toe

toe is a Japanese math rock, post-rock and instrumental group from Tokyo, Japan, active since 2000. The line-up comprises Takashi Kashikura on drums, Takaaki Mino and Hirokazu Yamazaki on guitars, and Satoshi Yamane on bass. Kashikura also works as a support drummer for Kaela Kimura.

Style and sound

The group is associated with post-rock, but its song structures and dynamics are also linked with math rock. Most of its music is instrumental. Over time, toe expands its palette beyond guitar-based rock and uses acoustic guitars, Rhodes piano and vibraphones in later recordings.

Early activity and releases

toe forms in 2000 and starts performing live in July 2001, playing several times a month in nightclubs. Recording for the debut EP Songs, Ideas We Forgot begins in February 2002 and the release follows in April that year. In July 2003 the band issues a split CD EP with Pele on the independent label Muziq, then follows it with the remix album Re:Designed in September 2003.

Albums and collaborations

In April 2004 toe contributes a track to the Motown tribute compilation ROCK MOTOWN. The Pele/toe split later appears on vinyl through Polyvinyl Records in June 2004. The band begins work on its first album in April 2005, and The Book About My Idle Plot on a Vague Anxiety is released in August 2005.