Zeppet Store
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Defunct | 2005 (initially) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2011 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
Zeppet Store (presented as ZEPPET STORE) is a Japanese band specializing in alternative rock, established in 1989. Their prominence rose after hide signed them to his label LEMONed in 1996. The group dissolved in 2005 but regrouped in 2011.
History
Initially, Zeppet Store was formed as a trio consisting of Seizi Kimura on vocals and rhythm guitar, Makoto Gomi handling lead guitar, and Yuichi Nakamura playing bass. Shortly thereafter, drummer Eiki "Yana" Yanagita became part of the lineup. The band joined hide's label LEMONed in 1996, releasing the album 716, which also saw distribution in the United States, followed by their USA Tour '96. Gomi departed in 1997 due to dissatisfaction with their major label affiliation; Kenji Akabane took over guitar duties in 1998. The group officially ceased activities on August 14, 2005.
On June 2, 2007, Zeppet Store reunited for a single night at Under Flower Record's 15th anniversary event, featuring Gomi but excluding Akabane. The full ensemble reconvened in 2011 to produce "Smile," a charity single dedicated to aiding victims of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. This track was released digitally on August 13 and physically on September 3, accompanied by the B-side "If You Want Me."
The band appeared at hide Film Alive ~hide Memorial Day 2012~ on May 2, 2012. Their tenth studio album, Shape 5, was launched on December 13—coinciding with hide's birthday—followed by the Zeppet Store Tour "Come and Go" in January 2013. In December 2013, they contributed a rendition of hide's "Good Bye" to the tribute compilation Tribute VII -Rock Spirits-. Their eleventh studio work, Spice, debuted on January 15, 2014, supported by a tour commencing in March.
Celebrating three decades in 2019, Zeppet Store issued two albums featuring reinterpretations of their songs: Transformed, showcasing diverse musical styles, and Removed, presenting acoustic versions. Their nationwide Transmoved tour spanned from September through November and included acoustic performances.
Due to focal dystonia, drummer Yanagita announced his retirement from live shows following their concert on December 26, 2020; however, he retained membership within the band. He shifted roles to become a "rhythm tracker," utilizing electronic percussion alongside support drummer Yosuke "Haze" Omiya during performances. In honor of their 35th anniversary in 2024, Zeppet Store embarked on a commemorative tour and released the album 35, initially available as a made-to-order box set and digitally released on March 25, 2025. On July 1, Yanagita formally departed from the band citing diminished enthusiasm and dissatisfaction with his position.
Members
- Current members
- – lead vocals and guitar (1989–2005, 2007, 2011–present)
- – bass guitar (1989–2005, 2007, 2011–present)
- – guitar (1998–2005, 2011–present)
- – guitar (1989–1997, 2007, 2011–present)
- Former members
- – drums (1989–2005, 2007, 2011–2025)
Studio albums
- Swing, Slide, Sandpit (June 21, 1994)
- 716 (May 7, 1996)
- Cue (April 23, 1997), Oricon Albums Chart Peak: No. 67
- Bridge (February 24, 1999) No. 16
- Clutch (October 8, 1999) No. 8
- Gooseflesh (September 6, 2000) No. 22
- Dino (November 7, 2001) No. 70
- Slick (June 11, 2003) No. 85
- Black Berry Bed (September 22, 2004) No. 219
- Shape 5 (December 13, 2012) No. 151
- Spice (January 15, 2014) No.181
- Reverb (September 21, 2016)
- 35 (November 2024 made-to-order; digital release March25,2025)
Additional Albums
- Singles and Rare 1994-2001 (compilation released March 27, 2002)
- 4 (live album issued October 26, 2005)
- Come and Go -Live 2013- (live CD and DVD, November 5, 2014)
- 716 -Special Edition- (released July 16, 2016), charted at No. 241
- Open the Secret Box (box set available August 31, 2016)
- Transformed (self-cover album launched July 16, 2019)
- Removed (self-cover album also released July 16, 2019)
- The Best of Tour "Transmoved" (live recording from December 1, 2019)
Singles
- "Koe" (September 4, 1996), peaked at No. 86 on Oricon Singles Chart
- "To Be Free" (November 21, 1996)
- "Superstition" (February 21, 1997)
- "Don't Ask Me Why" (November 5, 1997)
- "Loop" (June 24, 1998), reached No. 46
- "Rose" (November 21, 1998), attained No. 32
- "Motto Motto" (May 19, 1999), peaked at No. 30
- "Toku Made" (July 28, 1999), climbed to No. 32
- "Emotion" (April 12, 2000), achieved No. 28
- "Distance" (April 26, 2000), reached No. 35
- "Presence" (July 26, 2000), positioned at No. 48
- "Tightrope" (June 27, 2001), charted at No. 60
- "Seek Out" (October 6, 2001), peaked at No. 92
- "Smile" (digital release August 13, 2011; CD release September 3)
- "Spy" (October 6, 2013)
- "Angel Will Come (2019 Re:Works)" (free digital download released in 2019)
Home Video Releases
- hide presents MIX LEMONed JELLY (originally VHS in 1997; DVD released July 20, 2003)
- Includes Zeppet Store's track "Flake" and Kimura's performance of "Angel Will Come" featuring D.I.E. from hide with Spread Beaver, recorded on August 26, 1997
- Slice -Official Bootleg- (December 10, 2003)
- 4 (June 23, 2006)
- Come and Go -Live 2013- (live DVD and CD issued July 17, 2013)
- Tour Transmoved Final at Shimokitazawa Garden (December 20, 2019)
- Recollect 2015 Official Bootleg DVD (April 27, 2020)
- To Our Future (April 2021; includes two live DVDs and one CD)
Compilation Albums
- LEMONed (released May 22,1996)
- Tribute Spirits (May1,1999; features a cover of hide's song "Flame")
- Cafe Le PSYENCE -hide LEMONed Compilation- (issued May16,2002)
- Tribute VII -Rock Spirits- (December18,2013; includes a cover of hide's "Good Bye")