The Pillows

Shaped in Japan’s northernmost province of Hokkaido at the same time when the majority of their Tokyo contemporaries had been in thrall towards the sounds of Seattle, Japanese three-piece the Cushions sidestepped the loud-soft dynamic to supply a far more wholesome undertake the alternative rock and roll scene, inspired with the lyrical folk-rock of Simon & Garfunkel and classic Uk pop, through the Beatles towards the Jam. Beyond their homeland, the music group is most beneficial known because of its soundtrack towards the anime series FLCL (pronounced “furi-kuri”). During the period of their profession, the Cushions have left a significant stamp on japan alternative rock picture, as evidenced with the release of the 2004 tribute record that noticed various Japan pop and rock and roll luminaries pay out them homage. The Cushions debuted in 1991 using the record Moon Gold, even though band’s early popularity was constructed upon a frenetic countrywide touring schedule which was matched up only with the intensity of the shows. A burgeoning group of fans was cemented using the release from the 1996 one “Unusual Chameleon,” which today continues to be a cult preferred among longtime enthusiasts from the band. Because of their breakthrough record Please Mr. Shed Guy (1997), the Cushions signed to Ruler Records, as well as the same got their live present to London. The Cushions discovered a wider worldwide viewers when their tracks had been featured within the Gainax-produced anime FLCL, broadcast in america in 2000. The series implemented the travails of the 12-year-old youngster, Naota, who fits a guitar-wielding, Vespa-riding girl. The Cushions penned a fresh track, “Trip a Shooting Superstar,” for the shutting theme. In 2005 the Cushions performed in america for the very first time on the South by Southwest music celebration. Altogether they performed six shows over the expresses, including NY and SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA in a Chicago anime convention that noticed the group play to 4,000 people over two times. The U.S-released album My Foot followed in summer 2006 around the Geneon label, and their popularity abroad has resulted in thousands of friends on the MySpace page. Domestically, the music group turned to Avex Trax for the discharge of 2007’s AWAKEN! Wake Up! AWAKEN! and the next year’s Pied Piper.