Number Girl
| Number Girl | |
|---|---|
| Origin |
 Japan, Fukuoka
|
| Genres | Alternative rock, post-hardcore, indie rock, noise rock, experimental rock |
| Years active | 1995–2002 |
| Labels | Toshiba EMI |
| Associated acts | Zazen Boys, Vola and the Oriental Machine, Bloodthirsty Butchers, Lama, Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her, Toddle, Spiral Chord, Sloth Love Chunks, Crypt City, younGSounds |
| Past members | Shutoku Mukai Hisako Tabuchi Kentarō Nakao Ahito Inazawa |
Number Girl (ナンバーガール Nanbā Gāru?) was a rock band formed in Fukuoka, Japan in August, 1995 by guitarist and vocalist Shutoku Mukai. They disbanded in 2002 following bassist Kentarō Nakao's departure from the band.
Number Girl played fast, guitar-driven rock similar to the Pixies, Sonic Youth, and Hüsker Dü. Over the course of seven years their sound evolved greatly, serving as a basis for Mukai's post-Number Girl project, Zazen Boys.
Number Girl was formed in August 1995, when Shutoku Mukai decided to form a band to play at a local event. A solo artist at the time, Mukai was briefly involved in one band called "Number Five". Learning that his new members were previously in a band called "Cowgirl", he combined the names, and christened his new band "Number Girl".
The original incarnation of Number Girl was unsuccessful, and the collaborating musicians quickly left the group. Mukai invited bassist Kentarō Nakao, who in turn invited guitarist Hisako Tabuchi, whom Nakao knew from her former job operating lighting at the Vivre Hall venue. Mukai convinced a fellow Fukuoka scene musician Ahito Inazawa to play drums, finalizing Number Girl's lineup. The band self-released two demos, "Atari Shock" and "Omoide in My Head", and was also featured on several compilations. Number Girl released their first full-length studio album, School Girl Bye Bye in November 1997 on independent label Automatic Kiss, and released their first single, "Drunken Hearted", several months later.
In 1998, the band began playing shows in the Shimokitazawa area of Tokyo. Gaining a higher profile in Japan's indie rock scene, the band quickly attracted major label attention, and signed with Toshiba EMI. In May 1999, their major debut single, "Tōmei Shōjo" (透明少女?) was released with their major debut, School Girl Distortional Addict, released the following July. Number Girl quickly gained popularity throughout Japan, playing shows with other high-profile indie acts such as Bloodthirsty Butchers and Eastern Youth. In fall of 1999, Number Girl released the single "Destruction Baby", produced by Flaming Lips producer Dave Fridmann, as well as a live album, Shibuya Rockstransformed Jōtai.
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