THE PILLOWS - VIDEOS

THE PILLOWS

The Pillows (styled as the pillows) are a Japanese alternative rock band, best known internationally for the soundtrack of the anime series FLCL. During its long-running career, the group has released more than a dozen original studio albums, along with several EPs, singles and compilations. The Pillows are currently signed to the Avex Trax label.

History

The Pillows were formed on September 16, 1989 by Sawao Yamanaka (rhythm guitar and vocals), Yoshiaki Manabe (lead guitar), Kenji Ueda (bass), and Shinichirou Sato (drums) in Hokkaidō. Kenji Ueda would leave the group three years later and has never been officially replaced.

Following Ueda's departure, the band recruited Tatsuya Kashima as a replacement on bass. Out of respect for Ueda, Kashima was only labeled as a guest musician on releases he performed on. He would stay with the band through 1999 and the release of their 7th overall album "Runners High." Kashima was replaced by Jun Suzuki who is still with the band today.

In 1999, The Pillows were approached by the anime studio Gainax, which licensed The Pillows' three previous albums for the soundtrack of their latest anime FLCL. The Pillows also composed two new songs for the show, "Ride on Shooting Star" and "I Think I Can," which were released on their album "Fool on the Planet."

In March 2005, The Pillows played their first show in the United States at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, followed by concerts in New York City and San Francisco.[3] In the following year, The Pillows returned to North America during their tour in support of the album My Foot, with several more dates in the U.S. and a show in Mexico City.

The group's album Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up! was released on May 2, 2007 their first on the Avex Trax label.

The single, "Ladybird Girl," was released on August 15, 2007, and is being used in the Japanese version of the children's show Ben 10 as its theme song.

They returned to the US in 2008 starting with Los Angeles, followed by another appearance at SXSW, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, and Boston.

Pied Piper is the sixteenth studio album by The Pillows, released on June 25, 2008. It includes the singles "Ladybird Girl," "Tokyo Bambi," and "New Animal" as well as the b-side "Across the Metropolis."