Musicians - Pizzicato Five

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	Musicians - Pizzicato Five

Pizzicato Five (often P5), a Japanese pop group best known to audiences in the west in their later incarnation as a duo of Nomiya Maki (野宮真貴) and Konishi Yasuharu (小西康陽). They are widely credited to have spearheaded the shibuya-kei movement of Tokyo in the 90s, along with Flipper's Guitar. They are known for their eclectic and energetic compositions, which often sound like "new" releases from the late 1960s hipster scene. Their catchphrase--"A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular"--captured the group's ironic stance but eager attitude. The group broke up in March 2002.

A hugely prolific group, Pizzicato Five would release at least an album-per-year along with various EPs and remix albums during their 16 year-career.

1980s

The group was formed in 1984 by Konishi along with Takanami Keitarō (高浪慶太郎), Kamonomiya Akira (鴨宮諒), Sasaki Mamiko (佐々木麻美子), and Miyata Shigeo (宮田繁男). Miyata left the group almost immediately but the four remaining members kept the name Pizzicato Five. The band released its first single, a 12-inch called "Audrey Hepburn Complex" (オードリィ・ヘプバーン・コンプレックス) in 1985. The band soon signed with CBS Sony (now Sony Music Entertainment)

In 1987, Pizzicato Five released their first album, "Couples." It was a commercial failure, and the record company began pressuring the band to find a new lead singer. Miyata and Sasaki decided to quit. With Tajima Takao (田島貴男) as the new vocalist, the band released its second album, titled "Belissima!" in 1988.

The next two albums, 1989's "Jō’ō Heika no Pizzicato Five" (女王陛下のピチカート・ファイヴ, "On Her Majesty's Request") and 1990's "Getsumen Nanchakuriku" (月面軟着陸, "Soft Landing on the Moon") were also commercial failures.

1990s

In 1991, Pizzicato Five signed with Japan Columbia/Seven Gods (now Triad Records). Tajima Takao left the band to work on his band (Original Love), and Nomiya Maki joined as the band's third lead vocalist.

Following 3 EPs showcasing Nomiya Maki's vocals, Pizzicato Five released "This Year's Girl". Inspired by the advent of sampling (De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising is said to have been a major influence), the group put together a sound which would help start the burgeoning Shibuya-kei scene. The album would spawn two of Pizzicato Five's most loved songs: "Twiggy Twiggy" and "Baby Love Child".

1992 saw a change in direction as the clubby "Sweet Pizzicato Five" was released.

The band began to get increasing exposure via the theme songs it recorded for television dramas (a common practice for pop bands in Japan), achieving wide-spread fame in Japan with its 1993 release "Sweet Soul Revue," which was featured in a major advertising campaign for Kanebō Cosmetic's spring campaign. The single became a smash hit.

In June of the same year, Pizzicato Five released the album "Bossa Nova 2001." Produced by fellow Shibuya-scenester Cornelius, it which reached number seven on the charts. In December, the single "Tokyo wa yoru no shichiji (東京は夜の7時, "7pm in Tokyo") became another smash hit after it was used as the opening hit on a children's television programme.

The band's American debut came in 1994 with the release of the "mini album" "5X5" (Five by Five) on Matador Records. This was quickly followed by "Made in USA," a compilation of tracks from their previous three Japanese albums, which sold 200,000 copies worldwide.

Shortly before the release of a third album -- "Overdose" -- in the same year, Takanami Keitarō quit the band, leaving Konishi and Nomiya as the only remaining members. In February 1995 the two set off on a successful fourteen-stop tour of Europe and America. Another compilation, "The Sound Of Music" was released in October 1995, this time featuring various tracks from the Maki-era albums.

After the 1996 release of the single "Baby Portable Rock" (ベイビィ・ポータブル・ロック), in 1997 the band signed with a new label, *********(Readymade) Records, Tokyo, and released the commercially successful album "Happy End Of The World." This was also their first album to be released in both Japan and Stateside.

In 1998, the band released "The International Playboy & Playgirl Record" in Japan. It would be released a year later with extra tracks in the US under the shortened title "Playboy Playgirl".

1999 came and Pizzicato Five released their self-titled "Pizzicato Five ."

2000 and beyond

In 2000, Matador Records released "Pizzicato Five " with a couple of extra tracks under the name "The Fifth Release From Matador." It would also be Pizzicato Five's last American release.

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Musicians - Pizzicato Five

1980s

1990s

2000 and beyond

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