Ellegarden was a Japanese Rock group formed in December 1998 in Chiba, Japan that includes drummer Hirotaka Takahashi, vocalist Takeshi Hosomi, guitarist Shinichi Ubakata, and bassist Yuichi Takada.
Background
The English lyrics of the band’s songs, which are mostly written by Takeshi, are usually grammatically sound and well pronounced. In the Summer 2006 issue of the American J-Rock Magazine Purple Sky, Takeshi accredited this to the time he spent working as a computer engineer in Oakland, California and later in Japan, where he had English-speaking co-workers.
The band’s vocalist Takeshi Hosomi is very good friends with the pillows’ Sawao Yamanaka, Asian Kung-Fu Generation’s Masafumi Goto and Straightener’s Atsushi Horie. Currently they are on hiatus.
History
In 2006, Ellegarden performed in numerous Japanese Summer Music Festivals, such as Fuji Rock, Summer Sonic, Nano Mugen Festival and Rising Sun Rock Festival. Their final tour of the year featured the American band Allister, who they became acquainted with during SXSW 2006. In addition, they supported Foo Fighters in their concert at Osaka Castle Hall.
Ellegarden was also a part of the lineup of Shibuya Jack, a unique all-day concert that took place across several live houses in the Shibuya district of Tokyo in 2006. Their popularity resulted in a packed house at their venue, Club Asia. as well as a crowd of several hundred who could not get inside.
On May 2, 2008, it was announced that the band would be going on hiatus when the following message was posted on the band’s official website:[2]
Ellegarden has been in the process of creating a new album since last year, however, during the band’s activities, there arose a difference in opinion regarding the motivation for creating a new album. We no longer feel we are able to create an album that we would be satisfied with, and after much discussion we arrived at the conclusion to end the creation of the album and suspend the band’s activities indefinitely. All previously decided shows (including shows not yet announced) up until early September 2008 will still be performed.
We want to thank everyone who has supported Ellegarden from the bottom of our hearts. In order to once again create new music as Ellegarden, each of us wants to work on our own personal growth and development. Thank you for everything. -Ellegarden Leader, Shinichi Ubukata
Following the recording hiatus announcement, the band has continued to perform live and recently announced a greatest hits album entitled «Ellegarden Best (1999-2008)».The album consists of 21 songs and was released on July 2, 2008. After appearances at several high-profile festivals (including Rock in Japan, Sky Jamboree, Nano Mugen Fes, and Treasure 05x: The Greatest Riot Returns), the band performed four one-man shows in early September to give its fans a send-off before the hiatus; two performances at Zepp Osaka followed by two performances at Shinkiba Studio Coast in Tokyo.
Band members
Takeshi Hosomi (細美 武士 Hosomi Takeshi) – vocalist, guitarist
Hosomi is a main songwriter. He writes almost all words and music.
He announced in October, 2008 that he was active as a solo artist by his official blog, and he forms The Hiatus.
Shin’ichi Ubukata (生形 真一 Ubukata Shin’ichi) – guitarist, backing vocals
Ubukata is a leader of this band.
He forms the new band, Nothing’s Carved In Stone.
Yuichi Takada (高田 雄一 Takada Yuichi) – bassist, backing vocals
Takada has joined Meaning at present.
Hirotaka Takahashi (高橋 宏貴 Takahashi Hirotaka) – drummer, backing vocals
Takahashi is a godparent of this band.
He forms Scars Borough.
Albums
Studio Albums
Don’t Trust Anyone But Us (April 3, 2002)
Bring Your Board!! (July 2, 2003)
Pepperoni Quattro (May 26, 2004)
Riot on the Grill (April 20, 2005) #3 227,000 copies sold
Eleven Fire Crackers (November 8, 2006) #1 341,000 copies sold
Compilation Albums
Figureheads Compilation (July 31, 2007)
Ellegarden Best (1999-2008) (July 2, 2008) #2 277,886 copies sold
Mini Albums
ELLEGARDEN (May 23, 2001)
My Own Destruction (October 16, 2002)
Video and DVD
My Own Destruction Tour Bootleg VHS - March 20, 2003
Bring Your Board!! Tour Bootleg II DVD - May 26, 2004
E.V.Junkie Lives 2004 - king of punk adventure - November 17, 2004
Bad for Education Tour Bootleg III DVD - February 26, 2005
Doggy Bags - August 9, 2006
Eleven Fire Crackers Tour 06-07 - After Party - October 24, 2007
Maxi Singles
Bare Foot - October 12, 2001
Yubiwa - February 20, 2002
Jitterbug - November 12, 2002
Missing - November 3, 2004
Space Sonic - December 7, 2005
Salamander - August 9, 2006
Tours
Dates shown are announcement dates
First tour - August 2002 - 20 stop tour through Japan
My Own Destruction Tour - October 16, 2002 - 30 stops in Japan to promote album of same name
Bring Your Board!! Tour - July 10, 2003 - 25 stops in Japan with one extra live performance
Jitterbug Live Tour - November 12, 2003
Pepperoni Quattro Tour - June 12, 2004 - Toured 19 cities in Japan
Bad for Education Tour 2004 - November 2, 2004 - 15 cities
Riot on the Grill Tour - May 5, 2005 - 39 stops
Space Sonic Tour 2005-2006 - December 3, 2005 - 36 stops
Japan Nite Tour 2006 - January 16, 2006 - First US tour with appearance at SXSW followed by 7 cities
Ellegarden Tour 2006-2007 - October 12, 2006 - 54 stops, first half featuring Allister
Supporting Act for Foo Fighters - December 5, 2006 - Osaka Castle Hall
Ellegarden Tour 2007 - June 10, 2007 - 31 stops in Japan
First Korean Show at Melon AX - October 7, 2007
Equipment
Takeshi Hosomi (vocal & guitar)
Gibson Les Paul Std./ Gibson Historic Collection 1956 Les Paul Gold Top
Diezel Herbert/ Marshall JCM-800
Shinichi Ubukata (guitar & chorus)
Gibson ES-335 Dot Export/ Gibson ES-335 Diamond F-Hole
VHT. Pittbull Hundred CLX/ Marshall JMP 2203
Yuichi Takada (bass & chorus)
Fender Precision Bass/ Ampeg SVT-810 E
Hirotaka Takahashi (drums & chorus)
Ludwig Classic Maple Drum Set/ SD Gretsch G4160
Paiste 2002 Series/ Stick Pearl Standard Hickory 190 STH
See Also
Synchronized Rockers - A tribute album to The Pillows featuring Ellegarden
J-Rock
Allister
Weezer
Asian Kung-Fu Generation
The Pillows
References
^ Nippop | Ellegarden | Profile
^ a b Ellegarden official site; each instance of «ELLEGARDEN» converted to «Ellegarden».
^ Source for all: Ellegarden site.
External links
(Japanese) Ellegarden’s website
Morning Scene Ellegarden interview
Individual band members:
Takeshi Hosomi
Shinichi Ubukata
Yuichi Takada
Hirotaka Takahashi
