Otoboke Beaver

Otoboke Beaver おとぼけビ～バ～
Otoboke Beaver live Nottingham 2016
Background information
Origin	Kyoto, Japan
Genres	Punk rock, Noise rock, Alternative
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Damnably
Associated acts	Say Sue Me, Leggy
Website	https://otobokebeaver-kyoto.jimdo.com/
Members	Accorinrin (Gt & Vox) Yoyoyoshie (Gt) Hiro-Chan (Bass) Kahokiss (Drums)
Past members	Nishikawachi (Bass) (2009–2013) Pop (Drums) (2009-2018)

Otoboke Beaver (おとぼけビ～バ～) are a 4-piece, punk-rock band from Kyoto, Japan. The band name originates from a love hotel situated near the high school of one of the band members in Osaka.^[1]

Overview

The band formed in 2009^[2] during University at a music society^[3], composed of members: Accorinrin (Guitar&Vocals), Yoyoyoshie (Guitar), Pop (Drums) and Nishikawachi (Bass). Nishikawachi has since left in 2013 to be replaced by Hiro-chan, a fan, who asked to join the band via email and was successfully brought in.^[4][5]

In 2018, drummer Pop announced her departure from the band,^[6] with her replacement now confirmed as Kahokiss, who also attended the same music society.

Songs heavily feature love and relationships as a regular theme, sometimes based on Accorinrin's (the main lyricist) own experiences. ^[7][8]

Musically, the band play a very fast-paced and aggressive style of punk-rock, often with many changes in rhythm and tempo, accompanied with gang-vocals.^{[9] [10]}

History and touring

In June 2011, Otoboke Beaver released a demo CD featuring 3 songs, including an early version of 'Chuchu Song', a live favourite that would be later re-recorded and distributed to supporters who helped fund the band's first trip to the US. 350 copies of the demo were produced in total, with all the tracks being played noticeably slower than their later iterations. A mini-album followed in December of the same year. The cover art for both releases were designed by Yukari Matsuoka, and feature a distinctive cartoon of a nude woman with a rabbit's head.

In September 2012, the group released their first live album through Egypt records on the second volume of their 'Present Progressive Form' series.

2013 saw a limited single released through JET SET records. 100 copies were made, and featured the newly recorded 'Otobokebeaver Daijikenbo', with two live tracks. In March of the same year, the band released their second mini-album, Love Me Sign.

Otoboke Beaver participated in Record Store Day 2015, releasing 'Akimahenka' on clear vinyl limited to 50 copies.

In 2016, the band were signed to UK-based label & tour promoter, Damnably. The 'Okoshiyasu!! Otoboke Beaver' compilation album was released, combining the majority of the songs found on the group's first two mini-albums, with the addition of 'Akimahenka'. The band recorded a live session for John Kennedy on XFM and toured the UK with Damnably acts Shonen Knife & Leggy. The 'Bakuro Book' EP followed shortly after, with another EP titled 'Love is Short!' emerging the following year for Record Store Day 2017.^[11]. 'Love Is Short!' stayed in the UK singles charts for 4 weeks.

Since 2016, the band have begun touring the West, completing a run of dates during Japan's Golden Week with the 100 club in London selling out. The band also visited the US in 2017 to play at SXSW ^[12], which was helped by fan-funding using Campfire and Kickstarter in order to help cover travel expenses^[13]. In 2018, the band travelled over 24,000 miles in one week to play two slots at Coachella festival,^[14] as well as a 3 date UK headline 'ATTYUUMA' (blink of an eye) tour. It saw them team up with labelmates Say Sue Me (KR) and Leggy (US).^[15]

In 2018, Record Store Day announced a vinyl version of 'Okoshiyasu!! Otoboke Beaver' would be available in solid pink with the album undergoing extensive remastering at the Chicago Mastering Service. ^[16]

Notable tourmates/support slots have included: The Cribs, Miyavi, Guitar Wolf, Shonen Knife, Wussy, Say Sue Me, Leggy, Breakfast Muff, among others.^[17]

Response

Otoboke Beaver's fun yet frenetic sound combined with some raucous live performances has garnered them praise from the likes of Pitchfork^[18], NPR^[19], The Fader ^[20], Stereogum^[21], i-D^[22] and Fujirock Festival^[23]. In 2017 they were also nominated for best live act by AIM.^[24]

The band have also received many positive accolades/mentions from peers including: Emi Morimoto (ex-Shonen Knife)^[25], Tadanobu Asano^[26], The Cribs^[27], Mat Osman (Suede)^[28], Paul Thomson (Franz Ferdinand)^[29], and Lars Ulrich (Metallica)^[30]. Additionally, they are featured regularly on BBC6 radio.^[31]

Discography

Videography

• S'il Vous Plait (2017)
• Love is Short (2017)
• Mean (2017)

References