Sex Machineguns
Sex Machineguns is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in 1989. Their music is characterized by a heavy focus on bass as well as extremely fast guitar and bass solos. The band uses the image of "shock rockers" by wearing crazy, exotic outfits like visual kei bands, although this image has been toned down, especially since 2003 when the long-term bassist Noisy left the band. The lyrics feature very off-beat and non-serious themes. Casting themselves as shock rockers is not the prime selling point of their music though, as they also exhibit technical skill on their instruments.
Biography
Sex Machineguns started in 1989 as an indie group, touring live houses and clubs. Their name is intentionally similar to that of the Sex Pistols and, according to the band, "implying that machineguns are more radical than pistols". They gained a large fan base quickly and sold out their shows. They went on tour and spread their popularity all over Japan. Once they got back home to release their first video and live CD in spring 1997, they had developed such a fan base that the first press of the video sold out instantly, to all parts of Japan from Okinawa to Hokkaidō.In 1998, Sex Machineguns made their commercial debut with the release of their first single on Toshiba-EMI Records: "Hanabi-la Daikaiten". The single sold out instantly, and it was decided they would go on a debut tour. Magazines began to run articles, and the "Hanabi-la Daikaiten" single sold steadily, skyrocketing the band's popularity. In September they released their first album, which was another huge hit. They went on many tours, all selling out, and topped the singles charts. As 1998 came to a close, the Sex Machineguns had topped the charts and played 62 concerts.
The band's front-man announced that the band would be taking a "activity pause" on March 20, 2006. All members at the time except for Anchang had left the band and formed a new band/side-project called Elleguns which released a 6-track instrumental. In 2004, Clutch J. Himawari and Noisy have formed a 3-man group called Dustar-3 with Yuki. Later in December 2006, Circuit V. Panther, Samurai W. Kenjilaw, and Speed Star Sypan Joe have started a new band known as Cycle. Anchang later reformed Sex Machineguns in 2007 with Ryotatsu Kuwae on guitar and Kenichi Imai on drums, and they released three digital download-only singles that year.
In 2008 Anchang formed the band Big Bites, with Natchin and Annie. Also in 2008, some footage of the band performing was featured in the film Global Metal during a discussion about heavy metal in Japan.
On 2012, drummer Ken'ichi withdrew, and the band went to an indefinite long time hiatus.
In 2013 Anchang and Shingo☆ formed a similar band called , with Hirota on drums and second lead guitarist Master. They released their debut album Kōji-chū on February 21, 2013
Members
Current members
- Anchang – lead vocals, guitar
- Sussy - Lead Guitar
- Shingo☆ – bass
Former members
- Asada – vocals
- Imai – vocals
- Noisy – vocals ; guitar ; bass, backing vocals
- Zaamasu – bass
- Atkin-Sukkon – bass
- Samurai W. Kenjilaw – bass, backing vocals
- Mad Power Tsuchiya – drums
- Clutch J. Himawari – drums
- Speed Star Sypan Joe – drums
- Ken'ichi – drums
- Circuit V. Panther – guitar, backing vocals
- Iberiko Moja Malmsteen – guitar
- Leon - Drums
Support members (former)
- Cyzer A. Hamburg – synth guitar
- Crazy Horse Kameen – synth guitar
- Ryosuke - guitar
- Takeo Shimoda - Drums
Timeline (Recording Era; 1997-present)
Discography
Albums
Singles
Other
Solo works
Videography
The naming scheme for the Sex Machineguns videos is as follows:- Video Sex = A compilation of the latest music videos from the band
- SM Show = A compilation of concert video bits
Title | Release date | Format |
Emergency! Nozarashi! | September 27, 2000 | Video |
SM Show | October 16, 2000 | DVD and Video |
Video Sex | June 7, 2000 | Video |
Video Sex | February 20, 2002 | DVD |
SM Show 2 | February 20, 2002 | DVD and Video |
Video Sex 2 | December 4, 2002 | DVD and Video |
SM Show 3 | February 19, 2003 | DVD and Video |
SM Show Finale | October 22, 2003 | DVD |
Metal Box | December 10, 2003 | DVD |
Made in USA | January 25, 2006 | Single DVD |
Living in America | March 8, 2006 | Documentary DVD |
A Day in the Live: Sex Machineguns Live in USA | June 28, 2006 | Live DVD |
Video Sex Special Best Clips | March 26, 2008 | DVD |
Independence Day Live | April 28, 2010 | Live DVD |
SMG ALive! | May 18, 2011 | Live DVD |
"Sex Machineguns vs. The Kanmuri" SMG Tour 2012 | July 18, 2012 | Live DVD |