Urusei Yatsura (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Glasgow , Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Products | Rock music, albums, singles, EPs |
| Website | rocketgirl |
Urusei Yatsura was a rock group originating from Glasgow, Scotland, established in 1993.
History
The band was formed when Fergus Lawrie and Graham Kemp connected at the University of Glasgow in 1993, subsequently enlisting bassist Elaine Graham along with her brother Ian Graham on drums. Their name was inspired by the manga Urusei Yatsura by Rumiko Takahashi. Their initial recording, "Guitars Are Boring," appeared on a compilation from the Kazoo Club, a Glasgow venue once managed by future Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos. This early recognition led to four BBC Peel Sessions recorded between 1994 and subsequent years, taking place in Glasgow and at Maida Vale Studios. They also featured on Steve Lamacq's Evening Session.
The band’s discography includes three studio albums: We Are Urusei Yatsura (1996), Slain By Urusei Yatsura (1998), and Everybody Loves Urusei Yatsura (2000). Due to legal constraints, releases in the United States and Japan were issued under the shortened name Yatsura. Their track "Hello Tiger" achieved a peak position of number 40 on the UK Singles Chart in 1997. Additional singles released include "Strategic Hamlets" and "Slain By Elf."
Urusei Yatsura dissolved in June 2001; following this, Kemp embarked on solo ventures while other members created Projekt A-ko. In 2011, Fergus Lawrie introduced Angel of Everyone Murder, unveiling a self-titled double album comprising six drone pieces crafted using custom-modified HALO guitars. A subsequent album followed in 2012.
In 2016, Rocket Girl released a 'Best of' album titled You are my Urusei Yatsura, which included recordings from BBC sessions. Later, in 2020, a compilation of b-sides and rare tracks called Can You Spell Urusei Yatsura - Lost Songs 1993-2000 was made available.
Albums
- We Are Urusei Yatsura (1996) Ché Trading / (2023 expanded remaster) Rocket Girl
- Slain by Urusei Yatsura (1998) Ché Trading
- Everybody Loves Urusei Yatsura (2000) Oni Records
Live
- You are my Urusei Yatsura (2016) Rocket Girl
EPs
- All Hail Urusei Yatsura (1994)
- Yon Kyoku Iri (1999) (CD / double 7-inch: "Kaytronika"/"Still Exploding"/"Nobody Knows We're Stars"/"Mother of the MBK")
Compilations
- ¡Pulpo! (1997)
- Can You Spell Urusei Yatsura - Lost Songs 1993-2000 (2020)
Singles
- "Siamese" (1995 - Ché 38 - 7-inch - "Siamese" / "Lo-Fi")
- "Pampered Adolescent" (1995 - M.I.R. 001 - 7-inch - split single Blisters)
- "Stolen Ecstasy 45 Chapter 3" (1995 - DAWN-03 - 7-inch - split single Delgados)
- "Kernel" (1995 - PUBE08 - 7-inch)
- "Plastic Ashtray" (1995 - Ché 46 - CD / 7-inch)
- "Kewpies Like Watermelon" (1996 - Ché 53 - CD / 7-inch)
- "Tour EP" (Ché 59 - 7-inch)
- "Phasers on Stun" (1996 - Ché 62 - CD / double 7-inch)
- "Strategic Hamlets" (1997 - Ché 67 - CD / 7-inch ×2)
- "Fake Fur" (1997 - Ché 70 - CD1/10"/7"; CD2/10")
- "Hello Tiger" (1997 - Ché 75 - CD1/7-inch; CD2)
- "Slain By Elf" (1998 - Ché 80 - CD1; CD2 / 7-inch)
- "Louche 33" (2000 - ONIV71 - CD / 7-inch)
- "Eastern Youth" (2000 - ONIV73 - 7-inch)
Compilation appearances
- "Guitars Are Boring" on Kazoo Collection 12-inch
- "First Day on a New Planet" on Camden Crawl II CD
- "Kozee Hearts" on Noises From the Sound Cupboard 12-inch
- "Powerball" and "Black Hole Love" demos on Does The Word 'Duh' Mean Anything To You? CD
- "Exidor" live on Abuse Your Friends CD
- "Phasers on Stun" on Japanese Magazine CD
- "Skull in Action" on NME C96
- "Plastic Ashtray" live on Phoenix: The Album
- "Plastic Ashtray" on Generation X - The Definitive Sound of 90s Indie
- "Low Fi" on 12 into 10 cassette
Projekt A-ko
- Elkloft (vinyl release, Piloft Recordings, 2006)
- Yoyodyne (CD format, released 20 April 2009)
- Project A-ko / Horowitz (split 7-inch record)