We take a look at the career of THE BEATMOTORS, a Japanese rock band heavily influenced by old school rock n’ roll of the 60s and 70s.
The members of THE BEATMOTORS first met at Meiji University. While the band was formed in 2004, they did not debut until four years later, when they released Nante araarashii river on their own label, Dangomushi Records.
In 2009 the band was signed by SMALLER RECORDINGS and released the mini-album Kiraku ni yarouze. They wasted no time getting their name out, performing at big festivals like the SUMMER SONIC and COUNT DOWN JAPAN 09/10 and radio shows such as FM802’s RADIO CRAZY.
The next year brought the mini-album Subarashii ne and a nationwide tour. The band also had its first one-man live, which even sold out. THE BEATMOTORS added more festivals to their resume that year, performing at the ARABAKI ROCK FEST and ROCK IN JAPAN FES.
In 2011, the band released its first full album, The First Cut is the Sweetest. That October, they began a series of ten lives called Norinori battle THE BEATMOTORS kara no chousenjou, which saw the band challenge groups such as GOING UNDER GROUND and Kinoko Hotel to “battle” against them.
2012 brought the album Gris Gris and saw the band’s music embraced by major brands. Their song Jidai was used in commercials for the supermarket chain Aeon, and Akiba also contributed screams to one for the Toyota Spade.
While they have yet to achieve great commercial success, THE BEATMOTORS continue to produce catchy, in-your-face rock n’ roll, and to perform with unmistakable passion.
