The Pillows

The Pillows
Left to right: Yoshiaki Manabe, Sawao Yamanaka, Shinichiro Sato.
Background information
Origin	Hokkaidō, Japan
Genres	Alternative rock,J-pop
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Delicious Label (2016-present), King Records (1994-2007, 2016-present), Captain Records (1989-1991), Pony Canyon (1991-1994), Avex Trax (2007-2016)
Associated acts	The Predators, Nine Miles, Kenzi & The Trips
Website	pillows.jp
Members	Sawao Yamanaka Yoshiaki Manabe Shinichirou Sato
Past members	Kenji Ueda

The Pillows (ザ・ピロウズ^?, stylized as the pillows) is a Japanese alternative rock band formed in 1989. As of 2016, the group has released 20 original studio albums, several EPs and compilations, and over 30 singles. Outside Japan, they are best known as the group responsible for the soundtrack to the FLCL OVA series.

In 1989 Kenji Ueda, bassist for Kenzi & The Trips, left the band with former Kenzi's drummer Shinichiro Sato and invited The Coin Locker Babies vocalist Sawao Yamanaka to form a new band. Since Yamanaka was not able to play the guitar well yet, Yoshiaki Manabe, the guitarist of the hair metal band Persia, joined them. The Pillows were formed on September 16, 1989. The story as to where the band's name came about is that allegedly Sawao Yamanaka was hanging out at Yoshiaki Manabe's place and an English post-punk compilation record entitled Pillows & Prayers hanging on Manabe's wall inspired him.

Ueda and Yamanaka were the main songwriters and The Pillows released their first EPs, Pantomime and 90's My Life in 1990 under Captain Records.

In 1991 they contracted with major label Pony Canyon and released their debut single, "Ame ni Utaeba" in May and their first full-length record Moon Gold in June.

In 1992 The Pillows visited England to record their second full-length album, White Incarnation, and filmed the promotional video for their second single, "Kanojo wa Shisuta". Shortly after the release of White Incarnation, Ueda left The Pillows due to disagreements with other members and musical differences.