Elephant Kashimashi Explained

Elephant Kashimashi
Landscape:yes
Background:group_or_band
Alias:Elekashi
Origin:Kita, Tokyo, Japan
Genre:Alternative rock,[1] blues rock, grunge
Years Active:1981–present
Label:Epic/Sony, Pony Canyon, Toshiba EMI/Capitol Music, Universal Music/A&M
Associated Acts:Koichi Tsutaya
Website:ElephantKashimashi.com
Current Members:Hiroji Miyamoto
Toshiyuki Ishimori
Seiji Takamidori
Yoshiyuki Tominaga

, sometimes abbreviated as, is a Japanese rock band from Kita, Tokyo, formed in 1981. It has consisted of vocalist and guitarist Hiroji Miyamoto, guitarist Toshiyuki Ishimori, bassist Seiji Takamidori and drummer Yoshiyuki Tominaga since 1986.

In 2007, Rolling Stone Japan ranked their album The Elephant Kashimashi II number 50 on a list of the greatest Japanese rock albums of all time.[2]

History

Elephant Kashimashi was formed in 1981 by Akabanedai Junior High School classmates Toshiyuki Ishimori and Yoshiyuki Tominaga on guitar and drums respectively. Vocalist and guitarist Hiroji Miyamoto joined in their third year of junior high, and they covered songs by bands such as Deep Purple, Rainbow and RC Succession. They participated in the amateur music competition EastWest put on by Nippon Gakki (Yamaha Corporation) playing original songs. In 1986, Tominaga's high school classmate Seiji Takamidori joined on bass completing the final line up that continues to this day. In December of that year they won the CBS Sony SD audition.

Elephant Kashimashi made their debut on March 21, 1988, with the simultaneous Epic/Sony Records release of the single "Dede" and their self-titled album. Miyamoto, the band's principal songwriter, stated that his biggest influences at the time were Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, and T. Rex.[3] Their second album, The Elephant Kashimashi II, followed in November of that same year. The band held a concert at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in 1990 and it has become a tradition, with them having performed there every year since (except 2021).[4] Following several albums with disappointing sales, their contract with Epic/Sony ended after their seventh album Tokyo no Sora in May 1994.[5]

In 1996, Elephant Kashimashi signed with Pony Canyon and released the single "Kanashimi no Hate" in April and the album Kokoro ni Hana wo in August. The album sold well and gave them their first top 10 release on Oricon.[6] Their 1997 album Asu ni Mukatte Hashire -Tsukiyo no Uta- was a big success with half a million copies sold, thanks to the single "Koyoi no Tsuki no Yoni" being used as the theme song of the TV drama Tsuki no Kagayaku Yoru Dakara.

After one more album with Pony Canyon, the band moved to Toshiba EMI in 1999. Reportedly, Elephant Kashimashi's sound at this time was influenced by American hard rock and industrial rock like Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine.[3] In 2003, the tribute album Elephant Kashimashi Cover Album Hana Otoko was released featuring acts such as Straightener and Takkyu Ishino covering their songs.[3]

In March 2006, Tominaga underwent surgery for a chronic subdural hematoma.[7]

Elephant Kashimashi switched record labels to Universal Music in 2007, and released the single "Oretachi no Ashita" on November 21.[8] The album Starting Over followed on January 30, 2008.[9] "Kizuna", released as a single on March 18, 2009, became the band's first song to be used as the theme of a film when it was selected for Kanshiki Yonezawa Mamoru no Jikenbo.[10] The album Noboreru Taiyō was released on April 29, and its tour ran from May 14 to June 3.[11]

On September 1, 2012, Miyamoto had acute hearing loss in his left ear and underwent surgery. As a result live activities were suspended for a year until September 14, 2013, when they held a special concert.[7] A second tribute album, Elephant Kashimashi Cover Album 2 ~A Tribute to The Elephant Kashimashi~, featuring bands such as Dragon Ash, The Back Horn, Brahman and 10-Feet was released in 2013.[3]

At the 2018 Space Shower Music Awards, Elephant Kashimashi were given the Best Respect Artist award for their influence and achievements in music.[12] To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut, Elephant Kashimashi held their first nationwide tour that covered every prefecture in Japan. It finished with a special concert at Saitama Super Arena where they were supported by Mr. Children and Spitz.[13] Their album Wake Up was released on June 6, 2018, and went on to become a winner at the 11th CD Shop Awards.[14] On November 16, 2018, Akabane Station began playing Elephant Kashimashi songs as departure melodies in hopes to revitalize the area. Three of the band's four members are from Akabane.[15]

2021 marked the first year in 31 years that Elephant Kashimashi did not perform at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall. The band is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2023. They released the single "Yes. I. Do" on March 8 and performed a nine-date arena tour in the spring.[16] On June 9, they released Elephant Kashimashi Live Archive 2007–2017, a six CD and two Blu-ray set collecting live material previously only included on limited editions of their singles and albums.[17]

Members

Discography

Artist:Elephant Kashimashi
Studio:22
Live:4
Compilation:8
Video:23
Ep:1
Singles:51
Option Name:Tribute albums
Option:3

Studio albums

YearAlbum detailsOricon[18] [19]
1988The Elephant Kashimashi
The Elephant Kashimashi II
  • Released: November 21, 1988
  • Label: Epic/Sony Records
71
1989
  • Released: August 21, 1989
  • Label: Epic/Sony Records
56
1990
  • Released: September 1, 1990
  • Label: Epic/Sony Records
43
1992
  • Released: April 8, 1992
  • Label: Epic/Sony Records
61
1993
  • Released: May 21, 1993
  • Label: Epic/Sony Records
68
1994
  • Released: May 21, 1994
  • Label: Epic/Sony Records
62
1996 10
1997
  • Released: September 10, 1997
  • Label: Pony Canyon
2
1998
  • Released: December 9, 1998
  • Label: Pony Canyon
11
2000Good Morning 13
2002
  • Released: May 2, 2002
  • Label: Face Records
28
2003
  • Released: July 16, 2003
  • Label: Face Records
34
2004
  • Released: March 31, 2004
  • Label: Face Records
34
  • Released: September 29, 2004
  • Label: Face Records
45
2006 43
2008Starting Over 7
2009
  • Released: April 29, 2009
  • Label: Universal Music Sigma
3
2010Akuma no Sasayaki ~Soshite, Kokoro ni Hi o Tomosu Tabi~
  • Released: November 17, 2010
  • Label: Universal Music Sigma
8
2012Masterpiece
  • Released: May 30, 2012
  • Label: Universal Music Sigma
9
2015Rainbow
  • Released: November 18, 2015
  • Label: Universal Music Sigma
12
2018Wake Up
  • Released: June 6, 2018
  • Label: Universal Music
4

Singles

YearTitleOricon[20] [21]
1988
  • Released: March 21, 1988
  • Released: July 21, 1988
  • Released: November 2, 1988
1989
  • Released: August 2, 1989
1990
  • Released: July 21, 1990
93
1992
  • Released: March 25, 1992
1993
  • Released: April 21, 1993
  • Released: October 1, 1993
1994
  • Released: April 21, 1994
1996
  • Released: April 19, 1996
60
  • Released: July 19, 1996
49
  • Released: November 1, 1996
30
1997
  • Released: February 19, 1997
34
  • Released: March 14, 1997
35
  • Released: July 30, 1997
8
  • Released: November 7, 1997
50
1998
  • Released: May 13, 1998
29
  • Released: September 18, 1998
20
  • Released: November 18, 1998
34
1999
  • Released: January 27, 1999
96
  • Released: April 28, 1999
49
  • Released: December 8, 1999
29
2000"So Many People"
  • Released: January 26, 2000
38
  • Released: April 26, 2000
55
2001
  • Released: March 16, 2001
44
  • Released: July 25, 2001
35
2002
  • Released: February 27, 2002
35
"Anata no Yasashisa wo Ore ha Nani ni Tatoeyou"
  • Released: April 17, 2002
39
2003
  • Released: June 27, 2003
74
  • Released: June 27, 2003
77
  • Released: June 27, 2003
76
2004
  • Released: March 10, 2004
71
  • Released: September 1, 2004
38
2007
  • Released: November 21, 2007
17
2008
  • Released: January 1, 2008
47
  • Released: March 5, 2008
12
  • Released: October 1, 2008
13
2009
  • Released: March 18, 2009
16
2010
  • Released: May 12, 2010
16
  • Released: September 22, 2010
17
  • Released: October 20, 2010
18
2011
  • Released: November 16, 2011
14
2012
  • Released: April 25, 2012
11
  • Released: October 31, 2012
18
2013
  • Released: November 20, 2013
13
2014"Destiny"
  • Released: June 11, 2014
13
2015
  • Released: September 23, 2015
9
2016
  • Released: August 3, 2016
16
2017
  • Released: July 26, 2017
12
  • Released: November 8, 2017
11
2023"Yes. I. Do"
  • Released: March 8, 2023
3

Limited singles

YearTitle
2006
  • Released: March 20, 2006
2018"Easy Go"
  • Released: May 25, 2018

Compilation albums

YearAlbum detailsOricon
1997
  • Released: December 1, 1997
  • Label: Epic/Sony Records
27
2000
  • Released: October 12, 2000
  • Label: Face Records/Toshiba EMI
6
2002
  • Released: March 27, 2002
  • Label: Face Records/Toshiba EMI
47
2009
  • Released: September 16, 2009
  • Label: Sony Music Direct
61
  • Released: September 16, 2009
  • Label: Pony Canyon
59
  • Released: September 16, 2009
  • Label: EMI Music Japan
63
2012
  • Released: December 19, 2012
  • Label: A&M Records
10
2017All Time Best Album The Fighting Man
  • Released: March 21, 2017
  • Label: Universal Sigma
3

Live albums

YearAlbum detailsOricon
2005
  • Released: July 20, 2005
  • Label: Face Music Entertainment
  • Released: July 20, 2005
  • Label: Face Music Entertainment
2013The Fighting Men's Chronicle -The Elephant Kashimashi Official Live Bootleg Box-
  • Released: April 23, 2013
  • Label: Face Music Entertainment
  • Released: June 23, 2013
  • Label: Universal Music

Tribute albums

YearAlbum detailsOricon
2003
  • Released: March 19, 2003
  • Label: Face Records
79
2013Elephant Kashimashi Cover Album 2 ~A Tribute to The Elephant Kashimashi~
  • Released: December 18, 2013
  • Label: Universal Music
58[22]
2018Elephant Kashimashi Cover Album 3 ~A Tribute to The Elephant Kashimashi~
  • Released: March 21, 2018
  • Label: Universal Music
29[23]

Video albums

YearTitleOricon DVDs[24] [25] Oricon Blu-rays[26]
1998
  • Released: April 1, 1998
72 (2009 re-release)
  • Released: April 1, 1998
2001
  • Released: March 16, 2001
2002Life Tour 2002
  • Released: December 26, 2002
2004
  • Released: March 10, 2004
96
  • Released: September 29, 2004
2009
  • Released: September 16, 2009
6
2010
  • Released: March 17, 2010 (DVD), March 21, 2018 (Blu-ray)
14209
2011
  • Released: January 1, 2011
43
Rock'n Roll Band Fes & Event Live History 1988–2011
  • Released: November 16, 2011
11
2013
  • Released: November 20, 2013
10
  • Released: December 18, 2013
17
2014Elephant Kashimashi Debut 25th Anniversary Special Live Saitama Super Arena
  • Released: March 19, 2014 (DVD), March 21, 2018 (Blu-ray)
10186
2015
  • Released: September 23, 2015
1515
2017
  • Released: July 26, 2017
4429
Debut 30th Anniversary Concert "Sarani Dōn to Iku ze!" Ōsaka-jō Hall
  • Released: November 8, 2017
1010
2018Elephant Kashimashi 30th Anniversary Live Blu-ray Box
  • Released: March 21, 2018
30th Anniversary Tour "The Fighting Man" Final Saitama Super Arena
  • Released: November 21, 2018
76
2019
  • Released: June 12, 2019
72
  • Released: June 12, 2019
76
2021
  • Released: March 17, 2021
35
2023
  • Released: June 12, 2023
35th Anniversary Tour 2023 Yes. I. Do
  • Released: September 20, 2023
45

Awards

YearAwardCategoryRecipient or nomineeResult
2018Space Shower Music AwardsBest Respect ArtistElephant Kashimashi
2019Best Group ArtistElephant Kashimashi[27]
CD Shop AwardsWinning WorkWake Up[28]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: エレファントカシマシ 宮本浩次の卓越した"変化" バンド、ソロ、プロデュース楽曲から考える . Real Sound . Japanese . 2019-06-27. 2023-10-01.
  2. Web site: Finally! "The 100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time" Listed . . 2007-11-14 . 2020-01-02 . December 31, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121231163831/http://exclaim.ca/News/finally_100_greatest_japanese_rock_albums_of_all_time . dead .
  3. Web site: 時代を超えて受け継がれるエレファン トカシマシの熱いロックスピリット . 2014-06-20 . OKMusic . Japanese . 2020-06-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20191029080158/https://okmusic.jp/news/43532/. 2019-10-29.
  4. Web site: エレファントカシマシ、中秋の名月が差す野音で新アルバム『RAINBOW』発表 . 2015-09-28 . Real Sound . Japanese . 2019-12-28.
  5. Web site: エレカシ宮本浩次、"長く続けること"の実感語る「80歳前後の方とかも踊っていて、すごく良くて」 . 2017-06-18 . Real Sound . Japanese . 2019-12-28.
  6. Web site: エレファントカシマシがメジャー復帰に際し、 自らを奮い立たせる言葉を注いだ『ココロに花を』 . 2017-03-22 . OKMusic . Japanese . 2020-06-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20180420112651/https://okmusic.jp/news/164610/. 2018-04-20.
  7. Web site: エレファントカシマシ、15年ぶりMステ出演! 全力パフォーマンス&トークに注目 . 2017-03-31. Real Sound . Japanese . 2019-12-28.
  8. Web site: エレファントカシマシ ユニバーサル移籍第1弾シングルをリリース! . 2007-07-15 . . Japanese . 2020-01-05.
  9. Web site: エレファントカシマシ ニュー・アルバムの詳細が決定! . 2007-12-22 . . Japanese . 2020-01-05.
  10. Web site: エレファントカシマシ 待望の新曲が映画 相棒シリーズの主題歌に決定! . 2008-12-25 . . Japanese . 2020-01-05.
  11. Web site: エレファントカシマシ ニュー・アルバムのタイトル&発売日が決定! . 2009-03-10 . . Japanese . 2020-01-05.
  12. Web site: ゆず、星野源、平井堅、Hi-STANDARDらが受賞 『スペシャアワード』に見る充実の音楽シーン . 2018-03-10 . Real Sound . Japanese . 2019-12-28.
  13. Web site: エレファントカシマシ、デビュー30周年を記念しスピッツ&Mr.Childrenとスペシャルライブ開催 . 2018-01-01 . Real Sound . Japanese . 2019-12-28.
  14. Web site: 「CDショップ大賞」入賞10作品が決定、今回より"赤"と"青"2つの大賞を用意 . 2019-02-22 . . Japanese . 2020-01-05.
  15. Web site: エレカシ楽曲が故郷・赤羽の駅メロに「誇らしく、うれしく」 . 2018-11-08 . . Japanese . 2020-01-05.
  16. Web site: 35周年のエレファントカシマシがニューシングル発表、初のアリーナツアー開催 . . Japanese . 2023-01-01. 2023-03-15.
  17. Web site: エレファントカシマシ「新春ライブ」ダイジェスト公開、8枚組ライブアーカイブ作品のリリース決定 . . Japanese . 2023-03-11. 2023-03-15.
  18. Web site: エレファントカシマシのアルバム売り上げランキング . . Japanese . 2019-12-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130112021122/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/49900/ranking/cd_album/ . 2013-01-12.
  19. Web site: エレファントカシマシのアルバム売り上げランキング . . Japanese . 2019-12-31.
  20. Web site: エレファントカシマシのシングル売り上げランキング . . Japanese . 2019-12-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130112021041/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/49900/ranking/cd_single . 2013-01-12.
  21. Web site: エレファントカシマシのシングル売り上げランキング . . Japanese . 2019-12-31.
  22. Web site: エレファントカシマシ カヴァーアルバム2 A Tribute To The Elephant Kashimashi . Japanese . . 2020-01-01.
  23. Web site: エレファントカシマシ カヴァーアルバム3 ~A Tribute To The Elephant Kashimashi~ . Japanese . . 2020-01-01.
  24. Web site: エレファントカシマシのDVD売り上げランキング . . Japanese . 2020-01-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101129194339/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/49900/ranking/dvd/ . 2010-11-29.
  25. Web site: エレファントカシマシのDVD売り上げランキング . . Japanese . 2020-01-01.
  26. Web site: エレファントカシマシのBlu-ray売り上げランキング . . Japanese . 2020-01-01.
  27. Web site: 『SPACE SHOWER MUSIC AWARDS 2019』出演者第2弾発表 星野源、WANIMAら . 2019-02-01 . Real Sound . Japanese . 2019-12-28.
  28. Web site: 第11回CDショップ大賞2019 . . Japanese . 2020-01-05.