Sex Machineguns

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Sex Machineguns
OriginKagoshima, Japan
Genres
Years active1989-present
LabelsToshiba-EMI
MembersAnchang
Shingo☆
Sussy
THOMAS
Past membersNoisy
Ken'ichi
Clutch J. Himawari
Circuit V. Panther
Samurai W. Kenjilaw
Speed Star Sypan Joe
Ryotatsu
Leon
WebsiteOfficial site [1]

Sex Machineguns (stylized as SEX MACHINEGUNS) is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in 1989. Their music is characterized by a heavy focus on bass as well as extremely fast guitar and bass solos. The band uses the image of "shock rockers" by wearing crazy, exotic outfits like visual kei bands, although this image has been toned down, especially since 2003 when the long-term bassist Noisy left the band. The lyrics feature very off-beat and non-serious themes (the superior quality of Satsuma fruits in Ehime prefecture, minor annoyance in family restaurants, etc.). In addition to their image and attitude, they also exhibit technical skill on their instruments.

Biography[edit]

Sex Machineguns started in 1989 in Kagoshima[1] as an indie group, touring live houses and clubs. Their name is intentionally similar to that of the Sex Pistols and, according to the band, "implying that [we] machineguns are more radical than [the] pistols".[2] They gained a large fan base quickly and sold out their shows. They went on tour and spread their popularity all over Japan. Once they got back home to release their first video and live CD in spring 1997, they had developed such a fan base that the first press of the video sold out instantly, to all parts of Japan from Okinawa to Hokkaidō.

In 1998, Sex Machineguns made their commercial debut with the release of their first single on Toshiba-EMI Records: "Hanabi-la Daikaiten". The single sold out instantly, and it was decided they would go on a debut tour (which sold out in every location). Magazines began to run articles, and the "Hanabi-la Daikaiten" single sold steadily, skyrocketing the band's popularity. In September they released their first album, which was another huge hit. They went on many tours, all selling out, and topped the singles charts. As 1998 came to a close, the Sex Machineguns had topped the charts and played 62 concerts (all sold out).

The band's front-man announced that the band would be taking a "activity pause" on March 20, 2006. All members at the time except for Anchang had left the band and formed a new band/side-project called Elleguns which released a 6-track instrumental. In 2004, Clutch J. Himawari and Noisy have formed a 3-man group called Dustar-3 with Yuki (formerly of Lucifer). Later in December 2006, Circuit V. Panther, Samurai W. Kenjilaw, and Speed Star Sypan Joe have started a new band known as Cycle. Anchang later reformed Sex Machineguns in 2007 with Ryotatsu Kuwae on guitar and Kenichi Imai on drums, and they released three digital download-only singles that year.

In 2008 Anchang formed the band Big Bites, with Natchin (Siam Shade) and Annie (The Yellow Monkey). Also in 2008, some footage of the band performing was featured in the film Global Metal during a discussion about heavy metal in Japan.

On 2012, drummer Ken'ichi withdrew, and the band went to an indefinite long time hiatus.

In 2013 Anchang and Shingo☆ formed a similar band called The Maintenance☆ (ザ☆メンテナンス), with Hirota on drums and second lead guitarist Master. They released their debut album Kōji-chū (工事中) on February 21, 2013.[3]

Members[edit]

Current members[edit]

  • Anchang (Koji Ando) – lead vocals (1994–present), guitar (1989–present)
  • Sussy (Masahito Furuya) - Lead Guitar (1996–2001, 2008–present* as touring musician)
  • Shingo☆ (Shingo Tamaki) – bass (2008–present)
  • THOMAS – Drums (2022–present)

Former members[edit]

  • Asada – vocals (1989–1992)
  • Imai – vocals (1996)
  • Noisy (Hiroshi Ohta) – vocals (as H.Ohta, 1993); guitar (1994); bass, backing vocals (1996–2003)
  • Zaamasu – bass (1989–1995)
  • Atkin-Sukkon – bass (1995–1996)
  • Samurai W. Kenjilaw (Kenjirou Murai) – bass, backing vocals (2004–2007)
  • Mad Power Tsuchiya (Hiroshi Tsuchiya) – drums (1989–1997)
  • Clutch J. Himawari (Jun Kanki) – drums (2000–2003)
  • Speed Star Sypan Joe (Koji Ueno) – drums (1997–1999, 2004–2006)
  • Ken'ichi (Kenichi Imai) – drums (2007–2012)
  • Circuit V. Panther (Yoshikazu Yahiro) – guitar, backing vocals (2001–2006)
  • Iberiko Moja Malmsteen (Ryotatsu Kuwae) – guitar (2007–2008)
  • Leon - drums (2013–2019)

Support members (former)[edit]

  • Cyzer A. Hamburg – synth guitar (April 2001–August 2001)
  • Crazy Horse Kameen – synth guitar (April 2001–August 2003)
  • Ryosuke (Dragon Sue) - guitar (October 2008-December 2008, May 2010-September 2011)
  • Takeo Shimoda - drums (February 2014–July 2014)

Timeline (Recording Era; 1997-present)[edit]

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

Title Release date Peak Chart Position in Japan
Sex Machinegun October 16, 1998 29
Made in Japan November 26, 1999 9
Barbe-Q★マイケル March 7, 2001 7
Burning Hammer (live album) October 31, 2001 7
Ignition October 9, 2002 8
Machineguns no Tsudoi ("best of" compilation) June 4, 2003 9
To the Future Tracks: Gathering for Unreleased Songs August 6, 2003 29
Live! Final Attack at Budokan (double live album) September 26, 2003 57
Heavy Metal Thunder March 2, 2005 22
Made in USA February 8, 2006 29
Best Tracks the Past and the Future March 26, 2008 65
Cameron October 8, 2008 39
45° Angle October 7, 2009 34
SMG August 31, 2011 91
Love Games October 29, 2014 93
Metal Monster December 16, 2015 125
Iron Soul November 28, 2018 107
地獄の暴走列車 April 12, 2023 47

Singles[edit]

Title Release date Peak Chart Position in Japan
"Hanabi-la Daikaiten" April 22, 1998
May 23, 2001 (reissue)
50
"Burn: Burn Your Fire of Love" September 18, 1998
May 23, 2001 (reissue)
55
"Tekken II" February 3, 1999
May 23, 2001 (reissue)
38
"Mikan no Uta" (Orange Song) April 21, 1999
May 23, 2001 (reissue)
25
"Onigunshow" (Hard-hearted sergeant) October 20, 1999
September 26, 2003 (reissue)
14
"Aikoso Subete" (Love Is All of My Life) May 24, 2000
September 26, 2003 (reissue)
16
"S.H.R: Sexy Hero Revolution" January 24, 2001 16
"Tairyô" (Good Fishing!) August 29, 2001 13
"Soko ni, Anata ga..." (There You Are...) January 23, 2002 13
"Bousou Rock" (Reckless Rider) May 16, 2002 16
"Yonaoshi Good Vibration" (Social Reform, Good Vibration) August 7, 2002 16
"Demae-do Icchokusen" (Straight-Line Meal Delivery) November 10, 2004 15
"Suspense Gekijou" (Suspense Theatre) February 9, 2005 22
"Aijin 28" (Lover 28) August 3, 2005 28
"Haihin Kaishuu" (Junk Salvaging) (download only) August 22, 2007
"Doku Mamaushi" (Poisonous Viper) (download only) September 26, 2007
"Jacky" (download only) October 31, 2007
"Pride" March 4, 2009 26
"37564" (Killing 'em All) February 23, 2011 85
"Ame no Kawasaki"(Raining Kawasaki) January 25, 2012 99
"Miren Fire!" (Lingering FIRE!) July 2, 2014 106
Metal Keiri-man (Metal Accountant) May 27, 2015 135
Shining Star June 23, 2021
The Grave October 30, 2021
燃えろ!!ジャパメタ November 18, 2022

Other[edit]

Title Release date
Hellthy Set M
  • a DVD+CD set, with the DVD containing the music video for "FamiResuBombaa", and the CD containing the song "Magnum fire"
April 21, 1999
Route320
  • a CD by Mitsuo Nakajima on which Sex Machineguns band member Anchang is a guest guitarist
June 1, 2002
Love for Nana: Only 1 Tribute
  • contributed "11. Black Crow / Sex Machineguns for Black Stones"
March 16, 2005
Music from and Inspired by the Game Heavy Metal Thunder: The Recordings
  • contributed "01. Heavy Metal Thunder feat.Michael Schenker", "06. Demae-do Itchokusen", and "10. Iruka Ni Notte"
September 7, 2005
Remix Best (remix dance compilation) March 18, 2012

Solo works[edit]

Member Title Release date Peak Chart Position in Japan
Anchang Cobra Twist
2007 includes covers of Marianne (The Alfee) and Cherry (Spitz)
The Maintenance
  • a 10 tracks album under the name "Sex Machinegun"
January 28, 2004 26
Memphis
  • a follow-up to "The Maintenance"
February 21, 2007 98
Open Your Heart! Tear! December 3, 2003 25
Circuit V. Panther Sexy Finger
  • a 6-song solo release in the form of a CD and a live VHS
September 26, 2003
Sexy Finger II
  • another 6-track solo work
September 15, 2004
Sexy Finger III
  • another 6 track solo work
2010
Sexy Finger IV
  • another 6 track solo work
2011
Elleguns Keepout
  • a 6-track instrumental by Circuit V. Panther, Samurai W. Kenjilaw, and Speed Star Sypan Joe
October 12, 2005

Videography[edit]

The naming scheme for the Sex Machineguns videos is as follows:

  • Video Sex = A compilation of the latest music videos from the band
  • SM Show = A compilation of concert video bits (SM Show 2 has a 90min full concert followed by a 20min clip of another, followed by some other clips, and then a second full 90min concert, for example)
Title Release date Format
Emergency! Nozarashi! September 27, 2000 Video
SM Show October 16, 2000 DVD and Video
Video Sex June 7, 2000 Video
February 20, 2002 DVD
SM Show 2 February 20, 2002 DVD and Video
Video Sex 2 December 4, 2002
SM Show 3 February 19, 2003
SM Show Finale October 22, 2003 DVD
Metal Box December 10, 2003 DVD
Made in USA January 25, 2006 Single DVD
Living in America March 8, 2006 Documentary DVD
A Day in the Live: Sex Machineguns Live in USA June 28, 2006 Live DVD
Video Sex Special Best Clips March 26, 2008 DVD
Independence Day Live April 28, 2010 Live DVD
SMG ALive! May 18, 2011 Live DVD
"Sex Machineguns vs. The Kanmuri" SMG Tour 2012 July 18, 2012 Live DVD

References[edit]

  1. ^ "SEX MACHINEGUNS - 八重山ミュージシャン". Yaimatime (in Japanese). 2017-02-28. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  2. ^ "Sex Machineguns Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  3. ^ "ザ☆メンテナンス オフィシャルウェブサイト". Archived from the original on 2016-02-29. Retrieved 2013-08-15.

External links[edit]