Biography
The High-Lows marked the follow-up venture for vocalist Hiroto Komoto and guitarist/vocalist Masatoshi Mashima, widely recognized as pioneers of Japanese punk after they reached iconic status through their prior outfit the Blue Hearts during the late '80s and early '90s. Although the group adhered closely to classic melodic punk in the spirit of the Clash rather than NOFX, they consistently incorporated extra elements, most notably by retaining keyboardist Mikio Shirai on a permanent basis. Shirai had in fact been involved with Komoto and Mashima since the High-Lows formed in 1995, and the rhythm section of bassist Sakito Shirabe together with drummer Kenji Oshima came aboard soon afterward. The outfit launched with immediate momentum via its self-titled debut album that same year and embarked on extensive tours, among them dates alongside the Tom Robinson Band in 1996 plus Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1997. These performances, reinforced by a steady output of recordings, elevated their profile: Tigermobile appeared in 1996 and Lobster in 1998, accompanied by eleven singles issued from 1995 through 1998, one of which, the 1996 track Mune ga Doki Doki, featured in the anime series Detective Conan. From that point onward, the majority of their singles reached the Oricon Top 20, while every studio album entered the Top 10.
Following the 1999 release of Baumkuchen, which was backed by a seventy-date trek, the band played further shows in 2000 that included support from their eventual associates the King Brothers and the Neatbeats. That year also brought their fifth album, Relaxin with the High-Lows, which achieved their highest chart placement at number three; afterward they reduced their concert schedule yet persisted with studio work that yielded Hotel in 2001 and Angel Beetle in 2002, along with the compilations Flip-Flop in 2000 and Flip-Flop 2 in 2003. Keyboardist Shirai departed in 2003, after which the group never regained full momentum. A final period of activity unfolded in 2004 with a major tour that featured an appearance at Fuji Rock Festival alongside Pixies, Killers, and Primus, the issuance of their last studio album Do the Mustang, and a contribution to the film Zebraman, yet they wrapped things up the following year with the career overview Flash: Best before disbanding. Immediately afterward, Komoto and Mashima launched their next punk-rock project, the Cro-Magnons.
Following the 1999 release of Baumkuchen, which was backed by a seventy-date trek, the band played further shows in 2000 that included support from their eventual associates the King Brothers and the Neatbeats. That year also brought their fifth album, Relaxin with the High-Lows, which achieved their highest chart placement at number three; afterward they reduced their concert schedule yet persisted with studio work that yielded Hotel in 2001 and Angel Beetle in 2002, along with the compilations Flip-Flop in 2000 and Flip-Flop 2 in 2003. Keyboardist Shirai departed in 2003, after which the group never regained full momentum. A final period of activity unfolded in 2004 with a major tour that featured an appearance at Fuji Rock Festival alongside Pixies, Killers, and Primus, the issuance of their last studio album Do the Mustang, and a contribution to the film Zebraman, yet they wrapped things up the following year with the career overview Flash: Best before disbanding. Immediately afterward, Komoto and Mashima launched their next punk-rock project, the Cro-Magnons.