EX-Girl
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Chihiro, Kirilo, Fuzuki |
| Fate | Indefinite break announced in 2007; revived in 2018 |
| Headquarters | Tokyo , Japan |
Area served | International |
Key people | Kirilola (bass, vocals), Hiromi (drums, vocals), Yuka (guitar, vocals), Hoppy Kamiyama (producer, keyboardist) |
| Products | Music albums and live performances |
Number of employees | 3 (current members) (2023) |
| Website | ex-girl |
Ex-Girl (also presented as eX-Girl) is a Japanese all-female trio specializing in noise rock. The group’s current roster consists of Kirilola (bass and vocals), Hiromi (drums and vocals), and Yuka (guitar and vocals).
Overview
Ex-Girl’s sound is a fusion of psychedelic elements, space rock, jazz fusion, punk, progressive rock, and noise rock, all interwoven with sharp three-part vocal harmonies and bright synthesizer pop within individual tracks. Their concerts are distinguished by handmade costumes, choreographed robotic dance routines, and motifs centered around frogs. They have earned the admiration of prominent figures such as Mike Patton and Jello Biafra.
History
Established in 1997 by founding members Chihiro, Kirilo, and Fuzuki, Ex-Girl quickly gained momentum under the guidance of producer and keyboardist Hoppy Kamiyama, releasing their first album and touring extensively within their inaugural year.
In 1999, the band showcased their talent at Japan Nite during the SXSW festival held in Austin, Texas. Retail outlets including Virgin Megastore and Tower Records played a role in promoting their album Kero! Kero! Kero!. Around 2000, Kirilo’s label Kikipoo Records issued the a cappella record Big When Far, Small When Close. That same year marked their debut European tour, which included a joint series of concerts with Fantômas, supported by Mike Patton. Later in 2000, they also performed in Finland.
Returning to Europe in 2001, Ex-Girl participated in major festivals such as Denmark’s Roskilde Festival. This year also saw their first lineup alteration: Chihiro departed and was succeeded by Keiko, formerly of Super Junky Monkey. Prior to this change, the original trio had covered Pink Lady songs under the side project PUNK LADY. The refreshed lineup toured Finland again in 2002 and served as opening act for Siouxsie and the Banshees during their US and UK tours, significantly raising Ex-Girl’s international profile.
In 2003, drummer Fuzuki left the band and was replaced by Chapple. Kirilo adopted the stage name Kirilola; Keiko began performing as Keikos. The American label Alternative Tentacles released Endangered Species, which featured guitarist Zorek on tour as Keikos finalized recording sessions. The group experienced further drummer transitions thereafter. By early 2006, Kirilola moved from bass to guitar duties; Laan Zukioh joined on bass while Bonb-Chu took over drums. This formation commenced a global tour starting in October 2006.
Following a summer 2007 Northern European tour comprising seven shows across two months, Ex-Girl announced an indefinite break from activities. The band remained dormant until 2018 when Kirilola revived the group after Secret Records expressed interest in reissuing Kero Kero Kero on vinyl. She assembled two new members and led the band’s first performance in over a decade at Kichijoji GB in Tokyo on October 18, 2018.
Beyond Ex-Girl, Kirilola continues her musical career through collaborations with Kamiyama on multidisciplinary projects involving vocal performance and dance. In 2004, she released spiritually themed healing music under the name Akasau alongside traditional Japanese bell player Renge. In 2009, she presented solo "Nuriemaki" shows featuring kimono-inspired attire paired with traditional instrumental accompaniment.
In March 2019, Ex-Girl returned to perform at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Current lineup
- Kirilo/Kirilola - Serving as bassist, synthesizer player, vocalist, and co-composer alongside band manager and producer Hoppy Kamiyama. As the sole founding member still active, she directs the ensemble and is responsible for designing the majority of the stage attire.
- Keikos - Guitarist and singer whose inclusion brought a heavier and more intense guitar tone shaped by her experience with Super Junky Monkey. She initially replaced Chihiro, departed, and later rejoined the band.
- Yoko - Handles drums and vocals as the most recent addition to the lineup, stepping in for Chapple.
Former members
- Chapple - Drummer and vocalist who succeeded Fuzuki before leaving around 2005. Despite language differences, her dynamic drumming style and ever-present smile made her memorable.
- Zorek - Guitarist and singer who took over from Keikos but exited when Keikos returned; recognized for his complex guitar techniques.
- Fuzuki - The original drummer and vocalist, distinguished by her unique upright drum kit setup and emphatic floor tom hits.
- Chihiro - Founding guitarist and vocalist known for her experimental approach despite limited playing experience.
Studio albums
- Heppoco Pou (1998)
- Kero! Kero! Kero! (1999)
- Big When Far, Small When Close (2000)
- Back to the Mono Kero (2001)
- Endangered Species (2004)
Compilation
- Revenge of Kero Kero (2000)
Singles and EPs
- "Disco 3000" (2000), 12-inch vinyl picture disc released exclusively in the US
- "Pop Muzik" (2001), a rendition of the 1979 classic by M
- "Luna Rose" (2002)
Additional projects
- The Legend of the Waterbreakers (1999), released on Kiki Poo Records – a film featuring eX-Girl, produced by Hoppy Kamiyama