Hi-Standard
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Hi-Standard | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1991–2000, 2011–present |
| Labels | |
| Members | Akihiro Nanba Ken Yokoyama Akira Tsuneoka |
| Past members | Atsuhiko Matsumoto |
| Website | hi-standard |
Hi-Standard (stylized as Hi-STANDARD) is a Japanese punk rock band formed in 1991 by bassist and lead vocalist Akihiro Nanba, guitarist and vocalist Ken Yokoyama, and drummer Akira Tsuneoka. The release Making the Road sparked sold-out Japan shows and US/European tours with punk bands such as NOFX, No Use for a Name, and Wizo. Although the members of Hi-Standard are Japanese, all of the band's major releases are sung in English.
History
Formation and early history: 1991–2000
Forming in August 1991 as a four-piece band, the initial lineup of Hi-Standard contained lead vocalist Atsuhiko Matsumoto. However, shortly after recording their first demo tape in 1992, Matsumoto left the group, with bassist Akihiro Nanba taking over vocal duties, solidifying Hi-Standard's lineup as a power trio.[2]
In 1994, they released their debut mini-album Last of Sunny Day. Three months later, they released a 7" titled "In the Brightly Moonlight", and embarked on numerous tours across Japan throughout the mid-90s.
The following year in 1995, they released their first full-length LP Growing Up, which was recorded in the United States. Shortly after, they accompanied American bands Green Day and Rancid on their tours of Japan. The LP was subsequently re-released on Fat Wreck Chords in 1996.
In 1997, their second full-length album, Angry Fist, was released, selling 500,000 copies worldwide.[3]
In 1998, Hi-Standard, joined by the American band NOFX, embarked on a US/Canada tour. Over the following months, they participated in the 1998 Warped Tour, headlined the '98 Air Jam to an audience of 30,000, and once again joined NOFX on a European tour.
Riding the wave of successes from their prior albums and touring, they released their third album, Making the Road, in 1999.
Hiatus: 2000–2011
After recording five Hi-Standard albums, the band entered a hiatus in August 2000, shortly after playing "Air Jam 2000". Guitarist Ken Yokoyama began working on other projects, including solo work in a similar vein to Hi-Standard, as well as exploring a more traditional hardcore punk style with BBQ Chickens, fronted by longtime friend and artist, Daisuke Hongolian, who provided artwork for some of Hi-Standard's early releases. Yokoyama revisited the band's original label Pizza of Death Records, which has since signed many punk and alternative rock bands. Bassist Akihiro Nanba's newest project is Ultra Brain. According to CDJapan, Nanba proclaims their debut album, Neo Punk, to be the birth of neo-punk.[4] Akira Tsuneoka now provides the drums for the group Cubismo Grafico Five.
Reformation: 2011–present
In 2011, it was announced that Hi-Standard would be reforming. The band played at 'Air Jam 2011', and 'Air Jam 2012', and headlined the Japanese edition of Fat Wreck Chords' 25th-anniversary show in Tokyo in November 2015. The single "Another Starting Line" was released on October 5, 2016 with no preceding PR campaign, and available exclusively in stores. In 2017, they released The Gift, their first album in over 15 years.
Band members
- Akihiro Nanba (難波章浩) – lead vocals, bass
- Ken Yokoyama (横山健) – guitar, backing vocals
- Akira Tsuneoka (恒岡章) – drums
- Former members
- Atsuhiko Matsumoto (松本敦彦) – lead vocals
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Last of Sunny Day | Pizza of Death |
| 1995 | Growing Up | Toy's Factory, Fat Wreck Chords |
| 1997 | Angry Fist | Toy's Factory, Fat Wreck Chords |
| 1999 | Making the Road | Pizza of Death, Fat Wreck Chords |
| 2017 | The Gift | Pizza of Death |
Singles
| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "In the Brightly Moonlight" | Snuffy Smile | 7" vinyl |
| 1996 | "California Dreamin'" | Fat Wreck Chords | Overseas release |
| 1996 | "The Kids Are Alright" | Toy's Factory | |
| 1997 | "I Don't Need Trouble Because of... Money" | Pizza of Death | 7" vinyl |
| 1997 | "Weihnachten Stinkt!" | Hulk Räckorz | Overseas release, Split with Wizo |
| 1997 | "War is Over" | Pizza of Death | 7" vinyl |
| 2000 | "Love Is a Battlefield" | Pizza of Death | |
| 2016 | "Another Starting Line" | Pizza of Death | |
| 2016 | "Vintage & New, Gift Shits" | Pizza of Death |
Other albums
| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Live at Yokohama Arena 20181222 | Pizza of Death | Live album, streaming only |
Music videos
- Maximum Overdrive
- New Life
- Growing Up
- The Sound of Secret Minds
- The Kids Are Alright
- Brand New Sunset
- Stay Gold
- Teenagers Are All Assholes
- Another Starting Line
- All Generations
References
- ^ "Hi-Standard Biography, Songs & Albums". Retrieved August 31, 2021 – via AllMusic.
- ^ "Biography". Hi-STANDARD | ハイスタンダード (in Japanese). 2017-06-16. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1999-07-31). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
- ^ "Ultra Brain - Neo Punk". cdjapan.co.jp.
External links
- CS1 Japanese-language sources (ja)
- Articles with short description
- Short description with empty Wikidata description
- Articles needing additional references from April 2020
- All articles needing additional references
- Articles with hCards
- Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts
- Articles containing Japanese-language text
- Official website not in Wikidata
- AC with 0 elements
- Fat Wreck Chords artists
- Japanese punk rock groups
- Musical groups established in 1991
- 1991 establishments in Japan
- Japanese pop punk groups
- Melodic hardcore groups
- English-language musical groups from Japan