The Roosters
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan |
| Founder | Hiroyuki Hanada |
| Defunct | 1988 (initially) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2004 and active from 2009–present |
| Headquarters | Fukuoka Prefecture , Japan |
Key people | Hiroyuki Hanada (guitarist, sole consistent member) |
| Products | Rock music albums |
| Website | www |
are a Japanese rock ensemble established in 1979 in Fukuoka Prefecture. Their musical style fuses elements of rock and roll, punk rock, British blues, ska, and new wave. Initially active from 1979 until 1988, they reunited for the 2004 Fuji Rock Festival and recommenced their activities in 2009. Guitarist Hiroyuki Hanada has remained the sole consistent member throughout, with the current formation mirroring the original lineup. In 2003, HMV placed them at number 75 in its ranking of the top 100 Japanese pop artists. Additionally, in September 2007, Rolling Stone Japan ranked their album Good Dreams as the 28th greatest Japanese rock album of all time.
History
Originating in Hakata, Fukuoka, in 1979 and named after the blues classic "Little Red Rooster," The Roosters experienced four distinct lineups centered around guitarist Hiroyuki Hanada. The band's first lead vocalist and primary songwriter was Shinya Oe, who contributed to their initial three albums. Their debut two records contained numerous cover tracks, but their third album, Insane, marked a transition to exclusively original compositions and included bassist Tomio Inoue’s piece "Baby Sitter," reflecting a more collaborative creative process that further expanded with Hanada’s input on their fourth album, Dis.
Oe's final contribution was on their sixth album, φPHY; approximately half of the songs featured his work while the rest were written by lyricist Toshiyuki Shibayama and Hanada. Although Shibayama never performed live with the group, he continued providing lyrics until their dissolution in 1988. The Roosters also appeared in Sogo Ishii’s 1982 film Burst City. Following Oe’s indefinite hiatus beginning in 1985, the band released their seventh album Neon Boy within nine months, incorporating new songwriter Jun Shimoyama alongside Hanada before eventually disbanding.
A tribute compilation titled Respectable Roosters was issued in March 1999, showcasing covers by influential bands such as the pillows, Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra.
In 2002, four founding members created Rock'n'Roll Gypsies. Then in 2004, Shinya Oe ended his hiatus to reunite with the original lineup for a performance at the Fuji Rock Festival.
Lineups
- The Roosters (February 1979 - July 1983, 2004, 2009 - present)
- Shinya Oe (大江 慎也 Ōe Shin'ya) - Vocals, Guitar
- Hiroyuki Hanada (花田 裕之 Hanada Hiroyuki) - Lead Guitar
- Tomio Inoue (井上 富雄 Inoue Tomio) - Bass Guitar
- Junzi Ikehata (池畑 潤二 Ikehata Junji) - Drums (Withdrew September 1983)
- The Roosterz (July 1983 - March 1985)
- Shinya Oe - Vocals, Guitar
- Hiroyuki Hanada - Lead Guitar
- Jun Shimoyama (下山 淳 Shimoyama Jun) - Lead Guitar
- Tomio Inoue - Bass (Withdrew January 1984)
- Kazuhiko Sakuyama (柞山 一彦 Kazuyama Kazuhiko) - Bass
- Masayuki Nadatomo (灘友 正幸 Nadatomo Masayuki) - Drums
- Koichi Ando (安藤 広一 Andō Kōichi) - Keyboards (Withdrew March 1985)
- The Roosterz (March 1985 - December 1987)
- Hiroyuki Hanada - Vocals, Guitar
- Jun Shimoyama - Guitar
- Kazuhiko Sakuyama - Bass Guitar
- Masayuki Nadatomo - Drums
- The Roosterz (December 1987 - July 1988)
- Hiroyuki Hanada - Vocals, Guitar
- Jun Shimoyama - Lead Guitar
- Nikichi Anai (穴井 仁吉 Anai Nikichi) - Bass
- Shigeo Mihara (三原 重夫 Mihara Shigeo) - Drums
- Romanization Note: Three members—Shinya Oe, Junzi Ikehata, and Koichi Ando—employ nonstandard romanizations of their names. Modified Hepburn romanizations are shown alongside their Japanese names.
Discography
- Studio Albums
- The Roosters (1980)
- The Roosters a-Gogo (1981)
- Insane (1981)
- Dis. (1983)
- Good Dreams (1984)
- φPHY (1984)
- SOS (1985)
- Neon Boy (1985)
- Kaminari (1986)
- Passenger (1987)
- Four Pieces (1988)
- Four Pieces Live (1988)
References