Judy and Mary (often stylized as JUDY AND MARY) was a Japanese rock band formed in 1991 in Japan by bassist Yoshihito Onda and vocalist Yuki, with drummer Kohta Igarashi and guitarist Taiji Fujimoto completing the lineup in 1992. Guitarist Takuya replaced Taiji the following year. The band is known for their innovative punk, rock, and pop meldings of noisy but melodic music in the 1990s.

Judy and Mary
OriginKanagawa, Japan
Genres
Years active1991–2001
LabelsChainsaw Records
Epic/Sony Records
Past membersYoshihito Onda
Yuki Isoya
Kohta Igarashi
Takuya Asanuma (1993-2001)
Taiji Fujimoto (1991-1993)
Websiteofficial website

History

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In 1992, Judy and Mary released an album and accompanying video, Be Ambitious, on the independent Chainsaw Records label. The band was soon signed by Epic/Sony Records and released their first major label single, "Power of Love", in 1993. The band's major label debut album, J.A.M, was released in 1994. Judy and Mary quickly became one of the most popular bands in Japan. Their song "Sobakasu" was used as the first opening theme for the anime television series Rurouni Kenshin, and sold over a million copies.

Judy and Mary released seven original albums, three compilation albums (through 2006) and twenty-two singles. The band dissolved in March 2001.

Yuki is now enjoying a successful solo career as YUKI. Takuya is also currently a solo artist. Onda joined the band Hot Rod Crue, but since 2008 has been a member, along with Igarashi, of the band Zamza.

Members

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Past members
  • Yuki (ユキ) = Yuki Isoya (磯谷 有希, Isoya Yuki, born February 17, 1972 in Hokkaido) - vocalist, lyricist
  • Yoshihito Onda (恩田 快人, Onda Yoshihito, born December 13, 1963 in Hyogo) - bassist, composer
  • Takuya (タクヤ) = Takuya Asanuma (浅沼 拓也, Asanuma Takuya, born September 9, 1971 in Kyoto) - guitarist, lyricist, composer
  • Kohta Igarashi (五十嵐 公太, Igarashi Kōta, born January 17, 1963 in Kanagawa) - drums, composer
  • Taiji Fujimoto (藤本 泰司, Fujimoto Taiji) - guitarist

Discography

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Albums

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Studio albums

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Year Album Information Chart positions Total sales
1992 Be Ambitious
  • Independently released EP
  • Released: April 1992
  • Label: Crown
  • Re-released December 16, 2000
  • Re-released September 19, 2001
19* 11,000*
1994 J.A.M.
23 189,000
Orange Sunshine
5 681,000
1995 Miracle Diving
2 939,000
1997 The Power Source
1 2,162,000
1998 Pop Life
2 1,150,000
2001 Warp
1 887,000

*positions from 2001 re-release.

Compilation albums

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Year Album Information Chart positions Total sales
1999 44982 Vs. 1650
7 287,000
2000 Fresh
1 1,776,000
2001 The Great Escape: Complete Request Best
1 780,000
2006 Complete Best Album: Fresh
  • 2CD greatest hits album.
  • Released: February 13, 2006
  • Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-2230)
2 222,000
2009 15th Anniversary Complete Single Box
83 2,000

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released, sales, certifications and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Certifications Album
JPN
"Power of Love" 1993 95 3,000 J.A.M.
"Blue Tears"
"Daydream" 1994 58 13,000
"Hello! Orange Sunshine" 22 99,000 Orange Sunshine
"Cheeze "Pizza"" 15 77,000
"Chiisa na Koro Kara" (小さな頃から, Since I Was Little) 1995 37 39,000
"Over Drive" 4 670,000 Miracle Diving
"Doki Doki" (ドキドキ, Heartbeat) 8 256,000
"Sobakasu" (そばかす, Freckles)[a] 1996 1 1,058,000 The Power Source
"Classic" (クラシック, Kurashikku) 3 632,000
"Kujira Jū Ni Gō" (くじら12号, Whale No. 12) 1997 5 447,000
"Lovely Baby" (ラブリーベイベー, Raburī Beibē) 12 96,000
"Lover Soul" 5 504,000 Pop Life
"Sanpomichi" (散歩道, Promenade)[b] 3 479,000
"Music Fighter" (ミュージック ファイター, Myūjikku Faitā) 1998 4 148,000
"Iro Toridori no Sekai" (イロトリドリ ノ セカイ, World of Various Colors) 11 76,000
"Tegami o Kaku yo" (手紙をかくよ, I Write a Letter) 22 22,000
"Brand New Wave Upper Ground" 2000 4 158,000 Warp
"Hitotsu Dake" (ひとつだけ, Only One) 9 111,000
"Mottö" (More) 8 138,000
"Lucky Pool" (ラッキープール, Rakkī Pūru) 2001 3 183,000
"Peace (Strings Version)" 8 73,000
  1. ^ 1st opening theme song for Rurouni Kenshin
  2. ^ theme song for the television drama News no Onna

Books/Publications

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  • Jam Book (March 15, 1996)
  • Yuki Girly Rock -yuki biography- (1997)
  • Yuki Girly Swing -yuki autobiography & diary- (1997)
  • Yuki Girly Folk -yuki bio- (2000)
  • Yuki Girly Boogie -yuki autobio- (2000)
  • Yuki Girly Wave -yuki bio- (2004)
  • Yuki Girly Tree -yuki autobio) (2004)
  • What's In Jam-Pack (memorial compilation of 'What's In' magazine articles)

Bibliography

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  • Tetsuishi, Mihoko and Jam (1996). Jam Book. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1038-6.
  • Isoya, Yuki (February 1997). Girly Swing. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1153-6.
  • Utsunomiya, Miho and Yuki (February 1997). Girly Rock. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1152-8.
  • Isoya, Yuki (30 June 2000). Girly Boogie. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1565-5.
  • Tetsuishi, Mihoko and Yuki (2000). Girly Folk. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1566-3.

References

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  1. ^ "Japanese single streaming certifications – Judy and Mary – そばかす (Freckles)" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved December 27, 2022. Select 2022年11月 on the drop-down menu
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