Otoboke Beaver

Otoboke Beaver is a punk rock band from Kyoto, Japan. The group forms in 2009, when the members are involved in a university music club. Its current line-up is singer Accorinrin, guitarist Yoyoyoshie, bassist Hirochan and drummer Kahokiss.

Style and themes

The band plays a very fast and aggressive form of punk rock, with frequent changes in rhythm and tempo and gang vocals. Its songs often focus on love and relationships, and many draw on Accorinrin’s own experiences.

Members and name

The original line-up is Accorinrin on guitar and vocals, Yoyoyoshie on guitar, Pop on drums and Nishikawachi on bass. Nishikawachi leaves in 2013 and is replaced by Hiro-Chan, a fan who asks to join by email. Drummer Pop later leaves and is replaced by Kahokiss, who also attends the same university music society as the founding members. The group takes its name from a love hotel in Osaka near the high school of one of the members.

Releases and label history

Otoboke Beaver releases a three-song demo CD in June 2011, including an early version of “Chuchu Song”. A mini-album follows later that year, with both early releases featuring cover art designed by Yukari Matsuoka. The artwork shows a cartoon of a nude woman with a rabbit’s head. In 2012 the band issues its first live album through Egypt Records. In 2013 it releases the limited single “Otobokebeaver Daijikenbo” through Jet Set Records, alongside two live tracks, and also puts out the mini-album Love Me Sign. In 2015 the band releases “Akimahenka” on vinyl for Record Store Day. After signing to UK label Damnably in 2016, it releases the compilation Okoshiyasu!! Otoboke Beaver, which gathers most of the songs from the first two mini-albums and adds “Akimahenka”. The EP Bakuro Book follows, then Love Is Short! appears for Record Store Day 2017 and reaches the UK singles chart. Damnably releases Itekoma Hits in 2019, a compilation that includes several new songs.

Touring and live activity

The band begins touring internationally in 2016, including shows at London’s 100 Club and SXSW in the United States in 2017. It records a live session for John Kennedy on XFM and tours the UK with Shonen Knife and Leggy. Other touring partners include The Cribs, Miyavi, Guitar Wolf and Wussy. In 2018 the band plays two Coachella slots and a three-date UK headline tour with label-mates Say Sue Me and Leggy. It also travels more than 24,000 miles in one week to reach those Coachella appearances. The group returns to SXSW in Austin, Texas in 2019.