CURIO

CURIO is a Japanese pop rock and ska punk band formed in 1995. Built around AJA, the group was formed with KASSAI and BRITAIN, and NOB joined as vocalist. AJA and NOB are among the members associated with the band. The band's music combines melodic pop-rock hooks with ska punk rhythms, and it was associated with Epic Records. After finishing as runner-up in the BS Young Battle Kinki tournament in September 1995 and appearing in the national final that November, CURIO played its first one-man live show at Osaka Banana Hall on April 3, 1996. The band made its major debut on Epic Records Japan in 1997 with the single "Tokimeki". In 1998, "Konayuki" reached No. 29 on the Oricon chart. "Kimi ni Fureru Dake de (君に触れるだけで)" reached No. 14 and was used as the opening theme for Rurouni Kenshin. In 1999, "Inori" followed as the theme song for the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament and peaked at No. 26. After NOB's arrest in February 2000, CURIO suspended activities and its label contract ended. AJA left in 2001. After that, the remaining members launched the independent label raison d'etre and resumed activity with a mini-album and live performances. The band returned to a major label in June 2002 on east west japan's TRINITAS label, then announced its breakup in September 2003. It gave its final concert, "FINAL TOUR CURIO FREAK -Last Meeting-," at Osaka Banana Hall on November 16, 2003. CURIO's Epic-era albums were reissued in 2007 with bonus tracks. The band later reunited for live performances in 2012 and 2013; BRITAIN rejoined in November 2013, and the three-piece released new work between 2014 and 2016. Its official website is http://curio.rolling-ahead.com/.