Biography
Band-Maid, stylized as BAND-MAID and formerly as BAND-MAID®, is a five-piece, all-female Japanese rock group, signed to Gump Records, an imprint of the Shibuya-based Platinum Passport artist management and talent agency, itself a division of Avex Group.
The first incarnation known as BAND-MAID® was formed in july 2013 by Singer/guitarist Miku Kobato, a former employee of a Japanese maid café. Via an internet search Kobato found lead guitarist Kanami Tōno, who had performed as a singer-songwriter before. She suggested Akane Hirose for as the drummer for the new band. In return, Hirose suggested bassplayer Misa, which she knew from music school.
Band-Maid's first performance was on24 July 2013 with Kobato on vocals. Shortly after the band decided to add a real singer to their group. After some auditions they decided Saiki Atsumi to be their lead singer.
The group performed as a five-piece for the first time at the Shibuya-AX "P Festival" on 22 August 2013.
Since their formation, Band-Maid has regularly performed live at various venues around the Tokyo area. The group released their debut mini-album "MAID IN JAPAN" in January 2014. Later this year, the band released their single Ai to Jōnetsu no Matador ("Love, Passion, Matador" internationally) and in November 2015 their second mini-album "New Beginning" followed.
In May 2016 Band-Maid released their third mini-album (and first major label album) "Brand New Maid" and in October and November the band went on their first tour which took them to Mexico, Hong Kong, and six countries in Europe.
In January 2017, Band-Maid released their first full-length album "Just Bring It".
In February 2018, Band-Maid released their second album, "WORLD DOMINATION".
Shortly after, in April 2018, Band-Maid made a debut as their side project name, BAND-MAIKO, with the release of the side project's debut single, "secret MAIKO lips". In April 2019, the side project released an album with the title of "BAND-MAIKO", consisting of "secret MAIKO lips", accompanied with 6 other songs.
In December 2019, Band-Maid released their third album, "CONQUEROR".
In January 2021, Band-Maid released their fourth album, "Unseen World", this being their most recent full-length album.
In September 2022, Band-Maid released their fifth album, "Unleash", being their first "mini-album" since "Brand New Maid".
Members:
Miku Kobato (小鳩 ミク) – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, occasional lead vocals (2013–present)
Kanami Tōno (遠乃 歌波) – lead guitar, backing vocals (2013–present)
Akane Hirose (廣瀬 茜) – drums, backing vocals (2013–present)
Misa (ミサ, stylized as MISA) – bass (2013–present)
Saiki Atsumi (厚見 彩姫) – lead and backing vocals (2013–present)
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