Spitz (band)
Spitz (スピッツ) is a Japanese rock band formed in 1987. After meeting in Shizuoka in 1986, they fashioned their sound along the lines of melodic pop rock groups like the Beatles. Issuing their debut album, SPITZ, in 1991, the band went unnoticed for several years, but became very popular in 1995 with the release of their 11th single Robinson and 6th album Hachimitsu. One of their most famous songs, Sora mo Toberu Hazu, was featured as the theme song of Hakusen Nagashi, a popular drama, and is used frequently in school graduation ceremonies. Several of their songs were featured in the anime Honey and Clover. As of January 2006, Spitz has released 30 singles and 15 albums.
Spitz has grown to be an artist that is loved by a lot of men and women, from children to adults. The origin of the band name “Spitz” has a meaning ‘sharp’ and ‘pointed’. This describes the rock band at the beginning. It is said that Kusano searched for a name which has a nice ring containing ‘S’ and ‘P’ which USANi likes. And the dog, “spits”, which was popular in the Shōwa period, matched the band images.
Band members
- Masamune Kusano (草野マサムネ Kusano Masamune, real name 草野正宗 (same pronunciation)). Vocals, guitar, and songwriting. Born on December 21, 1967 in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Graduated from Fukuoka Prefectural Jōnan High School, as well as from Musashino Art University with a degree in Design.
- Tetsuya Miwa (三輪テツヤ Miwa Tetsuya, real name 三輪徹也 (same pronunciation)). Guitar. Born on May 17, 1967 in Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Graduated from Fujieda Meisei High School and Bunka Fashion College.
- Akihiro Tamura (田村明浩 Tamura Akihiro). Bass guitar, band leader. Born on May 31, 1967 in Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Graduated from Shizuoka Prefectural Fujieda East High School. Attended Tokyo Zokei University, but left before graduating.
- Tatsuo Sakiyama (崎山龍男 Sakiyama Tatsuo). Drums. Born on October 25, 1967 in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Graduated from Tochigi Prefectural Sano High School and Bunka Fashion College.
Discography
All titles listed chronologically.
Singles
Listed as "A side / B side (release date, catalog number)".
- Hibari no Kokoro / Biidama (March 3, 1991, POCH-1973)
- Natsu no Mamono / Ninoude no Sekai (June 25, 1991, POCH-1974)
- Majo Tabi ni Deru / Tori ni Natte (October 25, 1991, POCH-1975)
- Wakusei no Kakera / Mermaid (August 26, 1992, POCH-1976)
- Hinata no Mado ni Akogarete (November 26, 1992, POCH-1977)
- Hadaka no Mama de / Kokoro no Soko kara (July 25, 1993, POCH-1978)
- Kimi ga Omoide ni Naru Mae ni / Natsu ga Owaru (October 25, 1993, POCH-1979)
- Sora mo Toberuhazu / Babyface (April 25, 1994, POCH-1980)
- Aoi Kuruma / Neko ni Naritai (July 20, 1994, POCH-1981)
- Spider / Koi ha Yūgure (October 26, 1994, POCH-1982)
- Robinson / Ore no Subete (April 5, 1995, POCH-1983)
- Namida ga Kirari ☆ / Luna Luna (July 7, 1995, POCH-1984)
- Cherry / Bunny Girl (April 10, 1996, POCH-1985)
- Nagisa / Tabibito (September 9, 1996, POCH-1986)
- Scarlet / Umeboshi (Live version) (January 29, 1997, POCH-1987)
- Yume Janai / Kimi dake wo (April 23, 1997, POCH-1988)
- Unmei no Hito / Nakayoshi (November 27, 1997, POCH-1989)
- Tsumetai Hoho / Xie Xie! (March 18, 1998, POCH-1990)
- Kaede / Supika (July 7, 1998, POCH-1991)
- Nagareboshi / Etranger (Tanyamix) / Ai no Shirushi (Live) (1999, POCH-1992)
- Hotaru / Moonlight / Shunka Rocket (2000, POCH-1934)
- Memories / Hōrō Kamome ha Doko made mo (2000, POCH-1962)
- Haruka / Funenori (2001, UPCH-5055)
- Yume Oi Mushi / Ōmiya Sunset (2001, UPCH-5070)
- Sawatte · Kawatte / Gerbera / Hōrō Kamome ha Doko made mo (Live) / Inaho (2001, UPCH-5075)
- Hanemono / Suginami Melody (2002, UPCH-5110)
- Mizuiro no Machi / Son Gokū (2002, UPCH-5111)
- Stargazer / Mikazuki Rock Sono 3 (2004, UPCH-5230)
- Masayume / Licorice (2004, UPCH-5277)
- Haru no Uta / Teku Teku (April 20, 2005, UPCH-5305)
- Mahō no Kotoba / Shalala (July 12, 2006, UPCH-5405)
Albums
Hachimitsu
Independent
- Hibari no Kokoro
- Happy Day (on cassette)
Original
- Spitz (March 25, 1991, POCH-1080)
- Namae wo Tsukete Yaru (November 25, 1991, POCH-1103)
- Hoshi no Kakera (September 26, 1992, POCH-1148)
- Crispy (September 26, 1993, POCH-1270)
- Sora no Tobikata (September 21, 1994, POCH-1392)
- Hachimitsu (September 20, 1995, POCH-1527)
- Indigo Chiheisen (October 23, 1996, POCH-1605)
- Fake Fur (March 25, 1998, POCH-1685)
- Hayabusa (July 26, 2000, POCH-4001)
- Mikazuki Rock (September 11, 2002, UPCH-1172)
- Souvenir (January 12, 2005, UPCH-1380)
Other
- Aurora ni Narenakatta Hito no Tame ni (mini ablum, April 25, 1992, POCH-1133)
- 99ep (January 1, 1999, POCH-1750)
- Ka Chō Fū Getsu (March 25, 1999, POCH-1776)
- Iro Iro Goromo (March 21, 2004, UPCH-1335)
Best
Video and DVD
- Sora to Video (1995, POVH-1046)
- Jamboree 1 (1996, POVH-1052)
- Sora to Video 2 (1997, POVH-1057)
- Jamboree 2 (1999, POVH-1076)
- Sora to Video 3 (2000, UPVH-1001 (VHS), UPBH-1009 (DVD))
- Sora to Video Custom (2001, UPBH-1025)
- Jamboree Deluxe (2001, UPBH-1026)
- Hōrō Hayabusa Junjō Sugoroku (2003, UPBH-9135/6)
- Sora to Video 4 (2005, UPBH-1170)
Tie-ins
- Aoi Kuruma (ending theme for the TV Asahi show Oh! L Club)
- Hachimitsu (insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
- Hanemono (commercial song for Calpis)
- Haruka (theme song for TBS drama Love Story)
- Haru no Uta (commercial song for Aquarius)
- Kaede (opening theme for TBS show Count Down TV)
- Kimi ga Omoide ni Naru Mae ni (commercial song for Ajinomoto Gift)
- Mahō no Kotoba (theme song for live action movie Honey and Clover)
- Masayume (theme song for Fuji TV show Medaka; commercial song for Fujifilm)
- Misoka (commercial song for Aquarius)
- Nagisa (commercial for the Glico snack food Pocky)
- Namida ga Kirari ☆ (opening theme for TBS show Count Down TV)
- Robinson (theme song for the Fuji TV show Imada Kōji no Shibuya-kei Ura Ringo)
- Sakana (insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
- Scarlet (theme for TBS drama Melody)
- Sora mo Toberuhazu (theme song for the Fuji TV drama Hakusen Nagashi)
- Stargazer (theme song for Fuji TV show Ainori)
- Supika (commercial song for the Japan Airlines Resotcha campaign; insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
- Tamagawa (insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
- Tsuki ni Kaeru (insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
- Tsumetai Hoho (commercial song for the Konica Revio)
- Unmei no Hito (theme song for the movie gekko no sasayaki)
- Y (insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
- Yoru wo Kakeru (insert song for Fuji TV anime series Honey and Clover)
- Yume Janai (theme for TV Asahi show Futari: Wherever You Are)
- Yume Oi Mushi (theme for the Toho movie and Fuji TV drama Platonic Sex)
External links
- Spitz Official Website (in Japanese)
- Spitz @ Universal Music Japan (in Japanese)