Psy-S
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Masaya Matsuura, Chaka (Mami Yasunori) |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Osaka , Japan |
| Products | Progressive pop and rock music |
(often stylized as "Psy-S" or "Psy S" in English due to the absence of the Japanese interpunct "・" on most Western keyboards) was a Japanese band blending progressive pop and rock, established in 1983 by Masaya Matsuura together with female vocalist Chaka (the stage name of Mami Yasunori). They achieved considerable success in Japan throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s before disbanding in 1996.
Their musical approach fused innovative electronic synthesizers, skillful electric guitar work, and unique vocal delivery.
International audiences became familiar with them through their work on the opening theme and soundtrack for the OVA adaptation of To-Y, a manga by Atsushi Kamijo. Masaya Matsuura later became known for creating groundbreaking music video games at his company NanaOn-Sha, including the influential PlayStation title PaRappa the Rapper.
Masaya Matsuura 松浦雅也
(Born June 16, 1961) – hailing from Osaka. As the band’s leader, composer, and arranger, Matsuura crafted Psy・S’s sound utilizing a Fairlight CMI synthesizer while performing keyboards, guitar, and bass.
Following Psy・S’s dissolution, he concentrated on producing and designing music-based video games through NanaOn-Sha. His pioneering rhythm games earned acclaim both domestically and abroad. Key titles developed under his direction include PaRappa the Rapper (1996), UmJammer Lammy (1999), and Vib Ribbon (1999).
In 2004, Matsuura was honored with the First Penguin Award at the Game Developers Choice Awards for his innovative contributions to beat-rhythm and music gaming.
Chaka – Mami Yasunori 安則眞実
(Born July 16, 1960) – vocalist and lyricist based in Osaka. She began her professional journey as a jazz singer at eighteen before joining Psy・S, where her commanding voice became a hallmark of the band’s signature sound in Japan’s 1980s and 1990s pop landscape.
After Psy・S ended, Chaka embarked on a solo jazz career, releasing albums such as Delicious Hip (1997), I Found Love (1999), Chaka Jazz (2002), and Love (2003). In 2004, she collaborated with jazz greats like Henry "Hank" Jones on Believin' ~Chaka Jazz in New York. Additionally, she performed theme songs for anime series including "Card Captor Sakura – Ashita e no Melody" (2000).
Currently active as a live jazz performer in Japan, Chaka also partners with prominent musicians. She has provided backing vocals for Tsuyoshi Doumoto’s solo project Endlicheri Endlicheri and appeared on Chage & Aska’s single "Man & Woman."
History
Chaka encountered Masaya Matsuura in 1983; by 1985, they launched Psy・S with their debut album Different View released through Sony Music. Their single Teenage signified their major label debut accompanied by a music video.
From the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, Psy・S garnered popularity via television programs like Mamatte kirei!? (1991), anime series such as To-y (1987) and City Hunter 2 (1988), as well as films including Sweet Home (1989). Masaya Matsuura oversaw the well-received soundtrack for the anime adaptation of Atsushi Kamijo’s manga To-y, which was praised for its progressive pop elements.
Between 1985 and 1996, Psy・S produced eleven studio albums, one live album, three compilations, seven video releases, and a DVD. The group officially ceased activities in June 1996, with Matsuura announcing the disbandment in Japan’s PC Music magazine.
A compilation album titled Golden Best (Singles+) was released in 2002, followed by a live DVD in 2005 featuring performances from their peak era during the Non-Fiction Tour of 1988–1989.
Albums
- Different View (22 May 1985)
- Pic-Nic (2 July 1986)
- Collection (26 February 1987)
- Mint-Electric (1 August 1987)
- Non-Fiction (1 August 1988)
- Atlas (21 July 1989)
- Signal (1 July 1990)
- Two Hearts (25 April 1991)
- Holiday (12 December 1991)
- Two Spirits (22 July 1992)
- Window (1 July 1993)
- Home Made (21 April 1994)
- Emotional Engine (12 December 1994)
- Two Bridges (1 August 1996)
- Golden Best(Singles+) (20 November 2002)
- Psyclopedia (12 December 2012)
Singles
- Teenage (22 May 1985)
- Brand-New Menu (21 November 1985)
- Another Diary (5 March 1986)
- Woman・S (21 November 1986)
- Silent Song (サイレント・ソング) (26 February 1987)
- Lemon no Yuuki (Lemonの勇気) (21 October 1987)
- Angel Night (Angel Night~天使のいる場所~) (21 April 1988)
- Bara to Non Fiction (薔薇とノンフィクション) (21 July 1988)
- Parachute Limit (21 October 1988)
- Child (21 January 1989)
- Fuzzy Pain (ファジィな痛み) (21 July 1989)
- Wondering up and down~Mizu no Marginal (Wondering up and down~水のマージナル~) (1 December 1989)
- Asobi ni Kitene (遊びにきてね) (21 May 1990)
- Kisses (21 September 1990)
- Friends or Lovers (10 February 1991)
- Denki to Mint-Movie Mix (電気とミント-Movie Mix) (1 March 1991)
- Asa~From day to day (あさ~From day to day) (23 August 1991)
- Moonshine (1 December 1991)
- Aozora wa Tenki Ame-Live Version(青空は天気雨-Live Version) (21 September 1992)
- Aozora ga Ippai (青空がいっぱい) (2 June 1993)
- Hana no Youni (花のように) (21 February 1994)
- Be with You (21 November 1994)
Video Singles
- Denki to Mint (電気とミント) (CD-V) (5 March 1988)
Videos
- Psy・S 4Size
- Live Psy・S Non-Fiction Tour '88-'89
- Looking for the “Atlas” Tour
- Tri-Psy・S
- Signal Victory Tour
- Paradise Tour
- Music In Your Eyes
DVDs
- Live Psy・S Non-Fiction Tour '88-'89/Psy・S 4Size (7 September 2005)
Video CD
- Music in your Eyes (1994)