MAX (band)
| MAX (band) | |
|---|---|
At Tokyo Detention House, 2016
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Okinawa, Japan |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts | |
| Website | www.avexnet.or.jp/max |
| Members |
Nana (1995–present) Lina (1995–present) Reina (1995–present) Mina (1995–2002); (2008–present) |
| Past members | Aki (2002–2008) |
Max (マックス, pronounced "Max"）whose name is an acronym for "Musical Active eXperience" is a Japanese female vocal group. The original members of MAX made their musical debut as members of the Super Monkey's along with lead vocalist Namie Amuro. They branched out on their own in 1995, becoming stars in their own right with selling several million albums and a string of consecutive top 20 singles from 1996 to 2000. Their lead singer, Mina, left the group in 2002 due to pregnancy and was replaced by Aki Maeda who assumed the stage name Aki. Aki left the group in August 2008 to pursue a solo career. Original member Mina returned to the group on October 28, 2008 ushering in the group's comeback after a two-year hiatus.
Since their debut MAX has sold over 10 million records. They are behind only Morning Musume for female group with the most consecutive top 10 singles, tying with Wink at 15. As a group, MAX established a new style for female idol groups, straying away from the traditional cute and innocent idol mold instead focusing on high impact choreography and a sexier, more adult image.
When the group debuted all members used their real names. Once they became popular they used stage names each possessing the suffix "na." Lina (Ritsuko) used to go by "Rina". However, because of the similarity to "Reina" and the fact that her nickname more closely matched "Lina" anyway, this became her name around the time of their first CD. During informal footage such as backstage of their concerts, Mina and Nana are referred to by their full names, Minako and Nanako. The only member not to take on a stage name with the suffix is former member, Aki.
All members of the group hail from Okinawa Prefecture including their latest member.
MAX started off as just a project that was never meant to take off. The group's concept was simple. They were presented as a sexy singing and dancing pop group who performed catchy dance music. In 1995, they released their first single to very little success. Their second single was released to the same fate. The group continued to perform with Namie Amuro under the name, Super Monkey's, until the group officially disbanded in the summer of that year. Even though the Super Monkey's were over, MAX performed as dancers for Namie Amuro throughout the early stages of her solo career until March 1996. The foursome's dual identity as SuperMonkeys and MAX is captured in the video, Amuro Namie First Anniversary Live in Marine Stadium where they performed as Namie's backup singers and dancers, then Namie announces and congratulates them as MAX.
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