Judy and Mary

Judy and Mary was a Japanese multi-genre band formed in 1991 in Hakodate, Hokkaido by bassist Yoshihito Onda (恩田 快人, Onda Yoshihito^?) and vocalist Yuki Isoya (磯谷 有希, Isoya Yuki^?) with drummer Kohta Igarashi (五十嵐 公太, Igarashi Kōta^?) and guitarist Taiji Fujimoto (藤本 泰司, Fujimoto Taiji^?) completing the lineup the following year. Guitarist Takuya Asanuma (浅沼 拓也, Asanuma Takuya^?) later replaced Taiji the following year. The band is known for their innovative punk, rock, and pop meldings of noisy but melodic music in the 1990s.

In 1992, they released their independent album Be Ambitious with an accompanying video on Chainsaw Records. They were picked up by Epic/Sony Records and released their first major label single, Power of Love in 1993. Their first debut major label album, J.A.M, was released in 1994. With each release they grew in popularity until they became one of the most popular and well-known bands in Japan. One of their songs, Sobakasu, was used as the first opening theme for the popular and famous anime TV series Rurouni Kenshin and sold over a million copies.

In all, they released seven albums, three compilation albums and twenty-two singles. Judy and Mary disbanded in March 2001 following the WARP Tour Final held at the Tokyo Dome. The concert is available on DVD.

Yuki is now enjoying a successful solo career as YUKI. Takuya is also currently a solo artist. Onda joined a band called the Hot Rod Crue, but since 2008, has been a member of the band ZAMZA N'BANSHEE.

Discography

Singles

• Power of Love (September 22, 1993)
• Blue Tears (November 21, 1993)
• Daydream (April 21, 1994)
• Hello! Orange Sunshine (August 21, 1994)
• Cheese "Pizza" (November 2, 1994)
• Chiisa na Koro kara (January 21, 1995)
• Over Drive (June 19, 1995)
• Doki Doki (October 21, 1995)
• Sobakasu (February 19, 1996) (used as the 1st opening theme for the popular anime series Rurouni Kenshin)
• Classic (October 28, 1996)
• Kujira No. 12 (February 21, 1997)
• Lovely Baby (May 21, 1997)
• Lover Soul (May 21, 1997)
• Sanpomichi (October 15, 1997)
• Music Fighter (April 1, 1998)
• Iro toridori no Sekai (September 9, 1998)
• Tegami wo kaku yo (November 11, 1998)
• Brand New Wave Upper Ground (February 23, 2000)
• Hitotsu dake (July 15, 2000)
• Mottö (November 22, 2000)
• Lucky Pool (January 24, 2001)
• Peace ~strings version~ (March 9, 2001)

Albums

• Be Ambitious -indie- (4/?/1992)
• J.A.M. -debut- (January 21, 1994)
• Orange Sunshine (December 1, 1994)
• Miracle Diving (December 4, 1995)
• The Power Source (March 26, 1997)
• Pop Life (June 24, 1998)
• Warp (February 7, 2001)

Compilations

• 44982 VS 1650 -pop life suicide tour lives- (1999)
• Fresh -best singles- (March 23, 2000)
• The Great Escape ~Complete Request Best~ (May 23, 2001)
• COMPLETE BEST ALBUM FRESH (February 13, 2006)

Books/Publications

• JAM Book (March 15, 1996)
• YUKI Girly Rock -yuki biography- (1997)
• YUKI Girly Swing -yuki autobiography & diary- (1997)
• YUKI Girly Folk -yuki bio- (2000)
• YUKI Girly Boogie -yuki autobio- (2000)
• YUKI Girly Wave -yuki bio- (2004)
• YUKI Girly Tree -yuki autobio) (2004)
• What's In JAM-PACK (memorial compilation of 'What's In' magazine articles)

Bibliography

• Tetsuishi, Mihoko and JAM. JAM Book. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1038-6. 
• Isoya, YUKI. Girly Swing. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1153-6. 
• Utsunomiya, Miho and YUKI. Girly Rock. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1152-8. 
• Isoya, YUKI. Girly Boogie. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1565-5. 
• Tetsuishi, Mihoko and YUKI. Girly Folk. Sony Magazines. ISBN 4-7897-1566-3. 

References

External links

• JUDY AND MARY Official Website - By Sony Music
• YUKI Official Website - By Sony Music
• Nippop Profile | Judy and Mary
• Project J Profile in English
• Girly Rock | YUKI English Site