Jump to content

Asobi Seksu

From Alfawiki
Asobi Seksu
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded2001
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, singles, EPs

Asobi Seksu was a New York City-based American band recognized for their rich, effects-laden vocal and guitar arrangements within the shoegaze and dream pop genres. The primary members consisted of Yuki Chikudate (vocals, keyboards) alongside James Hanna (guitar, vocals).

History

Initially formed in 2001 under the name Sportfuck, the group issued an EP before adopting the name Asobi Seksu, which originates from the Japanese phrase 遊びセックス (asobi sekkusu), translating to "play sex." The founding lineup included Chikudate, Hanna, drummer Keith Hopkin, and bassist Glenn Waldman. Prior to this, Hanna and Hopkin had collaborated with bassist Haji in New York City space rock ensembles Three Cornered Season and Theta Wave State.

Their debut album, self-titled, was independently released in 2002 and later reissued by Friendly Fire Recordings on May 18, 2004. Following touring activities, Hopkin and Waldman exited the band.

Introducing a new rhythm section with Haji on bass and Bryan Greene on drums, they recorded their sophomore album, Citrus, produced by Chris Zane at Gigantic Studios in New York. Released on May 30, 2006 via Friendly Fire Recordings, this album represented a significant evolution in their musical direction.

By the time their live album Spaceland Presents: At the Echo October 6th, 2006 was recorded, Greene had been replaced by drummer Mitch Spivak. This live recording was initially released on October 31, 2006 through Spaceland Recordings and subsequently reissued in 2007 by KUFALA Recordings.

Under contract with One Little Indian Records for European distribution, the label reissued both of their first two albums in 2007. That same year, Citrus achieved a peak position of No. 21 on the UK Indie Chart.

On November 20, 2007, Asobi Seksu put out the single "Stay Awake" via Gigantic Music, accompanied by a rendition of "Then He Kissed Me" originally by the Crystals. Additionally, their cover of the Ramones' "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)" was released as a single by One Little Indian on December 10, 2007.

Following the departure of Haji and Spivak, Chikudate and Hanna remained as the central duo supported by touring members including drummer Ben Shapiro (later associated with Scary Mansion) and bassist Billy Pavone.

In February 2009, they issued Acoustic at Olympic Studios, an acoustic collection available exclusively during tours that featured reinterpreted versions of earlier songs alongside new compositions. This album was globally released under the title Rewolf in November 2009.

Their third studio effort, Hush, was launched on February 17, 2009 through Polyvinyl Record Co.. The lineup for this release included Chikudate, Hanna, and drummer Gunnar Olsen. Critics observed a stylistic transition away from shoegaze toward a softer dream pop sound.

Drummer Larry Gorman, known for his work with Orange 9mm, Glassjaw, and Head Automatica, joined Asobi Seksu later in 2009.

The band's fourth studio album, Fluorescence, came out on February 14, 2011 featuring Chikudate, Hanna, Gorman, and Pavone.

On November 23, 2012—coinciding with Record Store Black Friday—they released Asobi Seksu x Boris, a split EP alongside Boris, which included Asobi Seksu’s cover of Boris’s track "Farewell."

The group declared an indefinite hiatus on September 30, 2013.

Subsequently, on July 23, 2014, Asobi Seksu announced a one-time reunion performance as an opening act for Slowdive in Boston scheduled for October 26, 2014.

Additional endeavors

In May 2009, Chikudate collaborated with Pocket to release a single called "Sampo," which included remixes by Mux Mool, Blue Eyes, and Craig Wedren.

Hanna and Gorman established Youth Worship in 2014, producing an EP the same year followed by a full album in 2015.

Music featured in media

Asobi Seksu's tracks have been showcased in television series such as The L Word and Skins. The song "Layers" from the album Hush was used in an episode of Ugly Betty. Their exclusive track "Stay Awake" appeared on the 2007 Adult Swim compilation Warm & Scratchy. Additionally, "Ramen Girl" was the closing song for the 2008 movie The Ramen Girl.

They contributed music to So Yong Kim's films In Between Days (2007) and composed the original soundtrack for Treeless Mountain (2009). The track "Thursday" was featured in The Exploding Girl, directed by Bradley Rust Gray and produced by Kim, who also directed its music video. This song was included in LateRooms' 2012 commercial and appeared in the trailer for the 2014 film Affluenza.

Past members

  • Yuki Chikudate – lead vocals, keyboards (2001–2013)
  • James Hanna – guitar, vocals (2001–2013)
  • Glenn Waldman – bass (2001–2005)
  • Keith Hopkin – drums (2001–2005)
  • Haji – bass (2005–2007)
  • Bryan Greene – drums (2005–2006)
  • Mitch Spivak – drums (2006)
  • Billy Pavone – bass (2007–2013)
  • Ben Shapiro – drums (2007)
  • Gunnar Olsen – drums (2009)
  • Larry Gorman – drums, sampling (2009–2013)

Albums

EPs and singles

  • "Goodbye" (2006, One Little Indian Records)
  • "Walk on the Moon" (2007, One Little Indian Records)
  • "Strawberries" (2007, One Little Indian Records)
  • "Thursday" (2007, One Little Indian Records)
  • "Stay Awake" (2007, Gigantic Music)
  • "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)" (Ramones cover) (2007, One Little Indian Records)
  • "Me & Mary" (2008, Polyvinyl Record Co./One Little Indian Records)
  • "Goodbye" (remix) (2008, One Little Indian Records)
  • "Familiar Light" (2009, One Little Indian Records)
  • "Transparence" (2009, Polyvinyl Record Co.)
  • "Layers" (2009, One Little Indian Records)
  • Perfectly Crystal EP (2011, self-released)
  • Asobi Seksu x Boris split EP with Boris (2012, Polyvinyl Record Co.)

Live recordings

  • Spaceland Presents: At the Echo October 6th, 2006 (2006, Spaceland Recordings)
  • iTunes Live from SoHo (2007, iTunes)
  • Acoustic at Olympic Studios (Rewolf) (2009, One Little Indian Records)
  • Rewolf (2009, Polyvinyl Record Co.)

Notable compilation contributions

  • "All Through the Day" (cover of Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II) featured on The Patty Duke Fanzine #6: Love to Patty (2006, Top Quality Rock & Roll)
  • "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream" (a rendition of Bob Dylan's song) included in Subterranean Homesick Blues: A Tribute to Bob Dylan's Bringing It All Back Home (2010, Reimagine Music)
  • "Vicious Bears" featured on the benefit album Japan 3.11.11 (2011, Polyvinyl Record Co.)
  • "Little House of Savages" (covering The Walkmen) appearing on Cover Compilation (2011, RCRD LBL)

Releases under Sportfuck

  • Sportfuck EP (2001, self-published)
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Asobi_Seksu&oldid=85926"