フジファブリック [Fujifabric]

Members:
Shimura Masahiko Vocals, Guitar
Katou Shinichi 2003 Bass
Yamauchi Souichirou 2004 Guitar
Kanazawa Daisuke 2003 Keyboards

From jazz to rock and everything in between Fujifabric manages to amaze the listener with their musical styling, while still maintaining a sound that is purely their own. From the jazz sound of “Kieru Na Taiyou” to the disco beat of “Sakura Namiki, Futatsu No Kasa” you find yourself wondering if there isn’t a style that can’t be incorporated in a Fujifabric song, that Masahiko’s voice can’t interpret, or that these talented musicians can’t play. Combine that with Masahiko’s incredible writing skills and Fujifabric will keep you coming back for more.

As with most bands there is a story behind the band’s name. Fujifabric has the rare distinction of being named after a textile company [Fuji Fabric] based in Yamanashi Prefecture. They were founded by Masahiko Shimura and Takayuki Watanabe, the son of Fuji Fabric’s owner. As students Watanabe and Shimura met in junior high school forming their first cover band. After high school and with the name of their band already chosen, they moved to Tokyo in 2000. Tadokoro Sachiko joined on keyboards and in October 2001, Fujifabric played for the first time on stage at Shibuya’s Eggsite live house.

Fujifabric released their first mini album A La Carte in October 2002, under the CRUX label. Major labels took notice. In the meantime the band continued to perform and released the mini album A La Mode in June 2003 [CRUX]. Within the year Fujifabric was signed to Toshiba-EMI. The band entered the studio late in 2003, to work on 4 new maxi singles themed on the four seasons and a full album, the band’s first. Each single was to be released at specific times over the coming year, with the album Fuji Fabric being released on November 10, 2004. The mini album A La Molto appeared as a limited pre-release in February 2004. The pre-promotional schedule could have been dictated by a change in the band line up.

In January, one of the two founding members, Takayuki Watanabe, quit the group citing creative differences. Being replaced, by drummer Adachi Fusafumi. Takayuki Watanabe refused to comment on the band’s future or past, except to state that they [the band] will be continuing on with the name.

Fujifabric released their first full (self-titled) studio album on November 10, 2004. Met with mixed fan reviews, the album did little but widen the gap between their indie and pop fans.

In 2005, the band released three more singles including “Ginga” and “Akaneiro no Yuuhi.” The latter featured the song “Shinkirou,” used as the ending theme in the film Scrap Heaven. In November of 2005, Fujifabric released their second full album Fab Fox.

After a two-year hiatus, Fujifabric released the single “Aoi Tori,” which was the ending theme of the film Nightmare Detective. The band’s subsequent single “Surfer King,” featured Masahiko Kitahara, Nargo, and Gamo of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, and marked Fujifabric’s first collaboration. The tracks were included on Fujifabric’s third studio album, Teenager. The album came out on January 3, 2008.

Released as a return to the beginning, Fujifabric’s fourth and final studio album Chronicle, hit record stores on May, 20, 2009.

On December 24, 2009, frontman, guitarist, song writer and the only original member of Fujifabric, Masahiko Shimura passed away due to unknown causes (As announced on the band’s homepage on 2009.12.25). All future performances, were canceled immediately. Fujifabric’s future has yet to be announced.

(updated 2010.01.31)

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