I Don't Like Mondays.

The band name "I Don't Like Mondays." was chosen because the members liked the idea of using a sentence to describe the band.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2014-09-10 |title=I Don't Like Mondays.「Play」特集 インタビュー＆プロフィール紹介 - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー |url=https://natalie.mu/music/pp/idlms |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=音楽ナタリー |language=ja}} The band has stated that they truly dislike Mondays, and they consider it to be a weekly holiday.{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-12-30 |title=Asia Spotlight: Japan's I Don't Like Mondays. on their artistic growth and new musical direction |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/asia-spotlight-japan-i-dont-like-mondays-idlms-yu-choji-kenji-shuki-japan-jrock-rhythm-zone-avex-group-listen-tour-interview-2020 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Asia Spotlight |language=en}}

The band was formed in 2012 in Omotesando, Tokyo.{{Cite web |date=2011-01-01 |title=I Don't Like Mondays. |url=https://syncnet.work/archives/23348 |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=SYNC NETWORK JAPAN |language=en-US}} Yu was intending to be the manager of a new band when he met Kenji and Shuki, who had worked together in a previous band. Choji joined after the band's initial guitarist dropped out.

Their first album Play was released in September 2014 by Nippon Columbia,{{Cite web |title=ディスコグラフィ {{!}} I Don't Like Mondays. {{!}} 日本コロムビアオフィシャルサイト |url=https://columbia.jp/artist-info/IDLMs/discography/index.html |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=日本コロムビア公式サイト |language=ja}} with the band playing a number of festivals the same year, including Tokyo Crazy Kawaii Taipei{{Cite web |title=I Don't Like Mondays. will perform at the "Tokyo Crazy Kawaii Taipei" festival in Taiwan. |url=https://idlms.com/news/11180 |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=I Don't Like Mondays. Official Site |language=en}} and J-Music LAB 2014 in Hai Day.{{Cite web |last=JpopAsia |title=[Exclusive] JPopAsia Interviews I Don't Like Mondays, Cyntia and Eir Aoi |url=https://www.jpopasia.com/feed/16245/exclusive-jpopasia-interviews-i-dont-like-mondays-cyntia-and-eir-aoi/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=JpopAsia |language=en}} The music video for "Perfect Night" was released in July, followed by a remix of the song in December by DJ Baby-T.{{Cite web |date=2014-12-12 |title=I Don't Like Mondays.の「Perfect Night」をDJ BABY-Tがリミックス {{!}} OKMusic |url=https://okmusic.jp/news/62467 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=okmusic.jp}}

In January 2015, they released the double-A-side single "We Are Young"/"Super Special", which included three EDM remixes of previously-released songs. The artwork and jacket photo were produced with art direction from the band members,{{Cite web |last= |date=2015-02-17 |title=I Don't Like Mondays.（アイ・ドント・ライク・マンデイズ） 初の両A面シングル発売決定！！ 本日Inter FM「Perfect Night」で初オンエアー！！ |url=https://news.utamap.com/music/153429/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=うたまっぷNEWS |language=ja}} and the single was selected as one of Japan's best singles of the year by Keisuke Kuwata.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} "Super Special" was chosen as the ending theme for the Japanese broadcast of the American crime drama series Rizzoli & Isles.{{Cite web |date=2015-04-01 |title=I Don't Like Mondays.、新曲がアメリカドラマEDテーマに決定＆女性限定のセクシーMV公開 {{!}} OKMusic |url=https://okmusic.jp/news/73345 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=okmusic.jp}}

The band's second album Tokyo was released in July 2015.{{Cite web |title=I Don't Like Mondays.のファースト・フル・アルバム『TOKYO』が7月29日発売 - TOWER RECORDS ONLINE |url=https://tower.jp/article/feature_item/2015/07/22/0705 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=tower.jp}} For the album jacket, the band was photographed by Leslie Kee. The track "Final Destination" was used as the ending theme for the second season of Rizzoli & Isles.{{Cite web |date=2015-06-18 |title=I Don't Like Mondays.、1stフルALのジャケットはレスリー・キーが色っぽくモードに。 |url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000116783 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=BARKS |language=ja}} In June, IDLMs. provided music for the "Nippon Genki Project 2015 Super Energy!!" fashion show produced by Kansai Yamamoto. The band performed their first solo concert at Shibuya WWW on October 25.{{Cite web |title=I Don't Like Mondays.、初ワンマンライヴ開催＆ "FIRE"のMV公開－rockinon.com｜https://rockinon.com/news/detail/126738 |url=https://rockinon.com/news/detail/126738 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=rockinon.com |language=ja}}

In September 2015, the band produced a single titled "The Independent", which was used for Leslie Kee's short film The Independents with fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto.{{Cite web |title=レスリー・キーの初監督作品"YOHJI YAMAMOTO"ショートフィルムのサウンドトラックを制作しました！ |url=https://idlms.com/news/41128?lang=en |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=I Don't Like Mondays. Official Site |language=en}}

The band released their third album Fashion in September 2016. Google Play Music in Japan used "Freaky Boy" from the album in their advertisements,{{Cite web |title=I Don't Like Mondays.、『Google Play Music』のCMソングを担当 {{!}} OKMusic |url=https://okmusic.jp/news/142454 |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=okmusic.jp}} and the song "Tonight" was featured as the ending theme for the TBS late-night music television program Count Down TV.{{Cite web |date=2016-10-19 |title=I Don't Like Mondays.が考える、"世界基準"と"日本らしさ"の両立「ビルボードチャートでも勝負できるものを」 |url=https://realsound.jp/2016/10/post-9770.html |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=Real Sound｜リアルサウンド |language=ja}} They launched their first national tour in October{{Cite web |date=2016-08-16 |title=I Don't Like Mondays.、待望の2ndアルバム『FASHION』リリース決定 {{!}} OKMusic |url=https://okmusic.jp/news/132126 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=okmusic.jp}} and performed a solo concert at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo on November 19.

In June 2017, the band released the E.P Summer, which included a dance remix of "Tonight". The limited edition release also contained 11 live videos from the 2016 Japan tour and the final performance at Zepp DiverCity.{{Cite web |title=I Don't Like Mondays.『SUMMER』 夏のテーマソングはこれで決まり! アイドラ節が絶好調、ダンサブルでシンガロングな新EP |url=https://mikiki.tokyo.jp/articles/-/14300 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=Mikiki |language=ja}}

In August 2019, their fourth album Future was released, which was the first album under new label Rhythm Zone. The album contained new mixes of "Tonight" and "Fire" created for the release, and the special edition Blu-ray featured a documentary of the band's recent tours and their decision to change labels.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-06-26 |title=I Don't Like Mondays.、3年ぶりニューアルバム「FUTURE」発表 |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/337152 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=音楽ナタリー |language=ja}} Leading up to the album's release, the band performed the new song "Diamond" for the first time at the Join Alive festival in Hokkaido on July 13. The music video for "Diamond" premiered on July 13, with the band members' wardrobe provided by H&M.{{Cite web |title=I Don't Like Mondays.が3年ぶりとなるニューアルバム「FUTURE」から新曲「DIAMOND」を7月31日に先行配信！ミュージックビデオのYoutubeプレミア公開も決定！ |url=https://avex-management.jp/news/190731_6577 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=avex management Web}}

IDLMS. released their fifth album Black Humor in August 2021. During the songwriting phase for the album, Yu composed his lyrics with piano to develop the melody simultaneously.{{Cite web |title=＜インタビュー＞I Don't Like Mondays.、2年ぶりフルアルバム『Black Humor』で獲得した唯一無二のオリジナリティ {{!}} Special |url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/special/detail/3280 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=Billboard JAPAN |language=ja}} A collaboration with UK fashion brand AllSaints was presented to promote the album's launch.{{Cite web |title=I Don't Like Mondays. 、ニューアルバム『Black Humor』より「MOON NIGHT」先行配信＆リリックビデオのプレミア公開も {{!}} SPICE - エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス |url=https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/291174 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=SPICE（スパイス）｜エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス}}

Following Black Humor's release, the band launched a nationwide tour of Japan, performing their largest number of shows in a single tour.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=自分たちを超えていくI Don't Like Mondays.｜TVアニメ「ONE PIECE」主題歌に込めた譲れないメッセージ - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー |url=https://natalie.mu/music/pp/idlms06 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=音楽ナタリー |language=ja}}

File:I Don’t Like Mondays at Kadena Air Base (close).jpg in 2025]]

in January 2022, the band released "Paint", which was used for the opening of the One Piece anime.{{Cite web |title=4-Member Rock Band 'I Don't Like Mondays' Perform One Piece Anime's New Opening Theme Song |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-11-28/4-member-rock-band-i-dont-like-mondays-perform-one-piece-anime-new-opening-theme-song/.180021 |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=Anime News Network |language=en}} Yu stated an affinity for the series, claiming it was the only manga he has kept reading childhood, and used the teamwork aspect of his own band as inspiration.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-16 |title=I Don't Like Mondays.が『ワンピース』主題歌で到達した新境地 ルフィから学んだ国民的作品に立ち向かう姿勢 |url=https://realsound.jp/2022/01/post-948215.html |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Real Sound｜リアルサウンド |language=ja}} To prepare for the song's creation, Yu corresponded with One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda to express his thoughts about the series' theme of overcoming adversity.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-30 |title=I Don't Like Mondays.、TVアニメ『ONE PIECE』新主題歌に決定 {{!}} Rolling Stone Japan(ローリングストーン ジャパン） |url=https://rollingstonejapan.com/articles/detail/36866 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Rolling Stone Japan |language=ja}}

In July, they performed at the Anime Friends event in São Paulo, Brazil.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-26 |title=Interview with I Don't Like Mondays. |url=https://www.jame-world.com/en/article/161165-interview-with-i-don-t-like-mondays.html |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=JaME}} That same month, their song "Kasaneiro" was used as the theme song for the Japanese television drama Octo: Mind Investigator Akari Shinno.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=I Don't Like Mondays.手がけるドラマ「オクトー」主題歌が本日配信（動画あり） |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/485339 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=音楽ナタリー |language=ja}}

In February 2023, their songs "Moon Night" and "Wolf Vibes" were used as the opening and ending themes for the TV drama Zenryoku de, Aishite Ii Kana? starring Nanami Sakuraba.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-01-25 |title=アイドラ＆黒子首がテレ東恋愛ドラマ「全力で、愛していいかな？」テーマ曲担当（主題歌試聴動画あり / コメントあり） |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/510248 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=音楽ナタリー |language=ja}} On July 2, 2023, they performed at the BubblePop festival in Barcelona, Spain.{{Cite web |title=I Don't Like Mondays. |url=https://bubblepopfest.com/en/artist/idlms/ |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=BubblePop Festival |language=en-US}}

In April 2024, they released the 10th anniversary single "New York, New York".{{Cite web |last=April 25 |last2= |title=I Don't Like Mondays. - 'New York, New York' |url=https://thedailymusicreport.com/music-news-releases/i-dont-like-mondays-new-york-new-york-04252024/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=The Daily Music Report |language=en-US}}

Yu writes lyrics in both English and Japanese. The band has noted that the sound of their early recordings was based on international influences, incorporating soul, disco, and pop. The members have cited a range of influences including Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Kanye West, The Beatles, Oasis, and Peter Gabriel.{{Cite web |date=2017-08-23 |title=I Don't Like Mondays.「今夏お気に入りの10曲」／【連載】トベタ・バジュンのミュージック・コンシェルジュ |url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000145964 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=BARKS |language=ja}} Beginning with 2021's Black Humor, the band made a conscious decision to focus more on the Japan's domestic J-Pop audience.

The band collaborates equally on song creation, using digital technology to share ideas and build each track remotely when they are not in the studio together.{{Cite web |title=【インタビュー】女子の反感を喰らうギリギリのところでの説得力！！I Don't Like Mondays.の落としテク満載なE.P.『SUMMER』をお試しあれ！ {{!}} 歌詞検索サイト【UtaTen】ふりがな付 |url=https://utaten.com/specialArticle/index/1823 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=UtaTen |language=ja}} Bass and rhythm for the chorus are created first, and then the melody is added. The band will often reference popular trends in music to decide the overall mood and style of a song.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=I Don't Like Mondays.の「BACK UP」｜"4人でしか成し得ない音作り"が広げるバンドの可能性 - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー |url=https://natalie.mu/music/pp/westerndigital_idlms |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=音楽ナタリー |language=ja}}

The band directly supervises the look of their live shows, promotion videos, CD jacket art, and band photos.{{Cite web |date=2016-09-28 |title="パッと見チャラい"もコンセプト！イケメン揃い「I Don't Like Mondays.」のカッコ良すぎる魅力に迫る - モデルプレス |url=https://mdpr.jp/interview/detail/1618700 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース |language=ja}}

In 2021, Shuki and Yu collaborated on the artwork and animated promotion videos for Black Humor.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-19 |title=I Don't Like Mondays.が語る変化の理由「人間性を出したかった」 {{!}} Rolling Stone Japan(ローリングストーン ジャパン） |url=https://rollingstonejapan.com/articles/detail/36358/9/1/1 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Rolling Stone Japan |language=ja}}

Launched an original brand "IDLMs by I Don't Like Mondays.". After the launch, they collaborated with a Japanese original brand shop "And A" and started a collaborated brand called "And A by I Don't Like Mondays.". In September 2016, they announced a collaboration with a Japanese apparel shop Restir and launched "IDLMs. Creative Direction by Restir Edition". They performed at a fashion show of Kansai Yamamoto.

In 2015, IDLMs. created the soundtrack for Leslie Kee's short film The Independents, which featured the Yohji Yamamoto 2015 A/W Collections. The band also appeared in the film.{{Citation |title=THE INDEPENDENTS directed by LESLIE KEE (a short film featuring YOHJI YAMAMOTO 2015 A\W Collection) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkMENgTiHMk |access-date=2023-05-30 |language=en}}

In April 2019, IDLMs. collaborated with Adidas for the "Do Ya?" music video{{Cite web |title=I Don't Like Mondays.が90's HIP HOPをテーマにした新曲「Do Ya?」をリリース！adidas衣裳提供によるミュージックビデオも解禁！ |url=http://avexnet.jp/news/detail.php?id=1002358 |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=エイベックス・ポータル - avex portal |language=ja}} and presented a performance event in September with AllSaints as part of Vogue Fashion's Night Out.{{Cite web |title=I Don't Like Mondays.がファッションブランド"オールセインツ"とコラボ！「VOGUE FASHION'S NIGHT OUT」でスペシャルライブ決定！ |url=http://avexnet.jp/news/detail.php?id=1003189 |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=エイベックス・ポータル - avex portal |language=ja}}

In October 2020, IDLMs. became brand ambassadors for British watch brand Henry London.{{Cite web |title=伊藤千晃＆I Don't Like Mondays.、HENRY LONDONのアンバサダーに決定 |url=https://news.dwango.jp/entertainment/55396-2010 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=ドワンゴジェイピーnews}} Emporio Armani provided the band's wardrobe for the music vdeo "Millennials - Just a Thought".{{Cite web |title=Masaki Sato.jp - I Don't Like Mondays. ミレニアルズ 〜just I thought〜 MV |url=https://masakisato.jp/i-dont-like-mondays-just-i-thought-mv |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=masakisato.jp |language=en-US}}

The track "Shape of Love" was used to promote H&M's first original campaign (Happy Golden Week) in Japan.{{Cite web |title=H&M New戎橋店のリニューアル直前イベントに歌手のhitomiやI Don't Like Mondays.が登場。 |url=https://about.hm.com/ja_jp/news/general-news-2019/hm-opening-ebisubashi-event-hitomi-idontlikemonday.html |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=about.hm.com |language=ja}} They also performed in the promotional movie for this campaign shot by Leslie Kee.

• [https://idlms.com/ I Don't Like Mondays. Official Site]

{{Reflist}}

Category:Japanese rock music groups

Category:Nippon Columbia artists