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Bow Wow (band)

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For other uses, see Bow Wow.
Bow Wow
Also known asVow Wow, Bow Wow G2
OriginJapan
Genres
Years activeBow Wow:
1975 (1975)–1983, 1995–present
Vow Wow:
1984 (1984)–1990 (reunions: 2009 and 2010)
LabelsVictor, Sony Music,
Toshiba EMI, Arista (US), Rockcandy (US), Heavy Metal (EU), Roadrunner (EU)
MembersKyoji Yamamoto
Mitsuhiro Saito
Past membersKenji Sano
Genki Hitomi
Rei Atsumi
Neil Murray
Mark Gould
Tetsuya Horie
Hiroshi Yaegashi
Shotaro Mitsuzono
Eiji Mitsuzono
Toshihiro Niimi
WebsiteOfficial site

Bow Wow is an influential Japanese rock band formed in 1975 by guitarist and vocalist Kyoji Yamamoto. They were one of the first Japanese metal bands. In 1984 they renamed themselves to Vow Wow, recruited lead vocalist Genki Hitomi and adopted a mainstream sound.[1] Yamamoto was invited to record with the supergroup Phenomena in 1987, where he met former Whitesnake bassist Neil Murray who then joined Vow Wow.

In 1990, Vow Wow officially disbanded as Hitomi retired from music and Murray joined Black Sabbath. Yamamoto reformed Bow Wow in 1995 with all new members, before it became a trio when original members Mitsuhiro Saito and Toshihiro Niimi rejoined in 1998. Niimi left in 2015, and the group now performs under the name Bow Wow G2, which refers to the two guitarists being the only official members.

In Japan their best-selling album is V which reached number 12 on the Oricon chart.[2] Internationally their best-selling album is Helter Skelter, which reached number 75 on the UK Albums Chart.[3]

History

1975–1983: Bow Wow

Bow Wow was formed in 1975 by Yoshimi Ueno,[4][5] an inexperienced record producer who recruited vocalist and guitarist Mitsuhiro Saito and drummer Toshihiro Niimi, whom he had managed before. Vocalist and guitarist Kyoji Yamamoto and bassist Kenji Sano were scouted from Yamaha Music School and Bow Wow was officially formed.[1] They were quickly signed to Victor and used the money to buy a truck that could double as a stage, which earned them interviews with many magazines and television shows.[6] Bow Wow released their self-titled debut album in 1976.[6] In 1977, they opened for Aerosmith and Kiss on their Japanese tours and released two more albums, Signal Fire and Charge.[6] The title track from Signal Fire was named the 28th best guitar instrumental by Young Guitar Magazine in 2019.[7]

According to AllMusic's Eduardo Rivadavia, their next few records were criticized by critics and fans as being musically all over the place, veering from their hard rock roots, and suffering from poor production values.[8] Yamamoto himself has described the three consecutive albums, Guarantee (1978), Glorious Road and Telephone (both 1980), as being the band's "pop era."[9] He noted that Saito was the main vocalist on the first two, but he took over vocal duties again on Telephone, where he looked to fuse pop with rock.[9]

Seeing talent in the band, production would soon be overseen by Touru Yazawa who had produced Alice, a renowned folk rock group in Japan. Their first release with the new producer was the album Hard Dog in 1981, which returned the band to a respectable hard rock act. In 1982, Bow Wow performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and later the Reading Festival in England.[6] They also released Warning from Stardust, which Daisuke Kawasaki, writing for Rolling Stone Japan, rated No. 23 on a 2007 list of the "100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time".[10] The following year they toured with Hanoi Rocks across the UK and performed their final concert at Nakano Sun Plaza. Guitarist Mitsuhiro Saito left in November 1983 to join ARB.

1984–1990: Vow Wow

In 1984, the remaining three members were joined by vocalist Genki Hitomi and keyboardist Rei Atsumi, this resulted in a more commercial sound and the band decided a name change was necessary.[11] Now called Vow Wow, the band relocated to England and were without a bassist for a short-time, because Kenji Sano needed to return to Japan in 1987. Former Whitesnake bassist Neil Murray was recruited to fill the spot after he and Yamamoto worked on the second album from Phenomena,[1] although Murray later stated he never became a full member.[12] They then began recording the album V with producer Kit Woolven (Thin Lizzy, David Bowie) and co-produced with John Wetton who wrote the lyrics for the album's hit single "Don't Leave Me Now". They were asked by Tommy Vance to create the jingles for his British radio program, the Friday Rock Show.[12] After another album, they recorded the classic hard rock anthem "Rock Me Now" and returned to Japan for a national tour. Although experiencing commercial success, Genki wanted to remain in Japan to begin a family. The band recorded what was to be their final album titled Helter Skelter in 1989, which was handled by Tony Taverner (Gipsy Kings, Black Sabbath). After the album Rei joined RC Succession for a live tour and Neil became a member of Black Sabbath.

Shortly after, producers Nick Griffiths (Queen, Paul McCartney) and Bob Ezrin (Kiss, Pink Floyd) requested to create an album with Vow Wow. The band regrouped without Neil who was recording with Black Sabbath, and utilized American studio bassist Mark Gould for their final album, Mountain Top. Vow Wow disbanded after a May 28, 1990 concert at the Nippon Budokan. Genki became a high school English teacher, while the other members each continued separate musical careers, Yamamoto forming the band Wild Flag in 1991.

1995–present: Bow Wow revival and Vow Wow reunion concerts

In May 1995, Yamamoto reformed Bow Wow with all new members.[11] They had several releases until dissolving in March 1997. However, in 1998 original members Mitsuhiro Saito and Toshihiro Niimi rejoined Yamamoto, and Bow Wow became a trio.[13] In August 2003 they performed in Daegu, South Korea at the O.K.! Crazy!! World Rock Festival. They returned the following year when their next album got a Korean release.

Genki Hitomi and Rei Atsumi reunited with Yamamoto and Niimi for a Vow Wow reunion concert on December 25, 2009, and for two shows the following year on December 25 and 26, 2010. Niimi left Bow Wow in 2015 and the group now performs sporadically under the name Bow Wow G2, which refers to the two guitarists, Yamamoto and Saito, being the only official members.[14] In August 2016, Bow Wow G2 held a concert for the band's 40th anniversary, which was later released on home video.[14] Three years after their last performance in 2018, the duo held a concert for their 45th anniversary on September 26, 2021 at Ebisu Garden Hall, where they recreated the setlist of Bow Wow's 1978 live album Super Live.[15]

Members

Bow Wow

Current members

  • Kyoji Yamamoto (山本恭司) – lead vocals (1975–1983, 1998–present); guitar (1975–1983, 1995–present)
  • Mitsuhiro Saito (斉藤光浩) – guitar, vocals (1975–1983, 1998–present)
  • Shinji Matsumoto (松本慎二) – bass (2016–present, touring member)
  • Masanori "Cherry" Koyanagi (小柳昌法) – drums (2016–present, touring member)

Former members

  • Kenji Sano (佐野賢二) – bass (1975–1983)
  • Tetsuya Horie (堀江哲也) – lead vocals (1995–1997)
  • Hiroshi Yaegashi (八重樫浩士) – guitar (1995–1997)
  • Shotaro Mitsuzono (満園庄太郎) – bass (1995–1997)
  • Eiji Mitsuzono (満園英二) – drums (1995–1997)
  • Toshihiro Niimi (新美俊宏) – drums (1975–1983, 1998–2015)
  • Daisuke Kitsuwa – bass (1998–2015, touring member)

Vow Wow

Last line-up

  • Genki Hitomi (人見元基) – lead vocals (1984–1990, 2009, 2010)
  • Kyoji Yamamoto – guitar, backing vocals (1984–1990, 2009, 2010)
  • Toshihiro Niimi – drums (1984–1990, 2009, 2010)
  • Rei Atsumi (厚見玲衣) – keyboards, synthesizers, piano, keytar, backing vocals (1984–1990, 2009, 2010)
  • Mark Gould – bass, backing vocals (1990)

Former members

  • Kenji Sano – bass, backing vocals (1984–1987)
  • Neil Murray – bass, backing vocals (1987–1990)

Timeline

Discography as Bow Wow

Albums

Year Title Type
1976 Bow Wow Studio
1977 Signal Fire
Charge
1978 Super Live Live
Guarantee Studio
1980 Glorious Road
Telephone
Kumikyoku X Bomber (組曲Xボンバー) (for the TV series X-Bomber) Soundtrack
1981 Hard Dog Studio
1982 Asian Volcano
Warning from Stardust
1983 Holy Expedition Live
1995 Bow Wow # 0 EP
Bow Wow # 1 Studio
1996 Led by the Sun
1998 Still on Fire EP
Back[16] Studio
1999 Ancient Dreams[17] Studio
Live Explosion 1999 Live
2000 Beyond Studio
2001 Another Place
2002 What's Going On?
2005 Super Live 2004 Live
Era Studio

Singles

  • "Volume On" (1976)
  • "Still" (1977)
  • "Sabishii Yuugi (1978)
  • "Hoshii no wa Omae Dake" (1979)
  • "Wasurekaketeta Love Song " (1980)
  • "Rainy Train" (1980)
  • "Keep on Rockin'" (1980)
  • "Soldier in the Space" (1980)
  • "Gonna be Alright" (1981)
  • "Take Me Away" (1982)
  • "Forever" (1983)
  • "You're Mine" (1983)
  • "One Last Time" (2002)
  • "King or Queen" (2014)

Compilations

  • The Bow Wow (1979)
  • Locus 1976-1983 (1986)
  • The Bow Wow II Decennium (2008)
  • XXXV (2011)

Videos

  • The Live Empire (2003)
  • Live Explosion 1999 (2003)
  • 2003.3.22 Live (2003)
  • Rock to the Future 2002 Bow Wow vs XYZ→A (2003)
  • Super Live 2004 (2005)
  • Super Live 2005 (2006)
  • Super Live 2006 (2007)
  • Super Live 2007 (2008)
  • Super Live 2009 (2010)
  • Super Live 2011 (2012)
  • Bow Wow G2 Live in Tokyo (2017)

Discography as Vow Wow

Albums

Year Title JP UK Type
1984 Beat of Metal Motion Studio
1985 Cyclone 300 (2006 reissue)[18] Studio
1986 III 275 (2006 reissue)[18] Studio
Live Live
Hard Rock Night/Vow Wow Live Live
1987 V Studio
Revive Remix EP
1988 Vibe (Helter Skelter[19][20] in the United Kingdom) 19[21] 75[3] Studio
1990 Mountain Top 16[21] Studio
2019 Majestic Live 1989 171[18] Live
2020 Live At Reading Festival 1987 252[18] Live

Singles

Year Title JP Album
1984 "Beat of Metal Motion" Beat of Metal Motion
1985 "U.S.A." Cyclone
1987 "Don't Leave Me Now" V
1988 "Cry No More"
"Don't Tell Me Lies"
"Rock Me Now" Vibe/Helter Skelter
1989 "Helter Skelter"
"I Feel the Power"
1990 "Tell Me" 23[22] Mountain Top

Compilations

Year Title JP
1986 Shock Waves
1988 Vow Wow
1990 Legacy 60[21]
1992 Best Now
1996 Twin Best
2006 Super Best: Rock Me Forever 286[18]
2007 The Vox (8CD+DVD Boxed-set)

Videos

Every VHS was re-released on DVD on June 14, 2006

Year Title JP
1985 Visions 116[23]
1986 Live 75[23]
1989 Live in the U.K. 80[23]
1990 Japan Live 1990 at Budokan 88[23]

References

  1. ^ a b c Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 167. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  2. ^ "BOW WOWのアルバム売上ランキング". Oricon.
  3. ^ a b "VOW WOW". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  4. ^ "Biography". kyoji-yamamoto.com. Retrieved 2021-10-31.
  5. ^ "【連載】Vol.098「Mike's Boogie Station＝音楽にいつも感謝！＝」". Barks (in Japanese). 2020-09-07. Retrieved 2021-10-31.
  6. ^ a b c d "Kyoji Yamamoto leaves all inhibitions behind". The Japan Times. 2009-04-18. Archived from the original on 2012-12-27. Retrieved 2011-09-14.
  7. ^ "ヤング・ギター厳選『ギター・インストの殿堂100』名演ランキング". Young Guitar Magazine (in Japanese). 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  8. ^ "Hard Dog - Bow Wow". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  9. ^ a b "山本恭司 ヤング・ギター2017年12月号 本誌未掲載インタビュー". Young Guitar Magazine (in Japanese). 2017-11-18. Retrieved 2021-10-31.
  10. ^ "Finally! "The 100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time" Listed". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  11. ^ a b "BOWWOW Frontman Kyoji Yamamoto". Bravewords.com. 2010-12-10. Archived from the original on 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2011-09-14.
  12. ^ a b "Remembering The Original Japanese Rock Invasion". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 2015-01-26.
  13. ^ "BOWWOW OFFICIAL SITE". Bowwow-army.jp.
  14. ^ a b "BOWWOW G2＠Mt.RAINIER HALL SHIBUYA PLEASURE PLEASURE 2018.8.25 ライヴ・レポート". Young Guitar Magazine (in Japanese). 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2021-10-31.
  15. ^ "人生経験から滲み出る迫力！　BOWWOW 45th Anniversary：BOWWOW G2ライブ　2021年9月26日@恵比寿ザ・ガーデンホール". Young Guitar Magazine (in Japanese). 2021-10-31. Retrieved 2021-10-31.
  16. ^ "Back". Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  17. ^ "Ancient Dreams". Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  18. ^ a b c d e BOW WOWのアルバム売り上げランキング. Oricon Retrieved 2011-12-11.
  19. ^ "Vow Wow - VIBe". Discogs.com.
  20. ^ "Vow Wow - Helter Skelter". Discogs.com.
  21. ^ a b c "ＢＯＷ　ＷＯＷのアルバム売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2013-02-18. Retrieved 2011-12-11.
  22. ^ "BOW WOWのシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2013-02-18. Retrieved 2011-12-11.
  23. ^ a b c d BOW WOWのDVD売り上げランキング. Oricon Retrieved 2011-12-11.
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