sappukei. Fridmann's production helped the band to reach their full potential, and Sappukei served to combine Number Girl's aggressive rock with traditional Japanese sounds. During this time, they embarked on a brief US tour with Polysics, playing in small clubs through several cities.

After a year of touring, the band again enlisted Dave Fridmann to produce what would become their final studio album, Num-Heavymetallic. Num-Heavymetallic took elements of their previous sound and combined it with Mukai's newly found experimentation. Unusual rhythms, effects-laden guitar lines, and a vocal style which alternated between punk-inspired grit and spoken word, would eventually be incorporated into Mukai's subsequent band, Zazen Boys.

Disbanding

The band then set out on their largest tour ever, playing over thirty dates, to support Num-Heavymetallic. However, on September 20, 2002, the band shocked fans by announcing their dissolution. The reason behind the band's demise is not entirely clear, although it is widely known that bassist Kentarou decided to leave the band. The other members decided that the band was a specific group, and opted to disband rather than replace Nakao. Number Girl played their final show on November 11, 2002 in Sapporo. The recording of the performance would later be released as Sapporo OMOIDE IN MY HEAD Joutai (サッポロOMOIDE IN MY HEAD状態).

Following the demise of Number Girl, the members each went on to other projects. Nakao played support for Spiral Chord before joining Sloth Love Chunks. Guitarist Tabuchi Hisako became a member of Bloodthirsty Butchers and also formed her own band, Toddle. Mukai continued performing as both a solo artist with his "Mukai Shutoku Acoustic & Electric" shows and formed a new band, Zazen Boys, alongside drummer Ahito Inazawa. In 2005, Inazawa left Zazen Boys to form post-punk revival band Vola and the Oriental Machine.

Toshiba EMI released several posthumous Number Girl recordings under the title "Omoide In My Head," consisting of a best-and-b-sides collection, two comprehensive live volumes, a three DVD set consisting of the band's two earlier live albums, and a rare tracks collection.

Members

• Shutoku Mukai (向井秀徳 October 26, 1973 -) Guitar, Vocals
• Hisako Tabuchi (田渕ひさ子 December 9, 1975 -) Guitar
• Kentaro Nakao (中尾憲太郎 June 17, 1974 -) Bass
• Ahito Inazawa (アヒト・イナザワ June 6, 1973 -) Drums

Discography

Singles

• Toumei Shoujo (透明少女, May 26, 1999)
• DESTRUCTION BABY (September 26, 1999)
• URBAN GUITAR SAYONARA (May 31, 2000)
• Teppu Surudoku Natte (鉄風 鋭くなって, November 29, 2000)
• NUM-AMI-DABUTZ (March 30, 2002)
• I Don't Know (April 8, 2002)

Albums

• School Girl Bye Bye (January 20, 1999)
• School Girl Distortional Addict (July 23, 1999)
• Shibuya ROCKTRANSFORMED Joutai (シブヤROCK TRANSFORMED状態, December 16, 1999)
• SAPPUKEI (July 19, 2000)
• NUM-HEAVYMETALLIC (April 26, 2002)
• Sapporo OMOIDE IN MY HEAD Joutai (サッポロOMOIDE IN MY HEAD状態, January 29, 2003)
• Omoide In My Head 1: Best & B-Sides (March 2, 2005)
• Omoide In My Head 2: Kiroku Series 1 (記録シリーズ１, June 22, 2005)
• Omoide In My Head 2: Kiroku Series 2 (記録シリーズ２, June 22, 2005)
• Omoide In My Head 4: Maruchin NG & Rare Tracks (December 14, 2005)

DVD

• Sawayakana Ensou (騒やかな演奏, October 29, 2003) (Re-released version)
• Number Girl Eizoshuu (NUMBERGIRL映像集, April 26, 2003)
• Omoide In My Head 3: Kiroku Eizou (記録映像)

References

External links

• Number Girl official site
• Mukai Shutoku website
• Keikaku.net Number Girl profile
• Lyrics translated into English

[[Category:Japanese rock music goups] khar madar sag jende khar kose