+smorgas history ｜ +biography ｜ +introduction
[ introduction ]
Brief Introduction of smorgas by Atsushi Shikano

Is smorgas a rock band, or a hip-hop unit? Or are they just a bunch of apes who happened to discover the power of music? Whatever analysis conveyed to understand what smorgas is about, we cannot ignore their incredible amount of spirituality. Their pure devotion is delivered through their attitude, defying commercial pop music with their viability. It seems that they have innate talent to bounce out breakbeats and weave out the most beautiful and intense verbal lyrics.

Alternative or mixture rock? The ultimate chaos rings the real day-to-day depiction of what we really do at the end of 20th century. Once it's said and done, any story becomes a fashion and instantly followed by infinite number of ordinary people. Nobody can escape the inevitable, but smorgas seems to know the musical vocabulary of how to keep the messages raw and unique. The end of 90s were confined to the elaborate and magical studio work, tweaking nobs and adjusting the "live sound." Such contradiction is torn in pieces by Rage Against The Machine, or Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sonic Youth and many other bands.

When it comes down to the word, "alternative," what was the original source that spun the phrase itself? What do you mean by "mixture" when we don't even know the original ingredients? In smorgas recipe, it's about mixing music and hearts and questioning the world. They are not afraid to be raped by the chaos, they chose to stand up in this world and stay, and to manipulate the senses of musical tones and create the romantic atmosphere of pain and love. Their music is somewhat philosophical, more intuitive and using muscles to respond than to seek inspiration from the literature.

Their truth derives from driving, soulful performances. They like to mingle in chaos like they like to wrestle in mud. They chose to bring different angles into one to figure out the way to the exit. MC Raimon keeps the insanity all the way from the first to the last track on stage. He and the rest of smorgas would know what the universe is about. The whole universe is waiting for their enlightened messages from these tracks.

In short, smorgas is the rare breed, who's heritage could be named as the break beats team, who would convince the entire world to mix any elements because they need to be there in their music. smorgas will knock you out with their principles to challenge each one, shouting "Vibrate to the end, our uncompromised devotion, the treasures you find is not the weapons of destruction, but the key to open the hopes to tomorrow."

After you listen to "Gondowana eno Tabi" to the end, you will hear your own heart pounding. Open your eyes and see the real world, run through the chaos with smorgas.

Biography:

In June of 1997, MC Ainee, Yuko Araki(drums), and Makoto Kawabe(bass) get together to form "smorgas" for the first time.

Ainee had played the guitar in the early stages of band history, using two microphones at the same time and kept on playing local gigs.

smorgas succeeds in releasing a self-titled mini album from Megaforce in February 1999, and continue to release the split single, "In Junction" with another group, Mousouzoku in August. The indy live club, Milk host a monthly event called "Kaze no Hito, presents Kooni" and smorgas starts to perform regularly. This creates a major buzz amongst the music industry in Japan.

In July of 2000, Ultra Vibe brings the full length album, "questionary" to the spotlight and the independent chart grabs and welcomes the debut of smorgas, pushing the positions to the top. From August 2000, the band launch a first nationwide tour, "smoke foot stamp" and their musical determination stuns audiences in each city. Many diverse range of bands offered smorgas to play on their tour.

November 2000 finds a unique attempt to carry out 1000 copies of vinyl, "Waiburn" which is remixed by Yuka Honda of Cibo Matto. As expected, the analog version is sold out in few days and now it has become one of the rare collector's item.

Their 1st major release maxi-single was followed by their long awaited 1st major album "Interactiva" on September 19th 2001. Not only Smorgas's best but one of the most innovative-original albums to hit the scene...Spring to early summer found Smorgas in the process of coming up with tunes. Their schedule down to the bare minimum to make time for their September release... August found Smorgas rockin' out at many rock festivals around Japan, just when the media and fans were on the brink of starving from lack of Smorgas info. Next, came a wave of activity... Shooting the Japanese red, blue, yellow,green, pink "Ranger" style video for "Wakusei tansaku-dan" (the lead song off of the new album). In Tower Records in Shibuya (the Soho of Tokyo) the "Ranger" outfits from the video became the main display. On several music video channels in Japan "Wakusei tansaku-dan" is enjoying heavy rotation. "Interactiva" is enjoying good sales especially at Tower and HMV. Now, you can find Smorgas rockin' it out on a nationwide tour of Japan.

Here's a "Interactiva" review from a Japanese magazine:

"Listening to the genius of drummer Ms. Yuko Araki reminds me of the first time I heard the druming of Stone Roses drummer Lenny . Besides the genius of Yuko there's the mad genius of Ainee with his Break beats, MC Rimon with his powerful vocal delivery. Geting together to make their first major release. I had heard about their agressive live performances, their album rocks just as hard. Like the way DJ's put their sound together using sampling, scratching, synth tones etc. Smorgas puts it together in a band context to make groovin'-hard-danceable songs. This gives Smorgas a thrilling sound. Not only does their music rock but the story telling, message giving, rhyming lyrics are something else."

[ smorgas history ]
July 1997

The history of smorgas comes to phase 1, when the leader of the group, Ainee confirms with Makoto Kawabe(bass) and Yuko Araki(drums) to start the band.

November 1997

MC Raimon and Sensho1500(guitar) join in and the current line-up is complete.

December 1998

Megaforce's sub-label, Super Paranoia releases an omunibus album, "Spanking Brain Army Volume 2" and smorgas is featured on the first track.

February 1999

From Super Paranoia, smorgas releases first mini-album, "smorgas."

May 1999

Super Paranoia releases the vinyl version of "smorgas."

August 1999

Super Paranoia releases the split single, "In Junction," and the second half of the CD is shared with Mousouzoku, another Japanese group.

October 1999

Super Paranoia releases the vinyl version of "In Junction."

July 1st, 2000

Vybe Music releases first full album, "questionary" and the majority of independent charts throughout Japan feature the debut release, which surprises major labels.

August 2000

First nationwide tour is baptized, "smoke foot stamp" and played in 16 different cities in Japan.

November 18th, 2000

The vinyl version of the album, "questionary" is released along with remix of "waiburn" by Yuka Honda (Cibo Matto). The limited edition, of only 1000 presses was sold out in few days.

February 7th, 2001

From the major label, For Life, the single "Gondowana eno Tabi" is released.