Melt-Banana is a Japanese noise rock band that is known for playing extremely fast noise rock and hardcore punk mixed with experimental, electronica and pop-based song structures. Since forming in 1992 the band has released ten albums and toured worldwide extensively.

History

In 1991, while attending Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Yasuko Onuki started a band called Mizu and, after a short period rehearsing with another guitarist, recruited Ichiro Agata to play guitar in the band. Mizu's original drummer and bass player quit six months after Agata joined, leaving Yasuko to play bass and sing until she found bassist Rika Hamamoto.

In 1996, Sick Zip Everywhere was nominated for MTV UK's best video. In the same year the band completed their first European tour.

In 1997, they created their own recording company, A-Zap (formerly Iguana Coax), and re-issued most of their early albums. Around this time, drummer Sudoh Toshiaki quit. Oshima Watchma became the new official drummer in February 1998.

The band recorded its first Peel Session in September 1999. Onuki thought John Peel looked like Santa Claus; Agata has said that when finishing a new song, he still thinks of Peel and what he would think of it if he listened. Peel described the session as "Simply one of the most extraordinary performances I have ever seen and ever heard ... just mesmerizing, absolutely astonishing." The broadcast exposed the band to new audiences in the United Kingdom and beyond.

The studio album Fetch, released September 2013, saw the band transition to a duo. The decision not to use a live drummer led on to the decision not to have a live bass player. Using a computer for the rhythm allowed more freedom in the arrangement. Hamamoto's help was not needed for the new duo format. Additionally, throughout the band's career Agata and Onuki had been the main songwriters.

In late 2019, during an interview conducted on tour, with Louder magazine, the band stated they would record a new album.

Style

thumb|Yasuko Onuki

Melt-Banana's music is typically described as noise rock, Melt-Banana has cited The Sex Pistols, Einstürzende Neubauten, Masonna, Violent Onsen Geisha, as influences, as well as the compilation album No New York. Agata also gets inspiration from the feelings of excitement, triumph and peril he experiences when playing video games, and interpreting that musically. He believes that influences from outside music, including video games, help them see from fresh angles and keep them from writing "the same kind of music again and again".

Onuki's distinctive vocal style has been described as "loud, piercing and unexpectedly authoritative". In writing a song, Onuki typically starts with particular words and then works backwards, the content of which comes from what she "see[s] and feel[s] in [her] usual life".

Guitarist Agata is noted for his distinct playing style that employs heavy use of effects and pedals. In choosing the songs, Melt-Banana simply "play songs that [they] like."

Members

thumb|Ichiro Agata

  • Yasuko Onuki – vocals <small>(1992–present)</small>
  • Ichiro Agata – guitars, effects <small>(1992–present)</small>

Former members

Bass

From 2013 onward the band does not have a bass player.

  • Rika Hamamoto <small>(1992–2013)</small>

Drums

Melt-Banana does not currently have an official drummer. From 2013 onward the band does not have a drummer when playing live. There have been two drummers who were official members; Sudoh Toshiaki and Oshima Watchma. A number of guest drummers have been used for studio recordings and live performances.

  • Sudoh Toshiaki (Machine and the Synergetic Nuts) (1992 to December 1997). Appears on Speak Squeak Creak, Cactuses Come in Flocks, and Scratch or Stitch.
  • Kiku (ex-Assfort) – guest live drummer, one show, early 1998.
  • Youichiro Natsume (ex-Multiplex, ex-Force) – guest studio drummer, early 1998. Appears on Charlie.
  • Oshima Watchma (Coaltar of the Deepers, ex-Satanic Hell Slaughter) (February 1998 to 2000). Toured, and appears on MxBx 1998/13,000 Miles at Light Velocity and Teeny Shiny.
  • Dave Witte (Municipal Waste, ex-Discordance Axis) – guest touring drummer, US and Europe only, 2001 to 2005.
  • Obokata – guest live drummer, Japan only.
  • Masashi Sakata (324) – guest live drummer, Japan and ATP UK 2002.
  • Takiya Terada – guest live drummer in 2002, 2010–2012.
  • Eiji Uki (ex-Acid Mothers Temple, ex-Monghang) – Guest live drummer, Japan and 2007 US tours and 2008 Europe tour.
  • Yasuhiro Inomata – guest live drummer in 2009.

Timeline

Touring and collaborations

The band have carried out lengthy US and UK tours yearly and smaller Japanese tours (the reason for this, according to them, is that travelling in Japan is quite expensive). Melt-Banana have worked with a diverse range of artists, including Merzbow, John Zorn, Agathe Max, Mike Patton, and Discordance Axis. Melt-Banana has toured as an opening act with high-profile bands such as:

  • Jim O'Rourke and Zeni Geva (1994, Japan)
  • Melvins (1999, Japan and US)
  • Fantômas (2004, US)
  • Tool (2007, US)
  • Metal Machine Trio (2010, Australia)
  • Igorrr and Otto von Schirach (2023, US)

Discography

Studio albums

  • Speak Squeak Creak (1994)
  • Cactuses Come in Flocks (1994)
  • Scratch or Stitch (1995)
  • Charlie (1998)
  • Teeny Shiny (2000)
  • Cell-Scape (2003)
  • Bambi's Dilemma (2007)
  • Fetch (2013)
  • 3+5 (2024)

References

  • Official website
  • Melt-Banana on Myspace