The★tambourines
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Pop music, singles, albums |
the★tambourines was a Japanese pop ensemble affiliated with the Giza Studio label, active between 2001 and 2009.
Members
- Ami Matsunaga (松永安未) – lead vocalist and lyricist
- Hiroshi Asai (麻井寛史) – bassist, composer, and arranger
- Toshikazu Kamei (亀井俊和) – drummer
- Tatsuya Okada (岡田達也) – sound engineer
2001-2003
The group was established in January 2001, releasing their debut single Easy game in April, which was included in the Giza Studio compilation Giza Studio Masterpiece Blend 2001. They followed up with singles such as Hijack brandnew days in July and Mayonaka ni Kizuita funny love in October.
In December 2001, vocalist Ami took part in the cover album Giza Studio R&B Respect Vol.1: Six Sisters Selection, interpreting The Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love," and also appeared live, with performances documented on DVD released early in 2002.
By February 2002, Ami and Toshikazu began hosting the music variety show "AMMY ROAD" on Music 727 Channel. Their fourth single Stay Young was issued in March and featured as the ending theme for Tokyo Broadcasting System Television's program Oujisama no Branch, later included on Giza Studio's 2002 compilation.
April 2002 saw the release of their debut studio album, My Back Pages, which contained the title track used as a theme for Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation's Asa Ichi!. This album reached #86 on the Oricon Weekly charts, selling approximately 2,750 copies, marking their sole Top 100 Oricon achievement.
Ami also contributed to the summer cover album "GIZA studio MAI-K & FRIENDS HOTROD BEACH PARTY" by covering The Beach Boys' "Fun Fun Fun," and performed at Giza Studio events with subsequent DVD releases.
Their fifth single "Wonder Boy," released in July 2002, entered Oricon at #99 and was used as the ending theme for Yomiuri TV's BAN!BOO!Pain!!. The sixth single Atsui Namida came out in December and was later remixed for inclusion on a forthcoming album.
In March 2003, they released their seventh single Afresh Wish, promoted as an ending theme for Tokyo Broadcasting System Television's Sanma no Super Karakuri TV and featured on that year's Giza Studio compilation.
Their sophomore studio album Dizzy Season, issued in April 2003, peaked at #115 on Oricon, selling over 3,000 copies during its two-week chart run.
In July 2003, Ami guested alongside Wag at a GIZA studio live event held at Hills Pan Koujou. August brought their eighth single Everything is nothing, used as the ending theme for Yomiuri TV’s Pro no Doumyaku and included in that year's Giza Studio compilation.
November 2003 marked the launch of their third studio album Home Again, which became their last record to enter the Top 200 on Oricon charts.
2004-2006
Their ninth single Never ever ~Aki ha Chotto Samishiku~ was released in September 2004 and later reworked into an "album mix" for their final studio album. It served as the ending theme for Nihon TV's Coming Doubt.
In July 2005, they participated as guest performers during the "Rina Matsuri 2005 special REHEARSAL NIGHT".
August 2005 saw the release of their final single "Don't Stop Music", composed by Aika Ohno who subsequently recorded her own version on her album Silent Passage. This track was featured as the ending theme for Tokyo Broadcasting System Television's show Azaassu!.
Their last studio album, titled Sounds Good ~Himekuri Shashin~, was released in November 2005 and debuted at #270 on Oricon charts.
In 2006, they introduced their first mini album "Instant Vacation", which included previews and liner notes available on their official website. The song Ameagari Kirari was promoted as the ending theme for Iwate Menkoi Television's Beat Nicks and Television Saitama's Dream Project Audition TV, though this release did not chart on Oricon Weekly.
2007-2009
In September 2007, the band released their second mini album titled 6th Story, marking their sixth overall release and featuring six tracks. This album attained a peak position of #286 on the Oricon Weekly Charts.
Between February 2008 and March 2009, they hosted their own radio program called "the★tambourinesのmorning moka," which was broadcast online.
Their third and last mini album, Switch, came out in September 2008 but did not enter the music charts.
Following the release of the compilation album My back tracks through their official blog in 2009, the group declared an indefinite hiatus.
Post-hiatus period
After the hiatus announcement, the remaining members continued updating the official blog until 2011, despite the absence of a vocalist.
In 2012, Hiroshi became a member of the instrumental ensemble "Sensation" and remained active with them through at least 2019.
Toshikazu shifted his focus to drum instruction at Giza Musician School, while Okada took on a professorship at Osaka University of Arts.
Discography
All compositions were written by Ami Matsunaga, with arrangements and music by Hiroshi Asai. The band’s discography includes ten singles, four full-length studio albums, three mini albums, and one compilation album.
Singles
| Release Date | Title | Chart Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2001/4/25 | Easy Game | X |
| 2nd | 2001/7/18 | Hijack Brandnew Days | X |
| 3rd | 2001/10/31 | Mayonaka ni Kizuita funny love (真夜中気づいたfunny love) | X |
| 4th | 2002/3/20 | Stay young | X |
| 5th | 2002/7/14 | Wonder boy | 99 |
| 6th | 2002/12/18 | Atsui Namida (アツイナミダ) | 182 |
| 7th | 2003/3/5 | Afresh Wish | 139 |
| 8th | 2003/8/6 | Everything Is Nothing | 180 |
| 9th | 2004/9/8 | Never Ever ~Aki wa Chotto Samishiku~ (〜秋はちょっとさみしく〜) | 100 |
| 10th | 2005/8/31 | Don't Stop Music | 177 |
Studio albums
| Release Date | Title | Chart Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2002/9/28 | My Back Pages | 86 |
| 2nd | 2003/4/23 | Dizzy Season | 115 |
| 3rd | 2003/11/26 | Home Again | 175 |
| 4th | 2005/11/2 | Sounds Good ~Himekuri Shashin~ | 270 |
Mini albums
3rd| Release Date | Title | Chart Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2006/8/2 | Instant Vacation | X |
| 2nd | 2007/10/31 | '6th story' | '286' |
| '2008/9/24' | 'Switch' | 'X' |
Compilation album
1st 2006/6/17 My back tracks 267| Release Date | Title | Chart Position |
|---|
Magazine appearances
Throughout their active years from 2001 to 2009, the band consistently featured in prominent publications such as J-Groove Magazine and Music Freak Magazine. Their media presence included interviews, detailed release announcements, and liner notes that contributed to their promotional efforts and fan engagement. Notable coverage spanned multiple editions of J-Groove Magazine (Vol.7 to Vol.35) alongside extensive features in Music Freak Magazine (Vol.77 to Vol.174), with particular focus on releases like Instant Vacation, 6th story, and Switch.