Judy and Mary

Judy and Mary
Origin	Kanagawa, Japan
Genres	Pop rock pop punk noise pop art pop alternative rock
Years active	1991–2001
Labels	Chainsaw Records Epic/Sony Records
Past members	Yoshihito Onda Yuki Isoya Kohta Igarashi Takuya Asanuma (1993-2001) Taiji Fujimoto (1991-1993)
Website	official website

Judy and Mary (often stylized as JUDY AND MARY) was a Japanese rock band formed in 1991 in Japan by bassist Yoshihito Onda and vocalist Yuki, with drummer Kohta Igarashi and guitarist Taiji Fujimoto completing the lineup in 1992. Guitarist Takuya replaced Taiji the following year. The band is known for their innovative punk, rock, and pop meldings of noisy but melodic music in the 1990s.

History

In 1992, Judy and Mary released an album and accompanying video, Be Ambitious, on the independent Chainsaw Records label. The band was soon signed by Epic/Sony Records and released their first major label single, "Power of Love", in 1993. The band's major label debut album, J.A.M, was released in 1994. Judy and Mary quickly became one of the most popular bands in Japan. Their song "Sobakasu" was used as the first opening theme for the anime television series Rurouni Kenshin , and sold over a million copies.

Judy and Mary released seven original albums, three compilation albums (through 2006) and twenty-two singles. The band dissolved in March 2001.

Yuki is now enjoying a successful solo career as YUKI. Takuya is also currently a solo artist. Onda joined the band Hot Rod Crue, but since 2008 has been a member, along with Igarashi, of the band Zamza.

A tribute album was released in 2009, with artists such as Tamio Okuda and Halcali covering Judy and Mary's major hits. ^[1]

Members

Past members

• Yuki (ユキ) = Yuki Isoya (磯谷 有希, Isoya Yuki, born February 17, 1972 in Hokkaido) - vocalist, lyricist
• Yoshihito Onda (恩田 快人, Onda Yoshihito, born December 13, 1963 in Hyogo) - bassist, composer
• Takuya (タクヤ) = Takuya Asanuma (浅沼 拓也, Asanuma Takuya, born September 9, 1971 in Kyoto) - guitarist, lyricist, composer
• Kohta Igarashi (五十嵐 公太, Igarashi Kōta, born January 17, 1963 in Kanagawa) - drums, composer
• Taiji Fujimoto (藤本 泰司, Fujimoto Taiji) - guitarist

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

Year	Album Information	Chart positions	Total sales
1992	Be Ambitious Independently released EP Released: April 1992 Label: Crown Re-released December 16, 2000 Re-released September 19, 2001	19*	11,000*
1994	J.A.M. Released: January 21, 1994 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1466)	23	189,000
	Orange Sunshine Released: December 1, 1994 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1555)	5	681,000
1995	Miracle Diving Released: December 4, 1995 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1707)	2	939,000
1997	The Power Source Released: March 26, 1997 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1805)	1	2,162,000
1998	Pop Life Released: June 24, 1998 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1890)	2	1,150,000
2001	Warp Released: February 7, 2001 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1890)	1	887,000

*positions from 2001 re-release.

Compilation albums

Year	Album Information	Chart positions	Total sales
1999	44982 Vs. 1650 3CD Live album. Released: March 31, 1999 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1890)	7	287,000
2000	Fresh Greatest hits album. Released: March 23, 2000 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-2110)	1	1,776,000
2001	The Great Escape: Complete Request Best 2CD greatest hits album. Released: May 23, 2001 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-2230)	1	780,000
2006	Complete Best Album: Fresh 2CD greatest hits album. Released: February 13, 2006 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-2230)	2	222,000
2009	15th Anniversary Complete Single Box 22CD singles box set Released: August 5, 2009 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCL-3220)	83	2,000

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released, sales, certifications and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Sales	Certifications	Album
		JPN
"Power of Love"	1993	95	3,000	—	J.A.M.
"Blue Tears"		–	—
"Daydream"	1994	58	13,000
"Hello! Orange Sunshine"		22	99,000		Orange Sunshine
"Cheeze "Pizza""		15	77,000
"Chiisa na Koro Kara" (小さな頃から, Since I Was Little)	1995	37	39,000
"Over Drive"		4	670,000		Miracle Diving
" Doki Doki " (ドキドキ, Heartbeat)		8	256,000
" Sobakasu " (そばかす, Freckles) [a]	1996	1	1,058,000	RIAJ: Platinum (streaming) [2]	The Power Source
" Classic " (クラシック, Kurashikku)		3	632,000	—
"Kujira Jū Ni Gō" (くじら12号, Whale No. 12)	1997	5	447,000
"Lovely Baby" (ラブリーベイベー, Raburī Beibē)		12	96,000
"Lover Soul"		5	504,000		Pop Life
"Sanpomichi" (散歩道, Promenade) [b]		3	479,000
" Music Fighter " (ミュージック ファイター, Myūjikku Faitā)	1998	4	148,000
"Iro Toridori no Sekai" (イロトリドリ ノ セカイ, World of Various Colors)		11	76,000
"Tegami o Kaku yo" (手紙をかくよ, I Write a Letter)		22	22,000
"Brand New Wave Upper Ground"	2000	4	158,000		Warp
"Hitotsu Dake" (ひとつだけ, Only One)		9	111,000
"Mottö" (More)		8	138,000
"Lucky Pool" (ラッキープール, Rakkī Pūru)	2001	3	183,000
"Peace (Strings Version)"		8	73,000

1. 1st opening theme song for Rurouni Kenshin
2. theme song for the television drama News no Onna

Books/Publications

• Jam Book (March 15, 1996)
• Yuki Girly Rock -yuki biography- (1997)
• Yuki Girly Swing -yuki autobiography & diary- (1997)
• Yuki Girly Folk -yuki bio- (2000)
• Yuki Girly Boogie -yuki autobio- (2000)
• Yuki Girly Wave -yuki bio- (2004)
• Yuki Girly Tree -yuki autobio) (2004)
• What's In Jam-Pack (memorial compilation of 'What's In' magazine articles)

Bibliography

• Tetsuishi, Mihoko and Jam (1996). Jam Book. Sony Magazines. ISBN   4-7897-1038-6.
• Isoya, Yuki (February 1997). Girly Swing. Sony Magazines. ISBN   4-7897-1153-6.
• Utsunomiya, Miho and Yuki (February 1997). Girly Rock. Sony Magazines. ISBN   4-7897-1152-8.
• Isoya, Yuki (30 June 2000). Girly Boogie. Sony Magazines. ISBN   4-7897-1565-5.
• Tetsuishi, Mihoko and Yuki (2000). Girly Folk. Sony Magazines. ISBN   4-7897-1566-3.

References

1. Robson, Daniel (2009-03-20). "'Judy and Mary 15th Anniversary Tribute Album'". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
2. "Japanese single streaming certifications – Judy and Mary – そばかす (Freckles)" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved January 30, 2025.Select 2024年12月 on the drop-down menu

External links

• Judy and Mary Official Website - By Sony Music
• YUKI Official Website - By Sony Music
• Zamza Official Website
• Nippop Profile | Judy and Mary