Mean Machine (band)

Mean Machine is an all-girl Japanese rock band. Mean Machine starred in the Tower Records "No Music, No Life" advertising campaign, and debuted in 2001.

History
Mean Machine was founded in 1998 by J-pop vocalist Chara, musician/DJ Chiwaki Mayumi, vocalist Yuki of Judy and Mary, saxophonist Yukarie of The Thrill, and actress Ayumi Ito. The group was conceived as a lighthearted side project, and the band members deliberately chose instruments new to them: Yuki and Chara played drums in the band, Mayumi played guitars, Yukarie played bass, and Ayumi was the vocalist.

In 2001, Mean Machine released the single "Suuhaa," named for a kind of breathing exercise Chara learned when she was pregnant. It reached #18 on the Oricon singles chart. Later that year, their debut album Cream was released. The album reached #7 on the Oricon chart and remained on the charts for five weeks. A second single was released later that year, "Knock on You," reaching #38 on the Oricon chart.

The group was dissolved shortly afterward because of complications with the band members' solo careers.