MAX (group)

Last updated
MAX
MAXgroup-all-b-oct1-2016.jpg
At Tokyo Detention House, 2016.
From left to right: Mina, Nana, Lina.
Background information
Origin Okinawa, Japan
Genres
Years active1995–present
Labels
  • Avex Trax (1995–2005)
  • Sonic Groove (2005–present)
Members Nana (1995–present)
Lina (1995–present)
Reina (1995–present)
Mina (1995–2002); (2008–present)
Past members Aki (2002–2008)
Website avex.jp/max/

MAX is a Japanese female vocal group. The name is an acronym for "musical active experience". The original members of MAX made their musical debut as members of the Super Monkey's along with lead vocalist Namie Amuro. They branched out on their own in 1995, becoming stars in their own right with selling several million albums and a string of consecutive top 20 singles from 1996 to 2000. Their lead singer, Mina, left the group in 2002 due to pregnancy and was replaced by Aki Maeda who assumed the stage name Aki. Aki left the group in August 2008 to pursue a solo career. Original member Mina returned to the group on October 28, 2008 ushering in the group's comeback after a two-year hiatus. [1]

Contents

Since their debut MAX has sold over 10 million records. [2] They are behind only Morning Musume for female group with the most consecutive top 10 singles, tying with Wink at 15. [3]

Members

When the group debuted all members used their real names. Once they became popular they used stage names each possessing the suffix "na." Lina (Ritsuko) used to go by "Rina". However, because of the similarity to "Reina" and the fact that her nickname more closely matched "Lina" anyway, this became her name around the time of their first CD. During informal footage such as backstage of their concerts, Mina and Nana are referred to by their full names, Minako and Nanako. The only member not to take on a stage name with the suffix is former member, Aki.

All members of the group hail from Okinawa Prefecture including their latest member.

Current members

Former members

History

The beginning

MAX started off as just a project that was never meant to take off. The group's concept was simple. They were presented as a singing and dancing pop group who performed catchy dance music. In 1995, they released their first single to very little success. Their second single was released to the same fate. The group continued to perform with Namie Amuro under the name, Super Monkey's, until the group officially disbanded in the summer of that year. Even though the Super Monkey's were over, MAX performed as dancers for Namie Amuro throughout the early stages of her solo career until March 1996. The foursome's dual identity as SuperMonkeys and MAX is captured in the video, Amuro Namie First Anniversary Live at Marine Stadium where they performed as Namie's backup singers and dancers, then Namie announces and congratulates them as MAX.

That month, the girls released their first movie, Ladie's MAX and their third single, "Tora Tora Tora", which debuted at #19 giving them their first hit and ending their days as glorified backup dancers.

Stardom

MAX followed the success of "Tora Tora Tora" with "Seventies" which brought the girls their first top 10 hit. In December 1996, they released their debut album Maximum . The album debuted at #1 and went on to sell over one million copies. Following the success of their album, MAX went back to the big screen in the sequel to their first movie, Ladie's MAX. The theme song to the movie entitled Give me a Shake was the first original song they performed. Before this song, all of MAX's hits were covers of Italian dance music. When the eponymous theme song "Give me a Shake" was released as a single it debuted at #1 garnering the group their first and only #1 hit.

In the fall of 1997, MAX went on their first national tour dubbed J-Pop Gig Tour. Spanning only two months, the group played sold-out halls including the Nippon Budokan. They released their second album, Maximum II on Christmas Day. That album also went on to sell over a million copies. MAX appearing for the first time on Kouhaku Utagassen at the end of 1997 and continued their reign at the top of the music scene throughout 1998. In 1999, MAX released their first greatest hits collection entitled Maximum Collection which also topped the charts. The girls scored a major hit at the end of the year with their first ballad single entitled, "Issho ni." Although the single had charted in the lower half of the top 10, it stayed on the charts for four months selling over 300,000 copies. It would be their second best selling single.

Turning Point

2000 proved to be a time of change for MAX. For their first single of the new millinneum, the girls decided to take control of their music by writing and producing for the first time. Their result, "Never Gonna Stop It", an R&B influence pop number debuted at #8 on the charts. However, the single fell short of sales of 100,000 copies. Since 1999, the group's sales were gradually declining but this was the first time since their third single that any of their singles did not surpass the hundred thousand mark. Their next self-produced effort, "Magic" would debut at #10 but sold less than the previous single. The next few years were more of the same.

The group came to a dramatic standstill when in January 2002, the group's lead singer, Mina, announced her quickie marriage and pregnancy in a press conference at their record label, Avex Trax's main office. At the press conference, the group also announced that Mina would take a hiatus from the group to have her baby. They released their second ballad single, "Spring Rain" the following month to disastrous results. The single charted a lowly #28 breaking their string of 19 consecutive top 20 singles. An original album, their fifth, due for release in March was shelved and instead a second greatest hits collection was released in its place. MAX went into hiatus.

Muted Comeback

The next few months remained quiet for MAX, until late June when news started circulating around fan websites that flyers announcing a new MAX member were seen. The three remaining members (Nana, Lina and Reina) had previously announced that they would either: 1) continue as a three-member group or 2) remain in hiatus until Mina returned. In either case, they were adamant that no one would replace Mina.

Soon after came the news of an official fanclub meeting in July. On the day of the meeting, a three-member MAX came out to a crowded club performing their #1 smash, "Give me a Shake." Shortly following the performance, MAX confirmed rumors by introducing their new member, Aki Maeda. Aki's position in the band was initially uncertain, rumors were that she was either just a temporary member until Mina's return or upon Mina's return MAX would become a five-member group.

A new single and album were scheduled for release the next month along with TV appearances on some of the biggest music shows in the country. However, the single would be cancelled. The album, Maximum Trance containing trance remixes of old material would be released as scheduled. Their new television appearances were cancelled as well.

In November, MAX finally made their comeback with the bossa nova influenced single, "Eternal White". The single debuted at #20 and quickly fell off the charts. Subsequent releases continued to come with larger distances in time. The group released two singles in 2003 both failing to reach the top 30. In 2004, the group released a cover of Atomic Kitten's "Be with You". The single debuted at #34 after a promising but ultimately disappointing promotional push. In August, the group performed in the United States for the first time at Texas' AnimeFest held at the Hyatt Hotel in Dallas. Following the event, MAX took time out to participate in solo activities including modeling and acting.

10th Anniversary

In 2005, the group celebrated their 10th anniversary. Although the group had not released any new material after the release of "Be With You," they embarked on a hotel tour to commemorate the anniversary. The "MAX Love Trip 2005" spanned four shows in May. During the hotel tour, the group confirmed a new single entitled "Nirai Kanai" for release in July. The single would be a return to their roots incorporating Eurodance beats with traditional Okinawan elements. MAX also had a greater input in this single, not only picking the song but also writing the lyrics and even performing a bit of the instrumental. The group coined the term "Okinawan Euro" to describe the song. In an interview with "Barks.co.jp," the group explained that the long wait for the single was due to their search for the perfect song. They also stated that unlike in the past where they would release singles in a certain time span, that they would now concentrate on only releasing "good" music regardless of how long it takes. Upon release, the single was only able to capture a few thousand sales on the mainland. However, the song proved to be a runaway hit in Okinawa allowing the group to have several live events on the island. They followed up "Nirai Kanai" with another single in November and released their first album with new member, Aki in February 2006, entitled, "Jewel of Jewels." Another single entitled "Splash Gold (Natsu no Kiseki)/Prism of Eyes," the group's first double a-side single was released in August of that year. It became the group's final release with new member, Aki.

2008–2011: Original line-up reformation and 15th anniversary

On August 12, 2008, it was announced Aki would be leaving the group to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter. [4] The group made their last public appearance with Aki at the Japanese premiere of the "Sex and the City" film. In October, Lina and Reina told fans that they had been in meetings with their record label. [5] They did not discuss the details of the meeting, however, claimed that all would be revealed soon. On October 28, a press release was issued announcing the return of original member, Mina, and an official comeback. [6] They made their first public appearance on Tokudane and a reunion concert and new remix album were announced. The reunion concert was held on January 31, 2009 as a one-night only event at C.C. Lemon Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo. Its success led to announcement of six additional shows turning the concert event into a nationwide tour. [7] On the first night of the tour, their first comeback single, "Rough Cut Diamond" was announced. [8] It was released on July 22, 2009.

In late 2009, the group announced a one-night monthly concerts series, "MAX Monthly Live: VIP" to celebrate the group's 15th anniversary in 2010. The first concert of the series was held on January 24 at Akazaka Blitz in Tokyo. On May 12, a Eurobeat cover of Anri's "Cat's Eye" was released. It was followed by the release of a Eurobeat cover album composed of 80s and 90s classics and anime songs. "BE MAX" was released on September 8. The album debuted at #19 [9] on the Oricon Weekly Album Chart becoming their first top 20 release since 2002's "eternal white." On September 17, the group appeared on the variety program Nakai Masahiro no Kinyoubi no Smatachi e . The program revealed that they had been in turmoil following Mina's pregnancy. Although the group had shown solidarity following the announcement, it was a farce. The other three members stated that they had felt betrayed by Mina's actions because she did not confide her pregnancy to them herself but through management. The incident created a major rift between the original members and although Aki had been announced as a temporary member while Mina would take maternity leave, Mina had actually already exited the group. [10] The program later revealed that after Aki left the group to pursue a solo career, Nana suggested to the remaining members that they invite Mina to rejoin them. At the conclusion of the program, Mina formally apologized to the group.

On May 21, 2011, the group's management announced that Reina was five months pregnant and would take maternity leave immediately. [11] The announcement also affirmed that MAX would continue activities while Reina remained on hiatus. The group made their final appearance as a four-member group on Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ in late July where the remaining members performed for the first time as a three-piece unit.

2012–present: Hare, Tokidoki Farm! and MAX is back

As part of NHK's BS Premium's programming block catered to women, the network announced the weekly variety show, Hare, Tokidoki Farm! starring MAX. On the program, the members would hone horticulture and craftsmanship skills with local farmers and guest celebrities. The program premiered in April 2012 and featured MAX's first recording as a three-piece, "Check Me!" as its theme song. On April 17, MAX was announced as spokespersons for Sapporo Beer's wheat and lemon line of beverages. Another original song, "Sun Sun," was used in a commercial campaign aired exclusively in Okinawa. [12]

In October 2012, Reina revealed to fans that she had given birth to her first child, a boy, in November 2011 and that she was six months pregnant with her second child. [13] In February 2013, she announced the birth of her second child, a girl, and confirmed that she would be continuing her maternity leave until further notice. [14] At the end of February, MAX wrapped their tenure on Hare, Tokidoki Farm! and shortly afterwards, Lina informed fans through her blog that MAX had entered into meetings for a planned single release. In late July, a new single was formally announced touting "MAX is back." [15] "Tacata'" released on August 7, is a cover of Tacabro' song of the same name and is their first single as a three-member unit. In 2015, the trio released their cover of the Chainsmokers song "#SELFIE", now titled "#SELFIE ~ONNA Now~". The song was released to celebrate MAX's 20th anniversary. That year, Reina also had her third child, a boy.

In 2019, another MAX single, "Parthenon", was released to celebrate Reina's return to the group.

Discography

Tours

Filmography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Namie Amuro</span> Japanese singer (born 1977)

Namie Amuro is a retired Japanese singer. She rose to prominence as a teen idol, and transitioned into a leading pop artist due to her versatility across music styles and visual presentation. Due to her career reinventions and longevity, she is known as an icon across Japan and Asia. She has been referred to as the "Queen of Japanese Pop", and her influence domestically has drawn equivalent comparisons to artists such as Janet Jackson and Madonna in Western pop culture.

<i>Queen of Hip-Pop</i> 2005 studio album by Namie Amuro

Queen of Hip-Pop is the seventh studio album by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. It was released on July 13, 2005, by Avex Trax. The album's lyrical content, composing and arrangement was handled by multiple music collaborators, such as Nao'ymt, Sugi-V, Michico, Tricky Stewart, T.Kura, among many others. It is her second full-length urban contemporary record, and is made up of songs of various musical genres. Amuro uses the term "hip-pop" to describe the music on the album because it fuses pop music with other genres including R&B and hip-hop music. Three different formats were released to promote the album: a standalone CD, a limited edition Playbutton, and a digital download.

<i>Sweet 19 Blues</i> 1996 studio album by Namie Amuro

Sweet 19 Blues is the second studio album by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released through Avex Trax on July 22, 1996. It is Amuro's first release with the label since leaving Toshiba-EMI, as well as her first album free of material associated with her previous band, Super Monkey's. Sweet 19 Blues was executive produced by Tetsuya Komuro and features a diverse group of collaborators, including Cozy Kubo, Akio Togashi, Takahiro Maeda, M.c.A.T, and Randy Waldman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Want Me, Want Me</span> 2005 single by Namie Amuro

"Want Me, Want Me" is the 29th single by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. It was released by Avex Trax on April 6, 2005, and was the last retailed single to precede her seventh studio album, Queen of Hip-Pop (2005). "Want Me, Want Me" was initially supposed to be released as an album track of Queen of Hip-Pop or a coupling song, but Amuro thought it was so good she made it a single despite the opposition of her staff. The song's lyrics were written by Michico, while its music was composed by Sugi-V. Musically, "Want Me, Want Me" is an upbeat reggae-style tune with an addictive loop that incorporates Japanese elements like the koto that plays during the intro. Atypical for Amuro, the song contains sexually aggressive lyrics and namechecks the condom brand Trojan in the chorus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Light (Namie Amuro song)</span> 2005 single by Namie Amuro

"White Light" is a song by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released by Avex Trax in Japan on November 16, 2005, as a double A-single with "Violet Sauce". "White Light" was supposed to promote Amuro's eighth studio album Play (2007), but it was scrapped from the final track list. Instead, an alternative version of "Violet Sauce" appeared. A demo version of the song was sent to Amuro, who decided it needed a warmer tone and reworked it as a Christmas song. It was modified by Nao'ymt, the song's sole composer, producer, and writer. Musically, it's a midtempo Christmas song with lyrics about love and holiday festivities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girl Talk (Namie Amuro song)</span> 2004 single by Namie Amuro

"Girl Talk" is a song by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. Avex Trax released it on digital and physical formats on October 14, 2004, and it is the third single from Amuro's seventh studio album, Queen of Hip-Pop (2005). It was also released as a double A-side with "The Speed Star", though the latter did not appear on the parent album. "Girl Talk" was written and produced by T.Kura and Michico, and is a dance song with R&B and pop influences that, like its parent album, transitions from Amuro's original dance sound to a more mature yet transatlantic sound.

Super Monkey's was a Japanese pop-singing and dancing group that spawned the careers of Namie Amuro and some members of the girl group MAX. The group was active between 1991 until 1996.

<i>181920</i> 1998 greatest hits album by Namie Amuro

181920 is debut greatest hits album by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. Avex Trax released it in Japan on January 28, 1998, and it was later available in a variety of formats throughout Asia. The album contains Amuro's single releases from her debut studio album Dance Tracks Vol. 1 (1995) to her third album Concentration 20 (1997), as well as three tracks from her time with Toshiba-EMI. The album also included a new song called "Dreaming I Was Dreaming," which served as the only single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chase the Chance</span> 1995 single by Namie Amuro

"Chase the Chance" is the fourth single by Japanese singer Namie Amuro from her second studio album, Sweet 19 Blues (1996). It was released as the album's second single on December 4, 1995, through Avex Trax.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Have Never Seen</span> 1998 single by Namie Amuro

"I Have Never Seen" is the twelfth single by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released by Avex Trax on December 23, 1998, as the lead single to her fourth studio album Genius 2000 (2000). The song was written and composed solely by Tetsuya Komuro. It was the first single released after Amuro's return from her yearlong maternity leave, and was released approximately one week before her well-publicized official comeback at the 49th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. Musically, the song is a melancholic power ballad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Don't Cry (Namie Amuro song)</span> 2007 single by Namie Amuro

"Baby Don't Cry" is the 32nd single by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. It was released as the second single from her eighth studio album, Play (2007). It was written, composed, arranged, and produced by Japanese musician Naoaki Yamato, under the alias Nao'ymt. The single also included the B-side track "Nobody," a reworked version of her 2005 song "White Light." "Baby Don't Cry" premiered on January 24, 2007, as the third single from the album in Japan. It was also released worldwide on February 21, 2007, through Avex Inc. Musically, "Baby Don't Cry" is an mid-tempo sunshine pop song influenced by R&B music.

Double is the stage name for Japanese R&B singer Takako Hirasawa. Double used to be the name for the two member R&B group consisting of Takako and her sister Sachiko. After the death of Sachiko, Takako started her solo career adopting Double as her stage name. Double has been titled as the "Queen of R&B" and is considered to be a pioneer for being the first artist to bring American-style R&B to Japan.

<i>Best Fiction</i> 2008 greatest hits album by Namie Amuro

Best Fiction is the third greatest hits album by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released on July 30, 2008, by Avex Trax and features seventeen singles released between 2002-2008, which included five new songs, three of which were released as a triple A-side single called "60s 70s 80s." Furthermore, the album tracks "Do Me More" and "Sexy Girl" were released as digital singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild (Namie Amuro song)</span> 2009 single by Namie Amuro

"Wild" is a song by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released by Avex Trax on March 16, 2009, and serves as the lead single for her ninth studio album, Past<Future (2009). Furthermore, all physical and digital formats included the A-side titled "Dr.," which appears on the parent album. Amuro intended to depart from her previous releases with "Wild" and "Dr.", her first forays into new material. Michico, T. Kura, and Nao'ymt created and produced "Wild," which was recorded at Tokyo's Azabu-O-Studio with Ryosuke Kataoka's assistance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rough Cut Diamond</span> 2009 single by MAX

"Rough Cut Diamond" is MAX's 31st single under the Sonic Groove label. It was released on July 22, 2009 and was MAX's first single in three years. It was also the first single to be released since the departure of Aki and comeback of original lead singer, Mina. The title track was used as the theme song for TV Tokyo drama, "Kariyushi Sensei Chibaru."

<i>Past Future</i> 2009 studio album by Namie Amuro

Past<Future is the ninth studio album by Japanese pop singer Namie Amuro. It was released on December 16, 2009, through Avex Trax. This was her first original album to be released in two and a half years. The record came after the release of her blockbuster greatest hits album Best Fiction (2008), which sold over a million copies. Unlike her previous studio albums, Queen of Hip-Pop (2005) and Play (2007), Past<Future features a more electropop and synth-pop sound that was prevalent in the Western music charts at the time.

<i>Uncontrolled</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Namie Amuro

Uncontrolled is the tenth studio album by Japanese pop and R&B musician Namie Amuro, released on June 27, 2012. This marks Amuro's first original album in two and a half years since her last album Past<Future (2009) and her first original album for her 20th anniversary of her debut. It was released in three formats: CD+DVD, CD and Playbutton. Uncontrolled consists mostly of songs sung in Japanese, however this was the first album of Amuro's to feature several songs sung entirely in English. "Go Round" and "Yeah-Oh" are songs with entirely English lyrics, and are included under the titles "Go Round " and "Singing "Yeah-Oh!"" respectively. The new songs "In The Spotlight (Tokyo)," "Hot Girls" and "Only You" are also include entirely English lyrics.

"Big Boys Cry"/"Beautiful" is the 38th maxi single released by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. It was released on March 6, 2013 and was her last single released under the label Avex Trax. The single peaked at #4 on Oricon, it’s her lead single for her eleventh studio album Feel.

<i>Finally</i> (Namie Amuro album) 2017 greatest hits album by Namie Amuro

Finally is the seventh greatest hits album by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released in a variety of formats by her label Dimension Point on November 8, 2017, and was later distributed to other markets in Asia. It is the singer's final music release upon announcing her retirement from the entertainment industry in September 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dr. (Namie Amuro song)</span> 2009 single by Namie Amuro

"Dr." is a song by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro, taken as the only A-side single from her ninth studio album Past<Future (2009). The track was written, composed, arranged and produced entirely by long-time collaborator Nao'ymt, and recorded at Azabu-O Studios in Minato, Tokyo. Musically, "Dr." is a dance number that is influenced by modern club music, and also samples an orchestral section from the musical piece "Boléro", composed by French conductor Maurice Ravel. Lyrically, it is a love song that uses the titular term to metaphorically describe Amuro's lover.

References

  1. ↑ "MINA returns to MAX". Tokyograph. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  2. ↑ "復活ＭＡＸ「永久」宣言…７年ぶりライブ". Yomiuri. Archived from the original on 2009-02-02.
  3. ↑ "女性グループのシングル1位獲得数で単独1位に！ モーニング娘。の偉業を検証". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 2007-03-06.
  4. ↑ "MAX's Aki to leave at the end of the month". Tokyograph. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  5. ↑ "打合せ終了♪".
  6. ↑ "MAX MINAメンバー復帰のお知らせ".
  7. ↑ "ママでもＭＡＸ！ＭＩＮＡ８年ぶりライブ". Archived from the original on 2009-04-30.
  8. ↑ "ＭＡＸ１１年ぶり連ドラ主題歌！シングルは７年ぶり". Archived from the original on 2009-04-28.
  9. ↑ "BE MAX".
  10. ↑ "今、語られたMINA妊娠の裏側。「MAXを裏切った女」放送に大反響". 22 September 2010.
  11. ↑ "Vision Factory" . Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "MAX、新曲「Sun Sun」が地元・沖縄限定「麦＆レモン」CMソングに抜擢". 17 April 2012.
  13. ↑ "ご報告です。".
  14. ↑ "無事に♪".
  15. ↑ "MAX：NEW SINGLE『Tacata' 』発売中！".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.