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The Pillows

From Alfawiki
The Pillows
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
FoundedSeptember 16, 1989; 37 years ago (1989-09-16)
FounderKenji Ueda, Sawao Yamanaka, Shinichiro Sato, Yoshiaki Manabe
Defunct2025 (2025)
Headquarters
Hokkaido
,
Japan
ProductsAlternative rock music
were a Japanese alternative rock group that originated in Hokkaido in 1989. They gained widespread recognition for their work on the soundtrack of the anime series FLCL. The band officially dissolved in 2025.

Formation and Early Period (1989–1994)

The Pillows came into existence in 1989 when bassist Kenji Ueda parted ways with Kenzi & the Trips and teamed up with vocalist Sawao Yamanaka and drummer Shinichiro Sato. Shortly thereafter, guitarist Yoshiaki Manabe, who had previously played in the hair metal band Persia, joined the lineup. The band’s official formation date is recorded as September 16, 1989. Their name, "The Pillows," was inspired by an English post-punk compilation album titled Pillows & Prayers, which Manabe had at home.

During their early years, Ueda and Yamanaka were the main songwriters as the band released their initial EPs, Pantomime and 90's My Life, both launched in 1990 under Captain Records.

In 1991, The Pillows secured a deal with major label Pony Canyon and released their debut single "Ame ni Utaeba" in May, followed by their first full album, Moon Gold, in June.

The next year saw the band recording their sophomore album, White Incarnation, in England, alongside releasing the single "Kanojo wa Shisuta". Soon after this period, Ueda exited the group due to artistic disagreements.

After a year-long hiatus, leadership was taken over by Yamanaka who brought in Tatsuya Kashima to play bass. Kashima was credited as a guest musician out of respect for Ueda’s role; officially, the bassist position remained vacant. Early tracks featuring Kashima appeared on the exclusive fanclub release The Pillows Presents Special CD.

In 1994, The Pillows signed with King Records and began exploring various musical styles. Their first album as a trio, Kool Spice, was released in July, succeeded by the single "Daydream Wonder" in August.

Major Success and FLCL Era (1995–2000)

March 1995 marked the release of The Pillows’ fourth album, Living Field. Their single "Girlfriend" was featured prominently in the romantic film Love Letter.

Following their fifth single "Tiny Boat," the band released several singles including "Strange Chameleon", "Swanky Street", and "Trip Dancer" from their breakthrough record Please Mr. Lostman. This album’s success led to the single "Kanojo wa Kyou" being released in March. Additional singles such as "One Life" and "Hybrid Rainbow" followed; notably, "Hybrid Rainbow" became a favorite during live performances.

In January 1998, they introduced their twelfth single "Another Morning" along with their inaugural concert DVD titled Hello, Welcome to Bubbletown's Happy Zoo. These tracks were part of their sixth studio album Little Busters, which achieved commercial success. Later singles including "Instant Music" and "No Self Control" featured on their 1999 release Runners High.

Celebrating a decade together in 1999, The Pillows issued a video compilation DVD called "We Have a Theme Song". That year also saw singles "Carnival" and "Rush" released from the album Happy Bivouac. This record paid homage to the Pixies and introduced support bassist Jun Suzuki.

In 1999, anime studio Gainax acquired licensing rights to The Pillows’ earlier albums for use in the soundtrack of FLCL. The band also created new tracks specifically for the series including "Ride on Shooting Star" and "I Think I Can," which were later compiled on their greatest hits collection Fool on the Planet. This exposure significantly broadened their audience internationally, leading to a US single release in 2000 followed by a tour.

Early 2000s, 15th Anniversary, and US Introduction (2001–2006)

Following the conclusion of FLCL, the Pillows unveiled their greatest hits compilation Fool on the Planet in 2001, alongside the live DVD Busters on the Planet and the studio album Smile. The international recognition of FLCL's US release in 2002 significantly elevated their global presence. That same year, they launched their tenth studio effort, Thank You, My Twilight, accompanied by a B-sides anthology titled Another Morning, Another Pillows.

In 2003, the band introduced the video collection DVD Dead Stock Paradise, followed by the single "Terminal Heaven's Rock" and the album Penalty Life. This album was subsequently issued in the United States by Geneon in 2005.

Marking their 15th anniversary, the Pillows reissued the EP 90's My Life enhanced with additional tracks and produced fresh works including the EP Turn Back, a documentary DVD entitled Walkin' on The Spiral, the album Good Dreams, and the single "Sono Mirai wa Ima". They also contributed to the tribute album Synchronized Rockers, featuring reinterpretations by artists such as Mr. Children, Straightener, and Noodles.

In January 2005, they released the live DVD 916, capturing their anniversary concert. Their American debut took place at South by Southwest, followed by performances in New York City and San Francisco. Later that year, in September, they issued the live DVD Delicious Bump Tour in USA along with the single "Non Fiction". November saw the release of "The Third Eye"; both singles were included on their 2006 album My Foot.

To support their tour activities, they released "Gazelle City" as a single in February 2006. The album was launched in the US under Geneon in July amid increasing international sales. The band embarked on another North American tour that June, which included a stop in Mexico City.

Transition to Avex Trax, 20th and 25th Anniversaries (2007–2014)

In 2007, after signing with new label Avex Trax, they released their 25th single "Scarecrow", which was featured in the anime Moonlight Mile and included on the album Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up!. August brought forth the single "Ladybird Girl", serving as the theme for the Japanese adaptation of the children's show Ben 10.

November witnessed a comprehensive five-disc singles box set titled Lostman Go to Yesterday, compiling singles from their King Records era along with music videos; concurrently, the live DVD Lostman Go to America documented their 2006 tour across the United States.

January 2008 saw the release of live DVD Wake up! Stand up! and Go!, recorded during their Wake Up! Tour, as well as the single "Tokyo Bambi". In May, they issued "New Animal"; both tracks were included on their fifteenth studio album Pied Piper.

Their return to US venues included performances in Los Angeles, SXSW, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, and Anime Boston, attracting over 5,000 fans.

Although Oasis invited them to open for a concert in Japan during 2008, frontman Yamanaka declined due to personal reasons.

To commemorate their 20th anniversary in 2009, they launched several projects under the "Late Bloomer Series": DVDs such as Pied Piper Go to Yesterday and Blue Song With Blue Poppies; best-of compilations including Rock Stock & Too Smoking the Pillows and Once Upon a Time in the Pillows; a single titled "Ameagari ni mita Maboroshi"; followed by a concert DVD Lostman Go to Budokan. Their September 16 performance at Nippon Budokan was recorded and became their ninth live DVD release.

In 2010, releases encompassed the single "Rodeo Star Mate" for anime series Stitch!, a live DVD "Parts of OOParts", and December's single "Movement".

January 2011 introduced their seventeenth studio album Horn Again, featuring previously released singles; February saw an exclusive single "Tabasco Disco". In June, they provided "Comic Sonic" as an ending theme for the anime adaptation of manga Sket Dance. Between September and October, they toured America alongside Noodles on the "NAP Tour", with a live DVD titled 'Born Again'. December featured another single named "Energia".

January 2012 brought forth the album Trial and a live DVD titled We Are Friends, chronicling moments from the NAP Tour; June's DVD 'Real Trial' captured footage from their final performance on that tour.

Celebrating their 25th anniversary under "Never Ending Story", from 2013 through 2014 they released a tribute album "Rock and Sympathy," multiple DVDs/Blu-rays including "Revival of Motion Pictures" and “Do You Remember The 2nd Movement?”, a box set called "Our Black Flag," three singles ("Future," "Happy Birthday," "About a Rock'n'Roll Band"), along with their nineteenth studio record Moondust. Their shows highlighted different phases of their career with guest bassist Kenji Ueda making an appearance at one event.

On October 4, 2014, they wrapped up celebrations with a "Don't Forget Today" concert at Tokyo Dome City Hall and simultaneously released compilation Bootleg the Pillows 1992–1993. The corresponding anniversary concert was made available on DVD/Blu-ray in January 2015.

New FLCL Seasons and 30th Anniversary (2015–2019)

Following the conclusion of "Never Ending Story," the band embarked on a tour promoting Moondust, culminating in a final performance released on DVD and Blu-ray in August 2015.

In May, the group announced the dismissal of longtime bassist Jun Suzuki due to inappropriate conduct. During this transitional period, several bassists filled in temporarily, including founding member Kenji Ueda and support musicians Tatsuya Kashima, Tomoyuki Miyakawa, and Yoshinori Arie—the latter officially joining as bassist by 2016.

April 2016 saw the release of the B-sides collection Across the Metropolis alongside their twentieth studio album Stroll and Roll, which featured contributions from multiple bassists. The band shifted their label affiliation from Avex Trax back to Yamanaka's Delicious Label, with distribution handled by King Records. A supporting tour took place between May and July, with the final concert recorded for a live DVD and Blu-ray release.

In July, it was revealed that they would provide the soundtrack for two new FLCL seasons set to air in 2018.

Their track "Be Wild" was used in a commercial featuring Olympic gold medalist wrestler Eri Tosaka, who is known to be a fan and uses "Funny Bunny" as her entrance theme.

November brought the digital single "Be Your King," followed by the March 2017 release of the studio album "Nook in The Brain." A limited-edition single titled "The World There Is Nowhere" was included on the soundtrack for the film 王様になれ ("Be Your King"). The tour's concluding show was issued as a DVD/Blu-ray in November.

After the debut of FLCL Progressive, Adult Swim sponsored a seven-city U.S. tour in mid-2018, featuring Noodles and Cullen Omori.

In September, Toho released the fourth FLCL soundtrack, "Fool on Cool Generation," which comprised music from the new seasons screened theatrically in Japan.

Also in September, their twenty-second studio album Rebroadcast was launched under King Records/Delicious Label, with a corresponding tour DVD/Blu-ray released later that month.

March saw their involvement in a tribute to UNISON SQUARE GARDEN with a cover of "Shoegazer Speaker." In May, they unveiled "Happy Go Ducky!" as the opening theme for the anime Ahiru no Sora, which premiered in October.

To commemorate their thirtieth anniversary, the feature film 王様になれ ("Be the King") premiered in autumn 2019. The movie featured music and story by Yamanaka and starred Amane Okayama alongside various Japanese rock artists from bands such as Glay, Straightener, The Predators, THE KEBABS, Casablanca, THE BOHEMIANS, syurispeiloff, SHISHAMO, among others.

Additionally, they organized a temporary exhibition called "the pillows museum: Buster's Diner," displaying memorabilia and FLCL collaboration merchandise at Shibuya Tower Records from late August through September, followed by a similar event in Osaka shortly thereafter.

35th Anniversary and Disbandment (2020–2025)

In March 2020, they released a DVD/Blu-ray of their thirtieth-anniversary concert held at Yokohama Arena titled "Thank You My Highlight." Between 2021 and 2023, additional DVDs and Blu-rays were issued from their "Do You Remember The Third Movement?" concert series.

Ahead of their thirty-fifth anniversary celebrations, June 2024 featured the release of a DVD/Blu-ray documenting their ongoing "Lostman Go to The City" tour along with documentary interviews entitled "Talking About a Rock'n'Roll Band," including appearances by peers from Base Ball Bear, THE BOHEMIANS, SHISHAMO, and others.

Their anniversary event took place on September 16 at Toyosu Pit; footage from this show was subsequently released as a DVD/Blu-ray in 2025. On November 2, they issued their final single titled "Blank."

The Pillows officially disbanded on January 31, 2025, following their last performance at KT Zepp Yokohama.

Logo and mascot

Around 1998, the band adopted the mascot Buster-kun, inspired by a unique teddy bear doll they encountered during a trip to London. This figure, named after their album Little Busters, has since become a central element in their promotional campaigns, appearing in music videos, album art, and merchandise aimed at their fanbase known as “little busters.”

Sawao Yamanaka explained that Buster-kun represents the dual nature of their music—simultaneously accessible and edgy—capturing a “somewhat cute yet somewhat intimidating” vibe that mirrors the band’s artistic identity.

Members

Final lineup

  • Sawao Yamanaka (山中さわお) – vocals, rhythm guitar (1989–2025)
  • Yoshiaki Manabe (真鍋吉明) – lead guitar (1989–2025)
  • Shinichiro Sato (佐藤信一郎) – drums (1989–2025)

Former members

  • Kenji Ueda (上田ケンジ) – bass (1989–1992)

Support members

  • Tomoyuki Miyakawa – bass (2024–2025)
  • – bass (2015–2024)
  • – bass (1998–2015)
  • – bass (1993–1998)

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

  • Fool on the Planet (2001)
  • Another Morning Another Pillows (2002)
  • 90's My Life Returns (2004)
  • Lostman Go to Yesterday (2007)
  • Rock Stock & Too Smoking The Pillows (2009)
  • Once Upon A Time In The Pillows (2009)
  • Bootleg The Pillows (2014)
  • Across The Metropolis (2016)

References

Sources

External links

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