Melt-Banana

Melt-Banana

Melt-Banana are a Japanese noise rock group from Tokyo, active since 1992. The band forms around Yasuko Onuki on vocals and writing, Ichirou Agata on guitar and effects, and Rika Hamamoto on bass guitar, with drums handled by a changing line-up after the original drummer, Toshiaki Sudoh, leaves the group. Other members listed with the band include 須藤俊明, Agata, Yasuko Onuki, 大島昌樹 and Rika mm'.

Style and sound

Their music sits in experimental rock, grindcore, noise rock and noisecore, and also draws on no wave, psychedelic music, hardcore punk and post-punk. The group is known for a fast, highly energetic approach built around overlapping guitar parts, prominent bass lines and straightforward drumming that becomes more complex on later recordings. Their work is often described as noise rock or noisecore, but the band also refers to some later material, including Teeny Shiny and Cell-Scape, as pop.

Recordings and releases

Melt-Banana release nine full-length albums and 23 EPs, including a re-release of very early improvised and studio tracks and a compilation of EPs. Several of the EPs are split releases with other bands. In 1997 the group sets up its own recording company, A-Zap, and re-issues all of its previously released albums except Scratch or Stitch, which appears on Skin Graft Records. Their label association also includes A-Zap Records.

Live performance and line-up changes

The band builds a strong reputation through live shows, where the material is generally considered more direct and intense than on record. Their performances usually feature rapid vocal delivery, frenetic guitar work and a highly physical audience response. Yasuko Onuki often introduces the group on stage by announcing that they are from Tokyo, Japan. After Sudoh leaves, the drumming position rotates among different players for tours and recordings, including Dave Witte of Discordance Axis, Municipal Waste and Burnt by the Sun. Former drummer Oshima Watchma later plays with Coaltar of the Deepers.