the High-Lows

The High-Lows were a Japanese rock band formed in 1995 by Hiroto Koumoto (vocals, harmonica) and Masatoshi Mashima (guitar), former principal members of THE BLUE HEARTS. The lineup also included Sakito Shirabe on bass, Kenji Ooshima on drums, and Mikio Shirai on keyboards. Blending j-rock, garage rock, and j-pop within the Japanese alternative rock scene, the band worked in a direct, melody-driven style built around guitar, harmonica, bass, drums, and occasional keyboards. They debuted on October 25, 1995 with the single "ミサイルマン" and the album "THE HIGH-LOWS". In 1996, both "Mune ga Dokidoki (胸がドキドキ)", the opening theme for Meitantei Conan, and "相談天国" reached the Oricon top 10, and on November 16 that year the band opened the Sex Pistols' first Japan concert at Nippon Budokan. In 1999, Hiroto Koumoto and Masatoshi Mashima recorded the album "バームクーヘン" in their own studio. The group toured as "2002-2003 angel beetle" from November 26, 2002 to July 13, 2003, and Mikio Shirai left after the final date at Osaka Castle Open-Air Music Hall; on August 9, 2003, the band also opened for Chuck Berry. After releasing music through Kitty and Universal Music Japan, they moved to BMG JAPAN in 2004 and launched the private label HAPPYSONG RECORDS. On November 11, 2005, ↑THE HIGH-LOWS↓ announced a suspension of activities; the band effectively disbanded in November 2005, and no reason was announced. Their first best album, "FLASH 〜BEST〜", was released on January 1, 2006, and remastered editions of eight original albums and two compilations followed on October 28, 2020 for the group's 25th anniversary. Their official website is https://www.high-lows.net/.