ASIAN KUNG FU GENERATION

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Bio

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION is a band that knows the meaning of hard work. Through tireless touring and recording, combined with their incredible musical talent, they have earned legions of fans and a huge amount of critical respect. In less than a decade, they have risen to become Japan’s most popular alternative rock band.

Meeting through their college music club in 1996, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION was the first band that Masafumi Gotoh (vocals/guitar), Kensuke Kita (guitar/vocals), and Takahiro Yamada (bass/vocals) ever joined. When Kiyoshi Ijichi, who had some experience as a drummer, signed on shortly afterwards, the group was complete.

Initially writing songs in English, the band transitioned over to unique Japanese lyrics, and as they continued to play club shows around the country, their fan base grew. Not afraid to take on big projects themselves, they recorded and released their own material, putting out their first album, “Houkai Amplifier” (Destruction Amplifier) in November of 2002. It quickly rose to occupy the #1 spot on the Japanese indie charts, attracting the attention of the major labels.

By the end of 2003, the band released their second album “Kimi Tsunagi Five M”, which debuted at number five position on Japanese Oricon chart. ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION was now ready to take things to the next level. With their catchy guitar rock sound and unique lyrics that resonate with broad audience, they went on to have a string of hit singles and played at Japan’s biggest rock festivals including Fuji Rock and Summer.

The sound of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION also caused a stir among keen-eared music lovers in America. The theme songs that they provided for the popular anime series Naruto and Fullmetal Alchemist (whose new season features the song “Rewrite”, starting in November in the U.S. on Cartoon Network), only added to their overseas popularity. American music and anime fans both voiced strong demand for the band’s music on message boards and websites.

In October 2005, Tofu Records answered the fans’ call with the U.S. release of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION’s album “Sol-fa”, which had already topped the charts in Japan, spending two weeks at #1. With the incredible amount of success they have had to date, one thing is for sure: ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION is a band that is not willing to stop until they bring their unique brand of guitar rock to the whole world.