Go!Go!7188

Go! Go! 7188 stands out in Japan's pop landscape as a genuinely distinctive rock & roll outfit, distinguished by its flair for memorable melodies, driving rhythms, and a vitality that evokes the British Invasion period or the first wave of punk. The group originated in 1998 when high school friends Yuu (Yumi Nakashima) and Akko (Akiko Hamada) moved beyond their mutual reservations about band life. Though both shared a deep interest in rock & roll, their early activities were confined to karaoke sessions and covers of songs by Judy and Mary. Yuu's decision to compose original material led the pair to perform publicly, with Yuu on guitar and Akko on bass while they shared vocal duties. After a year they recruited drummer Taakii (Takayuki Hasokawa), and in 2000 they issued their debut album Dasoku Hokou via Toshiba-EMI. Subsequent releases include five live albums (among them 2006's Parade), two additional live discs, and a greatest-hits compilation. Yuu and Akko have each issued solo albums, while Yuu has also recorded with her side project Chirinuruwowaka.