Molice

MOLICE emerged from Japan as a self-directed outfit whose sound merges vintage power pop, '80s new wave, '90s indie rock, and a punk-edged sensibility, distinguishing themselves in an environment where managers and labels frequently dictate artistic direction. The group's name combines a nod to one of their favorite acts, the Police, with the prevalence of the letter M among admired performers including Morrissey, Jim Morrison, and Mo Tucker. Guitarist and vocalist Rinko, guitarist Yuzuru Takeda, bassist Ikuhiro, and drummer Takeshi Koyama established the band in early 2007; Rinko and Takeda had earlier collaborated in China Chop and sought to create a project with sharper artistic focus yet fewer stylistic restrictions. After recruiting Ikuhiro and Koyama, the quartet began holding frequent jam sessions at Tokyo's Kokubunji Rubber Soul and producing early demo recordings. Their momentum carried them onto the Summer Sonic bill by August, and they issued four demo CDs before the year closed. Regular appearances at Tokyo rock venues followed, leading to the November 2008 release of their debut proper album, Doctor Ray. The record received widespread Japanese radio and video exposure alongside European and American college-radio play, prompting the band's inaugural U.K. tour in late 2009. CatalystRock, their second album, arrived in March 2010 and coincided with a spot on the Japanese television program Backstage Pass. Later that year they performed at Vietnam's C.A.M.A. 2010 Festival and made their American debut at Anime Weekend Atlanta in Georgia. Returning to Vietnam in 2011 for Hanoi's Go! Go! Japan Festival, they previewed material that surfaced on the 2012 album Neugravity, which gained radio traction in Australia and the Philippines. By the arrival of their fourth album, 2014's Resonance Love, Ikuhiro had departed; after a few shows with substitute bassists, the remaining members continued as a trio featuring dual guitars from Rinko and Yuzuru Takeda.