Tomoyasu Hotei

Tomoyasu Hotei

Hotei in 2011
Background information
Birth name Tomoyasu Hotei (布袋 寅泰 Hotei Tomoyasu)
Born (1962-02-01) February 1, 1962
Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
Genres Rock
Occupation(s) Musician, singer-songwriter, composer, record producer, actor
Instruments Guitar, vocals, bass, drums, keyboard
Years active 1981–present
Labels Toshiba-EMI, Spinefarm
Associated acts Boøwy, Complex, Auto-Mod, Blue Film
Website hotei.com
Notable instruments
ZODIACWORKS TE-HT

Tomoyasu Hotei (布袋 寅泰 Hotei Tomoyasu, born on February 1, 1962 in Takasaki, Gunma) is a Japanese musician, guitarist, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Hotei claims record sales of over 40 million copies and has collaborated with acclaimed artists from around the world.[1] Hotei first rose to prominence in the 1980s as the guitarist for Boøwy, one of Japan's most popular rock bands, before starting a solo career.

In 2003, he was ranked number 70 on HMV Japan's list of the 100 most important Japanese pop acts.[2] He ranked second in a 2011 poll on who the Japanese people thought was the best guitarist to represent Japan.[3] An iconic artist in his native Japan, he moved to London in 2012 and continues to perform and release music globally. Internationally Hotei is best known for his song "Battle Without Honor or Humanity," which has been featured in numerous films, commercials, video games, and events, most notably Quentin Tarantino's feature film Kill Bill.

Biography

Early Life and career

Born to a Korean father and a Japanese/Russian mother, Hotei first began playing the guitar in junior high school. Inspired by a poster of T. Rex frontman Marc Bolan, he stole money from his mother's purse and bought a Stratocaster at fourteen years old.[4] In high school, Hotei's band Blue Film finished runners up in a school contest to Death Penalty, a band led by Kyosuke Himuro.[5] Hotei was expelled shortly before graduation, because, when warned about his long hair he replied "Jesus had long hair!" Shortly after, he went to Tokyo where one day he received a phone call from Himuro. The two had never really known each other but hit it off and went on to hold auditions for a new band, which in 1981 became the six-member Boøwy. The band became major stars in Japan,[5] even playing the Marquee in London in 1985, and in 1986 released their first million selling album, Beat Emotion.

When Boøwy broke up in 1988, Hotei established himself as a solo artist. He also made two albums with Koji Kikkawa as Complex,[2] both of which went to number one in the national charts. That year, Hotei also released Guitarhythm, the first album on many with that name, and currently his only album sung completely in English. Hotei frequently records overseas and has collaborated with many foreign musicians, including; playing on The Stranglers Hugh Cornwell's 1993 solo album, on stage with David Bowie at the Nippon Budokan in 1996, and at the closing ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics with Michael Kamen.[2] He later recorded Guitar Concerto with Kamen.

He has also worked with Andy Mackay of Roxy Music, guitarist Chris Spedding and Mike Edwards of Jesus Jones. Hotei also sometimes tours Europe, including at a number of major festivals. His regular drummer in recent years, Zachary Alford, has previously played with Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie. Hotei's 1998 album Supersonic Generation, recorded in part with Apollo 440 and Ofra Haza, was released in 14 European countries.

In addition to many bestselling solo albums, Hotei composed and performed the score for Hiroyuki Nakano's Samurai Fiction, as well as starring in the film. He composed three tracks for the cult classic American film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas together with Ray Cooper. Hotei's best known song "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" was used in Quentin Tarantino's feature film Kill Bill, the PlayStation 2 version of Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA, and Michael Bay's feature film Transformers. Hotei recorded a cover of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" for Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas, an instrumental guitar Christmas album featuring tracks from guitarists including Richie Sambora, Jeff Beck, Joe Perry, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai and Steve Morse.[2]

The Nintendo DS game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan features his song "Thrill." The game's sequel, Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii, features another Hotei song, "Bambina." (Both songs are cover versions.) Hotei is featured in "Grace" on the Apocalyptica album Worlds Collide. The song is featured in the game NHL 09.

On July 30 and 31, 2011, Hotei and Kikkawa reunited as Complex for two nights at the Tokyo Dome. All proceeds were donated to aid the victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[6]

On February 1, 2012, Hotei performed a concert at the Saitama Super Arena to celebrate his 50th birthday. Former Boøwy drummer Makoto Takahashi appeared as a special guest and together they played Boøwy's "Justy" and "No. New York".[7] Hotei made his directorial debut in April 2012, with the stage play Psychedelic Pain, for which he also wrote the music.[8] On May 8, it was announced that Hotei will move to London in June, in hopes of starting an international career.[9]

Life in London 2012-present

Following announcement of his plans in May 2012, Hotei and his family relocated to London in June 2012, noting Hotei's commitment to pursue his dream of an international career. Hotei played his first independent gig in the UK in December 2012 at The Roundhouse in London. Then in November 2013 he played 2 headline shows, first at Shepherd's Bush Empire in London, and then at the Highline Ballroom' in New York. In an interview with the Financial Times, Hotei commented, “Last year I turned 50 . . . time goes quickly, it’s my last chance to try and get my dream. I want to play all over the world.” [10]

On March 6, 2014, Hotei was invited to join The Rolling Stones on stage during the final show of their tour in Japan. Hotei joined the group as a surprise guest at the Tokyo Dome concert, playing the song "Respectable" before a crowd of 53,000 fans.

Hotei's famous song "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" was picked up as the music for a nationwide TV commercial in the UK for Buxton Water's "Naturally Pumped Up" campaign. The campaign launched in June 2014, with plans to run for 6 months.[11]

Joined by band members Zachary Alford (drums), Tony Grey (bass), and Toshiyuki Kishi (keyboard/programming), Hotei played a series of private shows and summer festivals during June, July, and August 2014. This included appearances at England's Cornbury Festival, Switzerland's Montreux Jazz Festival, and the UK's Y Not Festival. An earlier warmup gig was held at The Lexington in London, and Hotei was also invited to perform solo as a special guest of Lord March during the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Live4Ever covered the Y Not Festival, describing Hotei as "undoubtedly the coolest man on site during his afternoon set on the main stage, performing instrumental sections fit for several people in his ability to flick between technically staggering solos and crunching guitar chords whilst jumping around the stage like an excitable Duracell rabbit." [12]

During a brief trip back to Japan, Hotei played 4 sold-out shows at the Blue Note Tokyo in late August, and also performed at a private party for the launch of the new Lamborghini Huracán.

Hotei wrote and performed the theme song, "Trick Attack -Theme of Lupin The Third-", to the 2014 live-action film adaptation of the Lupin III manga.[13] The album New Beginnings was released in Japan on October 1, 2014. Iggy Pop contributed lyrics and vocals to two tracks on the album and Vula Malinga vocals to one.

The album Strangers was released by Spinefarm Records on October 16, 2015. Hotei's second English-language solo album and the first to be released outside Japan, it includes several songs released on New Beginnings. In addition to Iggy Pop, it also features Richard Z. Kruspe, Matthew Tuck, Noko and Shea Seger.[4] In February 2016, Hotei performed showcases at Paradiso/Amsterdam, La Boule Noir/Paris and Cassiopeia/Berlin to promote the album with Noko on bass, Cliff Hewitt on drums.

Personal life

Tomoyasu Hotei married singer Kumiko Yamashita in January 1986, they later divorced in November 1997.[2] He is currently married to Miki Imai, who is also an acclaimed singer and actress[7] and together they have one daughter. After years of spending a great deal of time in the UK, Hotei and his family decided to relocate fully to London in June 2012.[9] Whilst based in London, Hotei travels frequently between Japan and the UK for concert tours, recording, and event appearances. In February 2013, BBC World News ran a feature on Hotei and his recent life in London.[14]

On June 14, 2007, Hotei allegedly assaulted his friend and punk rock singer Kō Machida.[15] The incident happened when the two men got into an argument about a band they planned on forming together.[15] Machida filed a police report on the 18th, and Hotei was ordered to pay a fine of 300,000 yen on October 1.[16]

Discography

Singles

Released only in the UK in two mixes on 12" inch and 7" inch vinyl.
A collaboration with Brian Setzer.
A collaboration with Char.
UK and Europe only single, featuring Iggy Pop.

Studio albums

Compilations albums

Live albums

Soundtracks

Other albums

Limited release.
Collaboration with Michael Kamen.
Limited release.
Contains Guitarhythm I, II, III, IV, a preview of V, and a live DVD.
iTunes Store limited digital download.
Cover album of Western hits. Also released as a limited quantity USB flash drive on the same day.

Other work

A single by Rip Slyme. Appears on "Battle Funkastic ~Rip Slyme VS Hotei~", a mash-up of Hotei's "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" and Rip Slyme's "Funkastic".
A charity single by Japan United with Music, composed of many different Japanese artists, for recovery from the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Performs one of the guitar solos.

Home videos

Only given to those who bought Space Cowboy Show on both VHS and DVD.
Limited release.
Limited release.

Filmography

In popular culture

References

  1. "Tomoyasu Hotei's Debut International Album Release 'Strangers' out October 16 Through Spinefarm Records". Anime News Network. 2015-08-05. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Top 100 Japanese pops Artists - No.70". HMV Group (in Japanese). Retrieved 2011-09-06.
  3. "Which guitarist do you think can be a representative for Japan?". tokyohive.com. Retrieved 2012-02-04.
  4. 1 2 "Guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei calls on his pals for ‘Strangers’". The Japan Times. 2015-10-08. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  5. 1 2 "Top 100 Japanese pops Artists - No.22". hmv.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2011-09-06.
  6. http://www.diskgarage.com/sp/complex/
  7. 1 2 "Hotei Tomoyasu celebrates his 50th birthday with a live performance". tokyohive.com. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  8. "Kitano Kii will become an angel for Hotei Tomoyasu’s play, "Psychedelic Pain"". tokyohive.com. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  9. 1 2 "Hotei Tomoyasu to move to London to jumpstart international activities". tokyohive.com. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
  10. "A Guitar Virtuoso Attempts to Become Big Outside of Japan". ft.com..
  11. "Buxton Water- Naturally Pumped Up". tvadmusic.co.uk.
  12. "Y Not Festival". live4ever.com.
  13. "Kill Bill's Tomoyasu Hotei Performs Live-Action Lupin III's Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  14. "How Tokyo star Tomoyasu Hotei found quiet life in London". BBC. 2013-02-19. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  15. 1 2 "Musicians Hotei, Machida fight over music". tokyograph.com. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  16. "Hotei fined 300,000 yen in assault case". tokyograph.com. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 布袋寅泰のシングル売り上げランキング. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  18. "BRIAN SETZER VS HOTEIのシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-05-12.
  19. "Hotei vs Charのシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-05-12.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 布袋寅泰のアルバム売り上げランキング. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 "布袋寅泰のDVD売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-07-02.
  22. "Rocksmith 2014 DLC - The Riff Repeater". theriffrepeater.com.

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