In 1991, while attending Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Yasuko Onuki started a band called Mizu and, after a short period rehearsing with another guitarist, recruited Ichirou Agata to play guitar in the band. Mizu's original drummer and bass player quit six months after Agata joined, leaving Yasuko to handle the bass and vocal duties until she found bassist Rika. They briefly performed shows around Tokyo without a drummer. Sudoh Toshiaki then joined as the new drummer in November 1992, and they changed their name to Melt-Banana. In May 1993, Melt-Banana played a show opening for KK Null of Zeni Geva fame, who was impressed enough to immediately offer them a deal with his label, and would later introduce them to Mark Fischer of Skin Graft Records and Steve Albini. In 1996, sick Zip Everywhere was nominated for MTV UK's best video. In the same year the band completed their first European tour. In 1997, they created their own recording company, A-Zap, and re-issued most of their early albums. Around this time, drummer Sudoh Toshiaki quit. Oshima Watchman became the new official drummer in February 1998. The band's first Peel Session was in September 1999. Peel described the session as "Simply one of the most extraordinary performances I have ever seen and ever heard... just mesmerizing, absolutely astonishing." Watchman left the band in 2000, since then the band has had different drummers helping them on tours and in making albums. In 2007, Melt-Banana recorded the song "Hair-Cat " for Perfect Hair Forever on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup. The studio albumFetch, released September 2013, saw the band transition to a duo. The decision not to use a live drummer led on to the decision not to have a live bass player. Using a computer for the rhythm allowed more freedom in arrangement. Hamamoto's help was not needed for the new duo format. Additionally, throughout the band's career Agata and Yasuko had been the main songwriters.
Style
Melt-Banana's music is typically described as noise rock, with roots in punk, grindcore, electro-pop and electronic music. The band has shied away from any classification, saying they "don't write music according to genre", and has described their music as "like a chimera". Melt-Banana has cited The Sex Pistols, Einstürzende Neubauten, Masonna, Violent Onsen Geisha, Aphex Twin and Atari Teenage Riot as influences, as well as the compilation albumNo New York. Agata also gets inspiration from the feelings of excitement, triumph and peril he experiences when playing video games, and interpreting that musically. He believes that influences from outside music, including video games, help them see from fresh angles and keep them from writing "the same kind of music again and again". Games he has cited as an inspiration include Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, Ecco the Dolphin, Demon's Souls and Shadow of the Colossus. Onuki's distinctive vocal style has been described as "loud, piercing and unexpectedly authoritative". Asked about her influences, Onuki explained "there is no tradition and no influence besides maybe Lydia Lunch and the Teenage Jerks. She opened a new book for me. It was so unique and distinctive, you could tell by listening to the voice who is singing – that what I wanted to achieve with my own voice too." Although the band is Japanese, their lyrics are written in English. Onuki originally sung in Japanese, but quickly changed to English, believing that it was better suited to her style of singing. Because English is not her native language, Onuki often has to look words up in dictionaries, which also allows her to find words that sound interesting to her. In writing a song, Onuki typically starts with particular words and then works backwards, the content of which comes from what she "see and feel in usual life". Agata is noted for his distinct style of guitar playing that involves heavy use of effects and pedals. The band is known for playing an "eclectic" selection of cover songs, both live and on studio recordings. Melt-Banana was inspired to do so after touring with Mr. Bungle and seeing them perform several cover songs, and thinking it would be fun for both the audience and the band themselves. Songs that Melt-Banana has covered include "Surfin' USA", "Neat Neat Neat" and "Paint It Black". In choosing the songs, Melt-Banana simply "play songs that like."
From 2013 onward the band does not have a bass player.
Rika Hamamoto
Drums
Melt-Banana does not currently have an official drummer. From 2013 onward the band does not have a drummer when playing live. There have been two drummers who were official members; Sudoh Toshiaki and Oshima Watchma. A number of guest drummers have been used for studio recordings and live performances.
Sudoh Toshiaki . Appears on Speak Squeak Creak, Cactuses Come in Flocks, and Scratch or Stitch.
Kikuchi – guest live drummer, one show, early 1998.
Youichiro Natsume – guest studio drummer, early 1998. Appears on Charlie.
Oshima Watchma . Toured, and appears on MxBx 1998/13,000 Miles at Light Velocity and Teeny Shiny.
Dave Witte – guest touring drummer, US and Europe only, 2001 to 2005.
Obokata – guest live drummer, Japan only.
Masashi Sakata – guest live drummer, Japan and ATP UK 2002.
Takiya Terada – guest live drummer in 2002, 2010–2012.
Eiji Uki – Guest live drummer, Japan and 2007 US tours and 2008 Europe tour.
Yasuhiro Inomata – guest live drummer in 2009.
Touring and collaborations
The band have carried out lengthy US and UK tours yearly and smaller Japanese tours. Melt-Banana have worked with a diverse range of artists, including Merzbow, John Zorn, Agathe Max, Mike Patton, and Discordance Axis. Melt-Banana has toured as an opening act with high-profile bands such as:
