Toe (band)
Toe (トー, Tō), stylized as toe, is a Japanese post-rock/math rock band from Tokyo. The group was founded in 2000, and consists of Kashikura Takashi (drums), Mino Takaaki (guitar), Yamane Satoshi (bass guitar), and Yamazaki Hirokazu (guitar).[1]
toe | |
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![]() toe performing in Vancouver, British Columbia in July 2015 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
Genres | Post-rock, math rock |
Years active | 2000–present |
Labels | CATUNE, Machu Picchu, Topshelf Records, Big Scary Monsters |
Members | Yamazaki Hirokazu (guitar) Mino Takaaki (guitar) Yamane Satoshi (bass) Kashikura Takashi (drums) |
History
The band has its origins in 2000 when guitar player Yamazaki Hirokazu decided to quit an old band which he described as having a "scream-o emo sound", inviting the other guitarist Mino Takaaki, who played in another band. They were later joined by drummer Kashikura Takashi and bassist Yamane Satoshi.[2] In July 2001, toe began performing live,[3] and the next year, they released the EP songs, ideas we forgot, being actively touring ever since.[4]
In 2005, they released their first studio album The Book About My Idle Plot on a Vague Anxiety through the label CATUNE.[5] Soon after, they founded their own indie label Machu Picchu Industrias, alongside the bands Mouse on the Keys, Enemies, and Tangled Hair.[2][6] In 2006 they released their first DVD (RGBDVD), followed by the EP New Sentimentality the following year.[3]
In 2009, toe released a split EP with the band Collections of Colonies of Bees,[3] and in December 9 of the same year, they released their second studio album, For Long Tomorrow, which saw the band expand their sound using new elements like a Rhodes piano, acoustic guitars, and minor vocals. After the album tour, they released their second live DVD Cut_DVD in 2010.[7]
In 2012, toe released the EP the future is now, published by Topshelf Records in the US and Big Scary Monsters in the EU and UK.[8] Subsequently, Topshelf Records re-released most of the band's catalog on vinyl.[9] The group also released the DVD 8 Days EU Tour in 2012.[3]
In 2015, the band released their third studio album Hear You, which was met with positive critical acclaim. It was characterized by its more minimal and vocally-focused sound in comparison with past records, having some hip-hop influences as well.[10][11]
In 2018, toe released a compilation of non-album tracks and remixes titled That's Another Story, in January 24, and the studio EP Our Latest Number, in August 22. Their most recent album, 独演会 "DOKU-EN-KAI" was live recorded in the round at le Poisson Rouge in New York City in 2019, and it was released in March 6, 2021.[3][12][13]
In 2021, they contributed an original song to the soundtrack for the anime series Sonny Boy.[14]
Members
Musical style
The vast majority of toe's music is instrumental, featuring a very dynamic drumming blended in with melodic, clean guitars.[15] Takashi's drumming has been specially revered among math-rock circles,[16] considered to be the main attractive of the band from their first releases.[7] The AllMusic review for The Book About My Idle Plot on a Vague Anxiety calls the drums "the star of the sound".[5] Lars Gotrich from NPR praises Takashi, deeming him "capable of Questlove-level precision and soul one moment, and a cyclone of controlled chaos the next", and explains that what makes toe different from other bands within the genre is their "ability to tell short, concise stories — ecstatic, noodly, complex pop songs that unfold in less than five minutes"[17] The group changed their sound in later records incorporating acoustic guitars, Rhodes piano, vibraphones and vocals.[7][15]
Discography
Studio albums
- The Book About My Idle Plot on a Vague Anxiety (2005)
- For Long Tomorrow (2009)
- Hear You (2015)
- 独演会 "DOKU-EN-KAI" (2021)
EPs
- Songs, Ideas We Forgot (2003)
- New Sentimentality (2006)
- New Sentimentality "Tour Edition" (2008) Enhanced CDEP Limited to 1000
- Toe/Collection of Colonies of Bees (2009)
- The Future Is Now (2012)
- Our Latest Number (2018)
Splits
- Pele / toe (2002)
Remix albums
- Re:designed (2003)
Compilation albums
- That's Another Story (2018)
Live DVDs
- RGBDVD (2005)
- CUT_DVD (2010)
- 8 Days DVD (2012)
- DOKU EN KAI (2021)
References
- Despres, Shawn (29 January 2010). "Math rockers Toe take it slow". Japantimes.co.jp. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
- Ryding, Paul (4 September 2014). "Toe: Experimental Rockers' Simple Pleasures". www.thebeijinger.com. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- Simpson, Paul. "toe Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- "toeのプロフィール・作品情報". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese).
- "The Book About My Idle Plot on a Vague Anxiety - toe | Album". AllMusic.
- "Machupicchu INDUSTRIAS". Machupicchu-industrias.com. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
- Wu, Cadence (April 1, 2012). "Music Review: Toe - For Long Tomorrow". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- "Topshelf // toe". Topshelf Records. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- "Toe // Topshelf". Topshelf Records. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- Gunst, Julia (29 July 2015). "toe - Hear You". Exclaim!. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- Negron, Michael (8 August 2015). "Toe: Hear You". Inyourspeakers Media. Archived from the original on 2015-08-05. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- Spincoaster (2 March 2021). "toe、NY公演収めた『独演会』Bandcampにてグローバル・リリース Apple Musicにて先行配信も - Spincoaster (スピンコースター)". spincoaster.com/. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- "Topshelf Records - toe - DOKU-EN-KAI". Topshelf Records. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
- "Madhouse's Sonny Boy Sci-Fi Anime Posts New Video, Visual". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- "Topshelf Records - toe tour dates, merch, video, catalog & more". Topshelf Records. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
- Negron, Michael (2015-08-01). "Toe: Hear You". Inyourspeakers Media. Archived from the original on 2015-08-05. Retrieved 2015-08-06.
- Lars, Gotrich (2 July 2015). "Songs We Love: toe, 'My Little Wish'". NPR. Retrieved 27 April 2024.