| Mean Machine | |
| Background: | group_or_band |
| Origin: | Japan |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Years Active: | 2001 |
| Label: | Epic |
| Associated Acts: | Judy and Mary, The Thrill |
| Website: | Official Epic/Sony website |
| Past Members: | Ayumi Ito, Chara, Chiwaki, Yukari, Yuki |
Mean Machine is an all-girl Japanese rock band. Mean Machine starred in the Tower Records "No Music, No Life" advertising campaign, and debuted in 2001.
Mean Machine was founded in 1998 by J-pop vocalist Chara, musician/DJ Chiwaki Mayumi, vocalist Yuki of Judy and Mary, saxophonist Yukarie of The Thrill, and actress Ayumi Ito. The group was conceived as a lighthearted side project, and the band members deliberately chose instruments new to them: Yuki and Chara played drums in the band, Mayumi played guitars, Yukarie played bass, and Ayumi was the vocalist.[1]
In 2001, Mean Machine released the single "Suuhaa," named for a kind of breathing exercise Chara learned when she was pregnant. It reached #18 on the Oricon singles chart. Later that year, their debut album Cream was released. The album reached #7 on the Oricon chart and remained on the charts for five weeks.[2] A second single was released later that year, "Knock on You," reaching #38 on the Oricon chart.
The group was dissolved shortly afterward because of complications with the band members' solo careers.[3]
| Name | Role | Profession | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayumi 伊藤歩 Romaji: Ayumi Ito | Vocalist, lyricist | Actress | Co-starred with Chara in Shunji Iwai's "Swallowtail Butterfly" as Ageha, winning her the Japanese Academy Award for best new actress and best supporting actress. | |
| CHIWAKI ちわきまゆみ Romaji: Mayumi Chiwaki | Guitarist, songwriter | Musician, DJ | Debuted with "Good Morning, I Love You" in 1985. | |
| YUKARIE | Bassist, songwriter | Musician | Tenor sax for The Thrill. Debuted with "A MILLION DOLLAR BAND THE THRILL" in 1992. | |
| Yuki (有希) 磯谷有希 Romaji: Yuki Isoya | Drummer, songwriter | Solo artist | Ex-Judy and Mary vocalist, current successful solo artist. Debuted in 1993 with "POWER OF LOVE". | |
| Chara 佐藤美和 Romaji: Miwa Sato | Drummer, songwriter | Solo artist | Immensely popular pop artist. Debuted with "Heaven" 1991. |
| Release | Title | Oricon singles charts | CDTV music video charts | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 18 | 18 | Cream | |
| Knock on You | 38 | 41 |