Sex Machineguns

Last updated
Sex Machineguns
Origin Kagoshima, Japan
Genres
Years active1989-present
Labels Toshiba-EMI
MembersAnchang
Shingo☆
Sussy
THOMAS
Past membersNoisy
Ken'ichi
Clutch J. Himawari
Circuit V. Panther
Samurai W. Kenjilaw
Speed Star Sypan Joe
Ryotatsu
Leon
Website Official site

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.

Contents

Biography

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

Current members

Former members

Support members (former)

Timeline (Recording Era; 1997-present)

Sex Machineguns

Discography

Albums

TitleRelease datePeak Chart Position in Japan
Sex Machinegun October 16, 199829
Made in JapanNovember 26, 19999
Barbe-Q★マイケルMarch 7, 20017
Burning Hammer (live album)October 31, 20017
IgnitionOctober 9, 20028
Machineguns no Tsudoi ("best of" compilation)June 4, 20039
To the Future Tracks: Gathering for Unreleased SongsAugust 6, 200329
Live! Final Attack at Budokan (double live album)September 26, 200357
Heavy Metal Thunder March 2, 200522
Made in USAFebruary 8, 200629
Best Tracks the Past and the FutureMarch 26, 200865
CameronOctober 8, 200839
45° AngleOctober 7, 200934
SMGAugust 31, 201191
Love GamesOctober 29, 201493
Metal MonsterDecember 16, 2015125
Iron SoulNovember 28, 2018-
地獄の暴走列車April 12, 2023-

Singles

TitleRelease datePeak 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, 200116
"Tairyô" (Good Fishing!)August 29, 200113
"Soko ni, Anata ga..." (There You Are...)January 23, 200213
"Bousou Rock" (Reckless Rider)May 16, 200216
"Yonaoshi Good Vibration" (Social Reform, Good Vibration)August 7, 200216
"Demae-do Icchokusen" (Straight-Line Meal Delivery)November 10, 200415
"Suspense Gekijou" (Suspense Theatre)February 9, 200522
"Aijin 28" (Lover 28)August 3, 200528
"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, 200926
"37564" (Killing 'em All)February 23, 201185
"Ame no Kawasaki"(Raining Kawasaki)January 25, 201299
"Miren Fire!" (Lingering FIRE!)July 2, 2014106
Metal Keiri-man (Metal Accountant)May 27, 2015135
Shining StarJune 23, 2021
The GraveOctober 30, 2021
燃えろ!!ジャパメタNovember 18, 2022

Other

TitleRelease 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

MemberTitleRelease datePeak Chart Position in Japan
AnchangCobra Twist
2007includes covers of Marianne (The Alfee) and Cherry (Spitz)
The Maintenance
  • a 10 tracks album under the name "Sex Machinegun"
January 28, 200426
Memphis
  • a follow-up to "The Maintenance"
February 21, 200798
Open Your Heart! Tear!December 3, 200325
Circuit V. PantherSexy 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
EllegunsKeepout
  • a 6-track instrumental by Circuit V. Panther, Samurai W. Kenjilaw, and Speed Star Sypan Joe
October 12, 2005

Videography

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

TitleRelease dateFormat
Emergency! Nozarashi!September 27, 2000Video
SM ShowOctober 16, 2000DVD and Video
Video SexJune 7, 2000Video
February 20, 2002DVD
SM Show 2February 20, 2002DVD and Video
Video Sex 2December 4, 2002
SM Show 3February 19, 2003
SM Show FinaleOctober 22, 2003DVD
Metal BoxDecember 10, 2003DVD
Made in USAJanuary 25, 2006Single DVD
Living in AmericaMarch 8, 2006Documentary DVD
A Day in the Live: Sex Machineguns Live in USAJune 28, 2006Live DVD
Video Sex Special Best ClipsMarch 26, 2008DVD
Independence Day LiveApril 28, 2010Live DVD
SMG ALive!May 18, 2011Live DVD
"Sex Machineguns vs. The Kanmuri" SMG Tour 2012July 18, 2012Live DVD

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References

  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.