INSOMNIAC SONG

ROCK

B'z

 

Members: Inaba Koshi (稲葉 浩志), Matsumoto Takahiro (松本 孝弘)
Genre: Rock, Blues

Country: Japan

Years Active: 1988 -

Status: Active

Notable traits: Unique vocals, strong guitar driven grooves

Recommended Songs: Fireball; Liar! Liar!; Ring;

 

 

B'z was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records as Japan's most successful band with over 80 million copies sold worldwide. The band has had 46 consecutive No. 1 singles and 26 No. 1 albums. They became the first Asian band to have their handprints and signatures in the Hollywood RockWalk on their 20th anniversary, September 21st 2007.  Guitarist Tak Matsumoto is also the first Asian to have a signature Gibson model made in his name.

 

For a band with such success, Matsumoto Tak and Inaba Koshi started from meager beginnings. Tak decided to form his own band after working as a support guitarist for other acts. Fate would bring him an relatively unknown vocalist who very nearly turned out to be a math teacher. The pair clicked during an eventful session in a little studio called Sound Joker. B'z was born on that fateful day playing Oh! Darling by the Beatles. On September 21st, 1988, they released their first self-titled album and a single, Dakara Sono Te wo Hanashite. 

 

The duo was far from the typical band. It was the normal process for a band to release material and tour to support it. However, B'z decided not to do any live shows until they had released two albums. Instead, they promoted by appearing on radio and television. Their second album, Off the lock, was released on May 21st, 1989 along with the single Kimi no Naka de Odoritai. Their first tour started shortly afterward with all three dates selling out. This success was followed by the release of their first mini album, Bad Communication, on October 21st, 1989.

 

The 1990s would bring eight albums, three best albums, four mini albums and twenty-four singles from the hardworking duo. They took a hiatus from 1998-1999 to work on solo projects, but this didn't spell the end for the band by far. Each time hiatus only brings them back stronger than ever. The band has released 24 singles, 2 digital singles, eight albums, eight best albums and two mini albums since 2000. 

 

B'z isn't a band to be taken lightly. They're far from your standard rock band with one monotonous sound. Instead, they have a seemless way of blending genres from rock to blues and jazz, to pop and back again. The combination of Tak's impressive guitar skills and Inaba's emotional vocals is unlike anything I've ever heard before. It's not only the music. Inaba's lyrics are pure poetry. There's a flow and realness to them that isn't often found in modern music. Once I started listening to them, I knew I'd found something I was missing. I hope my readers give them a chance.