Merry

Unlike most J-rock acts, which tend toward rigidity in stylistic exploration, Merry embraces an eclectic blend of rock & roll, punk, blues, and jazz under the self-coined banner of "retrock," while also drawing from interwar avant-garde influences and incorporating political themes into its lyrics—elements uncommon among Japanese groups—yet maintains strong commercial appeal. The band's roots trace to founders Gara on vocals and Yuu on guitars, both of whom brought prior band experience, with Gara additionally serving as a roadie for Dir en Grey. Formed in 2001 after the dissolution of those earlier projects, Merry added bassist Tetsu, drummer Nero, and guitarist Kenichi to complete the lineup. Its launch involved unconventional "secret gigs" across Tokyo and Nagoya, shifting to standard concerts by 2002 alongside three maxi-single releases, two of them featuring artwork by erotic artist Suehiro Maruo, a favorite of John Zorn's.

Gendai Stoic, Merry's debut full-length album, arrived in 2003 on Fullface Records, the imprint led by SADS frontman Kiyoharu, and sold out during pre-orders. That year's tours included joint appearances with MUCC, Miyavi, and SADS. The follow-up LP, Modern Garde—a politically charged portmanteau of "modern avant-garde"—emerged in 2004, prompting Victor Entertainment to sign the band in 2005. Its final indie outing, the 2005 maxi-single/DVD dual disc Sakashima end roll ~the phantom of the gallery~, reached number two on the indie charts. This paved the way for the first major-label effort, Nu Chemical Rhetoric, which debuted at number one on the Oricon daily charts the day before its 2005 release and later appeared in continental Europe and Scandinavia in 2006. The second major album, Peep Show, followed that same year, backed by a nationwide tour and the band's initial overseas shows in Berlin and Paris. Further 2007 dates encompassed performances alongside Japanese horror-punks Balzac and a slot at the J-Rock Revolution festival in Los Angeles, coinciding with the third major release M.E.R.R.Y., which peaked at number 15 on the Oricon weekly charts.