Suchmos
{{Short description|Japanese rock band}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Suchmos
| image =
| image_size = 300px
| caption =
| alias =
| genre = {{hlist|Rock|jazz|Acid jazz|hip hop}}
| years_active = 2013–2021, 2024-
| label = Space Shower Music (2015–2017)
F.C.L.S. (Ki/oon Music) (2017–present)
| associated_acts =
| website = {{url|suchmos.com}}
| current_members = Yonce (Vocals)
Taiking (Guitar)
OK (Drums)
Kcee (DJ)
Taihei (Keyboards)
| past_members = Ayustat (Guitar)
Hsu (Bass)
}}
Suchmos is a Japanese rock group formed in 2013. Suchmos was inspired by African-American music such as rock, jazz, and hip-hop. The band's name, Suchmos, is adapted from a jazz musician Louis Armstrong’s nickname, “Satchmo”.{{cite web|url=https://www.suchmos.com/biography/|title=biography|date=August 8, 2015}}{{cite news|last=Yompool |first=Warut |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2015/08/21/music/cd-reviews/suchmos-bay/#.V3NJdtKLTDc |title=Suchmos "The Bay" |newspaper=The Japan Times |date=2015-08-21 |accessdate=2016-10-22}}
History
=2013: Formation and earlier days=
Yonce, Taiking, Hsu, OK, Kcee, and Taihei were playmates. OK and Kcee are brothers. OK, Taiking, and Hsu are childhood friends from elementary school. Kcee and Yonce are acquaintances from high school days; Taihei is Hsu's junior at college. They gathered at OK's and Kcee's house at night and watching YouTube, singing, dancing, and playing.
In January 2013, OK formed Suchmos with Yonce, Hsu, Ayustat, and a support member, Taihei. Kcee accompanied the band as a video group.{{cite web|url=http://flying-postman.com/|title=音楽と映画のフリーペーパー FLYING POSTMAN PRESS（フライング・ポストマン・プレス）|website=flying-postman.com}} The band's name, Suchmos, comes from a jazz musician Louis Armstrong’s nickname, “Satchmo”. The first live appearance was decided prior to deciding the band's name. While Yonce was suffering at the rehearsal studio of Tokyo University at that time, pictures of Armstrong flowed to the monitor there. Hsu who was studying jazz music saw it and said that Louis Armstrong is "Satchmo". They liked the sound and adopted it as the band's name.{{cite web|url=https://news.j-wave.fm/news/2016/04/suchmos.html|title=Suchmos バンド名で仲間割れ？ 決着は半年後か | J-WAVE NEWS|website=news.j-wave.fm}}
=2014–2016: ''The Bay''=
On April 8, 2015, Space Shower Music released the band's debut EP Essence.{{cite web|url=https://www.cinra.net/news/20150225-suchmos|title=横浜発のスケーター4人組バンドSuchmos、デビューシングルは『Essence』|website=CINRA.NET}} From this work, the music video of "Fallin" which directed by Kcee was released.{{cite web|url=https://diggity-jp.net/news/16132/|title=Suchmos、デビューシングル『Essence』より「Fallin'」MV公開＆リリパにAunbeatz、DATS|date=March 20, 2015}} In the same year, the guitarist Ayustat left the band,{{cite web|url=https://ototoy.jp/feature/20160127|title=Suchmos、新作EP『LOVE&VICE』をハイレゾ配信＆インタヴュー公開!|website=ototoy.jp}} then Kcee and Taiking joined as new members.{{cite web |url=https://www.musicman-net.com/artist/47191.html |title=Suchmosに新メンバーが加入＆1stアルバム「THE BAY」のリリースが決定 | Musicman-NET |website=www.musicman-net.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202033647/https://www.musicman-net.com/artist/47191.html |archive-date=2 February 2017 |url-status=dead}} Taihei who was a support member became an official member.
On July 8, 2015, the band's first studio album The Bay was released. It peaked at 26th on the Oricon weekly chart{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/644776/products/1131378/1/|title=THE BAY | Suchmos|website=ORICON NEWS}} and 16th on Billboard Japan Top Albums.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/chart_insight/detail?kind=albums&date=2016-08-01&main=90533|title=THE BAY / Suchmos | CHART insight|website=Billboard JAPAN}} The lead single "YMM" from the album peaked at 44th on Billboard Japan Hot 100 and 2nd on J-Wave Tokio Hot 100.{{cite web|url=https://www.j-wave.co.jp/original/tokiohot100/cgi-bin/top100.cgi|title=J-WAVE WEBSITE : TOKIO HOT100|website=www.j-wave.co.jp}} In December 2015, they won Best New Artist for the annual feature project "Apple Music Best of 2015".{{cite web |url=http://www.musicman-net.com/business/52510.html |title=Apple Music Best of 2015発表、ベストアルバムは三代目JSB「PLANET SEVEN」 | Musicman-NET |website=www.musicman-net.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101331/http://www.musicman-net.com/business/52510.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}} On December 12, 2015, their first independent event "Suchmos the Blow Your Mind vol.1" was held at Roppongi Super Deluxe.{{cite web|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000119641|title=Suchmos、初自主企画のゲストにSOIL&"PIMP" SESSIONS|website=BARKS}} It is a voluntary event which was held regularly by inviting artists respected by Suchmos. Sol & Pimp Sessions appeared as the first guest.
On January 17, 2016, they released the second EP Love&Vice.{{cite web|url=https://diggity-jp.net/news/26562/|title=Suchmos、2nd EP『LOVE＆VICE』リリース＆初の全国ツアー開催決定|date=December 12, 2015}} It reached Top 15th on the Oricon chart,{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/644776/products/1157466/1/|title=LOVE&VICE | Suchmos|website=ORICON NEWS}} and peaked at 1st on the iTunes General Album chart. The EP's lead song "Stay Tune" won the first place at J-Wave Tokio Hot 100. In September 2016, it was used as a commercial song of Honda Motor's compact SUV "Vezel".{{cite web|url=https://spaceshowermusic.com/news/61020/|title=Suchmos「STAY TUNE」が Honda「VEZEL」新CM曲に決定！ (2016.09.09) | SPACE SHOWER MUSIC|website=SPACE SHOWER MUSIC （スペースシャワーミュージック）}} On the Billboard Japan Hot 100, it reached the top ten rankings, played the first major music chart top 10 through albums and singles.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2017&month=01&day=16|title=Billboard Japan Hot 100 | Charts|website=Billboard JAPAN}}
From April 2 to April 23, 2016, their first nationwide live tour Tour Love&Vice was held. On July 6, 2016, they released the third EP Mint Condition.{{cite web|url=https://qetic.jp/music/suchmos-160423/188365/|title=Suchmos、待望の新作『MINT CONDITION』リリース決定！|date=April 23, 2016|website=Qetic}} The music video of lead song "Mint" (directed by maxilla) was produced collaborating with Levi's and won The Best New Artist Video of the 15th MTV Video Music Awards Japan.{{cite web|url=https://spaceshowermusic.com/news/61787/|title=MTV VMAJ 2016 最優秀邦楽新人アーティストビデオ賞にSuchmos「MINT」のMVが受賞！ (2016.10.03) | SPACE SHOWER MUSIC|website=SPACE SHOWER MUSIC （スペースシャワーミュージック）}} The song "Mint" peaked at 16th on Billboard Japan Hot 100.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/chart_insight/detail?kind=h100&date=2016-07-25&main=101381|title=MINT / Suchmos | CHART insight|website=Billboard JAPAN}}
From October 16 to October 29, 2016, the band's first one-man tour Tour Mint Condition was held. An additional performance entitled Tour Mint Condition Extra Show was held on November 11, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://skream.jp/news/2016/08/suchmos_extra-show.php|title=Suchmos、ワンマン・ツアー"TOUR MINT CONDITION"追加公演を11/1に横浜Bay Hallにて開催決定|first=Skream! Editorial|last=Department|website=Skream! 邦楽ロック・洋楽ロック ポータルサイト}}
=2017–2020: ''The Kids'', ''The Ashtray'', and ''The Anymal''=
On January 25, 2017, Suchmos released their second studio album The Kids. On Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales chart, it peaked at the second place.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/46900/2|title=【ビルボード】AKB48『サムネイル』674,033枚を売り上げアルバム・セールス1位に | Daily News|website=Billboard JAPAN}} Through a single album, they reached the first Oricon chart Top 3 entry.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2085237/full/|title=【オリコン】AKB48、7作目のアルバム首位 初週60万枚超え|website=ORICON NEWS}}
In March 2017, they participated in Petroz's tribute album Where, Who, What Is Petrolz? and covered "Rain".{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/220495|title=ペトロールズのトリビュート盤にオリラブ、Suchmos、SOIL、デリコNAOKIら|first=Natasha|last=Inc|website=音楽ナタリー}}
On June 20, 2018, they released their first mini-album The Ashtray featuring the lead single 808.
On March 27, 2019, they released their third studio album The Anymal, an album showcasing their biggest musical change in direction since their formation.
=2021–present: Indefinite hiatus=
On February 3, 2021, it was announced that the band will be on hiatus indefinitely after discussion among band and staff members.{{Cite web|url=https://www.suchmos.com/news/|title=Suchmosより大切なお知らせ|website=www.suchmos.com|date=February 3, 2021|access-date=February 3, 2021}} On October 15, 2021, it was announced that their bassist, HSU, had passed away.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2210500/full/|title=Suchmosのベーシスト・HSUこと小杉隼太さん死去「未だ現実を受け止めきれない状況」|website=oricon.co.jp|date=October 15, 2021|access-date=November 14, 2024}}
Musical style
Suchmos' music includes elements such as rock, soul, jazz, hip-hop and so on. Former editor-in-chief of Tower Record's free paper "bounce", Daisaku Nishio points out that Suchmos's music has a great influence from black music such as 1970s soul and funk, acid jazz, and 1990s R&B. They are digesting the influences from various genres of jazz, alternative rock, hip-hop, neo soul, and the current Western music scene.{{cite web|url=https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/49047|title=CMで話題、サチモスの音楽がただただカッコイイ 洋楽と同じ地平で音を鳴らす新進バンドたち | JBpress（Japan Business Press）|website=JBpress（日本ビジネスプレス）}}
Band members
;Current members
- Yonce (Kasai Yosuke, born August 28, 1991) — vocals (2013–present)
- Taiking (Totsuka Taiki, born May 1990) — guitar{{cite web|author= |url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/148530 |title=Suchmosに新メンバー2人加入＆7月に初のフルアルバム - 音楽ナタリー |website=Natalie.mu |date= |accessdate=2016-10-22}} (2015–present)
- OK (Ohara Kento, Kcee's brother, born August 27, 1990) — drums, DJ (2013–present)
- Kcee (Ohara Kaiki, born September 18, 1992) — DJ (2015–present)
- Taihei (Sakurauchi Taihei, born July 1992) — keyboards (2013–present)
;Former members
- Ayustat — guitar (2013–2015)
- Hsu (Kosugi Hayata, born 1989) — bass (2013–2021)
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable" |
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Title ! colspan="3" | Peak charts |
|---|
| style="width:35px;"|Oricon{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/644776/rank/album/|title=Suchmosのアルバム売上ランキング|website=ORICON NEWS}}
! style="width:65px;"|Billboard Japan Top Album !TWN |
| 2015
| The Bay
| style="text-align:center;"| 26 | style="text-align:center;"| 16 | |
|
| 2017
| The Kids
| style="text-align:center;"| 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 1{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=top_albums&year=2017&month=02&day=13|title=Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales | Charts|website=Billboard JAPAN}} | |
|
| 2018
| The Ashtray
| style="text-align:center;"| 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 2 | | |
| 2019
| The Anymal
| style="text-align:center;"| 4 | style="text-align:center;"| 2 | |
=EPs=
| class="wikitable" |
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Title ! colspan="2"| Peak charts |
|---|
| style="width:35px;"|Oricon{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/644776/rank/single/|title=Suchmosのシングル売上ランキング|website=ORICON NEWS}}
! style="width:65px;"|Billboard Japan Top Album |
| 2014
| Essence
| style="text-align:center;"| 84 | style="text-align:center;"| — |
| rowspan="2"|2016
| Love&Vice
| style="text-align:center;"| 15 | style="text-align:center;"| — |
Mint Condition
| style="text-align:center;"| 14 | style="text-align:center;"| — |
Awards
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2015
| Suchmos
| Apple Music Best of 2015 — Best New Artist {{cite web|url=https://spaceshowermusic.com/news/48158/|title=Suchmosが「Apple Music Best of 2015」のベストニューアーティストに選出！ (2015.12.10) | SPACE SHOWER MUSIC|website=SPACE SHOWER MUSIC （スペースシャワーミュージック）}}
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"|2016
| The Bay
| CD Shop Awards — {{nihongo|関東ブロック賞|Kanto Block Prize}}{{cite web|url=https://skream.jp/news/2016/03/cd-shop-2016_result.php|title=第8回CDショップ大賞2016、大賞は星野源『YELLOW DANCER』に決定。水曜日のカンパネラ、back number、米津玄師、夜の本気ダンス、Suchmosら各受賞作品も発表|first=Skream! Editorial|last=Department|website=Skream! 邦楽ロック・洋楽ロック ポータルサイト}}
| {{won}}
|-
| Mint
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan — Best New Artist Video
| {{won}}
|-
| 2017
| Suchmos
| Space Shower Music AWARDS — Best Breakthrough Artist {{cite web|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000139278|title=「SPACE SHOWER MUSIC AWARDS」24部門の受賞結果発表。最優秀アーティストはRADWIMPS|website=BARKS}}
| {{won}}
|}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|suchmos.com}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Japanese rock music groups
Category:Musical groups established in 2013
Category:2013 establishments in Japan