Bow Wow are a Japanese rock band formed in 1975. Originally consisting of guitarist and vocalists Kyoji Yamamoto and Mitsuhiro Saito, bassist Kenji Sano and drummer Toshihiro Niimi, they were one of the first Japanese metal bands. After releasing nine studio albums, Saito left in 1983. The band then adopted a mainstream sound by recruiting lead vocalist Genki Hitomi and keyboardist Rei Atsumi and renamed themselves to Vow Wow. They relocated to England in 1986, before Sano left the band the following year and Yamamoto invited former Whitesnake bassist Neil Murray to replace him. After Murray left to join Black Sabbath, studio bassist Mark Gould played on Vow Wow's last album before they disbanded in 1990.
Bow Wow | |
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| Also known as |
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| Origin | Japan |
| Genres | |
| Years active | Bow Wow: 1975–1983, 1995–present Vow Wow: 1984–1990 (reunions: 2009, 2010, 2024) |
| Labels | Victor, VAP, Toshiba EMI, Arista (US), Rockcandy (US), Heavy Metal (EU), Roadrunner (EU) |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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| Website | bowwow-army |
Yamamoto reformed Bow Wow in 1995 with all new members, before it became a trio when fellow original members Saito and Niimi rejoined in 1998. Niimi left in 2015 and the group now performs under the name Bow Wow G2, which refers to the two guitarists being the only official members.
Tomoaki Hokari of OK Music wrote that Bow Wow was one of the first Japanese bands to prove that domestic musicians could compete with Western hard rock acts.[1] In Japan their best-selling album is V which reached number 12 on the Oricon chart.[2] Internationally their best-selling album is Helter Skelter, which reached number 75 on the UK Albums Chart.[3]
History
edit1975–1983: Bow Wow
editBow Wow was formed in 1975 by Yoshimi Ueno, a record producer who was looking to create an idol-like band such as The Monkees or the Bay City Rollers.[1][4][5] After recruiting vocalist and guitarist Mitsuhiro Saito and drummer Toshihiro Niimi from the band Do T. Doll, whom he had managed before, vocalist and guitarist Kyoji Yamamoto and bassist Kenji Sano were scouted from Yamaha Music School and Bow Wow was officially formed.[6][7] Hokari wrote that, once 19-year-old guitar virtuoso Yamamoto joined and was elected to sing in English, the idol concept was largely dropped in favor of authenticity.[1] Niimi himself stated that if Yamamoto had not joined, they never would have become a hard rock band.[6]
They were quickly signed to Victor and used the money to buy a truck that could double as a stage, which earned them interviews with many magazines and television shows.[5][8] Bow Wow released their self-titled debut album in 1976.[8] Yamamoto recalled that when he joined, he told the producer he was a guitarist and not a singer, but during recording someone suggested he sing in English and he went with it.[9] In 1977, they opened for Aerosmith and Kiss on their Japanese tours and released two more albums, Signal Fire and Charge.[8]
According to AllMusic's Eduardo Rivadavia, their next few records were criticized by critics and fans as being musically all over the place, veering from their hard rock roots, and suffering from poor production values.[10] Yamamoto himself has described the three consecutive albums, Guarantee (1978), Glorious Road and Telephone (both 1980), as being the band's "pop era."[9] He noted that Saito was the main vocalist on the first two, but he took over vocal duties again on Telephone, where he looked to fuse pop with rock.[9] For Telephone the band switched record labels to Sounds Marketing System and worked with producer Touru Yazawa, who had produced the folk rock group Alice.
Bow Wow followed up with Hard Dog in 1981, which returned the band to a respectable hard rock act. In 1982, they switched labels again to VAP and released both Asian Volcano and Warning from Stardust. The band also performed at that year's Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Reading Festival in England.[8] The following year they toured with Hanoi Rocks across the UK[1] and performed their final concert at Nakano Sun Plaza on November 21, 1983. Which was the last with Saito, who left to join ARB.
1984–1990: Vow Wow
editIn 1984, the remaining three members were joined by vocalist Genki Hitomi and keyboardist Rei Atsumi, this resulted in a more commercial sound and the band decided a name change was necessary.[11] Now called Vow Wow, the group produced Beat of Metal Motion (1984) before signing to Toshiba EMI for Cyclone (1985) and relocating to England in 1986. After releasing the album III that year, they found themselves without a bassist when Kenji Sano returned to Japan for personal reasons in May 1987. He later retired from music completely.[12] The band flew another Japanese bassist to England for an audition, but it did not work out.[12] One of the members then suggested Yamamoto call Neil Murray, who had recently left Whitesnake and whom he and Niimi knew from working on the second album by Phenomena.[7][12] After a jam session, Murray agreed to play on their next album and, later, to a tour of Japan.[12] Although, Murray would later state that he never became a full member.[13] Vow Wow then began recording the album V (1987) in Ibiza, with producer Kit Woolven (Thin Lizzy, David Bowie) and co-producer John Wetton, who wrote the lyrics for the album's hit single "Don't Leave Me Now". They were asked by Tommy Vance to create the jingles for his British radio program, the Friday Rock Show.[13] After releasing Vibe (1988), which included the hard rock anthem "Rock Me Now", the band returned to Japan for a national tour. Although experiencing commercial success, Hitomi wanted to remain in Japan to begin a family. Vow Wow recorded what was to be their final album, Helter Skelter (1989), which was handled by Tony Taverner (Gipsy Kings) and was, as Rivadavia put it, a "re-sequenced, repackaged, and reissue" of Vibe.[14] After the album, Atsumi joined RC Succession for a live tour and Murray became a member of Black Sabbath. According to Yamamoto, Murray told him he had to leave Vow Wow because Cozy Powell was insistent that he join Black Sabbath and the bassist could not say no to his close friend.[12]
Shortly after, producers Nick Griffiths (Queen, Paul McCartney) and Bob Ezrin (Kiss, Pink Floyd) requested to create an album with Vow Wow. The band regrouped in Los Angeles, and utilized American studio bassist Mark Gould for their final album, Mountain Top.[12] Vow Wow disbanded after a May 28, 1990 concert at the Nippon Budokan. Yamamoto later said that the band had thought they could get signed to an American record label, but when that did not happen, "We lost our aim and then we started to get frustrated and our relationships collapsed. It was sad but 1990 was a bad year for hard rock bands. The hard rock and heavy metal scene was in decline."[13] Hitomi became a high school English teacher, while the other members each continued separate musical careers. Yamamoto formed the trio Wild Flag in 1991.[12] Niimi formed the bands Lance of Thrill and The Slut Banks.[6]
1995–present: Bow Wow revival and Vow Wow reunion concerts
editIn May 1995, Yamamoto reformed Bow Wow with all new members.[11] They had several releases until dissolving in March 1997. However, Bow Wow became a trio in 1998 when original members Mitsuhiro Saito and Toshihiro Niimi rejoined Yamamoto and they released the album Back.[1][15] It was followed by Beyond (2000), Another Place (2001) and What's Going On? (2002). In August 2003 they performed in Daegu, South Korea at the O.K.! Crazy!! World Rock Festival. Bow Wow released Era, their most recent album to date, in 2005.[9]
Genki Hitomi and Rei Atsumi reunited with Yamamoto and Niimi for a Vow Wow reunion concert on December 25, 2009, and for two sold-out shows the following year on December 25 and 26, 2010.[11] Bow Wow released the single "King or Queen" in 2014. Niimi left Bow Wow in 2015 and the group now performs sporadically under the name Bow Wow G2, which refers to the two guitarists, Yamamoto and Saito, being the only official members.[16] In August 2016, Bow Wow G2 held a concert for the band's 40th anniversary, which was later released on home video.[16] Three years after their last performance in 2018, the duo held a concert for their 45th anniversary on September 26, 2021 at Ebisu Garden Hall, where they recreated the setlist of Bow Wow's 1978 live album Super Live.[17] On June 1, 2023, Yamamoto announced that Niimi had died from cancer on May 27.[18] Having felt unwell since the beginning of the month, the drummer was admitted to a hospital on May 6 after being diagnosed with Stage IV cancer that had metastasized throughout his body.[18] Niimi died at 7:38 pm on May 27, at the age of 66.[18]
Yamamoto, Hitomi and Atsumi reunited as Vow Wow for two concerts at Club Citta on June 29 and 30, 2024, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their first album and to pay tribute to Niimi.[19] Hitomi announced that he was returning to professional musical activities during the second night, and Yamamoto later speculated that each member would like to perform as Vow Wow at least once a year.[20] Bow Wow performed at the Time to Rock Festival in Knislinge, Sweden on July 7, 2024.[21][22] Vow Wow are scheduled to perform two concerts at the Tokyo Dome City Hall on January 8 and 9, 2025.[23]
Legacy
editBow Wow were one of the first Japanese metal bands. Tomoaki Hokari of OK Music wrote that they were one of the acts that proved domestic musicians could compete with Western hard rock acts.[1] Writing for Rolling Stone Japan, Daisuke Kawasaki ranked Warning from Stardust at No. 23 on a 2007 list of the "100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time".[24] The title track from Signal Fire was named the 28th best guitar instrumental by Young Guitar Magazine in 2019.[25] Lars Ulrich is a fan of Bow Wow and used to cover their songs with Metallica before they made their debut.[11] X Japan guitarist Hide admired Yamamoto and Saito, and played the Mockingbird-style of guitar because Saito used it.[26][27] Rhythm & Drums Magazine wrote that Niimi was influential on later drummers, including by pioneering the use of rubber mats under drum kits.[6] Kouichi of Laputa is a fan of the band and covered their songs while in high school.[28][29]
Members
editBow Wow
editCurrent members
edit- Kyoji Yamamoto (山本恭司) – lead vocals (1975–1983, 1998–present), guitar (1975–1983, 1995–1997, 1998–present)
- Mitsuhiro Saito (斉藤光浩) – guitar, vocals (1975–1983, 1998–present)
- Shinji Matsumoto (松本慎二) – bass (2016–present, support member)
- Masanori "Cherry" Koyanagi (小柳昌法) – drums (2016–present, support member)
Former members
edit- Kenji Sano (佐野賢二) – bass, backing vocals (1975–1983)
- Tetsuya Horie (堀江哲也) – lead vocals (1995–1997)
- Hiroshi Yaegashi (八重樫浩士) – guitar (1995–1997)
- Shotaro Mitsuzono (満園庄太郎) – bass (1995–1997)
- Eiji Mitsuzono (満園英二) – drums (1995–1996)
- Toshihiro Niimi (新美俊宏) – drums (1975–1983, 1996–1997, 1998–2015, died in 2023)
- Daisuke Kitsuwa – bass (1998–2015, support member)
Vow Wow
editLast line-up
edit- Genki Hitomi (人見元基) – lead vocals (1984–1990, 2009, 2010, 2024)
- Kyoji Yamamoto – guitar, backing vocals (1984–1990, 2009, 2010, 2024)
- Rei Atsumi (厚見玲衣) – keyboards, synthesizers, keytar, piano, backing vocals (1984–1990, 2009, 2010, 2024)
- Toshimi Nagai (永井敏己) – bass (2024, support member)
- Atsuo Okamoto (岡本郭男) – drums (2024, support member)
Former members
edit- Kenji Sano – bass, backing vocals (1984–1987)
- Neil Murray – bass, backing vocals (1987–1990)
- Mark Gould – bass, backing vocals (1990)
- Toshihiro Niimi – drums (1984–1990, 2009, 2010, died in 2023)
Timeline
edit
Discography as Bow Wow
editAlbums
edit| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Bow Wow | Studio |
| 1977 | Signal Fire | |
| Charge | ||
| 1978 | Super Live | Live |
| Guarantee | Studio | |
| 1980 | Glorious Road | |
| Telephone | ||
| Kumikyoku X Bomber (組曲Xボンバー) (for the TV series X-Bomber) | Soundtrack | |
| 1981 | Hard Dog | Studio |
| 1982 | Asian Volcano | |
| Warning from Stardust | ||
| 1983 | Holy Expedition | Live |
| 1995 | Bow Wow # 0 | EP |
| Bow Wow # 1 | Studio | |
| 1996 | Led by the Sun | |
| 1998 | Still on Fire | EP |
| Back[30] | Studio | |
| 1999 | Ancient Dreams[31] | Studio |
| Live Explosion 1999 | Live | |
| 2000 | Beyond | Studio |
| 2001 | Another Place | |
| 2002 | What's Going On? | |
| 2005 | Super Live 2004 | Live |
| Era | Studio |
Singles
edit- "Volume On" (1976)
- "Still" (1977)
- "Sabishii Yuugi (1978)
- "Hoshii no wa Omae Dake" (1979)
- "Wasurekaketeta Love Song " (1980)
- "Rainy Train" (1980)
- "Keep on Rockin'" (1980)
- "Soldier in the Space" (1980)
- "Gonna be Alright" (1981)
- "Take Me Away" (1982)
- "Forever" (1983)
- "You're Mine" (1983)
- "One Last Time" (2002)
- "King or Queen" (2014)
Compilations
edit- The Bow Wow (1979)
- Locus 1976-1983 (1986)
- The Bow Wow II Decennium (2008)
- XXXV (2011)
Videos
edit- The Live Empire (2003)
- Live Explosion 1999 (2003)
- 2003.3.22 Live (2003)
- Rock to the Future 2002 Bow Wow vs XYZ→A (2003)
- Super Live 2004 (2005)
- Super Live 2005 (2006)
- Super Live 2006 (2007)
- Super Live 2007 (2008)
- Super Live 2009 (2010)
- Super Live 2011 (2012)
- Bow Wow G2 Live in Tokyo (2017)
Discography as Vow Wow
editAlbums
edit| Year | Title | JP | UK | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Beat of Metal Motion | Studio | ||
| 1985 | Cyclone | 300 (2006 reissue)[32] | Studio | |
| 1986 | III | 275 (2006 reissue)[32] | Studio | |
| Live | Live | |||
| Hard Rock Night/Vow Wow Live | Live | |||
| 1987 | V | Studio | ||
| Revive | Remix EP | |||
| 1988 | Vibe (Helter Skelter[33][34] in the United Kingdom) | 19[35] | 75[3] | Studio |
| 1990 | Mountain Top | 16[35] | Studio | |
| 2019 | Majestic Live 1989 | 171[32] | Live | |
| 2020 | Live At Reading Festival 1987 | 252[32] | Live |
Singles
edit| Year | Title | JP | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | "Beat of Metal Motion" | Beat of Metal Motion | |
| 1985 | "U.S.A." | Cyclone | |
| 1987 | "Don't Leave Me Now" | V | |
| 1988 | "Cry No More" | ||
| "Don't Tell Me Lies" | |||
| "Rock Me Now" | Vibe/Helter Skelter | ||
| 1989 | "Helter Skelter" | ||
| "I Feel the Power" | |||
| 1990 | "Tell Me" | 23[36] | Mountain Top |
Compilations
edit| Year | Title | JP |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Shock Waves | |
| 1988 | Vow Wow | |
| 1990 | Legacy | 60[35] |
| 1992 | Best Now | |
| 1996 | Twin Best | |
| 2006 | Super Best: Rock Me Forever | 286[32] |
| 2007 | The Vox (8CD+DVD Boxed-set) |
Videos
editEvery VHS was re-released on DVD on June 14, 2006
| Year | Title | JP |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Visions | 116[37] |
| 1986 | Live | 75[37] |
| 1989 | Live in the U.K. | 80[37] |
| 1990 | Japan Live 1990 at Budokan | 88[37] |
| 2017 | "ヴァウの総て-All About Vow 第一幕～渡英前" | |
| 2021 | "アックスの奇蹟 -Veritas! One-night Wonder" |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "BOW WOWのデビュー作『吼えろ！BOWWOW』は洋楽と真っ向勝負できる初の国産HR". OK Music (in Japanese). December 2, 2015. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
- ^ "BOW WOWのアルバム売上ランキング". Oricon.
- ^ a b "VOW WOW". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
- ^ "Biography". kyoji-yamamoto.com. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ a b "【連載】Vol.098「Mike's Boogie Station＝音楽にいつも感謝！＝」". Barks (in Japanese). September 7, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "【R.I.P.】日本のハード・ロック・シーンの礎を築いたBOW WOWのドラマー、新美俊宏急逝". Rhythm & Drums Magazine (in Japanese). June 2, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 167. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
- ^ a b c d "Kyoji Yamamoto leaves all inhibitions behind". The Japan Times. April 18, 2009. Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "山本恭司 ヤング・ギター2017年12月号 本誌未掲載インタビュー". Young Guitar Magazine (in Japanese). November 18, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "Hard Dog - Bow Wow". AllMusic. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "BOWWOW Frontman Kyoji Yamamoto". BraveWords. December 10, 2010. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g "KYOJI YAMAMOTO – Bow Wow, Vow Wow, and Wild Flag mastermind reflects on the early days of his career, the last four decades, and the future: "I just want to make music as I like, and as long as there are enough people interested so I can make my living and keep myself happy."". Metal-Rules. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Remembering The Original Japanese Rock Invasion". Metal Hammer. January 24, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- ^ "Vibe - Vow Wow". AllMusic. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "BOWWOW OFFICIAL SITE". Bowwow-army.jp.
- ^ a b "BOWWOW G2＠Mt.RAINIER HALL SHIBUYA PLEASURE PLEASURE 2018.8.25 ライヴ・レポート". Young Guitar Magazine (in Japanese). September 13, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "人生経験から滲み出る迫力！ BOWWOW 45th Anniversary：BOWWOW G2ライブ 2021年9月26日@恵比寿ザ・ガーデンホール". Young Guitar Magazine (in Japanese). October 31, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ a b c "BOWWOWのドラムス・新美俊宏さん死去 山本恭司が報告 癌と診断されて入院からわずか22日目…". Sports Nippon (in Japanese). June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "VOW WOWのクラブチッタ2days公演が2024年6月に決定！". Burrn! (in Japanese). December 24, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
- ^ "ギタリスト山本恭司の矜持Part２ 想定外の大合唱「あるべき姿に落ち着きました」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
- ^ "【芸能】バウワウ山本恭司 ６７歳で年間ライブ１１０本超！今夏はスウェーデンでフェス出演". Daily Sports (in Japanese). January 26, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
- ^ "BOW WOW (JAP)". Time to Rock Festival. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
- ^ "14年ぶりの"Ｖ"OW WOWライブ 父の雄姿に息子も感動の投稿などで一時トレンド入りも". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "Finally! "The 100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time" Listed". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on December 31, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
- ^ "ヤング・ギター厳選『ギター・インストの殿堂100』名演ランキング". Young Guitar Magazine (in Japanese). June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
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- ^ "ロッキンf 97年7月号別冊 Rockin' Talk CAFE". Rockin'f (July 1997). Rittor Music: 152.
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- ^ "Laputa―from the cradle to the grave 1999 (Fool's Mate extrax)". Fool's Mate: 6. 1999. ISBN 4938716186.
- ^ "Back". Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- ^ "Ancient Dreams". Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e BOW WOWのアルバム売り上げランキング. Oricon Retrieved 2011-12-11.
- ^ "Vow Wow - VIBe". Discogs.com.
- ^ "Vow Wow - Helter Skelter". Discogs.com.
- ^ a b c "ＢＯＷ ＷＯＷのアルバム売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
- ^ "BOW WOWのシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
- ^ a b c d BOW WOWのDVD売り上げランキング. Oricon Retrieved 2011-12-11.