The Pillows

Infobox musical artist
Name = the pillows


Img_capt =
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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Hokkaidō, Japan
Genre = Alternative rock, Indie rock
Years_active = 1989–present
Label = Captain, Pony Canyon, King, Avex Trax
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.pillows.jp www.pillows.jp]
Current_members = Sawao Yamanaka
Yoshiaki Manabe
Shinichirou Sato
Jun Suzuki
Past_members = Kenji Ueda
Tatsuya Kashima

The Pillows (or the pillows) are a Japanese rock band, best known internationally for the soundtrack of the anime series "FLCL".cite web
last = Osueke
first = Austin
title = "J-Pop Is the Quiet Storm in American Culture"
work = asianweek.com
date = 2006-07-07
url = http://news.asianweek.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=2678f5aa59e69f844690ff18578074bc
accessdate = 2007-08-05] During its long-running career, the group has released more than a dozen original studio albums, along with several EPs, singles and compilations. The Pillows are currently signed to the Avex Trax label.

History

The Pillows were formed on September 16, 1989 by Sawao Yamanaka (rhythm guitar and vocals), Yoshiaki Manabe (lead guitar), Kenji Ueda (bass), and Shinichirou Sato (drums) in Hokkaidō. Kenji Ueda would leave the group three years later and has never been officially replaced.

Following Ueda's departure, the band recruited Tatsuya Kashima as a replacement on bass. Out of respect for Ueda, Kashima was only labeled as a guest musician on releases he performed on. He would stay with the band through 1999 and the release of their 7th overall album "Runners High". Kashima was replaced by Jun Suzuki who is still with the band today.

In 1999, The Pillows were approached by the anime studio Gainax, which licensed The Pillows' three previous albums for the soundtrack of their latest anime "FLCL". The Pillows also composed two new songs for the show, "Ride on Shooting Star," and "I Think I Can," which were released on their album "Fool on the Planet".

In March 2005, The Pillows played their first show in the United States at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas,cite web
title = SXSW 2005 Showcasing Artists: The Pillows
work = sxsw.com
url = http://2005.sxsw.com/music/showcases/band/15920.html
accessdate = 2007-08-06] followed by concerts in New York City and San Francisco.cite web
title = "More Pillows Concerts"
work = animenewsnetwork.com
date = 2005-02-28
url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-02-28/more-pillows-concerts
accessdate = 2007-08-05] In the following year, The Pillows returned to North America during their tour in support of the album "My Foot", with several more dates in the U.S. and a show in Mexico City.cite web
title = "The Pillows Tour North America in June"
work = animenewsnetwork.com
date = 2006-05-24
url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-05-24/the-pillows-tour-north-america-in-june
accessdate = 2007-08-05]

The group's album "Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up!" was released on May 2, 2007, their first on the Avex Trax label.

The single, "Ladybird Girl", was released on August 15, 2007, and is being used in the Japanese version of the children's show "Ben 10" as its theme song.

They returned to the US in 2008 starting with Los Angeles, followed by another appearance at SXSW, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, and Boston. cite web
title = SXSW 2008 Showcasing Artists: The Pillows
work = sxsw.com
url = http://2008.sxsw.com/music/showcases/band/56321.html
accessdate = 2008-02-20]

"Pied Piper" is the sixteenth studio album by the pillows, released on June 25, 2008. It includes the singles "Ladybird Girl", "Tokyo Bambi", and "New Animal" as well as the b-side "Across the Metropolis".

Logo and mascot

Buster-kun has been The Pillows' mascot since about 1998, when on a visit to London, they saw a doll of a "grotesque and creepy-looking teddy bear" (which can be seen in their video "Hybrid Rainbow") and subsequently used it for the artwork of the album "Little Busters" and on t-shirts sold during the following tour. Buster-kun was named after the album and the group also uses the term "little busters" for its fans.cite web
last = Mays
first = Jonathan
title = "Sound Decision"
work = animenewsnetwork.com
date = 2006-07-02
url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/sound-decision/2006-07-02
accessdate = 2007-08-05]

Lineup

* – vocals, rhythm guitar
* – lead guitar
* – drums
* – bass (support member, [cite web
title = The Pillows profile
work = pillows.jp
url = http://www.pillows.jp/p/profile/
accessdate = 2007-08-05] since 1999)

Former members

* – bass (1989–1992)
* – bass (support member, 1992–1999)

Discography

tudio albums

* "Moon Gold" (1991)
* "White Incarnation" (1992)
* "Kool Spice" (1994)
* "Living Field" (1995)
* "Please Mr. Lostman" (1997)
* "Little Busters" (1998)
* "Runners High" (1999)
* "Happy Bivouac" (1999)
* "Smile" (2001)
* "Thank You, My Twilight" (2002)
* "Penalty Life" (ペナルティーライフ, 2003)
* "90's My Life Returns" (2004)
* "Good Dreams" (2004)
* "My Foot" (2006)
* "Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up!" (2007)
* "Pied Piper" (2008)

References

*Alchemy's Jennifer Ho speaks to Sawao Yamanaka in 2008, on the Asian Pop Show SBS Radio ( [http://www21.sbs.com.au/alchemy/index.php?pg=ct&ct=1&sc=2&id=590 in Japanese] or translated [http://www21.sbs.com.au/alchemy/index.php?pg=ct&ct=1&sc=2&id=591 into English] )

External links

* [http://www.pillows.jp Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/thepillows Official MySpace]