Brats (Japanese band)

Brats (stylized as BRATS) is a Japanese all-female rock band formed in 2011 by sisters Rei and Aya Kuromiya. In 2015, guitarist Hinako became an official member of the group. The band released their first full-length album BRATS in 2018, which contained theme songs from the anime series To Be Hero and the Japanese film Slavemen.

This article is about the Japanese girls rock band BRATS. For the toyline, see Bratz. For other uses, see Brat (disambiguation).
BRATS
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresRock, Punk
Years active2011–present
Websitebrats-official.com
MembersRei Kuromiya
Aya Kuromiya
Past membersSeira Goto
Maria
Hinako

History

Brats was formed in Tokyo in August 2011 by sisters Rei Kuromiya and Aya Kuromiya, when they were 10- and 12-years-old, respectively. The band name was chosen by Rei because of her "brat"-like personality.[1]

On August 15, 2012, Brats released their first demo CD "Gangan Do it!" on the same day as their first performance at Shibuya Club Quattro. On August 25, they received a special award in the 634 Band Contest at Azumabashi Fest. On May 3, 2013, Brats performed at Imax Live 2013 held at Ikebukuro's RUIDO K3, and held their first solo live show on August 11, 2013, at the same venue. On April 10, 2015, they released their independently-produced first single, "Misery".[2]

On November 21, 2015, Brats released the music video "14-sai-byou" ("14-year-old disease"). The song, produced by Urbangarde's Temma Matsunaga, featured the band performing in techno-rock style connected to religious, lolita, and horror imagery,[3][4] but Rei later stated that she felt the song and its video weren't true to her vision of the band: "It's what Temma-san felt Brats was, and we jumped into the world of Urbangarde."[1] The band paused activities in March 2015, and Rei Kuromiya temporarily joined the group Ladybaby, continuing through November 2017.[5]

On December 24, 2016, Brats posted a teaser image on their website with the date "12.27.16",[6] and 3 days later, on December 27, Brats revealed their new hard rock style in the music video "Ainikoiyo", the opening theme from the Japanese anime To Be Hero. Rei explained the decision to move in a hard rock direction was rooted in the band members coming of age: "Now, the three of us are a bit older and we can express more of our own opinions, like 'We want to rock more!' We feel confident about our direction, so we have no doubt about our future."[1]

On March 29, 2017, Brats returned to live performances with the free solo concert, "Reborn", at Ikebukuro's Live Inn Rosa, their first live performance in over 2 years.[1][7] At the show, they announced the upcoming release of a double-A-side single, which would include bonus live content in special Japanese and international editions.[8]

On March 3, 2017, Brats released the music video for the song "Nounai Shoukyo Game", which served as the theme song for the Japanese film Slavemen, directed by Noboru Iguchi.[9][10] On June 21, 2017, Brats released the double-A-side single "Ainikoiyo"/"Nounai Shoukyo Game", with additional live tracks available in the Japanese limited-edition CD and international digital release, breaking into the Oricon Top 100 at number 92 and reaching number 8 on the Oricon Indies chart.[11]

On July 25, 2018, the band released their first full-length album, self-titled BRATS, which included "Ainikoiyo" and "Nounai Shoukyo Game" along with new songs and fully mastered versions of the previously-released live tracks. The album reached number 111 on the Oricon chart,[11] and featured lead singer Rei's first attempt at writing lyrics, credited as co-writer of the songs "Pain" and "Lost Place".[12]

Brats made their first live concert appearance outside of Japan at “Ambitious Girls Series 1” at West Bridge Hall in Seoul, South Korea, alongside idol-metal group Broken By The Scream on January 20, 2019. The band used concert footage from the event in their music video for "Unfair".[13][14]

On January 10, 2020, Brats performed in the United States at Anime Los Angeles in Ontario, California, and released the digital single "Excuser".[15] On February 14, the band released the digital single "No more No more" with the cover image shot in Hollywood, California.[16]

On July 24, 2020, the band announced release of their second studio album, titled Karma, set to be released on September 30.[17] On July 27, guitarist Hinako announced her departure, citing creative differences.[18]

Music and influences

Brats members have cited various rock and punk influences as their inspirations. Rei's interest in performing music began when she saw a SCANDAL concert at the age of 10, and Hinako started a band when she was 15 years old covering Japanese bands such as ELLEGARDEN. Aya lists singer Mio Yamazaki as an model female musician.[19][20]

Band members

Current members

  • Rei Kuromiya (b: 11/29/2000) - vocals, guitar (2011–present)
  • Aya Kuromiya (b: 11/28/1998) - bass, backing vocals (2011–present)


Former members

  • Seira Goto - guitar (2011–2014)
  • Maria - drums (2011–2013)
  • Hinako (b: 5/9/1996) - guitar (2015–2020)

Bibliography
  • 2019: "BRATS PHOTO BOOK" [21]

Discography

Studio albums
Year Album details Oricon[11]
2018 BRATS
  • Released: July 25, 2018
  • Label: Fabtone
Track listing
  1. Pain
  2. Kaihou Seyo (解放セヨ)
  3. Doudatte Yokatta (どうだってよかった)
  4. Unfair (アンフェア)
  5. Lost Place
  6. Kimarigoto (決まりごと)
  7. Big Bad World
  8. Seitō-ka Pride Monster (正当化プライドモンスター)
  9. Nounai Shoukyo Game (脳内消去ゲーム)
  10. Ainikoiyo (アイニコイヨ)
 111

Singles and EPs
Year Single and EP details Oricon[11]
2015 "Misery"
  • Released: April 10, 2015
  • Independent release
 —
"Juuyon Sai Byou" (十四歳病)
  • Released: November 21, 2015
  • Independent release [22]
 —
2017 "Ainikoiyo"/"Nounai Shoukyo Game" (アイニコイヨ / 脳内消去ゲーム)
  • Released: June 21, 2017
  • Label: TK Bros
 92
2020 "Excuser" (エクスキューザー)
  • Released: January 10, 2020
  • Label: FAR EAST MONSTER RECORDS, Avex
 —
"No more No more"
  • Released: February 14, 2020
  • Label: Far East Monster Records, Avex
 —
"Ms.Downer"
  • Released: March 20, 2020
  • Label: Far East Monster Records, Avex
 —
"Fate"
  • Released: April 24, 2020
  • Label: Far East Monster Records, Avex
 —
"Jigyakusei Loop" (自虐性Loop)
  • Released: May 29, 2020
  • Label: Far East Monster Records, Avex
 —
"Kimarigoto (Version 2020)" (決まりごと (Version 2020))
  • Released: June 26, 2020
  • Label: Far East Monster Records, Avex
 —
"Toge" (棘)
  • Released: July 31, 2020
  • Label: Far East Monster Records, Avex
 —

Videography

Music Videos
  • 2015: "Juuyon Sai Byou" (十四歳病)
  • 2016: "Ainikoiyo" (アイニコイヨ)
  • 2017: "Nounai Shoukyo Game" (脳内消去ゲーム)
  • 2017: "Pain (LIVE)"
  • 2018: "Kimarigoto" (決まりごと)
  • 2018: "Doudatte yokatta" (どうだってよかった)
  • 2018: "(Kimarigoto) Live Ver."
  • 2019: "Unfair"
  • 2020: "Kaihou seyo" (解放セヨ)
  • 2020: "No more No more"
  • 2020: "Jigyakusei Loop" (自虐性Loop)
  • 2020: "Ms. Downer (Fan Version)"
  • 2020: "Toge" (棘)

Solo Concerts and Festivals

Japan
  • BRATS "Reborn" (free solo concert) (2017)
  • HUG Rock Festival 2017 (4/29/2017)
  • JAM Fes 2017 (5/5/2017)
  • BRATS "WILL" (free solo concert) (7/20/2017)
  • Urbangarde presents Utsu Fes 2017 (9/10/2017)
  • BRATS "WILL 2" (free solo concert) (3/26/2018)
  • BRATS Organized Event "Versus" (4/7/2018)
  • HUG Rock Festival 2018 GW (05/03/2018)
  • BRATS Event "Versus 2" (6/10/2018)
  • BRATS "WILL 3" (free solo concert) (1/8/2018)
  • BRATS "WILL 4" (free solo concert) (3/8/2018)
  • BRATS Organized Event "Versus Special" (7/18/2018)
  • BRATS Solo Concert "1st Round" (2/16/2019)
  • BRATS Solo Concert "2nd Round" (3/17/2019)
  • BRATS Solo Concert "3rd Round" (4/20/2019)
  • GOLD RUSH 2019 Osaka (5/3/2019)
  • GOLD RUSH 2019 Nagoya (5/4/2019)
  • LIVEHOLIC 4th Anniversary series vol.7 (6/15/2019)
  • FluoLightArch 12th Anniversary (7/21/2019)
  • BRATS MIDSUMMER VERSUS @ 4 CAPITALS Tokyo (8/7/2019)
  • BRATS MIDSUMMER VERSUS @ 4 CAPITALS Osaka (8/17/2019)
  • BRATS MIDSUMMER VERSUS @ 4 CAPITALS Nagoya (8/18/2019)
  • BRATS 1st. Tour Beginning Ebisu (10/5/2019)
  • BRATS 1st. Tour Beginning Nagoya (10/14/2019)
  • BRATS 1st. Tour Beginning Osaka (10/20/2019)
  • BRATS 1st. Tour Beginning Tokyo (10/27/2019)
  • UxDxGxW EXPEDITION 2019 Tokyo (11/4/2019)
  • BRATS Organized Event "Versus – triple" (12/7/2019)

International
  • BRATS Solo Concert in Korea - The Convent Club, Seoul, South Korea (1/19/2019)
  • Ambitious Girls Series 1 - West Bridge Live Hall, Seoul, South Korea (1/20/2019)
  • Wake Up Festival Taiwan 2019 - Chiayi, Taiwan (7/6/2019)[23]
  • BRATS & Broken By The Scream Live in Seoul /BRATS MIDSUMMER VERSUS @ 4 CAPITALS - West Bridge Live Hall, Seoul, South Korea (8/2/2019)
  • Jeonju Ultimate Music Festival - Jeonju, South Korea (8/4/2019)
  • Animé Los Angeles - Los Angeles, United States (1/10/2020)
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References
  1. "Interview with BRATS". JaME U.S.A. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  2. "BRATS Official Website". 2015-04-19. Archived from the original on 2015-04-19. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  3. iMaxjp (2015-11-21), 黒宮れい率いるバンドBrats初のミュージックビデオ「十四歳病」解禁!, retrieved 2019-06-03
  4. ""14-sai Byo," First Music Video of Rei Kuromiya-led Brats Finally Posted! | Tokyo Otaku Mode News". otakumode.com. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  5. "Rei Kuromiya Announces Withdrawal From The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY!". Japanese kawaii idol music culture news | Tokyo Girls Update. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  6. "Rei Kuromiya and BRATS Tease December 27 Surprise". Selective Hearing. 2016-12-25. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  7. "BRATS Announce Double-Single CD at "Reborn" Concert Event". Selective Hearing. 2017-04-06. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  8. "BRATS preview live DVD with "Pain" music video | SYNC NETWORK JAPAN". Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  9. "映画『スレイブメン』". slaveman-movie.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  10. "BRATS Releases MV for Film Slaveman Theme "Nounai Shoukyo Game"". Japanese kawaii idol music culture news | Tokyo Girls Update. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  11. "BRATS Oricon Ranking". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-06-02.
  12. "BRATS (JP) - Ainikoiyo / Nounai Shoukyo Game (album review ) | Sputnikmusic". www.sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  13. "BRATS rock out in Korea in the live MV for "Unfair"". Kimi.Kame. 2019-03-24. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  14. "BRATS release UNFAIR MV, announce Wake Up Festival in Taiwan". JRock247. 2019-03-18. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  15. "BRATS to Make USA Debut at Animé Los Angeles 2020". SYNC NETWORK JAPAN. 2019-09-10. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
  16. "BRATS break free with new single No more No more". J-Generation. 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  17. "BRATS to release second album Karma on September 30". J-GENERATION. 2020-07-23. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  18. "BRATS guitarist Hinako announces sudden departure". JRock News. 2020-07-31. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  19. Cirone, David (2017-04-19). "BRATS – Interview (2017)". J-Generation. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
  20. aramajapan (2017-05-01). "BRATS to release new single in June + exclusive Q&A". ARAMA! JAPAN. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  21. http://brats-official.com/archives/7225 『BRATS PHOTO BOOK』販売のお知らせ (12/7発売@渋谷チェルシーホテル)
  22. promo single/non for sale
  23. "BRATS brave rainstorm for Wake Up Festival 2019 in Taiwan". JRock247. 2019-07-12. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
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