Elephant Kashimashi (Japanese: エレファントカシマシ, Hepburn: Erefanto Kashimashi), sometimes abbreviated as Elekashi (エレカシ, Erekashi), 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.
Elephant Kashimashi | |
|---|---|
 Live on stage in 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Elekashi |
| Origin | Kita, Tokyo, Japan |
| Genres | Alternative rock,[1] blues rock,[1] grunge |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Labels | Epic/Sony, Pony Canyon, Toshiba EMI/Capitol Music, Universal Music/A&M |
| Members | Hiroji Miyamoto Toshiyuki Ishimori Seiji Takamidori Yoshiyuki Tominaga |
| Website | ElephantKashimashi.com |
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
editElephant 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
edit- Hiroji Miyamoto (宮本 浩次, Miyamoto Hiroji, born June 12, 1966, in Akabane, Kita, Tokyo) – lead vocals, guitar, primary songwriter
- Toshiyuki Ishimori (石森 敏行, Ishimori Toshiyuki, born March 18, 1967, in Akabane, Kita, Tokyo) – guitar
- Seiji Takamidori (高緑 成治, Takamidori Seiji, born April 15, 1966, in Tsukishima, Chūō, Tokyo) – bass guitar
- Yoshiyuki Tominaga (冨永 義之, Tominaga Yoshiyuki, born April 14, 1966, in Akabane, Kita, Tokyo) – drums
Discography
edit| Elephant Kashimashi discography | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | 22 |
| EPs | 1 |
| Live albums | 4 |
| Compilation albums | 8 |
| Singles | 51 |
| Video albums | 23 |
| Tribute albums | 3 |
Studio albums
edit| Year | Album details | Oricon[18][19] |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | The Elephant Kashimashi
|
— |
The Elephant Kashimashi II
|
71 | |
| 1989 | Ukiyo no Yume (浮世の夢)
|
56 |
| 1990 | Seikatsu (生活)
|
43 |
| 1992 | Elephant Kashimashi 5 (エレファントカシマシ5)
|
61 |
| 1993 | Dorei Tengoku (奴隷天国)
|
68 |
| 1994 | Tokyo no Sora (東京の空)
|
62 |
| 1996 | Kokoro ni Hana wo (ココロに花を)
|
10 |
| 1997 | Asu ni Mukatte Hashire -Tsukiyo no Uta- (明日に向かって走れ-月夜の歌-)
|
2 |
| 1998 | Ai to Yume (愛と夢)
|
11 |
| 2000 | Good Morning
|
13 |
| 2002 | Life (ライフ, Raifu)
|
28 |
| 2003 | Ore no Michi (俺の道)
|
34 |
| 2004 | Tobira (扉)
|
34 |
Kaze (風)
|
45 | |
| 2006 | Machi wo Miorosu Oka (町を見下ろす丘)
|
43 |
| 2008 | Starting Over
|
7 |
| 2009 | Noboreru Taiyō (昇れる太陽)
|
3 |
| 2010 | Akuma no Sasayaki ~Soshite, Kokoro ni Hi o Tomosu Tabi~ (悪魔のささやき〜そして、心に火を灯す旅〜)
|
8 |
| 2012 | Masterpiece
|
9 |
| 2015 | Rainbow
|
12 |
| 2018 | Wake Up
|
4 |
Mini-albums
edit| Year | Album details | Oricon[18][19] |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Dead or Alive
|
86 |
Singles
edit| Year | Title | Oricon[20][21] |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | "Dēde" (デーデ)
|
— |
"Fuwafuwa" (ふわふわ)
|
— | |
"Ohayō Kon'nichiwa" (おはよう こんにちは)
|
— | |
| 1989 | "Ukigumo Otoko" (浮雲男)
|
— |
| 1990 | "Otoko ha Yuku" (男は行く)
|
93 |
| 1992 | "Shokō" (曙光)
|
— |
| 1993 | "Dorei Tengoku" (奴隷天国)
|
— |
"Gokuraku Taishō Seikatsu Sanka" (極楽大将生活賛歌)
|
— | |
| 1994 | "Kono Yo ha Saikō!" (この世は最高!)
|
— |
| 1996 | "Kanashimi no Hate" (悲しみの果て)
|
60 |
"Kodoku na Tabibito" (孤独な旅人)
|
49 | |
"Kanashimi no Hate" (悲しみの果て)
|
30 | |
| 1997 | "Ashita ni Mukatte Hashire" (明日に向かって走れ)
|
34 |
"Tatakau Otoko" (戦う男)
|
35 | |
"Koyoi no Tsuki no Yō ni" (今宵の月のように)
|
8 | |
"Kaze ni Fukarete" (風に吹かれて)
|
50 | |
| 1998 | "Hajimari ha Ima" (はじまりは今)
|
29 |
"Yume no Kakera" (夢のかけら)
|
20 | |
"Hito Koi Shikute, Ai wo Motomete" (ヒトコイシクテ、アイヲモトメテ)
|
34 | |
| 1999 | "Ai no Yume wo Kure" (愛の夢をくれ)
|
96 |
"Mayonaka no Hero" (真夜中のヒーロー)
|
49 | |
"Gasutoronjā" (ガストロンジャー)
|
29 | |
| 2000 | "So Many People"
|
38 |
"Call and Response" (コール アンド レスポンス, Kōru ando Resuponsu)
|
55 | |
| 2001 | "Kodokuna Taiyō" (孤独な太陽)
|
44 |
"Shochū Mimai -Yūutsu na Gogo-" (暑中見舞 -憂鬱な午後-)
|
35 | |
| 2002 | "Futsū no Hibi" (普通の日々)
|
35 |
| "Anata no Yasashisa wo Ore ha Nani ni Tatoeyou" (あなたのやさしさをオレは何に例えよう)
|
39 | |
| 2003 | "Ore no Michi" (俺の道)
|
74 |
"Hello Jinsei!!" (ハロー人生!!)
|
77 | |
"Seimei Sanka" (生命賛歌)
|
76 | |
| 2004 | "Bakemono Seinen" (化ケモノ青年)
|
71 |
"Tomodachi ga Iru no Sa" (友達がいるのさ)
|
38 | |
| 2007 | "Oretachi no Ashita" (俺たちの明日)
|
17 |
| 2008 | "Egao no Mirai he" (笑顔の未来へ)
|
47 |
"Sakura no Hana, Maiagaru Michi wo" (桜の花、舞い上がる道を)
|
12 | |
"Atarashī Kisetsu he Kimi to" (新しい季節へキミと)
|
13 | |
| 2009 | "Kiduna" (絆(きづな))
|
16 |
| 2010 | "Shiawase yo, Kono Yubi ni Tomare" (幸せよ、この指にとまれ)
|
16 |
"Asu he no Kioku" (明日への記憶)
|
17 | |
"Itsuka Mita Yume wo" (いつか見た夢を)
|
18 | |
| 2011 | "Winding Road" (ワインディングロード, Waindingu Rōdo)
|
14 |
| 2012 | "Daichi no Symphony" (大地のシンフォニー)
|
11 |
"Zureteru Hō ga Ī" (ズレてる方がいい)
|
18 | |
| 2013 | "Anata he" (あなたへ)
|
13 |
| 2014 | "Destiny"
|
13 |
| 2015 | "Aisubeki Kyō" (愛すべき今日)
|
9 |
| 2016 | "Yume wo Ou Tabibito" (夢を追う旅人)
|
16 |
| 2017 | "Kaze to Tomoni" (風と共に)
|
12 |
"Restart/Ima wo Utae" (RESTART/今を歌え)
|
11 | |
| 2023 | "Yes. I. Do"
|
3 |
Limited singles
edit| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2006 | "Signal/Ima wo Kakinarase" (シグナル／今をかきならせ)
|
| 2018 | "Easy Go"
|
Compilation albums
edit| Year | Album details | Oricon[18][19] |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Elephant Kashimashi Best (エレファントカシマシ ベスト)
|
27 |
| 2000 | Sweet Memory ~Elekashi Seishun Selection~ (sweet memory〜エレカシ青春セレクション〜)
|
6 |
| 2002 | Elephant Kashimashi Singles 1988–2001 (エレファントカシマシ SINGLES1988-2001)
|
47 |
| 2009 | Elekashi Jisen Sakuhin-shū: Epic Sōseiki (エレカシ 自選作品集 EPIC 創世記)
|
61 |
Elekashi Jisen Sakuhin-shū: Pony Canyon Sōseiki (エレカシ 自選作品集 PONY CANYON 浪漫記)
|
59 | |
Elekashi Jisen Sakuhin-shū: EMI Sōseiki (エレカシ 自選作品集 EMI 胎動記)
|
63 | |
| 2012 | The Best 2007–2012 Oretachi no Ashita (THE BEST 2007-2012 俺たちの明日)
|
10 |
| 2017 | All Time Best Album The Fighting Man
|
3 |
Live albums
edit| Year | Album details | Oricon[18][19] |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Yaon Aki (野音 秋)
|
— |
Nippon Natsu (日本 夏)
|
— | |
| 2013 | The Fighting Men's Chronicle -The Elephant Kashimashi Official Live Bootleg Box-
|
— |
The Elephant Kashimashi Live Best Bout (エレカシ 自選作品集 EPIC 創世記)
|
— |
Tribute albums
edit| Year | Album details | Oricon |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Elephant Kashimashi Cover Album Hana Otoko (エレファントカシマシ カヴァーアルバム 花男)
|
79 |
| 2013 | Elephant Kashimashi Cover Album 2 ~A Tribute to The Elephant Kashimashi~ (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〜)
|
58[22] |
| 2018 | Elephant Kashimashi Cover Album 3 ~A Tribute to The Elephant Kashimashi~ (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〜)
|
29[23] |
Video albums
edit| Year | Title | Oricon DVDs[24][25] | Oricon Blu-rays[26] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Concert 1998 Nippon Budokan "Kaze ni Fukarete" (コンサート1998 日本武道館“風に吹かれて”)
|
72 (2009 re-release) | — |
Video Clip Collection "Clips" (ビデオクリップ集“クリップス”)
|
— | — | |
| 2001 | Video Clip Collection "Clips 2" (ビデオクリップ集“クリップス2”)
|
— | — |
| 2002 | Life Tour 2002
|
— | — |
| 2004 | Video Clip Collection "Clips 3" (ビデオクリップ集「クリップス3」)
|
96 | — |
Tobira no Mukō (扉の向こう)
|
— | — | |
| 2009 | Sakura no Hana Maiagaru Budōkan (桜の花舞い上がる武道館)
|
6 | — |
| 2010 | Elephant Kashimashi 2009 October 24–25 Hibiya Yagai Ongakudō (エレファントカシマシ2009年10月24,25日 日比谷野外音楽堂)
|
14 | 209 |
| 2011 | Elephant Kashimashi Epic Eizō Sakuhin-shū 1988–1994 (エレファントカシマシ EPIC映像作品集 1988-1994)
|
43 | — |
Rock'n Roll Band Fes & Event Live History 1988–2011
|
11 | — | |
| 2013 | The Fighting Men's Chronicle Elephant Kashimashi Director's Cut (the fighting men's chronicle エレファントカシマシ ディレクターズカット)
|
10 | — |
Fukkatsu no Yaon 2013.9.15 Hibiya Yagai Dai Ongakudō (復活の野音 2013.9.15 日比谷野外大音楽堂)
|
17 | — | |
| 2014 | Elephant Kashimashi Debut 25th Anniversary Special Live Saitama Super Arena (エレファントカシマシ デビュー25周年記念 SPECIAL LIVE さいたまスーパーアリーナ)
|
10 | 186 |
| 2015 | Elephant Kashimashi Shinshun Live 2015 Nihon Budōkan (エレファントカシマシ 新春ライブ2015 日本武道館)
|
15 | 15 |
| 2017 | Elephant Kashimashi ~1988/09/10 Shibuya Kōkaidō~ (エレファントカシマシ～1988/09/10渋谷公会堂～)
|
44 | 29 |
| Debut 30th Anniversary Concert "Sarani Dōn to Iku ze!" Ōsaka-jō Hall (デビュー30周年記念コンサート”さらにドーンと行くぜ！” 大阪城ホール)
|
10 | 10 | |
| 2018 | Elephant Kashimashi 30th Anniversary Live Blu-ray Box
|
— | — |
30th Anniversary Tour "The Fighting Man" Final Saitama Super Arena
|
7 | 6 | |
| 2019 | Elephant Kashimashi Shinshun Live 2019 Nihon Budōkan (エレファントカシマシ 新春ライブ2019 日本武道館)
|
7 | 2 |
Elephant Kashimashi Hibiya Yagai Dai Ongakudō 2019 July 6–7 (エレファントカシマシ 日比谷野外大音楽堂2019 7月6日,7日)
|
7 | 6 | |
| 2021 | Elephant Kashimashi Hibiya Yagai Dai Ongakudō 2020 (エレファントカシマシ 日比谷野外大音楽堂 2020)
|
3 | 5 |
| 2023 | Elephant Kashimashi Live Archive 2007–2017 (エレファントカシマシ ライブアーカイブ2007-2017)
|
— | — |
35th Anniversary Tour 2023 Yes. I. Do
|
4 | 5 |
Awards
edit| Year | Award | Category | Recipient or nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Space Shower Music Awards | Best Respect Artist | Elephant Kashimashi[12] | Won |
| 2019 | Best Group Artist | Elephant Kashimashi[27] | Nominated | |
| CD Shop Awards | Winning Work | Wake Up[28] | Won |
References
edit- ^ a b "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 (in Japanese). June 27, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ "Finally! "The 100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time" Listed". Exclaim!. November 14, 2007. Archived from the original on December 31, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "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". OKMusic (in Japanese). June 20, 2014. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
- ^ "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". Real Sound (in Japanese). September 28, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- ^ "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」". Real Sound (in Japanese). June 18, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- ^ "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』". OKMusic (in Japanese). March 22, 2017. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
- ^ a b "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". Real Sound (in Japanese). March 31, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- ^ "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！". Rockin'On (in Japanese). July 15, 2007. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
- ^ "エレファントカシマシ ニュー・アルバムの詳細が決定！". Rockin'On (in Japanese). December 22, 2007. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
- ^ "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！". Rockin'On (in Japanese). December 25, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
- ^ "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！". Rockin'On (in Japanese). March 10, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
- ^ a b "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". Real Sound (in Japanese). March 10, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- ^ "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". Real Sound (in Japanese). January 1, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- ^ "「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". Natalie (in Japanese). February 22, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
- ^ "エレカシ楽曲が故郷・赤羽の駅メロに「誇らしく、うれしく」". Oricon (in Japanese). November 8, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
- ^ "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". Natalie (in Japanese). January 1, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
- ^ "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". Natalie (in Japanese). March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "エレファントカシマシのアルバム売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 12, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "エレファントカシマシのアルバム売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved December 31, 2019.
- ^ "エレファントカシマシのシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 12, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
- ^ "エレファントカシマシのシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved December 31, 2019.
- ^ "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" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ "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～" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ "エレファントカシマシのDVD売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ "エレファントカシマシのDVD売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ "エレファントカシマシのBlu-ray売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ "『SPACE SHOWER MUSIC AWARDS 2019』出演者第2弾発表 星野源、WANIMAら". Real Sound (in Japanese). February 1, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- ^ "第11回CDショップ大賞2019". CD Shop Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved January 5, 2020.