BOOM BOOM SATELLITES (short "BBS", "ブンブン (Bunbun) or "ブンサテ" (bunsate)) was a Japanese electronic duo formed in Tokyo in 1990 and had disbanded in 2017 after Michiyuki Kawashima passing away in 2016.
Members:
** Vocals & Guitar: to=2016]川島道行 (Masayuki Nakano; passed away in 2016)
** Bass & Programming: 中野雅之 (Masayuki Nakano)
Support Drums: 福田洋子 (Yoko Fukuda)
Support Guitar: 山本 幹宗 (Kanji Yamamoto)
History:
The two met while attending the same university. In 1995 they provided a track for the first compilation released by UNTITLED RECORDS under Fumiya Tanaka’s Torema Records. They played frequent shows around Tokyo and caught international attention when a single released on R&S in 1997 led Melody Maker to describe them as the most striking act since The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy. Around the same time they signed with Sony in Japan and released their first major mini album, *JOYRIDE*, that November. The record stripped back the technopop elements in favor of the raw energy of their live sound. They toured Japan and overseas in support of it.
In 1998 they released their debut album on R&S, played six major European festivals, then returned to Japan. That September they released their first maxi single *Push Eject*, followed in October by their first domestic full album *OUT LOUD*. They went on a three month US tour with Moby and later received remix requests from artists like Garbage. In 2004 they contributed music to the animated feature *Appleseed*, including the main theme.
Kawashima battled a recurring brain tumor for many years.
He had his first surgery in 1997, the year of their debut. The tumor returned and he underwent a second operation in 1999.
He made his condition public in 2012 and had a third surgery in 2013. A fourth recurrence was found in 2014, and he was told he had about two years. A radiation therapy still in clinical trials slowed the progression enough for him to keep working.
On July 25, 2015 he was told the tumor had returned for the fifth time. During a livestream in early September he announced that their November one man show would be their last for the time being. As his condition changed, the band cancelled their planned appearance at MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON in Paris and eventually cancelled the November show as well.
Their website explained that they had no information about future concerts or releases but had not given up as a band.
Nakano later said on Twitter that their upcoming release "LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME" would be their final record as BOOM BOOM SATELLITES. On May 31, 2016 he announced on the official site that the release of "LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME" would mark the end of their activities.
Their last single came out on June 22, 2016. Kawashima died on October 9, 2016.
At an event on February 28, 2017 celebrating the years 1997 to 2016, Nakano said he would continue working as “Masayuki Nakano of BOOM BOOM SATELLITES”, focusing on writing and producing.
A few months after their disbandment, unfortunately, BOOM BOOM SATELLITES's vocalist Michiyuki Kawashima has passed away and Masayuki Nakano left behind a comment in his friend's stead that read as below:
"At 5:12am on October 9th, BOOM BOOM SATELLITES's vocalist Michiyuki Kawashima set off on the next stage of his journey. I imagine he is soaring around the world, finally freed from the restrictions of his body. His passing is not a tragedy, but the achievement of a lifetime goal and a happy ending. The love of our many fans supported Michiyuki Kawashima and BOOM BOOM SATELLITES on their journey, and we are truly happy and lucky because of you. On behalf of Michiyuki Kawashima, I would like to thank all our fans and colleagues again.
"Thank you for supporting us up until now. Live your lives with passion and energy and keep the music we made, the time we spent together, and the memories we shared close to you."
“One more thing, we are BOOM BOOM SATELLITES!!”"
Their final show took place on June 18, 2017 at Shinkiba STUDIO COAST, closing the book on roughly 27 years as a duo. After that, Masayuki Nakano stated he would continue using the name "BOOM BOOM SATELLITES" in his own credits.
On December 15, 2020 Nakano announced a new band, THE SPELLBOUND, with Yusuke Kobayashi of THE NOVEMBERS.
About the members:
Michiyuki Kawashima
Born August 24, 1969 in Morioka, Iwate. Vocalist and guitarist. Blood type A. Married actress Risa Sudou in 2006. Their first daughter was born in 2007, their second in 2011. He died of a brain tumor on October 9, 2016 at the age of 47.
Masayuki Nakano
Born December 27, 1971 in Kanagawa. Bass and programming. When releasing the 2015 album *SHINE LIKE A BILLION SUNS*, he became the first Japanese engineer certified for Mastered for iTunes.
Support members:
Naoki Hirai
Born November 24, 1970 in Tokyo. Supported on drums from 1995 to 2009. Member of Jackson vibe. Former drummer of the electric alternative rock band oak.
Yoko Fukuda
Born July 29, 1977 in Kanagawa. Drummer since 2009. Current drummer of oak. An early member of te'.
Kanji Yamamoto
Guitarist since the "SHINE LIKE A BILLION SUNS PREMIUM GIG" on March 15, 2015. Former member of The Cigavettes.
Musical influences:
Nakano grew up listening to Miles Davis, including the soundtrack to "Elevator to the Gallows", thanks to his father. Kawashima remembered getting hooked as a child on theme songs from the Lion Maru series, and later on David Bowie’s "Space Oddity" which he heard in high school. He also cited Japanese indie bands like SADIE SADS and Nubile, and British punk acts such as Killing Joke and Alien Sex Fiend. These covered bands were what pushed him to start making music himself.
https://x.com/BBS_STAFF
https://x.com/BBS_nakano
https://x.com/YokoFukuda
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…shrink me down again