I Don't Like Mondays. Explained

I Don't Like Mondays.
Background:group_or_band
Alias:IDLMs.
Origin:Japan
Genre:Rock
Years Active:2012–present
Label:Nippon Columbia (2014–2018) Rhythm Zone (2018-)
Current Members:YU (Vocals)
CHOJI (Guitar)
KENJI (Bass)
SHUKI (Drums)

I Don't Like Mondays. (IDLMs.) is a Japanese rock band based in Tokyo. The band members are Yu (vocals), Choji (guitar), Kenji (bass guitar), Shuki (drums). Founded in 2012,[1] the band has released several self-produced albums and singles, including the One Piece anime theme song "Paint".

The band focuses on creating high energy dance music with memorable choruses and a light feeling that can take away the burdens of everyday life, including the "Mondays" referenced in their name.

In addition to several tours of Japan, the band has performed internationally at festivals in Jakarta, Sao Paulo, Taipei, and Barcelona. Their music has been used for the television dramas Rizzoli & Isles and Octo: Mind Investigator Akari Shinno.

The band is also deeply involved in the fashion industry and has collaborated with Versace, H&M, Emporio Armani, and Leslie Kee, among others, along with launching their original fashion brand.

They are signed with Rhythm Zone, an imprint of Avex Group.[2]

Band members

Name Part Birthday
Yu Vocal February 26, 1988
Choji Guitar December 6, 1986
Kenji Bass guitarAugust 13, 1986
ShukiDrums July 13, 1988

History

Origin of the band name

The band name "I Don't Like Mondays." was chosen because the members liked the idea of using a sentence to describe the band.[3] The band has stated that they truly dislike Mondays, and they consider it to be a weekly holiday.[4]

2012–2015: Formation and early albums

The band was formed in 2012 in Omotesando, Tokyo.[5] Yu was intending to be the manager of a new band when he met Kenji and Shuki, who had worked together in a previous band. Choji joined after the band's initial guitarist dropped out.

Their first album Play was released in September 2014 by Nippon Coumbia,[6] with the band playing a number of festivals the same year, including Tokyo Crazy Kawaii Taipei[7] and J-Music LAB 2014 in Hai Day.[8] The music video for "Perfect Night" was released in July, followed by a remix of the song in December by DJ Baby-T.[9]

In January 2015, they released the double-A-side single "We Are Young"/"Super Special", which included three EDM remixes of previously-released songs. The artwork and jacket photo were produced with art direction from the band members,[10] and the single was selected as one of Japan's best singles of the year by Keisuke Kuwata. "Super Special" was chosen as the ending theme for the Japanese broadcast of the American crime drama series Rizzoli & Isles.[11]

The band's second album Tokyo was released in July 2015.[12] For the album jacket, the band was photographed by Leslie Kee. The track "Final Destination" was used as the ending theme for the second season of Rizzoli & Isles.[13] In June, IDLMs. provided music for the "Nippon Genki Project 2015 Super Energy!!" fashion show produced by Kansai Yamamoto. The band performed their first solo concert at Shibuya WWW on October 25.[14]

In September 2015, the band produced a single titled "The Independent", which was used for Leslie Kee's short film The Independents with fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto.[15]

2016–2021: Fashion, Future, and Black Humor

The band released their third album Fashion in September 2016. Google Play Music in Japan used "Freaky Boy" from the album in their advertisements,[16] and the song "Tonight" was featured as the ending theme for the TBS late-night music television program Count Down TV.[17] They launched their first national tour in October[18] and performed a solo concert at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo on November 19.

In June 2017, the band released the E.P Summer, which included a dance remix of "Tonight". The limited edition release also contained 11 live videos from the 2016 Japan tour and the final performance at Zepp DiverCity.[19]

In August 2019, their fourth album Future was released, which was the first album under new label Rhythm Zone. The album contained new mixes of "Tonight" and "Fire" created for the release, and the special edition Blu-ray featured a documentary of the band's recent tours and their decision to change labels.[20] Leading up to the album's release, the band performed the new song "Diamond" for the first time at the Join Alive festival in Hokkaido on July 13. The music video for "Diamond" premiered on July 13, with the band members' wardrobe provided by H&M.<ref>Web site: I Don't Like Mondays.が3年ぶりとなるニューアルバム「FUTURE」から新曲「DIAMOND」を7月31日に先行配信!ミュージックビデオのYoutubeプレミア公開も決定! . 2023-06-04 . avex management Web.

IDLMS. released their fifth album Black Humor in August 2021. During the songwriting phase for the album, Yu composed his lyrics with piano to develop the melody simultaneously.[21] A collaboration with UK fashion brand AllSaints was presented to promote the album's launch.[22]

Following Black Humor's release, the band launched a nationwide tour of Japan, performing their largest number of shows in a single tour.[23]

2022–present: One Piece and international activities

in January 2022, the band released "Paint", which was used for the opening of the One Piece anime.[24] Yu stated an affinity for the series, claiming it was the only manga he has kept reading childhood, and used the teamwork aspect of his own band as inspiration.[25] To prepare for the song's creation, Yu corresponded with One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda to express his thoughts about the series' theme of overcoming adversity.[26]

In July, they performed at the Anime Friends event in São Paulo, Brazil.[27] That same month, their song "Kasaneiro" was used as the theme song for the Japanese television drama Octo: Mind Investigator Akari Shinno.[28]

In February 2023, their songs "Moon Night" and "Wolf Vibes" were used as the opening and ending themes for the TV drama Zenryoku de, Aishite Ii Kana? starring Nanami Sakuraba.[29] On July 2, 2023, they performed at the BubblePop festival in Barcelona, Spain.[30]

In April 2024, they released the 10th anniversary single "New York, New York".[31]

Music production and visual style

Musical style

Yu writes lyrics in both English and Japanese. The band has noted that the sound of their early recordings was based on international influences, incorporating soul, disco, and pop. The members have cited a range of influences including Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Kanye West, The Beatles, Oasis, and Peter Gabriel.[32] Beginning with 2021's Black Humor, the band made a conscious decision to focus more on the Japan's domestic J-Pop audience.

Music production

The band collaborates equally on song creation, using digital technology to share ideas and build each track remotely when they are not in the studio together.[33] Bass and rhythm for the chorus are created first, and then the melody is added. The band will often reference popular trends in music to decide the overall mood and style of a song.[34]

Art and stage direction

The band directly supervises the look of their live shows, promotion videos, CD jacket art, and band photos.[35]

In 2021, Shuki and Yu collaborated on the artwork and animated promotion videos for Black Humor.[36]

Fashion

Launched an original brand "IDLMs by I Don't Like Mondays.". After the launch, they collaborated with a Japanese original brand shop "And A" and started a collaborated brand called "And A by I Don't Like Mondays.". In September 2016, they announced a collaboration with a Japanese apparel shop Restir and launched "IDLMs. Creative Direction by Restir Edition". They performed at a fashion show of Kansai Yamamoto.

In 2015, IDLMs. created the soundtrack for Leslie Kee's short film The Independents, which featured the Yohji Yamamoto 2015 A/W Collections. The band also appeared in the film.

In April 2019, IDLMs. collaborated with Adidas for the "Do Ya?" music video[37] and presented a performance event in September with AllSaints as part of Vogue Fashion's Night Out.[38]

In October 2020, IDLMs. became brand ambassadors for British watch brand Henry London.[39] Emporio Armani provided the band's wardrobe for the music vdeo "Millennials - Just a Thought".[40]

The track "Shape of Love" was used to promote H&M's first original campaign (Happy Golden Week) in Japan.[41] They also performed in the promotional movie for this campaign shot by Leslie Kee.

Live

YEARTITLE
2015Tokyo 2015[42]
2016Tokyo 2016[43]
2016"Fashion" 1st Tour[44]
2017IDLMs. Joint Gig Tour[45] Guests: Keishi Tanaka / Paellas / Unchain / Vickeblanca
20182018 A/W Tour "A Girl in the City"[46]
2019Future" Tour[47]
2021Black Humor Tour[48]
2022Black Thunderbird Tour[49]
2023Billboard Live Tour 2023[50]
20232023 A/W Tour "Runway"[51]

Discography

Single

YEAR TITLE TRACK LISTNote
2015 We Are Young / Super Special We Are Young
Super Special
Memories (pal@pop Remix)
Perfect Night (pal@pop Remix)
Golden Life (Graves + K-smooth Remix)
2015 Girlfriend (Digital Single) Girlfriend
2016 Sorry CD
Sorry
Girlfriend
Sorry (minus one)
Girlfriend (minus one)

DVD
Tokyo Brothers (from "Tokyo 2015")
Super Special (from "Tokyo 2015")
Fire (from "Tokyo 2015")
We Are Young (from "Tokyo 2015")
Perfect Night (from "Tokyo 2015")
2016 Tonight Tonight
Life
Sing (electric version)
Tonight (minus one)
Life (minus one)
2017 Prince (Digital Single) Prince
2017 My Girl (Digital Single) My Girl
2018One Thing feat. SaluOne Thing feat. Salu
2018LemonadeLemonade
2018One Thing feat. Salu (Baby-T Remix)One Thing feat. Salu (Baby-T Remix)
2019Do Ya?Do Ya?
2019Zero GravityZero Gravity
2019Up to UUp to U
2019GiftGift
2020Plastic CityPlastic City
2020Zenbu Anata no Sei Nanda (全部アナタのせいなんだ)Zenbu Anata no Sei Nanda (全部アナタのせいなんだ)
2020SunflowerSunflower
2020Monster (モンスター)Monster (モンスター)
2020Mr. CleverMr. Clever
2020EntertainerEntertainerNishiogikubo Mitsuboshi Yoshudo TV drama theme song
2020Tokyo Extra (東京エキストラ)Tokyo Extra (東京エキストラ)
2020Millennials -just I thought- (ミレニアルズ 〜just I thought〜)Millennials -just I thought- (ミレニアルズ 〜just I thought〜)
2021Sunflower (Acoustic Live Ver.)Sunflower (Acoustic Live Ver.)
2021Mr. Clever (Acoustic Live Ver.)Mr. Clever (Acoustic Live Ver.)
2021Entertainer (Acoustic Live Ver.)Entertainer (Acoustic Live Ver.)
2021Chijo wo Yumemiru Sakana (地上を夢見る魚)Chijo wo Yumemiru Sakana (地上を夢見る魚)Henry London 2021 S/S image song
2021Ai Kotoba (愛言葉)Ai Kotoba (愛言葉)
2021Baka (馬鹿)Baka (馬鹿)
2021Ongaku no ni ni (音楽のように)Ongaku no ni ni (音楽のように)"Do you still swear love?" TV drama theme song
2021Utsukushiki Sekai (美しき世界)Beautiful World (Utsukushiki Sekai)
2022PaintPaintOne Piece anime's 24th opening song
2022Sora no Ao ni Misarete(空の青さにみせられて)Sora no Ao ni Misarete(空の青さにみせられて)TBS "Marutto! Saturday" April ending theme
2022HonneHonne
2022YoroiYoroi
2022Kasaneiro (重ね色)Kasaneiro (重ね色)Octo ~Emotional investigator Akari Kono~ TV drama theme song
2022Lonely Zombie Wonderland(ロンリーゾンビーワンダーランド)Lonely Zombie Wonderland(ロンリーゾンビーワンダーランド)
2022Scroll. (Arranged by tofubeats)Scroll. (Arranged by tofubeats)
2022Dynamite (ダイナマイト)Dynamite (ダイナマイト)
2023Wolf VibesWolf VibesWill You Let Me Love You With All My Heart? TV drama theme song
2023Mmm...Mmm...
2023UmbrellaUmbrellasloggi special collaboration campaign tie-up song
2023Summer GhostSummer Ghost
2023What’s going on? feat. Celina SharmaWhat’s going on? feat. Celina Sharma
2024New York, New YorkNew York, New York

Album

YEAR TITLE TRACK LIST
2014 Play Memories
Perfect Night
Don't Stop Your Music
Bang!

Golden Life
Badman
2015 Tokyo Fire
We Are Young
Tokyo Brothers
Sing
Star Drive
Feeling
Love Yourself
Super Special
Perfect Night
Final Destination
Memories
Road
2016 Fashion CD
Introduction
Crazy
Don't look back
Game Over
Sorry
Marry me
Right before sunset
Tonight
Fashion
Stranger
Girlfriend
Freaky boy
Life
Memories (Acoustic ver.) *Bonus Track
The Independents *Bonus Track

DVD
Sing (Music Video)
Love Yourself (Music Video)
Girlfriend (Music Video)
Sorry (Music Video)
Tonight (Music Video)
Crazy (Music Video)
Sorry (another edition)
Behind the scene
2019 Future FUTURE - Introduction
DIAMOND
DO YA?
UP TO U
ZERO GRAVITY
LEMONADE
AITAI
A GIRL IN THE CITY
PLEASE
CALL ME
TONIGHT - Future Ver.
TRY FOR YOU
FANCY GIRL
2021 Black Humor Black Humour
MR. CLEVER
地上を夢見る魚
MONOPOLY
Norari Kurari
MOON NIGHT
Its all your fault
Fool
Sunflower
Words of Love
Cactus
Gift
Plastic City
Monster
Entertainer
Tokyo Extra
Millennials (Just I thought)
2023RUNWAYUmbrellaSummer GhostBeautiful ChaosStrawberry NightConversationSin CityMmm...WOLF VIBESDynamitePAINT

E.P.

YEAR TITLE TRACK LIST
2017 Summer On my way
Shape of love
Prince
Tonight (Ksuke Remix)
Tokyo Brothers (Live mix)
Memories (Live mix)
Don't look back (Live Mix)
On my way(Live mix)
2018A Girl in the CityOne Thing feat. SaluLemonade

So Bad

A Girl in the City

Freaky Boy (Shuki Remix)

One Thing feat. Salu (Ksuke Remix)

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: I Don't Like Mondays. Biography . 2023-05-30 . I Don't Like Mondays. Official Site . en.
  2. Web site: 2019年度よりavexへのレーベル移籍が決定! . I Don't Like Mondays. Official Site . 16 April 2019 . en.
  3. Web site: 2014-09-10 . I Don't Like Mondays.「Play」特集 インタビュー&プロフィール紹介 - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー . 2023-06-04 . 音楽ナタリー . ja.
  4. Web site: 2020-12-30 . Asia Spotlight: Japan's I Don't Like Mondays. on their artistic growth and new musical direction . 2023-05-30 . Asia Spotlight . en.
  5. Web site: 2011-01-01 . I Don't Like Mondays. . 2022-04-22 . SYNC NETWORK JAPAN . en-US.
  6. Web site: ディスコグラフィ I Don't Like Mondays. 日本コロムビアオフィシャルサイト . 2023-06-04 . 日本コロムビア公式サイト . ja.
  7. Web site: I Don't Like Mondays. will perform at the "Tokyo Crazy Kawaii Taipei" festival in Taiwan. . 2022-04-22 . I Don't Like Mondays. Official Site . en.
  8. Web site: JpopAsia . [Exclusive] JPopAsia Interviews I Don't Like Mondays, Cyntia and Eir Aoi ]. 2022-04-22 . JpopAsia . en.
  9. Web site: 2014-12-12 . I Don't Like Mondays.の「Perfect Night」をDJ BABY-Tがリミックス OKMusic . 2023-06-04 . okmusic.jp.
  10. Web site: 2015-02-17 . I Don't Like Mondays.(アイ・ドント・ライク・マンデイズ) 初の両A面シングル発売決定!! 本日Inter FM「Perfect Night」で初オンエアー!! . 2023-06-04 . うたまっぷNEWS . ja.
  11. Web site: 2015-04-01 . I Don't Like Mondays.、新曲がアメリカドラマEDテーマに決定&女性限定のセクシーMV公開 OKMusic . 2023-06-04 . okmusic.jp.
  12. Web site: I Don't Like Mondays.のファースト・フル・アルバム『TOKYO』が7月29日発売 - TOWER RECORDS ONLINE . 2023-06-04 . tower.jp.
  13. Web site: 2015-06-18 . I Don't Like Mondays.、1stフルALのジャケットはレスリー・キーが色っぽくモードに。 . 2023-06-04 . BARKS . ja.
  14. Web site: I Don't Like Mondays.、初ワンマンライヴ開催& "FIRE"のMV公開-rockinon.com|https://rockinon.com/news/detail/126738 . 2023-06-04 . rockinon.com . ja.
  15. Web site: レスリー・キーの初監督作品"YOHJI YAMAMOTO"ショートフィルムのサウンドトラックを制作しました! . 2022-04-22 . I Don't Like Mondays. Official Site . en.
  16. Web site: I Don't Like Mondays.、『Google Play Music』のCMソングを担当 OKMusic . 2022-04-22 . okmusic.jp.
  17. Web site: 2016-10-19 . I Don't Like Mondays.が考える、"世界基準"と"日本らしさ"の両立「ビルボードチャートでも勝負できるものを」 . 2023-06-04 . Real Sound|リアルサウンド . ja.
  18. Web site: 2016-08-16 . I Don't Like Mondays.、待望の2ndアルバム『FASHION』リリース決定 OKMusic . 2023-06-04 . okmusic.jp.
  19. Web site: I Don't Like Mondays.『SUMMER』 夏のテーマソングはこれで決まり! アイドラ節が絶好調、ダンサブルでシンガロングな新EP . 2023-06-04 . Mikiki . ja.
  20. Web site: 2019-06-26 . I Don't Like Mondays.、3年ぶりニューアルバム「FUTURE」発表 . 2023-06-04 . 音楽ナタリー . ja.
  21. Web site: <インタビュー>I Don't Like Mondays.、2年ぶりフルアルバム『Black Humor』で獲得した唯一無二のオリジナリティ Special . 2023-06-04 . Billboard JAPAN . ja.
  22. Web site: I Don't Like Mondays. 、ニューアルバム『Black Humor』より「MOON NIGHT」先行配信&リリックビデオのプレミア公開も SPICE - エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス . 2023-06-04 . SPICE(スパイス)|エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス.
  23. Web site: 自分たちを超えていくI Don't Like Mondays.|TVアニメ「ONE PIECE」主題歌に込めた譲れないメッセージ - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー . 2023-05-30 . 音楽ナタリー . ja.
  24. Web site: 4-Member Rock Band 'I Don't Like Mondays' Perform One Piece Anime's New Opening Theme Song . 2022-04-21 . Anime News Network . en.
  25. Web site: 2022-01-16 . I Don't Like Mondays.が『ワンピース』主題歌で到達した新境地 ルフィから学んだ国民的作品に立ち向かう姿勢 . 2023-05-30 . Real Sound|リアルサウンド . ja.
  26. Web site: 2021-11-30 . I Don't Like Mondays.、TVアニメ『ONE PIECE』新主題歌に決定 Rolling Stone Japan(ローリングストーン ジャパン) . 2023-05-30 . Rolling Stone Japan . ja.
  27. Web site: 2022-08-26 . Interview with I Don't Like Mondays. . 2023-05-30 . JaME.
  28. Web site: I Don't Like Mondays.手がけるドラマ「オクトー」主題歌が本日配信(動画あり) . 2023-05-30 . 音楽ナタリー . ja.
  29. Web site: 2023-01-25 . アイドラ&黒子首がテレ東恋愛ドラマ「全力で、愛していいかな?」テーマ曲担当(主題歌試聴動画あり / コメントあり) . 2023-06-04 . 音楽ナタリー . ja.
  30. Web site: I Don't Like Mondays. . 2023-07-05 . BubblePop Festival . en-US.
  31. Web site: April 25 . I Don't Like Mondays. - 'New York, New York' . 2024-05-20 . The Daily Music Report . en-US.
  32. Web site: 2017-08-23 . I Don't Like Mondays.「今夏お気に入りの10曲」/【連載】トベタ・バジュンのミュージック・コンシェルジュ . 2023-06-04 . BARKS . ja.
  33. Web site: 【インタビュー】女子の反感を喰らうギリギリのところでの説得力!!I Don't Like Mondays.の落としテク満載なE.P.『SUMMER』をお試しあれ! 歌詞検索サイト【UtaTen】ふりがな付 . 2023-06-04 . UtaTen . ja.
  34. Web site: I Don't Like Mondays.の「BACK UP」|"4人でしか成し得ない音作り"が広げるバンドの可能性 - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー . 2023-05-30 . 音楽ナタリー . ja.
  35. Web site: 2016-09-28 . "パッと見チャラい"もコンセプト!イケメン揃い「I Don't Like Mondays.」のカッコ良すぎる魅力に迫る - モデルプレス . 2023-06-04 . モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース . ja.
  36. Web site: 2021-08-19 . I Don't Like Mondays.が語る変化の理由「人間性を出したかった」 Rolling Stone Japan(ローリングストーン ジャパン) . 2023-05-30 . Rolling Stone Japan . ja.
  37. Web site: I Don't Like Mondays.が90's HIP HOPをテーマにした新曲「Do Ya?」をリリース!adidas衣裳提供によるミュージックビデオも解禁! . 2023-06-15 . エイベックス・ポータル - avex portal . ja.
  38. Web site: I Don't Like Mondays.がファッションブランド"オールセインツ"とコラボ!「VOGUE FASHION'S NIGHT OUT」でスペシャルライブ決定! . 2023-06-15 . エイベックス・ポータル - avex portal . ja.
  39. Web site: 伊藤千晃&I Don't Like Mondays.、HENRY LONDONのアンバサダーに決定 . 2023-06-04 . ドワンゴジェイピーnews.
  40. Web site: Masaki Sato.jp - I Don't Like Mondays. ミレニアルズ 〜just I thought〜 MV . 2023-06-04 . masakisato.jp . en-US.
  41. Web site: H&M New戎橋店のリニューアル直前イベントに歌手のhitomiやI Don't Like Mondays.が登場。 . 2022-04-22 . about.hm.com . ja.
  42. Web site: 2015-11-06 . 【I Don't Like Mondays. 】『TOKYO 2015』 2015年10月25日 at 渋谷WWW OKMusic . 2023-07-14 . okmusic.jp.
  43. Web site: 【ライブレポート】I Don't Like Mondays. 2ndワンマン「TOKYO 2016」開催&今秋初の全国ツアーを発表! - レポート . 2023-07-14 . Rooftop . ja.
  44. Web site: 2016-12-07 . I Don’t Like Mondays.が『FASHION』ツアーで示した、作家性と享楽性の両立 . 2023-07-14 . Real Sound|リアルサウンド . ja.
  45. Web site: 2017-03-17 . 【I Don't Like Mondays.】『IDLMs. JOINT GIG TOUR』2017年3月10日 at 恵比寿LIQUIDROOM OKMusic . 2023-07-14 . okmusic.jp.
  46. Web site: 【ライブレポ】I Don’t Like Mondays.全国ツアー「2018 A/W TOUR “A GIRL IN THE CITY”」 . 2023-07-14 . culture-cruise.com . ja.
  47. Web site: I Don’t Like Mondays.が描く "F U T U R E" 全国ツアーファイナルレポ . 2023-07-14 . culture-cruise.com . ja.
  48. Web site: 2021-09-19 . I Don’t Like Mondays.、2年ぶりの全国ツアー幕開け。ドラマ主題歌「音楽のように」配信リリース決定 . 2023-07-14 . BARKS . ja.
  49. Web site: 2022-12-17 . I Don't Like Mondays. 挑戦の一年を締めくくる見事な大団円 新章への期待膨らんだ『Black Thunderbird TOUR』レポ . 2023-07-14 . Real Sound|リアルサウンド . ja.
  50. Web site: I Don’t Like Mondays.、約2年ぶりとなるビルボードライブ公演が決定 Daily News . 2023-07-14 . Billboard JAPAN . ja.
  51. Web site: I Don't Like Mondays.アルバム発売と全国ツアー開催を告知 . 2023-07-14 . 音楽ナタリー . ja.