the Pillows (Japan)
Biography
Formed in Japan's northernmost province of Hokkaido at a time when most of their Tokyo contemporaries were in thrall to the sounds of Seattle, Japanese three-piece the Pillows sidestepped the loud-soft dynamic to provide a more wholesome take on the alternative rock scene, inspired by the lyrical folk-rock of Simon & Garfunkel and classic British pop, from the Beatles to the Jam. Outside of their homeland, the band is best known for its soundtrack to the anime series FLCL (pronounced "furi-kuri"). Over the course of their career, the Pillows have left a considerable stamp on the Japanese alternative rock scene, as evidenced by the release of a 2004 tribute album that saw various Japanese pop and rock luminaries pay them homage.
The Pillows debuted in 1991 with the album Moon Gold, although the band's early reputation was built upon a frenetic nationwide touring schedule that was matched only by the intensity of their performances. A burgeoning fan base was cemented with the release of the 1996 single "Strange Chameleon," which today remains a cult favorite among longtime fans of the band. For their breakthrough album Please Mr. Lost Man (1997), the Pillows signed to King Records, and the same took their live show to London.
The Pillows found a wider international audience when their songs were featured in the Gainax-produced anime FLCL, broadcast in the United States in 2000. The series followed the travails of a 12-year-old boy, Naota, who meets a guitar-wielding, Vespa-riding woman. The Pillows penned a new track, "Ride a Shooting Star," for the closing theme. In 2005 the Pillows performed in the United States for the first time at the South by Southwest music festival. Altogether they played six shows across the states, including New York and San Francisco at a Chicago anime convention that saw the group play to 4,000 people over two days. The U.S-released album My Foot followed in summer 2006 on the Geneon label, and their popularity overseas has led to tens of thousands of friends on their MySpace page. Domestically, the band switched to Avex Trax for the release of 2007's Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up! and the following year's Pied Piper. ~ David Hickey, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
The pillows have a great guitar-drive n pop sound. Too bad musical influence seems to be have a one-way valve: america --> world.
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To be honest.. I don't get all the hype... It's OK and the guys voice grates on me.. the hype is what?
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Im just glad i can finaly listen to The Pillows without trying to find it on lime wire lol....... and it sucks i cant find any chanel on tv that has FLCL on any more :(
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I have to thank FLCL because ride on shooting star got me into the pillows.
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It's good that you have songs from Happy Bivouac in there, but the album is simply called "Happy Bivouac". Also, Good Dreams was released in 2004.
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PIIIIIIIIIII R R R R R R R R R O O O O O O O O O S S S S S S S S S S ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! l o v e y o u
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Very underrated at worst, great at best. Where are all the songs that made them famous, you could have at least thrown in little busters some where jeez...
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I discovered this band thanks to FLCL. all I have to say is where is Ride on Shooting Star, Pandora, where?!?!?!? I NEED IT. REAL BAD. ...please :)
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the pillows do not capitalize their name. Also, please add "Ladybird Girl"
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Stalker Goes to Babylon is the most amazing thing that has ever been done with the electric guitar. Pandora, please put it up so I can find more songs like it :(
Also, FLCL kicks a**. That almost goes without saying. |
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I can't make a decent J-rock or J-pop station going without Pandora lumping in other countries' bands.The J in J-Rock and J-Pop means "Japanese." Please Pandora stick to that. Seriously, why do I get British fantasy metal and Dutch electronic body music or emo bands with "Tokyo" in the band name when I have artists like Gackt and Malice Mizer?! Emo does not equal J-rock, PERIOD! And for Christ sake PLEASE ADD the GazettE!
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I love me some Pillows. Without a doubt the best band in japan... aside from Mr.Children. . . and a couple others... :O
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et4u: They are singing: Ro-fi Boi, Fytah gul.
I ruvv this! One of the best Japanese pop bands I've ever heard, even if the lyrics are in Engrish. Really, that's half the charm |
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ABout 1/2-way through the song I realized they were NOT singing in ENGLISH. I don't know what they are saying. I likes it though. Pass the Saki.
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Hey! These guys don't suck! Pandora, you've proved me wrong once more.
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I wish they had FL/CL OTS's on here. I love The Pillows, don't get me wrong, but I really like their Instrumental stuff too.
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one of the best places to get thier albums is to buy the Fooly Cooly soundtracks
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Why don't they have "Ride on shooting star" its one of their really good songs!!
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I havata admit a friend of mine turned me onto them. He told me they were a mix between blur and weezer, he neglected to mention they were japanese. After a hard search, I found some of their music online. Needless to say, japanese import albums are expensive. It was well worth it as I discovered a great band and a great new world of music. It sorta took over my music library for a while. I ended up getting way into flcl, but it was probably 80% due to the music.
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Good stuff! I agree with other fans, language doesn't matter, sexy riffs! Rock on!
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Haha I saw them live it was really great, me and my friend were like the only people dancing along and I think we pissed off a few people next to us but it was so much fun we really didn't care. I never understand why someone would stand rock still at a concert anyway.
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I liked FLCL, but I've gotta say that my love for The Pillows stands completely on its own. Whatever language it's sung in, this is some top-shelf old-school rock. The Pillows are one of my top three favorite bands of all time.
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FLCL!
I love the pillows and ever since i heard them in flcl i've been an adict. They're just amazing. Thats all. FLCL FOR EVER! |
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just the fact that they're adding J-music on here at all is cool; i was surprised and thrilled when The Pillows popped up on one of my stations!
unfortunatel y now that i've started a Pillows station, there isn't quite enough J-pop on Pandora, so i get a lot of english-spea k i n g bands in-between that sound Pillows-ish. gives me a new appreciation for those bands, but i'd rather hear more Japanese singers! hopefully Pandora will continue adding J-music:) |
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I am in love with these guys. Always happy and energetic. I can't think of a single song I don't love to death. Thank goodness for more J-Pop showing up on Pandora XD
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"The Japanese 'Fountains of Wayne'"?? the pillows have been around at least 10 years longer, and I dare say there's a little more to them than that. Great band, great music, great concerts. :D
Sure, I'd love it if there was more on Pandora, but at least they have some of the best here. :) |
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